Tangled?

Photo by Maggie Rodriguez

"He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” ~ Jeremiah 17:8

Jeremiah 17:8 describes a blessed man(woman) whose trust is in Adonai.  Adonai is his(her) security.  In the bible there are numerous references to trees and analogies that depict us as a tree that stands firm or branch that bears fruit.

As I was walking this morning, I came across the tree in the photo above.  My first thought when I saw it was "mess" and kept walking.  BUT Holy Spirit caused me to go back and take a photo.  He began to show me some things concerning its roots.  Not only were they tangled but they sprouted upward strangling the tree.  Its roost grew out of the ground in different directions - all except downward.   It look like a big ole mess!  

I took notice that these roots were not only growing upward but inward.  You couldn't see the trunk besides the dried up palms that hung over it.  

This served as an analogy of what a man (woman) looks like whose trust is in of themselves, or others rather than Adonai.  

This tree is not planted by water, nor its roots are found by the stream. ( Let's forget its a palm tree for a moment.) Obviously it feared the heat for it is dried up, and its leaves are NOT green.  Even in time of drought, it withered, bearing much of nothing.   Instead it stands amongst a field of weeds, grass and other dying trees.  

Holy Spirit spoke of how man (woman) are like these trees because they are out of their environment.  They are positioned where they are cosmetically appealing to others and not where they have been appointed to stand.   They have either taken it upon themselves or have been placed by others due to fear of man (intimidation).  Regardless, they are OUT of God's will when they assume another foundation to stand other than His which is the LIVING WATER (Jesus Christ).   They may think they are grounded in Christ but the heart is deceitful and mortally sick. (Jer.17:9)  The word mortally is defined as "in such a manner as to cause death".  

They are void of an abiding relationship with Jesus.  Instead they possess religion with what seems like godly motives.  They have the book knowledge but lack God knowledge, understanding and wisdom because it is written the beginning of wisdom is the fear of the LORD.  They have no fear because if they did they would walk in obedience and die to their flesh and the praise of man.  Truly the people perish for lack of knowledge. (Hosea 4:6). 

In Jeremiah 17:10 it is written "I, Adonai, search the heart; I test inner motivations; in order to give to everyone what his actions and conduct deserve." (CJB)  

Like the tree in the photo, a person who trust in themselves or others rather than trusting and relying on God, will receive what his actions or conduct deserves - roots strangling them and death (spiritual).  We cannot do anything apart from God.  We cannot expect to flourish when we have neglected relationship with Jesus (abiding) - our roots are not immersed in the LIVING WATER which enables deep growth. Instead it will grow out, upward and inward - creating a mess within strangling purpose and destiny.  

Let me be honest, this message took a turn in another direction the moment I started to write it.  I was just going to relay what I received during my walk by Holy Spirit as far as the necessity of abiding in Christ - being firmly planted so that we may flourish in Him - bearing much instead of being tangled in our messes for lack of abiding.  But Holy Spirit took it here.  

There are many that have been striving in their walk with the LORD for years.  They remain unchanged and stagnant.  They lack growth in their relationship with God, ministry and for many leaders/Pastors - in their congregations.  Why?  Somewhere along the way, they grew weary of waiting and enduring the process.  They somehow escaped the Refiner's fire because the heat was intense.  Therefore they chose the wider path which is found in the hands of religion and cosmetically altered themselves to have a form of godliness yet they bear much of nothing.  You can recognize these trees by their fruits.   You have those who are doing much, yet doing nothing but deceiving others to stand on their own self-made foundation.  They lead astray those who look promising to further their cause and pimp their gifts all under a false prophetic word.  They use God's Name to seal it.  Lord have mercy on us.  

That's is why you have so many sitting up in the pews as dead trees instead of oaks of righteousness. They are tangled up!  If the leadership's roots is not in Christ, they are not producing anything fruit for others to eat.  Instead they are presenting a table before them of entertainment, counterfeit Presence of Holy Spirit that is created by emotionalism, false prophetic words to manipulate others to do or give whether its of their giftings, time or finances - while they go forth with their personal agendas of growing their empires.  

Take heed.  Do not come out of the environment you were meant to function and prosper (bearing fruit) otherwise you will find yourself to be like the tree in the photo - tangled amongst weeds, grass and other dying trees!  The twisted roots will not only be from your own mess but those whom you stood with whose foundation was everything else besides Jesus.

"All who abandon you will be ashamed, those who leave you will be inscribed in the dust, because they have abandoned Adonai, the source of living water." ~ Jeremiah 17:13 CJB

Jesus is OUR LIVING WATER....when we abide in Him our roots will go down deep in good soil.  Therefore we grow, producing fruit.  When the storms of life comes, the winds may be able to bend us back and forth but it cannot uproot us.  

I pray that you get the revelation that Holy Spirit intended for you to receive.  It may differ from one person to another.  Yet you will walk away with something because there is so much in this.  I received my portion and all I can say is ouch and amen!