I have a plant in my room, which I inherited from my mother. My responsibility is to water the plant and ensure it gets enough water so it does not dry out or the leaves wither.
Psalm 1:3 says, “ He is a like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither”.
Jesus is the living water that never runs dry (John 4:7-31).
Hallelujah!
We must continually run to Him.
For Him to rewash and cleanse us.
When we do not run to the Father,
It leads us to feel unsatisfied, tired & weary.
Isaiah 58:11: “The LORD will always lead you. He will satisfy your needs in dry lands and strengthen your bones. You will be like a garden with much water, like a spring that never dries”.
In today’s busy world, we can often forget or procrastinate the need to replenish our souls.
Like a plant dependent on sunlight and nutrients for it to grow.
We must do the same for us to prosper.
Some plants need specific requirements for them to grow.
This is similar to our spiritual walk.
The Bible tells us to remain steadfast and immovable (1 Corinthians 15:58), and Colossians 2:7 says to “be rooted and built up, established in faith”.
Once, I placed this plant in the direction of too much sunlight (it prefers the shade). I noticed that this exposure was destroying the plant.
You must eliminate anything that is blocking your ability to flourish.
Protection is essential for growth and maintaining a suitable environment for nurturing your spirit.
Do not disregard your mental health/well-being, and protect your peace at all costs.
Be mindful of your current environment so that it does not cause you to stumble or halt your development.
Furthermore, exposing your spirit to what it should avoid can be a detriment.
Whether it be what you watch on the television or how you spend your spare time.
The people you are in company with.
Or the music you listen to.
All these have the potential to cause contamination.
In 2020, the Lord told me to stop listening to the secular music I was listening to.
Now, I listen to songs that honour God and give Him all the praise and glory.
The Bible says, “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord” (Psalm 150:6).
The enemy wants you to avoid choosing songs of worship.
Since making that sacrifice, I have seen its impact on my life.
Worship has now become the centre of who I am.
All from making one change.
But a significant one indeed.!
Give us more discernment.
Remove every hindrance.
The other day, I noticed that my plant has three new shoots or vines, which are developing into new seeds.
Displaying new life.
Jesus tells us in John 15:1-5 “ I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes that it may bear more fruit”.
We can only grow and be fruitful by remaining in Christ alone.
Feeding on His word, praying without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18), seeking His face, fleeing from sin & keeping His commandments.
Colossians 1:10 says “To walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God”.
In addition, Galatians 5:22-23 speaks of the fruits of the spirit, which are other attributes to display within our character.
We must be open to the pruning to take place within ourselves.
No one has arrived; as Philippians 3:12-14 tells us, ..‘we must press on and strain toward what is ahead’.
Growth can often come when we are stretched or produced from a challenge.
In the moment, we can often resent the hardships we go through, but in the end.
They can become the making of us.
And transform us into who God designed and created us to be.
My plant is now beginning to outgrow its current space.
You may start beginning to outgrow relationships or current spaces.
Sometimes, we want to fit in, but no more capacity exists.
We may become different.
Set apart.
Do not be held back.
This is a sign of your advancement.
PRAYER
Father, in the Name of Jesus,
We lift you up again today,
We bless your Holy Name,
We give you the glory,
We give you all the honour and praise,
Thank you for your goodness,
Cleanse us again, Lord,
Rewash us,
Prune us,
Make us more and more like you,
May we possess the fruits of the spirit,
May we have Godly character,
Fill us and revive our souls,
Abiding in you,
Close to you,
May we always remain pleasing to you,
Fleeing from sin,
Let us stay rooted in you,
Your law is in our hearts, Lord.
None of our steps shall slide (Psalm 37:31),
We will meditate on your word day and night (Psalm 1:2),
We thank you that you are the living water that never runs dry,
Remove any tiredness and weariness from our lives,
Remove any hindrances or idols that are preventing us from advancing,
Any blockage or hidden sin,
Put an end to all contamination,
Help us to discern,
We will grow in grace,
No stuntedness,
May we flourish,
I declare we shall never wither,
We shall bear much fruit,
May we always remain fruitful,
We shall be steadfast,
We will pray without ceasing,
Continue to guide, direct and lead us,
Give us wisdom,
Help us to nurture ourselves,
I declare spiritual growth,
Prosper us, Lord,
Protect us,
We shall have the victory!
In your precious Holy Name,
Amen.
Written by Jaeger. V
9/12/24