Finding Your Creative Bones® 365-Day Devotional © 2023
From birth to now, has your heart changed?
John the Baptist said:
Truly, I give baptism with water to those of you whose hearts are changed; but he who comes after me is greater than I, whose shoes I am not good enough to take up: he will give you baptism with the Holy Spirit and with fire: In whose hand is the instrument with which he will make clean his grain; he will put the good grain in his store, but the waste will be burned up in the fire which will never be put out. (Matthew 3.11-12 Bible in Basic English (BBE))
What is the meaning of this scripture passage to you? "In whose hand is the instrument with which he will make clean his grain; he will put the good grain in his store, but the waste will be burned up in the fire which will never be put out."
Are you part of the grain? If so, how were you made clean? What is the store? What is the fire that never goes out?
Breaking this down, John is speaking of Jesus. Could it be that you and everyone who has accepted and repented before the Lord and Jesus are the grain that is harvested? When baptized, the Holy Spirit made you clean of original sin. The Holy Spirit washes and burns the human condition of original sin away.
Perhaps the store is heaven reserved for the grain. The chaff (evil) is burnt up in the fire before being allowed entry into heaven. The fire is the fire of God, the Holy Spirit, which can never be put out. He alone can burn all that is evil, the chaff and waste, so it can never have eternity in heaven. God will always have that capability, and nothing else will.
Thinking of the beginning of the scripture, do you think your heart has changed?
Prayer:
Father, I know my heart has changed over my life as I learn and grow in my experiences with you. I am a true believer who is imperfect, yet I desire to be the grain you want to allow into your heavenly store. The hope you bring into my life every day is beyond my comprehension. I sit in stunned silence at your magnificence. As your story unfolds to me, I am in awe. Please continue to help me grow my understanding and wisdom regarding my role, your sacrifice, and your love that is larger than infinity. Amen.
a tangle originated by Suzanne McNeill, CZT®
Word of the Day
STORE
Read the scripture in context on the Bible in Basic English (BBE) site.
I haven’t really thought upon this scripture before - but Jesus also elaborated on it in Matt 13:30? That we are the wheat tha will be separated from the chaff? - Angie
I am not a believer in original sin. We start out with a clean slate and we can try our best to keep it that way
I went to church regularly as a child but not so much as an adult. I think that my heart has matured as I have gotten older. I have always been the do the right thing type of person. I don't think that's changed though. -Dominique
I am having a hard time with these terms: "sin" and "evil", and I don't mean specifically on your blog, more in general. I was raised catholic, and I went through the whole first communion, confession (as 9 year olds) and confirmation. Usually I am not a church goer, only for weddings and funerals. Just last month, however, I attended a service, mainly before my Dad and his choir buddies performed absolutely wonderful music. The sermon was full of these words, sin, sin, evil, evil. It was so dark and depressing. I was looking around me. I mean, the people who go to church are good people. They are volunteering, they are being good family and community members, why are…