For the first blog posting I would like to talk about being rooted and grounded in the Word of God. For me, this may be the most important topic we could start off addressing. Like a tree develops its root system and that root system sustains and upholds the tree, our root system in God's word will sustain and uphold us when the winds blow and the storms come. Where I am from pine trees grow extremely tall. However, the root system on a pine tree does not run deep. Therefore, when strong winds blow those trees can be moved and pushed over. As a believer we do not want to be a 'push over'. No, when the winds blow and storms come we need to be standing firm in our beliefs. So firm that no matter what may come, we are so rooted in God's word that we can not be moved from that word. We believe it prior to the winds blowing in and we will be believing it long after the winds have blown in. Grounded in the truth of God's word!
Mark 4:14The sower soweth the word. 15And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. 16And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; 17And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.
The enemy has a plan to steal the word that was sown in our hearts prior to that seed taking root and forming a root system. He knows if you are not rooted and grounded in what you believe you can be moved from that belief. Affliction and persecution come for the word's sake to move you from your beliefs. A person that is rooted in God's word will not be easily moved and will hold fast to God's word regardless of any outside pressure that attempts to move you from your
beliefs.
Winds of Doctrine:
One wind that the bible refers to is 'winds of doctrine'. And these days we must be very careful not to let any wind of doctrine blow through and move us from our foundational beliefs. Our roots should run so deep that any outside voice that may blow through will have to line up with God's word or else we will not be moved. With the many forms of media and the many voices in the world today, it is vitally important that we guard our hearts. Not everything that comes should be entertained to form our belief system. Many deceptions are in the world today to attempt to uproot us from our beliefs. Now we can see why it is so very important to know what we believe and know why we believe it.
Storms of Life:
Another area that we see that attempts to uproot our beliefs are the storms of life. The storms blow through and test and try our faith to see if we will remain steadfast and unchanging. It may be storms of sickness, bad reports from the doctor, financial storms, bad reports from the bank. A believer rooted and grounded in God's word will say 'I believe what God's word has to say about this over what any situation comes and tries to tell me regarding my situation.' A person not rooted in the word of God is susceptible to allow the affliction come in and move them from what they believe. Allowing situations to dictate and influence their most valuable thing in this life. Your beliefs.
How to take Root:
How do you make sure your root system is developed?
.Psalm 1:2But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
There is only one way to develop your root system in God's word. It is a daily meditation and a daily study of the scriptures that form what you believe. It does not come from church attendance and hearing a sermon once a week. There must be a day and night effort to plant in God's word and that will cause your beliefs to be unmovable and unshakable! No wind of doctrine or storm of life will be able to come in and move you from what you believe! We must get in the Word of God for ourselves and decide what we believe then stand fast on our beliefs. Stand strong in God's word! He is faithful and His word is true! You can stand on it yesterday, today and forever!
Be Blessed
Video for these notes:
