GET READY FOR YOUR FIRST…Lemon Drop!

TRUTH BOMB

IF YOU WANT THE FRUIT YOU HAVE GOT TO HAVE ROOTS!

Isn’t it just like us to bounce into the lazy days of Summer, and want to enjoy all of the goodness without any of the effort?

I know that can be my tendency. I want to sip the sweet tangy lemonade without putting in the effort it takes to make it. Oh, I have the enjoyment part down!  I like to create a warm, sun soaked spot where I can sit and sip the tasty deliciousness. But I want what I want, when I want it, and the sooner the better. So instead of putting out the labor myself, I reach for a jar of instant powder and swirl it together with a bit of water and assume it will produce the same result!

It doesn’t!!

I sit down in my beautiful spot, and sip shear disappointment! Oh, it’s sweet and it’s wet, but that’s about the extent of it. I guess I was spoiled by my sister-in-law making fresh squeezed lemonade from the lemons off of her backyard tree! There is truly nothing like it!

The smell of strong citrus hits your nostrils as you slice the fresh lemon in half. You hear the sour juice flow from the lemon half as you squeeze every ounce of juice from it. Your mouth puckers and sallivates at the same time. You pour fresh cold water over the lemon juice and watch as it mixes together in a perfect swirl of yellow. You add just the right amount of sugar to produce that tart/sweet flavor that is unmatched by any artificial source. Finally, you pour that delectable liquid over a tall glass of ice and sip the true taste of Summer! IT IS SO WORTH THE EFFORT!

Why am I so willing to put forth the effort to create the “perfect glass of lemonade”, and not so willing to put out the effort it takes to grow my roots down deep in Jesus?

LEMON DROP🍋

KEEP YOURSELF IN GOD’S WORD SO THAT YOUR ROOTS WILL GROW DOWN STRONG EVEN WHEN YOU TAKE A BREAK.

NOW, Sip some Lemonade or summer beverage of your choice, and keep yourself in The Word while enjoying the Lucious Days of Summer.

**Read Colossians Chapter 3. Read it through once or twice, and ask God to speak His Truth to you through it.

Ask God: What is this passage saying to me, right now, in my circumstances and in my season?

Be Still With God and let Him speak His Truth to you.

Now, write down Colossians 2:7 in the space below:

Let’s dissect these words from verse 7 a bit…

“Let your roots grow down deep into Him and let your lives be built on Him. COL. 2:7a

In a plant a root has four major functions:

Number 1, The root absorbs water and nutrients; in other words “the root feeds the plant!

Number 2, The root anchors the plant to the ground and supports it. In other words, “the root is the support system and stability of the plant!”

Number 3, The root stores food and nutrients for the plant. In other words, “The root sustains the plant!”

Number 4, The root is the vegetative reproduction of  the plant. “In other words, “The root makes it possible for the plant to reproduce itself!”

What are the four major functions of a root in the life of a plant:

1)______________________________________________________________________

2)______________________________________________________________________

3)______________________________________________________________________

4)______________________________________________________________________

According to the first part of Colossians 2: 7, this means that if we grow our “Spiritual Roots” deep down into HIM, our lives will be built on HIM as we are;

1) FED BY HIM

2) ANCHORED TO AND SUPPORTED BY HIM

3) SUSTAINED BY HIM

4)AND HIS CHARACTER IS PRODUCED IN US

“Then your faith will grow strong in the Truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.” Col. 2:7b

The ‘RADICLE’ is the first part of the root to emerge. It is what is seen. It is the strength and essence of the plant.

When our lives are deeply rooted in God’s Word, we will live “RADICAL” lives for God!

As you continue to sip some lemonade this week, continue to read one or two verses of Colossians chapter 2. There are 23 verses in this chapter, divide them up and spend time reflecting on them as you enjoy these lazy days of Summer.