We have just gone through a time of year where the Christmas tree is all that is talked about. At that time of year, the world celebrates Christmas, which is their choice. But is it God’s choice of which tree He wants you to go to.
From the very beginning, God gave Adam and Eve freedom of choice, and all human beings down through time have had that same freedom to make decisions concerning right and wrong. Just like Adam and Eve we have been given two trees to partake of.
When we look back at the Christmas season, we know it has nothing to do with Jesus and never did. Thus, Christmas origins are from Satan, the god of this present world 2 Corinthians 4:4, who has fully deceived the whole world Revelation 12:9.
The result of such a great deception is described in Isaiah 5:20 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil; who put darkness for light and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! 21. Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! (A Faithful Version)
God condemns these pagan practices of using a Christmas tree in Jeremiah 10:2. Thus says the LORD, “Do not learn the way of the heathen, and do not be terrified at the signs of the heavens; for the nations are terrified at them. 3. For the customs of the people are vain; for one cuts a tree out of the forest with the axe, the work of the hands of the workman. 4. They adorn it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and hammers, so that it will not move. 5. They are upright as the palm tree They are like a scare crow in a garden of cucumbers, but cannot speak. They must surely be carried because they cannot walk. Do not be afraid of them; for they cannot do evil nor good, for it is not in them.” (A Faithful Version]
Let’s look at another situation concerning a better tree Psalms 1.1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of the scornful.2. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in His law does he meditate day and night. 3. And he shall be like a tree planted by the streams of water that brings forth its fruit in its season, and its leaf shall not wither, and all that he does shall prosper. 4. The wicked are not so, but they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
- Therefore the wicked shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; 6. For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked shall perish. (A Faithful Version)
A similar passage is found in Jeremiah 17: 7. Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD and whose hope is the LORD. 8. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters; it sends out its roots by the river, and it shall not fear when the heat comes, but its foliage shall be green; and he is not worried in the year of drought, nor will it cease from yielding fruit (A Faithful Version)
Keeping Christmas is a perfect example of men doing what is right in their own eyes Proverbs 14:12. There is a way which seems right to a man, but the end thereof is the way of death. (A Faithful Version)
People really need to think about this; Christmas and all its trapping by design feels good, so it seems good and right. Proverbs 16: 2. All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the spirits. (A Fathful Version)
Related to the idea of a “righteous tree” thriving by “living waters” is like the idea one being like a tree of life. The phrase “tree of life” occurs several times in the book of Proverbs. Proverbs 3:18. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold upon her; and happy is everyone who holds her fast. (A Faithful Version)
Proverbs 11:30. The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise. (A Faithful Version)
Proverbs 13:12. Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when desire is fulfilled it is a tree of life. (A Faithful Version)
Proverbs 15:4. A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it crushes the spirit. (A Faithful Version)
1 John 1:3. That which we have seen and have heard we are reporting to you in order that you also may have fellowship with us; for the fellowship—indeed, our fellowship—is with the Father and with His own Son, Jesus Christ. 4. These things we are also writing to you, so that your joy may be completely full. 5. And this is the message that we have heard from Him and are declaring to you: that God is light, and there is no darkness at all in Him. 6. If we proclaim that we have fellowship with Him, but we are walking in the darkness, we are lying to ourselves, and we are not practicing the Truth. (A Faithful Version)
Here John is focusing on our fellowship with God. True Christianity is all about our growing and changing and overcoming, getting rid of the Old Man {Adamic nature}.
The Protestants say, “IT IS SO SIMPLE”, Just know the Lord. The Protestants love to say, “DO YOU KNOW THE LORD.” If you knew the Lord, you would be keeping His Commandments. The Protestants can never pass the litmus test, and keep Christmas, the biggest holiday of the Christian world. We know everything about Christmas in a lie, and there is no truth in it. Those who keep Christmas are not of the truth and the truth is not of them!
