Isaiah 61:3 ‘To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified’

DAILY READING –Acts 3; Deuteronomy 17-18; Job 12

Bush fires have been a part of the Australian landscape since well before human habitation.
After thousands of years of suffering bushfires, many
Australian plants have developed strategies to help
them live with fire. Some plants now use the fire to help them germinate their seeds.
For instance there are around 700 species of Eucalyptus trees (gum trees) in Australia.
They have seeds whose release is only triggered
by fire. When a fire burns through an area containing these trees, the pods release their seeds into the nutrient-rich ash left on the ground after the fire. Because there are fewer animals in the area following a fire and because all the smaller plants have been burnt and removed, the eucalyptus seeds have time to germinate without competition.
Another Australian plant that has adapted to the heat of fire and used it to germinate is called Banksias. These specie of plants can keep their seed for years in a woody fruit called a follicle. But during a fire, the parent plant may be killed but the fruit will open up causing the seeds to fall to the ground. And because the bushfire has destroyed many other plants, the new seeds can now thrive on the ground without competitors; fertilized with ashes from the fire.
So, the bushfires that destroys other plants, have become vital for the renewal and survival of these plant species. Instead of hindering them, the fire only serves to bring forth life and beauty from them. This is the reason why after a bush fire in Australia, the blackened bush lands amazingly soon transforms into a riot of colorful vegetation, with new shoots popping up everywhere.

It is interesting that what kills others is what gives life to these species of Australian plants who have learned to survive the fire.
Likewise as a child of God you are born to be a survivor.
Where others perish, is where you are meant to flourish.
In the book of Daniel, the three Hebrew boys not only survived the fire, it ended up promoting them to higher offices in the land.
God is able to use what was meant to stop us to propel us forward. He can turn our stumbling blocks into stepping stones to greater levels of glory and beauty.
This is why we count it all joy when we pass through fiery trials [James 1:2-4]
Maintaining our joy is important if we are going to fight and win the good fight of faith. Though you may not control what happens on the outside, you can control what happens on the inside of you.
Remain joyful despite what may go on around you. Let what should deflate you instead become what will inflate you. What the enemy sent to steal your joy, let it be the reason for your praise.
Whatever fiery circumstance you may have passed though this year, as you give worthy praise to God, expect a divine reversal of every negative situation. This month of December will be your season to be decked with glorious new colors.
Wherever you may have suffered any form of fire or mourned for any reason, God will give you beauty in the place of ashes. He will give you the oil of joy for mourning and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness [Isaiah 61:3].

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to be filled constantly with joy.
I thank You Lord for granting me the strength to keep praising You in every circumstance. This month of December is indeed my season to see beauty for ashes in Jesus Name. .
QUOTE;
The battle you are faced with today is a good warfare because God has already foreordained victorious end for you WORDBITE 222.

Shalom!

@GOODHEART- EKWUEME .

PLS FEEL FREE TO SHARE IF THIS BLESSES YOU!🔥
(I would love to hear your testimonies via WhatsApp +2348052234444 / Email: apostlegoodheart@gmail.com)