4 minute read
My Place With Jesus
AN IT IS WRITTEN MINISTRY
John 8:12
On the third day of creation, God filled the earth with countless varieties of trees, shrubs, plants, and flowers. God designed that both plants and animals would benefit from each other. Both people and animals breathe out carbon dioxide, which is used by plants to create the energy they need in order to grow. In return, plants produce oxygen, something all animals—including humans—require to survive. Our world is “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14)! I became fascinated with plants when I realized something had to be done with a special plant my husband had given me. I have to admit I hadn’t taken especially good care of this plant. Now I was going to have to take some drastic measures. I was a little fearful of the Lessons outcome! I really didn’t want this plant to die. Plants really only require a few simple things in order to survive and remain healthy. They desire proper soil and adequate sunshine and water. They want a routine From boost of fertilizer and loving care and attention. Sounds pretty simple, right? The needs of plants and Christians are alike in many ways. Jesus made this comparison in A Plant the parable of the sower (Mark 4:3–8; 13–20). Seeds need proper soil to grow healthy and strong. If our hearts are stony or crowded with the weeds of this world, it’s impossible for God’s Word to take root. It is important that we cultivate the soil of our hearts with God’s Word. Plants always bend in the direction of a source of light. This is why plants need to be rotated so as not to become lopsided. If a plant doesn’t receive enough sun, it becomes pale, sickly, and then dies. The Bible tells us that Jesus is the light of the world—the giver of life (John 8:12). When we turn toward Jesus, we will grow strong and in an upward direction. The best time to water plants is in the morning. This allows the plant to absorb water before the heat of the day. If we arm ourselves with the Word of God before we face each day, we will be strong in His might and able to withstand the darts of the devil (Ephesians 6:10–18).
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Search down, forward, and on the diagonal to find the hidden words.
Birds choked Fell fruit good ground grow root seed sower stony thorns trials word wayside
B W A M U M Z O T S G K T I C Q P L I V Q B B E Y E H H E G L W D R F R U I T U J G O W O Z N F B F K F R V Y Y I R A O F F K D T B Q D I D R G N O D U M E O A W U S A W T W S M W K I O L L U G U I X W Y D P H R R Q T L H M J S E W Q D Y D I I T R Y S Z U M T O S E E D Z S I I K W T M X G R I G J C S Y F A O C H O K E D W P T Z O Z W L N G J V N W P K D C E W A Y S I D E H B Y E B Q C Z E Y J G R O U N D R T A W Q T R U F G W I V K V E N P Y S E
For answers: Scan the QR code or go to
myplacewithjesus.com/ answers
MELISSA BRADSHAW is the children’s ministries director at It Is Written. Melissa and her
husband, John Bradshaw, have
two children and live in the
Chattanooga, Tennessee, area.
After a wilted plant receives water, it perks right back up! Jesus invites us to come to Him and receive the Living Water. This water is the Holy Spirit (John 7:37–39) who strengthens us (Romans 8:26) and brings to us the power of God (Acts 1:8).
Regular fertilizer encourages a plant to bloom or produce fruit. Do you remember how the song goes? “Read your Bible, pray every day and you’ll…,”? That’s right, you will “grow, grow, grow!” When you make it your practice to read your Bible, and pray every day, you will become more like Jesus and produce the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23).
My plant didn’t die! Instead, it grew stronger than ever. I also have several new plants which grew from the trimmings I made. I hope that next time you look at a plant you will remember to read your Bible, pray every day, and grow in the direction of Jesus.
