January 6-A Taste of Rooted
Write out the Scripture.
Psalm 1:1-3, 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, 2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. 3 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.
Observe what it is saying.
We are excited as a congregation to begin a church-wide journey through the Rooted curriculum. This week is an introduction leading up to our launch this Sunday. After this week, we will use a small portion of each of the daily Rooted readings for our Study Together entries. This will keep us on the same page even if we are not fully participating in the Rooted curriculum. We encourage you to contact info@bluegrass.church to plug in if you haven’t already done so. Today’s Scripture reminds us that true blessing doesn’t come from the evil patterns of this world, but from being planted or “rooted” in well-watered soil. We might make a little play on words and ask if we have a well-watered soul?
Relate it to your life.
It matters greatly where I put down my roots.
Do something.
“Father, plant me deeply in the well-watered soil of Your word so my soul may prosper in You. Amen.”
January 7-A Taste of Rooted
Write out the Scripture.
Psalm 1:1-3, 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, 2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. 3 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.
Observe what it is saying.
In contrast to those who choose the way of evil, those who are blessed delight in God’s word. To delight is to desire and take pleasure in. Instead of choosing the pleasures of this word, we are oriented towards finding pleasure in God’s unending treasures. We look forward to the times we spend with God through reading and reflecting on His message to us. Out of love for us, God has revealed through prophets, apostles, and the Lord Jesus Himself who He is and His fondness of heart towards us. As God delights to reveal Himself to us so we should respond with equal delight in desiring to know Him.
Relate it to your life.
The deeper our delight is in God’s word, the more fruitful we will grow.
Do something.
“Father, give me a heart that desires to know and experience You through Your revelation. Amen.”
January 8-A Taste of Rooted
Write out the Scripture.
Psalm 1:1-3, 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, 2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. 3 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.
Observe what it is saying.
We know we delight in God’s word when we actually meditate upon it. Such meditation is the act of thoughtful deliberation with the implication of speaking to oneself. Scriptural meditation has a clear purpose. It’s not to open our minds as a blank slate and allow anything and everything to come flooding in. It’s focused on reading, reflecting, and hearing God speak truth into our lives through His inspired Word. It’s being fully attentive with heart and mind and agreeing with what God is telling us. The purpose isn’t merely more knowledge but to submit ourselves to revealed truth so we become more like Jesus.
Relate it to your life.
Scriptural meditation leads to a transforming experience of God’s grace and truth within me.
Do something.
“Father, may my thoughts be fully turned to hear what I need to hear and do what I need to do. Amen.”
January 9-A Taste of Rooted
Write out the Scripture.
Psalm 1:1-3, 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, 2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. 3 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.
Observe what it is saying.
We’ve already spoken that to become rooted we must delight in and meditate on God’s word. This is a joyful pleasure to dig deep into God’s eternal treasure of truth that leads to total transformation of thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors. Notice how often the psalmist does this. Day and night. Constantly. God’s word and thoughts are on his mind and heart. We may have a certain time each day where we intentionally focus our thoughts on Scripture, but that should not limit us from continually meditating throughout the day about the same thoughts. The more intentionally we build into our days holy thinking, the more we will encounter the full blessings of God being poured into our hearts and minds.
Relate it to your life.
Meditation at its best causes my days and nights to be filled with thoughts of the treasures of heaven.
Do something.
“Father, help me to cancel the noise all around me so I can hear You speak into my life. Amen.”
January 10-A Taste of Rooted
Write out the Scripture.
Psalm 1:1-3, 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, 2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. 3 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.
Observe what it is saying.
This person who deliberately delights and meditates on God’s words is like a person rooted in the soil next to the streams. The rich moist soil is always sending nourishment through the roots bringing exuberant life into the tree. The leaves are green, and the fruit produces right on time each season. As the tree prospers because of where it’s planted, so does everyone who plants themselves in God’s truth. This the same prosperous abundant life that Jesus promised for all who trust in Him. It’s also the vision of the new Jerusalem that will one day come to earth. “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. (Revelation 22:1-2) This is a bountiful picture of the ultimate destination for those who are rooted in Christ.
Relate it to your life.
God’s blessings are designed to prosper me according to His eternal pleasures.
Do something.
“Father, prosper me spiritually according to Your word and will as I stay rooted in You. Amen.”
January 11-A Taste of Rooted
Write out the Scripture.
Acts 2:42, They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Observe what it is saying.
“American churches have traditionally relied on theological information as the primary activator for life change. While information certainly has a place, it should not be the only way the Church invites people to participate in God’s story. Christians in the Western world know a lot of information, but don’t often experience the life transformation promised in Scripture. We know that salvation is a free gift from God- we can’t earn it. But, being a follower of Jesus, we learn we must offer Him our time, our hearts, and our very lives in order to fully embrace the extraordinary life He has for each of us.” Rooted, page 12
Relate it to your life.
I am saved by grace, but by that same grace, I’m being transformed into a new creation.
Do something.
“Father, may Your grace be a powerful force to change me into Your likeness. Amen.”
