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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?
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| Olive Trees in Israel |
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