Day 1: The Treasures of my Heart #21 Day Purity Challenge
The 21 Day Purity Challenge is a time to intentionally seek God through His word and prayer for 21 days to allow Him to purify and purge our hearts. Plants need water everyday and also need pruning to grow healthy. We are the branches, Jesus is the vine, and the Father is the keeper of the vineyard.
Let's get into Day 1...
Matthew 16:19-21 says, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Every Kingdom has a culture and a set of values that make up its core. The core values are the essence of its society and people. You could say it is what the culture treasures and is at the heart of its existence.
The cultural aspect is what separates and distinguishes the kingdom from all others around it. It is the culture that expresses the nature of the king, through the lifestyle of his citizens.
So, through our lifestyles as citizens of the Kingdom of God, we express our King’s nature. How we conduct ourselves is a direct reflection of our King and what He teaches.
God is Sovereign whether we make him Lord over our lives or not, but when we accept him as our Lord, he then has full reign over our lives and is looking at how we handle and value His Kingdom.
When you look at your core values, is Christ in it? Is how you pattern your life centered on the King and His Kingdom values, or is your life more centered on the values of the world around you?
Sometimes we forget that the world’s way is actually the core values of the Kingdom of Darkness. God said that if we are friends with the world, we are enemies of Him.
The bible tells us to set our affections on things above (in Heaven), and not on the things on the earth.
Where our affections are, is where our treasures are...
Matthew 13:45-46 says “…The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. When he found one very precious pearl, he went away and sold all he had and bought it.”
Do you find the Kingdom valuable to where you count everything else as nothing to apprehend it? Have you bought into God’s Kingdom way and let go of your old way of life?
Many have distractions or excuses of why they can't follow God fully. Perhaps you just started school or a new career. Perhaps you just started a family or bought a new house. Perhaps you are like Martha and have been tirelessly serving without a break. Or perhaps you are weary in well-doing.
What is stealing your affections and your full pursuit after the Kingdom?
Journal Prompt: Today I invite you to renew your vows to the Lord. Reflect on where your affections have been this year and what needs to change for the upcoming year. Allow God to impart his nature into your heart and the value for His Kingdom purpose. Revisit your core values and write down 3 Kingdom priorities you will have for the upcoming year.
Proverbs 2:1-5
My son, if you receive my words
and treasure up my commandments with you,
making your ear attentive to wisdom
and inclining your heart to understanding.
yes, if you call out for insight
and raise your voice for understanding,
if you seek it like silver
and search for it as for hidden treasures,
then you will understand the fear of the LORD
and find the knowledge of God.
References and Resources
Comments