Overflow of the Heart

 What’s in the Heart Comes Out

“A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” — Luke 6:45 (NIV)

During this Lenten season, Jesus reminds us that true righteousness is not a matter of appearances but of the heart. Lent is a time for honesty. A time to look inward. A time to allow the Spirit to gently, yet firmly, show us what is really stored in the depths of our hearts.

It is easy to give a good impression—to say the right things, do the expected deeds, and maintain a facade of faithfulness. But Jesus makes it clear: no matter how polished our image may be, our true selves will eventually be revealed through our words and our actions.

“The things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them.” — Matthew 15:18 (NIV)

Jesus warns against hypocrisy, not out of condemnation but as an invitation to transformation. He calls us to a life where the outer matches the inner, where integrity is born from communion with Him.

Eugene Peterson reminds us, “The heart is the source of all action, the center of life. The operations of grace are first felt and formed there.” (Run with the Horses)

God isn’t interested in behavior modification alone—He longs for heart transformation. And He promises to renew us from the inside out.

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” — Psalm 51:10 (NIV)

This is not a call to despair but to surrender. What is in our hearts matters deeply—but we are not left alone to fix them. Lent is the season to bring our hearts to God in humility, trusting His mercy to cleanse, restore, and fill us with Christ’s love.

Prayer:

Lord, search my heart this Lent. Reveal the places where I am pretending, performing, or hiding. Replace my false words with Your truth. Cleanse my actions from self-interest. Fill me with Your Spirit, that what flows from me—my words, my deeds—would reflect the love and holiness of Jesus. Amen.

Amazed by Grace

Come and see what God has done, 

His awesome deeds for mankind! 

Psalm 66:5 (NIV)

Reading: Luke 5:17–26

Lent is a season that calls us to repentance, yes—but also to wonder. We are not just sorrowful over sin; we are amazed by grace.

In Luke 5, four friends bring a paralyzed man to Jesus. When they find the crowd too dense, they climb onto the roof, tear it open, and lower him down. Their persistence is bold. But what stuns everyone is not the healing—it’s what Jesus says first: “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”

The room stills. Jesus has done what only God can do.

The people are struck with awe, and rightly so. The healing that follows is astonishing, but the greater miracle is unseen—a heart made whole. In that moment, they realize they are not just in front of a healer, but standing in the presence of God Himself.

The psalmist writes,

“Come and see what God has done, his awesome deeds for mankind!” (Psalm 66:5).

This call echoes through Lent. Come and see—not only what God has done in history, but what He still does in our lives.

C.S. Lewis wrote:“It is always shocking to meet life where we thought we were alone…‘Look out!’ we cry, ‘it’s alive.’ And therefore this is the very point at which so many draw back. I would have been certain that God was a tame God.” (Mere Christianity)

We are amazed because God is not tame. He cannot be managed, manipulated, or molded into something safe. He forgives sinners before they repent perfectly. He touches the unclean. He calls tax collectors and sits at tables with outcasts. He enters our stories where we least expect Him—with mercy and power.

God is not tame—but He is good.

That is why Lent is both sobering and stunning. We come face to face with a God who walks into our brokenness, takes on our sin, and rises with power. He doesn’t just fix us—He remakes us. That kind of God cannot be tamed. But He can be trusted.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, during this Lenten season, let us come and see what You have done. Lead us to repentance that ends in joy. Help us live in awe of Your grace and rise together in the newness of life. Amen.

Be Still and Know

Be still, and know that I am God.

Psalm 46:10 

In the noise and motion of life, Lent offers a sacred invitation: slow down. Breathe. Be still.

Jesus lived surrounded by chaos—crowds pressing in, needs rising up, enemies plotting, disciples misunderstanding. And yet, He regularly withdrew to quiet places to pray. This stillness wasn’t inactivity. It was intimacy. In silence, He heard the Father’s voice. In solitude, He received strength for the next step.

Stillness is not passivity—it’s receptivity. Richard Foster reminds us, “In contemporary society our Adversary majors in three things: noise, hurry, and crowds. If he can keep us engaged in muchness and manyness, he will rest satisfied.” Lent pushes back against that tide and helps us recover a holy rhythm.

Psalm 46:10 calls us to the same rhythm: Be still, and know that I am God. Not just “know about” God, but know Him—through stillness, trust, and attentive listening.

Stillness isn’t about doing nothing. It’s about making space for the One who holds everything. It’s in stillness that our fears are calmed, our identity is restored, and our hearts realigned. We stop striving, and we start abiding.

In this Lenten season, choose moments of stillness. Step away from the crowd, the screen, the schedule. Rest in the truth that God is God—and you are His.

Short Prayer:

Lord, quiet my heart. Teach me to be still and know You more deeply. In the silence, speak Your peace and draw me near. Amen.

The Sky Is Not the Limit

Your love, Lord, reaches to the Heavens, 

Your faithfulness to the skies.

Psalm 36:5

Giving as God Gives

Lent invites us to reflect not only on what we receive from God, but also on how we live in response—especially in our generosity. Psalm 36 offers a breathtaking contrast: human wickedness below, and divine faithfulness above. While sin plots in secret (vv. 1–4), God’s love stretches beyond sight, “reaching to the heavens,” His justice “like the great deep.” His giving knows no limits.

Henri Nouwen wrote, “We are not the bread-makers, we are the bread-takers. God gives the bread.” And He gives it in abundance. Verses 7–9 show that God’s house is not a place of scarcity, but a feast of abundance where we drink from the river of His delights. Lent teaches us to return to this fountain—not with clenched fists, but with open hands.

In Luke 4:14–37, Jesus begins His public ministry with this same boundless generosity: healing, proclaiming, setting captives free. But the people of Nazareth resist when they realize God’s grace is also for everyone. They wanted miracles—but on their terms. As Barclay comments, “The tragedy of life is not that men do not know God; the tragedy is that they reject Him.” And too often, they reject the way He gives.

The Israelites turn back at the border of promise—not because God had changed, but because their fear set limits on His power. George Müller, who trusted God for every provision, once said: “Faith does not operate in the realm of the possible… Faith begins where man’s power ends.”

Trusting in a God without limits opens our hearts to give without hesitation—whether it’s our time, forgiveness, patience, resources, or love. As Dallas Willard wisely observed, “The abundance of God to our lives is not passively received—it is learned in active discipleship.” Generosity grows as we walk closely with Him, shaped by His example.

This Lent, may we practice giving as God gives—freely, abundantly, and without fear. Whether offering a listening ear, a helping hand, or a word of grace, let it all flow from the deep reservoir of God’s mercy. In doing so, we proclaim that His love not only sustains—it overflows.

Prayer:

Lord, You give without limit. Your love towers above us, and Your faithfulness knows no end. Teach us to give as You give—freely, abundantly, and without fear. Let this Lent be a time of open hands and open hearts, shaped by Your mercy and guided by Your Spirit. Amen.

Tempted but Not Forsaken

God has said,

 ‘Never will I leave you; Never will I forsake you.’

Hebrews 13:5 

Never Forsaken in the Wilderness

Lent draws us into the wilderness—a space not just of physical barrenness but of spiritual testing, longing, and dependence. It is in such seasons that God’s nearness often becomes most profound. The words of Hebrews 13:5 resound with hope: “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” This promise holds us steady when all else feels uncertain.

John Stott explains it well: “The essence of sin is man substituting himself for God… the essence of salvation is God substituting himself for man.” Sin begins when we try to take control, placing ourselves where only God belongs. Salvation, however, is God taking our place—bearing our guilt, and giving us grace. We tried to claim His throne; He took our cross.

Through Jesus’ faithfulness in the wilderness, we learn how to stand—grounded in Scripture, led by the Spirit, and confident in the Father’s care. Hebrews 4:15 assures us that Jesus understands our struggle. He was tempted in every way, yet remained without sin. In Him, we are never alone.

Henri Nouwen reminds us: “We are sinful, broken, vulnerable people who need as much care as anyone we care for.” And yet, Christ does not forsake us. He meets us in our weakness with grace and strength.

