Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – February 17, 2019
He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. Psalm 1:3
Blessing looks for those who are in a position of dependency on Almighty God. This is wise positioning for a Jesus-follower. We are blessed when the roots of our faith draw from the waters of God’s Word. When we take the time to plant our faith by the banks of God’s living water, we come alive. This is where the fruits of humility, honesty, and humor grow. The water of God nurtures us like liquid vitamins.
The cheap soda of self-dependence will only slow down our faith walk. It’s the water of God that hydrates our souls, not man’s generic substitutes. We may attempt to plant our lives next to a stream of self-sufficiency, only to find ourselves thirsting. It is the water of God’s Word that we are to drink day and night because it creates abundant life. The effects of God’s Word are not always immediately evident. It takes time for it to make its way into the root system of our beliefs.
But eventually, an eternal perspective begins to take shape as we become saturated in the Word of God. Plant your life close to an understanding and an application of Scripture. The Bible is your baseline for belief and behavior. When God sees someone who is immersed in the principles of His Word, He has found someone He can trust with His blessings. He extends His best to those who are planted next to the truth of His Word. He trusts those who trust Him. He bears fruit through those who depend on Him.
The fruit of a faithful life flourishes over time. Your influence compounds as you follow Christ. It may seem like you are in an insignificant season. This is not true. All seasons with your Savior are significant. You may live in a confusing season, but your confusion is Christ’s opportunity to bring clarity. This is a significant time for your faith to bear fruit. Faithfulness brings clarity during uncertain times.
Do not wish away this season; it is a time for you to go deep with Him. It is on the anvil of adversity that appreciation and gratitude are forged. You may thrive in a season of prosperity and it’s tempting to walk away from God and continue on your own. But in doing so, you leave the spirit of humility and dependency on God. He brought you this far. So, stay faithful as your finances flourish, and be more aggressive in your generous giving. Live for the Lord, not for yourself.
The blessing of God’s fruit comes when you avoid the advice of the wicked and cling to the counsel of Christ and His followers. The wicked try to define a better way. They want to lead you astray. But Jesus is the way. You cannot improve on Christ.
Faith in Him is not always flashy, but it bears the fruit that matters. It is the fruit of children who honor their parents; it is the fruit of fidelity between husbands and wives; it is the fruit of an unselfish friendship; it is the fruit of a caring culture at work, home, and church; it is the fruit of wise and generous giving; it is the fruit of fearing God and having a friend in Jesus. Therefore, by faith, stay in a position to be blessed. Wise positioning invites God’s blessing. Prosperity is looking for those who depend on the Lord.
“Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust…”(Psalm 40:4).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I praise You for Your blessings so I can be a blessing, in Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
Application
In what ways has the Lord blessed me that I can use to bless others?
Related Reading
Matthew 5:16; Luke 6:31; 2 Corinthians 9:8-11; Philippians 2:3-4
Taken from Boyd’s most popular book: Seeking Daily the Heart of God, a 365 day devotional.
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