Daily Devotional

This morning I was shocked to see how the weeds were taking over my garden!  Ugh.  After putting on my grubby clothes, I got down on my knees to fight the war of the weeds! 
An especially difficult weed is called Spurge. It is gripping the soil surrounding my new vegetable plants. It wants to choke the life out of all that is good in my garden!
As I labor, I begin to talk to the Lord.  “Lord, what are the weeds in my life that choke out my trust in you?  There is one weed in particular, like Spurge, that can strangle my heart…I admit it.  It is called FEAR.  My God has much to say about this.

Isaiah 41:10, 13 “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” …
“For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, ‘Fear not, I am the one who helps you.’”

The weed called Fear in my life thinks it is powerful, but God can pluck it right out of my heart in a moment of trust.

Psalm 56:3,4 “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me.?”

Time to stand up, stretch my back and look over my garden.  The rich soil surrounding by plants is void of weeds.  Spurge is gone!   Unfortunately, I know Spurge will emerge again, just like the fear in my heart will emerge again.  God is so patient with me.  I know He will be with me helping me fight the war in my heart against Fear.  When I trust God, I win!

FOR PARENTS:

• Memorize Psalm 56:3,4 or part of the verse (for younger kids).
• Discuss the meaning of the word Trust.  Play a trust game. (i.e. lead the kids around the yard with a blindfold on. They have to trust their leader.)
• Weed around a plant or in a garden. While pulling the weeds, talk about the weeds in our hearts.  (i.e. anger, fear, selfishness, etc.) Share about something you identify as a “weed” in your heart.  Gently, ask them to name the weed they need God to pull out of their hearts.  Explain that trusting God is the answer.  He will help them get rid of the “weed” in their life.  Pray often with them about this.   

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