Daily Devotion: Strengthened Hearts Through God’s Word
1 Timothy 6:2
“These things teach and strengthen.”
Did you ever read this verse this way? Paul says to Timothy, “These things teach and strengthen.”
You know what strengthens people? The teaching the Word of God!
It is the Word of God, in the hands of the Spirit of God—whether directly as He ministers to you or through a faithful teacher—that strengthens you.
Paul’s prayer for you, for me, for all of us, is that we have strong hearts.
Because when we have strong hearts:
We won’t get sucked into false doctrine.
We won’t be led astray by emotionalism.
We won’t fall into disobedience.
A strong heart has a will that desires to obey.
And I’ll tell you, when your heart is strong, the results are so exciting!
Look at what Paul says in Ephesians 3:16-21
16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. 21 Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.
When you are strengthened with might by the Spirit, here’s what happens:
Christ will dwell in your heart by faith (v.17) — He will settle down and be at home in you.
You will be rooted and grounded in love.
You will discover a new dimension of understanding (v.18).
You will begin to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge.
You will be filled with all the fullness of God.
You will be able to do exceedingly abundantly above all you can ask or think — according to His power working in you.
And unto Him will be glory in the church!
So let this be our prayer today:
“Lord, help us to control our emotions by filling our minds with Your truth, and activating our wills to respond to it. Strengthen our hearts through Your Word and by Your Spirit, that we may live rooted, grounded, and filled with all Your fullness. Amen.”