Rooted And Grounded In Christ

B. If I can attempt to humbly expand on what Mr. Henry tells us- I would say this:

1. Being rooted and grounded in Christ means being both friend and disciple of Him. It means reading your Bible and seeking the best you know how through listening to sermons and other learned people of God, it means engaging in active conversation with other people of the faith, it means putting in to practice that which you learn, it means taking a risk and choosing to trust Him even though you can't see Him, even in the hardest and most confusing of situations. It means going to Him DAILY sometimes HOURLY in prayer and private conversation between you and Him- speaking sometimes out loud to yourself in a quiet room (or even a busy one) voicing your side of the conversation and having faith that He is listening, hearing, and yes even talking back to you in a still small voice in your heart. It means forgiving others and loving others and blessing others as He has asked us to do in His word. It means confessing your sins daily and asking Him to help you walk in righteousness knowing you can't do it on your own. It means serving Him every day of your life with your heart soul and mind and lovingly worshipping Him and giving Him praise- even when it hurts as a sacrifice, and especially in thanksgiving when you experience His blessings.

Conclusion:

See friends, THIS is how we make it through this life as MORE than conquerors as Paul the Apostle tells us. THIS is brings us lasting peace and hope and joy and contentment: being rooted and grounded in Christ. It is about living not for yourself, but for Him and IN Him. THIS is what causes His peace and joy to fill us and hold us through best and worst of times.

I don't want to be like my Christmas tree, decorated on the outside, but dying or dead on the inside. I don't want to live for God and be reminded of Him just one season or day out of the year- but I want Him living inside me bringing me joy EVERY moment of EVERY day.

And maybe you need just a little reminder of that, the enemy is good at distracting us with problems and discouragements and after time, we can wear down and forget how good our God is. And if that is you today, if you are suffering from the after Christmas blues or you're just in a low place in your faith or walk with God, I want to remind you today that Jesus is still the one who came all those years ago as the ONLY way, He put off His glory to come down into our misery and share in our suffering to show us HOW to deal with them, He came to overcome sin, He took all our faults on HIMSELF and He gave us life, and beyond that He rose again to continually look down and pray for you and for me every moment of every day.

He loves you, He cares for you, and He is waiting in Heaven for you with a reward that is greater than anything you can image for those that diligently seek Him. He is the friend that sticks closer than a brother, He is with you every step of the way- even in the moments you can't feel Him. Love Him today my friends, give Him your heart again today, tell Him you're thankful for everything He's given you, and trust Him with the thing that weighs heavy on you today.