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Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitened tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but inwardly are full of dead men's bones and of all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. Matthew 23:27–28 WEB.

When we got ready to plant the garden in the spring, Dad would break out the old 1940s John Deere tractor we owned. We called it the Poppin' John because of the way it sputtered and backfired. Even back then, it was about 35 years old.

Dad would plow the field, and the kids would walk behind the tractor and pick up roots, rocks, and anything else that didn't belong there. After the ground was prepared, we would plant the seed, and we always had a great garden. We worked together, and it took hard work to make it happen. If the field was left alone, it just grew weeds.

God is after fruit in your life. He digs deep and brings things to the surface we like to keep hidden. When He does, we have to deal with it. For when He brings it up, He will also give us the grace to overcome it. The weeds and rocks must be removed from your life, or they will choke out what He is trying to grow. The anger, bitterness, envy, and so many things we won't mention in public. We need to change from the inside out.

Now don't go on a witch hunt and try to find areas He hasn't revealed yet. If you get in front of the tractor, you may get run over. So work with Him one day at a time, and when He reveals something, repent and deal with it. Change isn't easy, and many won't bother, but If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good of the land (Isaiah 1:19).

It's much like planting the garden with Dad. He digs up something you need to change, and you work with Him to remove it without trying to hide it. Then it's purged from your life. God will remove the weeds and bring forth the fruit of the spirit in your life as you walk with Him, one plant at a time.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please reveal the things in my life that need to be dealt with, and give me the grace to change them. Prepare me, Lord, and take away the weeds growing in my life. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!

Note: Good morning! There is a possibility the website will be down for a time today, as our Internet Provider will be doing some work here. They are upgrading us (and everyone in the area) to a fiberoptic connection. That also means we will not be having the Wednesday service today, as we will be dealing with them. We appreciate your prayers and patience! As always, if you have a prayer need, we are here for you! We and the prayer team are ready to lift you up at our private prayer page: RHM Prayer Network.