Seeds of Spring: A Woman's 40-day JourneySample

Planting and Tending Your Garden

SEED OF TRUTH
Read Ephesians 5:3-5.
Coveting and idolatry? What does this passage say about these sins? What is the warning? Coveting is desiring what another has. Idolatry is putting something in the place of God. Is there anything you need to do?

PLANT THE SEED
Quietly recite today's focus verse to yourself. Hide it in your heart and meditate on it throughout the day.

Ephesians 5:5
"For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God."

WATER THE SEED
God has commanded us to love Him with all of our heart, all of our soul, all of our mind, and all our strength (Mark 12:30). How can we tell when we have put something in the place reserved only for God? We can tell by where our minds wander, what things we dwell upon, where we spend our money, how we spend our time, the words that come from our lips, where we make the most effort, or what causes us the greatest discomfort. For example, what do you worry about? What do you pray about or talk about the most? You can be very practical and proactive.

Observe yourself today in light of this scripture. What is your focus? Who is your focus? What do you desire? Who do you serve? Confess your covetousness or your idolatry when you see it and repent. What do these things reveal about who or what you love? Whatever is taking God's place, remove it, and don't return to it. Return to the Lord, your Maker (Revelation 2:4-5).

BEAR THE FRUIT
Put nothing in the place reserved for God.

CLOSE IN PRAYER
Ask the Lord to bring to life all that has been planted in your heart today.