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WHAT KIND OF TREE ARE YOU???
Current mood:  artistic
Category: Religion and Philosophy
WHAT KIND OF TREE ARE YOU??? A weed...a fern...a bush....a tall oak? Or are you SEQUOIA?
 "BLESSED is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down to gather. But his delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on His law he habitually meditates by day and by night. And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper and come to maturity." Psalm 1:1-3 amp version When I read this scripture verse years ago...I pondered it (after all, didn't it SAY to meditate on it?) You know why? Because I couldn't figure out WHAT kind of tree this scripture meant when it stated: "it's leaf shall not fade or wither". Because, when you seriously think of an oak tree, maple tree, olive tree, or even a mustard tree...their leaves do fade and fall off in winter... But what tree leaves WILL NOT fade or wither in ANY season, seriously? So, I thought about it, and while I was thinking, I could not help thinking about the wonderful trip that I took to California many years ago to see one of the most amazing sites I have EVER been to...the giant Sequoia Redwoods. Talk about BREATHTAKING, MAGNIFICENT, and BEAUTIFUL! How big is our God? Could this scripture possibly mean that He wanted us to think deeper into what KIND of tree He was speaking of? Could He have maybe, just MAYBE been speaking of a GIANT SEQUOIA??? And...this is JUST MY PERSONAL OPINION—so you uptight religious nuts, please don't get any ideas and think that I am making a "new doctrine" for the bible, lol! :) Decide for yourselves if you will, please read what I have found out in my little "study". Here is some COOL information and some really AMAZING pics of my favorite tree in the world...and what God showed me how we compare to them as Christians---The GIANT Sequoias!
Note to the easily offended...if you are afraid of TRUTH--and being confronted with it--read no further...BEWARE, because I am getting ready to get my preach on!
1.The leaves of the Squoia tree never fade because they are a form of "evergreen" tree! WOW...the leaves REMAIN GREEN? In WINTER? That is awesome! It got me to thinking...doesn't God want us to be like an evergreen tree...where our leaves never fade, no matter what SEASON we are in? We can live forever, never loosing our leaves...be it fall or winter...no matter how COLD the season of our life truly is! For every season there is LOSS and GAIN—it is part of life! "But Annie, I can't take this season—I think I am going to die!" Yes...you may have had a setback, whether it be financially, physically, relationally, or emotionally....but I am here to tell you that it is JUST a season...and it will soon pass!!! And...the good news? YOU ARE NOT GOING TO DIE! I KNOW what it is like to struggle with finances, I KNOW what it's like to have cancer and be told I wasn't going to make it, I know what it's like to lose long time friends because of my beliefs, I know what it's like to feel rejected and alone! But GOD got me through it...and the best part it that it is being used as a testimony to encourage others, AND it has built great FAITH and character in me. What about you? What season are you currently in in your life? Are you in a season of famine...of a COLD winter? Let me ask you another question, hasn't God got brought you this far? And didn't He say: "And I am certain that with God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished, on the day that Christ Jesus returns" Philippians 1:6  Here is the challenge...you must APPLY your faith! Trust in JESUS in your season of winter...because I have news for you, SPRING, SUMMER and HARVEST is just around the corner! You don't have to let your emotions rule you in this time of testing...YOU can decide to not believe what you feel...and your attitude during this winter season will MAKE YOU or BREAK YOU. Start PRAISING GOD and stop being a victim...take action for God and believe what you KNOW...that Jesus will not only get you through it—but that you WILL inherit better CHARACTER because of it! YOU WILL LIVE—by standing on the promises of His word. The word of GOD DOES NOT LIE! Jesus didn't just die to give you everlasting LIFE...He also died to give your life prosperity and victory HERE on EARTH!
"And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper and come to maturity." 2. The Sequoias only grow successfully in RICH, mineral soils and in FULL sunlight. This one really got to me. For years I wondered (before I gave my life back to God) what Jesus meant by the story of the sower and the seed...and I knew that it meant that we were to be not only hearers of the word, but doers. But when I radically gave my life back to Him and was reading this story for the second time...something else "popped" out at me. God showed me that it took me a long time to really come back to Him because of the surroundings that I CHOSE to be in at the time...and I was not willing to give up my "comfort" of my old ways, out of fear. I have a question for you....is FEAR keeping you from a "soil change"? Honestly people, if our SOIL is rotten, HOW do we expect to have the motivation to be a DOER of the word and not just a HEARER???
