January 21

Matthew 7:12-20 (Click to see scripture)

Bible in One Year Passages:

Journal Entry

Scripture

15"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.

Observation

In this passage, I see the sobering truth of how I should live my life, bearing good fruit. When I envision a healthy tree, I see sprawling branches with many leaves and vibrant in color and shine. This is only achieved when the tree is firmly planted in fertile grounds with plenty of sunlight and water. Even with minimal water, if the tree has deep roots to reach down into the moisture of the grounds, it can attain it's need nourishment and also withstand the turmoils that it encounters, such as storms. In life I see that we are called to live like a healthy tree, which would mean that my life is firmly rooted in Scripture and connected to God through prayer and fellowship with God's people. Also, we need to be surrounded by the good elements of our lives in whatever is excellent and praiseworthy. Many times I find that I live like the diseased tree where I am not deeply rooted in God's word and focusing on the turmoils of this world and when storms come, I am shaken because of shallow roots.

Application

I long to live the life like that of the tree that bears good fruit. In Philippians, scripture states: 8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." This I need to do more of and continue to be deligent in immersing myself in God's word and His presence through prayer and fellowship. I also recall hearing a message on how God performs tree trimmings where God trims out the branches in my life that is not bearing good fruit and in it's place a new branch can grow and to pray the bold prayer for God to do this in my life.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, I pray for what may seem like a dangerous prayer for my life, but ultimately is necessary to weed out the bad branches in my life and in the place where it was trimmed, that new branches could grow and bear good fruit. I pray that I may remain focused on whatever is true, nobel, right and pure and that you would be pleased with what you see. In Jesus Name I Pray...

--Henry Yoo