(Read how Fox News commentator has it wrong on Islam at: www.apf327.blogspot.com)
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"The righteous will flourish...they will grow..; planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green...." (From Psalm 92:12-14, NIV)
I am so very thankful for a Christ-Centered heritage. Few people can say that their primary mentoring in the things of Jesus Christ was in their natural family. Yet my progenitors in the flesh were also my progenitors in, "the faith of Jesus." They flourished and grew in Jesus Christ, because they were, "planted in the house of the LORD [Jesus Christ]." They, "still [bore] fruit in old age," because they stayed, "fresh and green," in Jesus Christ. They stayed open to all Jesus had for them. I never experienced a, "Well, don't bother me with that; I have already learned everything, and have a maturity way beyond you." While this attitude is rampant in modern Christendom, I thank our Lord that my heritage is not of such people. They stayed, "fresh and green," to the end of their sojourn on this planet.
Some who read this are quite young and are not thinking much about, "in old age." The older one gets, however, the more, "in old age," looms before us. What will, "in old age," bring for you and me---- a shriveled up tree with no leaves, no fruit, or a tree which, "will stay fresh and green?" This is only possible by running the race, "looking unto Jesus," not "looking unto" your "ministry," your spirituality, your one-up-man-ship on others. "They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green," is only possible in a moment by moment life in Jesus Christ, full of His Words, full of the Holy Spirit, walking in Father's will and purpose.
I read recently in Micah, "All the nations may walk in the name of their gods, but we will walk in the name of the LORD our God [Father, Son Jesus, and Holy Spirit] for ever and ever." There is so much to draw you and me away from walking, "in the name of the LORD our God;" temptation lurks in every corner of our day. But the promise of our text is so refreshing to me today. I don't have to "retire," be "put on a shelf." There is a freshness in Jesus Christ which no amount of time on a beautiful mountain lake, a sunset beach, or anything else which is fleeting can bring. "The righteous," those who are surrendered to Jesus Christ, "will flourish.., they will grow," and, "still bear fruit in old age,..stay fresh and green."
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"The righteous will flourish...they will grow..; planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green...." (From Psalm 92:12-14, NIV)
I am so very thankful for a Christ-Centered heritage. Few people can say that their primary mentoring in the things of Jesus Christ was in their natural family. Yet my progenitors in the flesh were also my progenitors in, "the faith of Jesus." They flourished and grew in Jesus Christ, because they were, "planted in the house of the LORD [Jesus Christ]." They, "still [bore] fruit in old age," because they stayed, "fresh and green," in Jesus Christ. They stayed open to all Jesus had for them. I never experienced a, "Well, don't bother me with that; I have already learned everything, and have a maturity way beyond you." While this attitude is rampant in modern Christendom, I thank our Lord that my heritage is not of such people. They stayed, "fresh and green," to the end of their sojourn on this planet.
Some who read this are quite young and are not thinking much about, "in old age." The older one gets, however, the more, "in old age," looms before us. What will, "in old age," bring for you and me---- a shriveled up tree with no leaves, no fruit, or a tree which, "will stay fresh and green?" This is only possible by running the race, "looking unto Jesus," not "looking unto" your "ministry," your spirituality, your one-up-man-ship on others. "They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green," is only possible in a moment by moment life in Jesus Christ, full of His Words, full of the Holy Spirit, walking in Father's will and purpose.
I read recently in Micah, "All the nations may walk in the name of their gods, but we will walk in the name of the LORD our God [Father, Son Jesus, and Holy Spirit] for ever and ever." There is so much to draw you and me away from walking, "in the name of the LORD our God;" temptation lurks in every corner of our day. But the promise of our text is so refreshing to me today. I don't have to "retire," be "put on a shelf." There is a freshness in Jesus Christ which no amount of time on a beautiful mountain lake, a sunset beach, or anything else which is fleeting can bring. "The righteous," those who are surrendered to Jesus Christ, "will flourish.., they will grow," and, "still bear fruit in old age,..stay fresh and green."
Father, in Jesus' Name, only You can keep me, "fresh and green." Amen.
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
