Rooted in Christ

 

"Therefore, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in him, being rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught,and overflowing with gratitude." Colossians 2:6–7

Not long ago, I had a conversation with someone who truly loved gardening. As they shared their passion, I was reminded how much goes on beneath the surface of a plant—how much we never see. My friend told me, “Under every tree, you will find an elaborate and fascinating system of roots.” That imagery struck me deeply.

Curious, I looked into it further. I found that roots are far more than just anchors in the soil—they are lifelines. They draw in essential nutrients, water, and oxygen. They stabilize the plant in storms. They store nourishment for difficult seasons. In other words, if a plant’s roots aren’t healthy and deep, the rest of it cannot survive, much less thrive.! What a powerful image of our life in Christ!

Rooted and Built Up in Him

Paul’s words in Colossians 2:6–7 remind us of the foundation of the Christian life. Just as we received Jesus Christ as Lord—by faith, with humility, in dependence, we are to *continue* in Him the same way. Not with self-effort, but by staying connected to our source.

We are to be *rooted* in Him—meaning our lives are to draw from Him constantly. Not occasionally. Not only on Sundays. But daily, deeply, consistently.

·       When the winds of life blow—whether it’s sickness, loss, uncertainty, or fear—it is only the roots that hold us firm.

·       When the spiritual drought comes, it is the unseen root system of trust, prayer, and Scripture that keeps our faith green and alive.

Just as a gardener places each plant in the right soil for maximum growth, so God has planted us in Christ. And Christ, in turn, nurtures us with His Word, His Spirit, His presence, and His love.

Established in Faith

The more rooted we are, the more *established* we become. This is not about being perfect, it’s about being grounded. Just as a tree with deep roots can bend but not break in a storm, a believer rooted in Christ can stand firm through hardship.

Paul adds that we are to overflow with *thanksgiving*. Gratitude is the fruit of someone whose roots are drinking deeply from the well of grace. The more we grasp what Christ has done for us, the more grateful we become—not just in good times, but even in seasons of trial.

Letting Jesus Be the Gardener of Our Soul

Jesus is not only the soil we are planted in—He is also the gardener who cares for our souls. He prunes what needs cutting. He waters with compassion. He nurtures with truth. He is patient, persistent, and passionate about your growth.

Jeremiah 17:8 paints a beautiful picture of a person who trusts in the Lord: "They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."

You were not meant to survive on your own strength. You were meant to *abide* in Him—to let your roots go down deep into Christ.

Reflection and Application

·       Are your roots in Christ healthy and deep, or shallow and struggling?

·       Are you regularly drawing nourishment from His Word?

·       Are you allowing Him to stabilize and strengthen you during storms?

Perhaps today is the day to stop merely surviving and start thriving by choosing to abide in Jesus more intentionally. May the Lord bless you and keep you, and may the Lord use these words to renew your spirit.

Dr. Dimas Castillo

Trapped… but Not Defeated

 

Exodus 14:10–18

Key Verse: “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” – Exodus 14:14

Have you ever felt like you were trapped with no way out? Maybe it was a financial burden that came out of nowhere, a health crisis with no clear solution, a relationship that unraveled, or a time when false accusations turned trusted friends into skeptics. Life can quickly back us into corners that feel impossible to escape.

That’s exactly where the Israelites found themselves in Exodus 14. After being miraculously delivered from Egypt, they found themselves stuck: the Red Sea in front of them, the desert to the side, and the Egyptian army charging from behind. There was no visible way out. They were, in every human sense, trapped on a dead-end street.

But their story didn’t end there—and neither does ours when we walk by faith.

1. God Uses Tough Times to Grow Us

What’s remarkable is that God led them to this spot. Exodus 14:1–4 makes clear that their path—though it looked like a mistake—was part of God’s plan. Why would God do that? Because He wanted to reveal something deeper: His power, His faithfulness, and His ability to make a way where there was none.

Hard times often feel like punishment. But more often, they’re preparation. God uses difficulty to correct, deepen, and strengthen our faith. Just like plants grow deeper roots when surface water is scarce, our spiritual roots grow deeper when life is hard. Faith isn’t proven in comfort; it’s revealed in crisis.

2. Peace Is a Choice, Not a Feeling

The Israelites responded like many of us would; they panicked. “Why did you bring us here to die?” they cried. (Exodus 14:11). In fear, they lashed out at Moses and doubted God's goodness.

Yet Moses responded not with a strategic plan, but with a profound truth: “Don’t be afraid. Stand firm and see the salvation of the Lord…” (v.13).

Fear is natural, but faith is intentional. Peace in the midst of pressure doesn’t come from understanding the plan; it comes from knowing the One who holds the plan. When we choose to look at our problems more than we look at God, anxiety grows. But when we fix our eyes on the Lord, peace becomes possible—even in impossible places. 

