As we approach Mother’s Day, we want to encourage you to honor your dear mothers this month – and all year long – through God-honoring respect. Lolly is a young wife and mother who shared this excellent exhortation to us – thank you so much Lolly! ~KBR Ministries

We as girls like to dream, don’t we? Somehow dreaming enables us to escape reality… perhaps without us even knowing it. Even if we’re not dreaming about a “forbidden” subject, we like to dream about what the Lord may have in store for our future, because it gives us an escape from the reality of who we are right now, and aides us in believing a truth about ourselves that perhaps is not true at all. Dreaming about the future of becoming a wonderful wife and mother is exciting. After all, it’s one of our physical and spiritual goals! However, now as I find myself as young mother, my view has changed twofold on the topic of motherhood: first, my view has changed on what it takes to be a good mother, and second my view has changed on how much respect is due to good mothers.

Six short years ago, I was twenty-two years old, with marriage less than three months distant, and motherhood soon to follow. Little did I know, that in less than five years I would be the mother to four sons! Somehow that kind of reality seemed so far away… But I knew that when children did come, I wouldn’t have too much to worry about. Growing up with eight siblings, and me being the second oldest, I had many opportunities to be a big sister, and practice being a mother someday. When I was pregnant with our first son, I distinctly remember laughing with my husband about becoming parents. I couldn’t help commenting, “It should be pretty easy being parents, seeing that we both have had so many siblings to practice on.” I think maybe God chuckled when I said that too.  Little did I know what it truly would take for me to be a good mother, because only a mother knows. After baring two children before my third anniversary, I realized I needed some counsel. In desperately trying to find answers to my mothering questions, I went to the best mother I knew –my mom! After all, I knew that she had done a good job with her little ones. What she said to me took me by surprise: “Honey, being a mom is the most unselfish thing you’ll ever do.” I didn’t know what she meant then, but I do now.

“Honey, being a mom is the
most unselfish thing you’ll ever do.”
I didn’t know what she meant then, but I do now.

Did you ever think about your mom being a young mother? Think about it. Your mother – a young girl like yourself, with lots of hopes and dreams about being a good wife and having a little flock of sweet children who all matched, had clean faces, and were always smiling. Picture one of those little children as yourself. Your mommy had an expectation that she would be a good mommy. She would never yell at her kids, never be disorganized about her housekeeping, and by all means, never get behind on her photo albums! Her children would never be disrespectful, never run away in the store, and (hopefully) would never have runny noses! Your mother had hopes, and she had dreams… but the stark reality of life was that runny noses and naughty children both come in the beautiful package of motherhood. Your mother probably was a little disappointed when she wasn’t able to keep up quite like she thought she would.

Perhaps we as girls, sometimes have misconceptions how our moms are doing in the role of motherhood, because we never saw them in that position when they were young. We don’t remember all the nights that our mommies crawled out of bed to console our fears from bad dreams. We don’t remember all the times she took us to the park, or sang to us at night, or played with us on the floor. Your mom lived through many hilarious and humorous scenarios with you, as well as many mundane ones, like peanut butter and jelly faces, muddy boots on the rug, and her freshly-made cake just butchered by a butter knife. There were probably times in your mom’s early years that she felt a little desperate, trying to raise you right, yet falling so short of her own expectations of herself.

Think about your mom. She’s done a lot. I know, because I’m a mother of only five short years, and I’ve feel like I’ve done a lot… and I’m just beginning! The fact of the matter is, you may see many things about your mom that leave much to be desired, but have you ever taken the time to stop dreaming about what a wonderful mother you will be, long enough to ponder all your own mother has done for you? She’s a real person, just like you. She has spiritual expectations for herself and her motherhood, that she wishes she could fulfill better… but she keeps pressing on, trying to be to you a mother worthy of the name. She longs to be able to relate to you better as her daughter. What about the anguish of soul she goes through seeing your rebellion to her authority, when it seems like only yesterday she was rocking you as a sweet little innocent baby? What about all the prayers she has prayed for you, and all the dreams she has had about how sweet your relationship would be together? Those dreams got her though those difficult early years when she had no help. You would have tea parties together, and go to town together, and talk about marriage together, and you would be her special little friend. She would be well pleased with seeing the fruit of her efforts blossom forth into something amazing for the Lord. Have you ever considered that?

