A Heart For Jesus

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭4‬ ‭ESV‬‬ I’ve often thought this verse applies to those who’ve lost a loved one. After all, the Bible says in Psalm 34:18, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit” (ESV). It’s a source of comfort to know He’s near during such losses. But I wonder if it holds a deeper meaning? Could it be that we find comfort in mourning our own weaknesses, sin, or even bad habits? In Luke 18:9-14, Jesus compares a Pharisee and a tax collector. The Pharisee is proud and puffed up as he approaches God, while the tax collector can’t even raise his eyes to heaven. He’s humble, recognizing his sinfulness and seeking God’s mercy. Then there’s Paul in Romans 7:15, 18-19: “For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry...

  ““When men strive together and hit a pregnant woman, so that her children come out, but there is no harm, the one who hit her shall surely be fined, as the woman’s husband shall impose on him, and he shall pay as the judges determine. But if there is harm, then you shall pay life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.” Exodus 21:22-25 ESV ‭‭ I had this verse recently in a devotional. But the devotional was about identity, so I was confused about how this verse could apply to how I see myself?  I really had to think about it for awhile. I believe the Spirit helped me to see that perhaps this verse is about valuing life. Not only someone else’s but my own.  I believe how we see ourselves can reflect how we treat others.  If we see ourselves as loved and cherished by God it will be easier to see others in the same light.  I am reminded of this verse from Matthew 6:26,    “...

“My son, keep my words and treasure up my commandments with you; keep my commandments and live; keep my teaching as the apple of your eye; bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.” Proverbs‬ ‭7‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭ESV‬‬ I find this proverb helpful in understanding what God expects of me and the significance of cherishing His Word, following His commands, and experiencing life. First and foremost, we are to keep His Words and treasure His commands within us. How do we achieve this? What are we truly cherishing in our hearts? Jesus emphasizes this in John 15:7 (ESV), stating, “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” By allowing His words to abide in us and writing them on the “tablet of our heart,” we gain a deeper understanding of Him, grow closer to Him, and draw the strength we need each day. Currently, I am committed to memorizing Scripture. I have found that His words offer comfort, hope, and peace, while al...

  What do you need most right now? Peace, confidence, courage, assurance, strength, or perhaps more of God’s presence and glory? As the Bible says in 1 Peter 2:2 (NIV), “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.” What are you craving? We all crave something, whether it’s sweet or salty snacks, acceptance and approval, or simply to feel satisfied, comforted, and loved. But do we crave the Lord as much as we do other things? In Psalm 63:1, David expresses his deep longing for God, saying, “O God, you are My God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry land where there is no water.” And in Psalm 42:1-2, he yearns for God’s presence, saying, “As a deer longs for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God…” Have you ever experienced that intense thirst or desire for something so much that you couldn’t wait to have it? I find the story in Exodus 33:1-23 partic...

“And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him.” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭2:15‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Sometimes, the environment around me, causes so much stress I find myself looking for a way out. Negative attitudes, hate filled rhetoric, people not doing what I think they should, unmet expectations, and current circumstances that never seem to change. It brings to my mind Psalm 55:6-8(NIV) which says, “…Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. I would flee far away and stay in the desert; I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm.”” ‭‭ I have definitely felt this way at times, have you? The desire to escape the drama around me; the voices in my head that constantly taunt me; away from all the noise. I start feeling a little bit like the prophet Habakkuk and find myself asking God why? Why do I need to go through this? Why do I have to listen to things...