Matthew 6:22-24
[22] “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, [23] but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! [24] “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
As you read the passage, what blessed you, challenged you, or raised questions?
Head: What does today's passage tell us about the nature of our hearts to serve someone/something?
Heart: What do you deeply desire in life? (What do you spend a lot of time thinking about)
Hands: What do you think are some dangers of "serving" money? (or material possessions?)
What do you value? What do your "eyes" (heart) deeply desire? They are usually the things spend the msot time thinking about. They may include material possessions, worldly accomplishments/fame, and certain relationships.
Today's passage uses the example of worldly possessions, and that we may value them more than God. They take up more and more time in your heart and thoughts. Our possessions are valuable, but they must have the proper place in our hearts. We must control them, instead us them controlling us. Today's passage warns us that if we are focusing on those things and desiring after those things too much, they can be our master instead of God.
How then do we make sure that our desires stay focused on God? We intentionally place our thoughts on God and His ways more and more, letting these thoughts shape our hearts. And the good news is that God helps us to do so. Ephesians 3:14-21 reminds us that the Holy Spirit's power enables us to know the value of God's love and to respond to Him in greater love. So take it one day at a time and place your thoughts and heart on the Lord today.
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Devotional Guide:
1) Pray for understanding in your mind, for trust in your heart, and for powerful obedience in your daily living.
2) Read the passage and mark anything that blesses you, challenges you, or raises a question.
3) Reflect on the passage. What's God saying about Himself? What's God saying about you?
4) Pray in response to what God puts on your heart through the Word.