Where You Are Planted Matters!

Ever wondered why some people stay in the same church for decades but never grow? They keep sipping watered-down milk, never moving on to real spiritual meat. They stay stuck, like babies in perpetual infancy. Whose fault is that? The teacher’s? Theirs? Both? I’d say it’s both. If they aren’t getting fed, they should seek better nourishment. Meanwhile, the teacher’s job is to provide substantial teaching. A well-fed congregation grows, gaining wisdom and deeper understanding of Yah’s Word. Shallow teaching produces shallow roots, and shallow roots don’t sustain real growth.

Understanding doesn’t just smack you upside the head. You have to want it. You have to chase it. Your heart has to crave wisdom and obedience to Yah.

Proverbs 4:5-7 (ISR 1998) says:

“Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not leave her, and let her guard you; love her, and let her watch over you. The beginning of wisdom is: Get wisdom! And with all your getting, get understanding.”

Yahweh loves to teach through real-life lessons, and nothing speaks louder than lessons from His garden.

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The Garden Lesson: Where You Are Planted Matters!

This summer, my garden taught me a thing or two. I had two okra plants—same variety, same start—but in completely different environments. One thrived. One struggled. The results? Eye-opening.

One poor plant had a rough life. Ants and aphids tormented it all summer. When the aphids left, the ants doubled down. The soil was off—too much nitrogen led to a giant leafy stalk but no blooms. And when it finally tried to flower, the ants devoured the buds before they even had a chance! It took all summer, but eventually, it produced a small, sad little okra.

The other plant, in a raised bed with rich soil, was half the size but twice as productive. It had no pests draining its energy. It should’ve flourished sooner, but it sat in the shade of towering tomato plants, delaying its potential. When the tomatoes were finally trimmed back, this okra plant took off, producing bigger, healthier pods than its lanky counterpart.

Lesson learned: A big plant doesn’t mean big fruit. Healthy roots in the right environment make all the difference.

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The Science of Plant Pairing: Who Thrives Together? Who Struggles?

Just like in life, some plants support each other, while others stunt each other’s growth. Take the Three Sisters Method, used by the American Indians. Corn, beans, and squash grow in perfect harmony. Corn provides structure for beans to climb. Beans fix nitrogen in the soil, feeding both companions. Squash spreads out, shading the soil, keeping moisture in, and deterring weeds. It’s a win-win-win!

Now compare that to planting tomatoes and potatoes together. Bad idea! They attract the same pests and diseases, which spells disaster. Likewise, onions and beans don’t get along. Onions release chemicals that inhibit bean growth, making them lousy neighbors. In contrast, carrots and onions are besties—onions repel carrot flies, keeping the crop safe.

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The Church and the Garden: A Spiritual Parallel

The church is just like a garden. Some environments foster growth, others stunt it. Some people thrive because they are well-fed, while others barely survive, choked out by bad surroundings. Just like plants, we need the right soil, good companions, and proper light to reach our full potential.

If your spiritual environment is full of pests—distractions, shallow teaching, negativity—you might struggle to bear fruit. But when you plant yourself in a place with rich soil—deep teaching, supportive fellowship, and room to grow—you flourish.

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Moral of the Story: IT MATTERS WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED!

Where you grow determines how you grow. Are you in a place that nourishes your faith, challenges you, and helps you bear fruit? Or are you stuck in poor soil, surrounded by spiritual aphids? If you’re feeling stunted, maybe it’s time for a transplant. Choose your spiritual garden wisely. Your fruit depends on it!

Recommended Tools for Your Spiritual and Health Journey

If you are searching for an assembly where questioning anything the Bible does not result in abuse, I encourage you to check out Ross K Nichols’ Youtube. He also has an after-class discussion that you can get in on if you are a subscriber. If you are not a subscriber, you can still watch an hour of the after-class discussion on this Youtube channel: Horeb

If you’re serious about nourishing your body and soul, consider investing in a quality grain mill and bread machine. Freshly milled grain makes a huge difference in homemade bread! Check out my top picks on Amazon:

• Best Mixer: Kitchen Aid Mixer
• Best Grain Mills: Mockmill grain mill , Kitchen Aid Grain Mill Attachment , WONDERMILL Manual Hand Grain Mill
• Best Bread Machine: Zojirushi bread machine
• Best Dehydrators: Commercial Large 10 Trays Food Dehydrator, COSORI Food Dehydrator for Jerky, Magic Mill Pro Food Dehydrator Machine , Excalibur Electric Food Dehydrator, Excalibur EXC10EL Electric Food Dehydrator
• Best Blender: Vitamix 5200 Blender

Also, don’t forget to browse my other articles and recipes for more inspiration on healthy living and spiritual growth!

How to Make Whole Wheat Bread in a Bread Machine(Opens in a new browser tab)

Bug-Free Grains: How to Keep Your Bulk Grains Safe and Sound(Opens in a new browser tab)

Grains in Bulk: Healthier, Cheaper, and Sustainable(Opens in a new browser tab)

Obedience is Required(Opens in a new browser tab)

Reduce Food Waste with Mom’s Seasoning Blend(Opens in a new browser tab)

Are You Still Hungry and Thirsty?(Opens in a new browser tab)