MOONFLOWERS

Moonflower

I just feel so blessed when God speaks to my heart very simply in something I see

It is one of my continual prayers that this verse will describe me: "But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear." Matthew 13:16

Mickey planted these Moonflowers recently. Vigorous, climbing vine with purest white, fragrant flowers, up to 6" across, that open from evening until the following noon. Ht. 15'.

Looking at these vines the other day I was struck by the varying height that they had grown. All were planted the same day and yet look at the difference in their growth.

The one to the left is only a few inches tall and yet very full and healthy looking, the one on the right is not as full based and yet has climbed up about 18" on the green stake, the one in the middle has a full base and has not only climbed up the height of the frame but it beginning to spread out to the left.

As I looked at these 3 plants I thought about how we as Christians grow in the Lord. It will be interesting to watch and see which of these Moonflowers is the first to bloom with the beautiful 6" white fragrant flower. Will it be the first one that has shot up so fast? I truthfully have no idea.

I have witnessed Christians that seem to shoot up very rapidly and then die out just as rapidly. I have witnessed Christians that have been slow to grow but put down very strong firm roots and stand firm when the enviable storms or opposition come. I have witnessed a lot in between these two scenarios.

These Moonflowers remind me of the Parable of the Seed recorded in Mark 4:14-20.

"The sower soweth the word. And there are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;and have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended. And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, and the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred."

I know looking at these Moonflowers made me take note and inspect my fruit. I constantly want to be sure that I'm not letting the things in this world hinder my walk and my growth with my Savior. How about you? How is the seed of the Word growing in your life? We will ALL give an account some day. "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Phillipians 2:9&10