Proverbs 4:23 – Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. (KJV)

While on a road trip many years ago, before AAA travel guidance, smartphones, and auto-court directories, my parents had not planned ahead of time to reserve rooms. As darkness set in, neon signs glared, "No Vacancy", so dad drove on until we saw a "Vacancy" sign glowing in the distance.

Unlike my dad, God planned ahead. He made a reservation through Jesus Christ for our hearts to receive all good and perfect things from above. We are to guard our hearts from the trickery of the evil one to keep him from planting ungodly thoughts and attitudes in our hearts.

Like the auto-court owner who plans for scheduled guests, so also does the Master Gardener plan for certain things of love to flourish in a believer's heart-garden. God's enemy, Satan, delights in planting deceptive weeds amongst the love-attitude fruit and flowers. He has no greater motive than to ruin the love and joy that we keep in our hearts. When a dandelion weed grows up to destroy our attitude of gratitude, dig out its deep roots and pull it up before it becomes a puff-ball and parachutes its seeds throughout the garden.

Ask God to help you examine your heart. Are the plant-rows of love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control blooming strong? Are there any weeds of ingratitude, anger, or pride popping out of the soil? Pull them out. If you don't, seeds will spread misery, and love will be choked out. Be ready. Set up a sign at the garden gate that reads: Weeds: No Vacancy!

Prayer: Dear Jesus, how grateful we are that You stand guard at our heart-gate as the victor over Your enemy, that we might have life abundant. Thank You for Your whole armour that we may hold him off so that he doesn't turn our beautiful garden into a weed patch. Amen.

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About the author:

Karen Milam <karenbmilam@gmail.com>
Penn Valley, California, USA
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