Life in the Garden

"...when it is full grown, it is larger than the garden plants and becomes a tree, 

so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches."

Matthew 13:32

A beautiful and well-functioning garden will have a variety of plants.

It will have the aged plants, such as trees that have been around a long time. These plants bring stability, shelter, protection. They give insight because their vision is greater because of their stature. They are a landmark, providing guidance and boundaries.

A garden will also have new growth. The fresh and new tastes and smells bring new hope and joy. However, these new and tender plants need the protection of the old. If the old is critical of the new, the garden will eventually die. The new plants need to be nourished properly or there may be defects in them when they become aged plants. However, God's grace is so great that He can turn the faults into unique identities.

A garden will also have the middle growth plants that are in between the old and the new. This is where a lot of the provision will come from. The day in and day out function of the garden will be here. When immature they may not understand that the fruit they produce will provide for the old and the new, however as their fruit matures they will see it. 

Not only is the garden full of living plants, but creatures such as birds. For the new growth, the birds are a threat. Birds will devour the new seed that is not protected, thinking its food for them. But when the seed is cultivated--nourished and protected--it will grow and the birds are no longer a threat. As the seed turns into a plant that bears fruit, it feeds the very birds that tried to devour it. Now, because of its maturity, the birds can eat the fruit from the plant without killing it. The plant needs to give, and the birds provide that opportunity. Then, as a full grown tree, it provides a nesting place--a home--for the birds. The seed which was once threatened becomes a home to the very thing that threatened it simply because it was nourished, protected and grew into maturity where it could fulfill it's purpose. 

What an awesome example the garden is of God's Kingdom.

The Way

"...And you know the way where I am going."

Jesus, John 14:4

Jesus told His disciples that He was leaving them and going to prepare a place for them. He told them that they know the way there. Thomas said they didn't know where He was going so how could they know the way! To that Jesus answered that He is the way, the truth and the life. 

The disciples were thinking they had to know where He was going before they could know the way to get there. What they didn't consider, is that not only is Jesus the way, but He is the destination. He is our living destination! Jesus went on to tell them to abide in Him. We must remain in Him. Jesus is not a vehicle we use to arrive at a certain place. He is the place we are seeking. When we find Him, we must stay there--in Him. When we do, we will be with Him wherever He is. What a joy!

God's Happy Meals

"Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple,

and breaking bread from house to house,

they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, "

Acts 2:46

This is just me, but I think our food becomes healthier to us when we receive it with thankfulness, joy and fellowship with others. Having a grateful heart towards the Lord for providing for us, sharing His goodness with others, and the joy that both of those things bring, I believe, makes the food we eat more nourishing. Maybe our bodies absorb the nutrients better, I don't know, but the Bible does say that a joyful heart is good medicine! (Proverbs 17:22).

Another thing happens when we share meals together, it unites us. When you share a meal with others, there's a connecting or a bonding going on. The food we eat makes up who we are, so maybe by eating the same food together it contributes to us becoming one. The Bible does say not to eat with a person who says they are a Christian yet they are still practicing sinful behavior, so something significant happens when we share meals with other believers, (1 Corinthians 5:11). 

Not only does it matter who we eat with, but what we eat is important too. The culinary artist is often pressured to conform to unhealthy appetites. A true culinary artist cares for the body, physically as well as spiritually, and creates a healthy atmosphere beginning with healthy food. However, it's a struggle to prepare meals for those who don't appreciate the taste of wholesome, healthy, food. I say we explore all of the good food God has put on the planet, sharing what we find with others, and nurture a healthy appetite so we can truly be thankful for all the Lord has provided for us. Let's develop our taste discernment so we recognize, and appreciate, what's truly good.

Bigger Dreams!

Are you worried that the task set before you to do is too much? Are you looking for ways to downsize your dreams? Rather than cutting back and scaling down your dreams, dream bigger! Set your sights higher, because you must realize that you need the Lord to make it happen. As long as you think your dreams and purpose in life are something that you are going to make happen then it won't work right. If you think that what He has purposed for you to do in life must not be that big because you're "just you," then you're still thinking that you are going to have to "control" it. No! The sooner you realize you need Him and you can never fulfill your purpose without Him, the sooner your dreams will begin to germinate and grow into something amazing. He wants it to be beyond what you can handle yourself because He is going to get glorified by it, and you need to be the first one to worship and glorify Him while your dreams are growing and coming to fruition.

"Let your light shine before men

in such a way that they may see your good works,

 and glorify your Father who is in heaven." 

Jesus, Matthew 5:16.

Meeting the Need

"You give them something to eat!"

Luke 9:13

I've found, at times, when I mention to the Lord that someone has a need, He will often tell me to meet that need. Sometimes this catches me off guard because I'm not expecting Him to tell me to do something about it--I was asking Him to do something about it! He did this with the disciples who came to Him and told Him to send the hungry crowd of 5000 away because they had no food. He said, "You give them something to eat!" The Lord has told me to take care of a financial need for someone else, even when it looked like I didn't have the money either! The disciples certainly didn't have enough food to feed the 5000, nor did they have enough money to go buy food. However, the Lord was trying to teach them something--you have more resources than you think you do! If you will do what He says, and give what you do have to Him, it can go farther than you ever dreamed!

The guy with the midnight friend is an example of someone who knows that the Lord is the source of all supply. He has the words, He has the wisdom, He has the power to take care of any need there is, and He said, "Everyone who asks, receives..." (Luke 11:10). Don't give up and walk away with your need unmet. Don't send others away with their need unmet, but let Him meet the need! Seek Him for the way to make it happen!

Throw Out Your Line!

"Their line has gone out through all the earth, and their utterances to the end of the world."
Psalm 19:4

The word "line" in this Scripture is *Qav. It means a cord, as for measuring or connecting. It could even be a musical type of line--a line that carries sound. This may be a sound/light type of energy, as even the Bible tells us that His Word brings light, (Psalm 119:130). God is a creative God and He has designed it so the message of the Gospel can go out into all the earth through many forms. Throw out your line--send out the Word of God through whatever voice or form the Lord has given to you. Release the sound of His Word through the creative expression He has gifted you with!

Our creative expression is our "art." We don't use it to make Jesus fashionable. We don't shape Him into something just so people will accept Him. We don't paint a picture of Jesus that implies He can be whatever we want Him to be. We "preach" the truth--even through our creative expressions. Let the creative gifting God has put within you release the sound of the living Word of God, reaching the hearts of people, so faith is conceived in their heart, they call upon Him and are saved!

*Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible

Your Seed is Calling

"For nothing will be impossible with God."

Luke 1:27

I think one of the major reasons people don't know their call in life, is that they overlook it--not realizing its importance. Your call may not seem significant in the beginning because it's just a seed, but it has potential to turn into something great. It needs you, however, to tend to it and nurture it. It needs you to see the potential in it way before anyone else does, and then to stay committed to its growth.