Write out the Scripture.
Psalm 1:1-3, 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, 2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. 3 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.
Observe what it is saying.
We are excited as a congregation to begin a church-wide journey through the Rooted curriculum. This week is an introduction leading up to our launch this Sunday. After this week, we will use a small portion of each of the daily Rooted readings for our Study Together entries. This will keep us on the same page even if we are not fully participating in the Rooted curriculum. We encourage you to contact info@bluegrass.church to plug in if you haven’t already done so. Today’s Scripture reminds us that true blessing doesn’t come from the evil patterns of this world, but from being planted or “rooted” in well-watered soil. We might make a little play on words and ask if we have a well-watered soul?
Relate it to your life.
It matters greatly where I put down my roots.
Do something.
“Father, plant me deeply in the well-watered soil of Your word so my soul may prosper in You. Amen.”
January 7-A Taste of Rooted
Write out the Scripture.
Psalm 1:1-3, 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, 2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. 3 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.
Observe what it is saying.
In contrast to those who choose the way of evil, those who are blessed delight in God’s word. To delight is to desire and take pleasure in. Instead of choosing the pleasures of this word, we are oriented towards finding pleasure in God’s unending treasures. We look forward to the times we spend with God through reading and reflecting on His message to us. Out of love for us, God has revealed through prophets, apostles, and the Lord Jesus Himself who He is and His fondness of heart towards us. As God delights to reveal Himself to us so we should respond with equal delight in desiring to know Him.
Relate it to your life.
The deeper our delight is in God’s word, the more fruitful we will grow.
Do something.
“Father, give me a heart that desires to know and experience You through Your revelation. Amen.”
January 8-A Taste of Rooted
Write out the Scripture.
Psalm 1:1-3, 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, 2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. 3 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.
Observe what it is saying.
We know we delight in God’s word when we actually meditate upon it. Such meditation is the act of thoughtful deliberation with the implication of speaking to oneself. Scriptural meditation has a clear purpose. It’s not to open our minds as a blank slate and allow anything and everything to come flooding in. It’s focused on reading, reflecting, and hearing God speak truth into our lives through His inspired Word. It’s being fully attentive with heart and mind and agreeing with what God is telling us. The purpose isn’t merely more knowledge but to submit ourselves to revealed truth so we become more like Jesus.
Relate it to your life.
Scriptural meditation leads to a transforming experience of God’s grace and truth within me.
Do something.
“Father, may my thoughts be fully turned to hear what I need to hear and do what I need to do. Amen.”
January 9-A Taste of Rooted
Write out the Scripture.
Psalm 1:1-3, 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, 2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. 3 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.
Observe what it is saying.
We’ve already spoken that to become rooted we must delight in and meditate on God’s word. This is a joyful pleasure to dig deep into God’s eternal treasure of truth that leads to total transformation of thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors. Notice how often the psalmist does this. Day and night. Constantly. God’s word and thoughts are on his mind and heart. We may have a certain time each day where we intentionally focus our thoughts on Scripture, but that should not limit us from continually meditating throughout the day about the same thoughts. The more intentionally we build into our days holy thinking, the more we will encounter the full blessings of God being poured into our hearts and minds.
Relate it to your life.
Meditation at its best causes my days and nights to be filled with thoughts of the treasures of heaven.
Do something.
“Father, help me to cancel the noise all around me so I can hear You speak into my life. Amen.”
January 10-A Taste of Rooted
Write out the Scripture.
Psalm 1:1-3, 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, 2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. 3 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.
Observe what it is saying.
This person who deliberately delights and meditates on God’s words is like a person rooted in the soil next to the streams. The rich moist soil is always sending nourishment through the roots bringing exuberant life into the tree. The leaves are green, and the fruit produces right on time each season. As the tree prospers because of where it’s planted, so does everyone who plants themselves in God’s truth. This the same prosperous abundant life that Jesus promised for all who trust in Him. It’s also the vision of the new Jerusalem that will one day come to earth. “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. (Revelation 22:1-2) This is a bountiful picture of the ultimate destination for those who are rooted in Christ.
Relate it to your life.
God’s blessings are designed to prosper me according to His eternal pleasures.
Do something.
“Father, prosper me spiritually according to Your word and will as I stay rooted in You. Amen.”
January 11-A Taste of Rooted
Write out the Scripture.
Acts 2:42, They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Observe what it is saying.
“American churches have traditionally relied on theological information as the primary activator for life change. While information certainly has a place, it should not be the only way the Church invites people to participate in God’s story. Christians in the Western world know a lot of information, but don’t often experience the life transformation promised in Scripture. We know that salvation is a free gift from God- we can’t earn it. But, being a follower of Jesus, we learn we must offer Him our time, our hearts, and our very lives in order to fully embrace the extraordinary life He has for each of us.” Rooted, page 12
Relate it to your life.
I am saved by grace, but by that same grace, I’m being transformed into a new creation.
Do something.
“Father, may Your grace be a powerful force to change me into Your likeness. Amen.”
Posted in Daily Devotionals