Encouragement for Today

[Judy Harder]

October 9, 2008

The View from the Top

Whitney Capps

"But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV)

Devotion:

I'm no thrill seeker. It's rare that my heart rate rises above the normal level. The last time I felt the white-knuckled exhilaration of terror, I was harnessed to the top of a 40-foot pole being steadied by our group's guide for a team-building activity. I had shimmied up this pole, hoisting my weight from step to step, until only one step remained between me and success.

What is success in this scenario? I'm glad you asked. We were challenged to climb the pole, reach the top and in our final step, pull both feet to the top of this pole and stand there swaying in the breeze, taking in the view.

At this point in my climb, I was in a precarious position. My final push would be to stand up on the leg positioned at the top of the pole, and shift my weight to that leg, thereby standing erect on a one foot platform 40 feet in the air. No problem, right?

Here's the inner dialogue I was having: "I don't really have to go all the way. I'm exhausted and cramping. This is good enough for me. So you stand at the top of the pole. Is twelve more inches of height really going to change my perspective?"

A voice interrupted my thoughts. My husband Chad who had successfully completed this exercise was yelling to me, "You can do this. I want you to go all the way. I've been there. Don't look down, and don't give up. He's got you if you fall. It's totally worth it."

So, with every ounce of energy left in me I pushed up and ... fell. I didn't stand atop that pole, but I gave it my all.

The exercise that day was a picture of my relationship with God. Somewhere near the top of my journey, just shy of full-on devotion, I stopped. I had little spiritual stamina. I realized that the emotion that helped me start my journey would never be enough to finish the exercise. It would take a level of devotion I wasn't sure I had.

Then I heard a voice saying, "You can do this. I want you to do this. He's got you if you fall. I've been there. Don't look down, and don't give up. It's totally worth it." It was the voice of my Savior.

Friend, Jesus is calling out to you with the same message of encouragement. No matter where you are on the pole or why you want to quit, don't give up. Keep taking the next step. Jesus reminds us that God is more than able to catch us when we fall. He alone can attest that the view from a position of total devotion "is totally worth it."

I'm not disappointed that I fell in the last second. I'm glad that I didn't believe the lie that "close was close enough." The difference between emotion and devotion may only be a few inches, but the view is dramatically different. Emotion can get you near the top, but that's about it. Only devotion lets you experience a view so grand it takes your breath away. I caught a glimpse of it before I fell. It was well worth the effort.

Dear Lord, help me remember that in my moments of desperation and fear, You are in control. Help me fight the temptation to worry or doubt Your provision. Grant me the peace to accept Your will, and to believe Your promises to protect and provide for me and my family. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:

Do You Know Him?

The Confident Woman: Knowing Who You are in Christ by Anabel Gilham

God's Purpose for Every Woman: A P31 Devotional Gen Eds. Lysa TerKeurst & Rachel Olsen

Visit Whitney Capps's blog

Application Steps: 

Begin yourself, as well as helping your children, to act not just on emotions or feelings, but with a will that desires to do what is right even if it doesn't feel good at the moment.

Reflections: 

Do you find that you make decisions, pray for needs, or deal with relationships, based on emotion or on a clear direction from the Word of God?

Have you faced trials or opportunities for maturity with perseverance, or did you settle for less than God's perfect plan?

Power Verses:

Hebrews 12:1, "Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." (NIV) 

© 2008 by Whitney Capps. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries

616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road

Matthews, NC 28105

www.proverbs31.org

[Judy Harder]

October 10, 2008

Setback or Cutback?

Micca Monda Campbell

"He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that is will be even more fruitful."

John 15:2 (NIV)

Devotion:

My eldest son is a born leader. That's a nice way of saying he's strong-willed. I've often heard Dr. James Dobson, President of Focus on the Family, describe determined, strong-willed children this way: "They come into the world smoking a cigar and asking to speak to the administrator of the hospital to complain about the temperature of their room."

That's a good definition of my son. For example, in Jr. High, Mitch struggled in his relationship with his basketball coach. Why? Because he didn't think he was a good coach. While Mitch never said so, his attitude reflected this mind-set, which in turn affected his game. The coach ultimately benched him, and his attitude. Devastated, Mitch couldn't understand why the coach would bench one of his starting players.

