How often do you really take notice of the very good things about this day? What is it that you really value — what is your heart’s desire? Jesus challenges the crowd, and us, to consider where we focus the desires of our hearts. Are we consumed with the things as worries of this world, or do we trust God’s love in each day?
Worship with Holy Communion this week:
Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in the chapel
Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship
9:30 a.m. – Sunday School
10:30 a.m. Traditional Worship
Devotions for this week:
February 1, 2015 Treasure in Heaven
In any culture and in any time, the accumulation of more is a temptation. The religious leaders of Jesus’ day professed to live rightly, praying publicly eloquent prayers and acquiring praise for their “righteousness.” Their desire for more was misplaced, as their desires could only be met with material goods or praise from others. Jesus didn’t want empty words or rituals. Jesus wanted action. He wanted people to treat each other with kindness and generosity, and to speak with God honestly. Jesus encouraged people to seek treasure that would last far beyond the years on this earth. He showed that investing in God would pay far more dividends than investing in anything we can receive in this world.
Follow these stories of Jesus’ miracles, teachings, and healings.
Sunday, Matthew 6:7-21 (and/or Matthew 6:25-34), Treasure in Heaven
Monday, Psalm 20:7, Psalm
Tuesday, Matthew 7:1-29, Teachings of Jesus
Wednesday, Matthew 8:1-17, Healings of Jesus
Thursday, Matthew 8:18-27, Miracles of Jesus
Friday, Matthew 8:28-9:8, Healings of Jesus
Saturday, Matthew 9:9-17, Call of Matthew
- How are Jesus’ miracles, teachings, and healings connected? What do they tell people about Jesus’ role in the world?
- How is the accumulation of more encouraged in your community? What media or messages could you stop listening to so that you could limit your exposure to those messages?
- Name three things you wish you had more of. Reflect on how the desire for more shapes your behaviors and attitudes.
- Limit your exposure to TV, internet, and other media this week. First, notice how you spend that recovered time. Second, notice how you feel after limited exposure to messages that encourage the accumulation of more.
