Daily Devotional
Are You Keeping Your Spiritual Eyes Open?
“Another parable He spoke to them: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.’”
Matthew 13:33
June 24, 2024
Ponder This
Before “eating a meal” at a church, it’s good to check out the kitchen, to see who’s in there. Don’t go by the taste test alone, judging only by how you feel. Read the ingredients, get to know the teaching and heart of the staff and members, and see what is there because the devil wants to infiltrate, and he does so in many ways.
The devil doesn’t have just one way to work. Remember the parable of the Sower? How does the devil work there? He catches away the seed. Remember the parable of the tares? How does he work there? He imitates the seed. What about in the parable of the mustard seed? How does he work there? He corrupts the seed. In this parable of the leaven, he infiltrates the Church.
How do we defend against this? We need to come before the Lord and ask Him to take out these areas of leaven in our lives. We need to know if our sin is affecting the body we are a part of. This needs to be our focus so that the Lord would cleanse us as the body of believers. We need to desire that He purge any leaven, that we will be one body. Our faith is not about being filled with knowledge. Good wheat has died to itself: it has been crushed and broken, baked in the fire, and fused with every other grain of wheat. We need to keep our eyes open to how the bread is being made, keep our eyes open to the devil’s schemes, and be people who surrender to God so that we may reflect what gives Him pleasure.
- What are some ingredients that make up a good church?
- What are some areas of “leaven” in your life? What needs to change?
Practice This
Talk with fellow church members and encourage one another about the good ingredients you see in your church.
FOR YOUR GIFT TO THE MINISTRY
Read the New Adrian Rogers Biography
Adrian Rogers as the Moon Port Pastor
This biography, written by Dr. Phil Kramer, covers Pastor Rogers’ early years of ministry in Merritt Island, Florida. Merritt Island, nicknamed the “Moon Port,” was a major hub for scientists and astronauts during the race to the moon in the 1960s and early 1970s.
Pastor Rogers saw his purpose to “point men beyond the stars" and soon he became known as the “Moon Port Pastor.” As you read how these ministry years became foundational to Pastor Rogers' leadership development, your commitment to the Word of God will be fortified and your leadership skills will challenged and encouraged.
