Faith Filled Fridays From Croley’s Corner of Chicklit Power

Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power...

“Therefore, we must be diligent to feed our soul being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” Philippians 1:11
So happy you joined me today for “Faith filled Fridays.” Grab your favorite drink, journal and join me as we realize the need of compost in our garden. Question: How many of you enjoyed science when you were in High School? It wasn’t one of my favorite subjects, yet it was essential for life as I became an adult.
The earth’s soil is a rich storehouse of nutrients essential to the growth, beauty and good health of any kind of garden. We are told in the class of science that plants must have 16 basic nutrients available to them through the soil and air. When soil does not contain enough of a particular nutrient, a fertilizer or a mixture of compost must be added. It is essential…. It’s needed to enrich the soil in order to support growth and progress of a garden.
Here’s a list of four ingredients for a garden to survive: Carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, water. Wow, how about that for a quick science lesson!
Now, to connect God’s Word to us as believers.
We must consume food daily in order to stay alive and to remain healthy…. Just as food is an important part of living and thriving, so it is with living Godly, although we are a part of this world we defiantly are not of it. “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him". Colossians 3:17
Although each believer’s walk with God is personal; we truly need one another to be fruitful together in order to further the Kingdom! However, there are times when there are opinions or offenses that mix into the ingredients of our walk, together. I’ll call that the fertilizer or compost of life… and it can certainly leave a stinky aroma.
In addition to that, we typically want to turn and run. Let’s think about this for a minute…. if we go through life without any troubles, trials or tribulations, we would have no need to call on the Lord for help. There’d be no compassion for others who may be experiencing similar stinky situations! James 1:2-4 tells us, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
Is your garden lacking?
The fertilizing part of our lives is essential. For a believer it is necessary to go through stinky times in order for us to grow in His grace, His mercy, to love others, including those “stinky” enemies in order to see God produce His righteousness in us. (Matthew 5:43-48) It definitely may be stinky which makes us uncomfortable; however; He sends the Holy Spirit to stir our hearts with His love, to process the fruitfulness out of the stinky stuff.
When we don’t feed our garden properly, it will be affected. It is in that fertilizing time that causes us to grow and to walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. (Colossians 1:10).
Remember, Christianity is not a list, but a life....a life worth serving. Join me next week as we begin to see budding growth in our garden.
Love, Deb