Are you letting "pop culture" define who you are, and what you do—how you are living your life? Or even better yet--are you so concerned with your reputation at your church that you trying to FIT IN by being "perfect" and "religious" in front of everyone else--so everyone will LIKE you??? (uh-oh--did I strike a painful chord on someone?) What kind of people are you surrounding yourself with?
What kind of music/TV are you listening to? Is it darkening your world, and possibly poisoning your "soil" around you...killing your "soul" slowly? Is it killing the tree that you were meant to be for God, and stunting your growth? Or—Are you surrounding yourself with other on FIRE Christians, good praise music, and are you listening to good teachings? And, are you even "teachable"--have you become so stuck in your ways you are more like a donkey when it comes to CHANGE than a majestic stallion, running the race to WIN?
Are you TRULY letting His light shine on the dark places of your life, exposing His truth to your heart so that you are convicted to change for the better? Are you letting the LIGHT of Christ shine in you, by not choosing to live like the world OR the religious NUTS around you? (Uh -oh!) I want to encourage you today...that in order for you to truly "grow" in God and have an intimate relationship, you might need to do some "transplanting" of your roots...and move into some "mineral" Jesus soil...and let His truth of His light GROW YOU UP as TRUE ADULTS in the faith! CHANGE IS GOOD!!! Because the real tradgedy is not what we have become in our sin...it is that we refuse to CHANGE when we KNOW we need to! "Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown." Matthew 13:8 3. The Sequoias are often located by underwater or visible streams, because of the trees requirement for large amounts of water. Amazing....by the size of these beautiful trees...you know that they need a lot of water! We, as humans also require water...in fact, the human body is made up of mostly water...babies 78% (wow!) men, 60%, and women, 55%. If that is the case in our "physical" bodies...then what would that mean in our spiritual bodies? And if we are to be trees for God...how can we possibly grow spiritually without it? Tell me, how MUCH water are you drinking, and...are you drinking enough? If you are sad, depressed, and nothing is looking up or changing for the better in your life as a Christian, you could actually be dehydrated spiritually! Are you dying of thirst, my friend? Have you forgotten that you NEED water to survive? Are you so famished that you are chasing mirages like money, materialism, success, position and acceptance in your church (oh no she didn't!) sex, drugs—things that you THINK will fill up your well of emptiness inside of you?
Remember what happens when you chase mirages, they will ALWAYS turn into SAND! Many people ask me, "Annie how did you overcome all of your past and not be tempted to go back to your old lifestyle, and how do you handle daily struggles?" Can I be honest with you? It's really simple—this is NOT a trick question! I actually READ my bible—everyday, and I cannot live without it! People, YOU decide how deep your walk and relationship will be with God by how much you read your bible! Trust me, this is a GREAT investment...if you really do this, ALL your dry places of your soul will be refreshed—overflowing with streams of living water—and because of this, you can bring others that are thirsty a cup of cold water. WOW! "But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life." John 4:13 quote, Jesus. There is a "well" that will NEVER run dry! BUT YOU HAVE TO BE THE ONE TO COME TO IT TO DRINK! We have to come to the point in our Christian walk where we are not always "spoon" fed by just GOING TO CHURCH and LISTENING to a sermon! It is OUR RESPONSIBILITY to get FILLLED UP with the truth--not just our Pastors--or the television evangelists! (ouch!)
