The image in this photograph may be hard to identify. It has some sharp points and some soft points and seems to be growing in some direction, but what is it? Would you be able to guess that it's a budding maple tree? The mature maple leaves look nothing like this.
The same goes for us. We are still growing spiritually and mentally as we seek to know Jesus Christ better. And what may seem hard to discern or understand now, will become clear and exciting as we allow God to grow us into the beautiful creation He calls us to be. So rejoice and be glad. The way we look today is not the end result. The Lord has confidence in Himself, that the good work He started in us He will bring to completion, as we trust in Him.
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Standing leafless under the overcast sky, the maple tree looks stark and bare. It appears to be stripped of all beauty as it enters its winter sleep. Yet in a hidden, secret place beneath the fertile soil, rich growth begins to take place in the tree's roots.
Just like the maple in winter, our outward appearance doesn't always reflect the inner transformation that is taking place. God meets us in the hidden, secret place of our heart, to prepare us for new growth. And like the tree, we need to rest during this process, except our rest is in Jesus Christ, who covers us with His love.
Do not try to determine the outcome of what you see around you with your naked eyes. It's in the dark times, when everything looks stark and barren, deep inner growth is taking place. You cannot see it. Others are not showing it. You many wonder if anybody can do anything about the problems all around us. But do not despair. Fix your eyes on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. And when that new growth in Jesus Christ is ready to spring forth, nothing can stop it.
May you breakthrough every obstacle that is keeping you from the abundant life that Jesus Christ has for you. For more encouragement and inspiration by Lynn Zuk-Lloyd, go to www.promisegarden.com
Yesterday, the poplar tree was shining in its golden glory. Today, most of the leaves have fallen to the ground. It's one day of splendor came and went as the tree gave up its gold to cloth the earth in a protective covering of leaves.
Opportunities to see glorious things, like the tall tree shining in its brilliant colors, come and go quickly. Many times we miss out on the radiant joy of being in awe of what Jesus Christ does or the splendor that comes with getting to know Him better. Our schedules get over-booked, we decide we're not ready, or are afraid to seek more of the Lord. But what would happen if we choose to stand in the brilliance of God's glory, not just once in a while, but everyday?
Heavenly Father, open our hearts up to the magnificence of who You are, to the splendor of your glory, and to the riches of your Kingdom. Help us to enter into the beauty of your ways and the awesomeness of your days.
May you breakthrough the obstacles that are keeping you from entering into the splendor of God's majesty. For more encouragement and inspiration by Lynn Zuk-Lloyd, go to www.promisegarden.com
Overnight, the foliage on the huge tree across the street turned yellow-orange. This morning, its leaves glisten like gold in the awakening sun. What a beautiful sight to see! Yesterday, all the trees on the street were green. But today, the largest one stands tall in the splendor of its new color.
Change happens. And it can happen suddenly. Many times we grow weary in waiting for problems and issues to be resolved. Sometimes they seem to go on and on, like the long, hot summer, with no end in sight. But as we continue to trust in Jesus Christ, we discover there is a season for everything. We come to understand that God is a God of suddenlies. And when the time is right, the Lord God will suddenly change the our situation, like He did to the tree across the street, and bring us into a time of splendor and glory, as we shine in the light of His mighty love.
May you breakthrough the obstacles that are keeping you from basking in the light of Christ's love. For more encouragement and inspiration by Lynn Zuk-Lloyd, go to www.promisegarden.com
Droplets of water cling to the pine needles. Tiny bubbles of moisture sparkle in the morning sun. The tree branches look clean and new. All is well in the world around the pine tree.
All starts to become well in my world, when I take my eyes off the huge "to do" list and begin to rest in God's love. Refreshing are the showers of His grace that cleanse my tired soul. Beautiful is the assurance that Jesus Christ loves and cares for me. Mighty are the arms of the Lord that quiet my anxious thoughts. God cares for His people, He cares for you, and He cares for me.
May you breakthrough the barriers in your life that are keeping you from basking in the peace of the Lord. For more encouragement and inspiration by Lynn Zuk-Lloyd, go to www.promisegarden.com
New life springs forth at the end of the pine tree branches. Its growing and green — a beautiful shade of light, baby green. This new growth is expanding the tree, causing it to reach out farther, to reach up higher, and to praise God more.Life expands and produces more life. Evil destroys and produces death. Speak life. Think life. Take actions that produce life. Live your life! Enjoy life! Celebrate life! Celebrate the Giver of Life!
Celebrate Jesus Christ! For He is the Creator of Life. He respects life. He grows life. He speaks life to us. He offers us life in abundance. He replaces lies with truth, so we can live in the fullness of His glory.
For more encouragement by Lynn Zuk-Lloyd, go to www.promisegarden.com
It's amazing how wood bends with unimaginable flexibility when the wild wind twists and turns the tree branches in all directions. I need to be like that tree. On my own, I am stiff and rigid. I only know one way of doing things -- my way. And when the winds of life shift my ability to be in control, or the unexpected storms blur my vision, or the blistering heat burns holes in my finances, I get upset, angry and frustrated. I instinctively resist the problems and challenges that block my path. I fight against change, and life becomes hard.
