Christ in the Clouds: 07/23/13

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Roots, Bridges, and Light

How far down do roots go?

What do bridges connect us to?

What benefit does light have?

These were a few of the questions that swirled in my head recently.

This past weekend we went and visited our son in southern Indiana.

We spent one day walking and observing some very unique places in nature and another day in darkness .

Roots:

As we walked through a park-like setting, we noticed a tree near a stream. I thought of how determined that tree was to reach the water from it's high bank. It looked as though the ground had washed out beneath it, but it still held up and the branches had beautiful green leaves growing on them above.

"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. "(Jeremiah 17:8)

I thought of how we are like this tree, planted by the water. Our water is like the Word of God...

"But his delight is to meditate on the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in season, whose leaf also shall not whither; and whatever he does shall prosper."

(Psalm 1:3)

Oh, that we would daily desire His Living Water!

Without it, we are dry and withered.

We have to be determined to drink from the stream every day and be refreshed. We then will bear fruit and our leaves will be many! Hallelujah!!

Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

(Colossians 2: 7)

Bridges:

The many bridges we crossed and saw also reminded me that Jesus is the only Bridge to God!

"For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ." (1 Timothy 2:5)

Light:

^{We also toured a cave that was down deep under the ground. It was dark and eerie, but also interesting. This also reminded me of the darkness of sin. We are intrigued by temptation and darkness, but once God's light is revealed, we see the truth.}

"But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him."
John 11:10

"This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin." 1 John 1:5-7

"The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light." Romans 13:12

Once we have seen His light, everything is clear and it is easier to find our way...for we then can see our Maker and follow Him.

"For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ." 2 Corinthians 4:6

"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."

(Ephesians 3:17-19)

Continuing to count my blessings, one by one at "Multitude on Mondays".

1,421 - God's beautiful creation, especially the unique sights and places.

1,422 - A wonderful weekend with our son!

1,423 - Safety in our travels

1,424 - A good night's sleep (It even rained hard through the night and I never heard it!)

1,425 - The light that Jesus shines, so we can see all the blessings He has for us!

1,426 - Jesus - the Bridge that connects us with God!

1,427 - Watching fish pop the top of the water for bugs, on our lake, on a quiet evening, as the moon rises in the sky.

1,428 - A cool evening breeze, after having a hot, muggy week.