Have you ever read the front of a “Miracle Grow” box? First of all, it’s plant food. Nourishment for plants. It instantly feeds to grow bigger, more beautiful plants. Get beautiful results in just weeks!

In a Christian world, ‘miracle grow’ is a combination of many things. The first and most important nutrient we need is Jesus. Our nourishment boost in growing is the Bible. But one of the fundamental components for us to grow in our faith is our continuing consistent relationship with Christ. If we intend on getting to be the best ‘child of God’ we can, we must maintain this ‘miracle grow’ of ingredients.

What’s your “Miracle Grow?” Do you have a relationship with God? Do you surround yourself with other believers? Do you encourage others growing with you? Are you following Christ and believing that He has a place for you in Heaven? That’s your Miracle Grow!

Get grounded in Christ today. Consume the word of God. Grow more beautiful as a person as you let God fight your battles, removing the weeds in your life and fulfilling your life into what He’s designed you to be. A beautiful child of God.

Luke 16:31 - “He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’”

There was a guy (let’s call him John) who just moved to a new house with his family and as he was inspecting the landscaping, he noticed a tree in the corner of the yard. Even though it was one of the more matured trees in the yard, it was brown, and to him, looked dead.

So, since he knew very little about trees and how to take care of them, he called the local landscaper. The landscaper came and as they were viewing the lawn, John pointed out the ‘dead’ tree. As the landscaper surveyed the tree, he kind of chuckled to himself. He said, “this tree’s not dead, it’s just not in season.”

Isn’t this like some Christians? Maybe they are a new Christian or maybe they’ve been a Christian for a very long time, and have turned away from their faith. Does this mean that if you’re not practicing what you preach that you’re not a Christian? Not necessarily.

Persevering faith is the type of faith required for salvation. Some, including me, find ourselves having false trust in God when things are going well. Authentic faith is a faith that endures, no matter what you’re going through; no matter what season you’re in.

This trust or confidence that we have in God is built up over time as He proves Himself faithful time and time again.

How’s your outward appearance as a Christian? Do people look at you and see someone who has little life left in them? Do they look at you and wonder if you are a Christian?

Stand tall, grounded in God’s word, no matter what season of life you’re in.

If you believe in Jesus, the One who died for you, you will always be alive!

John 11:25 - “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live.”

There is a difference between listening and hearing.  You may be listening to what someone is saying, but are you really tuned in at what they’re trying to tell you?

Listening, by definition, is the ability to accurately receive and interpret messages in the communication process.  It’s key to effective communication between people.

Listening means you hear what the person isn’t saying.  This is called empathy.

When you have empathy for someone, you’re listening without interruption.  You’re listening for fears and feelings.

Biblically speaking, true empathy is the feeling of fully participating in the suffering of another.  It also speaks in the bible about how we should cast all our cares upon God.  Because He cares for us.  God is the leader in the empathy department.

Take time to truly listen to someone’s story today.  Show them you care.  Listen for what they’re not telling you.

Empathy is understanding the emotions, situations or attitudes of another person.  Start this process by loving them.

Take time to listen today.

Romans 15:2 – “Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.”

Have you ever been to an event, or meeting a group of people for the first time and you’re with your dad or your spouse, or even your son and someone introduces you?  The moment of excitement when you get to say, “I’m with him.”  This gives a compliment to both of you.

Think about when people ask you how you’re doing, what do you say?  Do you say, “I’m with Him?”  Meaning, I’m with God.

I heard a message from a pastor online the other day and the message was this:  The pastor asked a skilled artist to draw him a picture of a scene showing, the ugliest, weakest little sheep he could ever imagine, then in the distance a lion crouched down in the grass, waiting and watching.  The lion hasn’t eaten in days.  As they approach each other the lion can just taste the little sheep already in his mouth.  The sheep approaches with a boldness the lion has never seen.  As they get within inches of each other the lion asks, “aren’t you afraid I’m going to tear you apart?”  The sheep looks to his left, he’s holding the Shepherd (Jesus)’s hand and says, “no, I’m with Him.”  The lion walks away.

I just thought this was a perfect picture of any trial I’ve ever been in.  If I can remember this and put it into action, then nothing can defeat me.  Nothing can alter my course in life.

Jesus is always near, ready to fight our battles, ready to go with us through the fire.

John 10:14 – “I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me,”

Who likes to wait, on anything?  Most of us hate it when we have to wait in line at the grocery store.  We huff and puff under our breath when someone is taking more than one minute to move ahead in traffic.

Spend your time wisely.  Spend more time praying than worrying or losing sleep because you may miss the deadline tomorrow.  Sometimes God gives us an idea, just be sure it’s from God.

Timing is everything.  We must wait on God if were going to get to the next place.  Most of us stop waiting and start doing things on our own, like we know how to get it done, faster.

The verse below says that if we wait on God, He will renew our strength.  He’ll lift us up from our despair and put us on the mountaintop.  It’s here, in the waiting, that your trust in Him is proven.

Do you trust God’s timing today? 

Pray – Trust – Believe!

Isaiah 40:31 – “but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”

The theory is that when rubbing two blades of iron together, the edges become sharper, making the knives more efficient in their task to cut and slice. 

In the same way, the Word of God is a tool that we can use to sharpen one another.  This means that we are in need for constant fellowship with each other.  When two or more believers are grounded in the word of God, there is communion.  We will get stronger and bolder for God as we lift each other up.

Personal and spiritual growth is a communal affair. The Bible reminds us of this in various ways.  In the beginning, God made one man and one woman so that man would not be alone.  We all need others in our lives to sharpen us and encourage us in the work of ministry.

I am so blessed with my brothers and sisters in Christ.  To share life with these people is beyond anything I could have imagined my life would be like.  If you don’t have these people in your life today, start looking for them. 

Encourage someone today.  Comfort someone in need.  Strengthen your brother or sister and be blessed beyond measure.

Proverbs 27:17 – “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.”

It’s easy to forget past trials – it’s human nature to not reflect on those hurts and difficult situations.

This is what makes it challenging to believe that God will deliver us again in our present testing.

There is so much depression in this world.  People living their lives as if they’re just existing.  People waking up every day, dreading the day ahead.  I know this because I’ve been there.

But praise God, I’m not there now nor do I intend to repeat those days/years of depression and anxiety.

Wake up people.  Life is so worth living when God is in your life.  He’s parted the seas.  What makes you think He can’t deliver you today.

We don’t deserve the next breath, but thank God He gives it.

Psalm 85:4 – “Restore us again, God our Savior, and put away your displeasure toward us.”

Shepherds lead sheep.  Ranchers drive cattle.

Who’s the leader in your life?  Is it God, or is Satan telling you what to do, what to say and where to go?

And then, who’s driving you?  Who’s steering you to good places or pushing you into dark locations?

In John 10:14, Jesus says, “I am the Good Shepherd.” Is Jesus leading you today? Are you following His lead?

Jesus is good and He knows His sheep.  He knows His followers and those He has a relationship with.  This is an area in your life where you need to be 100% certain that Jesus is the number one person in your life. 

Don’t be a wolf in sheep’s clothing, pretending to be a Christian, but your conduct is so far from it.  Surrender your whole life to Jesus today and let Him guide you to a brighter future.  Allow Him to push you to a new and meaningful life.

John 10:14 – “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.”