Feb 05 2022

Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

One of the oldest trees in the world is a Great Basin bristlecone pine in the White Mountains of California. Researchers believe it is more than 4,845 years old. This type of tree is known for its clonal properties. When its trunk begins to die, a new shoot forms from the old trunk's roots and takes its place. Each trunk only reaches about 30 years before dying. However, the root system beneath the tree keeps growing.

As Christians, our roots keep us connected to God, even when other parts of our lives may be suffering. In Jeremiah, we're reminded that we may experience difficult seasons, but we can still be fruitful because our faith is nourished by the Lord.

According to this afternoon's verse, trust and hope are the basis of a healthy relationship with God. When we depend entirely on God for everything we need, we learn to trust Him to provide for us in every way.

Our growth during difficult times is a testament to others of God's faithfulness and sustaining power. While our earthly life is temporary, the relationship with God that we are establishing here on Earth is eternal.

Dear Jesus, thank you for your faithful love in my life. I can put all of my trust in you, knowing that you are with me. When I face difficult seasons of life, draw me close as I learn to depend on you. I am so thankful for your faithfulness, Jesus. In your name, amen.

Feb 04 2022

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. :

A regular morning routine can be helpful in living a productive life. Everyone has some kind of routine, even if it only includes getting out of bed, eating breakfast, and brushing one's teeth.

As followers of Jesus, we can choose to start the day by thanking God for how He has blessed us. We can also incorporate faith practices (such as short prayers) into our daily routine that help us in our walk with God. There are countless ways to build our days around the Lord.

Joshua 1:8, this afternoon's verse, speaks of meditating on the Word day and night so we can be sure to do what God wants us to do. The benefit? We will be prosperous and successful.

It's difficult to follow God's Word if we don't know what it says. Meditating on Scripture is equivalent to soaking or marinating in the Word. We read it, think about it, pray and ask God for revelation, dwell on it, and talk about it. It stays in our minds and on our hearts.

We should commit to studying the Bible in this new year and ask God to help it take root in our hearts. We can only imagine how intentionally dwelling on His Word could enrich and benefit our lives.

God, I am so thankful for the Bible. I'm grateful for those who were obedient in the process of writing your words and hearing your voice. Often, I take for granted what it means to study your Word freely. It's a privilege. Help me to be faithful in studying and meditating on the Scripture. In Jesus' name, amen.
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