Concerning true Christians, we saw in Psalms 1:1. Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of the scornful. 2. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in His law does he meditate day and night. 3. And he shall be like a tree planted by the streams of water that brings forth its fruit in its season, and its leaf shall not wither, and all that he does shall prosper. (A Faithful Version)
From Psalm chapter 1 we see the imagery “of a tree planted by streams of water” in the book of Revelation chapter 21: 1. Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away, and there was no more sea. And I, John saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3. And I heard a great voice from heaven say, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men; and He shall dwell with them, and they shall be His people; and God Himself shall be with them and be their God. 4. And God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall not be any more death, or sorrow, or crying; neither shall there be any more pain, because the former things have passed away.” 5. And He Who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” Then He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” 6. And He said to me, “It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the one who thirsts, I will give freely of the fountain of the water of life. (A Faithful Version)
Revelation 22: 1. Then he showed me a pure river of the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing out from the throne of God and of the Lamb. (A Faithful Version)
So here we have the righteous tree, as opposed to the “tree of the Knowledge of good and evil: and as opposed to the Satanic “Christmas tree.” The tree of life is linked to the water of life, all resulting from God’s grace as we are led and embowered by the Holy Spirit. And ultimately, this “tree” will produce the fruit of Eternal Life.
Revelation 22:12. And behold, I am coming quickly; and My reward is with Me, to render to each one according as his work shall be. 13. I am Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last. 14. Blessed are those who keep His commandments, that they may have the right to eat of the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city. (A Faithful Version)
So, brethren, let us strive to become a good tree, a fruitful tree, growing and thriving because we are “planted by the rivers of living waters.”
Indeed, as we endeavor to draw close to God let us reflect God’s glory by choosing the tree of life, with its running waters, and reject Satan’s counterfeit tree that so fully fills the landscape at this time of year, the “Christmas Tree” that is linked to the tree of the knowledge of good and evil is traced back to the Garden of Eden and the choice that Adam and Eve made. The world for the most part still prefers “the tree of the knowledge of good and evil” over the tree of life. Which tree does the world see when they see you?
May God’s love and grace continue to be upon you.
Your brother in Christ,
Ron
A Better Tree – Ron Volk
March 25, 2026 by Shirley Gohner • Uncategorized • 0 Comments
We have just gone through a time of year where the Christmas tree is all that is talked about. At that time of year, the world celebrates Christmas, which is their choice. But is it God’s choice of which tree He wants you to go to.
From the very beginning, God gave Adam and Eve freedom of choice, and all human beings down through time have had that same freedom to make decisions concerning right and wrong. Just like Adam and Eve we have been given two trees to partake of.
When we look back at the Christmas season, we know it has nothing to do with Jesus and never did. Thus, Christmas origins are from Satan, the god of this present world 2 Corinthians 4:4, who has fully deceived the whole world Revelation 12:9.
The result of such a great deception is described in Isaiah 5:20 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil; who put darkness for light and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! 21. Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! (A Faithful Version)
God condemns these pagan practices of using a Christmas tree in Jeremiah 10:2. Thus says the LORD, “Do not learn the way of the heathen, and do not be terrified at the signs of the heavens; for the nations are terrified at them. 3. For the customs of the people are vain; for one cuts a tree out of the forest with the axe, the work of the hands of the workman. 4. They adorn it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and hammers, so that it will not move. 5. They are upright as the palm tree They are like a scare crow in a garden of cucumbers, but cannot speak. They must surely be carried because they cannot walk. Do not be afraid of them; for they cannot do evil nor good, for it is not in them.” (A Faithful Version]
Let’s look at another situation concerning a better tree Psalms 1.1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of the scornful.2. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in His law does he meditate day and night. 3. And he shall be like a tree planted by the streams of water that brings forth its fruit in its season, and its leaf shall not wither, and all that he does shall prosper. 4. The wicked are not so, but they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
A similar passage is found in Jeremiah 17: 7. Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD and whose hope is the LORD. 8. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters; it sends out its roots by the river, and it shall not fear when the heat comes, but its foliage shall be green; and he is not worried in the year of drought, nor will it cease from yielding fruit (A Faithful Version)
