Daily Devotional
Is Your Heart Receptive to Jesus?
“Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, ‘Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.’”
Luke 2:34-35
December 22, 2023
Ponder This
What makes the difference in individuals? It’s not education. It’s not social status. It’s not environment. People can be raised in the same family and end up different. One child loves God, and the other child does not love God. Cain and Abel had basically the same environment. There were two thieves on the cross, one crucified on Jesus’s right hand, one on the other. One of those thieves cursed and spit blasphemies in the face of Jesus; the other said, “‘Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom’” (Luke 23:42). The same sun that melts ice hardens clay. The same sermon that brings people to Jesus can harden people and turn them away from Jesus. But it’s not the sermon that really does it. The sermon only reveals the heart. What is really in you is determined by how your heart resonates with the preaching of Jesus. What you do with Jesus determines what Jesus does with you. You can accept Him, or you can reject Him. You can crown Him, or you can crucify Him. But you cannot ignore Him. You must do something.
- How did you reject Jesus before coming to know and trust Him?
- How are you responding to Jesus now? Where can you grow in knowing Him?
Practice This
Pray for those who have hearts that are hard toward Jesus and the Gospel.
FOR YOUR GIFT TO THE MINISTRY
Front Porch Moments by Gayle Foster
WITH KEY INSIGHTS FROM HER FATHER, ADRIAN ROGERS
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”
