Turning Deserts into Gardens

Did you know that you have been given the ability to turn what seems to be bad in your life, and turn it into Good?
Not long ago while preparing a message the Lord gave me an analogy, and I had the understanding that we can take what is much like a desert in our lives which in some cases has the appearance of no life, and turn it into a Garden.

To help explain this more clearly, I must inform you that Years ago, while raising our children in Arizona, we spent 14 years hiking the many trails, and during those hikes you would often encounter what appears to be a very dry wasteland; devoid of life.

Life oftentimes can resemble a desert; having the appearance of nothing good and only trouble or hardship.
For many of us, we have the tendency to blame others, even God for the problems and difficulties in life.

And in Arizona, while hiking those trails, you’ll see that you’re surrounded by Mountains; numerous Mountains.
I remember going hiking with a friend, she had invited me to Humphreys Peak, one of the highest natural point in the U.S. state of Arizona, standing at an elevation of 12,633 free (3,852 meters), we chose to hike the Humphreys Peak Tail via All Trails, which departs from the Arizona Snowbowl Ski Resort parking lot. Distance: About 9.6 to 10 miles round trip (out and back), And I remember once we continued to climb, it became more and more strenuous (I was in my early 30’s and fit) for me, and all I can remember is, as it became more difficult, I whined and complained the entire duration of the hike, until we finally reached what is called the Humphreys Saddle, which is situated roughly 11,800 feet above sea level, it marks the exact intersection where you break through the tree line and join the Weatherford Trail. It serves as a crucial resting point, because it is the last flat, sheltered area to catch your breath, adjust your hear, and check the weather before pushing through the final, exposed mile across the multiple false summits to the true peak. (Flagstaff .com) My friend chose that last strenuous mile, while I happily rested in the saddle! I must also admit, I was elated during our descent down the mountain, I remember rejoicing that the hard work was finally over.

Jesus tells us that there are mountains in life, and that He has given us the power; authority to Move those mountains. And in my message, I remember sharing something the Lord told me, He said that in the gardens of life, there are weeds, and oftentimes those weeds are there because we put them there. How? By our words. Just like me climbing that mountain, instead of rejoicing that I was able and had health to hike that mountain, and rejoice by looking at the beauty surrounding me, all I could do was look at what was wrong, and I began to speak it out my mouth – And that’s what we do in Life, difficult situations arise (Jesus says in John 10:10, The thief, (who is Satan) comes to steal, Kill and destroy, but I have come that you might have Life, and Life more Abundantly.”) we begin to complain, and blame others for what is happening; we begin to sow seeds of anger, discontent and unbelief in our gardens.
The Truth is: The trouble we see in our life, is not caused by people, nor God, but when we begin to sow seeds of negativity, that’s when enemy as Jesus says, the devil, comes in, just like the serpent (Satan) in the Garden of Eden, and his sole purpose is to steal, kill and destroy. How, by tempting us (through out thoughts, which will ultimately come our of our mouths, for the scripture says, “Out of the abundance of the heart, the Mouth Speaks.” Luke 6:45.

The scriptures tell us that Death and Life are in the power of the tongue, and much of the trouble and cares in our lives is a result of what we are believing and speaking. Jesus explains this in a parable in Mark chapter 4, the sower, which is the farmer (and in life that would be you and me) sows seed, and those seeds are words; they will either be words of Life or Words of destruction. What do I mean by that? We have the authority given to us to move those mountains in our lives by what we are believing and speaking.

So, how do we begin to turn our deserts in Gardens? Let’s look at what Jesus is saying in Mark chapter 11, in this chapter, He teaches us that we have Authority; His Authority (Luke 10:19) and in verse 12 of Mark chapter 11, we see that Jesus was hungry, and while walking He saw a fig tree that had leaves, which meant, generally speaking, there would be figs on the tree, but when He came to it, there were No figs, and at this point He decided to use this opportunity to teach His followers about Faith, and how Powerful Faith is; the power of believing with our heart (not your mind) and speaking with our mouth, and in that moment He Spoke (notice Jesus is speaking words, you’re going to see He is going to Speak to an object, a tree,) and in verse 14 Jesus says these words, words in the form of a command; “May No one ever eat your fruit again!” and the disciples (men and women were followers) HEARD Him.
Verse 20,”Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Have Faith in God (or, Have the Faith of God) I tell you the Truth, YOU can SAY to this mountain Move, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ AND IT WILL HAPPEN, and have No doubt in your heart.
V24, I tell you, YOU can pray for ANYTHING, and if You Believe that you received it, IT WILL BE YOURS.”

Before we continue with what Jesus is going to tell us, we must understand that FAITH Works by Love (Galatians 5:6) basically, this Faith Jesus is telling us, will Not work for you, nor anyone, without Love. Let’s continue, V25, 26, Jesus continues, “And when You stand Praying, Forgive, for if You do NOT Forgive those who sin against you, neither will Your Father in Heaven Forgive You.” Mark 11:20-26.

Our Faith is connected to Love. And in the book of James, chapter two, we see that without Love, our Faith is “dead and useless.” James 2:17, NLT.

Therefore, in order for our Faith Filled Words, and believing what we say; speaking to the Mountains in life, we MUST Love. Jesus commands, “Love one another As I have Loved you.” John 13:34,35. Now, ladies, if you’re in physical danger, such as abuse, Love and Forgiveness, does not mean you are to tolerate that abuse. I advise you to call 911 if you are in immediate danger, including your children, and contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline, at 1-800-799-7233, or text BEGIN to 87888. And once you are in a Safe environment, and on your Healing Journey, Jesus will help you to forgive, as He “Heals the Brokenhearted and bind up their wounds.” More about this in another teaching.

Know this: “Every GOOD and Perfect Gift comes down from the Father of heavenly Lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17. Also, know that He “delivers us from evil” and our Faith and words of Faith play an integral role in that, by believing His Words and Speaking His Words, such as Jeremiah 29:11, “I know the Plans I have for You says the Lord, Plans for GOOD, and not evil, to Give You a Future and a Hope.” Talk to Him and thank Him, and pray like this: “I thank you Father God, that You have ONLY Good for Me and that you Deliver me from All evil, thank you. I ask You to lead, guide and direct my steps to the GOOD you have planned for me, in Jesus Name.”

Learn what His Word says, Read His Word and Hear His Word, and your heart; your spirit, which is made in the Image of God, as God is Spirit, will help to lead you because your spirit is connected to God, who is also Spirit, and He speaks to our hearts by His Holy Spirit. Amen.

For more, Follow and Listen to Pastor Nina Tidwell on YouTube: “His Word is Power.” (This is a 5 Part Series) His word will build your Faith and Encourage you as you live for and Walk with Jesus and the Father.