CHANGED! And Changing Still..Sample

The Tree Of Life

Key Thought

It can be hard to imagine what kind of world God created when we look at the world we have now. The bible describes everything that God created as good.

I guess most people regard the place they live as the best part of the world. We sure do, here in Sydney. There are amazing places around the world, but there are some places so bad that people are running for their lives.

This was never meant to be the case. Life on the earth was meant to be lived in peace and harmony with other people, animals and the surrounding environment. We were created (originally) to live forever. But, once we reached out and ate from the wrong tree, we were banned from the Garden of Eden, in case we also ate from the tree of life and lived forever broken.

I struggle to understand, out of all the trees in the garden, why we ate the only tree we were instructed not to eat. We didn't even eat from the tree of life! The tree of life was clearly planted that we might eat it and live forever.

Like everything in the bible, the purpose of the Old Testament is found and revealed in the New Testament.

God, Himself, is the Author of Life. He is life, and all who consume Him, consume life. Jesus is described as the bread of life in John 6:48. Jesus also described Himself as a tree and we as the branches. A branch that is disconnected will not survive. Our only hope is to stay connected to the tree of life.

Where we lost our opportunity for eternal life in the beginning, God has graciously made it available again through Jesus Christ.

Time To Think

How connected am I to Jesus?
If Jesus is the tree, and I am the branch, how visible is His fruit in my life?

Prayer

Father, You are the vine, the tree of life. I only have life because I am connected to You. I pray that Your Spirit would flow through me like sap through a tree. Nourish me and revitalise me by the power of Your Spirit. In Jesus name. Amen.