If you think your mom has a lot to learn, why not remember her as a young mother? Remember her with all her hopes and dreams, and try and help fulfill those dreams –instead of being so quick to point a judging finger at her because she doesn’t meet up to your high standard of motherhood. By the way, she probably felt the same way about her mother. Being under authority is an interesting thing. The best explanation of it is that it is God’s design, and it works (if each one is subjected wholly to the one above them). We will all see faults and failures in our authorities, but that’s ok. God’s order is designed for each one to submit to his own authority, and in the process, the authorities become better listeners and their subjects become better followers.

“Remember her with all her hopes and dreams,
and try and help fulfill those dreams –
instead of being so quick to point a judging finger
at her because she doesn’t meet up to your
high standard of motherhood.”

I have looked at my children recently, and thought, “Wow, they think I’m so old and together, and I feel like I’ve only just grown up –nearly a child myself!” We need to remember our mothers are human. Not “human” as in they make mistakes –we already know that. But “human” as in they are subject to the same emotions we are. Somehow, because they have always been an authority figure in our lives, we tend to get this idea about our parents that they are super-human. They don’t really get their feelings hurt, they don’t really get discouraged with themselves, and they don’t really need an encouraging word… After all, they’re Mom and Dad! The truth is, though, our parents do get their feelings hurt – they’ve just learned how to overlook an offense… Our parents do get discouraged with themselves –they’ve just learned out to lean ons Christ… And our parents do need encouragement, that’s why God gave you to them. That’s our privilege, girls. We just need to stop thinking about ourselves and do it. Last night my three-year-old son said that when he “gets a girl,” he’s going to change her name to my name. How sweet. God sends encouragements to us parents through our children in numerous different ways. But how about those encouragements from the young adults in the home? They have a choice to make if they want to be used of God in this way of encouragement. How about it, girls? Your little siblings don’t have to be the only ones to encourage your mom. If your mom is only half good, she is a super mom! Give her the honor she deserves, with all due respect.

“Thy father and thy mother shall be glad,
and she that bare thee shall recoice.”
{Proverbs 23:25}

~Mrs. Lolly Hale
{Guest Writer}

Tell Your Mom
Happy Mother’s Day…

We can do her chores
We can care for our little siblings
We can pray for them all the time
We can read the Bible to them
We can rub their feet.
~Katheleen

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Ring….ringgg…..riiinnnnngggg!

“Hello, Julie speaking!” the voice on the other end of the line was that of a sweet young lady. The voices of young children could be heard faintly in the background.

“Hello, Julie! How is the Lord blessing you today?” Rose greeted her friend.

“Dear Rose, thank you for your kind phone call; the Lord planned that perfectly, because I was just thinking of you this morning. I wanted to tell you what He showed me this morning during my daily devotions. I am studying Colossians – you know the passage I am memorizing in chapter one? – and how my heart was struck by verse seventeen! It says of Christ, ‘He is before all things, and by him all things consist‘! Isn’t that an amazing statement?!” Excitement flowed from Julie’s voice, who ardently loved the Word of God, and was always eager to share it with others.

“Oh, that is one of my favorite chapters in the New Testament, Julie! I can hardly comprehend the depths of the truth of this verse.” Rose mused, “Just think, God put Christ before all of His creation, higher than the heavens, thrones, dominions, principalities, and all powers!”

“So true. One day how glorious it will be to at last see this great Savior Who has redeemed us from the power of darkness and brought us into His truly glorious light. He seemed to prick my heart gently this morning, by asking me, ‘I am before all things in this world. Do you allow me to sit on the throne of your heart in every area?”

For a few moments, there was a deep pondering silence as both young ladies dwelt on this all-encompassing question.

“How prone to wander is this heart,” Julie continued, with a sigh. “May we from our lives whatever may be distracting our focus from Jesus Christ, the only One worthy of our thoughts. You know, I was thinking today, that maybe I have not quiet given CHrist preeminence in my life in the area of my thoughts. It seems like they have been allowed a bit too much freedom and that is something I desire to give over to Jesus, that vain imaginations and unrealistic, unbiblical dreams are not allowed any foothold in my life.”

