---

Bible Reading Plan

Reading Plan: Matthew 6:19-24

Treasures in Heaven

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

•••

Daily Devotional: God Will Do His Part. Will you?

And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from the evil one.’

Matthew 6:13

I once went on a trip to Cebu, Philippines that tested my patience—and revealed my need to lean on the Lord’s prayer. While on a boat scuba diving, I started chatting with another woman about the free massage the resort offered us. As it turns out, hers was scheduled right after we finished the dive, and mine was immediately after hers.

The masseuse was over 30 minutes late for my massage, so I went to the office to find out the problem. The woman in the office walks down to the beach and I follow. The woman from the boat is getting a massage at the beach and laughingly said, “I was 45 minutes late for my massage because I forgot, so I stole your time slot. Haha!” 

My response was a low-key, “Well, that’s not right.”

She mocked me and said, “Get over yourself and go have dinner.”

The masseuse assured me she will be there as soon as she finishes this woman’s massage. By then, I was so aggravated I didn’t even enjoy the massage. Afterwards I went to dinner still fuming over the whole situation. 

The only person in the huge buffet dinner room is this woman. She waved me over like nothing was wrong. Knowing God doesn’t want me to live in the sin of trivial anger, I sigh and prayed, “Yes Lord, I am the one who needs to be delivered from the influence of the enemy. I need to put aside my anger over such a small slight and live in forgiveness.”

These are the moments I apply, “Lead me not into temptation but deliver me from the evil one.” God was leading me into reconciliation. This massage-stealer was a decent person and we had a nice dinner conversation. I went back to my room relaxed and free from the angst of annoyance. When God leads you away from the influences of sin, He leads you to the comfort of His peace. 

God will lead us away from temptation and correct our paths in many different ways. We have free will and in that moment, I could have chosen to sit far away by myself. Instead, I saw God’s hand and I heard His chuckle from heaven in my soul. So I swallowed my venge-filled pride and sat with her.  

I have found that God will offer a different direction or block your path in answer to the last line of the Lord’s Prayer. The question is, will you recognize the moment as divine intervention and do His will, or will you exercise your own free will and keep walking towards the sin? God will do His part. Will you do yours?

Next Steps

God was still grinning when he gave me this song to share with you: Dancing On The Grave – Naomi Cantwell & Christ For The Nations Worship