We've all been there. You and I have experienced "setbacks" in our jobs, relationships, and even in ministry. These setbacks cause us to wonder, "What's going on? Why is this happening?" If we're like my son, you and I may not always see what God is doing behind the scenes. That's where our key verse comes in.

God is more interested in our character than our comfort. He desires that we produce more spiritual fruit. Therefore, He's always at work pruning the areas of our lives that don't match His plans. So, when God allows our world to be turned upside down, we are not experiencing a "setback" but rather a "cutback." In God's economy, a cutback can be a good thing because it makes room for more good stuff to come.

However, sometimes the pruning process can feel like it's going to kill us. I remember one fall when I was pruning my rose bush. My daughter, who loves flowers, was distraught when she saw what I had done to the bush.

"Why did you kill it?" she asked with horror in her voice. I reassured her that I didn't kill the bush. I only cut it back so that next year it would produce larger and more beautiful roses.

Though it may feel like it at times, I assure you that God is not trying to kill us either. The Lord cuts us back in order to produce more--more Christ-like fruit in our words, attitudes, and deeds.

Eventually, Mitch apologized to his coach for his attitude and for not performing up to his potential. Ah, a new bud of humility was beginning to sprout! That's the positive effect of pruning. It stimulates the growth of good fruit. So take a look at your life and see where God may be pruning. Then get ready to produce some fresh fruit.

Dear Lord, at times, Your pruning may be painful, but I will trust You. Help me to see from Your perspective that it's not a setback, but a cutback that can help me grow in You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:

Visit Micca Campbell's blog for more encouragement.

God is Not Through with Me Yet: Holding on to the One Who Holds You Close
by Thelma Wells

The 7 Hardest Things God Asks a Woman to Do by Kathie Reimer and Lisa Whittle
Application Steps: 

If you're experiencing a cutback, ask God what He is trying to produce in you? Is it the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22)? Allow God to work, and watch how fruitful you become.

Reflections: 

What do you think God is trying to produce through your cutback?

Have you experienced pruning in this area of your life before? If so, why do you think God is pruning you again?

Power Verses:

Galatians 5:22-23, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control..." (NIV)

Matthew 7:20, "Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them." (NIV)

© 2008 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries

616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road

Matthews, NC 28105

www.proverbs31.org

[Judy Harder]

October 13, 2008

A Harvest of Fruit

Susanne Scheppmann

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law,"

Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)

Devotion:

Autumn harvests laden our table with fresh fruits and vegetables. We decorate our homes with a hollow, horn-shaped wicker basket called a cornucopia, or the "Horn of Plenty." Apples, oranges, bright gourds, and multi-colored Indian corn spill from the basket as reminders of the abundance of God's blessings in our lives.

The apostle Paul speaks of another kind of fruit -- the fruit of the Spirit. He writes, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law (Galatians 5:22-23)." We do not need to worry about over indulging this type of fruit. God desires us to be so full that we absolutely overflow with His Spirit.

However, in order to harvest the fruit of Spirit we must sow it in our lives. Galatians 5:25 gives us a tip on how to begin to reap this crop, "Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." As a farmer labors to produce his crop, so we must work hard, too. When we allow the Holy Spirit to fill our lives, we choose to react in a godly manner when people annoy us and circumstances move beyond our control. We must determine to keep in step with and surrender to the Holy Spirit rather than allow our human nature to overtake us. Think about the following circumstances in which we could allow the Spirit to take control of our attitudes and emotions:

·        A fight with our husband

·        Parenting teens

·        Neighbors who annoy us

·        An unappreciative boss

·        A fender-bender in a parking lot

·        The dishwasher overflowing

·        An uncaring doctor

What would you add to the list? Whatever creates irritability, impatience, or discontent could be added. Of course, the key to any type of adversity is to remember the words of Jesus, "But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper shall not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you." (John 16:7, NASB)." The Helper is the Holy Spirit. He will help us produce the fruit of the Spirit if we allow it. With the Spirit's help, we can obtain an overflowing abundance of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness

and of course, self-control.

