Shadrach
Member
- Joined
- Dec 20, 2012
- Messages
- 86
Psalm 119:103, “How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth”
James 1:22, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves”
__________
God never wants us to become content with our knowledge of His precious Word. He wants us to reach even higher plateaus of service and Christ likeness. The apostle Paul recognized this, for even though he was a godly man and accomplished much, he admitted that he still needed to advance in holiness (Philippians 3:12-14).
God our heavenly Father longs to give us spiritual food, and He will satisfy our spiritual hunger as long as we study His Word, worship with others, listen to faithful Bible teachers, read great literature with good spiritual content, be doers of what we have learned in His Word, and daily depending on Him. If you’re a child of the King, don’t be satisfied with your spiritual knowledge. God doesn’t want you to stay that way.
Do you feel you’ve reached a spiritual plateau in your service for the Lord? If so, then look in the Scriptures (Old and New Testament) to see if there is a Biblical promise you haven’t claimed? A command you haven’t obeyed or a truth you have doubted? In the Bible, godly people are often likened to trees (Psalm 1:3; Proverbs 12:3). Joni Eareckson Tada wrote about this in her book Diamonds in the Dust, “The branches of growing trees not only reach higher, but their roots grow deeper. It’s impossible for a strong tree to have high branches without having deep roots. It would become top-heavy and topple over in the wind.”
Then Joni observed, “The same is true with believers in Christ. It’s impossible for us to grow in the Lord without entwining our roots around His Word and deepening our life in His commands.” So, my friend if you want to be like a tall and immovable tree – that comes only through a life of Bible study, discipline, and tested faith – conditions that produce deep roots. Thus, for believers to be fruitful trees, we must:
__________
Further thoughts:
Stand straight for God. Lives that reveal Christlike character are lovely to behold, for they are not gnarled by sin or rotted by hypocrisy. Be strong. Those who are well-rooted in God’s Eternal Word will be unmovable in times of trial and temptation. Keep Growing. As healthy trees add a new ring of growth each year, we too should constantly grow in grace and the knowledge of His precious Word. Bring blessing to others.
Some trees provide food, others give shade, and others are made into lumber. So, too believers in Christ should provide spiritual food and comfort to their neighbors, as well as use their time and talents to build people up in the Lord. (5) Be ready to be transplanted when God so wills. Believers in Christ are not here to stay; they are waiting to be transplanted in the garden of heaven where their fruit will never wither and their leaf will never fade. So, my friend and brethren I must ask:
(1) How good a tree are you?
(2) Is there any fruit, any beauty, and growth worth talking about?
(3) Or are you wilted and unproductive?
__________
The roots of stability come only from being grounded in God’s Eternal Word.
James 1:22, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves”
__________
God never wants us to become content with our knowledge of His precious Word. He wants us to reach even higher plateaus of service and Christ likeness. The apostle Paul recognized this, for even though he was a godly man and accomplished much, he admitted that he still needed to advance in holiness (Philippians 3:12-14).
God our heavenly Father longs to give us spiritual food, and He will satisfy our spiritual hunger as long as we study His Word, worship with others, listen to faithful Bible teachers, read great literature with good spiritual content, be doers of what we have learned in His Word, and daily depending on Him. If you’re a child of the King, don’t be satisfied with your spiritual knowledge. God doesn’t want you to stay that way.
Do you feel you’ve reached a spiritual plateau in your service for the Lord? If so, then look in the Scriptures (Old and New Testament) to see if there is a Biblical promise you haven’t claimed? A command you haven’t obeyed or a truth you have doubted? In the Bible, godly people are often likened to trees (Psalm 1:3; Proverbs 12:3). Joni Eareckson Tada wrote about this in her book Diamonds in the Dust, “The branches of growing trees not only reach higher, but their roots grow deeper. It’s impossible for a strong tree to have high branches without having deep roots. It would become top-heavy and topple over in the wind.”
Then Joni observed, “The same is true with believers in Christ. It’s impossible for us to grow in the Lord without entwining our roots around His Word and deepening our life in His commands.” So, my friend if you want to be like a tall and immovable tree – that comes only through a life of Bible study, discipline, and tested faith – conditions that produce deep roots. Thus, for believers to be fruitful trees, we must:
__________
Further thoughts:
Stand straight for God. Lives that reveal Christlike character are lovely to behold, for they are not gnarled by sin or rotted by hypocrisy. Be strong. Those who are well-rooted in God’s Eternal Word will be unmovable in times of trial and temptation. Keep Growing. As healthy trees add a new ring of growth each year, we too should constantly grow in grace and the knowledge of His precious Word. Bring blessing to others.
Some trees provide food, others give shade, and others are made into lumber. So, too believers in Christ should provide spiritual food and comfort to their neighbors, as well as use their time and talents to build people up in the Lord. (5) Be ready to be transplanted when God so wills. Believers in Christ are not here to stay; they are waiting to be transplanted in the garden of heaven where their fruit will never wither and their leaf will never fade. So, my friend and brethren I must ask:
(1) How good a tree are you?
(2) Is there any fruit, any beauty, and growth worth talking about?
(3) Or are you wilted and unproductive?
__________
The roots of stability come only from being grounded in God’s Eternal Word.
