Wednesday, May 1, 2019

Seeds, Fruit, and Flourishing

The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God. They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green, to declare that the Lord is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.  Psalm 92:12-15
Seeds, Fruit, and Flourishing
The seasons of faith are planting and productive times that cause us to be fresh and flourishing toward the Lord in the seasons of life. Where's your faith planted today? ..Money, retirement plans, family, friends?  The only faith that produces is faith that is planted in God and His Word, which for many of us started when we were very young. Others may not have started their faith journey until they were older. It doesn’t matter when you started, it only matters how you grow and flourish along the way.  
When we grow and flourish in our relationship with Christ, it sets us up for passing on the faith to our children.  A heritage of faith is a testimony of walk and talk and it gives them the greatest inheritance they will ever receive.  It is a life of faith lived out in front of them.  We can then plant seeds of faith in them. Psalms 92:13-14asays Those who are planted in the house of the LORD Shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age.  That’s a promise from God to both us and our children. We can flourish when we are rooted and grounded in Him, and, keep on bearing fruit as we age.  Our jobs are not done when we raise our kids and they all come to know Him.  We still have fruit to bear and share.  
Every day is a new challenge for a new faith. Flourish in your faith today by declaring what the Lord has done for you and what you will do for the Lord. Our children need to know what God has done for us, and they need to see our willingness to obey. They need to know the stories of how He brought us through the fire, raised us up out of despair, and saved our lives. By living our faith out in front of our children they will have a greater knowledge of God than they will get from just reading the Bible and going to church.  What we really knowabout God comes from our experiences with Him. That is something that can be witnessed by our kids and grandkids and make a great impact on their lives.  The flame we pass on is our living faith burning in our hearts and shining through our lives.  It is not just “what we believe,” but a relationship to be developed with Jesus.
If we want the next generation to flourish in their faith, there must be intentionality to our efforts. Are you flourishing in your faith and living it out every day so the generations that come behind you can watch and learn?  The example of faithfulness we leave will inspire the practice of faithfulness in their lives.  

And even when I am old and gray, O God, do not forsake me, Until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to all who are to come. Psalms 71:18

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