
A Planting of Faith Seeds for the Glory of the LORD
Trees, Roots, Easter, Jesus, and You…
“If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.” (Luke 9:24, NLT) One of the most important characteristics/lessons of the Easter Season centers on an ending and a beginning. The ending of a life built on the acquisition of “things” and the beginning of a life built on the acquisition and distribution of a living relationship with Jesus and the fruits of the Spirit as well.
However, (and here’s where it gets a little tricky) while an ending must create a beginning, a beginning must NOT create and ending, in other words an ending is a beginning is a beginning, and a beginning, and a beginning, and a beginning, (and you get the idea). I know I may have left you with the impression I am running around in circles but look at it this way. “And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.” (Colossians 2:6–7, NLT)
Two key words in the 50 words that comprise Colossians 2:6–7 are the words CONTINUE and GROW, “continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into to him.” Both words allude to the fact that the Christian Life is a life of continual beginnings. I am powerfully encouraged by these words of Jeremiah. “But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:7–8, NLT)
Yesterday was a difficult day for my family because we participated in the funeral of my wife’s mom and because of our trust, faith, and our roots in Jesus go deep rather than it just being a sad day it was not only a bittersweet day but a fruitful day as well. We were tested, the Holy Spirit passed the test through us and as our roots grew a little deeper into the heart of Jesus we learned once again he is trustworthy.
Whosoever is rooted in Jesus is anchored faithfully, firmly and forever in God!
Believe it! Experience it!
Grace and PEACE!
Gary
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“Then the disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in, and he saw and believed—for until then they still hadn’t understood the Scriptures that said Jesus must rise from the dead. Then they went home.” (John 20:8–10, NLT)
“Then the disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in, and he saw and believed—for until then they still hadn’t understood the Scriptures that said Jesus must rise from the dead. Then they went home.” (John 20:8–10, NLT)
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“Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.”