TEND

““The gardener answered, ‘Sir, give it one more chance. Leave it another year, and I’ll give it special attention and plenty of fertilizer. If we get figs next year, fine. If not, then you can cut it down.’””

‭‭Luke‬ ‭13:8-9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Timely

Endurance 

Nurtures

Discipleship

Timing is such a difficult thing to master. When is a response timely? It seems that some ministries get promoted and others get neglected. The same seems true for individuals. Years of my life have been spent in the classroom, and in the pulpit. With the current reality, educational pursuits have taken on more and more of a bent toward social work and counseling. Being timely and encouraging will nourish and build resilience in our friends and family. 

There can never be too much honest encouragement, but when it is not honest, based on accomplishments, and truthful, encouragement can do damage to the overall outcome of discipleship. We all need to be lifted up from time to time. We all need to see ourselves through the eyes of others, and we are all our own worst critics.

“Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket. To one who listens, valid criticism is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry. Trustworthy messengers refresh like snow in summer. They revive the spirit of their employer.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭25:11-13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

When we get the timing right, there is no end to the positive outcomes that will be produced in the lives we are tending. God works in us and we have the awesome ability as well as the responsibility to continually encourage others. What that looks like is different in every situation. God created, appreciates, and honors diversity. The needs we minister to and the encouragement we offer must be crafted by the Holy Spirit to fill individuals with eternal truth. The only non negotiable is sound Kingdom teaching from the word of God.

“For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.” ‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5:9-11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Faith must be tested. Just like trees and plants need to face pressure and resistance to fully develop, our faith and the seeds of truth planted within us are strengthened by the tests we endure. The line from an old Christian song sums it up like this, “And if I never had a problem, I’d never know my God can solve them.”

As we nurture one another, God’s provision of grace, and deliverance is revealed. Consider it an opportunity for joy, fulfillment, and a step toward perfection. Pressure produces diamonds and extreme heat purifies gold.

“For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” ‭‭James‬ ‭1:3-4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Discipleship is a journey not a destination. Spiritual growth is a process not an instantaneous jump into maturity. Tending to the Spiritual growth in a multi-generational Kingdom oriented family requires patience, persistence, and pruning. Patience is cultivated in adversity. Persistence is rooted in confidence and grounded in God’s promises. Pruning is the work of the Holy Spirit as we follow His leading into ALL truth, and allow that truth working through every generation to shape us into the image of Christ.

“When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.” ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭3:14-17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Don’t be afraid to tend the patch of ground God has given you. As you plant, water and tend to the needs God has blessed you to notice, He will supply and multiply the harvest. God desires to be seen in the lives of His children.

“Then he added, “Every teacher of religious law who becomes a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven is like a homeowner who brings from his storeroom new gems of truth as well as old.”” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭13:52‬ ‭NLT‬‬