Devotionals for the Heart: What plants taught me about being deeply rooted

How Deep Are Our Roots?
A devotional by Patricia Russell

“Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.” —Colossians 2:7 (NLT)

Whack! Whack! Whack!

This was the sound of the instruments we used to dig up plants. The plants had deep roots and every time we hit the ground with the hoe, we pulled up through the dirt an incredible number of weeds. These weeds ran deep. I had never seen so many attached to one plant.

Our voices echoed each other with deep sighs of, “Oh my goodness. There are more here. Come back, there’s another one!” More than once, we had to return to the same place to chip away at the long stalks of weeds that had wound themselves tightly in the earth. We swung at them, then pulled and put the instrument deeper to dig down to finally see an end to the annoying strands of weeds.

The aspect of being rooted really came alive to me in a new way that day. I felt like I had a practical window into why Jesus Christ spoke often about soil, plants and farming when communicating to the people in The Holy Bible. The Apostle Paul wrote this letter to the Colossian church and in it, he told them to let their roots not only grow but also go deep and be anchored and strong in Christ. What roots was he referring to? Paul was speaking to their faith and confidence in Christ.

He wanted them to ensure that their conviction of who Christ is be so strong and solid that nothing could shake their belief. When you know something is true it will take a lot to shake you out from that belief because you’re deeply rooted. When you read the scripture, meditate on it and understand it in context it is planted in your spirit. However, when that Word is tested by the firestorm of a trial or storm in life, then the depth and security of that root is also tested.

As a child, I developed a love for memorizing scripture even when I didn’t fully understand what those Bible verses meant. As I became a teenager, I would read those passages again and they took on a new meaning to me. Many times, I would be experiencing something in my life and a verse that I had memorized would give me a better understanding and comfort for what I was experiencing in that moment. The Word of God was taking root in my heart.

As an adult, I still face challenges that are common in this life on Earth but because the truth of God’s Word had taken root in my spirit, I am always encouraged and comforted by The Holy Spirit. The Bible stories and verses always give me hope. When I read The Bible, God reminds me that He is with me, so I am never alone.

Day by day, as I spend time with God in Bible study and prayer, I continue to grow stronger. As a result, my heart overflows with gratitude to God. I was thankful for His Word. I can tell you with full confidence today that just like a plant being placed in good soil—watered and nurtured—we each have to do the work to ensure we are grounded in our relationship with Jesus Christ. When the Word of God is rooted deep within us then there is nothing that can uproot us.

The storms will come. The trouble will come. The disappointments will come. Yet, because we have taken the time and care to plant our faith in God’s Word, growing our spiritual roots deep in our Firm Foundation (Jesus Christ) then our faith and trust in God will remain secure and unmovable.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father, thank You for the promises in your Word that give us hope and confidence. As you told us in Your Word to meditate on your truths day and night, I will meditate on them so I can become strong in You. Thank You for every blessing I receive from hiding your Word in my heart to not only keep me from sinning but also to guide my every step through this life on Earth. I love you, Lord. Thank You for being here for me and all of humankind. 

 

In Jesus’s name I pray, Amen.

~*~
Song of Reflection #1: “The Anchor Holds” by Ray Boltz. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Promises” (feat. Joe L Barnes & Naomi Raine) by Maverick City | TRIBL. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Into the Sea (It’s Gonna Be Ok)” by Tasha Layton. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Patricia is a worship leader, songwriter, speaker and compiler of her 2020 best-seller anthology Stronger Resilience: Stories to Empower the Mind, Body and Spirit, as well as Lord I Trust You: Words of Encouragement to encourage readers and share life lessons during her cancer journey. 

Patricia writes, speaks, and teaches on the power of God’s Word to heal and empower you to become all that you are purposed for. She has traveled internationally and shared her gifts with audiences to encourage, empower and share life lessons through word and song. Patricia has sung on national television broadcasts and shared the stage with several respected speakers including Anne Graham Lotz and Rev. E.V. Hill.

Her greatest joy is being married to her husband, Wayne, for 34 years. Together they serve the community through their local congregation as well as providing premarital and marriage coaching. They have two adult children, Raquel and Benjamin. As a two-time breast cancer overcomer, Patricia coaches’ others to develop resilience and live life to their fullest.

Patricia has released two gospel music recordings: “Draw Me Nearer” and “Lord, I Trust You”. In March 2022, she launched her podcast “Becoming Resilient” which can be downloaded wherever you get your podcasts and also seen on YouTube.

When not reading or studying, Patricia loves to eat Thai food and spend time with “Lucy” – her daughter’s Yorkie-poo who has taken up room in her heart.

