Trees Planted by the Water 7-2-05

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Take me by the heart and lead me in the place of prayer. ... "As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving" (Colossians 2.6). Lord, let us not only begin well, but also finish well. Let us not only begin the journey in Your faith, but also finish the course in Your power. Like a tree that's planted by the water, let our roots of understanding seep more deeply into the depths of the water of Your Word; let our branches of worship in Your Spirit lift high to the praise of Your glory; and let the fruit of our lives draw others to You. Establish us securely in trusting, unwavering faith. Keep us growing deeper and higher, as we learn more of Your Word and Your ways, thankful and content in the blessing of Your grace. Then the storms and struggles that try to shift us and move us and topple us over shall not prevail. They may shape us like the winds that shape a cypress tree growing on the cliff at the water's edge, but they will not uproot us. They will only make the witness of our endurance by Your grace more beautiful and majestic, displaying the power of Your glory in the lives we live in You. "They shall be like a tree planted by the water, sending out its roots by the stream. It shall not fear when the heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green; in the year of drought it is not anxious, and it does not cease to bear fruit" (Jeremiah 17.8). Let it be so. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen. Be encouraged this day! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays To subscribe/unsubscribe please send a note to me at Messiah Ministries -- "preparing the way of the Lord" -- MessiahMin@aol.com Our mailing address: 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502. God bless you!