The Redwood Tree

Did you know the bark of the average Redwood tree is up to one foot thick?  Due to the extraordinary thick bark, along with their high water content and lack of resin, Redwoods are able to more successfully resist the destruction of forest fires.  Additionally, the tannic acid in the bark helps Redwoods resist disease and insect infestation.  Redwoods are not indestructible, but they do have many characteristics that help them thrive in the environment in which they live, despite the turmoil that may develop around them.

In truth, we are a lot like the Redwood tree.  Just like this towering tree that endures through hardship, we have the tools we need to stand up against all negative influences we encounter.  Just like the Redwood is protected by its bark, we have protection through the armor of God!

Ephesians 6:11 states, “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”  Every day, we are going to face situations that tempt us and cause our faith to waver.  Just like the Redwood that often faces fire or infestation; we encounter illnesses, negative opinions, and other things the devil uses to try to alter our beliefs.

The Bible says the devil is like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (I Peter 5:8).  But if we have on the full armor of God, we can stand up against every curveball the devil throws our direction.  God’s armor will protect us in the same way that the Redwood finds protection through its outer covering of bark.

In the book of Ephesians, Paul adds one more aspect of the armor of God.  It isn’t enough to simply have the tools.  You have to have the divine intervention of the Holy Spirit.  He says, “Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests” (Ephesians 6:18).  I am reminded of the popular t-shirt sold some time ago in Christian bookstores that said: “Seven days without prayer makes one weak.”  How true this is!

Without prayer, our lives become even more susceptible to attacks by the enemy.  We find ourselves losing patience with other people, struggling to get out of bed in the morning, and having an overall negative attitude.  But through prayer, we can see our mountains turn into molehills.  Our storm clouds will turn into rainbows.  And our trials will turn into testimonies.  Prayer is the direct line of communication we have to the throne of grace.

You may be going through a battle of your own right now.  It may be that a loved one is knocking at death’s door.  You may be trying to figure out how to make ends meet, with only enough money to cover the electric bill or the mortgage.  Your car may be on its last leg, your job may be in jeopardy, or your children may be engaging in illegal activity.  I want to encourage you today.  Pray about your situation.  Ask other people to pray with you.  God’s Word says that where two or three are gathered together in His name, there will He be in the midst of them.

Through prayer, hearts can be mended, lives can be transformed, and miracles can happen.  No matter what you are going through, there is nothing too big for God.  No place on this planet is out of the reach of the almighty God.  He is watching over you.  Have faith that He will see you through.

Every morning when you get out of bed, put on the armor of God.  Buckle the belt of truth around your waist, put the breastplate of righteousness on your chest, and place your feet inside the readiness from the gospel of peace.  When the flaming arrows of the enemy come to harm you, let the shield of faith be your extinguisher, just like the Redwood bark dissuades fire in a forest.  Finally, place the helmet of salvation on top of your head and grasp on to the “sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17).

God does not expect you to go into battle alone.  Just as He has given the Redwoods the ability to survive undesirable conditions, He has given you everything you need to reign victorious, whether you are in the sunshine or the rain.  So stand firm in every situation, allowing the armor of God to protect you from all harm.  Then you, too, can stand tall like the Redwoods, knowing that God is on your side!

In Christ’s Love,

Jennifer

Faith Makes All Things Possible!

When was the last time you heard someone say, “I can’t?” Or perhaps you recently heard someone remark, “That’s impossible!” Many times in life, we find ourselves faced with challenges that truly seem insurmountable. Our family may have unreasonable expectations of our abilities, our boss may ask too much of us, and our friends may become disappointed if we cannot be there for them every single time they need us. God may often give us a task that seems impossible. But it is in these moments when we feel so unqualified, so insignificant, that God reminds us that He makes all things possible. In our own strength, we can do nothing, but with God’s strength, we can do anything! By putting our faith in God, all things become possible!

One of the prime examples of the impossible becoming possible comes from the book of I Samuel. A young man by the name of David finds himself in the midst of a battle. Completely unprepared for the encounter, he is pitted against the largest man on the opposing side: Goliath. Now Goliath is a giant, both literally and figuratively. The Bible calls him a “champion” and says that he stood at a height of 9’9” or 3 meters (I Samuel 17:4). Compare Goliath to David, the youngest son of Jesse, one of Saul’s servants. David does not spend time on the battlefield, but spends most of his time tending his father’s sheep. When David says that he will fight the Philistine, even King Saul himself is doubtful of David’s ability to conquer the giant. Saul said, “‘You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth’” (I Samuel 17:33). Even so, David has something that Goliath does not have: faith in God.

