Dictionary.com defines rooted as having roots. Root means to implant or establish deeply. The Greek word for rooted in Strong’s Concordance is rhizoo (G4492) -to cause, to strike root, to strengthen with roots, to render firm, to fix, establish, cause a person or a thing to be thoroughly grounded. In John 15, Jesus says that He is the true vine, and the Father is the husbandman. “Every branch in me that beareth not fruit He taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit….Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me”. Jesus says that I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing(no-thing). If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is cast forth withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If (is conditional which means it’s based on certain conditions or requirements made) ye abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. In the natural, a branch cannot live separate from the vine as it cannot draw the required nutrients from the source and grow. So it is in the Spirit if we are not connected to the True Vine, we are unable to tap into our spiritual nutrients, develop and produce fruit (the qualities and characteristics of the Holy Spirit). Oh-but, if we stay connected, we begin to grow. In the process of developing and bearing fruit, the Father removes the unnecessary, unlovely parts of our character so that we resemble Christ more and more. 

We need to be close to the Father’s heart. With so much chaos and turmoil in this world, He is our only constant! If we are not rooted in Christ and in God’s word, we won’t be able to withstand the great shaking that is coming and is going on the world. Just look at the parable of the two builders in Matthew 6:24-27. Jesus says that those who hear/read His sayings and does them He compares them to a wise man who built their house upon a rock. When the rain came, and the floods came, the winds blew and beat upon that house. The house did not fall because it was founded on the rock. Now for the other man who built his house on sand, his outcome was different. The rain descended on the house, the floods came, the winds blew and beat upon that house, and it fell and great was its fall. We can’t make it in this world without God and the word of God. Death, disease, lawlessness, racial tensions and all that is happening in the world is overwhelming and if we’re not careful we can become discouraged, depressed and hopeless. But we must have our hope in Christ and in the word that is yet alive.  Let us take a look at the parable of the soils in Matthew 13:3-9. When the word is sown, it falls on different types of ground (hearts). “The sower went forth to sow. Some seed (word) fell by the wayside, and the fowls came and devoured them up. Some fell upon stony places where they had not much earth, and when the sun came up, they were scorched because they had no root, they withered away, some fell among thorns, and the thorns came up and chocked them out.

Other seeds fell on good ground and brought forth fruit at different levels”. Jesus explained the parable as such, when anyone hears the word and doesn’t understand it, the wicked one (Satan) comes and snatches the word away. The person who received the seed (word) into stony places hears the word and immediately receives the word with joy, but it is only temporary. He has no root, so when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, he stumbles and falls away [“abandoning the one who is the source of salvation”] AMP(Amplified Version). The one who seed was sown among thorns is the one who hears the word but the worries and distractions of the world and the deceitfulness [“the superficial pleasures and delight] of riches and chokes the word so that it yields no fruit”], AMP. The one whose seed was sown on good ground is the person who hears the word, understands and grasps it; he indeed bears fruit and yields fruit some a hundredfold, sixty and thirty. Let us be the person who receives the word on good ground. Whenever we fall off, we must pick ourselves up and run back to Jesus! Let’s stay connected.

 

Father, it’s in the name of Jesus that we come to you. Father, we ask that you help us stay connected to you. Lord, empower us by the Spirit to live according to Your will. Open the eyes of our heart and give unto to us a spirit of revelation into the intimate knowledge of You. Help us to see ourselves the way you see us!  We love you! In Jesus’ name.

 

Be blessed.

BHM (Bleeding Heart Ministries)

 

In recent days, there’s been discord among believers about various topics from sage to yoga, causing a lot of confusion. But we know that God is not the author of confusion but peace. (1 Corinthians 14:33) We are to dwell together in unity like Paul exhorts the church of Corinth. Ephesians 4:1-6 “I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. He’s urging us to walk in obedience and to remain humble. God created every one of us with unique attributes and purposes. As individuals, we will have disagreements, differences in opinions, and various ways of executing tasks. And you know what that is entirely okay and to be expected. Embrace who God created you to be. Be confident and content in your giftings and the way the Father communicates with you. Let’s NEVER compare ourselves with others. All of our journeys are tailor-made specifically for us. While it is absolutely acceptable for us not to agree on somethings, it is never okay when it comes to the things of the Spirit and the word of God! As believers, we must study to show ourselves approved, rightly dividing the word of truth, and this is how we will be able to discern what we hear and see. Don’t be deceived into believing that just because someone names the name Christ that everything that they say is Holy Spirit inspired or for that matter the word of God. People sometimes share their opinions and beliefs. I’m here to tell you that if it doesn’t line up with the word, throw it out. God is a God of relationships and flows through this type of paradigm. We must link with those who God has connected us to, for these individuals will be instrumental in our walk. We’ll need to be prayerful and discerning. It will be evident when we’ve found our “tribe” as things will mesh and flow naturally. Be quick to forgive, walk-in integrity, and cultivate those relationships.

