Spiritual Reflections
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be sending out brief reflections that will spur you to think about the relationship between God, your resources and the church. Resources can be everything from your ability to breathe, to a special skill set you have, to the money in your bank account.
Reflection 1 – September 29, 2026
Our theme verse for this fall is Matthew 6:21, “For where your treasure is, there is your heart also.” This is one verse out of a larger story from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount:
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Take a moment to think about these questions:
- What is God calling you to through this story?
- What does this story say about trust and fear?
Reflection 2 – October 1, 2026
Two days ago, we gave you a theme scripture for the fall, Matthew 6:21,
“For where your treasure is, there is your heart also.”
Today, we want you to reflect on our theme: “Spirit, Open My Heart.” The theme is a prayer to God. It comes from a song we are singing this fall in worship. The full chorus is as follows:
Spirit, open my heart to the joy and pain of living, as you love may I love, in receiving and in giving, Spirit, open my heart.
Take a moment to answer these questions:
- Does anything surprise you in the words of this chorus?
- If so, what part and why?
- How has pain opened your heart?
- When has the Spirit opened you up to something new?
Reflection 3 – October 6, 2026
As mentioned before, our theme scripture for the fall is Matthew 6:21, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
In worship we have sung a Michael W. Smith song called Open the Eyes of My Heart. The lyrics are as follows:
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord, Open the eyes of my heart, I want to see You, I want to see You, (Lift it up, let me hear You)
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord, Open the eyes of my heart, I want to see You, I want to see You
(To see You high) To see You high and lifted up Shinin’ in the light of Your glory, Pour out Your power and love. As we sing holy, holy, holy
Take a moment to answer these questions:
This song is a prayer. What does praying this song open you up to?
How does this song relate to what Jesus calls us to in Matthew 6:19-21?
Reflection 4 – October 8, 2026
Matthew 6:21, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Treasure is an interesting word. It could mean a variety of things.
That which:
- is most valuable to you?
- occupies the bulk of your time?
- you spend the most money on?
- brings you the most joy?
When thinking about the word treasure, answer the following questions:
- What is most valuable to you?
- What occupies the bulk of your time?
- What do you spend the most money on?
- What brings you the most joy?
Reflection 5 – October 13, 2026
Matthew 6:21, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
One modern dictionary definition of heart (beyond a physical heart) says, “the heart is regarded as the center of a person’s thoughts and emotions especially love and compassion, one’s mood and feeling, courage and enthusiasm.”
In biblical times, heart had meaning that was closer to thinking, reasoning and planning.
When thinking about the word heart answer the following questions:
- Do you spend more time watching or reading news than the stories of Jesus in the gospel? If so, why have you made that choice? How does that affect your heart?
- If your heart was a pie chart, what would the categories and breakdown look like?
Reflection 6 – October 15, 2026
Matthew 6:21, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
One source says that the word heart is mentioned 1,006 times in the bible.
Here are a series of scriptures on the theme of heart…
Ezekiel 36:26 – A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will remove from your body the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 4:23 – Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.
Matthew 22:37 – He said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.”
John 14:27 – Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.
When thinking about the word heart, answer the following questions:
- What do these passages suggest your heart should be focused on?
- Do any of them stand out to you? Why?