How to Become a Fruitful Tree

"Blessed is the one who does not walk 

in step with the wicked

or stand in the way that sinners take

or sit in the company of mockers,

but whose delight is in the law of the LORD,

and who meditates on his law day and night.

That person is like a tree planted

by streams of water,

which yields its fruit in season

and whose leaf does not wither--

whatever they do prospers."

Psalm 1:1-3

There are many formulas for success in this world, but none as wise as this.

Company.  Mothers everywhere are right:  It matters who my friends are.  If I hang out mostly with godly people who love Jesus, I'll draw closer in my relationship with Him.  If I instead choose to associate mostly with people who live by the flesh and are their own lords, I'll drift away from Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:33).

Even if I'm only exposed to other believers, I usually choose my friends based on what we have in common.  Our church recently held a women's luncheon in which inter-generational relationships were encouraged.  I can learn so much from those who have gone before me and there are things I can teach to those who are coming along behind me.  But it's more than that.

God made us each in His image, yet we are unique in our own special way.  Limiting my relationships only to those who are similar to me, the old birds-of-a-feather syndrome, restricts my exposure to other godly points-of-view and helps me stay right where I am.  Including people from all kinds of backgrounds and experiences, however, challenges me and enriches my life as my spiritual muscles are stretched and my horizons expanded.  For example, some of the most godly, faithful and on-fire-for-the-Lord Christians are young people!  Why should I not seek them out as friends?

I will become a fruitful and healthy tree if I choose my company wisely.

Way.  I must pick a path.  Just because I have accepted the salvation that comes by faith in Jesus Christ doesn't mean I will automatically follow Him down the track that leads to life.  Few find this route because it is secluded and out-of-the-way, unpopular and difficult (Matthew 7:13-14).

It's much easier to stay on the wide road that leads to destruction.  After all, it is quite common and acceptable so it can't be that bad, right?  It's the obvious choice, or so I tell myself.  Until I realize the emptiness of my life as I go after the meaningless things the world holds as valuable, or when my heart aches for the bond with the One for whom I was created, or as I tire of living only for myself.  Then I remember Jesus died to give me something far better (John 10:10).

I will become a fruitful and healthy tree if I choose my path wisely.

Attitude.  Am I a negative-Nelly, or do I see the good things of God all around me?  It's easy to focus on that which is bad about life; there is so much from which to choose!  Still, God is always at work in my life and in the lives of others.  Since He is a good God and everything beneficial comes from Him, I can make a decision to focus on the good, looking for what He is busy doing.

So what is stopping me?  Well, I live in a world that teaches me to think of myself as better than I really am, and my sin nature easily agrees with this mindset.  Therefore, if I don't intentionally remind myself why Jesus had to die for me, I will become just like the world: cynical and sarcastic, sneering at the ridiculousness of others' actions and ridiculing the state of the government, culture, entertainment industry, or whatever.  I actually need no encouragement to become that way for that is my natural state!

Instead of choosing the easy way, the natural way, the contemptuous way, I can undergo an attitude adjustment.  Letting God transform my mind will give me a different perspective where I will see the hurting, perceiving how God is mercifully saving, and realize His abundant grace in little hidden pockets everywhere.  Yes, God really is good all the time!

I will become a fruitful and healthy tree if I choose my attitude wisely.

There are many formulas I can follow to find a certain brand of success, but only one will cultivate me into a healthy, fruitful tree.  In order to become like such a tree, I can choose wisely the company I keep, the path I walk, and the attitude with which I see the world.  In these ways I will grow deep roots near streams of water that can stand firm no matter the storm.  This is the kind of tree I want to become!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can befriend those who will challenge my faith and show me your love on a regular basis.

When do I limit my friendships to those who are just like me?

How am I guilty of harboring an ungodly attitude toward the world around me?    

Strong Foundation

"By the grace God has given me, 

I laid a foundation as an expert builder,

and someone else is building on it.

But each one should be careful how he builds.

For no on can lay any foundation

other than the one already laid,

which is Jesus Christ.

If any man builds on this foundation using gold,

silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw,

his work will be shown for what it is,

because the Day will bring it to light.

It will be revealed with fire,

 and the fire will test the quality of each man's work.

If what he has built survives,

he will receive his reward.

If it is burned up,

he will suffer loss;

he himself will be saved,

but only as one escaping through the flames."

1 Corinthians 3:10-15

The three were sent out into the world to make a life for themselves.  One chose the quick and easy route, taking the first job that came along and using his first paycheck to lease an apartment.  The second son decided to reach a little higher than his brother and sought a management position while saving up for a down-payment on a mortgage for his very own house.  The third son was the most ambitious and determined of them all, developing his own business from the ground up.  Soon, he amassed enough of a fortune to build a brick home.  

As my version of the story goes, the big bad stock market crashed, leaving the economy in bad shape.  The first son lost everything as his job was the first to be cut, leaving him out on the street.  The second was down-sized to a lower-paying job and he foreclosed on the home he bought on a whim.  The third son felt the impact of the downturn, but with his strong credit rating and business plan, he was able to weather the storm without much of a loss.

While life is not always like a fairy-tale, there is a lesson to be learned from every story.  Whatever I build my life upon will determine it's quality in the eyes of the Lord.  If I base my beliefs on what Oprah, Dr Phil, or even Pastor Paul says, I'm building on a weak foundation.  The only strong base for a life of meaning and purpose is to lay the groundwork starting with Jesus Christ.  Anything else will not survive the fire of God's judgment.  

If I'm serious about making Jesus the basis for my life, I can start with what He said about Himself in John 14:6a when He said, "I am the way and the truth and the life."  Then, I will be able to weather any storm and can live with the assurance that my life will have an eternal impact.

Way

"There are many ways to get to God."  This common belief came from the mouth of one who grew up in the Catholic Church.  Lately, he had drifted from his roots and tried another religion.

While there may be many belief-systems designed with the goal of getting closer to God, only one leads to a true relationship with God the Father.  As a sinner who lives in a state of defiance against God's standard (Romans 3:23), I am doomed to destruction when I stand before God based on my own merit. (Romans 6:23a)  The only solution to my sin problem is for someone to take the punishment meant for my sins, giving me a chance to live instead of facing the death penalty.

Jesus Christ did this when He died on the cross, making a way for me to live eternally in the presence of a Holy God and experience His love in this life on a daily basis.  No other religion provides a remedy for the rift my sin creates between me and God.

Basing my life on the fact that Jesus is the only way will keep me on the narrow path that leads to life.  I may not have all the trappings those around me enjoy as they travel the wide path, but I will have peace they can never experience apart from Jesus. (Matthew 7:13-14)

The only strong foundation for my life is to believe that Jesus is the only way to God.

Truth

Most people today believe that truth is whatever is good for them.  What works for me may not work for you, but the understanding goes that there is no universal truth.

Building my life on this fallacy will lead to many pitfalls.  If I think lying is okay as long as it doesn't hurt anyone, I will soon find that deceit will always bring pain and suffering.  If it is my neighbor's belief that God doesn't mind how we live as long as we've accepted Jesus as our Savior, I will soon witness the fallout of living a life to please the flesh.  If my friend doesn't accept the teaching on forgiveness, our relationship will suffer as she holds a grudge against me.

Rejecting the idea of truth goes further than creating a life of chaos and misery.  In turning away from what is right I am turning away from Jesus Christ who is the Truth.  In Him is found the wisdom of God and the fulfillment of prophecies.  He is more than a Savior, He is also the source of all that I ever need to know about anything.

Basing my life on what Jesus teaches me will lead to a life that will stand under intense scrutiny.    No matter how hard someone tries to find some dirt, none will be found.  Accusations will fall flat and legal claims will come to nothing.  The result will be glory for God as others see all the good He is doing in my life.  (1 Peter 2:12)

The only strong foundation for my life is to believe that Jesus is the source of Truth.

Life

The daily grind: I wake up to the annoying sound of the alarm, shuffle to the kitchen for a cup of coffee, turn on the news to hear the depressing onslaught of tragedy, scandal and corruption for the day, and begin another day in a meaningless string of equally-as-insignificant days.  What kind of life is this?

Jesus addressed this tendency for humans to settle for a shallow existence.  He said He is the gate to the kingdom of God who gives those who follow Him a full life filled with meaning and purpose.  Satan, however, only desires to use men for his own purposes, leaving a feeling of emptiness and discontent.  (John 10:7-10)

As I accept the abundant life Jesus offers, I will find my motivation for work that came from a desire for self-promotion and wealth turn into a passion for the humble ministry to which He has called.  In the place of looking for ways to please myself and fill my own tank of happiness, I find a desire to cater to the needs of others.  While I once found great pleasure in talking about the difficulties other's face, coming up with wonderful solutions for their problems, I now discover a love for lifting them up in prayer.

Where once existed an empty, self-centered life, now has been replaced with an abundant life overflowing with the love and goodness of God.  (Psalm 23:5)

I can base my life on many things, whether it be materialism, the teachings of wise men, or the search for self-fulfillment.  Whatever I decide to make as the foundation for my life, I will one day stand before God.  Only a life lived for Christ as the Way, the Truth and the Life, will be able to withstand the test.  I desire to build on the Strong Foundation!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will choose to live as Jesus is leading me to live.

When do I get caught up in following teachings that don't line up with what Jesus taught?

In what ways is my life empty and meaningless?