What does with one accord mean? With one accord is the Greek word homothymadon. Homothymadon means with one mind, with one accord, with one passion. Homothymadon is a compound of two words meaning to “rush along” and in “unison.” “The image is almost musical, a number of notes are sounded, which while different, harmonize in pitch and tone. As the instruments of a great concert under the direction of a concertmaster, so Holy Spirit blends together the lives of members of Christ’s church”. (Blue Letter Bible). The church is God’s symphony, and in this type of atmosphere, Holy Spirit is at liberty to move as the Father wills.

A few examples of this are in Acts 2: 1-4, “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:42-47 “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things in common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continued daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. Wow -we had it all wrong. This is the CHURCH! I personally believe that the body of Christ (church) will once again return to foundational principles and roots. Acts 5:11-12 “And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many, as heard these things. And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch. Matthew 18:19-20 “Again, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them. The Father wants us to dwell in unity, and when we are unified and on one accord, He manifests Himself in our midst. Let’s aim to live peaceably as much as it is within our control.

Father, it’s in the name of Jesus (the only name by which all men can be saved) that we come to you. We ask that you give unto us a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of You, that eyes of our understanding be enlightened that we may know what is the hope of Your calling. Father, draw us closer to You. Strengthen us to put away those things that you have required of us. Help us sew to the Spirit and not the flesh so that we can reap everlasting life. We ask Lord that you help us live lives of consistency. Empower us to walk in all that you have predestined for our lives, for you knew us before we were formed in our mother’s womb. We love you in Your son Jesus’ name.

Suppose you’re reading this blog and have not received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, this is the opportune time to accept Him. Why should I accept Him, you ask? All of humanity was born in sin from the cutest baby to the oldest man living on the earth. God’s ultimate desire was to have a relationship with his creation. This foundational principle is where all other relationships are derived. In the beginning, God created man (Adam) in His image and shortly after that created woman (Eve). Adam and Eve enjoyed uninhibited fellowship with God, until one fateful day when Satan deceived Eve by causing her to doubt God’s word. And believe me, Satan is still using this tactic to this day. Adam and Eve both disobeyed God’s command and ate from a tree that they were instructed not to.

We see this behavior in children and even in adults, right? The more we are told not to do something, the more we want to do it. That right, there is the sin nature in operation. Back to Adam and Eve-when, they ignored the instructions from God, and they immediately recognized something was different about them. Instead of being excited about communicating and hanging out with their creator, they were ashamed, embarrassed, and afraid. It’s just like children when they do something that they were warned not to do and hear their parents call for them, they become frightened and, if possible, avoid interacting with their parents. But even in their disobedience, God temporarily covered their sin, but they would no longer be able to dwell in God’s presence (this happens when we sin). By this sin entered into the world and affected every person born on this earth.

I know it seems that we are without hope. Oh, but I have some good news for you. God has a plan of reconciliation for us!! He sent His only begotten son (Jesus)to earth to live among men, teach, heal and set the captives free. There are no multiple roads that lead to heaven. There is only ONE way- JESUS. Jesus is the way, the truth and the light and no one can come to the Father except through Him. You see, in God’s eyes, we are spiritual criminals and will be judged as such. However, He sent His Son, who was without sin, to take our punishment. Why? Because He wants to fellowship with His creation. He desires involvement in every aspect of our lives. Jesus was beaten, mocked, and crucified on a cross for my sins and your sins. He died, was buried, and rose again on the third day in ALL POWER!, and is now seated at the right hand of God the Father. God wants you to know that even if you believe that you are a mistake. I don’t care if your parents didn’t want you at birth. I don’t care if you grew up in foster care or a dysfunctional household. You were always in the mind of God. He knew before your parents created you. He wants to walk with you through life and reveal to you why you were created and for what purpose. YOU HAVE PURPOSE. YOU ARE IMPORTANT. YOU MATTER. GOD LOVES YOU AND WANTS TO COMMUNE WITH You-yes YOU! How can I experience that? I’m glad you asked. You must confess with your mouth, the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, and you will be saved.

Pray- Jesus, I’m a sinner, and I’m separated from God. I believe that you bore my sins on the cross and took my penalty for me. I believe that you died, was buried, and rose again so that I can have a relationship with God. I ask you to save me.

If you’ve prayed that prayer and are fully persuaded in your heart that Jesus is the only way and have asked Him to rescue you, we welcome you to the body of Christ. You must connect to a local body of believers who believe and practice the word of God.

Be blessed!

Until next time…

BHM (Bleeding Heart Ministries)