In His hand

We are seeds planted by a master gardner.  He held us in his hand and knew our potential.  He waters us and brings us life giving light.  He prunes us with expert care and coaxes us to stretch our branches toward the sky.  We were planted for a purpose!  We are here for a reason!

Isaiah 61:11
For as the soil makes the sprout come up
    and a garden causes seeds to grow,
so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness
    and praise spring up before all nations.

Pour out

Question

Am I filled up?

If not

I have nothing to pour out!

Prayer

Lord fill me up

Relentless Faith

 

This Tree is a picture of relentless faith. It is perched high atop smith rock in Central Oregon, exposed to the elements and far from any water source.  It grew slowly over time twisting and turning, but always reaching toward the sky.  It is a good reminder to me that even the toughest situations, the seemingly unachievable tasks, and the times of struggle are the very things that God uses to shape me into the man he wants me to be.  It is my prayer today that I would pursue Christ with a relentless faith.

Acts 14:21-23

²¹ They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, ²² strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. ²³ Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.