Spreading Like Kudzu

Recently, my husband and I completed our first fasting experience in unity. I have fasted at different times in my life, but this is the very first one that we committed to do as a couple. The Lord revealed to me that we were to pray and meditate on the Lord’s Prayer during this period of fasting. He told me that anything I could possibly need or desire was contained in this prayer. The words are second nature to most of us, but how often do we really reflect and absorb the implication of these powerful words:

 “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, As it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses , As we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, The power, and the glory, For  ever and ever. Amen.”  (Matthew 6:9-13)

Provision, forgiveness, deliverance, protection from evil, peace, and spreading God’s kingdom—it is all packed in these powerful lines. I heard God speak to my heart, “I want my kingdom to spread like kudzu.” I researched “kudzu” online and discovered some interesting details about this type of plant.

·         It is invasive in nature- It is a climbing, coiling, and trailing vine that climbs over trees and shrubs rapidly. Kudzu spreads by vegetative reproduction and by seeds which are contained in pods. The hard coated seeds may not germinate for several years, but can result in the reappearance of the species years after it was thought to be eradicated from the site.  I am reminded to never be discouraged when ministering for the Lord. Just because we can’t see immediate results doesn’t mean we have not made an eternal impact for the kingdom. James 5:7 says, “Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains.” God is raining down on the seeds that have been planted in hearts that have been hardened, and his kingdom is spreading in even the most unlikely places.

·         It is a noxious weed-  It climbs over trees and shrubs and kills them by heavy shading. Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil (I John 3;8). We must unite and “shade” or protect one another with so much love and prayer that the devil can no longer take residence in human lives.  God’s kingdom is not some weak or fragile force. The resurrection power that operates in believers is dangerous to the devil’s territory. It comes from knowing that our identity is no longer the old man, but Christ who lives in us. Romans 6:4 says, "Therefore, we are buried with Him in baptism into death: that just as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."

·         It is used as a medicine- The Harvard medical school is studying kudzu as a possible way to treat alcoholic cravings, by turning an extracted compound into a medical drug. Kudzu contains isoflavones including puerarin, and daidzein (an anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial agent). It has shown value in treating migraine and cluster headaches. It is used to treat tinnitus, vertigo, and Wei Syndrome. It has shown potential in animal models of Alzheimer’s disease. It may help diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The leaves of kudzu show antioxidant activity that suggests food uses. God’s kingdom is the panacea for every type of sickness and disease. Every spirit of infirmity must bow to Jesus. We are given authority to activate the healing that has already been given to each and every one of us over 2,000 years ago at the cross. Mark 16:17-18 says, “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In My name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues . They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover.” We are to bring healing to those that are suffering. Ezekiel 47:12 says, “And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit to his months, because their waters issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine.” As living trees of righteousness, we carry the fruit of the spirit and the power to bring life through the activation of the Word and the power of His name.

·         Food and beverage- The roots contain starch, which has traditionally been used as a food ingredient in East Asia. In Vietnam the starch is flavored with pomelo oil and uses as a drink in the summer. As Christians we each carry a different “flavor” of oil or unique anointing that we are given to give a drink to all those who are thirsty. Isaiah 55:1 says, “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come buy wine and milk without money and without cost.”

·         Basketry- Kudzu fibers have long been used for fiber art and basketry. The long runners which propagate the kudzu fields and the larger vines which cover trees make excellent weaving material. Some basketmakers use the material green. The Word of God can stir up creativity and release prosperity in the body of Christ. Haggai 1:6 says, “You have sown much, and bring in little; you eat, but you have not enough; you drink, but you are not filled with drink; you clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earns wages to put it in a bag with holes. As ministers of the Gospel, we can spititually locate the holes in people’s lives where they have sown into a mindset of poverty. God desires us to walk in covenant blessing and to prosper us. 3 John 1:2 says, “Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in good health, even as your soul prospers.”

·         Soil improvement and preservation- Kudzu has been used as a form of erosion control and also to enhance the soil. As a legume, it increases the nitrogen in the soil via a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria. A symbiotic relationship occurs when one organism lives on another and is entirely dependent upon the other for survival. We must understand that we are completely dependent upon our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ for survival and to communicate this through demonstration to a lost world. So many people are experiencing erosion in different areas of their lives, and they have no idea why. Jabez prayed that his territory may be enlarged. God desires to bless us and improve every aspect of our lives. James 1:17 says, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming done from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

May God's kingdom spread like kudzu.

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