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He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. ~ Jeremiah 17:8
Growing deeply... Healing Progressively... Maturing Splendidly...
The roots may be the most important part of the oak tree. If the roots are strong and healthy, the tree prospers; if they are weak, damaged, or diseased, the tree will quickly die. In order to thrive, oaks need both shallow and deep roots. The shallow surface roots remind us of the Word read daily and applied liberally to life. A broad knowledge of Scripture is essential for healthy growth as a Christian. The taproots remind us of the Word of God, studied deeply and applied to specific needs or issues. God's Word strengthens us to bear the winds of adversity. If we hope to be effective, our roots must be as substantial as our ministry. This requires more than the quick sprinkling of the Sunday sermon. To become strong, we need to soak in God's Word every day. We also need to be nourished by the water of the Holy Spirit, especially in times of drought. The Word of God, saturated by the water of the Spirit, anchors, strengthens, and feeds the Christian. Read more about the importance of roots in The Metaphor of Roots.
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LINKS:
- www.blueletterbible.org
The Blue Letter Bible is a wonderful site that offers study resources based on the King James Version of the Bible. For each verse, you have the option of a variety of study and language resources. My favorite is the Lexicon/Concordance, which offers the Greek or Hebrew word, Strong's number, Strong's definitions, and tense information.
- www.crosswalk.com
Crosswalk.com offers a wide variety of resources, including the 23 versions of the Bible and a dozen different study tools.
- bible.gospelcom.net
Bible Gateway offers 18 versions of the Bible in over two-dozen languages, but includes the Amplified version. Also includes study tools.
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