Don't Forget to Water the Plants

Have you ever cut a stem off a green plant and placed it in vase of water? It’s amazing how the stem will die if you simply cut it off, but grows brand new roots if you simply place it in water. An entire new plant will grow in just a matter of days. Even if all other elements are present (light, dirt, nutrients, carbon dioxide), that plant stem must have water in order to survive. There’s something about the water…

The people of God are the same way. Even if a disjointed (backslidden) Christian has light (the Word of God), nutrients (natural food and water) and carbon dioxide (fellowship), he or she cannot survive without water (the Holy Spirit). In John 7:38-39, the Word says:

He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet [given]; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

The Bible clearly teaches us that water is representative of the Holy Spirit and His power in the Scriptures. Now, take a look at Psalm 1:1-3.

Blessed [is] the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight [is] in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Isn’t that powerful?! The man who enjoys fellowship with the Word of God is like a tree, or a plant, rooted by the rivers of water. In other words, that person has continual, flowing access to the Holy Spirit and His power. Hallelujah! The Word goes on to say that this person will bring forth fruit in his season. The fruit of the Holy Spirit are described in Galatians 5:22-23, but I also believe this refers to the gifts and callings of God placed on individual believers. The leaf on a tree protects the fruit. Leaves that do not wither let me know that those things which support my ministry will not be weak – Finances, Time, Talents, People – they are present and strong, in Jesus’ name. They are needed to support and cover a ministry. Praise God! Now, God tops it all off and adds the icing to the cake with “whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”

What a mighty and awesome God we serve!

As I continued to meditate on this Word, I thought of all the times I’ve been discouraged in the ministry, or even as a Christian. “Lord, why can’t I get my finances straight?” “God, I know you called me, but I just don’t have enough time.” “Father, why doesn’t anyone believe in me.” God is telling me and other men and women of God, “When something isn’t right in your life, it’s because you haven’t exposed that area to the work and power of the Holy Spirit.” In other words, we haven’t allowed God to breathe on that particular area.

Now we all know that breath has a feeling and a scent. When someone breathes on you, you feel the warmth and you smell the breath, whether it be good or bad. Can you smell, or sense, the breath of God in those areas of your life that seem stagnant? My God! The Lord gave me the following scripture along with this revelation:

Job 14:7-9
For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease. Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground; [Yet] through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant.

Hallelujah! We, as Christians, are the tree. If we, or any part of our lives, are cut down (broken, discouraged, inefficient, backslidden), we can be revived again! Hallelujah! The tender branch, which is the heart toward God – that part of you that keeps seeking HIS face, will not cease. Though the root may get old (the doctrine, the habits, the works) and we may get tired and aged in our flesh, through the scent (the mere presence and sense of the Holy Spirit) of water, it will bud. New life shall come forth. That area of your life will be revived and bring forth NEW fruit, in Jesus’ name! O, praise God! I admonish you to get transparent before the Lord, and allow the Holy Spirit to lead you in those areas that are hindering you. Look for the barren areas in your life to GIVE BIRTH!!! In fact, your fruit will begin to root and bring forth fruit. Even when they are separated from you in the natural, they will birth into new plants in other areas! Hallelujah! Your children will prophesy and dream dreams. Your ministry will birth new ministries. Those who you lead to Christ will bring others into the family of God!

Hallelujah! Don’t forget to water the plants! Yield to the water of God – the Holy Spirit. Make sure His scent, His breath is present in every area of your life. If the Spirit of God is there, something HAS TO CHANGE. If God is in the midst, sickness cannot stay. Poverty cannot dwell. Frustration is not welcome! Not sure how to turn over every aspect of your life to God’s Spirit? PRAISE! The Bible says that He inhabits the praises of His people. If you’re having problems in your marriage, praise Him. If your finances are not adequate, praise Him. God will show up, and CHANGE MUST FOLLOW! Even in the natural, we must turn our lives over to God. PRAISE is a sacrifice. We praise God in song, in speech and in dance, but we must also praise Him through obedience, which is better than sacrifice. We must sweep our lives of sin, even in the small areas! Thank you, God! We must be completely SOLD OUT for Him! Sin is poison. No matter how much you water a plant, if it’s poisoned, it will die.

People of God, let’s get naked before our Father. Let Him breathe on every part of our lives. AMEN?!

Don’t forget to water the plants!