Matthew 13:7, "Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants." Matthew 13:22, "The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful."

Think

Weeds are the bane of any gardener's existence. They grow out of nowhere and crowd out the flowers and plants, choking the life out of them. To get rid of weeds one has to be intentional and tenacious to pull them out by the root, or they will only grow back stronger. Our hearts can easily face the same weed-infested problem. The stresses of life and the desire to chase after material things are like weeds that crowd out and choke what God wants us to hear and experience. The result can be a fruitless life where we never fulfill our true God-given purpose. If a garden requires hard work in order to protect it, then how much more should we work to keep our heart – the essence of our existence – free from the weeds! So as you think about your life, is there something crowding out the word of God in your heart? If there is, make sure you are tenacious and intentional to get rid of it from the root!

Act

Take inventory of your daily schedule. How much time do you allow yourself to be still and allow the Word of God to speak to your heart? If it isn't much or even any, ask Him to help you "pull the weeds" in your life that are choking your schedule, and experience the fertile soil he wants your heart to be!

Pray

Father God, thank You for Your Word. Help me to do the work required to pull the weeds that threaten to crowd out Your Word in my life. Let me hear and experience everything You would have me to. And open my heart to those around me so that I can share Your love with them.