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| October 19, 2001 |
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| "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. The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the LORD, search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings." Jeremiah 17:7-10 Because man is as a tree planted by the waters, he has life in abundance and so can yield fruit in season. In all realms of human endeavor, the child of God is on God's side, being creative, concerned, and dedicated to serving, rather than exploiting human need. As a man of God, he is working with God the provider ~ providing, not exploiting; preserving, not destroying. But beyond all this, he is on the side of God the Redeemer. With all his gifts and talents, his energies and his resources, he is busy about God's purpose of saving the world. A man, to be a man, must also "yield fruit." Created in the image of God, man was meant to subdue the earth, to rule over things, to ferret out the secrets of nature and harness them to his life under God. "And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth" (Genesis 1:28). Application: In living our lives we must show the glory of God. With our tongues, we must proclaim the Good News of God's redemption in Jesus Christ, who on Calvary's cross gave His life so that all people might live eternally. We are blessed not only because we have life in abundance, but also because through Him our life flows abundantly to others. May God bless you with a wonderful day as the Lord grants you strength and grace to confess Christ to the people you encounter today and everyday. Love in Christ, Sandy |