Will you join me in a harvesting the fruit of the Spirit this autumn?

Dear Lord, teach me to walk in Your Spirit. I want to harvest all the aspects of Your Spirit. Infuse me with Your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. When I find myself in adverse circumstances, remind me to keep in step with Your Spirit. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:

Do You Know Him?

Birds in My Mustard Tree: For Those Who Struggle with Faith by Susanne Scheppmann

Pierced By the Word: 31 Meditations for Your Soul by John Piper

Visit Susanne's blog for more encouragement.

Application Steps: 

Place a cornucopia on your kitchen table during this harvest season as a reminder to yourself to pursue the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Allow yourself to overflow with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and, self-control. Make a mental note to keep in step with the Spirit throughout your day.

Reflections: 

Which traits of the fruit of the Spirit do I need the most?

Am I willing to pay the cost to obtain a harvest of righteousness?

In what circumstances do I need to call on the Holy Spirit as my Helper?

Power Verses:

Galatians 5:25, "Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." (NIV)

John 16:7, "But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper shall not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you." (NASB)

Ephesians 5:8-10, "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord." (NIV)

Romans 15:13, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (NIV)

© 2008 by Susanne Scheppmann. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries

616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road

Matthews, NC 28105

www.proverbs31.org

[Judy Harder]

October 14, 2008

Until the Whistle Blows

Glynnis Whitwer

"Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up."

Luke 18:1 (NIV)

Devotion:

My oldest son Josh played offensive line on his football team when he was younger. Solid and strong, Josh's job on the line was to hold the opponents' defensive line back long enough for the quarterback to do his job. The offensive line isn't the most glamorous job on the field, but when they don't do their job well, everyone is quick to see the results. Normally, these steadfast players hold firm, protecting their guy.

Sitting at the practices night after night, I noticed a common issue among the novice players on the field. They often stopped blocking too soon. Shouts of, "Block 'til the whistle blows!" filled the sweaty September nights, and time and again the tired players lined back up and tried again.

The boys knew what they were supposed to do, but they often gave up when they thought the play was over. Sometimes they gave up because holding back a powerful defensive player was tiring. Unfortunately, the play wasn't over until the coach or referee blew the whistle. Until that whistle blew, anything could happen.

The parallel to our prayer lives is astounding. Too often, I have given up praying about a concern, believing the play to be over. Perhaps I think God answered "no" when I don't see an answer in my timeline. Sometimes I see things with human eyes, and give up too soon. I wonder how many times we've stopped praying just shy of experiencing healing, freedom from addiction, or the salvation of someone we love. I'm thankful my family and I never stopped praying about my dad's salvation. He came to Christ two weeks before he died.

Just as my son learned to block until the whistle blows, may we be encouraged to pray until the trumpet blows, revealing that Jesus has returned to earth. In other words -- never give up!

Heavenly Father, I praise You for Your power and majesty. There is nothing in the universe that is too big for You to handle. Help me to remember that You want to hear my prayers, and You delight in answering them when it brings glory to Your name. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:

Visit Glynnis Whitwer's blog to read the touching story of her father coming to know Christ.

Intimacy with God: Your Daily Guide to Prayer by Tara Furman

31 Days of Prayer: Moving God's Mighty Hand by Ruth Myers

Do You Know Him?

Application Steps: 

Identify one situation in your life that seems hopeless. Commit to praying for this concern for the next 30 days.

Reflections: 

Is there any situation you consistently neglect to pray about?

In some respects, a person who prays for another is like the offensive lineman protecting his quarterback. Is there someone you should be praying for right now? Identify that person and pray.

Do you think your relationship with God affects how He answers your prayers? Explain.

Power Verses:

1 Thessalonians 4:16, "For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first." (NIV)

Philippians 4:6, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." (NIV)

John 14:12, "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father." (NIV)

© 2008 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries

616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road

Matthews, NC 28105

www.proverbs31.org

[Judy Harder]

October 15, 2008



Puddle Dancing

Marybeth Whalen



"But our fathers refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt ." Acts 7:39 (NIV)

         

Devotion:

We'd not had rain in many, many days. I don't know how large of an area this drought has affected in the US , but I know it has been much larger than my immediate area. I've heard on the radio that the drought was the worst we had seen in 100 years. So, that gives you an idea of how serious it had been.



