What Holds the Key to Your Heart? |
Today's inspiration comes from: Embraced by Lysa TerKeurst |
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| When Jesus heard this, He said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in Heaven. Then come, follow Me." — Luke 18:22 I long to be a woman who follows hard after Jesus. And I'm not talking about a plastic-Christian life, full of religious checklists and pretense. No, that would be hypocritical at best and deadening at worst. I want the kind of soul-satisfying closeness that can only come from daily keeping pace with Him. A rich and deep level of intimacy that frantic attempts at rule-following will never produce. Rules and regulations were an everyday reality for God's people in the Old Testament. Lists of dos and don'ts to help sinful people maintain fellowship with a holy God. First the Ten Commandments. Then law after law about sacrifices and ceremonies, food and cleanliness. But in the New Testament, Jesus shows up on the scene and turns everything upside down with His message of grace. A message that declares, "Following rules won't get you into Heaven. Being good won't earn you bonus points. Lay down your checklists… your agendas… everything… and follow Me. Believe in Me. Receive Me." It was a complete shift in thinking. One that left people perplexed, like the rich ruler in Luke 18. We first meet the rich ruler when he approaches Jesus with a question: Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life? — Luke 18:18 Jesus, already knowing his checklist-mindset, begins naming several of the Ten Commandments. It's a list the rich ruler feels he has kept well. But Jesus has more to say: You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in Heaven. Then come, follow Me. — Luke 18:22 It would be so easy to gloss over this moment and think Jesus is simply talking about money. We could be tempted to label this a story for "those" people — the ones we think have more money than they know what to do with. But the words in this conversation are for every single one of us. Because the core issue Jesus is getting at is this: What holds the key to your heart? |
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What holds the key to your heart? |
What holds the key to your heart? |
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Oh, how I want my answer to be "Jesus." I want to want Him most. To live completely captured by His love. Enthralled with His teachings. Living proof of His truth. There have been others who have gone before me who desired this as well. Imperfect heroes of faith we read about in the Bible who, despite their shortcomings, pleased God. And it wasn't perfect actions that carved a path to God's heart. It was something else. Something less defined that can't be outlined and dissected. Something that was sometimes messy and offensive. But something that was so precious at the same time it caused God to pause. Abandon. It's a word used to describe a little girl leaping from the bed's edge, completely confident her daddy will catch her. It's the same thing that fueled David's courageous run toward Goliath with nothing but a sling and five smooth stones. It's what fueled Joshua. And Moses. And Noah. And Paul. And it's the one thing Jesus is asking of the rich ruler. Not for a life lived perfectly, but a heart of perfect surrender. So this is my prayer: Everything I have. Everything I own. Everything I hope for. Everything I fear. Everything I love. Everything I dream. It's all Yours, Jesus. I trust You in complete and utter abandon. Sadly, it's also the one thing this man felt he could not offer. He stood on the edge of everything uncertain with the arms of all certainty waiting to catch him. And he just couldn't jump; he lived his life entangled in lesser things. He was not captured by, enthralled with, or living proof of the reality of Jesus. And so he walked away from the only One who could ever truly satisfy his soul. Oh, friends. Let's not allow this to be the tragedy of our lives. Let's be found captured by Jesus' love, enthralled with His teachings, and living proof of His truth. Let's be found living with abandon. Because the life that follows Jesus with abandon is the life that gets to experience His presence, His provision, His promises, His soul-satisfying abundance. Father God, please forgive me for all of the times I have settled for lesser things. I want to want You most. Today, I am handing You the key to my heart. The key to everything in my life. I love You. I need You. And I want to follow hard after You. In Jesus' Name, Amen. |
Excerpted with permission from Embraced by Lysa Terkeurst, copyright Lysa TerKeurst. * * * |
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Even if the truest answer to What holds the key to your heart? isn't Jesus right now, do you want it to be? Do you want to want it to be? Let's pray that today. Let's be found captured by Jesus' love, enthralled with His teachings, and living proof of His truth. Come share your thoughts. We want to hear from you about putting Jesus first! ~ Devotionals Daily |
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Welcome into the safety and hope of His grace, love, and embrace |
Embraced: 100 Devotions to Know God Is Holding You Close |
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Save an extra 15% with code BOOKLOVER | Save an extra 15% with code BOOKLOVER |
Sale Price: $13.99 With Code: $11.89 |
God doesn't pull back from your sharp edges. He pulls you close. In Embraced, beloved Bible teacher and bestselling author Lysa TerKeurst offers 100 devotions that will resonate with women in all stages of life by giving you a godly perspective on the issues you face each day. A real embrace indicates an intimate level of closeness. It's not a high five or a casual handshake. The best kind of embrace is when someone we know deeply loves us, flings their arms wide open, and pulls us in close. Through these 100 devotions, daily scriptures, and prayer prompts, you will be equipped to: - Begin finding freedom from the struggles that have held you hostage by learning new ways to experience God's love.
