We learned this week that if you “over” fertilize your tomatoes with nitrogen based nutrients, they may develop a calcium deficiency. This causes fruit rot!

I compared this year’s plants to the garden under our son’s care (pictured above). He knew what he was doing!

Even so, the root of Jesse (aka Christ Jesus our Lord), causes great rejoicing amongst the people. He knows what he is doing!

The prophecies in the Old Testament spoke of this “church age”, when both Jew and Gentile would live in harmony. When we glorify God the Father for truthfully fulfilling His promises and for showing His mercy to all, then we welcome one another (in spite of our differences).

Together, we can even have such harmony that our praises comes together with one voice.

Miracles abound when the root is healthy!!

This causes great hope, powerfully brought to us by the Holy Spirit (filled with joy and peace).

The weaknesses of our family roots are not as important as the opportunity to trust God’s root, when we are grafted into His olive tree. This may be something like God-ordained “miracle grow”.

Lord, help me to look past my own failings and those of others (who may not think like me). Strengthen me with the Holy Spirit’s presence to understand your peace and joy anew. In Jesus’ name. -Teresa #hopeforme

Romans 15:1-13 (ESV)*

The Example of Christ

15 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. ² Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. ³ For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” ⁴ For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. ⁵ May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, ⁶ that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁷ Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

Christ the Hope of Jews and Gentiles

⁸ For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, ⁹ and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,

“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles,
    and sing to your name.”

¹⁰ And again it says,

“Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.”

¹¹ And again,

“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,
    and let all the peoples extol him.”

¹² And again Isaiah says,

“The root of Jesse will come,
    even he who arises to rule the Gentiles;
in him will the Gentiles hope.”

¹³ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

*The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.