CULTIVATING A PURPOSEFUL LIFE

PLANT YOURSELF IN PERSPECTIVE (Develop your whole person to fulfill your purpose)

He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. (Ps 1:3)

1. The image of a tree illustrates the ideal life of someone who is deeply rooted in their faith.

2. The "shoot" represents the outer life, the observable aspects of our existence—the things we do and say, and how we present ourselves to the world. This is the part of our lives that people can readily see and judge.

3. The "root" symbolizes the inner life, the unseen depths of our being—our beliefs, values, and private thoughts. It's what we do and say in secret. This inner life nourishes and sustains our outer actions.

4. Just as a tree cannot bear fruit without both a healthy shoot and strong roots, you cannot fulfill your purpose without cultivating your entire being. If either aspect is neglected or compromised, it will ultimately affect your ability to fulfill your purpose..

5. Someone may appear impressive on the surface, with notable achievements and a positive reputation. However, if their inner life is lacking—their faith is shallow, their values are compromised, or their character is flawed—then they are ultimately vulnerable. Like a tree with a rotten root, they may seem strong outwardly but will fall when faced with challenges or storms.

6. Someone with a strong inner life—a deep faith, solid values, and integrity—will be able to weather life's storms and continue to bear fruit, regardless of external circumstances. Even if they face setbacks or challenges, their strong roots will sustain them and enable growth and renewal.

7. We must cultivate both our outer and inner lives, ensuring that our actions are aligned with our beliefs and values. By cultivating a strong foundation of faith and integrity, we can live truly fruitful and prosperous lives, fulfilling our purpose and positively impacting the world around us.

1. EMBRACE THE POWER OF REPRODUCTION 

2. God designed fruit-bearing trees to produce fruit containing its own seed. This act is declared as good by God, emphasizing the inherent purpose of a tree is to reproduce and multiply it’s kind.

And God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, on the earth.” And it was so. 12…And God saw that it was good. (Gen 1:11-12)

1. The connection between the fruit of the tree and the command for mankind to be fruitful stems from the root word used in both contexts. This suggests fruitfulness—is not just about physical reproduction but also about producing fruit in line with one's inherent nature and purpose.

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. 28 And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion (Gen 1:27-28)

1. When considering the creation of humanity in God's image, it's clear that the command to be fruitful and multiply extends beyond mere biological reproduction. It encompasses the idea of living lives that reflect God's character and purpose through creative influence and authority over creation, thereby multiplying the goodness, love, and truth that emanates from Him. 

1. PURSUE PROSPERITY IN YOUR PURPOSE 

He is like a tree planted…In all that he does, he prospers. (Ps 1:3)

1. A tree planted by streams of water serves as a vivid image of a person whose inner life is deeply rooted and nourished, resulting in the production of good fruit. This suggests that just as a tree draws sustenance from its source of water to bear fruit, so too does a person draw from their inner life—their beliefs, values, and character nourished by God’s Word and Spirit—to produce actions and outcomes that reflect their true nature.

2. Jesus compares the nature of trees and their fruit to the inner life of individuals and their actions. Just as a healthy tree naturally produces good fruit and a diseased tree produces bad fruit, the actions and outcomes of individuals reveal the true condition of their hearts.

3. There is an inseparable connection between inner character and outward behavior. Just as a tree's fruit reflects the health of its roots, the actions and attitudes of individuals reflect the state of their inner lives. This notion underscores the importance of genuine transformation from the inside out, rather than merely outward conformity or appearance.

17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A 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. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.

1. The passage warns against a superficial faith characterized by lip service or outward displays of religious activity without genuine heart transformation. It emphasizes that true discipleship involves not just professing allegiance to Jesus but also living in obedience to the will of the Father.

2. Having the right shoot but a sick root underscores the danger of focusing solely on external actions or achievements without cultivating a healthy inner life. It warns against the hypocrisy of engaging in religious practices or performing miracles while neglecting a genuine relationship with God and adherence to His will.

 21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ (Matthew 7: 17-23)

1. Every person produces out of who they are. Our actions reflect our character and values. Whether in relationships, business, or faith, our choices and behaviors reveal the true content of our hearts. 

2. We must examine the alignment between their inner beliefs and values and their outward actions and behaviors. Cultivating a healthy inner life rooted in a genuine relationship with God naturally produces good fruit in all areas of life.
   

CULTIVATING A PURPOSEFUL LIFE

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