David knows that God will protect him from all harm, just as He promises in His Word. He said, “‘The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine’” (I Samuel 17:37). David is offered Saul’s very own tunic, as well as a bronze helmet, coat of armor, and sword. But he wasn’t used to all of that heavy equipment. Instead, he goes down to the stream and collects five smooth stones. He didn’t use special armor. He wasn’t carrying any high-tech weapons. He did not even wear a helmet. He had a slingshot, some small stones, and faith that could move mountains. Most importantly, he knew that the true and living God would be his shield in battle.

David wasn’t acting out of naivety or inexperience. He was acting on faith. Goliath approaches him with his shield bearer going before him, taunting David as he sees this inexperienced warrior bringing “sticks” into the battle (I Samuel 17:43). But David was not deterred by Goliath’s unfavorable commentary. David simply states, “‘You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied’” (I Samuel 17:45). David had faith that God would carry out His plan. Although he may have been scared or worried, he remained faithful, confidently relying on God’s power to bring him to victory.

What if we had such great faith? How would our lives be different if we had faith that a few small stones would slay a giant standing in our way? David did not have any superpowers. He was just an ordinary human being whom God used to accomplish something truly extraordinary. Through faith, David became a high ranking officer in Saul’s army. But his greatest accomplishment was that he obeyed God and God honored him because of his faithfulness.

God will do the same for you. Whatever you are going through, God is looking out for you. He wants to be your shield in battle, your rock that you can stand on, your shelter from the storm. Have faith that God will make all things possible. Matthew 17:20 says, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Have faith that God will be with you, every step of the way. With faith in God, the impossible becomes possible!

In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer

Be Strong

Do you think of yourself as someone who is strong? Perhaps your strength is physical, or mental, or emotional. Or maybe you do not feel strong at all. You may feel like you will simply collapse under the weight of the burdens you carry. You may feel overwhelmed by the daily tasks you must perform. You may feel that you are a failure. No matter how you feel, do not give up. If you feel weak, Jesus is strong. Put your hope in Jesus Christ, and He will give you strength to continue your journey. With Jesus Christ by your side, you will be strong. He will give you physical strength, mental strength, and emotional strength. You can be strong in the Lord.

Personally, I have never truly thought of myself as someone who is especially strong. Sure, I keep my head held high. I smile, even when things go wrong. I try to offer encouraging words to others. Yet, I know I could be a much stronger individual. This week, two friends told me that I was strong. One of them actually said I was stronger than them. The other friend said I was someone who was strong, someone my friends could depend on, and someone they admire. As I tried to process their comments, I was overwhelmed. I was humbled to know that my friends felt this way about me. And I was so grateful to come to the realization that, yes, with God’s help, maybe I am strong after all.

Strength is something that every person seems to desire at some point in their life. When I was a little girl, I enjoyed watching the children’s cartoon, Tom and Jerry. I recall watching episode after episode where Jerry the mouse always seemed to defeat Tom the cat, no matter what defensive course of action Tom may have used. In the end, Jerry knew that he could defeat the cat. Even though he didn’t have the size, he had something greater. He had mental strength to outsmart Tom, and he had the confidence necessary to pull it off. While this may be a fictional cartoon, it is the perfect illustration to use when talking about human strength. Although we may feel inadequate, like Jerry, God gives us the strength we need to overcome any evil in our lives. On our own merit, we may be weak, but God gives us the strength and confidence we need to prevail.

No matter what battle you may be fighting, God is on your side. He will give you the strength you need to overcome. Ephesians 6:10-13 says, “Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” God has promised that He will provide an armor to protect you from Satan’s snares. God will give you strength to make it through. He will carry your burdens. He will make you strong. Make it your daily prayer to be strong in the Lord. Nehemiah 8:10 says, “The joy of the LORD is your strength.” Be joyful. Be an inspiration. Be strong.

In Christ’s Love, 

Jennifer