A LESSON RIGHTLY LEARNED

“Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.”    HEBREWS 2:1

     Surely you’ve been to a workshop, class or demonstration where a lot of information was placed in your “container”.  What of it was really important and what did you remember?  You were most likely to remember the information tied to a story or illustration combined with a hands-on experience or at least a visual aid of some sorts.  Good teachers/instructors know you will not remember everything but they know you will take home some of the things you “experienced”.  That is one of the reasons Jesus preformed so many miracles and gave his disciples similar powers. 

     The miracles were definitely an experience for the one who received and the ones who viewed “his touch”.  Often, today, some think these miracles are just stories from the Bible. Stories that may or may not be accurate or being real.  Many believe much of the Bible is figurative versus literal.  Do you?

     Look at your garden.  Do the flowers, shrubs, ground cover and trees look figurative or literal?  Are you really seeing what you are seeing?  Everything you plant, cultivate and harvest consists of the substance created in Genesis, by God and given to us to care for and have dominion over. (Genesis 1:26)

     Authors of the Bible recount many times the events and products

of creation.  If there was creation, “In the beginning”, and there is a creator, then we must also be products of his creation. But we are more than plants in a garden or creatures that roam the earth.  We are mankind; created in His own image and designed for His adoration and glory.  We are also products of the saving Grace and can be “born again” as new creatures in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Garden tip: Spring bloom bulbs are arriving at many of your local outlets. Do research on the time for planting and needs of the various bulbs for your area.  Bulbs are not “one size fits all anymore than their other cousins in your garden.

A DAY WITHOUT WORRY

         “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to yo not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” JOHN  14 : 27

     Most gardeners cannot walk away from “a day in the garden” and say “it is finished; my work here is done”. But Jesus, The Master Gardener, could.  And He did! He drew himself up into the skies, leaving the followers in awe. But He is coming again!  And He did not leave us alone!  He sent the Holy Spirit to dwell within us in our garden.  And He left us a peace that passes all understanding.  That peace can be ours if we choose to ask Jesus into our lives and into our “gardens”. 

     When we have Jesus in our gardens and that peace in our hearts, we can know at the end of a day we can put aside our worries, walk away from our menial tasks and find rest in the arms of our Savior.  We have worked a good day, “as though for the Lord”. We have the peace He gives us.

     We can sleep knowing that tomorrow is a new day in which the Lord could return to walk on earth and in our gardens.

     Having Jesus in our gardens to work with us and guide even our every step, we can bear much fruit and expect a great harvest; day by day, every day, and even into Eternity with Him.

Rest well and face tomorrow without any worry; you will not be in your garden alone!

Gardening tip:  Look at your seed and plant catalogs on the hottest of days and know that fall planting and spring plants will help you fill in those places where in your garden you can see dirt… something just has to be planted there.

SHARING FROM YOUR GARDEN

During wheat harvest, Reuben went out into the fields and found some mandrake plants,which he brought to his mother Lea.  Rachel said to Lea, “Please give me some of your son's mandrakes." GENESIS 30; 14  

     Sharing from the garden is just as much a part of gardening as is planting. watering or fertilizing.  Sharing is just part of being a gardener. God created all of us equally; however, some of us have been given different talents than others. Therefore, it behooves us, as Christian, to share of our bounty, gardens and lives.  Tithing is a given and then there are the missionary type opportunities.  There is also family, friends and neighbors.

    

     A couple lived next door to a widow who lived alone in a large house.  Many times when they were cooking, an extra portion was shared with the neighbor.  Soups, chili and spaghetti were often moving from one house to the other.  And delicious cookies often made their way back as well.  Give of what you have to those who have not.

     Did not Jesus say, “if you have done this to the least of these, you have done it also to me.”? Find someone, today, with whom you can share. Share of your blessings and share of the way God has changed your life.

        Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 CORINTHIANS 5:1

Gardening Tip: In your water garden, tropical water lilies add a riot of beauty especially if you have selected a truly tropical lily.  Hardy lilies bloom only in the day while tropicals will stay open longer and bloom later into the season. Night blooming tropical water lilies open later in the day and will remain until early the next morning.

