Soil Regeneration, Carbon, and Why Healthy Soil Matters

Healthy soil is the foundation of every thriving ecosystem. Without healthy soil, forests decline, crops become weaker, water is lost more quickly, and biodiversity decreases.

At Two Roots Garden Cambodia, we believe that restoring soil is one of the most important actions we can take for the future of people and nature.

What Is Soil Regeneration?

Soil regeneration is the process of rebuilding living, fertile soil through natural biological processes rather than depending primarily on synthetic fertilizers.

Instead of simply feeding plants, we focus on feeding the entire soil ecosystem, including bacteria, fungi, earthworms, insects, and countless other organisms. These living communities recycle nutrients, improve soil structure, and help plants grow naturally.

Healthy soil is alive.

A single teaspoon of healthy soil can contain billions of microorganisms working together to support plant life.

Soil and Carbon

Plants remove carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere through photosynthesis.

They use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into sugars that fuel their growth.

A significant portion of these sugars is transferred through the roots into the soil, where microorganisms convert some of this carbon into stable soil organic matter. This process stores carbon in the ground and helps build healthier soils.

When land is degraded through erosion, repeated burning, excessive tillage, or the loss of vegetation, much of this stored carbon can be released back into the atmosphere.

Regenerative farming practices help increase soil organic matter, which supports soil health and can contribute to greater long-term carbon storage.

Why Organic Matter Matters

Organic matter acts like nature's sponge.

It helps the soil:

- Store more water.
- Improve drainage during heavy rain.
- Reduce erosion.
- Feed soil organisms.
- Supply nutrients to plants.
- Build stable soil structure.
- Increase resilience during drought.

As organic matter increases, soils generally become healthier and more productive.

The Carbon Cycle in Our Garden

Every leaf, branch, root, and piece of mulch plays a role in the carbon cycle.

Instead of burning plant material or throwing it away, we return it to the soil.

Through composting, mulching, pruning, and careful biomass management, plant material is recycled into new life.

This creates a continuous cycle of growth, decomposition, and renewal.

In nature, nothing is wasted.

Biochar and Long-Term Carbon Storage

At Two Roots Garden, we also use biochar where appropriate.

Biochar is charcoal produced from plant material under low-oxygen conditions.

When added correctly to biologically active soil, biochar can improve water retention, provide habitat for beneficial microorganisms, and contribute to long-term carbon storage.

It works best when combined with compost or other organic materials rather than used on its own.

Why This Matters for Cambodia

Healthy soils can help farms and gardens become more resilient.

Regenerating soil can:

- Improve food production.
- Reduce erosion during heavy rains.
- Increase water-holding capacity during dry periods.
- Support biodiversity.
- Reduce dependence on expensive external inputs.
- Strengthen local food security.
- Improve the long-term productivity of family gardens.

What Volunteers Can Do

Every volunteer contributes to soil regeneration by:

- Applying mulch.
- Making compost.
- Planting diverse species.
- Protecting bare soil.
- Returning biomass to the land.
- Avoiding unnecessary disturbance.
- Observing and caring for the living soil.

Every handful of compost, every tree planted, and every layer of mulch contributes to a healthier ecosystem.

Healthy soil is more than dirt beneath our feet—it is a living community that supports forests, farms, wildlife, and people. By restoring soil, we help create resilient landscapes that can nourish future generations while supporting biodiversity and storing more carbon over time.

God Sees What Nobody Else Sees (Matthew 6:4)

Have you ever done something good and nobody noticed?

You helped someone, but nobody thanked you.

You worked hard, but someone else received the recognition.

You prayed for someone privately, but they never knew.

You remained faithful when walking away would have been easier.

You chose integrity when nobody would have known if you had compromised.

Sometimes it can feel discouraging.

We naturally want to be recognized.

We want someone to say:

“Well done.”

“I appreciate you.”

“I saw what you did.”

But Jesus reminds us of something powerful:

God sees.

In Matthew 6, Jesus teaches about giving, praying, and serving without doing these things simply to receive recognition from people.

He reminds us that our heavenly Father sees what is done in secret.

That means your quiet faithfulness matters.

The prayer nobody heard matters.

The kindness nobody noticed matters.

The sacrifice nobody applauded matters.

The temptation you resisted when nobody was watching matters.

The decision to tell the truth when lying would have benefited you matters.

The time you spent encouraging someone matters.

