You didn't choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name." ---John 15:16, New Living Translation
In 2007 I toured the Hawaiian Islands with my sister. In Hilo, Hawaii we visited Volcano National Park where we had the opportunity to walk on land created by lava flows from times past. There is still steam coming from many of the rocks.
You already know lava is extremely hot, reaching a temperature of more than 930 degrees. It is hard to believe that anything can grow in this area but sure enough I spotted two tiny plants pushing up through the gravel. As the tour bus took us further up the road, I noticed bigger plants and taller trees. It's here that I realized the power of a seed. It didn't matter how hot the lava or how hard the ground, life could not be held back.
The same applies to our spiritual growth. There are moments when it appears that change is impossible, that the challenge of temptation's "heat" is too great. But when the seed of God's Word is planted and carefully watered on an ongoing, consistent basis, Godly character will spring forth, faith will increase, bad habits will be broken, the mind will become renewed. We will be like those two tiny plants breaking through seemingly insurmountable circumstances to become strong and mighty trees.
In fact, did you know the Bible compares us to trees. Psalm 92:12 tells us that the righteous will flourish like the cedars of Lebanon. A quick Google search revealed that cedar wood is resistant to decay and severe temperatures. You and I can grow to be just like those cedars, protected during these times of economic unrest and danger, resistant to the pressures of life.
We can plant and water the seed of God's Word by praying scripture into our lives. Joshua 1:8 tells us to not let the Word of God depart from our mouths but to meditate on it day and night. We will experience prosperity and success in every area of our lives.
Biblical meditation involves speaking scripture out loud. This is a way of affirming God's truth. Hearing our own lips speak the truth will cause God's Word to take root in our hearts quickly. When the scriptures are in our hearts in abundance, the fruit Jesus talks about in John 15:16 is produced.
Let's continue to plant God's Word and water it each day by studying the Bible, thinking about its truths and praying it over our lives. The result is fruit that will never spoil.
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Karin Peavy is the author of Hot Chocolate For the Spirit, a new Bible devotional containing dynamic lessons that are sure to comfort you throughout all of life's many seasons. She also publishes a weekly ezine titled What is God Up to Today? Visit http://www.karinpeavy.com to discover more about Karin's Bible study resources.
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