| Good morning everyone, Our theme for this month: “Lifelong learning” Our Bible verse for today: “The person who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence indeed is in the Lord, is blessed. He will be like a tree planted by water. It sends its roots out toward a stream, it doesn’t fear when heat comes, and its foliage remains green. It will not worry in a year of drought or cease producing fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8 (CSB) Our thought for today: “Lifelong learning makes us strong” I recently read a story about a wonderful Christian lady who at the age of eighty-eight published a book for Children. The book was about her own lifelong quest for learning and it encouraged the children to always be curious and inquisitive and to never stop learning. She even told them that at eighty-eight she was still learning every day. In Jeremiah 17:7-8 (above) the prophet paints a picture of a man or woman of God who is faithful to practice the basic disciplines of the faith, day-in and day-out, and who therefore is like that tree planted by a river. It is a mighty tree with roots that run deep and spread out far, making the tree strong, sturdy, and durable. Then, when the wind blows and the storms rage, the tree stands strong. When a drought comes and there is no refreshment or nourishment on the surface, the deep roots draw on deep sources of water and therefore the tree remains green and healthy when everything else on the surface is wilting, turning brown, and dying. That kind of deep spiritual growth does not happen quickly. Those deep roots, that kind of spiritual depth, develops slowly over years, and it happens as the man or woman of God quietly and faithfully applies him or herself to the practice of the faith day-in and day-out. This is what author Eugene Peterson once referred to as “a long obedience in the same direction.” Every day you pray, read your Bible, listen to Christian music, read Christian books, and associate with other Christians – and your roots grow a little deeper. When the church family meets for worship, study, prayer, fellowship, or acts of service, you are there, participating – and your roots grow deeper. Lifelong learning facilitates lifelong growing – and your roots grow deeper. How do we get and stay spiritually strong? With a commitment to lifelong learning. That dear lady was eighty-eight and still enthusiastic, still curious, still inquisitive and learning – and also still teaching others. I don’t know about you, but I’m inspired. I would like to know her, and I would like to be like her. How about you? God bless, Pastor Jim (If you like what you’re reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00, in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville) |
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