TEND TO YOUR OWN GARDEN August 2009

The time of harvesting in some states is beginning to wind up. It's been a hard summer. Too much rain in some places. Too little rain and too hot in others. Regardless of the weather, weeds ALWAYS seem to grow and need to be removed.

Jesus gave me a teaching about this very subject of tending your garden. It is important for each of us to be inspectors of our own garden. If we pull out our weeds we will see a healthy crop that will grow abundantly. Once in a while we are tempted to examine someone else's field. Not understanding that if we take it upon ourselves to "help" them by weeding what is their responsibility to weed, we actually weaken the person. Working in the garden tilling and hoeing is hard work. But it is hard work that strengthens the body. In the same way tilling and plucking weeds from your own soul will strengthen you. You will likely be more consistent and persistent to keep the weeds from growing back!

Any time spent glancing over to the garden next door - judging the fruit or lack of fruit, criticizing their weeds or the apparent lack of labor going on is a waste of time. A deception actually begins to take hold of you and behind your back the enemy comes and sows weed seeds into your garden.

The Lord spoke this to me to share; "To your own garden tend and leave it to Me to be the Master Gardner who tenderly looks over and helps each person cultivate his own field, as he asks Me to come along side of him to do so." "You just keep asking Me to show you your weeds and to strengthen you to pluck them out with My grace and anointing and you will be surprised how little time you will take even noticing another's garden. And if you should throw a quick glance in their direction you will find that I am walking the rows and also ready to help them that much fruit would flourish for My Father's Glory."

"Judge not that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with measure you use it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, (the weeds in his garden) but do not consider the plank in your own eye?" Matt. 7:1-4 (added words mine)

"He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Phil; 1:6
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An added thought... At times the gardens of our souls can become overgrown with weeds from past seasons of our lives. Seeds that were sown while we were innocently sleeping. Lies and deceptions of the enemy can be overwhelming at times. Try as we may to plow and plant good seeds, our efforts seem to be futile and our fruit too little. In these seasons we must call on the Master Gardner to show us the way out. At times He uses others in the Body of Christ to lend a hand under His wise guidance and direction.

Restoration Prayer is a ministry that the Lord has given Randy and I as a tool to be able to help others to "dig up those tough weeds" in a nonjudgmental and safe atmosphere and in the Presence of the Father's love. Jesus cares for the brokenhearted and the captives and so do we! If you need help in your journey to get free from old weeds that are keeping you from bearing fruit for His Glory, give us a call we would be glad to set an appointed time to pray with you.


As always, I look forward to your comments on this reflection. Please refer to the contact information below. May the Holy Spirit do what He does so well; lead you into all truth and show you things to come especially in this "interesting" season in which we are living. Harvesters are needed. Lord strengthen us for the task.

May Blessings abound as you continue steadfastly in your journey with Jesus!
Marie Smith