THE SPIRITUAL SIDE OF RELIGION

“And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”    JOHN 17:3

     When I was a kid if somebody did something really well or seemed to know a lot about something, we would say, “He or she really knows their stuff”.  When riding around town if I see a lawn or garden that is outstanding, I might comment about their ability to garden or their ability to hire somebody who “knows their stuff”. 

     When we sit in a Sunday School class and someone teaches a really good lesson, adding their knowledge to the prepared materials, again, “they really know their stuff”.   

A lot of people know all about the Trinity, the Books of the Bible, even something about some of the authors.  We have “head knowledge” about religion but little experience about the spiritual life. We are missing Heaven by about fifteen inches.

     Today, many of us have found personal relationships with Jesus, God or have had a life changing encounter with the Holy Spirit.  We have now entered into the spiritual side of religion which will continue past our short stay here on Earth. 

     If you have met Jesus, on your knees, you have begun a new journey that will take you down new pathways and through new “gardens” as you learn more about your spiritual side of life and eternity in Heaven. You will “really know your stuff”.

 

     Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.  2 Corinthians 5:17

Gardening Tip: Deadhead annuals. Annuals need to flower and create seed in one season, so taking off the flower as soon as it fades not only keeps the plant looking attractive, it also encourages the plant to put out more blooms.

WE ALL MAKE MISTAKES

WE ALL MAKE MISTAKES

“But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.”DANIEL 1:8

     You and I have planted plants where they really didn’t belong, knowingly, and it didn’t perform as it should or we lost it, we lost the “prize”. We regretted our transgressions, vowed never to do it again, but did.  Yes, we gardeners sometimes think we can do what we cannot do or get a plant to grow where it is not suited.  We all make mistakes.

     Does that mean we are not good gardeners?  Heavens, no!  It means we make mistakes; we poorly think some things through or have gaps in judgment.  We all do as David did; we ere.  Doesn’t mean we are bad people; just ordinary people with a penchant to mess up our gardens as readily as the next gardener.  We are constantly learning, growing and acknowledging the environmental impact for our effects, both good and bad.  Set your eyes upon God and let Him be the judge of your life.  That’s what Daniel did and that’s what his name, Daniel means; God is judge.

     You may never see the “yard of the month” sign in your yard and you may never be a leader in your church or your community.  But you have your very own special “garden” of life that God designed for you in the beginning.  If you are having trouble walking your path through your gardens or the gardens of family and friends, try looking for Gods’ footprints or His pathway that He yearns for you to follow. He has a way for you.  It may be a new focus on your side of the garden fence.  You may need to seek His favor and not the accolades from the sea of folks who surround you.

Let God be the judge of your actions and live each day as though for the Lord.  You’ll make some mistakes but if you believe God is a forgiving father and that Christ has covered your sins you can lean into the winds of life, follow in the proper foot along the pathways of life and be acknowledged by God as a good and faithful gardener.
Gardening tip:   Containers should not only be watered regularly but fertilized, as well. A dose of balanced fertilizer will help keep them healthy and vibrant.

PETER WAS A WATERING CAN

     “And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together

                  was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit,

                                    and they spoke the word of God with boldness.” ACTS 4:31

                                                                                                       

     Maybe you are a very serious gardener who attends all the gardening workshops, has all the catalogs and visits every garden that opens its gates for a walk through.  And, yet, you are very reluctant to share plants or ideas with others for fear of them not caring for either your product or your process.  You’ve got a beautiful garden, some great ideas, but you don’t share.

     Many of us Christians are much the same.  We have our own private relationship with God, His Son and the Holy Spirit.  Maybe you have some experiences with prayer, blessings and first hand knowledge of gifts from the Holy Spirit.  Yet, you don’t share.    

     Peter and the other followers were moved to a new level of discipleship when the Holy Spirit descended upon them.  Peter, who often had a problem with foot in mouth, now spoke with new found authority and thousands responded to the “good news”.  What was previously locked up inside Peter was released by the Holy Spirit to begin a new spiritual work for the Lord that has survived the generations. One day, one man and it changed history. 

     Among other things, Peter was a carrier; a vessel; a watering can; as are we.  Whose garden will you walk through today?  Will you share your water with a drought ridden fellow gardener?