But it doesn't need to be that way. I need to become flexible, like the joyful tree branches swaying in the wind. They don't wine or complain. So what if they loose a few leaves or extra branches. They didn't need that extra weight anyway. And I don't need extra weight either. I need to drop whatever is weighing me down and stay attached to the living tree of Jesus Christ. Only in the Lord can I gain the strength, wisdom, knowledge, and love to become bendable.
When I'm attached to Christ, He teaches me how to ride the turbulent winds of life. When the rain comes pouring down, I need to shout for joy. When the wind blows fiercely, I need to stand on God's promises. When the sun refuses to shine, I need to bask in the light of God's love. These are the things I need to practice with the help of the Holy Spirit. These things are attainable when I fix my eyes on Jesus and yield to Him.
For more encouragement by Lynn Zuk-Lloyd, go to www.promisegarden.com
A gentle fog rests over the sleepy footpath, blocking out the early morning sun. The tree standing in front of me is visible, but everything behind it is covered in a gray mist. I look into the clouds above my head. One, tiny opening reveals a glimpse of blue sky. As the opening widens, two small, puffy white clouds appear. Hope! My spirit rises in the hopes of a sunny day. But as I search my purse for paper and pen to put these words down, the opening closes up.Is hope lost when I cannot see it? No. My hope in Christ is what I trust in. Even though I cannot physically see Him, I know He's there, just as I know there is blue sky behind those gray clouds.I look up from my paper. The gray covering thins out in several places. A few, tiny openings appear. As I watch, they increase in size, and so does the blue sky. More puffy, white clouds come into view. I rejoice! How glorious! How exciting! The more I look, the more I see. It's just like faith. The more I look towards Jesus, the move I begin to see.
This morning's walk reassures me that when the dark clouds creep into my life and threaten me with gloom and doom, I know without a doubt, there is a blue sky behind them — a blue sky of hope in Jesus Christ, who is always with me.For more encouragement by Lynn Zuk-Lloyd, go to www.promisegarden.com
The flickering light on my writing tablet caused me to turn around and look outside. Rough wind jostled the tree branches close to the house. Joyfully, the sun's rays danced across the room. What glorious freedom the leaves have to swing and sway high above the ground. They dance with delight to the melodies of the whistling wind.
Only a month ago, the tree was barren and leafless. But the spring rains came, the temperature increased, and a glorious crown of rich green covered the enormous tree. The foliage produced an abundance of shade with its thousands of leaves. It became a shelter for birds, a home for squirrels, and a resting place for those looking for a refuge from the hot sun.
Be like a tree flourishing in the Lord. Display the foliage of truth — the abundance of God's promises that offer shade and shelter from the hot sun of blinding temptations and false promises that burn and destroy. Let the beauty within you emerge as you burst forth in the joy of Jesus and dance to the tune of God's love.
For more encouragement by Lynn Zuk-Lloyd, go to
www.promisegarden.com
A huge evergreen stands before me with its long branches extended halfway across the path. The branches appear strong and robust. The tree is a healthy shade of green. Even its pine needles look sturdy and radiant, as they sparkle in the morning dew.
This tree remains green all year long. It never changes color in the spring rain, the summer heat, or the winter snow. Jesus Christ is like the evergreen tree — always fragrant, always strong, always standing with welcoming, out-stretched arms. Jesus calls us to also be like an evergreen — green, growing, healthy, vibrant, sweet-smelling, and hospitable.
Healthy evergreens do not grow tall and beautiful by themselves. They need good soil, plenty of sunshine, and the right amount of rain. We are planted in good soil when our roots grow deep into the mighty love of Christ. Not only does Jesus give us all the nourishment and nutrients we need for life, but He is also the solid Rock of our foundation, that holds us secure in the raging storms.
In Jesus Christ, we have all the sunshine we need. We have the radiance of the Son rising up within us, the light of God the Father shining down upon us, and the brightness of the Holy Spirit guiding and directing us. As we seek the Lord and grow closer to Him, His light increases dramatically, and we shine brighter, too.
And we have all the water we need. God's Holy Spirit rains down upon us to help us soak up the nourishment that we need to prosper in Jesus. God's Living Water flows continually from the throne of Heaven to quench our thirst. And as we partake more of more of Christ, streams of Living Water begin to flow out of us, too.
We have all the elements we need to become mighty evergreen trees. We have the God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. God calls us to prosper in Him, and as we yield to Him, He enables us to grow strong and tall.
For more encouragement by Lynn Zuk-Lloyd, go to www.promisegarden.com
Peace is what the Lord God calls us to walk in. Peace is what we are to give away. Peace is the state of mind we need to be in — like a flourishing shade tree with its branches stretched out wide. The tree dances in the gentle breeze, undisturbed by the busy world around it. It holds its branches up high, always giving reverence to the Lord. It welcomes those who pass by, with an invitation to rest under its shade. It does not complain when its branches break, nor does it resist change when the turbulent wind bends it towards the ground. It remains confident and secure in Jesus Christ, standing tall, contented to be where its planted, displaying massive foliage that is rich in color from plentiful rain. The tree is a symbol of the way we can be — steadfast, peaceful, and secure in God's love. For more encouragement by Lynn Zuk-Lloyd, go to www.promisegarden.com