The work you do with excellence even when your supervisor isn't watching matters.

God sees it all.

We live in a culture that often measures success by visibility.

How many people saw it?

How many likes did it receive?

How many followers did it attract?

How many people applauded?

But God's measurement system is different.

He looks at the heart.

You can have thousands of people watching you and still have the wrong motives.

You can also serve quietly with nobody watching and deeply honour God.

Jesus Himself often withdrew from crowds to pray.

He wasn't constantly seeking attention.

He knew His identity came from the Father.

And that's something we need to learn too.

You don't have to perform for people when you are secure in God's approval.

This doesn't mean recognition is always bad.

Encouragement is good.

Appreciation is good.

Celebrating someone's achievement is good.

But don't allow applause to become the reason you do what is right.

If people praise you, remain humble.

If they don't, remain faithful.

If people notice, thank God.

If they overlook you, keep going.

Your reward isn't ultimately determined by people's opinions.

There may be moments when your work feels invisible.

A parent caring for a family.

A student studying late at night.

A worker doing an honest job.

A Christian quietly serving at church.

Someone praying for their family every morning.

Someone choosing purity in a culture that celebrates compromise.

Someone forgiving instead of seeking revenge.

Someone sharing Jesus with a friend who is struggling.

The world may never know the full story.

But God does.

Don't underestimate the power of hidden faithfulness.

A tree grows from roots that most people never see.

In the same way, some of the most important things God is doing in your life may be happening beneath the surface.

Your character is developing.

Your faith is becoming stronger.

Your patience is growing.

Your relationship with God is deepening.

Your obedience is being tested.

And one day, the fruit may become visible.

So don't quit simply because nobody is applauding.

Don't compromise simply because nobody seems to care.

Don't stop doing good because someone else received the credit.

Don't abandon your calling because your work isn't immediately recognized.

Be faithful.

Do what is right.

Serve with the right heart.

Love people.

Obey God.

And leave recognition in His hands.

Remember Joseph.

He served faithfully even when he was in prison.

There was no glamorous platform.

No crowd cheering for him.

No obvious evidence that his future would become great.

But God was with him.

Eventually, God opened the door at the right time.

Your current position may not be your final destination.

Your hidden season may be preparing you for something you cannot see yet.

So keep planting.

Keep serving.

Keep praying.

Keep learning.

Keep doing good.

And don't forget:

God sees what people don't see.

Your heavenly Father knows your heart.

He knows your motives.

He knows your sacrifices.

He knows your struggles.

He knows the battles you fight privately.

And His approval is worth more than the applause of the world.

You don't need everyone to notice your faithfulness. You only need to remain faithful to the One who sees everything.

Today, do one good thing without expecting recognition.

Help someone.

Encourage someone.

Pray for someone.

Serve quietly.

Give generously.

And don't worry about whether anyone notices.

God sees.

Are you willing to remain faithful even when nobody is watching or applauding?

#GodSees #Matthew64 #Faithfulness #ServeGod #GodsApproval #FaithInAction #ChristianLiving #ChristianYouth #DoGood #JesusSaves #ShareJesus #DailyFaith #Lordsbook #JMSM #KNKA

*ABUJA AND THE NEW ERA: AN ESCHATOLOGICAL VIEW OF THE GLOBAL ANGLICAN HEADQUARTERS*
_By Postulant C. O. Oyadosu_

*INTRODUCTION: NOT JUST GEOGRAPHY, BUT PROPHECY*

To the glory of God, the announcement on *29 August 2026 in Recife, Brazil*, that the headquarters of the *Global Anglican Communion* will be established in *Abuja, Nigeria*, is more than an administrative decision. It is a prophetic marker.

While some individuals in their opinion rightly calls for wisdom, humility, and global representation, we must also read this moment through the lens of *Scripture, history, and eschatology*. God is not surprised by geography. He ordains seasons.

What we are witnessing is not Africa “taking over” Anglicanism. It is the *return of Christianity to its ancient African roots* and the beginning of an *End-Time Revival that will be led from the Global South*.

*1. CHRISTIANITY IN AFRICA PREDATES EUROPEAN MISSIONS*

The argument that Anglicanism must remain tied to Canterbury because “that is where it began” overlooks a deeper biblical and historical truth: *Africa was Christian before Europe was*.

