Picture Scripture - Tree 1.1

Monday

Picture: Tree (the seed and roots)

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-9,18-23; Jeremiah 17:5-8

Write any phrases from the selected Bible verses that speak to you:

Take a quiet minute to focus on the underground elements of a tree: the seed, the soil, and the roots. With this in mind, consider the importance of being spiritually planted in God’s rich soil.

Where is your seed planted?

How deep are your roots?

Write a prayer using the daily verses as a reference:

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Wednesday, March 14, 2018
By Chris Baxter

Picture Scripture - Tree 1.5

Friday

Picture: Tree (bearing fruit)

Scripture: John 12:24; John 15:8-11; Galatians 5:18-25

Write any phrases from the selected Bible verses that speak to you?

Close your eyes and envision any kind of fruit tree that is ready for harvest. This fruit has reached this point due to all the previous concepts we have looked at this week: seed, soil, roots, watering, growth, and pruning. Likewise, we bear spiritual fruit due to God word’s and His Spirit continuously at work in our lives.

In what ways is the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, etc) flourishing in your daily interactions with people?

 

Is the Lord using you to bear fruit for His name in any particular ministry or people group?

Write a prayer using the above verses as a reference:

 

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Tuesday, March 13, 2018
By Chris Baxter

Picture Scripture - Tree 1.2

Tuesday

Picture: Tree (the watering)

Scripture: Psalm 1(emphasis on verse 3a); Isaiah 44:3-5; John 7:37-38

Write any phrases from the selected Bible verses that speak to you:

Meditate on a flourishing tree next to a flowing river. The streams of water equal both God’s word and His Spirit nourishing our hearts—we need Him and His word within our hearts the way His creation needs a consistent water supply within roots, trunks, and branches.

Is your soul weary and dry? In what ways?

Are you getting enough Living Water? Explain its benefits when you do.

Write a prayer using the daily verses as a reference:

 

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Tuesday, March 13, 2018
By Chris Baxter

Picture Scripture - Tree 1.4

Thursday

Picture: Tree (the pruning)

Scripture: John 15:1-7; Ephesians 4:31-32; Romans 8:11-14; Romans 8:28

Write any phrases from the selected Bible verses that speak to you:

Take a minute to think about a gifted gardener pruning his or her carefully sustained rose bushes. Just like this wisdom-driven physical clipping, God’s all wise spiritual pruning is for our good (although most often, it does not feel good!). When these non-fruit bearing branches are broken off however, the result is both beautiful and beneficial not only to you, but to all those you encounter.

Is there a time in your life that you experienced God’s pruning? Explain.

Can you trust God in the pruning process even if you cannot understand what He is doing? Why or why not?

Write a prayer using the above verses as a reference:


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Tuesday, March 13, 2018
By Chris Baxter

Picture Scripture - Tree 1.3

Wednesday

Picture: Tree (the growth process)

Scripture: Isaiah 55:10-13; Isaiah 61:3; Psalm 92:12-15; 1 Corinthians 13:11

Write any phrases from the selected Bible verses that speak to you:

Think about a tree’s growth process, one that starts as a small sapling, but after many years, it slowly reaches its flourishing maturity. Just as a tree withstands the various seasonal weather changes year after year, our spiritual growth also endures various kinds of circumstances in each season of life.

Are you wiser today in your understanding of God and His word than you were when you first came to know the Him? In what ways?

What are some (positive or negative) circumstances in your life that have caused you to grow in your faith?

Write a prayer using the above verses as a reference:

   

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Tuesday, March 13, 2018
By Chris Baxter

Daily Prayer

Love is not...

(Love) is not irritable or resentful.  1 Corinthians 13:5

Dear Lord,

Help us to love like you! Keep our emotions from ruling over us when we get aggravated or angry at someone. We ask for you to replace our bitter feelings with your beautiful Spirit. Cause us to breathe in your peace so we can breath out your love. Amen.