“Julie, I can certainly relate, and will be praying for you, dear friend, because Christ is pleased to see your desire to maintain a pure heart all for Him. May He give you grace as you pray toward that goal…” Rose and Julie continued to share what the Lord had been teaching their hearts.

 Dear Sisters,

How rich is the communication Christ has given to us among other believers! I often thank the God for the godly sisters in the faith through whom He has blessed my life. What a privilege it is to hear how He is working in other’s hearts through His powerful Word. Malachi 3:16 rings in my mind – that beautiful picture of the remnant who spoke of the Lord and whose words brought a pleasant aroma to Him in heaven – “They that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.”

The Lord has given unto us the gift of communication. How are we using this gift? Do we enrich our family, friends, and acquaintances through God-honoring conversations and uplifting recollection of God’s Word and faithfulness?

Friendships are powerful and the words which we employ are life-giving or tearing down. I encourage you to seriously look at your relationships and your conversations according to God’s Word and principles.

• Frequently share verses the Lord has blessed you through in the Word. Psalm 119:46 proclaims, “I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.”
• Speak uplifting words that encourage others in the Lord. 1 Peter 4:11 tells us, “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” 
• Display the love and humility of Christ in your words and attitudes. Philippians 2:5-7 explains, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.”
• Take every every opportunity to speak of the Gospel. Philippians 1:27 says, “Let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.”
• Steer your conversations away from all gossip and vain topics. Hebrews 13:5 says, “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
• Limit the time you spend on the phone – remember that your family relationships should have first priority. Keep your conversations focused and purposeful. Proverbs 31:26 tells, “She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.”
• Pray often with and for others in your conversations. If you are speaking with a friend who is struggling through a trial, lift her before the Throne of Grace. You can pray spiritual prayers for her. Here are some Biblical prayers to study, pray, memorize, and model your prayers after:
  Numbers 6:24-27
  Colossians 1:9-12
  2 Thessalonians 3:3-5
  Philippians 1:9-11
  Ephesians 3:14-21

Sisters, let us ask the Lord to “Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips” (Psalm 141:3), for we cannot guard our words by our own power. Paul warned of the great danger in untamed tongues, “The tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison” (James 3:8). May others “behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear” (1 Peter 3:2). May the Christ who dwells in our hearts be the overflow of our words, that He is magnified in our conversations. God bless you!

Speaking the Word,

Sarah L. Bryant is the oldest daughter of Tom and Dana Bryant, who seeks to be a vessel that glorifies her Savior and Lord. Her heart’s desire is that Christ would be magnified in all her life, through honoring her parents, serving her father, encouraging her siblings in loving God’s precious Word, and girding herself with skills that will bless her future family, if God so leads. 

P.S. Next month, join us as we look at the topic of blessing our mothers on Mother’s Day! We would LOVE to hear from you – how do you like to make your mother feel extra special on Mother’s day every year? Email any ideas, tips, or testimonies to editor@kingsbloomingrose.com so we can include it in next month’s article!

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God is Our Rock & Refuge
This is the final in a five-part weekly series; we pray it has been a blessing to you! Thank you to our guest writer, Alyssa, for sharing these gleanings from your times with the Lord.

“The LORD is my defense; and my God is the rock of my refuge.”
{Psalm 94:22}

Our heart, like a greenhouse, is suited for growing, fertile, ready to produce good fruit, and has to be managed. Your thoughts are like seeds—some become flowers, some become weeds. As you are selective in the seeds you allow into your greenhouse, even more importantly you must be careful about what thoughts you allow to grow in your heart. The more selective you are with seeds, the more delighted you will be with the fruit. Stand watch as a trained soldier at the gateway of your heart. Guard your heart and deny wrong thoughts entrance. Submit your thoughts to God’s authority. Your mind is your heart’s doorway, where you determine which seeds to sow and which seeds to discard. The Holy Spirit helps you manage and filter thoughts trying to enter by standing at the threshold with you.

Transient squirrels and migrant birds pausing on a rock illustrate how rocks are resting places for the weary. In the same way, we find refuge in God. Rocks speak to us of strength, permanence, and stability. God is dependable, immovable, all-powerful, and always present during grievous times and gladsome times. God, the Rock of Ages, is always near, ready to provide safety and solace. 

“Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from Him cometh my salvation.
He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense;
I shall not be greatly moved…My soul, wait thou only upon God;
for my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation:
He is my defense; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory:
the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.
Trust in Him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before Him:
God is a refuge for us.”
{Psalm 62:1-2,5-8} 

Alpine plants grow very close to a rock, enjoying extra water from runoff and a bit of shade from the rock’s shadow. We also ought to live continually very close to our Rock, the Lord Jesus Christ, daily taking in the water of His Word and seeking to bring glory to Him.

“And the LORD said, Thou canst not see My face:
for there shall no man see Me, and live.
Behold, there is a place by Me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock:
and it shall come to pass, while My glory passeth by,
that I will put thee in a cleft of the rock,
and will cover thee with My hand while I pass by:
and I will take away Mine hand, and thou shalt see My back parts:
but My face shall not be seen.”
{Exodus 33:20-23} 

Throughout the Old Testament, when people found themselves in trouble of many kinds they would seek refuge and relief in physical rocks, i.e. mountains and caves. David especially came to see this from a spiritual perspective as the Lord became his refuge and strength for every trial he faced. 2 Samuel 22:2-3: “And he (David) said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; the God of my rock; in Him will I trust: He is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; Thou savest me from violence.”

When going through any kind of trouble, look to the Lord as your rock and refuge and thus be able to say with David, “God is our refuge and strength; a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).

Tips for Your Garden

For an alpine rock garden, select porous rocks such as limestone, sandstone, and shale. These rocks absorb water, keeping roots cool and moist. Impermeable rocks such as marble, basalt, and granite are preferable rocks for desert rock gardens.

God’s blessings to you sisters, as you plant healthy seeds in your hearts, that the fruits of God’s spirit will be able to take root in fertile soil!

~Alyssa K. Hage
{Guest Writer} 

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God is Our Protector
This is the forth in a five-part weekly series – we’d like to celebrate spring and the opportunities it presents, both physically to the new life on earth, and spiritually to the work Christ is springing forth from our hearts.

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”
{Proverbs 4:23}

Our heart, like a greenhouse, is suited for growing, fertile, ready to produce good fruit, and has to be managed. Your thoughts are like seeds—some become flowers, some become weeds. As you are selective in the seeds you allow into your greenhouse, even more importantly you must be careful about what thoughts you allow to grow in your heart. The more selective you are with seeds, the more delighted you will be with the fruit.

• Stand watch as a trained soldier at the gateway of your heart.
• Guard your heart and deny wrong thoughts entrance.
• Submit your thoughts to God’s authority.

Your mind is your heart’s doorway, where you determine which seeds to sow and which seeds to discard. The Holy Spirit helps you manage and filter thoughts trying to enter by standing at the threshold with you.

Tips for Your Garden

For growing plants indoors…When cutting off brown tips of leaves on potted plants, leave a narrow brown border; cutting into live tissue will cause further drying and dieback.Do not use leaf shine products, as they may clog leaf pores. Enhance leaf luster by wiping them with a damp sponge. Keep plants free of dust, as dust can clog leaf pores. If the house has low humidity, spray a mist of water on the leaves to give the plant a bit of humidity. Have any gardening tips to share? Feel free to leave a comment!

~Alyssa K. Hage
{Guest Writer} 

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God’s Word is Our Living Water
This is the third in a five-part weekly series – we’d like to celebrate spring and the opportunities it presents, both physically to the new life on earth, and spiritually to the work Christ is springing forth from our hearts. Have a blessed spring rejoicing in Christ’s glory!

“Jesus answered and said unto her,
If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee,
Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of Him,
and He would have given thee living water…
Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:
but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst;
but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water
springing up into everlasting life.”
{John 4:10,13-14}

The cactus plant retains water to survive living in a dry climate. Be like a cactus. Retain the water of God’s Word and you can live cheerfully anywhere, even in a desert. John 7:37-38: “Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink. He that believeth on Me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” It’s important for the gardener to be regularly present—to observe and prevent, to notice and nourish—in order for the garden to grow. It’s important for us to be regularly in God’s presence in order to grow spiritually; if I am not, I won’t notice His songs, hear His voice, or respond to His instructions. As we are persistent in cultivating a lovely garden, so we should persist in the cultivation of living in God’s presence. As we draw near to Him, our gardens (our lives and homes) reflect the glory of His presence. Our relationship with God, like a garden, is a place of creation, consecration, and calm.

