I just got my first 2026 seed catalog in the mail as it is snowing like crazy outside! While the snow in January brings me great joy, so does the thought of seeds, seedlings, and ultimately flowers, vegetables, and fruit! When this beautiful season of snow is over, some of my gardens will start to come to life with plants that are rooted there as perennials. But my vegetable garden and some flower beds will need a lot of attention as those were filled with annuals that perished after they produced last season. What a great picture this gives as I reflect on our verse for today.

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Peter, an outspoken and well-known disciple of Jesus, is the author of the books of 1 and 2 Peter. He is writing to those who have put their faith and hope in Jesus – who have been born again as Jesus described to Nicodemus in John 3:1-5. In today’s verse, Peter is explaining that being born again is not like an annual seed that will perish, but that the seed planted in us by the Holy Spirit is imperishable because it comes from the “living and enduring word of God.”  

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IMPERISHABLE. Our minds can hardly comprehend this. We know death, disease, and sickness. Even our perennials – those plants that come up year after year – will suffer the effects of drought, disease, and ultimately fade with time. Creation has been marred by sin, so nothing is imperishable. We are used to expiration dates, perishable goods, and knowing that everything good must come to an end.

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But God is imperishable, enduring, forever. Stop for a moment and let that sink in. Thank Him!

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And not only is God imperishable, but so is His Word. What a gift we have! The gospel – the good news of Jesus coming to redeem us from our sin and giving the Holy Spirit to walk with us each day – is forever. It doesn’t shift with cultural changes. It doesn’t succumb to weather or disease or any other earthly issue. It is forever – unchanging. We can count on His Word!

So, what does this mean for you today?

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If you aren’t certain that you fit the first part of the verse “because you have been born again,” start there. Make today the day that you know for certain you are His child and you accept the work that Jesus did on the cross on your behalf. Call a friend who can pray with you or call the church office (907-694-7741) – nothing would make a staff member more encouraged than the opportunity to pray with you as you welcome Jesus into your life!

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If you’re confident that you are born again, sit a moment and thank God for his imperishable seed of the gospel that is planted in you. You have confidence in Him who is forever and doesn’t change!

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Finally, this is the best news for a world that is used to sickness, disease, and death. Don’t keep this to yourself. Share the imperishable seed of the gospel with those around you. We all need to be Jesus gardeners!