Rooted in Faith: Embracing Growth and Stewardship

Devotional

Day 1: Unseen Growth Lays the Foundation for Future Flourishing

In the journey of spiritual growth, much like the bamboo plant, the most critical developments often occur beneath the surface. Bamboo spends years cultivating a robust root system before any visible growth is seen. This hidden growth is essential for sustaining the rapid expansion that follows. Similarly, in our spiritual lives, we must be deeply rooted in God's word and community to experience true growth. This unseen development is crucial for enduring life's challenges and preparing us for the visible fruits of our faith. As we invest time in prayer, study, and fellowship, we are building a foundation that will support us through life's trials and triumphs. [40:08]

"For he will be like a tree planted by the water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit." (Jeremiah 17:8, ESV)

Reflection: What are some unseen areas in your life where you need to invest more time and effort to strengthen your spiritual roots?

Day 2: The Right Environment Nurtures Spiritual Growth

Just as a fish cannot thrive in a desert, our spiritual growth is heavily influenced by our environment. Being in the right spiritual atmosphere is crucial for nurturing our faith. This means surrounding ourselves with people and situations that encourage and uplift us, rather than hinder our spiritual journey. It's about being intentional with our choices and ensuring that our actions align with our prayers. By creating a supportive environment, we allow ourselves to grow and flourish in our faith, much like a plant thrives in fertile soil. [57:19]

"Do not be deceived: 'Bad company ruins good morals.' Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame." (1 Corinthians 15:33-34, ESV)

Reflection: Who are the people and what are the situations in your life that nurture your faith? How can you be more intentional about surrounding yourself with these influences?

Day 3: Stewardship of the Present Prepares Us for Greater Responsibilities

Being faithful with what we have, even if it seems small, is a principle that applies to our resources, relationships, and spiritual gifts. God calls us to steward well the opportunities and blessings we currently possess before He entrusts us with more. This involves taking care of what we have and being grateful for it, recognizing that every small act of faithfulness is significant in God's eyes. By being diligent and responsible with the present, we prepare ourselves for the greater responsibilities and blessings that God has in store for us. [01:20:51]

"One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much." (Luke 16:10, ESV)

Reflection: What is one small area in your life where you can practice better stewardship today, and how might this prepare you for future opportunities?

Day 4: Embrace the Planting Process Despite the Discomfort

The process of being planted can often feel like being buried, but it is essential for growth. During this time, God uses the hidden and unseen areas of our lives to strengthen us and prepare us for future challenges. It is a reminder that growth often starts in the unseen places of our lives, where God is at work even when we cannot see it. Embracing this process requires trust and patience, allowing God to work in us and through us, knowing that He is preparing us for something greater. [01:07:36]

"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit." (John 12:24, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel "buried," and how can you trust God to use this time for your growth and preparation?

Day 5: Trust in God's Timing and Direction

Trusting in God's timing and direction, even when it doesn't make sense, is a vital aspect of faith. Like Peter, who obeyed Jesus' command to cast his nets again despite a fruitless night, we must be willing to say, "But if you say so," and trust in God's plan for our lives. This trust can lead to unexpected blessings and growth, as we learn to rely on God's wisdom rather than our own understanding. By surrendering our plans and timelines to God, we open ourselves to His perfect timing and direction, which often surpasses our expectations. [01:16:19]

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust God's timing, and how can you practice surrendering this to Him today?

Sermon Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound concept of being "planted" in our faith and community. As we transition from the holiday season into a new year, it's crucial to reflect on where we are spiritually rooted. The analogy of the bamboo plant was used to illustrate the importance of unseen growth. Bamboo can grow rapidly, but it spends years developing a strong root system before any visible growth occurs. This hidden growth is essential for sustaining the rapid expansion that follows. Similarly, in our spiritual lives, we must be deeply rooted in God's word and community to experience true growth.

We discussed the necessity of being planted in the right environment. Just as a fish cannot thrive in a desert, we cannot grow spiritually if we are not in the right atmosphere. This means surrounding ourselves with people and situations that nurture our faith rather than hinder it. It's about being intentional with our choices and ensuring that our actions align with our prayers.

Moreover, being planted involves stewardship. We must take care of what we have, even if it seems insignificant. God calls us to be faithful with the little things before He entrusts us with more. This principle applies to our resources, relationships, and spiritual gifts.

We also touched on the fear and vulnerability that come with being planted. The process of planting can feel like being buried, but it's essential for growth. God uses this time to strengthen us, preparing us for the challenges ahead. It's a reminder that growth often starts in the unseen places of our lives.

Finally, we were encouraged to trust God's timing and direction, even when it doesn't make sense. Like Peter, who obeyed Jesus' command to cast his nets again despite a fruitless night, we must be willing to say, "But if you say so," and trust in God's plan for our lives.

