Sunday Words of Encouragement September 4, 2011

We had a wonderful testimonial service this morning. First our associate pastor gave a very good short message. He shared one of the passages that means a lot to him. My comments extend the message that was shared.

Jeremiah 17:7-8

New International Version (NIV)

 ⁷ “But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD,
   whose confidence is in him.
⁸ They 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.”

First, trusting in the Lord is done as a choice sometime during each life. Sometimes we do it fully informed or sometimes, and better yet, we trust with the simple faith and trust a child has that their loving parent will take care of them.  Then, for some of us, trust deepens until it becomes such a natural thing that it is an unwavering confidence. Just like when we drive over a bridge we don't really worry whether the bridge will collapse while we are on it. We trust the structure. Although I suppose there is an argument to be made that in a hurricane, earthquake or flood we might avoid crossing the bridge. Unlike a bridge, I have complete confidence that God will hold me up even through the storms of life.

If we are rooted deeply, like the tree by the stream, we do not fear or worry about the weather extremes. With God's grace to support us we can still bear fruit even in the difficult times.

Isn't that an awesome message?  Thanks Pastor D!

I had never heard this song till today.
See/Listen how well it fits. God is so Good!

Tree by Justin Rizzo 
I wanna be unmovable and unshakable so let my roots go down deep
I wanna be unmovable and unshakable in you, 
I wanna be like a tree planted by the streams of living water
this'll be my song, God this'll be my prayer till the end, 
till the end in the midst of the coming storm 
in the midst of the coming blessing 
that my life will be built upon the rock 
and I will not be moved 
not be shaken

A Verse for Today:

Psalm 37:25

New International Version (NIV)

I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.

We praised God for His faithfulness today. And I pray that you may set roots deep in the living waters of God.