Throwing Shade

Many of us are in a season where it seems we are working hard but the harvest from the hard work does not equate? We have planted seeds in faith, praying and hoping for growth and opportunities, but we have been unable to rest under the shade of the proverbial trees. We have yet to see the difference or significance from all of the sacrifice and seeds that have been sown. It is in times like these that we must look to the Word to receive encouragement during these shady times.

Mark 4:32 says.  "Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade." With this simple parable,  Jesus offers encouragement to that small band of disciples following Him over the hills of Palestine.  They would be a part of something that would grow and bless the world immensely! Jesus says there's this mustard seed, and it's a tiny speck of a seed, seeming so insignificant when it's sown. But eventually it grows into this six to ten foot plant that has these large branches that produce all this shade. Jesus is dealing with the fact that His followers may feel like this seed is very insignificant. With all that was going on in the Roman Empire, here's this little group of people gathered together. It may have felt like their seed was so insignificant. What difference could it make?

What difference could it make? Do you realize every person that has trusted Jesus as Savior can trace his/her spiritual roots back to one of these people sitting in the room with Jesus on that day? It may have seemed like a little, insignificant seed, but it changed the world, literally changed the world. So it may feel like your sowing of the seed is very insignificant and­ what could possibly come of this? Well, an eternal harvest, for one thing, as God takes these little seeds that are sown, and He builds His kingdom.

You are on the verge of producing that kind of seed. I don't care how old you are, you haven't had your best idea yet. You haven't had your most creative moment yet. You haven't produced your dream yet. I don't care if you have not gone to school, college, or if you were born in the manger. God can make you a manager, owner or President. There is greatness inside of you that is germinating and waiting to break through the soil. It is ready to live. That seed wants to become a tree, that seed wants to become a forest. 

That seed is screaming, I am ready to be break free. The greatest part of you is ready to manifest. Anybody who has left you is going to miss the greatest part of you. Any job or company that did not take you or released you is going to miss the part that would have taken them to glory. They are going to miss the greatest part of your destiny, the greatest part of your creativity. There are business, companies, concepts, in you. There are books to be written, painting to be drawn, concepts to be birthed that will radically change your life. To get you to this great awakening, to get you ready for what you are about to do today, you had to experience the shade throwing of yesterday. So you can't draw back, you must confront, push through and continue to put God first if you are going to experience your harvest. People willing to put the kingdom first in their lives and willing to abide in Christ will produce much fruit, but only if it falls on good soil. Don't allow the cares of this world and the deceitfulness to "choke" us so that we cannot bear good fruit. 
     
Be encouraged - You are destined for great things, despite your small beginnings, slow beginnings, troubled beginnings, stressful beginnings. The smallest of beginnings have the possibility to grow into something that will be greater than anyone could have imagined from the outset. We have the same mustard seed of the kingdom, and  the same opportunity to harvest blessings that will throw major shade! Enter into prayer today to pray in your shade!

---

Enter Into Prayer

Heavenly Father, I come to You now in the Name of my  Lord and Savior Christ Jesus. The seed is the word of God.” (Luke 8:11) and Heavenly Father, I am abiding in Your Word, holding fast to Your teachings and living in accordance with them. Lord pour in Your Healing Balm of Gilead to the very center, root, or heart cause, and bring total understanding, wisdom, healing, and total restoration to abound in me. Shine Your light to every nook and cranny driving out all darkness from me, then heal and seal those areas for Your purposes, Your Sovereign will be done.

It is my desire to be Your true disciple. Heavenly Father, because You are the Vine and I am  a branch living in You, I  bear much fruit. Apart from You, I  can do nothing. Your Son, Jesus, said “If you live in Me and My Words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you” (John 15:7). When I bear much fruit, You, Father, are honored and glorified. I am abiding in that love. Heavenly Father, You have assured me that if I  keep Your commandments, I will abide in Your love and live in it, just as Your Son, Jesus, obeyed Your commandments and lived in Your love. He told me these things, that Your joy and delight may be in me and that my  joy and gladness may be full measure, complete and overflowing.

Lord Jesus, Heavenly Father, Holy Spirit, help us to remove the old ways, thinking patterns, and habits that are in my carnal mind, conscience and/or subconscious fallen nature. Cause me to be exercised in You and Your Way of Life through Your Spirit and Word instead, forming Your new thinking patterns, and ways and habits. Heavenly Father, I ask you to give me clarity of vision, clarity of sight, clarity of thought, clarity of mind, clarity of knowing, and hearing Your Voice according to John 16:23. When those around me throw shade to discourage and hinder me, I ask You to bind my mind to the Mind of Christ, and my will to the Will of God my Heavenly Father. For In You I live and move and have my being! I declare: divine healing now in every area of my life, spirit, mind, will, emotions and physical being in accordance with Your Divine Plan and Order for my life. I  receive Your Divine Healing, Wholeness and Newness of life, in the Name of Jesus Christ. Lord, I ask You to expand in me Your territories. 

Give me a fresh new release and flow in my inner (wo)man with rivers of living waters springing up forth abundantly with Life abundant, fill me to overflowing with Your favor, compassion and love, Your wisdom and understanding. Anoint me to hear Your Voice not that of a stranger, cause me to clearly discern Your Voice over that of a strange voice. Give me Your eyes to see spiritually, and a heart to understand and be led by Your Holy Spirit, clearly, help me to be bold, confident and be obedient, to do Your will. Fill me with Your gifts, anointing  and blessings and all else You have for me. Lord Jesus Christ, I ask You,to do all these things and let Your love so brightly shine through me into others and as an act of worship to You, in Jesus’ Name, to God be the Glory. Amen!