Exercise Anyone?

I don’t know about you, but it has taken me literally YEARS to make physical exercise a discipline in my life.  I have always known how beneficial it is; but with that said, was never an exercise guru, if you know what I mean.  I am proud to say that for the past few years, I have begun to exercise regularly and am enjoying the benefits.  Yeah God!

Just as we all know how important physical exercise is to our physical bodies for health and well-being, exercising our spiritual muscles also makes ALL the difference in spiritual health, well-being and growth.  The measure of our faith is what actually expands and grows as we exercise our spiritual muscles.

So you might be asking,  Just how do we do that? In Romans 10:17 it says, Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word of Christ.  Simply put, through hearing the Word of Christ.  Reading the scriptures daily is the best One a Day Spiritual Vitamin you can take. I would also like to add~ that hearing does not just mean reading.  Hearing is exactly what it says, hearing.  Hearing the Word of Christ.

Jesus Christ is the Word. When we read the Word we do not want to just read it for content and information,but for revelation.  Jesus Christ is a person and He reveals Himself through His Word.  As we do our part and read, He will do His part and reveal.  He will reveal Himself by quickening a passage of scripture to our spirits, which in turn will build our faith.

In Proverbs 4:20-23 it says, My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to My words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to a man’s whole body. Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.  Paying close attention with our spirit to listen closely to hear His still, small, voice while reading, then watching for that passage that becomes highlighted to the eyes of  our spirit is how we exercise our faith.  When we do~ it grows stronger and stronger. As it does the measure of our faith increases in size just like physical muscle. 

Once received and embraced, the next step in this spiritual exercise regime is to treasure it as gold by making a place for it in our mind and heart to be filed and remembered.  By doing so this scripture passage promises it will not only be a spiritual blessing to us, but a physical one bringing health to our entire body!

Today, I encourage you that if you have not made it a habit to daily read the Word, to begin. While reading, be sure to ask Holy Spirit to reveal Jesus to you through His Word.  Then look intently into the Word that brings freedom as your read as James 1:25 says to do. Enjoy the blessing of the process and watch your mustard seed of faith grow. Not only will your faith grow, but your relationship with the Lover of your Soul will grow also and the returns will be beyond measure!

~The Quilted Poetess

One Mustard Seed

The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in the field, which indeed is the least of all seed; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches. Matthew 13:31-32

According to this passage of scripture, one mustard seed once planted can grow to become one of the biggest and most beautiful trees.  Just one small seed; also considered the least of all seeds…. 

That is exactly what happened in my life 37 years ago. When visiting Church on the Way, Pastor Jack Hayford offered that mustard seed to me through the salvation message. When I chose to receive it,  the Lord planted it in my heart. 

Immediately after being planted the seed went what appeared to be dormant. For the next 5 to 6 years, it bore little if any noticeable growth.   Then, as I planned my way and the Lord directed my steps, that  mustard seed was watered and began to SPROUT!

New growth beganto appear slowly, day by day, month by month, and year by year. Now 37 years later that seed that was so tenderly and lovingly planted by the Lover of my Soul, has become  a tree of righteousness for the praise of His glory!

I have found through the years both in my live of others, We do our part, and He does His.  Often times it takes wisdom to know the difference. Presuming to fulfill God’s part does not truly assist in growth, but can actually thwart the process. 

The older I become, I realize the message  He is speaking to me more times than not is, Hands Off!  We and others are in the making, but as the scriptures remind us, The Lord is making us. And make us He does.  In His own unique way and perfect timing, He restores, delivers, and loves us to new life and growth.

Our part is to plant that mustard seed when God calls us to c0-partner with Him.  Then…….to nurture it through our prayers. But to always, Let Go and Let God be the gardener  that tends the plant, which He is soo faithful to do. My life is living proof, as I am sure of yours is too!

~The Quilted Poetess