It's been several years since I brought a Christmas tree into my home and decorated it. It's not that I think there is something wrong with it, it's just that I personally don't celebrate Christmas in that traditional fashion any longer. I want to remind you, if you have still not removed your tree from your home, by now I am certain that it has become dry and brittle, and because of that, it is an extreme fire hazard, My advice would be to get that tree out of your home and into a recycle center ASAP!
I mention this because while on my morning train ride today, as I was reading in Psalm Chapter 1, the thought occurred to me that it is God's desire for us to be evergreen. There really should be no time in our lives when we are dormant and bearing no fruit. Not only are we to be prosperous, but our leaves, our experiences, circumstances, and life situations, even life itself, are not to ever wither, yet they are to be green and full of life all year long.
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
Out of curiosity, I went to the dictionary this morning in hopes of getting fresh new insight into the word "evergreen". There are some very interesting definitions indeed, but the one that spoke most to my heart was as follows:
"having green leaves throughout the entire year, the leaves of the past season not being shed until after the new foliage has been completely formed."
Wow, to me that definition, particularly the ending statement, speaks volumes. There are so many ways to apply that directly to our walk with the Lord. Does that line also speak to you? I encourage you to read that last part again, only slower, and then feel free to share what the Lord speaks to you. I'd love to hear your thoughts.
The tree you see in the first photo is in pretty rough shape, would you agree? It's in a terribly risky state and in extreme danger of being burned to a crisp. What happened to this tree to cause it's leaf to wither, for it to dry up and die. The answer is ever so simple. It became severed from the vine. Chopped down at the roots. Jesus said it like this:
Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned.
Throw away that dead tree as soon as you possibly can my friend. Your own life and the lives of all those around you are in extreme danger because of it's dry, brittle, and withered state. One little spark and your entire world could be up in flames, and I assure you, you do not want that to happen.
Speaking of your own life, I ask you, are you becoming withered, dry, and brittle? Is there a chance that you are on the verge of being burned? Does the thought of even one little spark frighten you and send chills up your spine? The answer to that problem is simple beloved. The answer remains in the vine!
In love,
Michael
Spread the Word!
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