pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: tree of life


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Decisions, Words, Conduct

Readings: Proverbs 10 and 11

‭Proverbs 11:18 – “The wicked earn false wages, but those who sow righteousness receive a true reward.”

Today we begin the middle section of Proverbs. For 13 days we will work our way through chapter 30. These 21 chapters are filled with two-part lines that almost always contrast the good or wise choice with the evil or foolish choice. Although not grouped together in the text, one can find themes within our readings.

One theme today centers on finances. What we do with our money reveals much about our faith. Laziness leads to poverty while hard work leads to riches. We are to give generously though. Stinginess will lead to growing needy. While there is solid earthly advice here, there are also heavenly implications. Riches won’t help on the day of wrath. But righteousness will rescue us. Our decisions matter.

Another theme focuses on how our behavior or choices affect our relationships and our community. When we are hateful, we stir up conflict. When we choose love, offenses are lessened. Virtuous living blessed the community but words of evil destroy it. Along these lines, slander betrays trust whereas keeping confidences builds up the community. Our words matter.

A third theme today touches on the eternal. The wages of the righteous are life and the earnings of the wicked are death. Wisdom leads to humility but pride leads to shame. Walking God’s path is a refuge for the innocent but ruin for those who do evil. If one brings trouble to their family they’ll inherit the wind. But the fruit of righteousness is the “tree of life.” That’s found in heaven. Our conduct matters.

Prayer: Lord God, as we navigate this life, we do so in relationship and in community. Our decisions, our words, our conduct – they all affect our relationship with you and our relationships with each other. By the power of your Holy Spirit, lead and guide us to live faithful, righteous lives, building up the community and the kingdom here on earth. Amen.


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Closer and Closer

Reading: Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, and 20-21

Verse 14: “Blessed are those who was their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life.”

Our passage from the end of the book of Revelation is one of hope and promise. But it also begins with a reality that we cannot gloss past. In verse 12 Jesus speaks of a reward. It is a reward that will (or won’t) be given “according to what he [or she] has done.” This life that we live matters. The life we live on earth will determine our eternity. In order to spend eternity with Jesus, we need to walk daily in this life with Jesus.

In verse 14 we read, “Blessed are those who was their robes.” All of this life will be washed away and we will be made into new creations – holy and perfect in Christ’s sight. This was and is made possible by the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior. The mercy, grace, and forgiveness we receive came at a cost to Jesus and to God. While the gift is free to you and me, it did not come without cost.

Once cleansed we “have the right to the tree of life.” The tree of life bears fruit in every season and it’s leaves offer healing. Just as our sins and blemishes will be washed away, our hurts and pains and griefs will be healed. There will be no more tears or sadness or anger or greed or jealousy. Washed and healed, we will fully drink of the “water of life” and we will dwell in the light and love of the “bright morning star” – Jesus Christ.

This vision of a one day reality is beautiful and awesome. It is a time we long for. Jesus says, “Come! Whoever is thirsty, let him [or her] come.” Jesus invites us towards the new heaven and earth. May we seek to walk daily in Christ’s light and love, encouraging others on their journey, moving closer and closer to Christ and eternity in glory.

Prayer: Lord God, what a day it will be. How wide will be the smiles on the faces of those who stand before you in glory, fully realizing your love. Guide me day by day to walk deeply in that love. Use me to help others to know that love. Amen.


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Eternal Yet Present

Reading: Revelation 22: 1-5

This final chapter of the Bible provides a beautiful image of heaven.  God and Jesus seated on the throne will be the center piece of the city.  All will serve and worship them and all will be marked as their children.  Out of the throne will flow a beautiful river, crystal clear, carrying the water of life.  Along the banks of this river will stand the tree of life.  The tree of life will bear twelve crops in the twelve months and the tree’s leaves will bring healing to all nations or peoples.  The light and warmth that basks this scene will come from God.

Revelation 22 indeed paints an amazing picture of the new heaven.  It is a place one is drawn to, a place one yearns to be present in.  The promises of complete healing, of being constantly in God’s presence, the beauty that will be the new Jerusalem – all draw one towards eternity.

Yet this idea of finally getting ‘there’ can distract us from this life.  While living with one eye on eternity can help keep us focused on how we are called to live in this world, all of our focus on eternity can cause us to look past what God has placed before us in this life.  On the other extreme, if life here is instead consumed by making the next step up the ladder of success, God has almost no role in our life.  When we are focused almost exclusively on the next promotion, the next new car or home, the next gadget, then the role of God in our life is minimal or nonexistent.

May we instead live life with the knowledge of our eternal home in mind while being fully present and attentive to God’s hand at work in this life.  May we trust in His plan and in His love both in this life and the next.