Thursday Devo
Scripture:
Matthew 6
19 “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
19 “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
Commentary:
6:19 moth … rust … thieves. See note on Luke 12:33–34.
6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven implies that people often have a choice between activities that lead to greater earthly reward in the present (cf. vv. 2, 5, 16) and those that store up greater future reward in heaven. Elsewhere in the Gospels the consequences of making the wrong choice are shown to be eternally disastrous (see Mark 8:36; Luke 12:20–21).
6:21 Throughout Scripture, the heart refers to the center of one’s being, involving one’s emotions, reason, and will.
6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven implies that people often have a choice between activities that lead to greater earthly reward in the present (cf. vv. 2, 5, 16) and those that store up greater future reward in heaven. Elsewhere in the Gospels the consequences of making the wrong choice are shown to be eternally disastrous (see Mark 8:36; Luke 12:20–21).
6:21 Throughout Scripture, the heart refers to the center of one’s being, involving one’s emotions, reason, and will.
Questions:
- Obedience brings suffering, suffering brings maturity, and maturity makes WORLD CHANGERS. Mature, full of unshakable faith Christians change the world around them. They make a mark. The reason is that they live for eternity, not just the temporary stuff around them. But many Christians hardly think about the heavenly reward today. How much thought do you give to eternity on a daily basis? If you did think more of your eternal reward, how might that affect your decisions? Priorities? Relationships?
- Brandon talked a lot on Sunday about leadership structure in the church. Paul and Barnabas appointed elders in every church they visited. This was to bring structure, accountability and vision. This was crucial to the early church, and it is to us as well. A fire had started in these small churches, but unless the apostles brought some structure, leadership and organization, that fire might go out. Or it might get blown in the wrong direction. Can you see the importance of a church leadership structure in your own life? Have you ever been temped to think you didn't need "organized religion?" How might things go sideways if we were left to our own devices with no leadership and accountability?
Prayer Topics:
- That you would live for your heavenly reward.
- That you would seek leadership, structure, and accountability in your life.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
1. Who is Jesus? I believe Jesus is God because Jesus said He is God and proved it by rising from the dead and appearing to His disciples, His brother James, 500 others at one time, and Paul.
(Mark 3:21; John 8:58, 10:30-33, 14:9-11; Acts 9:1-6; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:2-3; James 1:1)
(Mark 3:21; John 8:58, 10:30-33, 14:9-11; Acts 9:1-6; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:2-3; James 1:1)
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