Do you want to root for success? Here's the route map

Uni-verse 250/10,000 For better through verse
Psa 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper


Without an intimate connection with God, all mankind including the richest, the most beautiful, the greatest, are like the grass that withers in a short time or like flowers that fade overnight. The allusion is that common people are like the grass and the elite, the achievers, the glamourous, the affluent are like the flowers. Everything is in vain.

But, when we are grafted on to ‘the root of Jesse’, Jesus we are each and collectively like a tree that is planted by the rivers of water, a metaphor for the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. Our roots dig deep into the soil of the Word and the sap of nourishment will run up into the stem and branches of our lives, meaning the main purpose and the tertiary aspects of our lives. We will bear fruit, a different fruit in every month of the year to meet different needs. Even our leaves will not wither, meaning even our thoughts, desires and words will not be in vain. Our thoughts and words will bring healing to the nations. Our thoughts and words will find fruition in actions and deeds. Nothing is in vain, even our failures.

Whatever we do will prosper. I found this true in my life: soon after I committed my life to Christ in 1979, I began to succeed in whatever I did: became the first ever to secure both the First Rank in the state and the National Talent Search scholarship in the space of a few months in 1980. In 1993, became the first police officer in the world to start the Friends of Police movement to empower ordinary citizens to partner with the police. In 1997, became the first civil servant to be selected for the British Gurukul Scholarship for Excellence and Leadership. In 2002, became one out of two to be awarded the inaugural Queen’s Award for Innovation in Police Training and Development. ALL for the greater glory of God. As the Psalmist said, “ Unto Him and unto Him alone be the glory.” People who knew me began to wonder how did this very ordinary or mediocre guy suddenly become extraordinary. The Lord told me the secret, “ You were neither very intelligent nor wise nor smart before you began to lean on me.” If you want to root for success, the route is Jesus.

Prateep V Philip

U 192

Uni-verse 192/10,000 For better through verse Isaiah 27 v 6
Isa 27:6 He shall cause them that come of Jacob to take root: Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit.

The Lord recently encouraged me by saying, " You are a good root." Pride, reason enabled doubt and desire makes many a wild or unproductive root that grows like a weed wherever it is planted . They become briers and thorns fit for burning. But,grace enabled faith grafts us to the root of Jacob, a branch of Israel. Jacob struggled with God and was given the name, " Israel". But, we have God with us in all our struggles. He gives us triumph at the end of every struggle that we will blossom, bud and bear fruit. He treasures, cherishes and nourishes us.

We must be rooted in Christ and in the Word of God in order to bear fruit in season and out of season. To be rooted in Christ means we need to love His Name and Person, trust His promises and obey His commandments. Many of the things that God has planned and planted in us are at the seed or bud stage but He will bring it into the fullness of fruition in good time. The Holy Spirit plays the role of a diligent gardener who prunes and trims us into shape. The promptings and prodding of the Holy Spirit and the trials and troubles we face are intended to prune and keep us prim. The Word of God says that He will tend the plant day and night lest any hurt or harm it and water it EVERY MOMENT. Hence, our faith should not be momentary but growing from moment to moment.

The fruit that we bear are godly traits of character: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness,humility, self control and wisdom. We need to abound in these qualities. Fruit also refers to our good works done with a motive to please and honour God and not merely to earn a good name and reputation for ourselves. A third type of fruit are the souls that we are instrumental in bringing into the Lord's harvest. Fruitfulness also implies being ambassadors for Christ where we are planted by being effective professionals who facilitate change for the better and stand for righteousness.


Prateep V Philip