When The Ordinary Became Extraordinary
December 21, 2024
Heart Food
April 27, 2018
Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, through which those who were so occupied were not benefited. -Hebrews 13:9
Grace nourishes the spiritual heart. Diets abound these days. Books and tapes urge us to drink cabbage juice, eat more nuts and grains, stay away from fat, cancel the carbs, stuff with steak, or, on the other hand, lay off meat altogether and sip green tea. Confusing.
There is, however, no misunderstanding about the best diet for strengthening the spiritual heart. The Hebrews were always being lured back into the non-energizing cuisine of ritual and legalism. “No nourishment there”, suggests the Holy Spirit, in the book of Hebrews.
Today we are lured into the religion of deeds to earn Heaven, spurred to count beads, burn candles, kiss the ground five times, give ten bucks to the right need, and this will make us worthy spiritually. Not so. It’s all empty calories spiritually. Grace, God’s unmerited favor, is nourishing heart food. When you understand how spiritually gaunt our deeds are and how great His grace is, our heart is encouraged, strengthened and motivated by love, not rules.
TODAY’S HEART FOCUS
Have a praise party. Celebrate by reading, meditating on and praying Psalm 103:12 and Romans 8:1-2.
There is, however, no misunderstanding about the best diet for strengthening the spiritual heart. The Hebrews were always being lured back into the non-energizing cuisine of ritual and legalism. “No nourishment there”, suggests the Holy Spirit, in the book of Hebrews.
Today we are lured into the religion of deeds to earn Heaven, spurred to count beads, burn candles, kiss the ground five times, give ten bucks to the right need, and this will make us worthy spiritually. Not so. It’s all empty calories spiritually. Grace, God’s unmerited favor, is nourishing heart food. When you understand how spiritually gaunt our deeds are and how great His grace is, our heart is encouraged, strengthened and motivated by love, not rules.
TODAY’S HEART FOCUS
Have a praise party. Celebrate by reading, meditating on and praying Psalm 103:12 and Romans 8:1-2.
