As we were enjoying breakfast together one morning, Stan mentioned that in his journaling time earlier that day he had been focusing on something Jesus’ mother did that he wished he did more often.
“What,” I asked, “did Jesus’ mother do that you wished you would do?”
“Treasure in my heart everything about Jesus.”
“Treasure in your heart everything about Jesus? What made you focus on that?”
“Luke’s gospel,” Stan replied. “It says that’s what Jesus’ mother did. What Luke wrote about that caused me to focus on what I treasure.”
Continuing, he added, “I had to ask myself, ‘Do I treasure in my heart all the things about Jesus?’ Do I treasure His life, death, resurrection, and everything else about Him? Am I like His mother?”
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Bible verses to consider:
But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. Luke 2:19.
. . . and His mother treasured all these things in her heart. Luke 2:51.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for giving Jesus and His finished work on the cross as the way to life eternally with you, the life that begins here and will continue forever. Even though I know I will spend eternity in your presence, I confess that too often while I remain on this side of eternity I don’t treasure in my heart everything there is to treasure about Jesus. Please forgive that foolishness. Help me follow every step of your lead in truly treasuring all there is to treasure about Jesus. Thank you that I can and do bring these prayers before you in His precious name. Amen.
Think on this: Have you accepted what God provided through Jesus so you can treasure Him in your heart? If no, why do you choose to remain separated from God both now and forever? If you are a Christian with the assurance of salvation and redemption, how are you doing with treasuring in your heart all there is to treasure about Jesus? If you sense the desire for change with any of this, how is that change going to happen? Is that what you truly want? Why or why not?
The need: Since God knows what we need before we ask Him (Matthew 6:8), what does God know you need to truly treasure in your heart all there is to treasure about Jesus? Spend time on this in prayer, reflection, and journaling to see what God knows you need. He will show you!
Forward: Do you know others who would or could benefit from this devotional? If so, why not forward it and open them to be part of the conversation between Stan and S. Tory Teller?