“Thou wilt show me the path of life:
in Thy presence is fullness of joy;
at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”
{Psalm 16:11} 

God gave Adam work to do in the Garden of Eden, but it was also His idea to just walk together in the cool of the day (Genesis 3:8). Often we think we need to do great things for God, but He wants us to simply enjoy the great things He has created and done for us. Contemplating the flow of water down a waterfall…A minute passes, is it the same stream still? Yes. But is it the same water? No. The liquid mass that passed me a few seconds ago now fills another section of the channel, new water has replaced it; water instead of water. John 1:16: “Of His (Jesus) fullness have all we received, and grace for grace.” The word “for” means “instead of.” The picture is of a perpetual succession of supply, a displacement ever going on, like a waterfall. So hour-by-hour and year-by-year, grace takes the place of grace through Christ. One stream has continual water displacement. Our lives in Christ have continual grace. James 4:6-7&10: “But He giveth more grace…God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you…Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up.”

Just as plants can’t grow in a garden having hard ground, so our lives can’t be fruitful with a hard heart of unbelief. God grows beautiful things from the soil of depleted lives. Go to the Lord and exchange your ruined garden for a garden full of roses. Isaiah 35:1-2: “The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing…” 

“And the LORD shall guide thee continually,
and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones:
and thou shalt be like a watered garden,
and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.”
{Isaiah 58:11}

Just as we restore ruined gardens, God restores ruined lives. As a Father, God envisioned His children having fellowship with Him in unbroken harmony. In the Garden of Eden, His vision was fulfilled only temporarily and then disobedience brought ruin. It took Jesus Christ to restore the fellowship between God and mankind by taking the penalty for our sins. From fulfillment to ruin to restoration; now for those who receive Jesus Christ as Savior, the Garden of Eden still exists. Psalm 51:10-12: “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence; and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation; and uphold me with Thy free spirit.”

Keep the soil of your heart well-cultivated for the seed of God’s Word to take root in. Then He will plant within you a garden of beautiful roses in the midst of the spiritually dry and thirsty land in which we live.

“O God, Thou art my God; early will I seek Thee:
my soul thirsteth for Thee, my flesh longeth for Thee
in a dry and thirsty land,
where no water is; to see Thy power and Thy glory, so as I have seen Thee in the sanctuary.
Because Thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise Thee…
Because Thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of Thy wings will I rejoice.
My soul followeth hard after Thee: Thy right hand upholdeth me.”
{From Psalm 63} 

Tips for Your Garden

The centifolia roses are often called cabbage roses because their whorled petals and lush rounded blossoms resemble cabbage heads. Feed roses with a granular slow-release fertilizer or apply a dousing of fish emulsion. Water “modern” roses (varieties of the 1900s) several times a week to a depth of three inches; “old” roses (varieties of the 1800s) need watering once a week. Avoid wetting foliage to discourage black spot.

~Alyssa K. Hage
{Guest Writer}

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Planting Seeds that Endure Forever
This is the second in a special five-part weekly series for March – we’d like to celebrate spring and the opportunities it presents, both physically to the new life on earth, or spiritually to the work Christ is springing forth from our hearts, and pray this series blesses you as you blossom in Christ!

“And Jesus answered them, saying,
The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.
Verily, verily, I say unto you,
Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone:
but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world
shall keep it unto life eternal.”
{John 12:23-25}

Seeds are little storehouses entrusted with a plan of God’s design and once planted they release the design imprinted on them. Each of you has God’s plan imprinted on your heart and when God settles you in places that nurture growth, you may accomplish all God intends. Unless a seed falls into the ground and dies, it remains a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Unless the Lord Jesus had died for us, He would’ve been the only One to spend eternity in Heaven. But because He died, many are saved from sin and will spend eternity in Heaven with Him.

Plant seeds are perishable, but the seeds of God’s Word endure forever. The seeds of God’s Word are planted in fertile hearts and are propagated in yielded lives. 1 Peter 1:22-25: “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: but the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.”

