Begin with 2 minutes of silence and stillness before God.

One day, Jesus and His followers were talking about the temple. Some of His disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said in verse 6, “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.” Luke 21 is very blunt. While the disciples are admiring the temple and all the beautiful items placed in it, Jesus starts talking about the destruction that will come before He returns: war, famine, natural disasters, and even the temple. It seems like a real party pooper.

What I take from this is the reminder that even the beautiful things on this Earth are temporary. The only thing worthy of our faith and our hearts is Christ himself. What if we stopped clinging to the fleeting things on earth? Yes, there is so much beauty here, but sometimes we can get wrapped up in the show. And when it's gone, our hearts mourn and our faith dwindles.

We can live a lot more light-heartedly if we remember it's all temporary and on God's timeline. There is peace in knowing our Father is unchanging and unmovable when everything around us is uncontrollable.

Luke 21:34-36, “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”

Let go of what tangible thing your faith is clinging to and rest on Him.

Reflection:

• What of this earth are you holding onto more than your relationship with Christ?

Take 2 minutes to reflect in silence.

Family Application: Giving

By: Todd and Cynthia Kilbourne

Luke 21:1-4 is the story of the widow’s offering. When we give, do we give joyfully, or do we always wonder how much is left for us? The story of the widow’s offering is an example of how God wants us to give. The widow put God first above all else. She didn’t cheat God because she only had a little to give. She didn’t try to make excuses about not giving because she was poor and had very little to give. She loved God so much that she gave all she had. Wow – what an amazing heart she had for God.
God knows our hearts. When we give, He knows whether it is because we feel like we have to or whether we do it because we love Him and want to show Him that He is first in our lives.

So, when you have the opportunity to give back to God, whether it is money, your time, or just being kind to others, remember to do it with joy like the widow who kept her eyes on the One who deserves all the best we have to give.

• How will you give this week? Generously with a grateful heart or with excuses of why we can’t?
• Prayer: Dear God, thank You for all that You give to us. We want to give with a happy heart because we love You and want to put You first in our lives. Help us to have a heart for You like the widow. Amen.