| A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. <Previous Message · Archives ·  Archive/print editionFriday, August 1, 2008  Root system of a corn plant  Listen to us share this message on your audio player."Rooted In Christ" "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness" (Colossians 2:6,7). Last night I visited with Marvin, my neighbor, who lives next to the field across the street from us. He now works in construction but for many years he farmed. We walked through the fields and talked about the corn. Yesterday a crop-dusting helicopter treated the corn fields which made for an interesting sight. Today's photo is not usual for this site and most likely will not be considered attractive by most! It's a close-up of the root system in a corn stalk. The Creator designed corn with two root systems; an inner, primary root (seminal) and as the corn develops a network of brace roots (nodal) for stabilization. With downpours, heavy winds, and other adverse conditions it is vital that the slender stalk has this strong dual root system to survive till harvest. Although we eat a few roots such as carrots, potatoes and radish, generally we give little thought to the root system. I certainly can't recall ever seeing them as a thing of beauty, but roots are absolutely vital to a plant's health. Let's consider the word "rooted" from our daily text this morning. Paul draws on a familiar agricultural analogy. Perhaps he had in mind the teaching of our Lord, who warned of the deadly spiritual condition of rootlessness in the Parable of the Sower. Jesus said of the seed that fell on rocky places, "but since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away" (Matthew 13:21). Roots are also a vital part of the believer's life. Our daily verse tells us we are to be "rooted and built up in Him." The Greek word for root is "rhizoo" and suggests stability, nourishment and life derived from contact with Christ ("in Him"). As a plant's roots sink deep into the rich soil for long term stability and nourishment, so too we should root our faith deep into sound Biblical doctrine and solid spiritual food that comes from knowing Christ. These well-nourished roots will keep us strong forever and forever. In Christ we find life-giving soil and a sustaining foundation. However, we have the responsibility to implement the means of grace that God has ordained for our "rooting." We all need a good, solid, ever-growing root system that reaches deep into the spiritual soil for the nourishment and stability that God has graciously provided. This will render us both faithful and fruitful. Developing and maintaining a solid spiritual root system is an active, lifelong pursuit. Are you rooted in Christ? Are your spiritual roots expanding deeper and broader? I thank God for the inexhaustible supply of spiritual nutrition and stability available to the believer who is "rooted" in Christ! Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Brooksyne's prayer: Lord, we are so very grateful that our family roots are not the sole source of who we are nor does it dictate what we can accomplish. Our spiritual roots, because of our well-grounded faith in You, goes much deeper and spreads much broader. We are able to accomplish the impossible and overcome life's difficulties because our roots are connected to the Miracle Worker. May the water of Your Holy Spirit quench our thirst and the spiritual food from Your inspired Holy Word satisfy our hunger causing us to grow in spiritual maturity. We remain safe and securely rooted in You, Lord, though the winds and storms may shake us from time to time. It is in You that we live and move and have our being! Amen.  Since a corn root is not the typical photo we post we thought you would appreciate this Stargazer Lily Stephen took this morning at our neighbor's house!  Here's a photo of the crop-dusting helicopter spraying the right side of the field across from our home.  Here's an interesting verse concerning Solomon: "He described plant life, from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of walls. He also taught about animals and birds, reptiles and fish" (1 Kings 4:33).When I shuck sweet corn I am often annoyed by the messy, clinging silk that has to be carefully removed. Brooksyne just froze 6 dozen ears of corn last night so we have a little stray silk in the kitchen and dining area this morning. I learned something else yesterday from Marvin about corn silk. He told me that each silk is attached to a kernel and is the Creator-designed means of pollination without which we would not have kernals!. So remember, for every silk there is a kernel. A pleasant way to think about it is this; the more silk the more delicious bites of juicy corn you get to enjoy. For more corn study: Root system Successful corn pollination Preparing and cooking sweet corn Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources "Your Grace Still Amazes Me" Video (Click on the link to play) Info about multi-media files used on daily encouragement. Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne. |
 Stephen and Brooksyne Weber - May 6, 2008 "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update Revised 04/15/08  Each weekday morning Brooksyne and I prepare these messages and distribute them at no cost to you and many others all over the world. Would you please consider a financial offering to support us in this encouragement ministry? Donations are tax deductible and will be receipted directly by my chaplaincy endorsing ministry. Thanks! See here for details.(2008 YTD financial offerings to Daily Encouragement Net through 7/31/2008: $13,424.00)  Join: To receive these free "Daily Encouragement" devotionals each Monday-Friday through email see this page to subscribe. You can also subscribe to the rss feed. Cancel: To remove your address from this mailing list merely use the link automatically inserted by the mailing list software at the very bottom of each message. Weekly Version: The weekly version is designed for those who do not check their email regularly. It is merely the Friday message with a link to previous messages. To receive the free weekly version, send a blank email to this address. (To change addresses cancel your old address and then join again using your new address.) Please feel free to pass these messages on! "A Daily Prayer" - The daily prayer from each daily encouragement message. "A Little Foolishness" - A collection of humorous and satirical stories drawn mostly from our years of ministry, as well as my sometimes fertile imagination. "Clear Minded" - Longer, periodic articles on specific issues impacting the church.  Daily Encouragement Net is an affiliate of Christianbook.com. Any orders placed to Christian Book Distributers using this link or any specific product link to a recommended resource in a daily encouragement message will help our Daily Encouragement ministry through a small commission on the sale. Thank you for using these links when purchasing online through CBD!Personal Mission Statement "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."  How to become a child of God Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission; and the King James Version. © Copyright 2008 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved Daily Encouragement Net Stephen & Brooksyne Weber 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 Contact us  "Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation" www.dailyencouragement.net |
