If any one of you thinks God has something for you to say or has inspired you to do something, pay close attention to what I have written. This is the way the Master wants it. If you won’t play by these rules, God can’t use you. Sorry.

1 Corinthians 14:38, The Message

Dei-Phototropism¹

Designed and planted by the Master Gardener²
and nourished by His Word,
I bask in His love song.³

Turning my face to His Son,
I am showered with blessings,
cascaded with rivers of His Light.⁴

When winter storms buffet, and ice weighs heavily on my branches,
I remain rooted deeply,
secure in the green pastures of His salvation garden.⁵

He prunes my wayward branches
and gently wraps the tendrils of my hope
around the trellis of His promises.⁶

I was planted to give
—comfort in my shade,
—loving welcome in my branches,
—pleasure with my blossoms,
—sustenance by my fruit,                               

And to cast seeds of salvation into the winds of His Holy Spirit.⁷

¹Personal Biblical Mandate: Dei-Tropism, Kathie Evenhouse, November 13, 2006;
²Psalm 1:2-3;   ³Zephaniah 3:17;  ⁴Psalm 103:1-3; ⁵Psalm 23; ⁶James 1; ⁷Micah 6:8

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• Think of some Bible verses or stories that have been meaningful to you throughout your life.
  • Share one, and if applicable, a circumstance when a portion of scripture spoke strongly to you.
  • Do these verses shape your life, your beliefs, or your actions?

What is your belief response to what the Bible says?
I encourage you to write your own belief statement–using a format that fits who God has made you to be. Use at least five Biblical texts to support it.

Pray with me.
Lord God, author of life, granter of salvation, my Father. I believe, help me to destroy any unbelief that I keep in secret places inside of me. I believe. You are God. Amen