Spring challenge 2

Spring is a time to plant seeds and watch them blossom. But before you plant seeds, you must prepare the ground.

God wants to speak to you through his word. In the same way, ask God to prepare your heart to receive his word before you begin to read your Bible.

Forgiveness and Reconciliation

First, Ask him to search your heart (Psalm 139:23) for any ways you may have sinned and ask him to forgive you.  He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us of all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9) If you have any problem between yourself and another, get that worked out. (Matthew 5:23).

 After getting your heart ready by asking God and others for their forgiveness, there may be another problem to be overcome.

A significant problem with fallow ground is that after being neglected, thorns and rocks accumulate in the field. These must be removed before the land can become useful and fruitful. So too in a life in which God’s Word has been neglected, many distractions have come in and taken up your focus.  God’s Word will only grow on your good soil if you get rid of rocks and thorns in your life.

Remove any unnecessary distractions to make more time for God and his Word. “Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.”” (Mark 4:8)

Once you have prepared your heart, it is time for planting. This spring, commit to plant God’s Word in your heart and watch it bring forth the fruit of peace, joy and righteousness. God’s word planted deep in your heart will prevent you from sinning against God. “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:11) Hide God’s Word in your heart by meditating on it. Write it, speak it  and think about it often. Replace worries and negative thoughts about yourself and others with God’s words of comfort.

Psalm 139:23, Mark 4:8, Psalm 119:11, Matthew 5:23

Copy verses either on paper or type them into your phone or computer. Choose one to memorize. Read and re-read it at least 3 times.

Come back for your next challenge tomorrow!