Nurtured Defined

Simple and Pure Devotion=Nurture

Were you nurtured? Are you presently embracing nurture? Are you a nurturer?  Let's define nurture...      

…to support by way of encouragement, (as one does for another during a period of training or development) ensuring its success

…to coach what is the fore seen in another (as with destiny, potential and promising giftedness), calling it forth to completion

…to feed or protect one's offspring (as a parent does for a child) until empowered to care for oneself and another

Who among us doesn't need nurture? Who among us doesn't fit somewhere; at any given time, in one of these definitions? Who among us has made it to maturity (in any given area of life) apart from the “nurture” of spiritual parents, mentors and/or friends? Wow! I am blessed with all three!

As the scripture says; “The end of all things is near; therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:7-8, NIV emphasis mine. These difficult “end” times call for the Body of Christ to cover each other-not expose or exploit one another's weaknesses.

The Apostle Paul defined the unique "nurture" we must embrace every day! "I hope you will put up with a little of my foolishness; But you are already doing that. I am jealous for you with a Godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I mat present you as a pure virgin to him. 'But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpents cunning your minds may from your simple and pure devotion to Christ."  2nd Corinthians 11: 1-3, NIV 

You and I are being "nurtured" by Heavenly Father to become the Bride of Christ!

Nurturing love does not point out faults hidden from the light or seek to expose secret struggles and "sins‟. Neither does it condemn, judge, accuse, or religiously exploit another's inconsistencies. True and authentic love in the Body of Christ is tender, humble and circumspect. “But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted." Gal. 6:1b, NIV emphasis mine. Nurturing love offers a helping hand and a cup of cool water!

“I, Jude, am a slave to Jesus Christ and brother to James, writing to those loved by God the Father, called and kept safe by Jesus Christ. Relax (What! Did he say relax?) Everything's going to be alright; rest, everything's coming together; open your hearts, love is on the way! Jude 1:1-2, The Message, parenthesis mine. 

We can't look for bail-outs, monetary windfalls, unflawed relationships, entitlements, the lottery, government or anything else to be on the way-God's love is on the way. His love is more than enough!

Relax, rest, open your hearts; love is on the way. And it is “nurture for the heart”! His words are always incalculably comforting. Did you get it? Love is on the way. Love covers. Therefore, rest, relax and open your hearts! The only response (logical or otherwise) is to spend the rest of our lives receiving and giving nurturing words.

Our "nurtured‟ lives are proof positive in a spiritually starving and hurting world, that this living word is authentic and available. It trumps anything and everything else, and is for all, 'now‟ and forever!

Focus your heart on these prophetic words; “The heart of God sees me as His beauty! Live as one who is outrageously loved by a "nurturing‟ God. He has so many places to take us in his heart!” One brother put it this way; “I would rather live in His affection, than in His anointing.” Then, Papa's response is to whisper to our hearts, “Living in my affection is also living in my anointing”.

“All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times (who among us aren't/hasn't?) and before you know it, He brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times--so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. We have plenty of hard times that come from following the Messiah, but no more so than the good times of His healing comfort— we get a full measure of that, too.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-5, The Message, parenthesis mine.

May His nurturing heart beat with His redemptive blood through ours! May His nurturing words pulsate through ours!  I can hear His heart beating—faintly at first. It is getting louder and louder and is beginning to deafen the enemy's lies of defeat and death. Beat heart of love and "nurture‟! Beat in and through the Body of Christ!

In the grip of the "nurturing” grace of Papa! Ron Ross