As day after day of record heat combined with no rain waged on last summer, I caught myself scanning the skies for a stray cloud or any sign that rain was coming. I heard that Atlanta , GA was about 60 days from being out of water. Even closer to my home, Monroe , NC was about 110 days from being out of water. We don't think about it often, but can you imagine life without water? In short, things were getting desperate.

I was happy when the rain finally came. I rejoiced in it. I thanked God for it. I even prayed that it would keep on raining. I had hope that this rain would begin to replenish our 14 inches of water-level deficit. Come on, rain, I thought. As I loaded children and bags of groceries in the car, I tried not to be grumpy about the rain. I tried to smile even as my hair was getting wet; even as my son was splashing in puddles, soaking his shoes. Every time I felt myself getting grumpy and wishing it would stop raining, I focused instead on how much we needed the rain -- and how this rain was an answer to prayer. And yet, I must confess that after it went on for a while, I was anxious for the rain to go away and dry weather to return. Even though I knew that God was giving us what we needed most, I started looking backwards.

And then God gave me a vision of how much I was like the Israelites as they wandered in the desert. The scripture tells us that oppressive Egypt was starting to look good to them again. They had prayed for deliverance from slavery and God had provided it. He had answered their prayers and given them what they needed. Yet as day after day of walking and wandering began to take its toll, they started to forget God's goodness and concentrate on their circumstances instead. Oh, to be back in Egypt , they thought.

How often do we do this? We ask for deliverance from something, we are thankful for the deliverance, but then as we walk through the hard parts of actually being delivered, the flesh begins to cry out in opposition. We start drifting backwards in our spirits to that place that was familiar, instead of walking obediently towards where God wants to take us.



I know this has been true with our family's finances. We prayed for deliverance from debt and God began to show us a way out. Yet as we have walked through what it has taken to be debt-free, I have often caught myself looking back at when I used to charge things freely, with no thought as to how we would pay for it. Oh, how nice that was to just be able to go buy something without having to scrounge and save, I find myself thinking.

I don't want to look backwards or give into the comforts my flesh craves. I want to push forward, straining for the prize God has for me. I want to seek Him with all my heart -- no matter where that takes me. I want to live in that sometimes uncomfortable place of walking in total obedience. When the rain comes pouring down, I want to choose to dance in the puddles instead of longing for the shelter of past sunny days.



Dear Lord, I want to focus on Your plan and not my comfort level when things get hard. I want to live a life that seeks You instead of a life spent looking backwards. Help me to thank You in all circumstances and to trust completely in You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.



Related Resources:

Do You Know Him?



Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an Instant Society by Eugene Peterson



A Thankful Heart: How Gratitude Brings Hope and Healing to our Lives by Carole Lewis



Visit Marybeth's blog for more encouragement to dance in the rain!



Application Steps: 

Spend some time today praying for God to show you where your attitudes and actions have been more "backward thinking" than "forward thinking." Write down anything God shows you as a result, and any verses of scripture you might need to cling to as you walk forward with Him.



Reflections: 

Have you been looking backwards lately?



Is there somewhere God is taking you right now that feels uncomfortable, yet necessary?



Power Verses:

Philippians 3:13-14, "Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (NIV) 



Luke 9:62, "Jesus replied, 'No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God .'" (NIV)



Numbers 11:18-20, "Tell the people: 'Consecrate yourselves in preparation for tomorrow, when you will eat meat. The Lord heard you when you wailed, 'If only we had meat to eat! We were better off in Egypt !' Now the Lord will give you meat, and you will eat it. You will not eat it for just one day, or two days, or five, ten or twenty days, but for a whole month--until it comes out of your nostrils and you loathe it--because you have rejected the Lord, who is among you, and you have wailed before him, saying, 'Why did we ever leave Egypt?''" (NIV)



© 2008 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.