1. *Ethiopia*: The Ethiopian eunuch in *Acts 8:26-39* took the Gospel to Africa in the 1st century. The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church traces its roots to the 4th century, with the _Garima Gospels_ and a canon of 81 books preserved for 1600 years.
2. *North Africa*: Alexandria, Carthage, and Hippo produced giants like Athanasius, Origen, Tertullian, and Augustine. The Nicene Creed was hammered out in North Africa.
3. *Christianity is not a Western export*. It is an Eastern and African faith that later flourished in Europe.

Therefore, to locate the Global Anglican headquarters in *Abuja* is not innovation. It is *restoration*. It is God bringing the Communion back to a continent where the faith was planted by the Apostles themselves.

As *Colossians 3:16* declares for this last Sunday of August: _“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.”_ That Word first dwelt richly in African soil.

*2. AN ESCHATOLOGICAL READING: THE SHIFT TO THE GLOBAL SOUTH*

Jesus said in *Matthew 24:14*: _“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.”_

Church historians like Philip Jenkins in _The Next Christendom_ have documented what the Spirit is doing: *The numerical and spiritual centre of Christianity has moved to Africa, Asia, and Latin America.*

The decision to place the headquarters in *Abuja* fits this eschatological pattern:
1. *Numerical strength*: Over 60% of active Anglicans today are in Africa. Nigeria alone has more Anglicans than all of UK, US, Canada and Australia combined.
2. *Doctrinal clarity*: In a season where Western provinces are revising biblical teaching on marriage, life, and authority of Scripture, God is raising up a bastion of biblical orthodoxy in the South.
3. *Missionary sending*: For 500 years the West sent missionaries to Africa. In this season, Africa is sending missionaries back to Europe, America, and Asia.

This is not nationalism. This is *fulfillment*. The last shall be first, and the first last. *Mark 10:31*

*3. WHY ABUJA? WHY NOW? PROPHECY AND REVIVAL*

Many prophetic voices across Africa for the last 30 years have spoken of an *“End-Time Revival that will start from Nigeria and spread to the nations.”* Nigeria’s Anglican Church has been at the forefront of:
- Church planting movements
- Prayer and fasting culture
- Defense of Scripture under persecution
- Youth and evangelistic fervour

The *G26 gathering in Abuja, March 2026*, was not accidental. It was a divine alignment. Abuja, the centrally located capital of the most populous black nation, becomes a *new Upper Room* from where the Spirit will be poured out.

Just as Jerusalem was the geographic center for the 1st century Church in *Acts 1:8*, *Abuja can be a 21st century center* for a global outpouring — not because Nigeria is superior, but because God chooses weak and unlikely places to shame the wise. *1 Corinthians 1:27*

*4. ANSWERING THE CONCERNS: INFRASTRUCTURE, GLOBALITY, AND OWNERSHIP*

Some highly respected Anglican Church fathers in God raised legitimate practical concerns. But eschatology teaches us that *God provides infrastructure for what He ordains*.

1. *On Infrastructure*: Joseph was sent to Egypt, Daniel to Babylon, and Paul to Rome. God never waits for perfect roads before He moves. As the headquarters grows, God will raise partners, technology, and diaspora Anglicans to build it. The early Church had no “international banking” either.
2. *On Global Representation*: Yes, leadership must reflect Africa + Asia + Europe + Americas + Pacific. But global representation does not require a Western postcode. With virtual platforms and international flights to Abuja increasing daily, *global access is a matter of will, not geography.*
3. *On “Looking African”*: The Gospel has always looked like the people who carry it. When it was in Rome it looked Roman. In Canterbury it looked English. In Antioch it looked Middle Eastern. *Let it now look African, and let the world come and see the glory of God in it.* The goal is not to erase culture, but to submit every culture to Christ.

The headquarters in Abuja will not “own” the Communion. *Christ owns it.* But the location will be a sign that God is doing a new thing. *Isaiah 43:19*

*5. ABUJA MUST BE MORE THAN AN OFFICE — IT MUST BE AN ALTAR*

I agree fully with Venerable Dr Jesulola here. If Abuja is to host the headquarters, it must become:
1. *A Global Anglican Prayer Centre* - 24/7 worship like David’s tabernacle
2. *An International Theological Institute* - Raising the next generation of orthodox scholars
3. *A Missionary Training and Sending Base* - For Europe, Asia, and the Americas
4. *An Archives and Research Library* - To recover African, Ethiopian, and Global South contributions to Anglican theology

This will silence critics and prove that this is not about pride, but about *mission*.

