Where You Are Planted Matters: The Secret to Spiritual Fruitfulness

As we begin a new year focused on spiritual fruitfulness, there's a fundamental truth we must understand: where you position yourself spiritually determines your harvest. Your fruitfulness in December will be determined by the choices you make today about where you plant yourself in God's kingdom.

What Does Spiritual Power Really Mean?

Many believers think spiritual power comes from fasting for 40 days or dramatic demonstrations. But the Bible teaches that every believer already has the inherent power of God within them through the Holy Spirit. The challenge isn't receiving power—it's learning how to exercise the authority Christ has already given you.
This power is activated through proper positioning in Christ. When you position yourself correctly, the inherited power God has already given you begins to manifest naturally.


A Tale of Two Gardens: Location Determines Everything

Consider two gardeners who started their journey on the same spring morning. Both received identical gifts: the same seeds, tools, fertilizers, and instruction books. Both were beginners with equal enthusiasm and the same dream—to grow enough food to feed their families and share with neighbors.
The only difference was where they chose to plant their gardens.


The Desert Gardener's Struggle

James chose a plot that made perfect sense by worldly standards. It was visible from the highway, easily accessible, convenient, and impressive—perfect for social media. The surface soil looked rich and dark.
But James didn't investigate deeper. His attractive location was actually in a hostile environment:

• The nearest water source was three miles away
• Scorching sun with no natural shade
• Only a few inches of good soil over bedrock
• Harsh winds with no protection

James found himself constantly battling his environment. By the end of the season, he had produced only 12 tomatoes and 4 cucumbers—at a cost greater than buying groceries for a year. Exhausted and burnt out, he abandoned his garden, concluding he wasn't meant to be a gardener.

The Riverside Gardener's Success

Danielle made a different choice. Her plot wasn't impressive at first glance—tucked behind trees, not visible from the road, requiring a 10-minute walk down a winding path. It wasn't Instagram-worthy.
But Danielle had done her research. She chose this location for one strategic reason: it was positioned next to a year-round river. This provided:

• Constant water supply
• Rich, deep soil from centuries of river deposits
• Natural climate control with humidity and shade
• A sustainable ecosystem that worked together

Danielle's experience was completely different. Her plants grew vigorously, requiring support structures. By the end of the season, she had hundreds of pounds of produce, enough to preserve for winter and bless her entire community.

The Spiritual Parallel: Where Are You Planted?

Same seeds, same starting point, same dreams—but ridiculously different results. Why? Location, location, location.
Many believers are struggling not because God has abandoned them, but because they've positioned themselves in spiritually hostile environments while expecting fruitful results.

Three Progressive Spiritual Dangers

Psalm 1:1 warns against three progressive positions that destroy spiritual fruitfulness:

1. Walking in the Steps of the Wicked (Casual Exposure)
This begins with casual exposure—casually following along with those not in covenant with Jesus. You tell yourself, "I'm not participating, just listening," or "I'm just scrolling through, no big deal."

Modern examples include:

• Listening to office gossip without participating
• Watching immoral shows while "ignoring the bad parts."
• Hanging around friends, making bad choices while staying uninvolved

2. Standing in the Way of Sinners (Deliberate Participation)

The progression continues from casual exposure to deliberate participation. You're no longer just around sin—you're positioning yourself in it. What was once uncomfortable becomes normalized.

3. Sitting in the Seat of Mockers (Permanent Residence)

The final stage is settling permanently. You've moved from tolerating sin to celebrating it, from participating to promoting it. You mock righteousness and argue that wrong is right.


The Right Position for Spiritual Fruitfulness

Psalm 1:2-3 reveals the secret: "But whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers."

The Five Streams of Spiritual Water

To position yourself for spiritual fruitfulness, you need access to these five streams:

1. Daily Bible Reading
Fresh spiritual nutrition every morning through intentional time in God's Word before the chaos of the day begins.

2. Corporate Worship
Committed participation in church community—not just casual attendance when convenient, but making it a non-negotiable priority.


3. Prayer and Meditation
Constant communication with God, including participation in corporate prayer times.


4. Christian Community
Iron sharpening iron through meaningful relationships with other believers.


5. Service and Ministry
Being blessed to be a blessing—actively serving in your local church and community.


Desert Christians vs. Riverside Christians

Many believers are "desert Christians" who visit the river occasionally. They come to church on Sunday, fill their buckets with spiritual water, then return to their desert environment. By Wednesday, they're parched, by Friday, they're dying, and by Saturday, they're desperate for Sunday to come again.
Riverside Christians, however, live by the river. Sunday worship is their community celebration, but they're connected to the streams all week through daily devotions, Bible study, prayer, and service.

How to Move from Desert to River

1. Establish Daily Devotions
Set your alarm 20 minutes earlier. Have coffee with Jesus before checking social media. Start small but start today.

2. Commit to Church
Move from casual attendance to committed participation. Arrive on time, engage fully, and connect to a ministry team.

3. Practice Scripture Meditation
Don't just speed-read through chapters. Read verses slowly, repeat them throughout the day, think about their meaning, and ask how they apply to your life.

4. Conduct an Environmental Audit
Be brutally honest about what you're watching, who you're following on social media, what relationships are pulling you away from God, and what activities are crowding out time with Him.

Life Application
This week, make the hard choice to reposition yourself by the streams of living water. Your spiritual fruitfulness isn't automatic—it requires strategic positioning.

Take these specific steps:

• Unfollow social media accounts that pollute your feed
• Cancel subscriptions that position you in spiritual darkness
• Have honest conversations with friends about boundaries
• Rearrange your schedule to prioritize time with God
• Commit to consistent participation in church and ministry

Ask yourself these questions:

• Am I fighting against my spiritual environment or thriving because of it?
• What relationships, entertainment choices, or activities are pulling me away from the streams of God?
• Am I a desert Christian who visits the river occasionally, or a riverside Christian who lives by the streams?
• What hard choices do I need to make today to position myself for spiritual fruitfulness this year?

Remember: where you position yourself spiritually today determines your harvest in December. Choose the river over the desert, even if it means sacrificing convenience, comfort, or worldly approval. Your spiritual fruitfulness depends on it.