Temptation may come dressed in urgency or allure, drawing us in with false promises. But we must hold fast to this truth: no temptation is greater than God’s abiding presence. His promise remains firm—“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

Prayer:

Lord,

Thank You for the promise that You will never leave us nor forsake us. When we face temptation or trials, remind us of Your constant presence. Strengthen us through Your Word, lead us by Your Spirit, and help us trust fully in Your unfailing love.

Amen.

Trusting in God’s Goodness

Throughout Israel’s wilderness journey, God’s presence was unmistakable. A cloud by day and fire by night guided them (Numbers 9:15-23), reminding them that He was near. Yet, despite His faithful provision—manna from heaven, water from the rock, deliverance from enemies—the people complained, longing for the familiarity of Egypt (Numbers 11:4-6).

We, too, often struggle to trust when life is difficult. As N.T. Wright observes, “We often suppose that if God is with us, we will be kept from trouble. But the story of the Bible is that God is with us in trouble.” Our faith is not in an easy life but in the unchanging character of God.

Lent invites us to surrender our doubts and place our confidence in God’s goodness. Eugene Peterson writes, “Faith develops out of the most difficult aspects of our existence, not the easiest.” In suffering and uncertainty, God is still at work, leading us toward His purposes.

Jesus, though facing rejection and the cross, trusted the Father’s will. In Him, we see the ultimate display of God’s goodness—a love that pursues, forgives, and sustains. Richard Foster reminds us, “The heart of God is an open wound of love,” always drawing us closer, even when we falter.

Today, let us proclaim with confidence that His goodness endures forever. May we choose gratitude over grumbling, trust over doubt, and worship over worry. The same God who led Israel through the wilderness walks with us now, leading us toward the fullness of His promises.

Prayer: 

Lord, help me trust in Your goodness, even in difficulty. Open my eyes to see Your faithfulness in all things. Give me a heart that proclaims, “Your love endures forever.” Amen.

Deepening our Faith

 

Deepening Our Walk with God

We will give you thanks in the great assembly; 

among the throngs we will praise you.

 Psalm 35:17–18

During Lent, we are invited to deepen our relationship with God. True communion with Him is not about religious rituals or outward displays of devotion but about cultivating an honest, listening heart. David, Moses, and Jesus each reveal different aspects of drawing closer to the Father.

1. Be Open and Honest with God

David’s life was filled with challenges—opposition, unanswered prayers, and personal failures. Yet he never hid his emotions from God. Instead, he cried out with raw honesty, asking, “How long, Lord, will you look on?” (Psalm 35:17). Like David, we must bring our burdens before God without pretense. Our faith grows through openness—honestly bringing our struggles, doubts, and fears before Him.

2. Seek God’s Wisdom

Even as a child, Jesus pursued wisdom by listening and asking questions in the temple (Luke 2:46). True wisdom flows from fellowship with the Father. Jesus knew that His purpose was to be in His Father’s house (Luke 2:49), showing that wisdom brings clarity and simplicity. Growing in wisdom means learning to listen more than we speak, seeking His guidance, and applying His truths to our daily lives.

3. Stand Still and Listen

Moses regularly withdrew to seek God’s direction. When faced with uncertainty, he wisely told the people, “Wait until I find out what the LORD commands” (Numbers 9:8). Too often, we rush ahead without waiting for God’s leading. Lent is a time to slow down, stand still, and listen—trusting that He will speak and guide us in His perfect timing.

Developing a deeper walk with God requires openness, wisdom, and stillness. As we journey through Lent, may we trust His guidance, bringing our struggles to Him with honesty and faith. Even before deliverance, David committed to worshiping God publicly. True faith is both personal and communal—our testimonies strengthen others. Even in trials, may our worship be bold and unwavering, declaring His faithfulness and trusting He will act in His time.

Prayer

Lord, draw us closer to You. Help us to be honest in our prayers, to seek Your wisdom above all, and to wait patiently for Your direction. In this season of reflection, may our hearts grow ever more attuned to Your voice. Amen.