3. When You Don’t Know What to Do, Do What You Know

God told Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to move forward” (v.15). It may sound strange; move forward where? There was a sea in front of them! But Moses obeyed. He raised his staff, and God did the impossible; He parted the waters.

There will be times when we don’t understand what God is doing. But in those moments, we’re called to keep doing what we know is right. Keep walking in obedience. Keep praying. Keep trusting. And then watch—watch with anticipation to see what God will do.

Conclusion: Trust, Wait, and Watch

In conclusion, we should notice several things about the times when our backs are against the wall.  First, dead ends are God’s opportunity to show His glory. The Israelites learned that day that no situation is beyond the reach of God’s power. What they thought would be their death became their deliverance. What seemed like an ending became the beginning of something unforgettable.

Second, we should remember that tough times do not mean that God is mad at us. There is a harmful notion going around that says that a true and faithful believer never encounters hard times unless they have done something wrong. This is bad and destructive theology. There are scores of references in the Bible that show God's saints going through adversity, not because they are being punished but because they are being used and trained by God. Tough times do not mean that God has turned His back on you.

Third, we need to be reminded that we must choose the attitude that we have for difficult times. We can panic or we can trust.  We can focus on opportunities or liabilities. We can turn away from the Lord or turn toward the Lord. It may not feel like we have the choice of what attitude we will have, but we do.  The negative responses will come naturally.  You will have to make a choice to respond in faithful confidence.

Finally, we are reminded once again that we should never underestimate the power and wisdom of God. No matter how hopeless a situation may seem, we may be on the threshold of one of God's incredible displays of His wisdom and power. We may not see the waters’ part, but we may see lives transformed, circumstances changed, and opportunities provided that would have never happened if we hadn't trusted, waited, and watched what God would do.

May the Lord bless you and keep you, and may the Lord use these words to help you renew your spirit.

Dr. Dimas Castillo

“Come, Follow Me" – The Call to Be Fishers of Men

 

As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, called Peter, and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once, they left their nets and followed him (Matthew 4:18-20)

The scene is simple, yet powerful. Jesus, walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, sees two ordinary men at work—Simon and Andrew, casting their nets, engaged in their daily task as fishermen. But in an instant, everything changes. With just one sentence, “Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men”, Jesus radically redefines their purpose.

This invitation was not just for Peter and Andrew. It is extended to each of us today. Jesus calls you and me to follow Him, to walk in His steps, and to become fishers of men, people who, by God’s grace, lead others into a life-giving relationship with Jesus Christ.

What Does It Mean to Be a Fisher of Men?

To be a fisher of men is to be someone who reaches out to others with the good news of Jesus. It is a call to live on mission, not merely attending church or reading the Bible for personal benefit, but allowing Christ to use us to draw others into His kingdom. When Jesus called His disciples, He didn’t offer them comfort, clarity, or control. He gave them a mission. He promised transformation; “I will make you…”—and purpose.

Notice the sequence:

·       Come”– an invitation to a relationship.

·       Follow Me” – a call to trust and obedience.

·       “I will make you” – a promise of transformation.

·       “Fishers of men” – a purpose beyond themselves.

Jesus does not merely call us to follow without direction. He shapes us into who we are meant to be as we walk with Him.

Responding to the Call

1.     Accept His Invitation:

“Follow me” requires a step of faith. For Peter and Andrew, it meant leaving behind their nets—their livelihood, their security, and everything familiar. Following Jesus will cost something. It may mean letting go of comfort, status, or even certain relationships. But the reward is greater than anything we leave behind.

 Be Willing to Be Transformed:

“I will make you” speaks to a process. We are not instantly perfected. Jesus takes our raw potential and begins shaping us through the Holy Spirit, the Word, and our experiences. Discipleship is not passive; it requires surrender, growth, and continual learning. We must be teachable and open to change.

3.     Embrace the Mission:

To fish for men is to engage in the redemptive work of Christ. It’s not just about “catching” people and moving on—it’s about walking alongside them, discipling them, and helping them grow in Christ. Evangelism is only the beginning. True discipleship involves community, accountability, and spiritual investment.

 A Lifelong Commitment

Following Jesus is not a one-time decision; It’s a daily journey—a commitment to grow through worship, devotion, fellowship, and service. The call to discipleship is lifelong. It challenges our priorities and reorients our purpose. We grow as we read God’s Word, pray, gather with other believers, and obey His leading.

So, how will you respond? Jesus still walked by the shores of ordinary lives and extended the same invitation: “Come, follow me.” Will you follow Him? Will you allow Him to shape your heart, your purpose, and your path? Will you let Him make you a fisher of men?

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May He renew your passion for Him and give you courage to step out in faith. The choice is yours. Will you follow?

Dr. Dimas Castillo