I AM MADE IN THE IMAGE OF THE MASTER GARDENER.
So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:29)

UNDER HOLY SPIRIT DIRECTION, I CULTIVATE THE GARDEN
He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to cultivate— bringing forth food from the earth. (Psalm 104:14)

I AM THE FIELD.
For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.
(1 Corinthians 3:9)

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I AM MADE IN THE IMAGE OF THE MASTER GARDENER.
The whole story of the Bible is about God’s love and mercy for His creation. “It begins with Jesus, the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.” (1 Corinthians 1:15) We were meant to be in charge of—to rule and reign over—the world. “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it .” (Genesis 2:15; 19-20)

Humankind was made in God’s image, but when the devil-serpent used flattery and twisted God’s words, humans agreed with and accepted his flattering ideas. This evil behavior alienated us from God.  We believed we could be gods, in charge, determining for ourselves what is good and what is evil (Genesis 3:4-5).

But God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) didn’t leave us broken. “This is the Gospel message, brought to us through Jesus. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel.” (1 Corinthians 1:22-23)

In mercy and love, God brought us back to Him. And in the ten rules God gave us to tell us how to live as beings created in His image, He said:“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me.” (Exodus 20:2-3)

Even though we still are falling for Satan’s twisted views of the world, God has given us a way back to Him.

UNDER HOLY SPIRIT DIRECTION, I CULTIVATE MY GARDEN.
“First we have to repent and believe, die to ourselves and come alive again with Christ. When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.” (1 Corinthians 2:13-14)

I cultivate my soil of my being. I spend time in Scripture, digesting God’s words so that they become a part of me. I pray daily—listening and talking—with the God who lives in me. I recognize His voice; I follow His guidance. I dig out the weeds over and over again, and replace them with God’s nourishment. I turn my face to the Son and submit to His pruning.

Over my lifetime I grow and begin to bear His fruit. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

I AM THE FIELD.
God has planted me in His field; I am one of His Chosen People. The Holy Spirit lives in me, and God provides for all my needs. So, what am I to do here? Stand tall and proud, taking credit for all my gifts from God? NO! We are to share God seeds with all the earth, broadcasting them so that every inch of soil receives the gospel seed (Matthew 28:19-20).

God assigns each of us a gardening task—we are His servants in the planting. It is God who makes the plants grow.  “So, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.” (1 Corinthians 4:7-9)