James 5:7 - Planted For A Flood
Step 1: Pray. Select.
As I began my prayer time this morning, it took a little while to stop my thoughts from racing.
I decided to step outside onto our patio to allow the wonder of nature and God’s creation to inspire me. I looked up at the cloud rolling in promising rain and thought, what do you do when you are waiting for the rain or the promises of God to come to pass? You know, when your prayer has gone up, nothing has come down yet.
As I spent some time in the word, I came upon James 5:7. This verse called to me today, so I moved to Step 2.
Step 2: Write. Read. Circle
James 5:7 Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain.
After reading the scripture three times, the following words stood out amongst the others:
Therefore Be Patient
Precious Fruit
Waiting Patiently
Until It Receives
Rain
Step 3: Re-Write
With a focus on the words that stood out, here is the personalized sentence placed upon my heart. Don’t forget, if you are doing this alongside me today, to add your name to your unique sentence:
Jennifer, therefore, be patient, precious fruit, waiting patiently until it receives rain.
Step 4: Visualize
As I meditate on the sentence, I start to see the soil of the earth. Dark and rich with nutrients, yet dry. I think about seeds and how they can eventually sprout fruit when watered. The Holy Spirit asks me to shift to a higher perspective.
I am now looking down on the earth and thinking about how God looks down over the atmosphere as he watches his children go from small to sprouting up, just like we view plants. We can only grow so far until one day, the rain of our Heavenly Father comes down and provides the rain from Heaven to do our greatest work, which is our purpose-filled work that allows us to save other souls who perhaps got lost along the way. As the water begins to seep into our being becoming ever present, there is no telling how far or wide our idea, relationship, work environment, marriage, or church family can reach. One drop of His rain can set off a ripple effect into the atmosphere to change a generation. One drop of this living water can move mountains and break foundations that need to be disrupted and may have been cemented before, but now the root breaks through, revealing the ground in which the tree was made. One drop of this nutrient-rich rain can cause you to grow, shattering all glass ceilings.
Friends, start tilling your land today. Tend to the good seeds you have planted. Keep loving and caring for your lot, for when the time comes and the rainy season begins, you must be firmly rooted in the word so you do not get washed away by the flood, intended for a blessing, but if not prepared in proper soil, can wash away the hope and dreams which are not rooted in the LORD and his land.
The Holy Spirit brings one last point to mind: there is no such thing as waiting; while we wait to sprout up, we should work according to the farmer's expectations. Be joyous in all you do, and make sure you are covered and agree with your Father on what you plant. If you do not check in and confirm you are planting what He needs, it will surely wash away when the flood comes.
I continue to Step 5 with a question for the Holy Spirit.
Step 5: Ask. Seek
The words that came to mind were:
Holy Spirit, how can I ensure I am planting the right seeds inside to grow to my fullest potential?
Step 6: Hear. Write. Receive
Here is the answer I received:
“If you do not spend time with me, learning to hear my instruction, you will plant what you hope to see, which may or may not be my will. For I know the land which I have laid for you to possess. Take care of your lot, but remember I am a moving God, so do not be like the Pharisees and forget to look up while tilling the land, for I am the way, the truth, and the light. As the world is turning you can be confused which way is up. Look for me, and I will meet you; seek me, and I will find you; ask for me, and I will answer you. Pay attention to your peace; that is your compass to do work after my heart. ”
Step 7: Pray. Confirm
Heavenly Father, I come to you through your mighty son, Jesus. Daily, I have questions about my journey. Help me remember what my daily bread or daily assignments are. No more, no less.
Help me stay encouraged that the seeds you have helped me plant will bear the fruit inside of me to sustain me through all environmental elements of my future. Thank you for being accessible to me and loving me.
In the waiting, I will continue working to seek you more to carry the load of the harvest when you send your living rain, which shatters all earthly glass ceilings.
In Jesus’ mighty name - Amen!
If you used the scripture of the day and need prayer or someone to pray with you, connect Here. Remember, you are not alone.
Step 8: Share. Testify
If you workshopped any of the verses mentioned above using the 8-Step Prayer Practice, we would love to hear from you in the comments below about what the Holy Spirit showed or spoke to you today.
Remember to spread hope and share your miracle or testimony HERE. We want to see how God is working in your life!
Conclusion:
Today’s lesson is that there is no such thing as waiting; it is preparation time.
Don’t forget to look up and seek God to ensure you are oriented to him and not in an earthly direction.
Tend to your lot and ensure you are focused on the good seeds he has planted into your mind, environment, and heart so you can plant with expectation as the farmer does.
Do not be led by sight; be led by the word and your Father’s instruction daily.
Get ready for the harvest, friend! See you soon!