- Surrender your deepest hurts by processing them in a godly way with Lysa, a friend who understands your pain.
- Hear the Lord speak intimately to your heart by learning how to seek His direction.
- Release the tension of wondering, If God is near why does He sometimes feel far away? by spending guided time with Him each day.
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Embraced will be a treasured keepsake for you, and a meaningful gift for those you love, with: - An exquisite cloth cover you'll want to leave out for others to see and for easy access
- Highly designed interior with Scripture, call-outs, and quotes
- Ribbon marker to keep your place
Our hearts were made for this kind of love and security, but for many of us, we know more about the pain of heartbreak and fear than the unconditional love for which we were created. In Embraced, Lysa shares her own struggles, doubts, and heartbreaks while pointing to the ultimate embrace: God opening His arms wide on Calvary through Jesus so that He could pull us close for all of eternity, welcoming us into the safety and hope of His grace, love, and embrace. |
What our readers are saying |
"Lisa is masterful at communicating God's truths in a relatable way. This devotional is an excellent tool for study and makes a great gift." — Nancy L. |
"Beautifully designed hardcover book can go back to all the time. The teachings are easily applicable to everyday life. Devotions are eye opening and are bringing peace to my troubled circumstances. Thank you, Lysa❤️🙏" — Debra N. |
"Love content, so right on! Speaks to many issues I've struggled with over these many years. Love the scriptures used as helps!!! Some of Lysa's comments are priceless. Thanks, Lysa for this joy-filled read." — Alice H. |
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He'll set you on a path toward healing |
You're Going to Make It: 50 Morning and Evening Devotions to Unrush Your Mind, Uncomplicate Your Heart, and Experience Healing Today |
Incorporate a new rhythm for those days when life feels too hard through the daily practice of receiving and releasing—receiving God's encouragement, instruction, and truth to start your day and releasing to God all that's weighing you down at the end of each day. In her newest devotional, New York Times bestselling author Lysa TerKeurst helps you stay connected to God and continue loving others even in the middle of discouraging, disappointing, or even devastating circumstances. Experience 50 days of morning and evening devotions complimented with beautiful color photography of significant locations where Lysa has worked through her own healing. Each devotion contains: - a Bible verse to start your day
- a statement of truth to remember throughout your day
- space to write and release something back to God at the end of your day
- a prayer to receive before you go to sleep to better prepare for tomorrow
FREE at FaithGateway: Get a FREE printable, "3 Prayers for When You Feel Like You Aren't Going to Make It," inspirational phone lock screens, and the first 3 days of the devotional - delivered to your email after purchase. |
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Building a Resilient Life Online Bible Study |
Building a Resilient Life Online Bible Study |
"Adversity awakens. It awakens us from our comfort and our numbing. It awakens us to what we are capable of. It awakens us to what's worth fighting for. It awakens us to what it means to follow Christ." - Rebekah Join the free Building a Resilient Life Online Bible Study by Rebekah Lyons and get access to 5 weeks of study videos, plus some other great free resources to help you build a resilient and flourishing life, no matter what form of adversity comes your way. See you there? |
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this devotion with someone who needs it today |
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