March 2010 - Spring Is In the Air by Judy Baus

03/01/2010

We are just coming out of winter and signs of spring are everywhere. The trees we pruned in the fall are starting to put forth wonderful new growth.

I love this time of year. We are just coming out of winter and signs of spring are everywhere. The trees we pruned in the fall are starting to put forth wonderful new growth. The bulbs we planted in the fall are starting to pop through the dirt bringing us beautiful flowers very soon now.
During our travels to different states Vic and I are privileged to see the different landscapes. Each state has its unique beauty. Some of the states have extreme seasonal changes while others seem to have only slight changes, from mild to hot.

As I look at all the plants and trees in the various states, I think of God who spoke it all into existence. Then God said, “Let the land sprout with vegetation—every sort of seed-bearing plant, and trees that grow seed-bearing fruit. These seeds will then produce the kinds of plants and trees from which they came.” And that is what happened Genesis 1:11 (NLT). This same God brought forth the seasons for them to grow in. Then God said, “Let great lights appear in the sky to separate the day from the night. Let them mark off the seasons, days, and years” Genesis 1:14 (NLT).

In the fall, the trees are pruned and the bulbs are planted; then they go through the winter. I remember some of the winters I spent in Wyoming and wow, they were harsh, but winters in most parts of California are almost never harsh. Though the climate is so different, each state has beautiful trees and flowers that come through the seasons, and in the spring, life returns to our hillsides and gardens. Yeah! Actually, the plants have not been dead, just dormant!

God knew the plant life would need both the seasons of dormancy and sunshine for growth to take place. In the same way, He knows we humans need the seasons for our spiritual growth! All the dead things in our life have to be pruned or taken out in order for the new growth of the Spirit to come. Jesus talks about the pruning that must take place in our life. He says in John 15 that before we can produce fruit, we HAVE to go through the pruning stage. He also says abide in Him or stick close to Him and He will see us through the pruning season.

What are dead things in our lives? Things that are against God’s Word. Things like doubt, envy, disbelief, depression, negative thinking, negative talk, anger, no self control, bondages, strongholds of addiction, worry, anxiety, gossip, and more.

How do we get these dead things pruned out of our life? The only way is to first give our life over to Jesus Christ and make Him Lord of our life. Then daily READ His word (Bible) and pray. While we are reading and praying, we are like the dormant stage of the plant where it looks like nothing is happening, but life is being created inside that plant and it is growing each day. Then one day when spring is in the air, new growth can be seen by the wonderful new buds forming. Fruit is on the way!

What is this budding fruit? The fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. This is the fruit of life. Fruit is grown. It does not just appear fully grown and ripe! Let’s keep those dead things out of our life, and new fruit coming all the time by staying in the things of God.