Where Are Your Roots Anchored?

Hey Gang:  The past year has been very hard on our beautiful majestic pine trees.   When we first arrived on this property, we were truly blessed with seven great-grand- daddy pines and a dozen or so grands.  But we have learned that very old trees are much like very old people, they do tend to weaken and one day can stand the winds no more and succumb to their pressures.   

    

Several years ago, on arrival home from a Conference in the south land, we found the first victim of old age and wind.  It was on its side with roots sticking up toward the sky.  The first thing I noticed about the tree was the root system.  I was amazed that the roots seemed very inadequate to support a tree of this magnitude. 

From all outward appearances this magnificent tree survived in- spite-of its very limited root system.   I have mowed around it for nearly 20 years and each time enjoyed the majesty and beauty of this massive creation of God, but never realized the power that God had placed in this meager root system. 

As I walked around the cadaver, God seemed to speak to me and remind that many Christians are like that tree -they look wonderful on the outside but when the rubber-hits-the-road their root system cannot stand against the winds of wilderness experiences.

Paul had something to say about roots:  “That God would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith, and that you, being rooted and grounded in love” (Eph. 3:16).

He added “Having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him, and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and I, overflowing with gratitude,” in his letter to the Colossians. (Col. 2:7).

Paul goes on to tell why it is essential that we establish roots grounded on the word of God: “See, to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ” (Col. 2:8).

It is interesting that when training a Treasury Agent to recognize a counterfeit bill they do not show them counterfeit bills, but the real Mc Coy. Perhaps they learned that method of recognizing the real from the phony from the Bible.  Never, in the history of mankind, has being grounded in the Word of God been, not only important- but an essential ingredient in recognizing the pure Word from the interpretations of men, who think they know better - what God said and meant than God himself! 

So, my friends, I keep pounding the need to be in the Word and in your prayer closet, for within that Word are the prophecies.  Many have come true in my life-time and many are in the process of being fulfilled, and others still those down the road that will end the chaos of this world and establish God’s perfect kingdom on earth for all eternity.  Remember Jesus’ Words;  “Do Not Be Deceived!”  Matthew 24.

Blessings,

Gramps