Do You Have the Right Forestry Plan?

There used to be a large overgrown and overcrowded Tree Farm inside the fence next to our house, but in October, these trees were removed along with the brush and vines growing among them. There was also plenty of wildlife in that wooded area because of so much underbrush and thick vines. Needless to say, we are so pleased to have the overgrown mess removed. It is clean and fresh looking; clear of debris, undergrowth, and it allows us to see the lake just as I did when I was growing up here.


As we look out our kitchen window, we are looking toward the east, and it is such a blessing to be able to see the sunrises every morning with their many colors. We can see the neighborhood - houses, yards, vehicles driving along the roads, birds, people walking - all much more clearly than before. The past view felt like we were hemmed in until about lunchtime when the sun was able to creep over the trees. Now the entire area has opened up, and we are able to receive God’s blessings much earlier in the morning.


Please understand that when I say we are well pleased with the removal of the trees, it doesn’t mean that I don’t like trees. But it’s just the opposite. Thank God for the shade and the beauty of trees, but these trees were not clean; they blocked the light; and they could not provide much beauty because of the undergrowth and overgrowth from the vines and bushes which ran the height of the trees. Some of the vines were 6-8” in diameter!


Recently I was reading an article from Our State Magazine entitled Where Lumber Ruled, Nature Reigns. As I read about the forests of western North Carolina, I couldn’t help but think about the recent removal of the trees next to our house. The article was talking about creating strong forests and how the removal of trees is critical in that respect since it allows the light to penetrate the trees which in turn will allow them to grow stronger. The foresters call this “managing the light”. Let me read some excerpts:


Forestry is about managing forests. “To manage a forest, you are managing the light” says Forestry student Robert Townsend. To get more light, you have to remove trees. Sometimes a few. Sometimes a lot. “If nature runs its course, trees fall and die. We can speed up that process. If something’s screwed up in the forest, we can turn it back to where it should be.” People tend to think forestry is all about saving trees , which, in many ways, it is. But he adds, “sometimes you have to cut trees in order to save others”.

The article went on to say that “in the forest, appearances can be deceiving, and, as a result, sometimes the best intentions can lead to bad forestry. For example, going into a stand of trees and pulling out all of the trunks at least 16 inches in diameter makes economic sense, since trees like oaks and poplars fetch more money when they reach that size. Other smaller trees are left, and it would seem like being selective would be a better move than mowing down every single tree. But often, the trees that remain aren’t the best trees. They’re gnarled, diseased, or a less desirable Species, and you can actually hurt the health of a forest by leaving them behind.


On the other hand, a lot of people find it painful to see trees come down or to watch a quiet, shaded spot in the woods turn into an open, stump-filled clearing. But with the right forestry plan, the forest will return stronger than before.



God showed me how managing a forest is similar to growing the body of Christ. So the title of my message this morning is Do You Have the Right Forestry Plan? Let’s take a look at what this says about the body of Christ and growing a strong body of Christ.




The Growth of Trees
We have trees in the body of Christ as well as in the forest. You might ask how do we have trees in the body of Christ?

First of all, let’s define what the trees are in God’s language. They are people as referenced in the following scriptures:

❖ Mark 8:24  And he looked up and said, I see men as trees, walking.
❖ Luke 23:31  For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?
[The “green tree” here is Jesus Christ Himself, who is the “tree of life”: the “dry” trees are those that don’t accept Him].
❖ Isaiah 61:3  To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.

The trees of righteousness are us, the body of Christ. 2 Corinthians tells us:
❖ 2 Corinthians 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

So people are referred to as “trees” in scripture - trees of righteousness - and we are the righteousness of God.


Secondly the natural trees in the forest need light from the SUN to grow. The body of Christ also needs light but from the SON to grow in Christ. "Light" in Hebrew is the word 'owr. This word "light" means illumination or luminaries; to shine; be set on fire. Illumination is the state of being provided with understanding (comprehension, realization, or knowledge) of something or someone.


When God said, "Let there be light" in Genesis 1:3, He was not talking about "day light". The "light" of the sun and moon weren't brought forth until the fourth day in Genesis 1:14-19. So this had to be a different kind of light in Genesis 1:3, and this light or ‘owr was "revelation knowledge” which was brought forth the first day.  God was saying, let there be people with my mind, my thoughts, my knowledge, my understanding, my wisdom, my power, my authority, my blood, my very life IN THEM! Let them be like me!! And verse 3 states, And there was light! God saw these people (male & female) shining and on fire with the very light of His glory!!

❖ Genesis 1:4  And God SAW the LIGHT, that it was GOOD!

