Growing the Garden of Your Heart

1. And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty....” And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.... As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.” (Matt. 13:3-8, 11, 23)

2. “Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled? But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.” (Matt. 15:17-20)

3. THINGS THAT SHOULD BE GROWING IN THE GARDEN OF YOUR HEART

4. YOU SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST: THREE ROWS OF SQUASH FIVE ROWS OF LET US THREE ROWS OF TURN UPS SEVEN ROWS OF P’S

5. THREE ROWS OF SQUASH • SQUASH GOSSIP

6. But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when their passions draw them away from Christ, they desire to marry and so incur condemnation for having abandoned their former faith. Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not. So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander. (1 Tim. 5:11-14) Love...does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. (1 Cor. 13:6)

7. THREE ROWS OF SQUASH • SQUASH GOSSIP • SQUASH INDIFFERENCE

8. “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation. “I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.”’” (Rev. 3:14-19)

9. THREE ROWS OF SQUASH • SQUASH GOSSIP • SQUASH INDIFFERENCE • SQUASH HARSH CRITICISM

10. Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. (Titus 3:1-3) Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. (Phil. 2:3)

11. FIVE ROWS OF LET US • LET US DENY SELF

12. Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” (Matt. 16:24) Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Phil. 2:5-8)

13. FIVE ROWS OF LET US • LET US DENY SELF • LET US BE FAITHFUL

14. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy. (1 Cor. 4:2) Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. (Rev. 2:10, ESV)

15. FIVE ROWS OF LET US • LET US DENY SELF • LET US BE FAITHFUL • LET US NOT GROW WEARY

16. One who is taught the word must share all good things with the one who teaches. Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. (Gal. 6:6-9)

17. FIVE ROWS OF LET US • LET US DENY SELF • LET US BE FAITHFUL • LET US NOT GROW WEARY • LET US LOVE GOD

18. And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’” (Mark 12:28-30)

19. FIVE ROWS OF LET US • LET US DENY SELF • LET US BE FAITHFUL • LET US NOT GROW WEARY • LET US LOVE GOD • LET US LOVE OTHERS

20. “The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:31)

21. THREE ROWS OF TURN UPS TURN UP FOR ASSEMBLIES

22. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Heb. 10:24-25)

23. THREE ROWS OF TURN UPS TURN UP FOR ASSEMBLIES TURN UP WITH A POSITIVE ATTITUDE

24. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Phil. 4:8)

25. THREE ROWS OF TURN UPS TURN UP FOR ASSEMBLIES TURN UP WITH A POSITIVE ATTITUDE TURN UP DETERMINED TO SERVE GOD

26. For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. (1 Thess. 1:9)

27. SEVEN ROWS OF P’S PIETY

28. “Piety” and its synonyms: “faithfulness to something to which one is bound by pledge or duty or by a sense of what is right or appropriate.” “Piety,” in particular: “stresses fidelity to obligations regarded as natural and fundamental and the observance of duties required by such fidelity.”

29. “Piety” and its synonyms: “faithfulness to something to which one is bound by pledge or duty or by a sense of what is right or appropriate.” “Piety,” in particular: “stresses fidelity to obligations regarded as natural and fundamental and the observance of duties required by such fidelity.”

30. “Piety” and its synonyms: “faithfulness to something to which one is bound by pledge or duty or by a sense of what is right or appropriate.” “Piety,” in particular: “stresses fidelity to obligations regarded as natural and fundamental and the observance of duties required by such fidelity.”

31. Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Pet. 1:13-16)

32. SEVEN ROWS OF P’S PIETY PRAYER

33. Pray without ceasing. (1 Thess. 5:17)

34. SEVEN ROWS OF P’S PIETY PRAYER PURITY

35. Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, [10] nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be enslaved by anything. “Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food”—and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power.

36. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, “The two will become one flesh.” But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. (1 Cor. 6:9-20)

37. SEVEN ROWS OF P’S PIETY PRAYER PURITY PRAISE

38. Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. (Heb. 13:15)

39. SEVEN ROWS OF P’S PIETY PRAYER PURITY PRAISE PEACE

40. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. (Rom. 12:18)

41. SEVEN ROWS OF P’S PIETY PRAYER PURITY PRAISE PEACE PATIENCE

42. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. (Rom. 12:12)

43. SEVEN ROWS OF P’S PIETY PRAYER PURITY PRAISE PEACE PATIENCE PERSEVERANCE

44. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. (1 Cor. 15:58)

45. Are these things growing in the garden of your heart? Have you at least begun to plant them? Plant them deep so they will take root and get the nourishment they require. Tend to them regularly so they will not die from neglect. Cultivate the garden of your heart so it will be the best that it can be.

46. Prepares soil to receive and germinate good seed. Allows soil to more readily receive and hold life-sustaining moisture. Roots out and destroys noxious weeds that remove fertility and moisture from the soil. PROPER CULTIVATION:

47. Prevents weeds from going to seed and causing more damage and distress in the future. Improves absorption of oxygen and nitrogen into the plants. Gives your garden a better appearance! PROPER CULTIVATION: