6-17-2023        THE BLOOMING FLOWER (LIFE)

We are at the beginning of a second season of seven years.  Okay, we’re actually into the 2^nd year of the second season but the season is growing and maturing and as we grow, we will see a resurgence of the outpouring of the Holy Ghost.  That is more and more of His presence in our lives and the world shall also be witness.

When we receive Jesus Christ, the Holy Ghost takes up residence within our lives (heart).  The shed blood of Jesus has washed us clean of all sins and the Holy Ghost resides into our heart.  The question is “Have we let the Holy Ghost do anything since He has taken up residence”?  Many Christians believe that once we’re saved, we are signed, sealed and all but delivered to the Father for eternity.  True, the Lord says He will never leave us nor forsake us (Heb. 13:5).  But with salvation, our life with the Lord is just beginning.  We are just starting our trek on the road with our Lord.  The Apostle Paul encourages us to run this race because we expect to win it (1 Corinth. 9:24).  Only one crosses the finish line first, but all who cross it actually are winners.  Crossing that finish line means we have successfully finished our course.  We expect to hear the words “Well done, good and faithful servant …” (Matt. 25:21).  We’ve obtained our prize, our name is written in the Book of Life (Rev. 20:12-15), the Lamb’s Book of Life (Rev. 13:8).

So, just how does this journey begin and how does it flow?   

The seed

The sower goes forth to plant seed (Luke 8:5-15).  The sower is the evangelist – or anyone who shares the gospel of Jesus with anyone else. The seed is the Word of God or the good news as to how we can enter into eternity with Jesus Christ, our Lord - forever. 

However, some seed falls by the wayside which never has a chance to take root.  The birds eat it up or the enemy steals it.  It is gone!  These are those who hear the Word of God but it’s in one ear and out the other.  They never take any action on what they’ve heard so they do not keep it in their heart.  They never come to know the Lord. 

Other seed falls upon rocks.  These hear the word, but their faith is very shallow so as soon as problems arise, they give up on their faith, forget their commitment to God and they are gone. 

Some seed grows up with the thorns.  Thorns represent the cares of this world.  These people never lose interest in what the world provides and, before long, could care less about pleasing God, thinking the world can far better provide for them.  Their hearts grow cold and they walk away from the Lord.

Finally, some seed falls upon good ground.  These are the people who begin to love the Lord and desire (even crave) to learn as much about Him as they can.  They learn what it takes to please the Lord and they pursue it.  They desire to know and be with the Lord so they can continually grow and draw closer to Him so we can be with Him throughout all eternity. 

The bud

When a seed is planted into the ground, eventually a young plant pushes through the surface to receive light and nourishment and begins to grow.  And as the plant goes, so does the young Christian’s love towards Father.  We desire to learn more about our Lord and how He nourishes us and takes care of us.  The young plant digs its roots into the soil, digging deeper so as to get a good foothold (foundation) for growth (learning to live for and in God).  To get that good foundation for continued growth so it can reach its ‘full height’. Then the flower’s bud forms. 

As a Christian, we need to build that firm foundation with and in our Lord Jesus.  We learn the basics of our relationship.  And as the bud, how do we keep growing?  We need more light, more water and maybe some fertilizer to seep down to our roots so we are continually nourished.  Jesus is the bread of life (John 6:35).  Bread is a tangible nutrition for our bodies.  Jesus is also the living Word of God come into this world in the flesh (John 1:1, 14).  The bible is the written Word of God (2 Tim. 3:16-17).  So Jesus is the spoken and living Word of God of whom the Bible speaks. 

We learn to commune with God by reading His written Word.  So, as Christians, we also talk (pray) with our Lord, which brings us into closer communion (relationship) with Him.  Thus we grow, striving to apply all that which we learn from the bible, our prayers and even words from other Christians and resources as what they say is in agreement with God’s Word, the bible.     

The bloom

Once the bud begins to bloom (open up), the flower continues grows for 2 – 3 more weeks and goes through cycles.  Daily, it opens bringing its beauty and pleasure into the world.  Then, in the evening, it fold together to ‘rest’.  How well the flower is cared for determines the length of its season.  And Father takes good care of His flowers.

As Christians, God brings us to fullness in which He desires us to serve Him.  But, just as the flowers pull their petals together for the night then open back up to the morning sun (Son), we need time to rest and then go back out and serve in the ministry which God has given us.  Even the flowering plant needs light and water to live, as Christians we need to replenish ourselves in the Father, through Jesus Christ, who guide us via the Holy Ghost (within us).  Again, we nurture our spirit by reading the Word, communing with the Lord and fellow Christians and always remembering that Christ Jesus shed His blood on Calvary not only cleansing us from our sin but giving us the promise of eternal life.  By remembering that Jesus shed His blood for us means we absorb (drink) it into our heart, thereby, we can be most effective in whatever Father has called us.     

We need to keep renewing our minds (Rom. 12:2) so we can know the direction Gods intends for us.  All we need to do is ask (Matt. 7:7), believing we will receive (Matt. 21:21-22) and don’t doubt because Jesus promises us the fulfillment.  Jesus is faithful to establish us and keep us from evil (2Thess. 3:3)!  That means He is with us and will protect us – all the way, from the beginning of the race ‘til He calls us home.  Father gives us the strength not to faint or be weary, but He renews our strength so we can run this race, even fly with the wings of eagles (Isa. 40:28-31).

Jesus tells us not to worry about daily living because He will provide for us.  He provides the things in nature, so how much more so, will He provide for us (Luke 12:24-30)?  He knows what we need and when we need it (Matt. 6:8).  He tells us not to worry about tomorrow for it’s enough for us to deal with today’s problems (Matt. 6:25-34).  AND we need to keep in mind to ask, seek and knock and we He will give us what we have asked (Matt. 7:7-8). 

As Christians, we’ve been growing in the love of Christ as Father helps us to be filled with the fullness He has for us (Eph. 3:19).  Paul tells the Ephesians that we are given apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers for the work of the ministry AND the edification of the body of Christ.  Why?  Until we come into the unity of faith and the knowledge of the Son of God so we grow into the fullness of Christ.  Speaking in truth and living in love as we grow in the body of Christ and remembering that Jesus our the head (Eph. 4:11-16).

Paul tells the Colossians (and us) that we need to walk in Christ, rooted in Him, building our faith and abounding therein giving Him thanksgiving (Col. 2:6-7).

The flower shares its beauty with us for a short season.   As long as we are in this world, shouldn’t we also bloom to become a reflection of the love of Jesus Christ, which is within us?

We are in the season for which blooms can grow – mightily. 

Our job is to let our buds blossom, to continue growing in God’s love, being obedient to His direction, then do it!

Amen