*CONCLUSION: THE HEADQUARTERS MAY BE IN ABUJA, BUT THE VISION IS FOR THE WORLD AND FOR THE END*

Beloved, we are not in a time for timidity. We are in a time for faith.

The decision to place the Global Anglican Communion headquarters in Abuja is:
1. *Historical*: Returning to Africa’s ancient Christian roots in Ethiopia and North Africa
2. *Missional*: Placing leadership where the growth and sacrifice is greatest
3. *Eschatological*: A sign that God is shifting the centre of global Christianity for the final harvest

We must reject both Western paternalism and African triumphalism. Instead we must embrace *divine orchestration*.

*Canterbury will always be our mother.*
*Abuja can now be our mission outpost for the nations.*

As we close August and enter September, let us pray:
_“Lord, let the Word of Christ dwell richly in Abuja. Let this be the start of the End-Time Revival through the Anglican Communion. Let Nigeria serve with humility, and let the whole world see Jesus.”_

The headquarters may be in Abuja.
But the fire will reach the whole earth.

*Amen. Maranatha. Come Lord Jesus.*

_“Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else... Saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure.” – Isaiah 46:9-10_

Shalom!

𝔻𝔸𝕀𝕃𝕐 𝔹ℝ𝔼𝔸𝔻

2118 │ When Heaven Seems Silent

Verse:
“Be still, and know that I am God.”
— Psalm 46:10

Meditation:
You have prayed, waited, and perhaps asked God the same question again and again. Yet nothing seems to change.
But silence does not mean absence. A quiet God is not an absent God.
Sometimes you are looking for an answer, while God is working on something deeper than the answer itself.
Do not judge God’s work by what you can see today. Roots grow in silence before fruit appears.
What feels like silence may be the season where God is preparing an answer your present eyes cannot yet see.

Prayer:
Father, when I do not hear You clearly, help me not to doubt Your presence. Give me grace to trust You in the silence. Amen.

Declaration:
“Even in the silence, my God is with me and working for His purpose.”

Pastor. Joshua, Andaman
Reaching the Unreached
+91 9476010028

PLANTED BY THE RIVERS

There is a quiet strength that comes from knowing where your roots are. Psalm 1:3 gives us a beautiful picture of a person who has learned to stay close to God: “He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither.” I love the picture of a tree beside a river. The tree does not have to panic every time the weather changes. When the sun is hot, its roots can still reach the water. When the wind blows, it may bend, but it does not easily fall. Its strength comes from what is beneath the surface.

Being planted in God is much the same. Life will have its dry seasons. There will be days when prayers seem unanswered, plans don't work out, people disappoint you, and you wonder how much longer you can keep going. But when your life is rooted in God's Word and your relationship with Him, difficult seasons don't have to destroy you. You may become tired, you may shed some tears, and you may even have moments when your faith feels weak—but you have a source deeper than your circumstances. God becomes the place you return to when everything else feels uncertain.

Being planted also means staying. It is easy to seek God when we need an urgent answer, but being rooted requires something deeper—a consistent walk with Him. It means opening His Word when nobody is watching, praying even when you don't feel particularly spiritual, obeying when obedience is uncomfortable, and allowing God to correct and shape you. Going to church is important, but simply attending services is not the same as being rooted. You can sit in church every week and still remain spiritually dry. The goal is not merely to be around God's presence; it is to allow His Word to take root in your heart and influence the way you live.

And notice that the tree produces fruit “in its season.” That matters. Not every season looks the same. There are seasons for growing, seasons for waiting, seasons for pruning, and seasons for bearing fruit. Don't become discouraged because your life doesn't look like someone else's. A tree doesn't produce fruit every day, yet it remains alive and connected to its source. Your season will come. Keep growing. Keep trusting. Keep your roots in the right place.

Jeremiah 17:7–8 says, “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord... He will be like a tree planted by the water... its leaves are always green.” That is the kind of life God invites us to live—not a life without problems, but a life that remains alive in the middle of them. When the season is dry, stay planted. When the wind blows, stay planted. When you don't understand what God is doing, stay planted. Your strength is not in how perfect your circumstances are; it is in how deeply your roots reach into God.

Good evening, brethren.
1. Evening devotion for today.