The parable Jesus taught about the seeds in Matthew 13:1-23 is summarized by the following quote, “One for the rock, one for the crow, one to die, and one to grow.” How a seed will grow depends on where it’s planted; how God’s Word is heeded depends on the heart of the hearer. What kind of heart do you have for the Word of God to grow in?

I reap only what I sow. No planting of bulbs in the fall, no tulip blossoms come spring; no effort in speaking to a new girl at church, no friendship will bloom. We harvest according to the kind of seed we plant; so it is with our actions toward others. 2 Corinthians 9:6-8: “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.” Notice the superlatives—all grace, always, all sufficiency, all things, every good work? God always supplies everything we need to bring forth fruit to His glory. The more bulbs I plant in the fall, the more blooms I will have in the spring. The more I do what God commands, the more Fruit of the Spirit He will produce in my life. Galatians 6:7-9: “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

Tips for Your Garden

Seeds that are more than two years old are less likely to sprout and produce flowers, fruits, and vegetables. As the growing season comes to a close, pluck extra blooms from vegetable plants. These late blooms won’t mature into produce, and removing the blooms will divert growth to already developing produce. Feel free to share any gardening comments below!

Next week, we’ll be back to rejoice in the water with which the Lord waters our heart-gardens.

~Alyssa K. Hage
{Guest Writer} 

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Rooted in God’s Love
This is the first of a special five-part weekly series for this new month – we’d like to celebrate spring and the opportunities it presents, both physically to the new life on earth, and spiritually to the work Christ is springing forth from our hearts, by focusing on this topic on our forum. We pray it is a blessing to you, sister!

“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord,
so walk ye in Him: rooted and built up in Him,
and established in the faith, as ye have been taught,
abounding therein with thanksgiving.”
{Colossians 2:6-7}

Plants will not survive without roots. We are much like plants; we will not survive without roots. Roots are the avenue by which the plant receives nourishment; they hold the plant stable and store extra nutrients. Sincere love in action (what the Bible calls “charity” in 1 Corinthians 13) nourishes, stabilizes, and provides us with stores for the fruit of the Holy Spirit. The most deeply rooted people are those who are grounded in God’s perfect love and thus they flourish, not easily blown away by the fierce wind of adversity. Ephesians 3:17-19: “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.” There has been much debate about these four dimensions of God’s love, but a little child held in the loving arms of his mother knows exactly how all-surrounding love feels. This is the everlasting love with which God loves us!

As we grow in God’s love, our garden and our character both reflect the amount of weeding done during the growing season. Weeds are unsightly, rob soil of water and nutrients from cultivated plants, harbor diseases, serve as hosts for pests, cause unwanted shade, crowd crops, and block air circulation. Weeds rooted in the heart, like jealousy, self-pity, unjustified anger, and bitterness are more destructive than weeds rooted in the earth. An offense can cause a bitter spirit. It will germinate and spread, color our personality, affect our behavior, and choke our relationship with God. The longer a weed grows, the harder it is to uproot. The more sin grows, the harder it is to get rid of. Prompt removal is the way to avoid trouble made by weeds and it’s the only way of dealing with bitter roots that can overrun the heart. Hebrews 12:14-15: “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, f and thereby many be defiled.”

Every evil thing Satan plants shall be rooted up. Matthew 15:13: “But He (Jesus) answered and said, Every plant, which My heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.” Trials are God’s experiment to prove us; suffering is a wonderful fertilizer to the roots of godly character.

The root of the matter: let God’s love take deep root in your life.

Tips for Your Garden

Rooting hormones, a chemical compound synthesized in powder or liquid form can be introduced to new plants or transplants to encourage new root production. A recommended amount is simply added to water in the planting hole before placing the plant firmly in the hole.

~Alyssa K. Hage
{Guest Writer} 

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“The LORD is good to all:
and his tender mercies are over all his works.”
{Psalm 145:9}

What do you desire? What does your heart wait for? Is there something that has been on your prayer request list for many months—even years—that remains unanswered? Maybe you have interceded for the salvation of a dear family member or spiritual renewal? Or does your groan with impatience for graduation or another major life step? Are you impatient to be married? Or maybe you are waiting for God to provide financially for a family need? What about a “great opportunity to witness” for Christ and do something world-impacting? Whatever you are waiting for today, I would like to ask you, how are you waiting?

