Shrub or Tree

Sometimes you just need something simple. Profound information may be interesting to ponder but what will get you through the challenges is a regular regimen of basic revelation. “You don’t need something new you just need something true.” And you need it daily, your strength to renew. You probably eat the same kinds of foods over and over again. Likewise, you need to “be nourished in the words of faith.” A few particular scriptures can be the staples for your strength. The more you eat and exercise to a particular end, the stronger you become in that area. What area do you need to be stronger in? You need not consider your weaknesses but God’s strength until you become fully convinced of His promises. Daily meditation on God’s Word is the key, because you need to know the Truth, and know it everyday to live free.

The Bible does not say, “the truth will set you free” it says, “you shall KNOW the truth, and the truth shall make you free." It’s possible to have the truth and not be free, because if you don’t know it then you still won’t be, just look around it’s plain to see. You may have good food in the fridge and a membership to the gym but if you don’t use it, it won’t do you any good. You can’t wait until you’re weak and get sand kicked in your face before you try to get strong. Because at the time of the attack, if you’re not already strong you can’t fight back, faith isn’t developed in a day, and so you lack. If you really KNOW the Word you’ll be like a well watered tree, and if not like a dessert shrubbery.

Jer 17:5-8
5 Thus says the Lord:

"Cursed is the man who trusts in man
And makes flesh his strength,
Whose heart departs from the Lord.
6 For he shall be like a shrub in the desert,
And shall not see when good comes,
But shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness,
In a salt land which is not inhabited.

7 "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
And whose hope is the Lord.
8 For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters,
Which spreads out its roots by the river,
And will not fear when heat comes;
But its leaf will be green,
And will not be anxious in the year of drought,
Nor will cease from yielding fruit.
NKJV

Ps 1:2-3
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.
NKJV

John 15:1-8
15 "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

5 "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
NKJV

Isa 61:1-3
61 "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me,
Because the Lord has anointed Me
To preach good tidings to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord,
And the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn,
3 To console those who mourn in Zion,
To give them beauty for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified."
NKJV

John 8:31-32
31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
NKJV