This light is knowledge and power and authority. This light can only be from God.
❖ 1 John 1:5  God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

We must understand that there were worlds or creations here before this world or creation that we know of was here. That happened between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2.
❖ Hebrews 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
With this, we understand that the “sun” had to be in existence even before Genesis 1:14-19 in the other worlds that were here for there to be life. Everything in this universe - man, plant, animals - gets its life and light from the light of the “SUN”. Because there is no way that there can be any life without “sun light”.
❖ Ecclesiastes 1:9 The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.


As we continue to talk about the growth of trees, listen to what the forestry student in the article stated: “To manage a forest, you are managing the light”. To manage the body of Christ, we have to manage the light. What do we mean by “manage”? Webster’s defines manage as being able to handle or direct with a degree of skill; to treat with care; to work upon or try to alter for a purpose; to succeed in accomplishing.


So if we are managing the light, (which is the understanding or comprehension and knowledge of God), we are handling or directing this understanding to others; we are treating it with care; we are trying to alter something or someone with this knowledge; we are succeeding in accomplishing God’s purpose for our lives.


As the trees were gradually being removed from next door over a 2 week process, the entire east side of our house and neighbor’s land was being opened up. Scripture tells us that the glory of God came from the east so His glory is coming forth to this house for further growth of the body of Christ.
❖ Ezekiel 43:2  And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east: and his voice was like a noise of many waters: and the earth shined with his glory.


So we have talked about how the natural trees and God’s trees (us) both need the light for growth and development. In order for this growth to occur, the light needs to be managed, which involves, sharing it with others to accomplish God’s purpose in our lives.


The Results of Managing the Light

A. The Revealing or taking off of Covers
As a result of managing the SUN light through the tree removal, more light is able to shine in at an earlier time of day. The new trees which will be planted at the right time will have more sunlight for growing and producing a healthy park area. We can see more things happening around the neighborhood - people walking, people talking in their yards, cars driving around; work trucks moving to their destination. In other words, we can see more life happening right outside our windows.


Think of this in the spirit. By managing the SON light, God is removing the scales from our eyes (meaning the eyes of the body of Christ) in order for us to see the true meaning of the scriptures; in order for us to learn more deeply about the God we serve and the God who lives in us. Christ is in us, but we need to be in Him. He is teaching us about the meaning of being “in Christ”, which is being in the body of Christ.
● 2 Corinthians 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
❖ Colossians 1:18  And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning
❖ Genesis 1:1  In the beginning (Christ) God created the heaven and the earth.
❖ Colossians 1:27  To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.


In the first verses of the book of Revelation, we learn that God was showing John the revelation or the revealing of Jesus Christ and told John to write it down.
❖ Revelation 1:1  The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John.

If we look at the word Revelation, we find that it comes from the Greek word apokalupsis which means disclosure; appearing; coming; manifestation; be revealed. This takes us to another Greek word apokalupto, meaning to take off the cover; disclose; reveal.


So the Revelation of Jesus Christ is the revealing; taking off the cover; manifesting; or the disclosure of who Jesus Christ really is. Many believe and are taught that the apocalypse is something to come, but it is happening now and has been for years. The book of Revelation is not one to be afraid of; it is one to read and learn what has already happened and what is happening now.


B. Another result of managing the light is separation.
The article tells us that “to get more light, you have to remove trees”. Remember that trees are people. Now think about our own lives. When contemplating about the tree farm that was inside the fence, I thought about the throngs of people who have been planted along our paths in life and become part of our forest. We are blessed with having become acquainted with so many people - some we see daily; some occasionally; some only at work; and yes, some we have lost contact with. There are all types of people, or trees, in our lives which means all sorts of personalities, backgrounds, values, etc. As we have connected with each of these people, have we strengthened or weakened our connection with our main source of light - the SON?


Even though this article is focused on trees in the forest, I also believe that this separation can pertain to other things in life that take our focus away from God, such as the electronics in our lives, material possessions, the driving force to “get ahead” in life, or the need to keep up with our neighbors. We need to remove some of these things, or at least limit our focus on them, in order to allow God’s light to penetrate us.


Whether our forest includes trees or people or it includes man’s creations, how have these things affected our lives? Have they squeezed out the light? Have we gotten caught up in spreading gossip? Have we neglected to help others when asked because we already had some social engagement? Have we put our needs ahead of others who really need our help? Have we neglected the few minutes of conversation with our neighbor because it didn’t fit into our schedule?


These are the tough vines in our forests that have grown among us or throughout the trees because of the lack of light. These connections have or can become so strong that a chain saw is needed to separate them. In the natural, I’m talking about a vine that is 6-8” in diameter. Sometimes these vines are so connected to the trees/people that no one or no - thing, such as the light, can penetrate them.


