Issue #1,165 August 30,2004 Long Lived

I was doing some research on them recently and was astounded by their appearance. In many ways, they are not what I expected them to look like. They are gnarled and twisted. Some have be reported to exceed 30 feet in diameter, but they only rarely reach 50 feet in height, and are usually shorter than that. Their leaves are green and the bark grey. They are the olive trees, referred to many places in the Bible.

Some of the trees on the Mount of Olives are between 1,000 and 2,000 years old. Apparently no one knows for certain because olive trees don't have growth rings like other trees (or so I've read. I'm no expert on olive trees). The experts are certain that the trees in the vicinity of Jerusalem weren't there at the time of Christ because the Romans cut them all down during their siege of that city in 70 AD.

Even at 1,000 years, the trees are ancient compared to humans. They've seen the rise and fall of empires and changes beyond our comprehension. They've seen technology move from wheeled carts to autos and jet planes. They were around when travel to the moon wasn't even contemplated and when man first stepped on the moon.

Compared to those olive trees, even the longest living human ever recorded, Methuselah, who lived 969 years (see Genesis 5:27) was a mere contender. If the trees are closer to 2,000 years as some believe, Methuselah doesn't even fit in the ranking.

Learning a bit about them gave me cause to stop and ponder. These same trees were growing before my earliest ancestors came to the New World in the early 1600's. They'll still be bearing fruit long after my grandchildren have passed away. That doesn't say much for the life span of a person.

Scripture tells us that our life is fleeting.

Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
James 4:13-14 NIV

You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man's life is but a breath.
Psalm 39:5 NIV

Man is like a breath; his days are like a fleeting shadow.
Psalm 144:4 NIV

Knowing that life is short, even compared to that of a simple tree people do incredible things to leave a legacy. They will do virtually anything to ensure they are remembered after they have died. Most of it is in vain. Only a few are remembered after a generation or two. Fewer still are known as long as an olive tree lives.

There is a legacy that will outlast the olive. The works done for Christ will endure forever. When you walk in obedience to His calling, you are building a legacy that will outlast a thousand generations of olive trees. Any other attempt at a legacy is futile.

What are you spending your life on? Are you investing in the things that won't survive as long as the tree or those things that will endure for all of eternity.

Until next time, may the things of eternity be first in your mind.

Hallelu Yah (Praise God)

Be blessed

Kevin

Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. You have value in the eyes of God so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that heaven will not be complete without you.

HELP FOR THE HURTING

Are you looking for something to give your life meanings? Searching for something that will be there after you've gone? Look no further. By opening your heart up to Jesus Christ and walking in obedience to Him, your legacy will be eternal.

He's not interested in what the world thinks of you. He has a special plan just for you, something that only you can accomplish. All you have to do is ask Him to take charge of your life and follow His leading. Will you?

If you want to know how to do that simply email us and we'll send you some Bible verses that will explain it to you.

You can simply begin the relationship by honestly and completely opening your heart; admitting you need God's help; turning away from your sin and saying a prayer along the lines of the one below. There isn't any "magic" in the prayer; it's simply a way to open up to the gift that Jesus already bought for you with His very life. You can't earn it. You don't deserve it. He freely offers it to all who will accept it.

Jesus:

I have made many mistakes in my life and done things I am not proud of. I have sinned. I need your love and forgiveness. I believe that you came into this world and gave your life on a cross to pay for my sins and that you defeated death and rose again. Please forgive me, and be the Lord of my life. I give my life to you Lord.

Amen

If you pray this prayer for the first time let me know so I can rejoice with you. It's not the end of the process. It is the beginning of a wonderful journey to become more like Jesus. It's your starting point.

NEED PRAYER? GOT QUESTIONS?

If you're in need of prayer or answers to questions about the faith email us

SUPPORT OUR MINISTRY

Gleanings From The Word is distributed free of charge, six days a week to readers in more than 180 countries. It reaches into homes, hospitals, care centers, prisons and many other places. People comment regularly on how God has used Gleanings to change their lives, bring them to know Christ or brought them through difficult times.

While we offer Gleanings free to anyone who asks, that does not mean it is without cost to produce. We request that you prayerfully consider supporting us in prayer and with your finances. While we are unable to provide tax receipts at this time, we are registered as a non-profit corporation. Please know that your gift of any amount is appreciated and will pay eternal dividends.

Please make cheques payable to: Gleanings From The Word Ministries International
and send them to 114 Oak St, Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada T8A 0V8

Thank You.

BACK ISSUES

Looking for a previous issue of Gleanings From The Word? Selected back issues are available on our website

SHARING GLEANINGS

If you enjoyed this issue of Gleanings From The Word, email it, in its entirety, to a friend. Better still, get their permission and sign them up for their own subscription, after all it's free.

We do not rent, sell, trade or share our mailing list with anyone. Your email address is kept completely confidential. We also send no forms of unsolicited email.

For information on use of Gleanings in your church newsletter or other situations please visit the permissions page on our website.

CONTACT US

To share your questions, comments, thoughts, prayer concerns and praise reports:
you can email us

Or you can write to us at
Gleanings From The Word Ministries International
114 Oak St Sherwood Park, AB Canada T8A 0V8

© 2001-2004 Gleanings From The Word Ministries International - All Rights Reserved