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Tree of Life



Here's a devotional from the new Gardens of the Heart
 
 
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.
Proverbs 11:30 NIV

If you were going to choose a tree of life in nature, the olive tree is a good choice. Not only does it produce olives, but that wonderful healthy olive oil is pressed from the fruit, the leaves are used in medicinal teas, and there is research into the development of an efficient and renewable energy source from the waste produced by oil pressings.

It was an olive leaf carried by the dove to Noah that brought hope to the weary residents of the ark. The olive branch is also the familiar symbol for peace we use today.

Olive trees have long lives and there are some trees in the Garden of Gethsemane that are believed to date back to the time of Jesus.  The olive tree isn’t impressive in size or particularly beautiful, but it’s tough, productive, and has loads of character.

And that’s what we need to be. It doesn’t matter what we look like or where we’re planted, but it does matter what our heart looks like and what we produce.  If we’re a tree of life that extends kindness, love, and mercy, that fruit will draw people to the Lord Jesus.

He stands ready to help you produce good fruit. Will you be wise and live with purpose, exhibiting Christ today?

Olive Trees in Israel

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