Sunday Writing by Jan Andersen.... 5/21/17

Today's writing is by Jan Andersen.  The title is "TREE OF LIFE" and in it she talks about the tree of life that we find in the first and last books of the Bible, Genesis and Revelation.  She describes how we were cut off from eternal life since the Garden of Eden and the fall into sin, and how we receive access again to the tree of life in heaven.  In Revelation 22:14 Jesus says, "Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates."

May your week be blessed,
Jan and Corinne

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Today's Devotional:

"TREE OF LIFE"

by

Jan Andersen

God has created such an amazing array of living things on this earth.  From the tiniest of organisms to the largest of plants and animals, the variety is endless.  More species continue to be discovered every year as well as more details about the ones we already know.  Take the largest living thing for example.  Depending upon how you define “largest,”  whether by size, weight or other definitions, scientists have determined the largest living thing by mass is an aspen tree colony of 43,000 trees from one root in Utah named Pando.  The largest “single stem” tree by volume is General Sherman, a giant sequoia tree in California.  But the tallest tree is a redwood named Hyperion in California.  Trees have so many varieties, colors, textures and fruits.  They are an awesome part of God’s creation.

Trees were placed in the Garden of Eden and provided food, shade, and materials.  There were two very important trees singled out in the middle of the garden, the tree of life, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.  Adam and Eve were allowed to eat from the tree of life to sustain life forever, but they were not to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil.  When they disobeyed and ate of it, they were then banished from the garden and no longer allowed to eat from the tree of life.  So that meant they would eventually die because of their sin.

We also die because of our sinfulness which we inherited, just like all humans have.  But the good news is that we receive the free gift of forgiveness of our sins from God and eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ.  He was crucified on the tree of the cross in our place in order to provide us with access again to the tree of life in heaven!

Revelation 22:14 (ESV)  “Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates.”

We wash our robes in the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ, by being baptized and believing in him, that he died in our place and rose again to heaven.  In so doing, we are united with him in death, but also we are united with him in everlasting life!  

Romans 6:4-5 (ESV)  We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.  For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.

Dear Father in heaven, thank you for the gift of forgiveness through faith in your son, Jesus, who was sacrificed on the tree of the cross so that we might enjoy the right to the tree of life in heaven.  Help us to share that great news with all we meet.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Prayers are lifted up daily for 

you by the Devotional Writers 

and the Monthly Writing Staff

of Women's Focus Ministries.

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