Fall is Time for Planting

If you go to the nursery’s around the area you will find this slogan, “Fall is time for planting.” That seemed to work better when we lived in Southeastern PA than here on the Mid-coast of Maine. I have learned this over the last 14 years, Fall comes early in Maine so if you are going to do any Fall planting do it early, like today (Labor Day) and not much later.

When I awoke a little while ago, the thought of planting Fall Mums was on my mind. Today is the day. This past week we planted several perennials in our gardens; a new breed of Viola, “King Solomon,” several varieties of Day Lilies, two varieties of Iris’, several kinds of Hosta’s, two new grasses, some Phlox, and Astilbies. Within a couple of weeks I am going to rent a lawn slicer and reseed my lawn with a great Jonathan Green product that is particularly good here in Maine, “Black Beauty.” It will send a root 3 feet deep into the earth and is a very rich dark green grass. The reason for the lawn slicer is it takes several weeks to germinate and we could have some very cold weather by then. The lawn slicer will plant the seed ¼ of an inch deep where it can be protected and germinate more easily. Having sown some “Black Beauty” in test areas of my lawn I think this will be a better approach.

You ask, what in the world does this have to do with devotions? Well, keep reading.

In James chapter one he begins his Epistle by sharing several thoughts. To me the first chapter of James reads much like the Proverbs. It contains thought upon thought. Here is an example; verse 17 and following it says this: James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. 18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. 19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. 21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word , which is able to save your souls. 22 But be ye doers of the word , and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

Verse 21 is the verse that first came to mind this morning. 21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. I am beginning to enjoy reading the New Living Translation, NOT THE LIVING BIBLE, that is a paraphrase. It says this: 21 So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the message God has planted in your hearts, for it is strong enough to save your souls.

One of the most important things about gardening is soil preparation. Without going into a lot of “stuff” about it, let me say this, what you do for your soil will determine what happens to your plants.

Look at our verse, soil preparation is there; “. . . get rid of all (superfluity/abundance) the filth and evil in your lives. . . .” If you want beautiful flower or fruits take care to prepare your soil. If you want a life that will show the beauty of the Lord Jesus Christ, take care to deal with sin in you life!

Next you need to start with healthy seeds, or plants, or bulbs. That is in our verse. “The message (the Word) God has engrafted, implanted, or planted, in you heart.”

Then there is a proper depth of planting. You don’t plant any deeper than the crown on a shrub or tree, you plant your seeds to a recommended depth (“Black Beauty” via a lawn slicer = ¼ inch), Tulips 6 inches, Iris the crown must be exposed to the sun. Even this is in our verse. “receive with meekness” or “humbly accept.”

And then we must tend the garden. We need to weed, and water, and feed. Look at verses 22-25 -- 22 And remember, it is a message to obey, not just to listen to. If you don't obey, you are only fooling yourself. 23 For if you just listen and don't obey, it is like looking at your face in a mirror but doing nothing to improve your appearance. 24 You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. 25 But if you keep looking steadily into God's perfect law – the law that sets you free – and if you do what it says and don't forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it

And there is the promise of a beautiful harvest if we have received the Word of God as described in verse 21 So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the message God has planted in your hearts, for it is strong enough to save your souls.

Here is the lesson. There is only one means of salvation. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man comes to the Father but by me.” John 14:6. The message that saves us from our sins, is the message of he Word of God.

But once we hear the message we must obey it. To just go to church, and know all the right words is not salvation. At best it is reformation. To be saved is to have an abiding trust and obedience to the message of Christ. Trust Him to be saved, obey Him to bloom!

Have a wonderful day serving our Wonderful Lord, by Grace Alone.