Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen. Matthew 28:19,20 (NKJV)
Acquiring new plants from family and friends as they give me seeds or cuttings from their gardens brings me such delight. I often refer to them by the giver’s names, such as Mom’s irises or Lydia’s sunflowers. I in turn share from my garden. Purchasing all our plants would have cost a great deal, but sharing from our abundance benefits us all.
I have learned to let many of my plants go to seed. This allows me to save seeds for myself, my friends, and for the local bird population. An additional advantage occurs when the seeds self-sow in the area they are growing in. I started with just a few coreopsis plants; I eventually had an area covered in the yellow daisy-like flowers, and seeds of “my” plants grew and bloomed in several friends gardens.
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Jesus instructed His disciples to share the abundant life He had given them. He told them “Go and make disciples of all the nations.” He didn’t want them to hoard what they had been given through Him. He wanted them to tell others about Christ and the salvation He provides, to teach all the nations ‘‘to observe all things that I have commanded you.”
Suppose the disciples had never left the security of the locked room and shared their faith? What if they decided it was only for those who knew Jesus first-hand? Christianity could have died out in that generation. But they obeyed the Lord and shared the gospel of Christ. Because they obeyed, I heard the Good News and responded in faith. I now have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I pray you do as well.
Sadly, too often we can be guilty of hoarding the news of salvation. I know I sometimes allow fear of ridicule to control my actions instead of inviting my friend or neighbor to follow Jesus. Do you? If we don’t share the seeds of the gospel, are we really being a friend? Consider what Paul said in Romans.
How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Romans 10:14–15 (NIV)
Just as we are willing to share plants we cultivate, may we be willing to share the seeds of the truth of Jesus. Think what a great crop grows from that Seed!
Lord Jesus, You still command us to be Your witnesses and to make disciples of all the nations. Please forgive us for failing to obey Your command. Help us to be bold and share the seeds of the gospel with those we know. Amen.
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For Gardening information on seed propagation, see “Saving and Sharing Seeds” under the tab “In the Garden— Gardening Articles.”
Scriptures marked NKJV are taken from the NEW KING JAMES VERSION (NKJV): Scripture taken from the NEW KING JAMES VERSION®. Copyright© 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scriptures marked NIV are taken from the NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (NIV): Scripture taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®. Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™. Used by permission of Zondervan.
Thank you for joining me! I hope and pray that you’ll be touched by God in a special way each time you visit. Blogs post every other Thursday and are archived for your convenience. (Scroll down for the archives if you’re on a phone or other small screen.)
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News of my new book, His Broken Treasure by Kathryn Breckenridge
His Broken Treasure is a 31-Day companion devotional to the historical romance novel Murmur in the Mud Caves by Kathleen Denly.
Check out Murmur in the Mud Caves and other books in the Chaparral Hearts series at Kathleendenly.com #ChaparralHearts
Kathryn Breckenridge, author 