It's right there....next to your bedside lampstand--DUST IT OFF and read it...open your bible and read about the most incredible man that ever walked the earth...His name is JESUS CHRIST, and if you really want to stop that inner thirst, He will FILL YOU UP with His never ending stream of water, the water of life, in others words, the LIVING WORD OF GOD. Start your day right, pick up your bible early in the morning and get FILLED with the truth---and grow into tree you were meant to be! 4. FIRE, FIRE FIRE! These magnificent trees require periodic "wildfire" to clear competing vegetation and soil humus before successful regeneration will occur....AND, what is so incredible is that they are HIGHLY resistant to it! Today, these "fires" are regularly scheduled to burn away any opposing vegetation that would compete for root space, water, or sun space...insuring the trees with a longer life! Also...without this fire, Sequoias will crowd out their OWN seedlings, and their seeds will not germinate. But when the fires come, heat rises to the top of the trees to bring down their "fruit" (the pine cone needles) The cones will fall, and the heat of the fire actually is used to "open" up the cones for the new seedlings to "pop" out. Also...the ground ash from the cleansing fire then acts as a cover to protect the fallen seeds from ultraviolet radiation damage. "What's that got to do with me, Annie?" Glad you asked! Our fruit is often produced in many ways...through fiery trials, through perseverance and patience. Fruit isn't just fruit of the spirit, it is also what has been PRODUCED out of pain...and often times a testimony can be shared—and people getting saved from it will be "fruit" of your fire. Every time you share your story of how God got you though...you are planting "seedlings" for a harvest! How can we as Christians, be MORE refined and produce MORE of these precious seedlings? We must let God burn our "chaff" in our lives. As painful as it is, we must let God burn our selfish "desires" Some people (and even Christians!) will actually think that money, materialism, success, and power will make them happy. But...when our OWN desires are out of balance, wanting only to satisfy SELF—it MUST be given to Jesus as a sacrificial offering...to be burnt away in ASH...and God will honor it...because it is a sweet smelling to Him! "But Annie, that's too painful to go through--it's not fair....and I need those things make to me happy!"
Can I be real with you? NO YOU DON'T!!! As hard as it is to believe, these "temporary" things will ONLY make you miserable! I tried this...and it DID NOT WORK—it only made me MORE unhappy and MISERABLE! We are SO much like the Sequoia trees!!! Many times there are "weeds" around us that will literally suck the life out of us—and if we don't get a handle on them soon, (people, bad habits, RELIGIOSITY and LEGALISM, negative emotions, BAGGAGE of the past) they will eventually KILL us! If we decide to truly let the heat of the fire "burn" away our "weeds", this HEAT will build into us TRUE CHARACTER, opening the door for "seedlings" to fall on the ground and be planted...for a harvest on new believers! I have a question for you, HOW are you living your life as a Christian--and what is it saying to others around you—believers and non believers? Remember my friends, as Christians, the evidence of how we walk through our personal "fire" will be used as a testimony a "seed" of hope, or a seed of failure. This "seed" will be used to reap a harvest...good or bad. Remember that your good or bad attitude of your current situation will determine how effective you can be used by God...so do not fail God's test by KEEPING your weeds (chaff) around you—because they are only keeping you from the true destiny that God has for you. You become a FIREHAZARD when you have dry weeds around you! You are either going to burn up real fast and have NOTHING left, or end up dying in the smoke. Choose to let Christ walk with you through the fire—because WITH HIM you will make it! And as He burns away your chaff...you will become FIREPROOF, and a true "seedling" witness for Him! "These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world." 1 Peter 1:7
5. The Sequoia tree is highly resistant to decay because of a natural preservative in it's wood. Did you know that the oldest known Sequoia is 3,600 yrs old?
Oh this is TRULY soooo good! God wants us ALL, I said ALL to have a long life...sickness is NOT of Him...decay is NOT of Him! Decay in our lives will KILL US! The devil ONLY comes to STEAL, KILL, and DESTROY! What are the main ways that the devil can come and destroy us? By taking our JOY. For example, if you are letting what you did in your past rule you—this will rob your today, and DECAY your future! Forgiveness is a command of Jesus...and if you cannot forgive the people in your past, present, this will eventually make you very sick, and like a type of poison, you will die a slow death! This is called TOXIC emotions people! Negative emotions cause you depression, anxiety, self-pity, addiction to drugs, and suicidal thoughts...and even cancer! Do not FORGET the very message of Christ, it is GOOD NEWS! He came to FORGIVE us, HEAL us, and give us a NEW, EVERLASTING LIFE in Him! If you truly believe this...take charge and speak the living word of God over your life...ask Jesus for forgiveness...get rid of your "decayed thoughts"...BE SET FREE TODAY! You can live forever—but only if you choose to receive it and believe it!
"The thief only comes to steal, kill and destroy, but I came that you may have life, and live it to the FULL. " John 10:10
 6. The root systems of the Sequoia is quite unique! Their average roots are 6 ft, and if grown alone, will not withstand winds, heavy rains or flooding. BUT....when they are growing in a grove of Sequoias, they roots of each tree INTERTWINES with each other, holding each tree "up" no matter what storm, wind, rain, floods, hail or fire.