Impatience or Submission

Waiting. How do you wait today? Are you pacing the floor with impatience, wondering if God’s timing truly is best? While waiting, we often encounter with a grimace the impatience if our souls to wait for God’s perfect timing — sometimes a time line that is not what we hoped or prayed for.

The Lord has put a certain desire on my heart which I have prayed toward and waited for a long season now. Knowing I have asked for this in accordance with His revealed will in His Word, it has become a matter of diligent intercession. However, He has not deemed the time right yet to answer in the affirmative. At times, I am ashamed to admit, the fear has crept in my heart that maybe God will not answer my prayer?

Trusting that God is Good

While waiting, we are called to trust God wholeheartedly — to trust ourselves to His incredible goodness and impeccable character, believing that no matter what God’s timing is, or how He answers our heart’s desire, that He is good. We must be committed to never waver in our knowledge of His goodness. The Psalmist in 130:5 said that “I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope,” and that is exactly how we must wait. Not twiddling our fingers, but calling to our hearts and minds to God’s holy unfailing promises. They never fail. As humans, we can hardly understand that incredible truth of God’s unchanging, unfailing word. We fail, we make mistakes, we misspeak, and we often break our promises. However, God does not. Through the Old Testament prophet, He proclaimed, “For I am the LORD, I change not” (Malachi 3:6). Therefore, He is utterly worthy of our complete (although finite) trust. Filling our minds with His precious promises (2 Peter 1:4) is a beautiful way to quiet our impatient, waiting hearts!

I encourage you to spend several hours studying God’s promises to those who wait faithfully on Him. Your heart will be left awed and speechless, worshipping Him for His goodness toward His people! A friend recently shared with me a list of God’s promises to those who wait for Him that she personally studied. I would love to share them with you here.

»Ps. 25:3; Is. 49:23 You will not be ashamed.
»Ps. 25:5 You will be led and taught in God’s Truth.
»Ps. 25:21 You will be preserved.
»Ps. 27:14 Your heart will be strengthened.
»Ps. 33:20 The Lord will help and shield you.
»Ps. 37:9 You will inherit the earth.
»Ps. 37:34 God will exalt you.
»Ps. 40:1; Micah 7:7 God will incline His ear unto you and hear you.
»Ps. 52:9 You will be an encouragement and example to other Believers.
»Ps. 59:9 God will be your defense.
»Ps. 62:1 Your salvation will be from Him.
»Ps. 62:5 Your expectation will be from the Lord and nobody else.
»Ps. 123:2 God will show mercy to you.
»Ps. 145:15 God will give you food in due season.
»Prov. 20:22 The Lord will save you.
»Is. 25:9 You will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.
»Is. 30:18 You will be blessed.
»Is. 33:2 God will be gracious to you, He will be your arm every morning, and He will be your salvation in times of trouble.
»Is. 40:31 Your strength will be renewed.
»Is. 64:4 You will have things God has prepared for you that eye hasn’t seen not ear heard.
»Lam. 3:25 The Lord will be good to you.

A Sovereign Planner

Have you ever marveled for hours on the fact that God, our Savior, made the heavens and the earth and all creatures and man with simple a word? A word! What power does our word hold? Not much — we cannot speak anything into being! God’s power is that great! When I find myself marveling in this truth, my doubts fade away as vapor. How can I ever doubt His plan and timing in something so small, in comparison to His power revealed in the world around us? His view is eternal, and mine so limited by time. His plan so vast and higher than I can imagine, for I am finite. Isaiah 55:9 says, “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” What an incredible thought!  The heavens are so high, so unattainable, and the universe so vast. And its Creator takes time—delights in—using me for His glory and doing all things for my eternal good (Romans 8:28)! “How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!” (Psalm 139:17)

The Lamb is Worthy

As the Lord was showing me His awesome power and plan, He also showed me another important aspect of waiting. The promises He provides are too good to speak of; however, that is not the only reason we are to wait for God to work out His perfect, sovereign plan. In Revelation,we quickly read why:

“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created” (Revelation 4:11).

God sent His OWN SON — how many times have we heard that, that we do not even stop to think of its significant meaning?—His own perfect Being, into this world to save His own creature. There was nothing to cause Him to do that except His incomprehensible mercy; He would have been fully justified to send every man to hell. We have sinned infinitely against His holy nature. As my favorite preacher Paul Washer said, “Never ONCE have you loved God as He ought to be loved. There is not one moment that Christ did not love God.”

