Core Values - What are they?

There are three main components of a tree that speak to us of the core values for all believers.  Trees are made up of roots, a trunk, and branches.   These spiritually coincide with Jesus, prayer, and praise and worship.

The roots are associated with Jesus in Isaiah 53:2 "He grew up before him like a tender shoot, like a root out of dry ground."  Also in Revelation 5:5 - "Then one of the elders said to me, do not weep!  See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed.  He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” 

The roots speak of the One who is our beginning and foundation.  They speak of the unseen work Jesus does in us and through us that brings visible results and lasting fruit.  Even if the branches are removed and the trunk is cut down to a stump, if the roots remain, the tree can resurrect and be restored.

The branches represent praise and worship.  They demonstrate our hands being lifted to the Lord in love and adoration.  They bow, they dance, and they sing as the wind blows through them, sometimes in gentle breezes and sometimes in tumultuous gales.  We see branches associated with praise and worship in Psalm 104:12 - "the birds sing among the branches " and in Isaiah 55:12 - "the trees of the fields will clap their hands", and also in Matthew 21: 8-9 - "A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.  The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, Hosanna to the Son of David!, Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!  Hosannah in the highest.”

The trunk of the tree represents prayer.  It is prayer that births and supports our worship and it is because we are connected to Jesus that we pray.   When the Scripture says that Jesus makes intercession for us it is speaking of Him joining and presenting our prayers to the Father.  This is why we pray to the Father in the Name of Jesus.  He is our connector, our intercessor. 

We find our identity in Jesus, able to have lasting influence because He strengthens us through prayer, and as we increase, we bear more and more lasting fruit.  These are the three core values that God wants us to remember as the world around us groans in its lostness, turmoil, and sin.  They are Jesus, prayer, and praise and worship. 

Stay connected to Jesus.  Even if seasons come in your life where it seems like your branches have been removed and the trunk has been cut down to a stump, you still have the roots.  They are planted by rivers of living water and God is able to bring growth and restoration to you if you will keep Jesus as the center of your life.