What happens when we allow weeds to start taking over a flowerbed or garden? I should have taken a picture of our garden...it's not too well kept right now. What happens is the weeds will choke the plants out and take over. You will then end up with a not so attractive flowerbed or a garden with no soon-to-be ripe veggies in it. You'll end up with a bed full of weeds that do no good but cause harm to the plants or flowers you are trying to grow.
I am not one who likes the outdoors but I do like fresh tomatoes out of the garden and green beans and corn---but I just want it to happen with no work on my part. I am not into getting out their and pulling weeds.
I remember when my husband and I first got married, I wanted a garden so bad so we started our first little garden. I like all the preparation but I do not like the upkeep...especially mid July when it's HOT HOT HOT! My mother (who is a true gardener) would come visit every once in awhile and so she would try to 'restore' my garden back to growth by going out and hoeing and pulling the weeds out.
The definition for weed is: any undesired, uncultivated plant that grows in profusion so as to crowd out a desired crop.
Ladies, if you are saved there are probably times you feel like a little daisy in a bed full of weeds.
Weeds refer to sin that just seems to be running rampant in our world today.
Just like the weeds that come into flowerbeds and gardens...when we allow sin to come into our lives, soon we are not as attractive and not producing fruit for the Lord as we should be.
When we allow the 'weeds' of this world to creep into our lives...the worlds:
- music
- clothing that are immodest and cause men to fall into sin and lust
- worlds talk -- no respect for others...it's all about me, myself, and I
- Idea of raising children...we aren't suppose to discipline and yet we stand back and wonder why there is a rise in crimes; drug and substance abuse; babies born out of wedlock; fornication; adultery; lying; cheating; and on and on we could go.
Our daisy won't be able to stand tall if we allow the 'weeds' of sin to creep into our lives. The 'weeds' of sin will creep in one by one and choke up:
- our testimony
- our light that should be shining brightly for our Lord
Just like weeds in a flowerbed, if you let one sin in, before you know it you'll have 1-2-3-4-5...and it's a lot easier to pull the first weed instead of waiting till you have a whole bed or garden full of weeds.
We are going to use an acrostic of the word Daisy to remind us of some things we need to do in order to insure that we don't allow the weeds of sin to come into our lives and choke us out of our joy as a Christian, destroy our testimony and our influence on others. One letter from the word "daisy" will be shared each day this week.
Today we'll look at the letter "D"
D- Desires
In order for us to be a daisy in a world full of weeds, our DESIRES should be centered in Christ, NOT on the world
Desire God's Word
I Peter 2:2 "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby"
We need to be in God's Word DAILY in order for us to grow in the Lord.
Desire Spiritual Gifts
God gives each Christian a spiritual gift. A spiritual gift is a God given SPECIAL ABILITY for service in the body of Christ.
Ephesians 4:7 ; I Peter 4:10
You may be saying, "I don't think I have any spiritual gifts" - well, spend some time to discover your spiritual gift.
Pray
Study
Desire Ps 37:4
Ability Phil 1:6 (try it out)
Blessings - you'll be blessed when you begin to use your ability for the Lord
Remember that spiritual gifts are to help others; not to be used to uplift ourselves.
All the glory belongs to Jesus.
I Corinthians 10:31b
Desire Wisdom
Proverbs 8:11 "For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it."
Don't get your wisdom from the world - Oprah, Dr. Phil...
When we speak of 'wisdom' we are talking about the knowledge and fear of the Lord which results in a hatred of sin and a love for truth and righteousness.
Ps. 111:10: Proverbs 1:7; 2:10-13; 9:10; 15:33 Look these verses up!
Sources of Wisdom:
God - Ps. 51:6
Scriptures - Prov. 1:1-6; Col. 3:16
Prayer Eph. 1:17; Col. 1:9; James 1:5
Teaching and warning Col. 1:28
Wisdom in how to be a Christian, the wife, the mother, the soul winner we should be--wisdom on keeping the weeds of sin out of our lives.
Desire To See Souls Saved
Romans 10:1 "Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved"
We need to have a burden for souls. I think of the song: It is no secret what God can do, what He's done for others, He'll do for you. If you are saved, you have a testimony (a story) to share. Give a tract as you go through the grocery line. I normally just ask them, "May I give you something to read when you get an opportunity?"
Our desires should be centered around Christ--not keeping up with our neighbor who has a new SUV, new boat, camper; the lady at church who has a new outfit every Sunday and everything coordinates to a 'T'...
Our desire should be to be in God's Word DAILY; desire to serve the Lord with the gifts He's given us to use for HIS glory and honor; desire to have wisdom for the things of the Lord; and a desire to see souls saved.
Tomorrow we'll look at the letter A - Adorn!
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