God is worthy. He is worthy of everything. EVERYTHING — and still more! This fact alone gives us reason to trust Him forever, no matter what He brings along. He has showed love and mercy to the unlovable — toward you and me — and saved us from His just wrath. Therefore, we trust Him with our souls, and we trust Him with every small area of our life.

In Closing

I encourage you, dear waiting sister, not to stand despairingly with limp arms, wondering if the Lord Almighty has heard your desires and your requests. Trust Him and His promises, for “this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him” (1 John 5:14-15). Lay your desires at God’s feet, and leave them there. The Maker of Heaven and earth holds them in His hand and is aptly able to bring them into being with one word.

I am here to joyfully attest that when we do just as God has commanded in asking Him in faith, and then patiently waiting on His perfect timing, there is found true joy.

And in this alone do I find true peace…

Just as He promised.

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee“ (Isaiah 26:3).

Peace to you,

Sarah L. Bryant is the oldest daughter of Tom and Dana Bryant, who seeks to be a vessel that glorifies her Savior and Lord. Her heart’s desire is that Christ would be magnified in all her life, through honoring her parents, serving her father, encouraging her siblings in loving God’s precious Word, and girding herself with skills that will bless her future family, if God so leads. 

You are invited to …

We are going to set aside all of our books in February—except ONE! For 29 days, we’ll commit to reading God’s Holy Words each day and discovering the immense blessings of placing Him first in our lives! Take the challenge with other Christian girls and be fulfilled as never before on God’s Word. Click here to print our pre-made chart.

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As we enter a new year, it is an ideal time to prayerfully evaluate our lives in light of God’s Word and make goals for the new season ahead. Our friendships, as well as every other area of our lives, should be centered on God’s glory and Kingdom. My friend Amelia has shared some thoughts below on this topic, encouraging others to cultivate friendships that will build one another up in the Lord. And never forget, that the year 2012 presents the best opportunity to seek a deeper, closer relationship with the One Who sticks closer than a brother – our precious Savior Jesus Christ. Therefore, let all other relationships flow from that unhindered communion with Him.

Seeking the One Who is the closest Friend,

 

The Lord has blessed me with several wonderful, encouraging, Godly friendships. Some lessons in being a friend I have learned the hard way. Looking back, I can see a lot of superfluity in the friend relationships that no longer exist. When one particular friendship of mine began to hit rocky shores, it was simply because our lives were headed in different directions. Another time, the friendship didn’t last because the other party didn’t think as highly of our friendship as I did. With some relationships, I had to be content to walk away.

Nonetheless, these lessons were not in vain, because using them as I have grown older (and hopefully wiser), my friendships have lasted; but only because we have used a very special glue: the Lord Jesus Christ and the principles of His Word.

Think of the names of your three closest friends. Once you have them, consider the following questions in the context of those relationships.

» Is your conversation about the Lord at least 20% of the time? If not, make an effort in your next conversation to turn the tide—and make it real.
» Do your conversation and actions edify one another? If you only talk about others, what is it doing for eternity?

Every Godly relationship takes a lot of time and effort to make it strong and maintain that strength. Here is a list of ideas that you can do together with your friends to not only have fun, but also to strengthen your friendship:

» Pray together for someone’s salvation.

» Memorize a book of the Bible together. When you are finished, go to dinner to celebrate.

» If your relationship is long-distance, begin a devotional blog together.

» Plan a shopping day together and determine to hand out at least 25 gospel tracts. See if you can get into a conversation about the Lord with a cashier or fellow customer.

» Make a commitment to keep each other accountable about one character trait a month for one season. Make weekly phone check-ups.

» Read the Bible through together, and share notes about how the experience changed your life.

» Start a younger girl’s devotional group together. Choose a book to work through and schedule meetings once or twice a month. At the end, host a tea party for all participants.

» Make a quilt together and send to a foreign missionary.

» Have a baking day and deliver the cookies to shut-ins.

Don’t forget, there is still The Friend that sticketh closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24)!

Amelia Breeden (17) is the only daughter in her family of six. She enjoys edifying others, web design, and preparing to be a homemaker.

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