Daily Devotion For April 1

Potential Inside

There was one place where I lived, where I used to walk to the shops to get our basic provisions for the day. I took the same route past some houses each day until I reached the shops.

The one day I walked past a garden and saw a very interesting looking bud. It was tightly closed and was a bright orange color. I had never seen the plant before so I was curious to see what the full flower would look like when it opened up.

Over the next few days I watched as that bud began to slowly open up until it came into full bloom. It was much more beautiful than I had expected it to be. Ever since I had seen the bud the first time, I was wondering what was inside and what it would look like.

As I thought back on this experience, the Lord reminded me of a vision that I have often had when I have been praying for people. I have seen them like that bud, tightly closed and not opening up into the full blossom. The Lord showed me that these people had a lot of potential and had many good gifts to share with others, but they were afraid to open up and let them out.

Perhaps you are like that bud right now. You have a lot of potential inside to be a blessing to others. But perhaps you have had some bad experiences that have made you close up again.

There are so many things that can happen to block that potential from coming out. Perhaps you tried to share a revelation with someone but they said you were talking nonsense and rejected you. Maybe you tried to counsel someone but they didn't receive it. Now you feel despondent and think it is not worth trying to minister.

Sometimes you may be afraid to step out boldly and do things for the Lord. Perhaps you feel that what He is asking you to do is your point of weakness.

All these things make you keep yourself tightly closed like that bud. You do not want to show other believers what you have inside of you. But just like any potential flower has a beautiful color and perfume which draws people to it, so you are the same.

You are there to be a blessing to others. Don't allow bad experiences or fear to stop you from letting all those good things out from the inside. The Lord can heal you from these experiences. And He can help you to have the courage to step out once again, to pour out to others what He has given to you.

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If you are like that closed bud right now, I just speak a release to you. I speak to any fearful or negative experiences that you have had and I speak healing to those areas.

Lord, thank you that you have put those blessings inside of us. Thank you that we simply need to open up and let out the fragrance that will bless others.

I pray that the Lord would strengthen you and help you to once again use what He has given you.

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May you have a wonderful day today.