I wanted to share these two devotions with you. I read them last week and there was a reason I wanted to share them, but I cannot remember what that reason was. So, I'm still sharing them despite the fast that I can't remember what I wanted to say about these two.

Seeds of Spring: A Woman's 40-Day Journey Day 24

Planting and Tending Your Garden

SEED OF TRUTH
Read Ephesians 4:29-32.
As you seek to follow the Lord's commands in His word with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength, ask the Lord to help you walk out Paul's command in this passage. What does he say not to do? What does he say 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 4:29
"Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear."

WATER THE SEED
We are not to let any "bad" or worthless thing come out of our mouths, but only what is helpful, good, and necessary, so that whatever you say is a blessing to others. Ask yourself before you speak: Will this build up? Will this glorify God? Will this encourage someone's walk with the Lord? If you want to know what is in your heart, listen to what comes out of your mouth (Matthew 12:33-37).

The other day you were asked to pay attention to your thoughts. Today I want you to pay close attention to your words. Do they build up? Do they tear down? Do they bring light into the room? Do they bring a cloudy day? Be honest. Ask the Lord to help you identify a godly characteristic or behavior in one of your family members today, and then find a scripture that would affirm them in that area. Write a note of encouragement to them using that scripture - on a sticky note placed somewhere they will see or in an email. Continue to find ways to give grace to those who hear.

BEAR THE FRUIT
Give grace.

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

Seeds of Spring: A Woman's 40-Day Journey Day 25

Planting and Tending Your Garden

SEED OF TRUTH
Read Ephesians 5:1-2.
This is one of my favorite Bible passages. I love its simplicity. Humbly bow before the Lord and ask Him to bring this truth to bear in your heart, your mind, and your life. Allow Him to do whatever it takes to grant you the ability to walk in love as His beloved child. Take time right now to pray, using this passage as a guide.

"Lord, I do not want to follow after my own devices and desires. I do not want to go my own way or the way of the world around me. It is so hard when everyone around me is gossiping, judging, or focused on earthly things. I need your help. I want to be like you. I want to imitate you as your beloved child. I want to walk in love as Jesus did, loving you and others more than Himself. Lord, help me walk in love just as Jesus loved me and gave Himself up for me (Galatians 2:20)."

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

Ephesians 5:2
"And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."

WATER THE SEED
We are asked to demonstrate our love, as Christ demonstrated His love, and offer ourselves as a sacrifice - a living sacrifice, according to Romans 12:1. Have you done this? Will you do this today? And if not today, will you make it a part of your prayers from this point forth until you do? Don't put it off for long. Remember, God has given you everything you need in Christ to do what He commands. This is not only a command, but it is the example that Jesus and Paul set before us. If we want a lesson in love we must cast our gaze upon the cross of Christ (1 John 4:10-11). The command is not for the spiritually "elite," because there is no spiritual elite. We either obey or we don't. (1 Corinthians 13 is a helpful tool to examine your heart.)

BEAR THE FRUIT
Love as Christ loved us.

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