Worshipful Wednesday: Lessons from the Garden, Part 2

Roots
We must be rooted in Jesus Christ. We may appear small or weak on the outside when our lives in Christ are new, but the roots should run long and deep so that no one, no power or influence could pull us up.

We must also be rooted in God's word. If our roots are not in a soil with an abundance of water and food, we, the plants, will grow weak and sickly. We may wilt down and even die. However, if we are daily watered and fed in the soil of God's word, we can reach up toward the Son growing stronger in faith. We can also reach outward, producing branches with fruit that can provide shelter and sustenance for others.

We must be diligent to uproot any evil thing that may take hold in the soil of our hearts. If the soil is dry and hard, it is difficult if not impossible to pull out the evil by the root. We may pluck it off at the soil line so that outwardly it is not visible, but the roots remain, growing stronger, stealing nutrients from the roots of goodness, righteousness, faith and love. Nevertheless, if we soften the soil with the water of God's Word, we can reach deep down to pull out the evil with all its roots, giving space for the things of God to grow and fill in.

Remember, we have a Master Gardener who wants to water and nourish the soil of our hearts. He also will help us remove the evil roots and strengthen the roots of righteousness.

Colossians 2:6-7
Matthew 13:3-52

Stephanie

Worshipful Wednesday: Lessons from the Garden, Part 1

Several years ago, I sat down and started writing out the thoughts that had come into my head during the time I spent in the garden. It was like God was showing me how our lives are mirrored in the way His creation works. I'd like to share with you what God was teaching me (what I'm still learning to this day). Here is part one...

Soil

When we clear away everthing that is dead and rotting from our hearts, the ground is soft and open. Then God sends the rain that soaks in deep. This rain may be light and refreshing, but most of the time it is a downpour, complete with lightning and thunder and wind. It seems so harsh, as though it would uproot and wash away the seedlings that God planted. However, He has a perfect plan. He knows just how much rain to send to bring us back to life and into a right relationship with Him. Our job is to hold fast during the storm, trusting that soon the Sun will come again and we will be ready to grow, having been nourished abundantly by our Master Gardener, the Lord God.

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11-13

Stephanie

Meditation Monday

Memorial Park, Chincoteague, Va.
Summer 2009

                         JESUS said

                                         I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE

                                         I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

                                                                                                        ~ John 14:6; John 8:12