ED.i. *DAILY WALK WITH CHRIST*
(COCIN DEVOTIONAL)

*DATE:*
SATURDAY 29TH AUGUST, 2026.

*SUB-THEME:*
YOUTHS: VESSELS OF GOD’S GRACE.

*TOPIC:*
REVERENCE GOD.

*TEXT:*
ECCLESIASTES 12:12-14.
12. Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them. Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body.
13. Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.
14. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.

*TOPIC:*
REVERENCE GOD.

*THE MESSAGE:*
Man may not fully grasp God's ways; he must hold fast to His reverence and trust in Him as Creator. The Preacher cautions his listeners not to substitute wordly knowledge with God's wisdom. They must fear God and keep His command as a duty and live in view of His judgement. To fear God is to make Him the centre of your life - loving Him deeply, honouring His greatness and grace; and letting this reflect in your choices, words, and actions. Many young men claim to fear God, yet their lifestyle tells a different story. They can be seen to be very active in church but consult a marabou, practice harlotry, form a gangster to commit evil in society, or lead a bandit to attack communities. Does your life truly reflect your reverence for Him? Check what takes your time and allegiance. Time is fleeting. Take a stand today!

*REFLECTION:*
Fear God and keep His commandments.

*PRAYER:*
Lord, help me to reverence You. Amen.

*MEMORY VERSE FOR THE MONTH:*
2 TIMOTHY 2:21.
"If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be instruments for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master, and prepared to do any good work."

*TODAY'S BIBLE READING PLAN:*
DANIEL 1-3.

ED.ii. GET TO THE ROOTS

"See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many." - Hebrews 12:15

One day our son John-Henry had an outdoor survival event. At one point he had to jump from a three-meter high bridge into a deep, dirty ditch which was full of water and mud. He did not know that there was a sharp tree stump in the ditch, this penetrated his leg for 20 cm. He screamed in pain and was taken to the hospital by the team leaders. The wound was cleaned, but the x-ray image showed that a wood splinter was still in his leg. The wound was bandaged and seemingly it looked good. We were told that the splinter would naturally go out. However, a few days later when we removed the bandage, the wound looked worse and unclean. We prayed to God to touch him and anointed him with oil. The next day a sister from our church who was a nurse saw the wound and said that John-Henry had to go to the hospital right away. There the doctor concluded that John-Henry immediately had to undergo surgery. When that root of the problem, the splinter, was removed, the healing process began.

The root of the problem

We often do the same in life. As God's children we take care of the outward appearances but do not go to the root of our problem. We try to become different, to improve, but if we do not go back to the root of the problem, this will not help much.

Do not apologize by saying: it is my upbringing, or it is my life environment. We often justify ourselves. To simply polish yourself on the outside does not solve the problem. The root cause must be dealt with.

Maybe you are facing something similar in life today. Pray then: 'Lord, show me what the root is which causes me trouble every time.' Jesus can help you if you open your heart to Him. He will take the complete problem out of your heart and life. Then you will be saved forever.


https://www.theblessingdevotional.com

2. Evening Prayer for today.

EP.i. Evening Prayer

I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety. ⏤ Psalm 4:8

Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work. ⏤ Oswald Chambers

What can we say to You, O God, tonight, to express our gratitude for all the goodness of this day? We can only bring You our hearts' humble worship and ask You to accept it. We lay the work of this week upon the altar. Cleanse what is wrong in it. Accept and use what is right.

Our thanks are due to You for all You have been to us this week. You have been our Shepherd, leading us into green pastures and beside still waters. You have been our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble. You have been our fortress, into which we have run in times of danger, finding deliverance. You have been our companion along the way, our guide, our guardian, our friend, our deliverer, our helper.

Impress Yourself on our lives. Saturate our very being with Your own life, so that we may be transformed into Your own character!

We pray tonight for the world outside. Much of it is without You and without hope. Remember the homes around us that are godless and prayerless. Find a way, O God, to enter these homes so that the children, at least, may be saved. We also pray for those who have sorrow in their homes and cry out for comfort. Wipe away their tears by revealing the truths that bring true consolation.

We commit our own home to Your protection for the night. You who never slumber—be our keeper. Let no danger come near us. May Your peace rest upon our home. Prepare us for the duties of Sunday. May it please You to spare us and bless us in every good way. We ask in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Redeemer. Amen.

https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/55/evening

#taptapstudio
#youdevotion.

