SEED OF TRUTH
Read Ephesians 5:11-14.
“Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. For this reason it says, "Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you."”
Ephesians 5:11-14 NASB
PLANT THE SEED
Quietly recite today's focus verse to yourself. Hide it in your heart and meditate on it throughout the day.
Ephesians 5:14
"Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."
WATER THE SEED
As the Lord has revealed areas in your life and heart that need to be changed, how can you awake the sleeper in you? What are some things that might help wake you up? One example is making sure that you are in the word and meditating upon it every day and throughout each day.
There are times when we are reading or watching TV that we know we are sleepy and almost expect ourselves to fall asleep. There are other times when we are completely unaware and we just drift off. The deception of spiritual sleep is similar. We can be lulled to sleep by the enemy, who is very subtle. We seem wide-awake one moment and asleep the next. The letter of James can be very helpful to those of us who want to be sure we aren't being deceived. James 1:22 says, "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." (If you have time now or later today, read James 1:19-27). Ask the Lord to help you really hear these words.
In Romans 10:17, Paul explains, "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." One of the most important places to dispel the darkness is in our own hearts. We can bring that darkness out into the light by shining the light of God's word upon it throughout the day - by meditating on His word (Psalm 119:11). Even if you have had a hard time until now memorizing and meditating upon your scripture, begin again today; it is never too late to try again to walk in the path of righteousness.
BEAR THE FRUIT
Awake and rise from the dead.
CLOSE IN PRAYER
Ask the Lord to bring to life all that has been planted in your heart today.
James 1:19-27
“This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does. If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless. Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.”
James 1:19-27 NASB
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