Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

November 18
Tuesday


ROOTED LOVE

READ:
Hebrews 13:15-25
______________________________________________________________________________________
Do not forget to do
good and to share.
__Hebrews 13:16
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When I think of all the wonders of God's magnificent creation, I am especially awed by the giant sequoia tree. These amazing behmoths of the forest can grow to around 300 feet tall with a diameter that exceeds 20 feet. They can live over 3,000 years and are even fire resistant. In face, forest fires pop the sequoia cones open, distributing their seeds on the forest floor that has been fertilized by the ashes. Perhaps the most amazing fact is that these trees can grow in just 3 feet of soil and withstand high winds. Their strength lies in the fact that their roots intertwine with other sequoias, providing mutual strength and shared resources.

God's plan for us is like that. Our ability to stand tall in spite of the buffeting winds of life is directly related to the love and support we receive from God and one another. And then, as the writer of Hebrews says, we are to "do good and to share" (13:16). Think of how tough it would be to withstand adversity if someone were not sharing the roots of their strength with us.

There is great power in the entwining gifts of words of encouragement, prayers of intercession, weeping together, holding each other, and sometimes just sitting with one another sharing the presence of our love. __Joe Stowell

``````````````````Lord, thank You for entwining Your strength`````````````````
```````````````````into my life. Lead me today to someone``````````````````
````````````who needs the love of shared strength from resources``````````````
```````````````````````that You have given to me.`````````````````````````
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Let the roots of God's love in your life be entwined
with others who need your support.

***********************Today's Bible Reading __ Hebrews 13:15-25*************************

15 Therefore by Him let us
continually offer the
sacrifice of praise to God,
that is, the fruit of our lips,
giving thanks to His name.

16 But do not forget to do
good and to share, for with
such sacrifices God is well
pleased.

17 Obey those who
rule over you, and be
submissive, for they watch
out for your souls, as those
who must give account. Let
them do so with joy and not
with grief, for that would be
unprofitable for you.

18 Pray for us; for we
are confident that we
have a god conscience,
in all things desiring to
live honorably. 19 But I
especially urge you to do
this, that I may be restored
to you the sooner.

20 Now may the God of
peace who brought up our
Lord Jesus from the dead,
that great Shepherd of the
sheep, through the blood of
the everlasting covenant,

21 make you complete in
every good work to do His
will, working in you what is
well pleasing in his sight,
through Jesus christ, to
whom be glory forever and
ever. Amen.

22 And I appeal to you,
brethren, bear with the word
of exhortation, for I have
written to you in few words.

23 Know that our brother
Timothy has been set free,
with whom I shall see you if
he comes shortly.

24 Greet all those who rule
over you, and all the saints.
Those from Italy greet you.

25 Grace be with you all.
amen.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

If we were left to our own devices and determination, even the brief
instructions in today's passage would be more than we could live
up to. Fortunately, we are not left to ourselves. God works in us to
make us complete (vv.20-21).