Christians, this is SO important!! We NEED each other! Like Sequoias, we cannot be "lone rangers" in our lives...the body of Christ is something that God has given us in order for us to grow, cultivate, and reach full maturity in Him. In order to be used by Him, we MUST work together; this is WHY it is called the body of Christ! We MUST be part of a church, and keep in fellowship with other like minded Christians—people that have STRONG faith that can "hold" you up when a massive storm hits your life—they can pray for you, comfort you, help you, and lift you up when you can't make it on your own. We are ALL connected...ALL churches, ALL denominations, and with this supernatural connection of LOVE with our "roots" of Christ love intertwined, we can make a LARGER impact on the world! We cannot do this by having doctrinal differences, we must remember what Jesus prayed for us! We will be a witness to the rest of the world, and a much STRONGER, more POWERFUL one IF we are unified!
 "I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me."
"I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. 23 I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me." John 17:21-23 "Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back to back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken." Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 7. Because of their magnificent height, Sequoias change the skyline of the horizon. It is the worlds largest tree, they grow to an average height 190-300 ft and 12-30 feet in diameter! They have been recorded to be 311 ft in height and 41 ft in diameter. They also grow faster than any other tree in the world! They are GIANTS...literally. Can I ask you are real question? Do you "stand out" or "blend in" as a believer? Are you satisfied with the status quo of being "saved" and going to heaven? Or are you making a positive difference in others lives....being used to take them to heaven with you? Have you ever asked yourself: "Gee, I wonder what my call is in my life?" Whaaaattt!? Are you KIDDING ME? You WONDER what your "call" is? Give me a break! It is very clear in scripture Christians—and this is NOT a trick question! The FIRST instruction that Jesus gave to the new church was to go out and SPREAD the gospel!
Face it Christians, we can KNOW all the scripture, go to the best churches, give ALL we have for the cause of God---but if we are not applying what we have learned it will stunt our growth—and all our efforts will become dead works!
For example...do you truly LOVE a person that comes into your chruch that doesn't "look" or act like the typcial Christian? Have you become SO RELIGIOUS that you have forgotten that JESUS died for people that were REJECTED by the religious PHARISEES? If you have NO love...it is DEAD WORKS my friend! Will YOU decide to take that deeper step to really know Jesus better--by studying His word and taking the step of faith to actually apply it to your life—growing, loving, and maturing to heights unknown? Don't we want to see others saved, healed and delivered? Don't we want to be so tall, like a GIANT, so that we can see the problems WAY ahead of time supernaturally...so that we make right choices to stay in the will of God? HELLO! We are not all here JUST to get saved—if that was the case, God would have taken us to heaven as soon as He saved us! We have the HOLY SPIRIT....and Jesus said that we would do even GREATER things for Him when He went away! WE ARE HERE TO STAND OUT LIKE THE SEQUOIAS...and make a REAL difference on different horizons! How about you, my friend? Do you want JOY...do you want PEACE...do you want real LOVE in your life? Are you willing to grow and mature in your walk with Christ, so that it changes the "horizon" of your surroundings—to become a history maker—an actual GIANT in the faith?
How big is your God? Do you really love Him...trust in Him...believe in Him? Will you limit God...by only growing into a simple, small tree? Or even worse, letting the devil steal WHO you are suppose to be by growing as a "fern" or "weed" in life...and eventually DYING in the fire? Will you let Christ truly into your life today...and let him shine His loving light on you, BURN the chaff out of you, drink His living water, dig your roots deeper and wider...intertwine them with others, stand strong, truly believing the promises that He has for you....eventually growing into a true Sequoia GIANT? Do you want a REAL change in your life? Are you tired of being a stunted tree...and do you want your walk with God to become DEEPER so that it will take you to NEW heights?
 Dear Jesus...
I love you. I thank You that you gave your very life for me, and died for my sins. I ask that You take what I have learned in this lesson today, and show me how to apply it to my new life in You. Let the words of Your promises for a better life take deep root inside my heart. Where I am thirsty, fill me up! Give me the strength I need when I am weak, and when I feel like giving up, intertwine Your roots with mine to keep me standing. I give You permission to burn all the chaff in my life...all my problems, my selfishness, my addictions, my bad behaviors, my regrets, and let my old self "die". Create in me new leaves of life, and like the evergreen, stay alive in the winter seasons of my life. Let me be a SEQUOIA for You, so my witness will bring others into Your Kingdom! Amen!
3:41 PM
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