𝐑𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐓𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫
“𝘙𝘰𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵, 𝘸𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘸 𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘣𝘺 𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦;
𝘛𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘯 𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘩, 𝘏𝘪𝘴 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘥 𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘦.”

We often treat spiritual growth as a solitary pursuit. We read our Bibles alone, pray in secret, and wonder why our faith feels stagnant and brittle. But Christian growth is personal; it was never meant to be isolated. Whether we are growing in knowledge, stability, or grace, the question is not whether we are rooted in Christ—but whether we are helping others grow rooted with us.

Paul writes in 🕮 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝟐:𝟔–𝟕, “𝘈𝘴 𝘺𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵 𝘑𝘦𝘴𝘶𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘰𝘳𝘥, 𝘴𝘰 𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘬 𝘺𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘪𝘮: 𝘙𝘰𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘵 𝘶𝘱 𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘪𝘮, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘩…” Receiving Christ is not the journey’s end—it is the start of new life. Believers are called to walk in Him, be rooted, built up, and established in faith. Maturity is not just knowing more, but being firmly grounded in Christ.

A single tree may stand alone, but a forest withstands storms as its roots grow together, strengthening the soil. Likewise, believers are not meant to grow alone. God places us in a church to learn, encourage, correct, pray, and strengthen one another. Roots deep in Christ help others stand firm when storms shake them.

Scripture teaches spiritual growth is a shared responsibility: “𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘧𝘺 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳” (𝟏 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝟓:𝟏𝟏), “𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳” (𝐇𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝟏𝟎:𝟐𝟒), “Bear ye one another's burdens” (𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝟔:𝟐), “𝘦𝘹𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘥𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘺” (𝐇𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝟑:𝟏𝟑), and speak “𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘵𝘩 𝘪𝘯 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦” for the body to “𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘸 𝘶𝘱 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘪𝘮” (𝐄𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝟒:𝟏𝟓). Spiritual maturity isn’t just about church participation, but about growing through faithful edification.

Growth does not happen by accident. We cannot grow merely by hearing the Word occasionally while remaining disconnected from Christ. We must continue in Him. “𝘈𝘴 𝘯𝘦𝘸𝘣𝘰𝘳𝘯 𝘣𝘢𝘣𝘦𝘴, 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘬 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥, 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘣𝘺” (𝟏 𝐏𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟐:𝟐). Do not mistake spiritual information for spiritual transformation. We do not grow to be seen; we grow because we are saved.

Before we could ever grow in Christ, He gave us life first. We were dead in sin, but through His death, burial, and resurrection according to the Scriptures (𝟏 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝟏𝟓:𝟑–𝟒), He secured salvation for believers. Christ is not just our growth example—He is our life source. He said, “𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘮𝘦 𝘺𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘥𝘰 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨” (𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧 𝟏𝟓:𝟓). Apart from Him, there is no true growth; in Him, we are rooted and established.

Are you growing deeper in Christ, or merely growing older in church? And as God strengthens you, who are you helping to stand? You do not need Christ merely to help you become a better believer—you need Him because He is the root and source of the life you are called to grow in. Stay rooted in Christ. Keep walking in Him. And as your roots grow deeper, help someone else stand stronger.

𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫: Heavenly Father, forgive our spiritual isolation. Thank You for planting us in Christ. Bind our hearts together in love, that we may grow deeply rooted, supporting one another in faith, and bearing fruit for Your glory. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Remember, a dose of God’s Word a day will keep you going all day!
𝐀𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐆𝐨𝐝...
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Note





The Stick You Write With



When we read the bible,what do we think about? Do we think about the writer being inspired by the Spirit of God? Do we look to the setting it was written in, the culture of the times, etc? Do we look at the style of writing as some scholars teach us to do?

These and more are often taught as the way to read the bible. In more modern education we are taught to think critically and what is being said and written. In other words what can we infer or deduce from the text we are reading?

Questions such as these, more often than not lead to an overly complicated mess of confusion that is sometimes hard to navigate. Complicating the simple way the people of the day actually thought. What is more is that the New Testament was written in Koine ( common Greek).

This Greek as written in the NT is often studied by scholars, pastors and laymen alike, searching for a clearer picture of what the biblical writers were intending. And in this way, we may more accurately discern the truth that God, through His servants, is trying to convey to us, 2,000 years later. Mind you in a culture that is very far removed from the culture it was written in.

