“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so they can have life. I want them to have it in the fullest.” (Jn. 10:10, NIRV) Nurture is not a term we often use outside of parents nurturing their children. But, oh wow does it go way beyond that! Living life is so much less than abundant if we aren’t receiving and sharing nurture through every stage or season of life. Let’s consider a few of the meanings of the word “nurture”. …to support by way of encouragement, (as one does for another during a period of training or development) ensuring its success …to coach what is the fore seen in another (as with destiny, potential and promising giftedness), calling it forth to completion …to feed or protect one’s offspring (as a parent does for a child) until empowered to care for oneself and another Who among us doesn’t need nurture? Who among us doesn’t fit somewhere; at any given time, in one of these definitions? Who among us has made it to maturity (in any given area of life) apart from the “nurture” of Papa/Jesus/Holy Spirit, spiritual parents, mentors and/or friends? As the scripture says; “The end of all things is near; Therefore be clear-minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:7-8, NIV. These difficult “end” times call for the Body of Christ to cover each other--not expose or exploit one another's weaknesses. Nurturing love does not point out faults hidden from the light or seek to expose secret struggles and ‘sins’. Neither does it condemn, judge, accuse, or religiously point out another’s inconsistencies. True and authentic love in the Body of Christ is tender, humble and circumspect. “But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.”Gal. 6:1b. Nurturing love offers a helping hand and a cup of cool water! “I, Jude, am a slave to Jesus Christ and brother to James, writing to those loved by God the Father, called and kept safe by Jesus Christ. Relax (What! Did he say ‘relax’?) Everything’s going to be alright; rest, everything’s coming together; open your hearts, love is on the way! Jude 1:1-2, The Message We can’t look for ‘bail-outs’, monetary windfalls, unflawed relationships, entitlements, the lottery, government or anything else to be on the way-God’s love is on the way. His love is more than enough! Relax, rest, open your hearts; love is on the way. And it is “nurture for the heart”! His words are always incalculably nurturing and comforting. Did you get it? Love is on the way. Love covers. Therefore, rest, relax and open your hearts! The only response, (logical or otherwise) is to spend the rest of our lives, receiving and doing these nurturing words. Our ‘nurtured’ lives are proof positive in a spiritually starving and hurting world, that this living word is authentic and available, it trumps anything and everything else, and is for all, 'now’ and forever! Focus your heart on these prophetic words; “The heart of God sees me as His beauty! Live as one who is outrageously loved by a ‘nurturing’ God. He has so many places to take us in his heart!” One brother put it this way; “I would rather live in His affection, than in His anointing.” Then, Papa’s response is to whisper to our hearts, “Living in my affection is also living in my anointing”. “All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times (who among us aren’t/hasn’t?), and before you know it, He brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times--so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. We have plenty of hard times that come from following the Messiah, but no more so than the good times of His healing comfort—we get a full measure of that, too.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-5, The Message May His nurturing heart beat with His redemptive blood through ours! May His life altering and healing, ‘nurturing’ words pulsate through ‘us’; the Body of Christ. I can hear His heart beating—faintly at first. It is getting louder and louder and is beginning to deafen the enemy’s lies of defeat and death. Beat heart of love and ‘nurture’! Beat in and through the Body of Christ! In the grip of the ‘nurturing’ grace of Papa! Ron Ross |
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