Jeremiah 17:7-8 “But those who trust in the Lord will be blessed. They know that the Lord will do what he says. They will be strong like trees planted near a stream that send out roots to the water. They have nothing to fear when the days get hot. Their leaves are always green. They never worry, even in a year that has no rain. They always produce fruit.”

Wouldn’t you love to be productive regardless of the season? I love the picture these verses give. My mind instantly goes to Psalm 1:1-3 where David sings of the benefits of choosing God: Great blessings belong to those who don’t listen to evil advice, who don’t live like sinners, and who don’t join those who make fun of God.  Instead, they love the Lord’s teachings and think about them day and night.  So they grow strong, like a tree planted by a stream—a tree that produces fruit when it should and has leaves that never fall. Everything they do is successful.

See the similarity? Jeremiah says; Those who trust in the Lord are blessed and they know their God, they know he will do what he says. They will be strong, deeply rooted and productive even when there’s no rain. David says; They love the Lords teaching and think about them all day and night, thats how they grow to be so strong, like a tree that produces when it should and it’s leaves never fall. Everything they do succeeds.

And that my dear friends, is how we grow in trusting the Lord regardless of what happens around us. We are so focused on Him and doing what He instructs us, we barely notice the storm. I’m learning that if my focus is right, my outcome will be productive. There is one truth and that is His truth. If I really know Him, I trust Him. What I see going on around me is subject to change by the Word thats in my heart and comes out of my mouth. If I don’t use the treasure that’s in me, it won’t benefit me. If I overcome by the blood of Jesus and the word of my testimony, than I must activate the Word that is in me by speaking it into the atmosphere. I can only say what is in my heart.

Psalm 19:14 says it this way; “May my words and thoughts please you. Lord, you are my Rock—the one who rescues me.” Even David had tried and tested God’s Word and His ability to rescue him. He knew that the key was his thoughts and words. What are you saying? What is coming out of your mouth? Is it produced by fear of what’s happening in your body, or have you found the Father to be healer and restorer. Than declare that with your mouth; Father, you are my healer and just as the leper who came back to thank you, out of my worship, I too will be restored. You are the God who heals me. Nothing is impossible for me because I trust in your Word.

Whatever you face, regardless of the domino affect you see in the natural remember this; God is waiting for you to believe His Word over everything you see. Mark 11:24 in the words of Jesus himself; “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.” Can’t get much clearer than that, can you! He wouldn’t have said it if he didn’t mean it. Regardless of how long the battle, believe you receive and you will have it. Daniel stayed in prayer for 40 days before his answer came! We want it NOW and refuse to wait in the presence of the Lord for instructions. If it doesn’t go away immediately, we go straight to another source. No wonder we’re in the mess we are today, we have yet to learn to wait on the Lord and learn that His Word never fails. Productive means bearing fruit. Are you?