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"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness" (Colossians 2:6,7).
Today's photo is not usual for this site and likely will not be considered attractive by most observers! It's a close-up of the root system in a corn stalk. The Creator designed corn with two root systems; an inner, primary root (seminal) and as the corn develops a network of brace roots (nodal) for stabilization. With downpours, heavy winds, and other adverse conditions it is vital that the thin slender stalk has this strong dual root system to survive till harvest.
Although we eat a few
roots such as carrots, potatoes, beets and radishes, we give little
thought to the root system. I've never viewed them
as a thing of beauty, but roots are absolutely vital to a plant's
health. To the left is the ginger root.
Let's consider the word "rooted" from our daily text this morning. Paul draws on a familiar agricultural analogy. Perhaps he had in mind the teaching of our Lord, who warned of the deadly spiritual condition of rootlessness in the Parable of the Sower. Jesus said of the seed that fell on rocky places, "but since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away" (Matthew 13:21).
Roots are also a vital part of the believer's life. Our daily verse tells us we are to be "rooted and built up in Him." The Greek word for root is "rhizoo" and suggests stability, nourishment and life derived from contact with Christ ("in Him"). As a plant's roots sink deep into the rich soil for long term stability and nourishment, so too we should root our faith deep into sound Biblical doctrine and solid spiritual food that comes from knowing Christ. These well-nourished roots will keep us strong forever and forever.
In Christ we find life-giving soil and a sustaining foundation. However, we have the responsibility to implement the means of grace that God has ordained for our "rooting." We all need a good, solid, ever-growing root system that reaches deep into the spiritual soil for the nourishment and stability that God has graciously provided. This will render us both faithful and fruitful.
Developing and maintaining a solid spiritual root system is an active, lifelong pursuit of reading, studying, meditating and memorizing God's Word; regular communion with God through prayer; sharing with others of the good things of God; influencing others to come to faith. As we grow in Him there is more and more that Christ reveals to us through spiritual leaders, everyday experiences, trials, and life's circumstances. One of the greatest ways we deepen our roots is by our Christian service and obedience to Christ.
Are you rooted in Him? Are your spiritual roots expanding deeper and broader? I thank God for the inexhaustible supply of spiritual nutrition and stability available to the believer who is "rooted" in Christ!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Lord,
we are so very grateful that our family roots are not the sole source
of who we are nor does it dictate what we can accomplish. Our
spiritual roots, because of our well-grounded faith in You, goes much
deeper and spreads much broader. We are able to accomplish the
impossible and overcome life's difficulties because our roots are
connected to the Miracle Worker. May the water of Your Holy Spirit
quench our thirst and the spiritual food from Your inspired Holy Word
satisfy our hunger causing us to grow in spiritual maturity. We remain
safe and securely rooted in You, Lord, though the winds and storms may
shake us from time to time. It is in You that we live and move and
have our being! Amen.
Here's an
interesting verse concerning Solomon: "He described plant life, from
the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of walls. He also
taught about animals and birds, reptiles and fish" (1 Kings 4:33).
We are enjoying an abundance of locally grown corn. When I shuck sweet corn I am often annoyed by the messy, clinging silk that has to be carefully removed. Each silk is attached to a kernel and is the Creator-designed means of pollination without which we would not have juicy sweet kernels! So remember, for every silk there is a kernel. A pleasant way to think about it is this; the more silk the more delicious bites of juicy corn you get to enjoy.
Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
"Jesus Saves!" Video Church Choir
"Rooted In Christ"
"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness" (Colossians 2:6,7).
Today's photo is not usual for this site and likely will not be considered attractive by most observers! It's a close-up of the root system in a corn stalk. The Creator designed corn with two root systems; an inner, primary root (seminal) and as the corn develops a network of brace roots (nodal) for stabilization. With downpours, heavy winds, and other adverse conditions it is vital that the thin slender stalk has this strong dual root system to survive till harvest.
Although we eat a few
roots such as carrots, potatoes, beets and radishes, we give little
thought to the root system. I've never viewed them
as a thing of beauty, but roots are absolutely vital to a plant's
health. To the left is the ginger root.Let's consider the word "rooted" from our daily text this morning. Paul draws on a familiar agricultural analogy. Perhaps he had in mind the teaching of our Lord, who warned of the deadly spiritual condition of rootlessness in the Parable of the Sower. Jesus said of the seed that fell on rocky places, "but since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away" (Matthew 13:21).
Roots are also a vital part of the believer's life. Our daily verse tells us we are to be "rooted and built up in Him." The Greek word for root is "rhizoo" and suggests stability, nourishment and life derived from contact with Christ ("in Him"). As a plant's roots sink deep into the rich soil for long term stability and nourishment, so too we should root our faith deep into sound Biblical doctrine and solid spiritual food that comes from knowing Christ. These well-nourished roots will keep us strong forever and forever.
In Christ we find life-giving soil and a sustaining foundation. However, we have the responsibility to implement the means of grace that God has ordained for our "rooting." We all need a good, solid, ever-growing root system that reaches deep into the spiritual soil for the nourishment and stability that God has graciously provided. This will render us both faithful and fruitful.
Developing and maintaining a solid spiritual root system is an active, lifelong pursuit of reading, studying, meditating and memorizing God's Word; regular communion with God through prayer; sharing with others of the good things of God; influencing others to come to faith. As we grow in Him there is more and more that Christ reveals to us through spiritual leaders, everyday experiences, trials, and life's circumstances. One of the greatest ways we deepen our roots is by our Christian service and obedience to Christ.
Are you rooted in Him? Are your spiritual roots expanding deeper and broader? I thank God for the inexhaustible supply of spiritual nutrition and stability available to the believer who is "rooted" in Christ!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Lord,
we are so very grateful that our family roots are not the sole source
of who we are nor does it dictate what we can accomplish. Our
spiritual roots, because of our well-grounded faith in You, goes much
deeper and spreads much broader. We are able to accomplish the
impossible and overcome life's difficulties because our roots are
connected to the Miracle Worker. May the water of Your Holy Spirit
quench our thirst and the spiritual food from Your inspired Holy Word
satisfy our hunger causing us to grow in spiritual maturity. We remain
safe and securely rooted in You, Lord, though the winds and storms may
shake us from time to time. It is in You that we live and move and
have our being! Amen.Here's an
interesting verse concerning Solomon: "He described plant life, from
the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of walls. He also
taught about animals and birds, reptiles and fish" (1 Kings 4:33).We are enjoying an abundance of locally grown corn. When I shuck sweet corn I am often annoyed by the messy, clinging silk that has to be carefully removed. Each silk is attached to a kernel and is the Creator-designed means of pollination without which we would not have juicy sweet kernels! So remember, for every silk there is a kernel. A pleasant way to think about it is this; the more silk the more delicious bites of juicy corn you get to enjoy.
Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
"Jesus Saves!" Video Church Choir
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Text only version for printing: To make a text only version for printing (without photos or any of the supplemental materials)
1) Open the basic text editor that comes with all computers (known as wordpad, textpad, etc.) You can also use a program like Word and select paste text only.
2) Select and copy the text from the portion of the message you want to print.
3) Paste into the text pad. (The photos won't show up but you will have a brief text description of the photo which you can delete or just ignore.)
4) Format if you desire (change font, increase or decrease size, etc.)
5) Print!
Scripture
references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version.
© 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD
BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation,
New King James
Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the
King
James Version.
Personal
Mission Statement:
"I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ
I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord.
My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and
to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
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Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA
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