verb (used with object), landscaped, landscaping.
5. to improve the appearance of (an area of land, a highway, etc.), as by planting trees, shrubs, or grass, or altering the contours of the ground.
6. to improve the landscape of.
The Parable of the Sower
(sometimes called the Parable of the Soils)
Matthew 13:1-23, Mark 4:1-20, Luke 8:4-15
Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow. If you sow to your own flesh,
you will reap corruption from the flesh; but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life from
the Spirit. So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:7-9
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
The P’s of Landscaping
Planning
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declared the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11
They [Paul, Timothy, and Silas] went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word of Asia. When they had come opposite Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them; so passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. During the night, Paul had a vision; there stood a man of Macedonia pleading with him saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” When he had seen the vision, we immediately tried to cross over to Macedonia, being convinced that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them.
Acts 16:6-10 (NRSV)
Prepping
God preps us through prayer and reading the Bible.
Planting
Pruning
I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
John 15: 1-4 New International Version (NIV)
How is your kingdom landscaping business going?