In His strength we need to stop our doubts or worries and put our focus on Him

Dear Lord, open our hearts and our minds to the power of Your Word, which as we read, we may know, understand, and obey Your Word for us today.  We pray in Jesus’ name.  Amen.  (Author unknown)

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DAILY DEVOTIONAL – Saturday, April 27, 2024

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May you find comfort, encouragement, guidance, hope, inspiration, love, and peace – https://helpfulinspirationalblog.wordpress.com/. May you also find answers to your question(s) through the Scriptures that address every situation you face, and help with your problems.  Deb ♥

Today’s daily reading:

[In His strength we need to stop our doubts or worries and put our focus on Him]

PULL THE WEEDS OF WORRY

Scripture reading:

Matthew 13:3-8 – [Jesus] He told many stories in the form of parables, such as this one: “Listen!  A farmer went out to plant some seeds.  As he scattered them across his field, some seeds fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate them.  Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock.  The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow.  But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn’t have deep roots, they died.  Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants.  Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted!

Matthew 13:18-23 – “Now listen to the explanation of the parable about the farmer planting seeds: The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it.  Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts.  The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy.  But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long.  They fall away soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word.  The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced.  The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”

Today’s story is by:  Katara Patton

[They hear] the word, but the worries of this life . . . choke the word.  –Matthew 13:22

After burying a few seeds in a planter in my backyard, I waited to see the results.  Reading that the seeds would sprout within ten to fourteen days, I checked often as I watered the soil.  Soon I saw a few green leaves pushing their way out of the soil.  But my bubble burst quickly when my husband told me those were weeds.  He encouraged me to pull them quickly so that they wouldn’t choke the plants I was trying to grow.

Jesus also told of the importance of dealing with intruders that can impede our spiritual growth. . .  Thorns, or weeds, will do just that to plants—stop their growth (v. 22).  And worry will surely stunt our spiritual growth.  Reading Scripture and praying are great ways to grow our faith, but I’ve found I need to watch out for the thorns of worry.  They’ll “choke” the good word that has been planted in me, making me focus on what could go wrong.

The fruit of the Spirit, found in Scripture, includes such things as love, joy, peace (Galatians 5:22¹).  But in order for us to bear that fruit, in God’s strength we need to pull any weeds of doubt or worry that may distract us and cause us to focus on anything other than Him.

[If you would like to journal, reflect, meditate, or pray on today’s reading:]

– How is God helping you grow the seeds He’s planted within you?

– How can you pull the weeds of worry?

Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, please remind me to pull weeds often, discarding worry and deceitful thoughts so I may grow and bear fruit in You.

Scripture reference:

¹) The fruit of the Spirit is the spontaneous work of the Holy Spirit in us.  The Spirit produces these character traits that are found in the nature of Christ.  They are the by-products of Christ’s control—we can’t obtain them by trying to get them without His help.  If we want the fruit of the Spirit to grow in us, we must join our life to His.  We must know Him, love Him, remember Him, and imitate Him.  As a result, we will fulfill the intended purpose of the law—to love God and our neighbors.  Which of these qualities do you want the Spirit to produce in you?  (NLT)

Galatians 5:22-23 – But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  There is no law against these things!

https://odb.org/2024/04/27/pull-the-weeds

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