The Bible describes Jesus as a tender plant growing on hard , rocky , unproductive ground. Garden keepers know how difficult it is to work on a unfertile land . Unfriendly weather also affects plant growth. Hardly anything grows well during our hot, dry, blistering Indian summers. Only vegetation adapted to heat remains green and productive. The opposite is true for cold, snow bound places.
Jesus, God' s tender plant was meant to live in this harsh and hostile world.
"He came to his own and his own received him not" Gospel of John 1;11
Let me share with you some scenes from our winter garden and a page from from my devotions.
A Tender Plant
by Henry and Richard Blackaby ( Experiencing God Day by Day
For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, And as a root out of dry ground. Isaiah 53:2
The coming of Jesus was like a tender plant in the midst of a parched ground. Parched ground offers little hope for survival; it is dry and too hardened to allow most plants to penetrate its crust. Yet Jesus was prophesied as a tender plant that would break through the hostile soil and overcome the dry and lifeless environment in order to bring life.
When Jesus was born, His people were hardened to God’s Word. There is no written record of God’s having spoken to His people for four hundred years. The religious leaders of Jesus’ day had studied and memorized the Scriptures, but the words were lifeless to them. So hostile had they become to the truth that when God’s Son came to them, they killed Him. Nevertheless, despite the enmity of the people, Jesus brought life to all who believed in Him.
Jesus is capable of bringing life to any person, society, or culture no matter how hardened or hostile they have become to the gospel. Even the most calloused sinner will discover that Jesus knows how to penetrate the heart and bring life where there was only bitterness. The work of Jesus in a person’s life may seem fragile at first, but like the mustard seed, it will eventually grow into something strong.
As you pray for someone you care about, don’t be discouraged if this person has not responded to Jesus. Just as a tender plant finds a way to grow in a hard and unreceptive environment, so the love of Jesus has the ability to emerge in a life that seems completely unresponsive.
Tomorrow evening (Dec 6) we are having a Christmas Outreach programme for University students. It will be held at a College Chapel. More than 100 students are expected. I will be going too.
Please pray for a mighty work of God among the youth from all over India.
Jesus, God' s tender plant was meant to live in this harsh and hostile world.
"He came to his own and his own received him not" Gospel of John 1;11
Let me share with you some scenes from our winter garden and a page from from my devotions.
by Henry and Richard Blackaby ( Experiencing God Day by Day
For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, And as a root out of dry ground. Isaiah 53:2
The coming of Jesus was like a tender plant in the midst of a parched ground. Parched ground offers little hope for survival; it is dry and too hardened to allow most plants to penetrate its crust. Yet Jesus was prophesied as a tender plant that would break through the hostile soil and overcome the dry and lifeless environment in order to bring life.
When Jesus was born, His people were hardened to God’s Word. There is no written record of God’s having spoken to His people for four hundred years. The religious leaders of Jesus’ day had studied and memorized the Scriptures, but the words were lifeless to them. So hostile had they become to the truth that when God’s Son came to them, they killed Him. Nevertheless, despite the enmity of the people, Jesus brought life to all who believed in Him.
Jesus is capable of bringing life to any person, society, or culture no matter how hardened or hostile they have become to the gospel. Even the most calloused sinner will discover that Jesus knows how to penetrate the heart and bring life where there was only bitterness. The work of Jesus in a person’s life may seem fragile at first, but like the mustard seed, it will eventually grow into something strong.
As you pray for someone you care about, don’t be discouraged if this person has not responded to Jesus. Just as a tender plant finds a way to grow in a hard and unreceptive environment, so the love of Jesus has the ability to emerge in a life that seems completely unresponsive.
Tomorrow evening (Dec 6) we are having a Christmas Outreach programme for University students. It will be held at a College Chapel. More than 100 students are expected. I will be going too.
Please pray for a mighty work of God among the youth from all over India.
10 Fertilize my soul:
I will join you in prayer for God to do a mighty work in the hearts of the young people.
Shirley
Thank you Shirley. I will take photos and present a report here
Just prayed for that special gathering. I'm certain God will do great work tomorrow as He is doing today!
You have a lovely garden, by the way. :)
Hi Sincerity, we need lots of prayerr backing.
The garden flourishes in the cool season. We bought a few rose plants, some of them were destroyed in the heat and rains
Beautiful pictures of your garden and a great devotion...praying for many souls to come to Christ in that youth meeting. Blessings dear Amrita
Greetings From Southern California
Amrita, your winter garden is beautiful! :-)
Thanks for your recent visit to My Blog
God Bless and have a Nice Day :-)
I enjoyed this devotional today and your winter garden is so beautiful, Amrita.
Love,
Sandy
Hello Amrita,
It is very apt and absolutely right to describe Jesus as a tender plant in hostile environment. Yet he grew,preached,worked miracles only to be tortured and crucified mercilessly. He never mentioned in His life time that the disciples should preach HIS message to the gentiles. Only after His resurrection, HE told them to go all over the world and preach HIS message. What the Jews rejected became a boon to us otherwise we would not known about Jesus.
Everything is destined by God.He sent HIS only begotten Son,Jesus Christ, to save mankind from eternal damnation and HE did it in HIS own special way.God's ways are inscrutable.
Lovely photos and very inspiring message. My prayers and best wishes for the success of the meeting.
Joseph
Dear Shelly, Ron, Joseph sir, DeanO and Sandy, thank yuou for your encouraging comments and prayers.Have a blessed Advent
You have really beautiful garden. You must care about it well. I pray for all missionaries in Asia and Africa - of course in India too.
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