Develop Strong Roots - September 21, 2011
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Develop Strong Roots
rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:7
'Faith grows only in the soil of adversity!' He's right! When young plants get too much rain, even a short drought can kill them. Why? Because it was too easy! During frequent rains, they didn't have to push their roots deeper into the soil in search of water so they didn't develop any strength. Now they have a weak, shallow root system and die quickly.
How's your 'root system?' When stress and adversity enter your life, do you hold up or fold up? Do you find yourself thinking God has abandoned you or do you start doubting Him? Look! Ease is your enemy! When you become too comfortable, you stop 'digging deeper' in the Word. You allow others to spoon-feed you rather than develop your own personal relationship with God through prayer and Bible study. Thank God for the rain, but you have to develop a 'root system' that will sustain you in the hard times.
You won't prepare for a fight you're not expecting, so Paul says, '...put on God's complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place].' (Ephesians 6:13). Now, there's something to think about!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for the tough times that strengthen me in my faith in You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
Categories: Develop Strong Roots
Tags: Colossians
Yes, BUT "faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ" Rom. 10:17.
It seems to me that faith is tempered in the issues of Matthew 25. This is where the "rubber meets the road". Themes of being prepared, equipped by the Lord, and responsive to the "poor, the hungry, the naked, the lonely, and the imprisoned" builds up faith that dares to follow Christ. While I know my requirement for confession it is repentance that calls me to "turn around", go a different way, respond to the Gospel, be "faithful in and out of season". In today's culture we to get ourselves to Nineveh and rejoice and be thankful for the outcomes. We spend far too much time on self & far too little time in sharing the Gospel to "the least of these".
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