SELF-CONFIDENCE: "THE BRANCHES"
Our life lesson for the month of MARCH is SELF-CONFIDENCE! Throughout each lesson we are using the different parts of a TREE to illustrate steps and spiritual disciplines that we can implement to become more SELF-CONFIDENT. Week one we discussed the role of the “ROOTS” which exposed the difference between a KINGDOM POV and a WORLDLY POV! We established that GOD gave us free will to choose but we also determined that apart from our father GOD we could never bear fruit.Week two we focused on diving into the layers of a TREE TRUNK and we discussed the six layers of protection we should put in place to PROTECT OUR HEARTS. This week we’re exploring the BRANCHES (STEMS and TWIGS) of the tree and how their functions can teach us a little something about how we should operate in LIFE! Here are the functions of this portion of the tree:
BRANCHES (STEMS AND TWIGS):
Are thick and they grow from the trunk, twigs and stems are an extension of the branches, this is where the leaves grow.
The goal is to support the leaves (foliage) so that it can absorb sunlight so that photosynthesis can happen. It converts light energy into chemical energy and stores it to be used later when it’s needed in low peak seasons.
They grow in unique ways, some grow straight up out of the trunk but others may curve, twist, and swirl.
They’re vessels that transport water from the soil to the leaves, and deliver food from the leaves to the rest of the tree.
Serves as support to provide nutrients and a platform for the flowers and fruits to grow.
The BRANCHES sole purpose is to raise the leaves up as high as possible so that they can absorb as much sunlight as possible. This allows the plants and trees to produce their food. This process is called photosynthesis! Photo signifies light and synthesis signifies putting things together. This process happens to be very beneficial for humans. The leaves have small openings called Stomata that breathe in carbon dioxide and give out oxygen. They use the water and other nutrients absorbed from their roots to make their food. The tiny Chloroplast pigments on the leaves take in carbon dioxide, sunlight, water, and turn them into sugar and oxygen. The sugar is then used to be their food and the oxygen is put out into the atmosphere.
Two things stood out to me about the PHOTOSYNTHESIS process: The tree had to absorb the right amount of light and receive the right amount of water and nutrients from the roots in order to produce food and output oxygen into the world. What this tells me is we have to ensure that we’re deeply rooted in the right soil at all times. We can’t produce or reproduce if our roots are getting choked out by weeds. Also we must make it our duty to bask in the LIGHT. We must seek out the LIGHT at all costs in all circumstances so that we can ensure that we get a sufficient amount of light. Much like the branches it’s vital that we stay high and absorb as much light as possible so that we can convert that LIGHT ENERGY into LIFE GIVING FOOD…… SOUL FOOD! This week we’re gonna explore a few ways we can stay HIGH and BASK in the LIGHT. Let’s break it down….
SETTING THE STANDARD FOR THE ATMOSPHERE
GUIDING SCRIPTURE: “To acquire wisdom is to love yourself; people who cherish understanding will prosper.” - Proverbs 19:8 (NLT)
When dealing with people we must all remember that we’re in fact dealing with PEOPLE. We’re all very imperfect and we live in an imperfect world so we must focus on setting the standard for the atmosphere. We must lead by example and set a standard that will allow us to seek understanding instead of lashing out. I heard a pastor say, “GOD is KING but CONTEXT is QUEEN” and I couldn’t agree more. IT MATTERS! It’s vital that we try to discover the deeper meaning behind why people might be the way they are and how that can impact their actions. We all want to be understood, honestly it’s a form of LOVE! Gaining that clarity could be the missing link to creating a breakthrough for you and everyone attached to you.
DON’T PICK UP OFFENSE
GUIDING SCRIPTURE: “Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs.” - Proverbs 19:11 (NLT)
When someone wrongs us or when we BELIEVE someone has done us wrong, we all have the option to either PICK UP that OFFENSE or we can extend GRACE! It’s literally up to us! It’s a really difficult thing to do when we’re in our feelings, but when our flesh tries to take over we have to shift into our KINGDOM MINDSET. Think about how GOD forgives us daily and how he restores his GRACE for us daily. We have to think about our own transgressions and remember how GOD brought us back from all of it. - Matthew 6:14-15 (NLT) says, “If you forgive those who sin against you your heavenly father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your father will not forgive your sins.”
ACTION: We have to be secure in our IDENTITY IN CHRIST and be DEEPLY rooted.
When you feel offended please take a moment to breathe and make a decision. Put that thought on trial and do the following:
Ask yourself, is this a valued quality person in my life? Do they hold weight in my life?
Ask yourself, What was my role in this situation? Am I at fault in any way? Is there any truth to what they're saying? What value can I extract from their comment?
Ask yourself, Who does GOD say I am? Is this statement or offense in alignment with what I KNOW to be TRUE about my CHARACTER?
Make a decision! Is there any validity to these actions. You can choose to believe it or reject it! You can pick up the offense or you can say, “That’s their OPINION and I don’t have to receive that narrative! I know who I am, I know my intentions are pure, I’ve examined the evidence. if they can’t see it that way there’s nothing I can do about it.” It comes down to making a CHOICE!
GIVING THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT AND GRACEFULLY CORRECTING OTHERS
GUIDING SCRIPTURE: “If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector. I tell you the truth, whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.” - Matthew 18:15-18 (NLT)
Everyone isn’t always going to be willing to hear you out or be able to level with you, and you’re not responsible for their doings. You’re responsible for making sure that you handle things in a manner that aligns with your KINGDOM PRINCIPLES! You must exhaust all options to establish an understanding. It’s a lot easier to step back knowing that you did all you could on your part. Here’s the plot twist when you do right by people regardless of how they may have handled you, you’ll always be blessed! Don’t let the actions of others determine how you’ll act. Set your standard and stick to the standard no matter what. You’re a good person because you’re a good person, it shouldn’t be contingent on who you’re dealing with at that moment.
READING THE WORD AND MEDITATING ON IT DAILY
GUIDING SCRIPTURE: “Study this book of instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is my command, be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your GOD is with you wherever you go.” - Joshua 1:8-9 (NLT)
ACTION: Carve out some time daily to focus on building a PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP with GOD. Implementing a devotion time to read GOD’S WORD, PRAY, WORSHIP GOD, and spend some quiet time with him. The only way you’ll learn GOD’S voice and become familiar with his CHARACTER is by spending time with him. Connect with GOD as often as possible, remember that your self-confidence comes from knowing and understanding the POWER of the ONE who lives inside of you.
HEARING HIS WORD AND OBEYING IT
GUIDING SCRIPTURE: “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of god and put it into practice.” - Luke 11:28
It’s not enough to just hear the word, you must put into practice what you’ve read and what you’ve heard! GOD’S WORD is the LIVING WORD. Every time you read it, you may have a new revelation or you may interpret it differently than before. This usually happens because your life has changed, you’ve grown, or it’s just a fresh word for you. Regardless of the situation please know that FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD so in order to see the word materialize in your life you must OBEY the word. You won’t always understand the methods and reasoning behind each word but you must let the HOLY SPIRIT LEAD YOU.
ACTION: Please pray that your eyes, ears, and hands are sensitive to the word of GOD and the promptings of the HOLY SPIRIT. Ask for the COURAGE to ACT immediately even in unforeseen circumstances. Ask GOD to cover you and show you the way.
PRAYER EXAMPLE: “I don’t know what I’m doing but I trust you and I believe that you’re asking me to do (INSERT TASK). LORD please show me the path in which I should take. Send me the resources and the people needed to fulfill your will. I NEED YOU TO HELP ME, GUIDE ME, and STRENGTHEN ME as I take on this journey. I know that with you the VICTORY is already mine but I pray for traveling grace and the wisdom to execute your vision LORD. I pray it all in the MIGHTY NAME OF JESUS CHRIST AMEN.”
SELF-CONFIDENCE comes from within, but if you allow yourself to be taken down a notch everytime you hear a negative comment, have a negative experience, or have some criticism thrown your way you will start to lose momentum. We have to learn to function like the branches of a tree. Our main job is to STAY HIGH and ABSORB as much SUNLIGHT (GOD’S LIGHT) as possible so that we can complete the PHOTOSYNTHESIS PROCESS! We’re all called here to produce something and to solve an issue. So it’s vital that we ensure that we are deeply rooted in good soil and we don’t let weeds and bedrocks choke out our roots. The only way we can do this is by STAYING HIGH. When we allow something or someone to take our light it stops us from outputting the oxygen needed to produce LIFE GIVING FOOD…. Also known as SOUL FOOD for those around us. The way that we live our lives can directly impact the way another person stretches and grows, so we have to be mindful of that and remember what our forever FLOTUS Michelle Obama once said, “When they go low we GO HIGH.”
INSPIRATIONAL SONG: "STAY HIGH" BY: JOHNATHAN MCREYNOLDS
SERMON RESOURCE: "WHERE IS YOUR JERICHO ROAD TODAY?"BY: BISHOP GARY OLIVER
SERMON RESOURCE: "I'M LOOKING FOR MORE" BY: PASTOR DHARIUS DANIELS