Key Takeaways

1. Unseen Growth is Essential: Just as bamboo develops a strong root system before visible growth, our spiritual lives require deep roots in God's word and community to sustain future growth. This hidden development is crucial for enduring life's challenges. [40:08]
2. Right Environment Matters: Like a fish needs water, we need the right spiritual environment to thrive. Surrounding ourselves with nurturing influences and aligning our actions with our prayers are vital for spiritual growth. [57:19]
3. Stewardship of the Present: We must be faithful with what we have, even if it seems small. God calls us to steward well the resources and opportunities we currently possess before He entrusts us with more. [80:51]
4. Embrace the Planting Process: Being planted can feel like being buried, but it's necessary for growth. God uses this time to strengthen us, preparing us for future challenges. Trust the process and allow God to work in the unseen areas of your life. [67:36]
5. Trust in God's Timing: Like Peter, who obeyed Jesus despite a fruitless night, we must trust God's timing and direction, even when it doesn't make sense. Saying "But if you say so" can lead to unexpected blessings and growth. [01:16:19]
** [76:19]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:22] - Announcements and Updates
[03:03] - Testimonies and Community Sharing
[08:25] - The Power of Being Present
[09:47] - Prayer and Gratitude
[11:29] - Opening Hearts to God's Message
[40:08] - The Bamboo Analogy
[55:37] - The Importance of Environment
[57:19] - Atmosphere for Growth
[60:14] - Stewardship and Faithfulness
[67:36] - Embracing the Planting Process
[76:19] - Trusting God's Timing
[80:51] - Stewarding the Present
[85:50] - Navigating Life's Challenges
[95:11] - Encouragement and Closing Remarks

Sermon Clips

"Be in the present time. Be in the presence of God. Just be here and just don't think about the past. Don't think about the future. If those thoughts come, just push them back out. And just right now is you and God time." [00:09:47] (15 seconds)

"we start growing in a certain way they'll be left behind and I was like what do you mean they're they're they're not they're not planted yet like what are you what are you talking about like yeah they haven't made that that commitment they're not planted in the word they're not planted in the church they're not there's so much they're kind of just in and out and he didn't give me any faces or names he just said there's people here so it's not it's not time for accelerated growth there's going to be growth and in some of you guys's life it will be accelerated growth because you've been planted for a while but for some you haven't even made that decision to get planted yet because check this out you can come here every Sunday every Wednesday Bible study you can come in here you can listen to the songs be led by the praise team you can sing the songs you can lift your hands you can pray you can worship but not be planted because it's one thing to worship Jesus it's another thing to follow Jesus and there's people here that you've been worshiping Jesus and thinking it's all good but you haven't been following him you're all in here on Sunday come Monday there ain't a bit of Jesus there you're not following the examples you're not following the way like it's just no no no I just that's beneath me I can't do that" [00:52:31] (102 seconds)

"you just take some seeds and you just place them on your dinner table they're not gonna grow you happen or change in your life but you continue put yourself in an atmosphere that contradicts what you're praying for. You were praying for this to happen, this to happen, this to happen, but as soon as you get done praying, you get back in that atmosphere that is totally opposite of what you've been praying for. We're just expecting God to be like a genie and just do it. No, no, it's going to take something on your part. There's some people you're going to have to stop hanging around for a while." [00:55:37] (75 seconds)

"You're like, well, now, Jimmy, but I can witness to them. I can tell them about it. What you've been doing is not a witness at all, so it would be better off for you just to exit that situation until God brings you back, but right now, you continue to stay in that atmosphere. God's not going to give you what you've been praying for. Check this out. I'll give you an example. Let's take a fish. We got a picture of a fish, John? You got to have a picture of a fish. Now, let's think about this. I'm going to give you guys, this is, we're going to play a little game. No candy given out. This is not the trivia with candy. Nothing. This is just a freebie. This is just for funsies. Fish. Okay. What is the best atmosphere? Is it A? No, no, no. This is a multiple choice game. You're way ahead of me here. Is it A? A desert?" [00:56:19] (55 seconds)

"Because you're going to continue to grow. Because your growth is not dependent on other factors going on. Because you're planted next to living water. Then this verse, Psalms 1 -3, it goes on to say bears fruit in all seasons. I don't know. I can't think of any trees that bear fruit in all seasons. But I'm saying I want to plant you by the river bank. I want to plant you by living water so you produce fruit in all seasons. Winter, fruit. Spring, fruit. Summer, fruit. Autumn, fruit. Lay me off, fruit. Car broke down, fruit. Lights turned off, fruit. Eviction notice," [01:01:11] (53 seconds)

"Good times, bad times, you'll be able to love on people. You'll be able to help people. You'll be able to show people Jesus and what Jesus is all about, no matter what's going on. See, some of you have been withholding resources. Some of you have been withholding resources. Because you get upset. You get sad. So and so says they're going to break up with you. There's not, there's no more milk in the refrigerator. Mold got on the bread and you don't know how to take it. Just cut off the mold. It's perfectly good. Just saying. And you are withholding what you give to other people because you are under the conception. You believe that you are your provider." [01:05:31] (49 seconds)

"Planting leads to life. Some of you, you've been thinking that you're buried. Instead of planted because you haven't seen any growth yet. But the growth happens first in the soil. Why? Because God's making you strong. Because there's some stuff that he has for you. The wind's going to come by and it's just going to tear you down. So right now he's, he's having to build you up. He's having to make you strong. This is, we, we got the process of, of how it works when you plant something." [01:12:22] (40 seconds)

"Some of you haven't been experiencing growth because you've been trying to make sense of everything in your own mind. And when God tells you something, you're like, oh, no, that can't be. Instead of saying, but if you say so." [01:27:58] (12 seconds)

"Steward well what's not working well. Clean that car. Maybe pick up those Doritos. Make sure it's the best looking 1986 Sunfire that's out there. Because if God can't trust you with what he's giving you right now, how's he going to trust you" [01:23:55] (20 seconds)

"Number four, see, there's going to be some things this next year that you don't understand why you're going through it. You don't understand. It's like bizarro world. You're like, man, God, I know you didn't promise all good things, but why am I having to go through this? Why am I having to work out things through this? Why?" [01:25:50] (18 seconds)

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