Topic: Remove Thorns and Weeds From Your Heart  [Church of God Mission International] Above Only Daily Devotional 19 August 2021

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Above Only Daily Devotional

THURSDAY AUGUST 19, 2021

Remove Thorns and Weeds From Your Heart

Matthew 18:3, 7 & 22(TPT)

“Consider this: There was a farmer who went out to sow seeds. As he cast his seeds,….. Other seeds fell among the Thorns and weeds, so when the seeds sprouted, so did the weeds, crowding out the good plants. *”The seed sown among the weeds represents the person who receives the message , but all of life’s busy distractions, his divided heart, and his ambition for wealth result in suffocating the kingdom message and prevent him from bearing spiritual fruit.

The reason many believers are not as fruitful as they intended to be is not due to external forces or the actions of others . Rather, it is due to the negative mindsets they maintain which serve to choke the life out of God’s word. As such , God’s word is unable to produce fruit in their lives. A person who cannot breathe cannot be active and productive. In the same way, when you choke the life out of God’s word, it cannot be active and productive in your life. It is only when the word of God is alive and active in our hearts that it can penetrate more than a double edged sword and take effect in our lives (Hebrew 4:12).

One of our greatest battles is the battle to cast down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God and bring them into captivity to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). Just as removing thorns and weeds from a farm can be tedious, getting rid of negative mindsets can also be very tedious. However, it is necessary for maximum fruitfulness and productivity.

For some believers, the superstitions they continue to believe and hold on to choke the life out of God’s word in their hearts. Jesus noted that many people nullify the power of God’s word because of the traditions of men(Mark 7:9 & 13). For others, it is errant doctrines and religious mindsets that are choking the life out of God’s word. Greed and covetousness are also major thorns . A lack of contentment can also cause a believer to fall into temptation, drown in destruction and perdition and pierce themselves with many sorrows (1 Timothy 6: 6-10). The Bible offers us a solution to covetousness: be conscious that God is with you and that He will help and never leave you (Hebrew 13:5).

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, please help me to identify and get rid of every negative mindset that is hindering the effectiveness of Your word in my life.

Bible In One Year Reading Plan
Esther 5:1-7:10, 1 Corinthians 12:1-26, Psalm 36:1-12 & Proverbs 21:21-22.