Daily Devotional

There are wounds in the redwood forest that draw my attention to Christ.  
First let me explain.
Did you know that a Redwood tree is able to survive its’ heart burned out?
Also, did you know that Sequoia redwoods rely on periodic forest fires to reproduce? Their cones do not open until activated by the heat of fire.

How does this inspire me to think of Christ?
When I see a Redwood tree standing strong and alive with its’ center core burned out creating a cave-like shelter inside, I think of Christ. The tree’s heart is burned out—yet the tree lives on!  Christ died, and He rose again! The tree’s carved out heart I can step into also, reminds me that Christ shelters us forever with His magnificent love! The heat of fire that gave birth to the Redwood trees, reminds me that our Lord’s sacrifice gave birth to our rescue as children of God!  The fact that this wounded tree is alive, reminds me that Christ arose victoriously from death to life.
It is a wonder to look at this wounded Redwood tree that reminds me of the greatest wonder. Christ was wounded and suffered and died because He loves me and you. Christ arose victoriously! He is alive!

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

FOR PARENTS:

• Make sure your kids know that Christ died for their sins and rose from the dead!
• Help your kids memorize John 3:16 and 1 Peter 2:24. Direct your kids to do a drawing that shows what this verse means, and talk about it.

Tell your kids about the Redwood in the forest.  Plan a trip to walk through a Redwood forest.  Find a tree with its heart burned out and talk about Christ whose heart was broken—but He lives!

New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation