Posts Categorized: Devotional

Weedy Hearts

Scripture

Mark 4:3-8

“Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, multiplying thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times.”

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The Gospel in Forgiving

Scripture

Psalm 96:2 (CEB)

Sing to the LORD! Bless his name! Share the news of his saving work every single day!

Consider

Each time we surrender our malice and forgive each other, we proclaim the gospel of Christ.

As followers of Christ, we are ambassadors for the kingdom, charged with taking God’s message of reconciliation into the world. We fulfill this calling not only by speaking about what we know but also by the way we act. Francis of Assisi once said, “It is no use walking anywhere to preach unless our walking is our preaching.”

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Abide In Me

Scripture

John 15:5, 7-8 (NRSV)

“I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.…If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.”

Consider

Forgiveness is divine fruit from the vine of Christ that we bear in our lives. Such fruit glorifies God because it makes the love and mercy of God visible to those around us.

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Approaching the Throne

Scripture

Hebrews 4:16 (CEB)

Finally, let’s draw near to the throne of favor with confidence so that we can receive mercy and find grace when we need help.

Consider

When someone has wronged us, God stands ready to help us deal with our injury in right ways. Rather than approach God’s throne, however, we may be inclined to run the other way, away from God and the help we need. Why do we do that?

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Pain Without Poison

Scripture

Psalm 30:5b (NKJV)

Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.

Consider

Pain is a sure indicator that we have somehow been injured. Physical pain alerts us to damage in our body and the need to take immediate action. Whether the result of physical trauma, stress, or disease, pain captures our attention and motivates us to do something to relieve it. Similarly, emotional pain tells us that we have suffered an injury to the heart.

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