Fall has arrived here in Sioux City and the harvest of fall leaves fill the streets, yards and city. As the seasons change, the trees are the first to declare the season by the changing of the leaves. It is amazing to watch the summer green leaves change into reds, oranges, browns and yellows. God wants us to be planted like a tree and blossom, grow and change with each new season of our life. In order to do this He gives us a key in Psalms 92:12-14, “The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God.” If we want to flourish and grow then we must plant ourselves in a strong local church.
Did you know that the cedar tree is one of the strongest trees in the world? Cedars need deep soil in order to grow and its roots need access to water. God wants us to be planted in deep soil- a church where we receive deep teaching from the Word of God. There are many places that have watered down the Word and are teaching straight from the latest Reader’s Digest. God wants believers to find a strong local church where their spirit can be fed a healthy diet not just fast food. But all Word without the Spirit will make you dry up. The Spirit gives life and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty. Your root system not only needs the nutrition of the Word but it needs access to springs of water. The presence of the Holy Spirit will bring the refreshing waters that will help your spirit man to grow and develop.
The cedars grow from 40 to 50 feet tall and are the strongest wood. Because of its strong wood, it is singularly free from the attacks of insects and of fungal diseases. Even the sawdust of the cedar tree puts snakes to flight, making the shade of the cedar one of the safest places to sleep when outside. In these last days the people that are faithfully connected to a strong local church are going to be protected and have a strong defense system against all that is coming against the world. Jesus said in Matt16:18-19, “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” We have been given the keys to the kingdom of heaven and as a church, with the corporate anointing, we can take authority over epidemics and sickness that would try to attack our community. Being part of a strong local church will keep you protected under the shade of the blood of Jesus. In Luke 10:19, Jesus said “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
So today plant yourself in a strong local church, one built on the Word and the Spirit, and then you will reap the results of the Word. “You will bring forth fruit in its season and your leaf will not wither and whatever you do shall prosper.” Ps 1:3
Great fall activity to do with your kids! “Fall has come, the wind is gusting, and Leaf Man is on the move. Is he drifting east, over the marsh and ducks and geese? Or is he heading west, above the orchards, prairie meadows, and spotted cows? No one’s quite sure, but this much is certain: A Leaf Man’s got to go where the wind blows.”
After reading “Leaf Man” by Lois Ehlert have your children go out and collect fall leaves and other items from nature and have them make pictures out of the leaves. Here are examples that Emily & Megan created with their leaves. It is amazing to see their creativity!