Friday, July 30

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6

Ask God to make his word clear to you today – and to help you trust in and act out his truth – even when it seems counter-cultural to do so.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 6:19-24

Upside down and inside out. That phrase could be used to describe Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount. From the Beatitudes, to his teaching on forgiveness and anger, Jesus is telling us that life in the Kingdom of God is lived upside down and inside out – when it comes to values, priorities and lifestyle.

Our culture says, “Store up as much treasure as you can on earth.”
Jesus says, “Store up treasure in heaven.”
Upside down.
Our culture says, “If it looks good – buy it!”
Jesus says, “See beyond what looks good to what is good!”
Inside out.
Our culture says, “Live to bless yourself.”
Jesus says, “Live to bless others.”
Our culture says, “Follow your heart.”
Jesus says, “You heart belongs to me!”
Upside down, inside out.

Jesus understands that we all have to live in this earthly world – a world filled with work, stress, bills and busyness. But he is also calling us to live with one foot planted firmly in a different world – a heavenly world; to march by the beat of a different drum; to live by the values of a different kingdom; to serve a different Master; and to invest our lives and our wealth in that which is eternal. Jesus calls us to all this not because he wants to make our lives difficult or because he wants us to look weird, but because he knows that this is the way to joy, peace and fulfillment – both now and throughout all eternity in heaven.

Take some time to thank God for his word, for his invitation to “kingdom living” and for the promises of heaven!

Brian Coffey