These forests of people in our lives also mean all sorts of opportunities to teach them about God and truth - some may already have the light but others may not. This is why Jesus told His disciples (and us) to go and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the son, and of the Holy Ghost. (Matthew 28:19). God has given us the direction to manage our forests. Thus we need to be managing the light.


Let’s look again at what the article told us about separation:

Sometimes you have to cut trees in order to save others.

In the natural, trees need light to grow as well as other elements like rain. If the trees are so crowded as to be within inches or feet of each other, their growth will not be complete or to their full extent. However given enough spacing among them, they can receive the light that they need to complete their growth cycle and become mature, full trees.


In the same way, we must not let anything or anyone stop us from receiving the light that we need which comes in the form of studying the word of God; praying; sharing the word with others; meditating on the word, serving others. The result would be that we could not reach our potential in Him as sons of God. We would remain at the level we are and not grow into all that He has for us. Or worse, we could stray away from God.


We must continually be connected to the light and be able to receive the light from God as well as from other members of the Body of Christ. We cannot let our light be obscured from others or put out altogether.
❖ Matthew 5:15  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.


It can be very hard to “remove” people and objects or “goals” from our lives. God can do it. If He wants us to remove ourselves from a person or persons, He will see that it is done. But if God wants you reunited with a person or persons, He will open the door at the right time. We simply have to be patient and wait on Him. We can’t allow the enemy to “poison” us through people who follow him. God knows what is best for us and will protect us.


So let us be mindful of the trees around us - from their birth as seedlings to their gradual growth to full maturity. But with this growth comes the underbrush and the vines that grab us one to another and cut off our outreach with others. Watch out for situations and/or others who can cut us off from the light.


C. One last result of managing the trees by removing them: With the cutting of the trees, there are a multitude of stumps left. Low-to-the ground stumps of all different sizes. So are they so important that they need to be removed? Well, yes! Here are a few good reasons. They can:
1. Be hazardous
2. Ugly
3. Hard to maneuver around
4. Attract insects
5. Can cause new tree growth.

Sometimes leaving the stump behind contributes to new sprouts, which can result in many small trees growing around the Stump. This is unsightly to your landscaping and quite costly to try to remove because the new shoots may keep coming back, and you may need chemicals to kill them off completely. These small trees also leech nutrients from other plants located near them, so your other plants may not receive all the nutrients they need.


So if these stumps are not removed, the “tree farm” will be right back where it started from and more prolific than it was before - tree shoots growing out of the stumps, crowding together with little SUN-light, leeching nutrients from any other plants they can find, and becoming a regular jungle again.

Wow! What does this sound like?
Matthew 12:43-45  When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.
44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.
45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.
Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.

What about the body of Christ? Do you see why this separation we talked about earlier is so important? If we allow ourselves to be influenced by the wrong people, or the wrong electronics, or the wrong material possessions, what will happen? If we allow our focus to be redirected away from God, what will happen? We will be right back where we started from before we knew Christ or yet in a worse state.


Back to the article, the forestry student said this:
If something’s screwed up in the forest, we can turn it back to where it should be.”


Through proper care of the trees, the forest or tree farm can become healthy again. By doing such things as, pruning and clearing out the brush and small seedling trees, the forester can produce a healthy forest or tree farm. By keeping the trees pruned or trimmed, it would have allowed more fruit to grow from deep within. There would have been healthier, stronger branches. But no one was assigned to prune or trim, and these tree branches grew in every direction and with great length and the overcrowding began. Over time, this did not produce healthy trees.


Also there were vines that came into the tree farm and began to grow up the trunks of almost every tree. They wove their way around the trunks and branches and then attached to the next tree. You see, they became so interconnected with each other that they didn’t need to remain totally connected to their main source of light, which was the SUN. They thrived on darkness and dampness and only needed the partial light of the SUN. But we know that we have to have the full effects of the SON to thrive. Jesus, as the true vine, tells us to abide in Him and let Him abide in us for without Him, we can do nothing.

The verses of John 15:1-5 support all that I have been sharing this morning. Let me read them to you.

John 15:1-5  I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it (meaning to cleanse or remove anything that is undesirable), that it may bring forth more fruit.
3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.


At the end of the article in Our State magazine, the forestry student tells us: A lot of people find it painful to see trees come down or to watch a quiet, shaded spot in the woods turn into an open, stump-filled clearing. But with the right forestry plan, the forest will return stronger than before.


I say to you this morning that we make up the forest. The forest is the body of Christ. So I ask you: Do You Have the Right Forestry Plan? With the right plan, the forest will return stronger than ever before. But we must manage the light! And how do we do that? Jesus said Abide in Me!

Let us give God the praise for His Word!!!!


~ Deaconess Rachel West