Holly is still so happy! Look at this gorgeous, pink, double bloom. In all of the years that we’ve owned our Christmas Cactus, she’s never produced something like this. When I walked closer to our fireplace mantle to address Holly for the day and thank her for adding joy to our lives, I heard in the Spirit, “Double bloom, double portion.”
It’s fascinating how God can and will use the everyday things in our lives to convey what’s on His heart.
Double Bloom, Double Portion, & Double Scriptures.
When I consulted the word of God for the exact wording of “double portion,” I found that it only appears twice.
The first instance is in Deuteronomy 21:17, and secondly in 2 Kings 2:9, “And so it was, when they had crossed over, that Elijah said to Elisha, ‘Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?’
“Elisha said, ‘Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.’”
Year Two Of The Decade of Pey.
On God’s calendar, we’re in the Hebrew year of Bet which is year two of the decade of Pey. Yes, we function in the Gregorian calendar, but it’s God’s timeframe that always takes precedence.
Here’s a real nugget that’s buried deep in the Bible: the Hebrew word for portion as in double portion is pe (pronounced peh), Strong’s H6310. So, it’s the same Hebrew word for portion as is the entire decade from 2020 through 2030!
The various meanings are:
- Peh – mouth
- Mouth (of man)
- Mouth (an organ of speech)
- Mouth (as of animals)
- Mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc.)
- Extremity, end.
- https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h6310/kjv/wlc/0-1/
The Fruit of Our Lips.
“Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.” (Hebrews 13:15)
Proverbs 18:21, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”
It would appear as though the more we praise and thank Holly, the more prolifically she blooms! She usually starts her blooming cycle in early November and continues through April or May of each year.
Blooms are symbolic of abundance, joy and rejoicing, harvest time, chosen by God, fruitfulness, and beauty.
Quoting from Cathie Richardson, a beautiful, talented artist regarding Cactus which represents ardent love, endurance, and warmth,
“The cactus flower colors have different meanings. The white and yellow blooms symbolize strength and endurance. The pink and orange blooms symbolize youth. The cactus flower message is to not let the world bring you down. Everything you need is inside of you, and you can produce beautiful things in the middle of an empty desert.”
A couple of things really resonate with me from the above description. Holly bears pink blooms which represent youth.
Regarding youthfulness, Isaiah 40:31 comes to mind,
“But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.”
We live in the desert, so we know the inherent challenges that come with it. I’m encouraged by Cathie’s words, “Everything you need is inside of you, and you can produce beautiful things in the middle of an empty desert.” With God’s help, we can produce what it is that He’s calling us to do.” We will continue to blossom!
For a real treat, I would encourage you to purchase Cathie’s beautifully illustrated book titled Victorian Flora: A Language of Flowers Handbook. Here’s the link:
Plan to spend some time perusing her artistry and the accompanying descriptions for the various flowers. I’m enlightened each time I read through Cathie’s book.
2022 – The Year of Light.
My first prophetic blog post of the year expanded upon 2022 being the year of light. One of the reasons Holly is still blooming is because of the light in the window above our fireplace.
Things in the natural realm will mirror those of the spiritual realm, and vice-versa, even if it’s through a cactus!
New Beginnings in Adar.
Holly’s double bloom first appeared on February 8, 2022. Eight is symbolic of new beginnings, new strength, super abundance (double of anything good usually is), worshipping God, and regeneration.
February 8, 2022, falls on the 7th day of the Hebrew month of Adar which means strength and represents the completion of the season.
Adar is the month of joy and a time for rejoicing over God’s victories in your life. It’s a great time to revisit and study the book of Esther where God granted His people victory over their enemies.
There are so many verses in the Bible that contain the word joy. Find your favorite one and memorize it during the month of Adar.
Also, here’s a short, sweet blog post I’ve previously written regarding joy.
https://sheilaeismann.com/fill-your-cup-with-joy/
Prophetic Insights For Daily Living.
#1. This is the year to ask God for a double portion of His Holy Spirit to rest upon you, manifest in you, and speak through you. The Biblical example of this can be found in 2 Kings 2:9 when “Elisha said, ‘Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.’”
#2. The Biblical month of Adar is also the month for your true spiritual identity to be revealed to the world. Stir up your God-given gifts and bless those around you with them. The spiritual gifts are listed in Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-11; and Ephesians 4:7-16.
#3. As I’m preparing this week’s prophetic blog post, I’m sensing a caution in the area of expectation. In other words, allow God to be large and in charge in your life. If the double portion doesn’t emerge in the area in which you deem it should, don’t give up on God! Just as there are late bloomers in life as the old saying goes, just maybe where you’ve been sowing might bloom later than you think.
#4. It’s a constant challenge to guard our mouths and try to control what emerges from them. I wonder how often King David prayed this prayer from verses 3-4 of Psalm 141,
“Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth;
Keep watch over the door of my lips.
Do not incline my heart to any evil thing,
To practice wicked works
With men who work iniquity;
And do not let me eat of their delicacies.”
#5. Is there a particular area of your life where you would like to receive a double portion? Submit your request to God as He already knows the desires of your heart. Watch with expectancy to see how He answers your specific prayer.
#6. If you might be experiencing joylessness, pray and ask God to show you what’s robbing you of your joy. We all go through valleys and mountain top experiences in this lifetime, but even in the midst of these, we can still experience God’s joy.
“But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You;
Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them;
Let those also who love Your name be joyful in You.” (Psalm 5:11)
Sheila Eismann, Prophetic Seer, Blogger, Author & Teacher, publishes her weekly blog posts endeavoring to encourage others through God’s word. Her writings include teaching and instructions on how to apply prophetic insights for daily living.
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Photos via DSP. Used by permission.