~*~
Connect with Patricia:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patrussellsings/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pat.russell.98877/
Email Patricia: patrussellsings@gmail.com

Devotionals for the Heart: Why God wants you to look like Jesus Christ

Look Like Jesus Christ and Be Deeply Rooted in Him
A devotional by Patricia Russell

“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.”—Psalm 1:1-3 (NIV)

She looked fabulous! Hair and makeup were stunning. The outfit she wore was sharp. She beamed with confidence and looked “picture perfect” until someone asked a question which seemed to cause her picture of perfection to unravel.

Her life was not what it appeared to be, and for so many of us, that is our story too. If you hit us hard enough, the area we thought was firm and grounded can explode in minutes just like when you hit a piñata hard, it breaks wide open and an overflow of candy gushes out. Perfection is what many of us are striving for, but deep-rooted conviction in truth and having humans reflect His Son (Jesus Christ) is what God is looking for in us. To look like Christ does not require a fancy brand of clothing nor an expensive price tag on our shoes. God is looking for something deeper. He is looking for a heart that hungers and thirsts after Him regularly. He is looking for those who desire Him over everything. Sometimes we have to become totally undone and hit rock bottom to realize that God is the only one who can fill the longing of our hearts, give us the peace we crave and satisfy the hunger that we need filled daily. It’s the cry of the desperate that He responds to. The voice of the weary who recognize that God is the one who can give the rest we truly need.

The person who delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on His Word, is described as a “blessed” person in Psalm 1:1. The Amplified translation describes this person as “fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God” who does not walk in the counsel or advice of the wicked. The psalmist uses the analogy of a tree whose roots are planted deeply and grow, making it clear that not only are they well-planted, but they are also healthy, thriving and blossoming. It is God’s desire that, like a healthy tree, our hearts and lives are so firmly planted in Him that we trust Him in not only the good times but when stormy weather confronts us.

We can be sure we are rooted in God’s love when He is first in our thoughts, desires and goals. We can know we are rooted when it’s His name we call on in times of trouble. Trees, when planted, are never left to fend for themselves. The person who plants the trees checks in on them to make sure their needs are met. Likewise, God watches over us and has provided for our every need. We can speak with confidence like the Apostle Paul that “this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19 NLT).

The Bible is our source of spiritual food and strength that our soul craves and needs. God’s Word is our guide providing us with wisdom and reminding us of our value. When our thoughts, plans and lives are rooted in the principles of Scripture then our lives are rooted, our thoughts are clear, and we will grow tall and strong just like the trees.

If your faith is shaky today, if you feel fearful or overwhelmed with life right now, plant your feet firmly, cry out to the Lord and dig deep in His Word. Read Psalm 1. Read it thoughtfully and prayerfully. Know that as you do what it states, your roots will go deep, and your faith will become deeply anchored in Christ. The winds will blow, but remember if you stay rooted in God, you will bring forth fruit, you will grow, and you will prosper in every area of your life.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father, regardless of what I feel or see right now, the Bible says that when I delight in Your Word, I will be like a tree that is rooted. Scripture states that I am blessed. I believe what Your Word states. Please help me look to You, because You are the author and finisher of my faith. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “As the Deer Pants for the Water”. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “More than Anything” by Lamar Campbell. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “What Faith Can Do” by Kutless. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Patricia is a worship leader, songwriter, speaker and compiler of her 2020 best-seller anthology Stronger Resilience: Stories to Empower the Mind, Body and Spirit, as well as Lord I Trust You: Words of Encouragement to encourage readers and share life lessons during her cancer journey. 

Patricia writes, speaks, and teaches on the power of God’s Word to heal and empower you to become all that you are purposed for. She has traveled internationally and shared her gifts with audiences to encourage, empower and share life lessons through word and song. Patricia has sung on national television broadcasts and shared the stage with several respected speakers including Anne Graham Lotz and Rev. E.V. Hill.

Her greatest joy is being married to her husband, Wayne, for 34 years. Together they serve the community through their local congregation as well as providing premarital and marriage coaching. They have two adult children, Raquel and Benjamin. As a two-time breast cancer overcomer, Patricia coaches’ others to develop resilience and live life to their fullest.

Patricia has released two gospel music recordings: “Draw Me Nearer” and “Lord, I Trust You”. In March 2022, she launched her podcast “Becoming Resilient” which can be downloaded wherever you get your podcasts and also seen on YouTube.

When not reading or studying, Patricia loves to eat Thai food and spend time with “Lucy” – her daughter’s Yorkie-poo who has taken up room in her heart.

~*~
Connect with Patricia:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patrussellsings/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pat.russell.98877/
Email Patricia: patrussellsings@gmail.com