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Our Daily Bread (ODB) and Every Day with Jesus (EDWJ) were two devotionals that greatly influenced my devotional life and inspired me to write. God bless my senior, Minister Evans Dadzie, who has been gifting me copies of EDWJ for a while now.

In his word of introduction to the September/October issue of the EDWJ with the theme, “Deeply Rooted”, consulting editor Mick Brooks indicated they had to close Waverley Abbey House — the home base of Crusade for World Revival (CWR), publishers of the EDWJ — for the first time since 1987! He added that despite the financial challenges faced by the ministry, and many staff being furloughed (i.e. going on unpaid leave), they were still able to publish the devotional; as they also celebrate 55 years of its publication!

I congratulate EDWJ on their anniversary, and the great work they have done over the years in impacting our generation with the Gospel of Christ.

Every devotional is like a sermon (although it sounds amusing when my friend and English Madam, Akua, refers to them that way); and to have published such ‘sermons’ each day for the past 55 years is no mean feat!

However, this bears testimony to the deep roots that EDWJ developed over the years. Roots that made it withstand several shocks over the years, including the Covid-19 pandemic!

The prophet Jeremiah, prophesying against Judah in Jeremiah 17, said,

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord…for he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river.”

READ Jeremiah 17:7-8

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,

And whose hope is the Lord.

For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters,

Which spreads out its roots by the river,

And will not fear when heat comes;

But its leaf will be green,

And will not be anxious in the year of drought,

Nor will cease from yielding fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:7-8)

Deep roots are not developed in a day. The growth is very microscopic and gradual; but with time, they become visible. Not only that; they are firmly secured and established too. The same is seen in human growth: you eat every day, but notice little; but at the end of the year, you see you have grown! Someone visited us recently and said my son has become as tall as I am! I didn’t even notice it because he has always been with me.

Growth is very gradual; even Christian growth! That is why we need to feed daily on spiritual food. That is why we are passionate about devotionals; and that is why we started Testimony Devotional.

That is also the God-given reason we need to be patient, tolerant and forbearing toward other Christians who seem to falter; and restore them in love (Galatians 6:1-2). It is the same reason 1 John 2:1-2 says,

“My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”(1 John 2:1-2 NKJV)

Jesus, who has been tempted in every way like us, gives us room to grow. Growth takes time. It happens when we grow our spiritual muscles, and diminish our fleshly desires in the process!

But the tragedy comes, when after so many years, we still keep making the same mistakes! Then growth is not happening, and we are not firmly rooted! The storms of life easily sweep us away when they appear!

The introduction to one of great wisdom books of the Bible, The Psalms, says:

“Blessed is the man

Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,

Nor stands in the path of sinners,

Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

But his delight is in the law of the Lord,

And in His law he meditates day and night.

He shall be like a tree

Planted by the rivers of water,

That brings forth its fruit in its season,

Whose leaf also shall not wither;

And whatever he does shall prosper.” (Psalm 1:1-3 NKJV)

Spiritual growth comes when we delight ourselves in the law of the Lord, and meditate on it day and night. When we do this, we become like a tree planted by the river; we will stand the storms, and whatever we do will prosper.

Covid-19 is a stark reminder that storms can come anytime. How deep rooted are you?

Don’t be a casualty.

MEMORY VERSE

“He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water…and whatever he does shall prosper.”(Psalm 1:3)

QUESTIONS

1. Are you deeply rooted in God?

2. More storms may come; will you be found standing?

PRAYER TIP

Almighty Father, please help us to build roots that stand the storms, and trees that bear good fruits.

Written by:
BENNY MALM

For:
TESTIMONY DEVOTIONAL

SPECIAL COMMEMORATIVE NOTE

In celebrating 55 years of publishing Every Day With Jesus(EDWJ) with CWR, please find my 2004 copy of EDWJ here.

URGENT CALL

By nature, we are all sinful, and alienated from God. We ultimately face the wrath of God!

But God in His mercy and love gives us a chance to reverse this trend, join His family, be part of His household, and become His children.

The first step to becoming a member of God’s household is for us to be saved. 

Salvation comes through accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Personal Savior.

It is a very personal decision. No one can make for you.

If you make that decision today, there will be great singing and rejoicing in heaven; because one new member has joined the family and household of God!

Do you want to make that decision today?

Please visit “The Believer’s Prayer” for guidance if you want to make that decision.

We will be happy to hear from you through the contact information on that page.

God richly bless you

SPECIAL GRATITUDE

Thank you for visiting the Testimony Devotional Website. 

We would not have gotten here without your prayers, goodwill and overall support. We are grateful, and humbled.

We thank God for counting us worthy to share in His Great Commission; and we thank you for sticking with us through this journey.

God richly bless you.

The Testimony Devotional website addresses are:

https://testimonydevotional.org/
https://testimonydevotional.com/
https://mytd.org/