Secrets of the Garden Introduction
Secrets of the Garden Introduction
I had been planning to start doing a video/narrative blog called “Secrets of the Garden” for some time now, but the timing has not been right as well there had been delays in my own personal life. Secrets of Garden is about growing in Lord and being prepared to walk this way of the cross that we started walking when we accepted Jesus as our Savior.
We live in troubling times. When watching and listening to media it is hard to tell what truth is and what is lies. Many are being deceived by the narratives that are presented to us daily. A whole generation, the Z generation, are being deceived.
I could preach about the signs of the times. I could tell you that you need to change and if you do not change you have doomed yourself to hell. I could tell you how to prepare in the natural for possible coming days of trouble. And all these things are important!
But I believe God is calling each one of us to intimacy with Him. He is desiring that we realize us individually the need to become who He has set us apart to be, who we are in Christ. If we do not have a deep-seated relationship with/in Him today and the coming days, we may fall into a hopelessness.
With all that said…
What are the Secrets of the Garden?
Secrets of the Garden is about seeking intimacy with the Father and getting to know Him more. It is about this beautiful journey that was place in front of us when we accepted Him has our Savior. For sure a difficult journey at times as we choose to die to self daily and take up our crosses and follow Him.
1Corinthians 15:31
I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
Luke 9:23
And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
Within the two covers of the Bible are many secrets to be revealed that is the secrets to living a life of peace and joy in the Lord. There are treasures to be found in the pages of the Word of God that will change your life.
Lifeway did research concerning the effect that the Bible can have on our lives if we just pick the Bible up and reading it several times a week.
Lifeway Research
9 Tangible Benefits of Bible Reading for Your Church
Insights| Bible & Theology | Jan 20, 2021
By Jeff Martin
The Center of Bible Engagement compiled extensive research findings by Arnold Cole, Ed.D. & Pamela Caudill Ovwigho, Ph.D. into a document titled “Understanding the Bible Engagement Challenge: Scientific Evidence for the Power of 4.”
In the study, they polled 40,000 people ages 8 to 80. They wanted to see how people were engaging in Scripture
The study indicated that when people engaged in the Scripture one time a week, which could include a pastor instructing the congregation to “open your Bibles…”, there was negligible effect on some key areas of their life. The same result was true if people engaged in the Scriptures two times a week. The result equaled little to no effect.
Three times a week saw a small indication of life. There was a slight pulse, a faint heartbeat. Something moved in the behavior of the person engaging in Scripture.
The eye opener happened when Bible engagement reached at least four times a week.
A steady climb of impact would have been expected, but that was not the case. The level was basically stagnant over days one and two, with a small bump on day three. But when day four was reached, the effects spiked in an astounding way. The stunning findings included the following:
- Feeling lonely drops 30%
- Anger issues drop 32%
- Bitterness in relationships drops 40%
- Alcoholism drops 57%
- Sex outside of marriage drops 68%
- Feeling spiritually stagnant drops 60%
- Viewing pornography drops 61%
- Sharing your faith jumps 200%
- Discipling others jumps 230%
The research literally leaps off the charts. The findings hammer home the truth that there are profound differences between people who engage the Scripture at least four times a week and those who engage with the Scripture less often. This data is extremely revealing. There is a full-blown effort to keep the followers of Christ from consistently reading the Bible daily.
This research proves that reading the Bible, seeking out its truth, its secrets will without a doubt will change our lives. By reading/studying the Bible the Fruit of the Spirit begins to show up in our lives (Galatians 5:22,23)
- Love
- Peace
- Joy
- Kindness
- Patience
- Goodness
- Faithfulness
- Gentleness
- Self-control
You will begin to learn how to live through the Spirit and not the flesh. As we study the Bible hidden secrets will be revealed that will empower us to live a life that is full of joy and peace. Spending special time with the Lord through Bible study and praying will develop a relationship with Him. A closeness will manifest in your life that will take away any desire to live a sinful life.
So, what is it you need in your life?
- Do you feel unloved?
- Do you have anger issues?
- Are you depressed?
- Do you have a stronghold in your life that you cannot seem to overcome?
- Are you having problems with Drug addiction, alcohol addiction?
- Do you have a Pornography addiction?
- Do you need to lose weight?
- Are you dealing with bulimia or anorexia?
- Are you dealing with anxiety, so full of fear?
- Are you having commitment issues?
- Are you having trouble with patience?
The Word of God has the answers!
A close relationship with the Father has the answers!
Over the next sessions I will be talking about different passages that speak of us being like a garden that Holy Spirit desire to sow into and cultivate.
Do you desire to grow in the Lord and live a life where you will experience peace and joy of the Lord?
His Love is real, and He has a great Love for you!
Dig into His Word today and expect great changes to manifest in your life!
Homework:
Commit to reading the Bible everyday even it is just a couple of verses!