Proverbs 31 Ministries

616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road

Matthews, NC 28105

www.proverbs31.org

[Judy Harder]

October 16, 2008

While You Are Sleeping

Renee Swope

"The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with his love, He will rejoice over you with singing."

Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)

Devotion:

The silence startled me! I shot up in bed so I could see the neon red lights that told me it was three in the morning, time to feed the baby. Andrew hadn't made a sound. Was something wrong? Or, could he be sleeping through the night? I wavered between panic and joy as I felt my way down the hall to the nursery and leaned over Andrew's crib. I listened for the sweet sound of his breathing and carefully rested my hand on his tiny chest to feel the gentle rhythm of its rising and falling.

Moonlight slipped through the blinds helping me to see that he was perfectly fine. Most sane mothers would have gone back to bed. But not me, I stood there for a while watching my child sleep. The love and joy that I felt at that moment was almost overwhelming. How could I love someone so much? My heart longed just to be near this little guy who set my days in motion with his cries and smiles.

Andrew developed a routine of sleeping through the night soon after, yet I would listen for his cries hoping I would have a good excuse to check on him. While he was sleeping, I'd sneak into his room just because I wanted to be with him. Then I'd tiptoe into my older son Joshua's room, and watch him slumber. As I looked at their faces, I'd dream of the little guys God was shaping them into. I'd whisper prayers for them to know Jesus in a personal way. I'd ask God to calm their fears, to fulfill their dreams, and to establish their steps to walk in His ways and not in the paths the world would pave for them.

There are still many nights that I sneak in to watch my children while they are sleeping, simply because I want to be with them. They aren't doing anything to make me feel proud or happy. They may have even driven me to my wits' end that day, but I enjoy them because they are mine. God feels the same way about you and me. He wants to be with us, even while we are sleeping!

God delights greatly in you my friend, and He is always there to quiet your heart with His love. He dances and sings over you and I bet He dreams of the woman He's designed you to be while gently leading your heart to know Him more.

What a great reminder for days when nothing's going right -- when we feel like the whole world is against us and nobody understands what we're going through. I hope the next time you have one of those days, you'll imagine the love of a parent watching their child sleep and remember there's a God who loves you even more than that!

Dear Lord, thank You for the reminder that You are always with me and that You love to watch over me, every minute of every day -- even while I am sleeping! Help me to completely believe the truth about Your love towards me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:

His Princess: Love Letters from Your King by Sheri Rose Shepherd

Visit Renee's Blog for a list of Bible promises and prayers to remind you of God's love today.

31 Days of Praise: Enjoying God in New Ways by Ruth Myers

Do You Know Jesus?

Application Steps: 

Be still and believe that God is watching over you at this moment. No matter what you have done or what has been done to you, God's love reaches down to hold you in His embrace. Bow your head and tilt your heart to listen to Him whisper, "You are precious in my sight and I love you." Now breathe in and breathe out the reality that He hears your cries, He knows your needs, and He's constantly by your side.

Reflections: 

Do you ever imagine that God is watching over you, smiling and delighting in the fact that you are HIS child?

Would you like to begin a love relationship with Jesus today, accepting your secure position as God's child? Click here to find out how you can know Him.

If you could use more daily reminders of how much God loves you, read today's power verses, write them on an index card and carry them with you all day! Also, visit Renee's Blog for a list of Bible promises and prayers to remind you of God's love again and again.

Power Verses:

Psalm 34:15, "The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry." (NIV)

Psalm 139:1-3, "O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways." (NIV)

Psalm 33:18, "But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His unfailing love." (NIV) 

© 2008 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries

616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road

Matthews, NC 28105

www.proverbs31.org

[frawin]

Judy, that may well be the best one yet. Our children bring out the love in us. When my oldest son's wife was pregnant with their first child I remember telling them that when that child was born and as they watched the child grow and develop, they would experience a love that is greater than anything they had ever known. They now have 2 children and my son reminded me of what I had said and he said Dad you were so right our children are so special and the love we feel for them is like nothing we have ever known. They can melt your heart.

[Judy Harder]

Isn't it wonderful that God loves us like that...........and HE taught us to love each other, but espeically our
children and that LOVE is NEVER ENDING!!

sweet  and I am just so sorry that I did not know Jesus until after my family was raised. I always believed in something,
but had never, never leaned on Jesus, and therefore life was completely different than it is now.