Keeping Christmas is a perfect example of men doing what is right in their own eyes Proverbs 14:12. There is a way which seems right to a man, but the end thereof is the way of death. (A Faithful Version)
People really need to think about this; Christmas and all its trapping by design feels good, so it seems good and right. Proverbs 16: 2. All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the spirits. (A Fathful Version)
Related to the idea of a “righteous tree” thriving by “living waters” is like the idea one being like a tree of life. The phrase “tree of life” occurs several times in the book of Proverbs. Proverbs 3:18. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold upon her; and happy is everyone who holds her fast. (A Faithful Version)
Proverbs 11:30. The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise. (A Faithful Version)
Proverbs 13:12. Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when desire is fulfilled it is a tree of life. (A Faithful Version)
Proverbs 15:4. A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it crushes the spirit. (A Faithful Version)
1 John 1:3. That which we have seen and have heard we are reporting to you in order that you also may have fellowship with us; for the fellowship—indeed, our fellowship—is with the Father and with His own Son, Jesus Christ. 4. These things we are also writing to you, so that your joy may be completely full. 5. And this is the message that we have heard from Him and are declaring to you: that God is light, and there is no darkness at all in Him. 6. If we proclaim that we have fellowship with Him, but we are walking in the darkness, we are lying to ourselves, and we are not practicing the Truth. (A Faithful Version)
Here John is focusing on our fellowship with God. True Christianity is all about our growing and changing and overcoming, getting rid of the Old Man {Adamic nature}.
The Protestants say, “IT IS SO SIMPLE”, Just know the Lord. The Protestants love to say, “DO YOU KNOW THE LORD.” If you knew the Lord, you would be keeping His Commandments. The Protestants can never pass the litmus test, and keep Christmas, the biggest holiday of the Christian world. We know everything about Christmas in a lie, and there is no truth in it. Those who keep Christmas are not of the truth and the truth is not of them!
Concerning true Christians, we saw in Psalms 1:1. Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of the scornful. 2. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in His law does he meditate day and night. 3. And he shall be like a tree planted by the streams of water that brings forth its fruit in its season, and its leaf shall not wither, and all that he does shall prosper. (A Faithful Version)
From Psalm chapter 1 we see the imagery “of a tree planted by streams of water” in the book of Revelation chapter 21: 1. Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away, and there was no more sea. And I, John saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3. And I heard a great voice from heaven say, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men; and He shall dwell with them, and they shall be His people; and God Himself shall be with them and be their God. 4. And God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall not be any more death, or sorrow, or crying; neither shall there be any more pain, because the former things have passed away.” 5. And He Who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” Then He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” 6. And He said to me, “It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the one who thirsts, I will give freely of the fountain of the water of life. (A Faithful Version)
Revelation 22: 1. Then he showed me a pure river of the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing out from the throne of God and of the Lamb. (A Faithful Version)
So here we have the righteous tree, as opposed to the “tree of the Knowledge of good and evil: and as opposed to the Satanic “Christmas tree.” The tree of life is linked to the water of life, all resulting from God’s grace as we are led and embowered by the Holy Spirit. And ultimately, this “tree” will produce the fruit of Eternal Life.
Revelation 22:12. And behold, I am coming quickly; and My reward is with Me, to render to each one according as his work shall be. 13. I am Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last. 14. Blessed are those who keep His commandments, that they may have the right to eat of the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city. (A Faithful Version)
So, brethren, let us strive to become a good tree, a fruitful tree, growing and thriving because we are “planted by the rivers of living waters.”
Indeed, as we endeavor to draw close to God let us reflect God’s glory by choosing the tree of life, with its running waters, and reject Satan’s counterfeit tree that so fully fills the landscape at this time of year, the “Christmas Tree” that is linked to the tree of the knowledge of good and evil is traced back to the Garden of Eden and the choice that Adam and Eve made. The world for the most part still prefers “the tree of the knowledge of good and evil” over the tree of life. Which tree does the world see when they see you?
May God’s love and grace continue to be upon you.
Your brother in Christ,
Ron