It is All in the Soil

I have been busy over the past month or so preparing the soil on my new raised beds for growing soft fruits.  It has been a lot of work, hard work, unseen work, but the work put in now will far outweigh the future benefits and a full crop of fruits!

So what preparation have I done?

Well I have filled by raised beds with a mixture of soil, compost, sand and seaweed.  I have layered them.  I have turned them over, mixed them in, dug out the stones and put in lots of good nutrients to give the plants the best chance there is to put down good roots to withstand times of drought or flood and to produce a bountiful harvest!

As I was working, toiling away at this I was ofcourse thinking of the similarities in the spiritual life.  How we need to prepare our soil so that we can withstand the day of trouble and bear good fruit for the Lord.

TURN OVER the soil of our hearts that is to get rid of the rocks of unbelief and the stones of doubt. When you turn the soil over, rocks & stones rise to the surface and you can throw them out, get rid of them, don’t give them a place in your heart.

DIG IN the good things which will help feed us, like Bible reading, prayer, holiness, study of scripture, reading & hearing the word of God.

LAYER UP  with the disciplines of  Thankfulness, Repentance, Remembrance, Intercession, Meditation, Fellowship.

SOW in seeds of love, kindness, patience, faithfulness, steadfastness.

GROW deep roots when planted and watered by the Word of God and Prayer

HARVEST right living with God, bearing fruit for Him, giving glory to Him.

All the preparation leads to us THRIVING and this has been my ‘Word’ for the year, but in order to thrive in the drought, in the frost, in the downpours, in the dead of winter, in order for all that we have to put the work in now.  We have to prepare, dig in deep to God’s Word, bring His promises to remembrance, keep short accounts with Him, and in all things have a thankful heart.

The work now will keep us when troubles come, when faith is tested, when circumstances are hard, when we would waver and fall.  Then our roots in Jesus will keep us firm, the layering of disciplines will keep our walk straight and through it all we will thrive and bear fruit for the Lord.

They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the LORD. [Ps 112:7].

Equipped

For the last four years I have had the wonderful privilege of joining with women all over the world in Bible Study with the #LoveGodGreatly Ministry. Their mission statement is :

Helping women love God greatly with their lives…
one Bible study, one translation, one woman at a time.

They do this teaching us the SOAP Method of Bible Study [https://lovegodgreatly.com/how-to-soap/} and inspire, encourage and equip us every step of the way.

It has dawned on me that for the past 4 years in our local group, we have been inspired, we have been encouraged and now we are equipped. And being equipped it is time we recognised that, took confidence in that and stepped out in that.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 

so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped

for every good work

2 Timothy 3:16-17

So as we enter the unknown of a New Year we can have that assurance that the Word of God equips us for every eventuality, every unknown, every surprise, every turn of the corner. The Word of God equips us to face life with all its ups and downs, highs and lows, joys as well as sorrows.

We are equipped to face change, uncertainty, even a new normal. Equipped to try new things, have new adventures, face new challenges. Equipped to face tomorrow and the day after that, and the day after that ..

We are equipped to be children of God, set free from the guilt of sin and past mistakes, equipped to see ourselves as loved, as beloved in God’s sight.

We are equipped to rebuke the devil and the lies he whispers into our ears, the discouragements, the insecurities, we are equipped to speak to all these things.

We are equipped to be of service to others, to love, to bring peace, to do EVERY good work which is set before us, to minister, care for and get on and do the next right thing!

How are we equipped?

By the Word of God. It is the Word which prepares us and the Word which helps us to be bold, to share our faith, to share our God stories, it is the Word of God which equips us for every good work.

Where in 2020 are you needing to be equipped? What are you already equipped for and just need that confidence to step out?

The Word of God will equip us for every good work. Learn that Word, Write that Word, Be equipped in that Word and Bring that Word to others.

May 2020 be a year of equipping for each and everyone of us. Happy New Year!