I do hope they (my kids) forgive me and in their search that they find Him, too.
My oldest did before he passed on, the other two I have given to God............they think I preach, too much.
You think?  I don't care. I believe and will believe for them.
thanks Frank........there have been a lot lately (I mean these devotions) that are fitting the bill with me and I hope you all are
getting your peace and grace from them.

God bless

[dnalexander]

Judy, that may well be the best one yet. Our children bring out the love in us. When my oldest son's wife was pregnant with their first child I remember telling them that when that child was born and as they watched the child grow and develop, they would experience a love that is greater than anything they had ever known. They now have 2 children and my son reminded me of what I had said and he said Dad you were so right our children are so special and the love we feel for them is like nothing we have ever known. They can melt your heart.

Never having had children I have a small lack of knowledge about the love of a child or grandchild. What I can say is that if it beats the love a child feels from their mother,  then maybe I need to rethink not having kids.

[Judy Harder]

October 17, 2008

Your Roots are Showing

Zoe Elmore

"He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." Jeremiah 17:8 (NIV)

Devotion:

Okay, I admit it, I color my hair. Like millions of women, I color my dull, dingy, drab, lifeless, gray hair. Ordinarily I wouldn't think of mentioning this, after all a southern woman never admits two things: her age, or that she colors her hair. However it's more than obvious that my roots are showing. My appointments are always scheduled months in advance because of the overwhelming demand for my hairdresser's time and talents; but circumstances dictated that I miss my last appointment.

While you may be thinking this is a simple, vain complaint there is a spiritual application here. As believers we each have spiritual roots and those roots feed and nourish our spiritual lives. For instance, if our spiritual roots are planted deep in God, strong and well nourished, the roots may not be seen but our lives will show forth the fruit of the spirit found in Galatians 5.22: "... the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness." However, the opposite is also true. If our roots are shallow or showing, they will be too weak and frail to nourish the growth of spiritual fruit. Our lives and our witness for Christ will be dull, dingy, drab, gray and lifeless just like my hair.

Although a professional hairdresser uses her skilled hands to color my hair, her work is only temporary and I must return on a regular basis to maintain the desired results. The same thing can be said for maintaining deep roots in Christ and a fruitful life.

The benefits and power we receive from spending time with Christ can only be maintained as we commit to a regular routine of spending time with our sweet Jesus. Sadly, too often we allow circumstances to dictate our lives and we miss our daily Jesus appointment. It is in those times of neglect that our weakened roots begin to show. If you're anything like me, living with my roots showing is not a good thing. My attitude and actions soon become unpleasant and unattractive. My focus turns to selfish desires and my witness for Christ soon turns from positive to positively ugly!

Our Jesus is in constant demand but unlike my hairdresser, we are assured He has time for us in every day. He is always available to listen and to provide exactly what we need to maintain the desired results of a spiritually fruitful life.

If we are to be strong witnesses for Christ, maintaining a life that produces the fruit of the Spirit even in difficult and stressful times, we must spend time with our "root specialist" Jesus on a regular and routine basis.

Dear Lord, thank You for always being available to me, and for the power I receive through Your Holy Spirit to live a fruitful life. Restore my desire to begin my day in quiet time with You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:

Do You Know Him?

Come Thirsty by Max Lucado

The Busy Mom's Guide to Bible Study: A 15 Minute Daily Plan by Lisa Whelchel

Visit Zoe Elmore's blog

Application Steps: 

If you are concerned about your attitude and actions, and you long to produce mature spiritual fruit, commit to returning to Jesus on a regular and routine basis.

Reflections: 

How can you restructure your daily routine to ensure strong and fruitful spiritual roots?

Power Verses:

Hosea 14:5, "I will be like the dew to Israel ; he will blossom like a lily. Like a cedar of Lebanon he will send down his roots." (NIV)

Psalm 19:14, "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer." (NIV)

© 2008 by Zoe Elmore. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries

616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road

Matthews, NC 28105

www.proverbs31.org