In short a lot has happened in 2,000 years, and some ideas just don’t translate well. To make up for this, scholars have tried hard to come up with different and new translations, paraphrases etc, that are everything from absolute trash, to literal word for word hard to read versions of the bible.

Many popular bible translations we read are something of a dynamic equivalent, that’s thought for thought. Others are word for word. And still others are a paraphrase giving the general sense of what is being spoken of. Yet, for all this we seem to lose a little or a lot depending, when we try to bring this all into a culture, language and thought process that is far removed from the original.

So we dig, scholars and laymen alike, dig. We dig into the language it is written in. We find meanings to words, and their roots. Sometimes we look at the society and culture around them and it brings out even more. Yet for all that, it seems we still come up short and we wonder why.

In my own life, the more I dug into some limited Greek studies, the more I saw it was not really going too far, so I stopped looking. I would only look up what I was curious about or led to. If I am honest at times, I would remember my pastor who told me of his friend who was a biblical Greek scholar, who said it really doesn’t do you that much good to know Greek. As I studied I could see that, but why. Aren’t we taught to look into the language? Isn’t that the example that is set by many, if not most pastors and writers of biblical material? Look into the Greek to find the meaning of the words used in the NT, so we can understand a bit better? But its really not helping that much so what am I missing?

What I found was not intentional. I was not looking for it. At all.

I found where Jesus wrote about being the bread of life In John 6:35:

“And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.”

In our minds we wonder what that means so we dig. And that is just what I did. I wanted to find out what that meant, exactly. My research led me to the cultural life of the Jewish people. And I found out that they, without a long explanation, knew that Jesus was saying, without bread, you die, you have no life.

That may seem obvious and overly simplistic, yet for a people who lived in the desert, to not have bread and water, was a fact of certain death. Biblically the principle stems back to the time in the wilderness when God supplied bread for them in the form of mana. Again, this may seem obvious, but it’s not something most in western culture know very much about.

We don’t know starvation as a possibility as well as they did then, we don’t know the waterless tracts of land they made their home in for thousands of years. They knew intimately the slow agonizing death by starvation and thirst, in a land where water is a commodity. Unlike us who just go to the faucet or by another water bottle at the nearest grocery store. These things were their reality, unlike ours.

Finding this set me on a journey of sorts to looking into their culture more. As I did I began seeing things that we don’t often talk about. Then one day I realized that almost every NT writer with the exception of Luke was born Jewish. That meant that they came from a Jewish background, culture, traditions and language.

Then I began to wonder how come we are looking at the NT from a western outlook, through the Greek language, when we should possibly be looking at it from a more Hebraic outlook? Why weren’t we looking at what they were saying through the culture, history etc of the person who was speaking it? They knew the language and ideas of the OT far better than we do.

So, again I began digging. What I found was that as a general rule, the Jewish people of that day, had gained some complexity of thought because of outside influences, such as the Babylonian captivity, the Roman occupation etc, they still retained much of their original simplicity and straightforward thinking. In fact, without going too deep in this, most Jewish men at the time had at least some knowledge of the OT scriptures and how they were written and the thoughts behind them. This is due to the fact that they would teach the fathers trade to the children and were required to teach them the word of God as well.

For them, things were relatively simple. Their culture and thought process, at least so far as these things are concerned, was simple compared to the Romans, or Greeks where we in the west get much of our way of thinking.

To see the difference when we describe something, such as a pencil, we say its long, often yellow, with lead or graphite inside, it has an eraser on one end and the other is sharpened to a point so you can write with it. In ancient Hebrew, it’s literally a stick you write with, that is the description.

To us, who habitually over complicate everything, even a bowl of Cheerios, this seems way too simplistic. Truthfully one may be right with that assessment. But that does not negate the fact that they understood things far different than we do.

Now, I am doing more digging. Looking into the Hebrew language and looking at the NT from somewhat of a different angle. What happened is the truth we all see, written within the pages, started taking on a deeper meaning. Instead of looking at the Word through the lens of our culture or even the Greek, I began to see things that way I think the biblical writers were seeing them, and thus seeing the intent of God through them. Regardless of how it was written.

When we look at the bible in this way it seems to take on new life. It doesn’t change the meaning, but deepens it, brings a fuller, more clear revelation, and application to our lives and ministries.




I write my own writing, I do not use AI to write. All my writing is my own and can be scanned for AI content as well as plagiarism.