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Devotions

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Devotions

Pulling up Weeds

2 Mins Read

“And I will lay it waste: it shall not be pruned, nor digged; but there shall come up briers and thorns: I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it.” Isaiah 5:6

The only way to stay on top of a weed problem is to prune and dig. Some weeds have roots so long and thick that you just cannot get rid of them by hand. You might need a dandelion remover or another tool.

At times we need to avail ourselves of spiritual tools to get rid of wrong things in our lives. If we did not catch it right away and it has becoming rooted in our spirit, it may take some pruning and digging.

A period of fasting and prayer may be what it takes to get back on track, and have our heart free of spiritual weeds. Or we may need to seek wise counsel from a trusted spiritual leader. Whatever it takes, get rid of those weeds!

Prayer: Lord, thank You for the tools You have provided to deal with spiritual problems in my life. I do not need to feel helpless, because nothing is impossible with You.

Devotion by Liane Grant

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Contagious Weeds

2 Mins Read

“And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.” Proverbs 24:31

One of the most frustrating things about weeds is how contagious they are. You might have carefully uprooted every dandelion in your yard so it would look green and beautiful. But if the neighbour was less conscientious, all it takes is a strong wind to spread those weed seeds on your property.

Of course there is a spiritual parallel to this. You might have started your day with a wonderful time alone with God, and you feel on top of the world. But you hear a coworker start griping and complaining, and before you know it, you find something to complain about. Bad attitudes are contagious.

The key is to be alert and not absorb the wrong attitudes of other people. Keep your mind focused on God and on what is pleasing to Him. This will make you immune to the contagion!

Prayer: Lord, help me to show compassion to those who are unhappy, but not to let their feelings rub off on me. Help me to keep my mind stayed on You today.

Devotion by Liane Grant

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Quick-growing Weeds

1 Min Read

“And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:” Matthew 13:7

While our cultivated plants take quite a while to grow strong and healthy, it seems like weeds can spring up almost overnight. Before we know it, they have deep roots that are difficult to remove without damaging the flowers around them.

Spiritually, it takes time to cultivate a deep relationship with God and effective spiritual disciplines. But spiritual weeds can appear quite rapidly. Just a wrong look from someone, or an impatient answer, and we find anger and offense trying to take root in our heart.

We need to be aware of the spiritual weeds that try to grow quickly. Pull them up, cut them off right away. Don’t give them any chance to grow, just get rid of them!

Prayer: Lord, help me to destroy any spiritual weeds that try to quickly inflame anger or resentment in my soul. Help me to invest time in the lasting, beautiful, spiritual attitudes that are pleasing to you.

Devotion by Liane Grant

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Unwanted Weeds

2 Mins Read

“For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.” Hebrews 6:7-8

After working hard to plant a nice flowerbed to bring beauty to our yard, the last thing we want are unwanted weeds growing up between our beautiful plants. But despite our precautions, they have a tendency to wiggle their way in. And then we have to find a way to get rid of them.

It’s no different spiritually. We commit ourselves to daily prayer and Bible reading, among other spiritual disciplines, so that our walk with God can grow and flourish. That is truly beautiful!

But weeds will try to make their way into our spiritual life. Annoyances, frustrations, disappointments and discouragements sometimes show up despite our best intentions. We didn’t ask for these situations, but we do have to deal with them. Good spiritual plants receive blessing, but weeds must be destroyed.

Prayer: Lord, help me to watch carefully over my spiritual garden, and to be on the lookout for any unwanted weeds that try to squeeze into my life.

Devotion by Liane Grant

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Visible Friends

2 Mins Read

“Dear friend, when you extend hospitality to Christian brothers and sisters, even when they are strangers, you make the faith visible” (3 John 1:5-6 in the Message Bible). Paul was writing to his good friend, Gaius. Gaius was a very common name and is found in several scriptures. My research…

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Growing Old Gracefully

2 Mins Read

Ecclesiastes 3:2 “A time to be born and a time to die…”  (Ecclesiastes 3:2 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible.) I think I know why they call the senior years “the golden years”. It’s because it takes all the gold you have to pay for your prescription…

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False Advertisement

2 Mins Read

“And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever.  And presently the fig tree withered away.”  (Matthew 21:19 in the King James Version of the…

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A Walk Down Memory Lane

1 Min Read

“They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness.”  (Psalm 145:7 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible.) My husband and I have been jotting remarks and answering questions in a book entitled, “A Grandparents Book:  Answers to a Grandchild’s Questions”…

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