DEEP ROOTS

Matthew 13:5   “Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow.  But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn’t have deep roots, they died.”

Roots—we know how vitally important they are.  With water, oxygen, and well-tilled soil, they grow well and deep, with one of the strongest of all roots being the taproot.  Just think of the strength in those pesky dandelions!    
Let’s compare our faith in Jesus Christ to a taproot.  Without a deep root in Him, and without a loving obedience to His commands, it is possible for our faith to wilt under times of stress and trial, and we may become unable to stand firm in difficult times of challenge against all we have been taught and know to be true.

What does a taproot require to grow well and deep?  Water, oxygen, and good soil.  Our faith also has essentials to enable growth:  God’s Word, prayer, and an open heart.   

• God’s Word, Scripture, teaches us so that we may grow.  It is alive and powerful, and it teaches us what is true and right, correcting us when we get off-course.  Knowing God’s truths are essential in today’s culture.
• Prayer is essential to grow our heart relationship with the Lord.  It is communication between our spirits and God’s, and it is only through that communication—talking, then listening—that our relationship with Him grows.  Just think of human relationships.  Can they grow without communication? 
• We must also have open hearts to what God is teaching us through Scripture or lays upon our spirits through prayer.  An open heart does not fight God’s voice; it takes Scripture and God’s answers to prayer deep within, allowing our roots to grow.  Our faith becomes stronger, and we are enabled to stand strong times of challenge and possible future persecution.

When we grow our taproot deep into Jesus, following the above, we will continue maturing in Him; we will not fall prey to the wicked:  “Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers.  But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.”  Psalm 1:1-3  Also, we will not be fearful in an America so unlike the one we knew in the past or in a world we see changing before our very eyes:  “But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him.  He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." Jeremiah 17:7-8

Let God be our one and only focus!  It is only in Him that life lies, so let us call upon Him to deepen and, if needed, regenerate our taproot of faith in Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Let us remember to turn all worries and fears over to Him, having full confidence in the One who saved us; and let us never forget that when we are planted in Christ and He dwells within our hearts, His love will fill us so completely that we will be vividly green with life and able to give strong witness to those who need Him.   

Faith in Christ makes us strong, and with Him, we need never wither under the hot sun!  “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13 

VERSES:

Colossians 2:6-7   “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.”

Ephesians 3:16-19   “I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

2 Timothy 3:16-17   “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.”

Hebrews 4:12   “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.”

PRAYER:  Father God, hear my prayer today, asking You to strengthen my faith each moment of each day.  Let me always remember Your promise that because I have chosen Jesus as my Savior, nothing will ever snatch me from Your hand.  You are faithful, You are strength itself, and in You, I choose never to fear.  May my taproot of faith daily grow in You from reading Your Word, prayer, and opening my heart to all you reveal.  Thank you for being my God—the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—the only true God!  Amen.

DISCLAIMER:  Just an ordinary woman who loves Jesus, accepting Him as Savior at the age of thirty-two and digging into the Bible ever since.  How could I possibly hope to develop a heart relationship with God and trust Him with my life if I didn't know who He is?!  These devotionals are written to help you journey with Christ and grow in your heart relationship with Him.  However, it is essential that you examine my words, and those of all other "teachers," with God's Holy Word.  Therein lies the source of all truth!