Trees: The Good Tree and the Bad Tree

Along the way, watch out for false prophets. They will come to you in sheep’s clothing, but underneath that quaint and innocent wool, they are hungry wolves. But you will recognize them by their fruits. You don’t find sweet, delicious grapes growing on thorny bushes, do you? You don’t find delectable figs growing in the …

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Trees: The Desert Shrub vs. The Fruitful Tree

Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land.“Blessed is …

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Trees: The Well-Watered Tree

Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, …

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Holiness, Righteousness, Justice, Mercy, Grace, and Forgiveness

I sat as a juror on a trial involving a father hitting his child. We were instructed to put aside our bias and feelings about the subject and those involved and simply determine what evidence or witness testimony was true beyond reasonable doubt. After the first witnesses testified on the first day, I thought that …

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