- 1 Cor. 16:14
God is love, and He knows your heart, promises to give you the desires of your heart, and comforts you when people break your heart.
In writing this article, I asked God what it is that He wanted to say to you at this hour, and it is this:
“Tell my people that I love them; they forget sometimes because it has been such a hard season and they feel their endurance level has reached its max. But it will not be long now. Others that have gone on before them did not have the endurance to keep going in the things of God. I needed to make sure that this generation of leaders does not turn to the left, or turn to the right. I needed to make sure that you are focused on the things of Me, and not on the things of the world. Riches profit nothing. It is time to rise up and take your place. I will tell you where, and I will tell you when. I love you and I am proud of you for not giving up. When you see what I have for you, your sacrifice will have been worth the wait.”
I remember a pastor telling me once that in order to reach for the higher heights in God, He has to bring you to the deepest depths for as high as God is raising you that is how low He needs to take you. As high as a ship is in the water, that is how deep it must be in the ocean. Otherwise, it would tip over. God wants to make sure that no matter what adversity you face, you do not tip over because your roots do not go deep. A tree whose roots are planted deep cannot be uprooted in the midst of a storm. A tree whose roots are at the surface of the ground is easily uprooted. When planting a garden, the best way to make sure that the roots of the plant grow deep is to dig a hole, fill it with a little water, and then set the plant on top of the water and fill in dirt around the plant. In essence, what you are doing is forcing the plant’s roots to chase after the water so they will grow deep.
He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season. Whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.
The reason a tree by a water source does so well is because the roots drink up the water, the water provides sustenance for the tree to grow strong and healthy, and also flushes out the toxins and impurities. The same process happens with us. The water is the Word of God. Reading the Bible on a daily basis provides not only sustenance for us to feed on, but it also flushes out the toxins and impurities in our lives that keep us from becoming more like Christ. The more we read God’s word, the more we understand and get to know our Creator, and the more we want to put off the old man, and put on the new man. Jesus is our ultimate role model, and when we read how Jesus interacted with people and handled situations on this Earth, we learn how we should interact with people and handle situations.
When you allow God to bring you through times of suffering, trials and tribulations, you learn how to stand strong. In other words, your “roots” grow deep, and nothing and no one can sway you.You learn to rely less on the things of this world, and more on trusting God and having faith in Him when He promises you things that seem too impossible to ever happen.
When I traveled to the Philippines years ago I was amazed at how hungry the people of that Nation were for God. They were deeply rooted in the things of God. I also noticed they had very little in the way of material possessions. They were not consumed by purchasing the biggest flat screen TV they could find, or driving a fancy high-end automobile. If you had to use just one word to describe them, it would be “content.” They were always smiling, and always laughing. They enjoyed life, and without all the modern conveniences that Americans swear they cannot live without.
The people we met in the Philippines were so loving, and giving. They insisted that we as visitors to their country should sleep on their mattress, while they slept on wood and dirt floors. They also expected God to perform miracles without doubting, and miracles took place. It is interesting to note that more miracles, signs and wonders are documented overseas than in the United States. Why? Our roots are not as deep because we are too distracted running around trying to obtain things – we feel we need the biggest homes or the fastest cars. While the people we met in the Philippines hunger for more of God, Americans seem to hunger for the newest “toy” on the market. We were amazed to find that the majority of the youth in the Philippines were already pastors by the age of 17, responsible for their own congregations in the rural communities scattered throughout Mindanao. Their roots ran deep. They loved God, and nothing could stop them from serving God.
The Philippine people knew what they were to be rooted in – love.
17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Prior to 2004, I had been part of a couple of churches that lacked in love. By the time God pulled me out, I was just barely alive spiritually. You know the ones I’m talking about. Some of you have come from those types of churches. Well, one Sunday evening I stumbled upon a church in an industrial park that was loaded with love. I was so distraught, and I started to walk out of the service when the pastor called out, “Will the lady in the bright green sweater, please come up here.” You see, until the Pastor learned your first name, he would always announce you by the color top you were wearing. The word I received that evening from God through that Pastor was so loving, so tender-hearted; it literally saved my very soul. This, by the way, was the same Pastor whose first sermon I had ever heard was about God taking people to higher heights. I never forgot that sermon. There was also a special woman prayer warrior at that church who constantly and consistently ministered to me. She holds a special place in my heart. She never scolded, she never lectured, she just loved. She is a fine example of what God desires his women leaders to be.
When a church or a ministry moves in love, the people grow because the people heal, and the people become stronger and their roots grow deeper. I am excited to be the strong woman warrior of God that I am because God placed me in that church for two years hidden away so I could heal, and learn, and grow. Those pastors are responsible for my spiritual growth which has brought me to this point. To them, I say a heartfelt, “THANK YOU!”
We need to ask God to search our heart, and remove anything that should not be there. I was recently in a church that, unfortunately, had a jealous heart and instead of encouraging others to grow, they were more concerned that they would lose their title, power and position to those that were growing – so there was very little love in that church, and many hurting people. The fields are ripe for harvest and the laborers are few. There are so many opportunities for ministry that there is no need to be jealous of someone else’s because if it is a desire of your heart to work a ministry, know that God put that desire in your heart. God says as much in Psalm 37:4, and in God’s timing that ministry will manifest.
Psalm 37:4-5, reads:
4 Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.
God will lead you to places where He knows His love abounds. You see, people grow when they are ministered to by true Christians who pour out the Love of Jesus to others.
When Cross Creek Bridge Ministries was being birthed, God told us the mission of our ministry was to be founded on 1 Corinthians 16:14:
“Let all that you do be done with love.”
Ladies, there is a pattern developing here. God is once again raising up His churches, ministries, pastors, prophets, apostles, teachers and evangelists to move in His gift of Love which was poured out into our hearts in Romans 5:5 by the Holy Spirit, and He invites you to be a part of that movement.
Say, “Yes.” Be that warrior woman of God grounded and rooted in Love, and help someone grow.
Cross Creek Bridge Ministries
P.O. Box 572391
Tarzana, CA 91357
Tel: (818) 881-2009
Toll-Free: (877) 303-CCBM (2009)
Cross Creek Bridge Ministries is a qualified IRS Section 501(c)(3) Organization