House Plants

      It seems as if the last 20 years or so have seen a return of the house plant.  Many folks get involved so much that these plants become a hobby.  It’s no wonder since living plants can be so attractive, and add that little “something” that helps to make a house a home.  Now, these domesticated weeds come in all sorts, sizes, and colors.  They are not abused with poison, but treated with “tender loving care.”  Careful watering, plant food, shining leaves, and placing in special areas, like the parlor, is part of many house plant’s portion in life.  Unfortunately, some refuse to live and just die, in spite of all the care they receive.
     Some might laugh at the idea, but God also has a “hobby” of keeping house plants.  The connection is clear that this world is His house, and we are the plants.  This earth would only be a rock and not a “home” without us “plants” around.  We come in all sorts, sizes, and colors; but honestly, we are basically just weeds since “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”  The Lord is careful not to poison the “plants” though.  He “waters” them: “Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst: but the water (the Holy Spirit) that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water, springing up to eternal life.”  He “feeds” them: “He will feed his flock like a shepherd...”  He “shines” them: “Look to him (Jesus Christ), and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed.”  Some are promoted to the “parlor” (heaven):   "In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”  Unfortunately, some wither and die, in spite of all the provisions and care God has made for them.
       My friend, as one of God’s “plants,” are you a weed and destined to this end: “at harvest time I will tell the reapers, gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned...  ”Or are you receiving His best care, and heading for the glorious supernatural “parlor” called heaven?  This latter estate can really be yours - it’s so simple to become a Christian.  It’s just a matter of admitting and confessing our sin (which we are all born into), and asking Jesus Christ to come into our life.  “If you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For man believes with his heart and so is justified, and he confesses with his lips and so is saved.”  “... and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”  Why not take advantage of these divine provisions and become a special “house plant” destined for ultimate greatness?  “... and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.”   Choose Jesus, He is alive.
Scriptures referred to are Romans 3:23, John 4:14, Isaiah 40:11, Psalms 34:5, John 14:2-3, Matthew 13:30, Romans 10:9-10, John 6:37, and Isaiah 58:11 respectively.   RSV, KJV, and NAS.

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