The Grass is Always Greener...

I’d like to share with you a truth, from the Bible, about how to get the most out of life and relationships that you have.

These relationships can be ANY relationship that exists in your life - it is a principle of God that always works.

Complete this saying for me:

The grass is always greener _____________.

The grass is always greener where you water it!

Here is God’s principle:

Proverbs 11:25 NKJV

25 The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself.

When you water other people’s lives so that they flourish, your life will also begin to flourish.

“You will get all you want in life, if you help enough other people get what they want.” - Zig Ziglar

How many of you want to not only survive, but FLOURISH?!

Jesus gave His own life for you to be able to flourish!

John 10:10 AMP

10 The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).

The Right Environment:

Living things grow & flourish in the right environment.

You cannot place a rainforest plant into a desert environment and expect it to thrive.

You cannot put a tropical plant into the arctic and expect it to thrive

Are you putting yourself, your business, & the people you care most about in the best environment to grow, thrive, and flourish?

2 things that drastically affect our quality of environment:

Thoughts & attitudes

Words

Philippians 4:8 NKJV

8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

Luke 6:45 NKJV

45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

What you think about and meditate upon will come out of your mouth

Ephesians 4:29 NKJV

29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

Proverbs 18:21 NKJV

21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.

Scientists think so much of this scriptural truth that they believe and invest in research to confirm that talking to plants can cause them to thrive or die based upon what is said to them.

Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me - Is patently false

Sticks and stone may break your bones, but word can absolutely kill you.

Are you being careless and potentially deadly with your words towards others?

Deuteronomy 30:19 NKJV

19 I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live;

Teenagers - you want to have a better relationship with your parent(s)?

Married people, you want to have a better relationship with your spouse?

Students, you want to get the most out of your teachers and professors?

Employees, you want to get the most out of your relationship with your employer?

Siblings, you want to get the most out your relationship with your sibling?

Christian, do you want to get the maximum benefit out of your relationship with your pastor?

The grass is always greener where you water it.

Ways to Water Others (especially your Leaders & Your Pastor):

1. Pray for Them

1 Timothy 2:1–2 NKJV

1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.

No one is perfect, but we can help anyone to be better when we pray for them to have the supernatural help of God.

You can’t change people, but God can!

There is hope!

2. Give to them & honor them

1 Timothy 5:17 NKJV

17 Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.

Our heart follows our treasure & we get more out of what we give to.

Heaping honor on good leaders/pastors/parents/friends, etc. will not corrupt them if they have good character to begin with.

3. Water them with your words:

Proverbs 15:23 NKJV

23 A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, And a word spoken in due season, how good it is!

Scientists have determined that it takes at least 5 positive things said to cancel out 1 negative thing said.

Pastors and leaders and parents get a lot of criticism, but get much less celebration & encouragement.

Many people want to be watered by their pastor, but don’t do much watering of their pastor.

The greater the measure we give, the greater measure we receive.

Don’t just be a great receiver, be a great giver!

4. Be loyal, supportive, & refuse to be a quick-accuser:

1 Timothy 5:19 NKJV

19 Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses.

Gossip is like tasty delicious morsels (Prov.18:8; Proverbs 26:22), but we don’t have to gobble it up.

The devil likes to bring accusations against good leaders, don’t jump at the chance to be on his prosecution team.

5. Run with and Carry the Vision:

Habakkuk 2:2 NKJV

2 Then the Lord answered me and said: “Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it.

Fighting and resisting the vision is not helpful & just floating along doesn’t really help.

How can you significantly participate in making the vision a reality as quickly as possible?

It is refreshing and watering to have people walk with you and help to carry a heavy vision with you.

Just One Thing:

It takes attentiveness and generosity to water others, but it can turn into a lifestyle & you will, in turn, be watered.

Discussion Questions:

If you were a clown themed super hero, what powers would you have?

How would you describe the environment you are in (e.g. attitude, words, positivity, etc.)? Are your thriving and flourishing or are you just surviving? Share a little.

Please Read Proverbs 15:23 and share about something that someone said to you that impacted positively & caused you to be watered and refreshed.

What is at least 1 relationship that you want to water in your life? Share how you will water that relationship in the coming days.