Revealing Me: Deep Roots

Ephesians 3:17-21

Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.

James 1:2-4

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

How deep are your roots?

Imagine you are a tree. You've chosen your home to be on hard ground, and it's so hard that you've had to spread out your roots in all directions instead of going down. A big storm is coming. You can feel it. It starts to get windy.... really windy. Your branches are swaying side to side, your trunk is creaking. The wind goes on, and on, and on. Your starting to feel tired, and weak. It should be over soon, right? No, it's getting stronger, and stronger and stronger. You can't hold it much longer, you're not strong enough, maybe you can hold out for a few....more...minutes..... then you lose control, start to fall, your roots painfully burst from the ground.. down, down, down you go.... if only you had chosen better ground to grow your roots.

Psalm 34:8

Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

How can we grow our roots? Study, Practice, Pray

How do trees grow their roots? Well, I am not a botanist but I think it would have something to do with food & water! Maybe some sunshine.. ok, let's just stick with 'nourishment'.

How can we nourish our own faith? For me personally (remember I am not an expert), I have to constantly feed myself. I have a big stomach!

Here's what I find helpful (please note that this is not in any particular order) :

- Read the Bible (hehe, der). Seriously though, it's almost like we forget about the Bible. If you take the time to read the Bible, you will become wiser! It is amazing how the words that are written there can still be applied to your life. Just like Jesus, the Bible is living! This is the most important thing you can do. If you don't like to read, then get an audio Bible!

- I Listen to podcasts whenever I can (cleaning house, exercising, riding the bus, before I go to sleep, etc.) By the way I didn't know what a podcast was a month ago, so you're not alone for those of you who are scratching their heads right now! If I had to recommend something, the first person I think of is Mark Driscoll. Here is a great series that I've listened to: http://www.marshillchurch.org/media/proverbs-2009 Start with one of those! During one sermon/study he says something about 'redeeming our time'. Just because you have to do something, doesn't mean you can't also be studying during that time!

- Socialise with Christians. If you spend time with co-workers, what do you talk about? Probably work. If you spend time with friends from your sports team, what do you talk about? Probably sports. etc, etc. If you spend time with Christians, what do you think you'll talk about?

- Read Blogs, there are so many people out there blogging these days. I love it! Here's one that I love www.generationcedar.com

- Go to Bible Studies, Events put on the by the Church, etc. Just more practical relationship building, and faith building tools!

- Find a Church. It is impossible to be a Christian by yourself. Who is there to challenge you? Who is there to encourage you? Who is there to view as a role model? I am not saying churches are perfect. Just like humans, churches are not perfect. They have their flaws, and sometimes they are big. Hopefully you can find a church that you can be involved with - don't just be a spectator. (BTW, just heard a great sermon this morning about Hypocrisy, ouch! Here's the link: http://www.marshillchurch.org/media/trial/temptation-from-hypocrisy)

- Pray! God is there for you, He is listening. He wants to hear your every thought, every concern. He wants to have a relationship with you. Imagine you lived in a house with someone who never spoke to you. Would you have a good relationship with that person?

The consequences

For me, the consequences of not growing my roots is failure... it's falling away from God. It's putting my hope in other things.

Don't turn to self-help books when things are going wrong. Don't think "I've been through worse, I can get through this by myself". Something that has been on my mind this past year, that has challenged me, is the thought "You CANNOT do it on your own!" I am so weak, and broken, I just can't. No self-help book is going to help me. But do you know what, I'm not worried because God can!

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. -Philippians 4:13

And looking at them Jesus said to them, "With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." -Matthew 19:26