Posts Categorized: Devotional

Treasures of a Good Heart

Scripture

Matthew 12:35 (NLT)

“A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart.”

Consider

In this passage, Jesus is confronting the hypocrisy of the religious leaders, who claimed to represent God yet refused to acknowledge the divinity and authority of God’s Son. They were trying to discredit Jesus by accusing him of being in league with the devil. Jesus, however, turns the tables on them and accuses them of the same thing.

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Forgiver’s Prayer

Scripture

Exodus 34:8-9 (TNIV)

Moses bowed to the ground at once and worshiped. “Lord,” he said, “if I have found favor in your eyes, then let the Lord go with us. Although this is a stiff-necked people, forgive our wickedness and our sin, and take us as your inheritance.”

Consider

This prayer follows on the heels of Moses’ coming down from the mountain with a freshly minted Ten Commandments, only to find the people worshiping a golden calf. In his anger, Moses smashes the stone tablets and orders punishment for the idol worshippers.

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Asset or Stumbling Block?

Scripture

Matthew 16:21-23 (NRSV)

From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you.” But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”

Consider

At first glance, Jesus’ rebuke seems unfair.

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Winnowing the Chaff

Scripture

Matthew 3:11-12 (NIV)

“I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

Consider

To the farmers of Jesus’ time, winnowing (or threshing) was a familiar harvesting event. A winnowing fork was used to toss ripe grain into the air so that the wind could blow away the worthless chaff.

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Firm Footing

Scripture

Psalm 143:7-10 (NLT)

Come quickly, LORD and answer me, for my depression deepens. Don’t turn away from me, or I will die. Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you. Rescue me from my enemies, LORD; I run to you to hide me. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing.

Consider

Like so many psalms of David, this one is a cry to God for rescue. The psalmist feels overwhelmed by enemies to the point of desperation and despair.

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