The Teachable Heart

09/04/2026

Christians are at risk of growing “weary” and “fainthearted.”

The Teachable Heart · Episode

09/03/2026

“…let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2)

In May 1954, Roger Bannister, a 25 y/o medical student in Brittain, was the first man to run the mile in

09/03/2026

An occasional glance at Jesus on a Sunday morning isn’t going to be enough to finish this race well.

The Teachable Heart · Episode

09/02/2026

It was a very rude awakening - literally! I’ve had occasional nocturnal leg cramps, but this was different. Early on a Monday morning, as I attempted to sit up in bed, I had muscle cramps that seized my entire lower back. Four weeks, and a lot of muscle relaxants later, the back is returning to normal.

The muscle spasms in my back were the latest reminder that I’m getting older. As my daughter, Amanda, would say, “Yeah Dad, that’s the way time works.” She’s right of course, but being immobile for a couple of weeks left me with a lot of time to ponder. In His perfect timing, God led me to this, “They [the righteous] still bear fruit in old age…” (Psalm 92:14a).

I really appreciated seeing this reminder in black and white. If we continue to walk with God as closely as we’re able, He will continue to use us all the way through the “Finish Line.” Admittedly, the type of fruit we bear might change as we age. My days of roofing houses or clearing widows’ cutters might be over, but if we’re willing, God has SOMETHING meaningful we can do for Him.

Immediately after making the bold claim that God will use the righteous in their advanced age, the author states that the righteous and aged, “are ever full of sap and green, to declare that the Lord is upright…” (14b-15). What type of fruit will God bring from the elderly who have walked with Him for years? Nothing less than an expanded testimony of God’s goodness and justice.

As we continue walking the path with Christ, we accumulate more and more experience with Him. We see how He has been true to His Word. How He has never forsaken us, even during the darkest moments. How His grace has been enough time and time again.

Our bodies will slow. But if we’re willing, God will give us the “sap” necessary to continue to sing His praises to those who follow behind us. As you slow down, speak up about your loving Lord. –Dave

09/02/2026

It was a very rude awakening - literally! I’ve had occasional nocturnal leg cramps, but this was different. Early on a Monday morning, as I attempted to sit up in bed, I had muscle cramps that seized my entire lower back. Four weeks, and a lot of muscle relaxants later, the back is returning to normal.

The muscle spasms in my back were the latest reminder that I’m getting older. As my daughter, Amanda, would say, “Yeah Dad, that’s the way time works.” She’s right of course, but being immobile for a couple of weeks left me with a lot of time to ponder. In His perfect timing, God led me to this, “They [the righteous] still bear fruit in old age…” (Psalm 92:14a).

I really appreciated seeing this reminder in black and white. If we continue to walk with God as closely as we’re able, He will continue to use us all the way through the “Finish Line.” Admittedly, the type of fruit we bear might change as we age. My days of roofing houses or clearing widows’ cutters might be over, but if we’re willing, God has SOMETHING meaningful we can do for Him.

Immediately after making the bold claim that God will use the righteous in their advanced age, the author states that the righteous and aged, “are ever full of sap and green, to declare that the Lord is upright…” (14b-15). What type of fruit will God bring from the elderly who have walked with Him for years? Nothing less than an expanded testimony of God’s goodness and justice.

As we continue walking the path with Christ, we accumulate more and more experience with Him. We see how He has been true to His Word. How He has never forsaken us, even during the darkest moments. How His grace has been enough time and time again.

Our bodies will slow. But if we’re willing, God will give us the “sap” necessary to continue to sing His praises to those who follow behind us. As you slow down, speak up about your loving Lord. –Dave

(You may listen to The Teachable Heart Podcast on Spotify, Pocket Casts, Podchaser, or Audible. For more information about the ministry, to order devotional books, or to sign up for free daily devotions, visit: https://theteachableheart.com.)

09/02/2026

The longer we walk with Christ, the more evidence we accumulate regarding the goodness of God.

The Teachable Heart · Episode

09/01/2026

“They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated…” (Hebrews 11:37)

Recently, we looked at the fact that many of God’s faithful people of yesteryear were destitute, wearing animal hides for clothing and living in makeshift dwellings. Today, I’d like to consider the other two adjectives which the author used to describe God’s faithful followers.

“Afflicted” was from a Greek word which meant “to crowd.” It described being confined, constricted, or feeling pressure from all sides. Faithfully following God in a godless culture wasn’t popular. It came with a certain amount of pressure to conform. “Mistreated” (as is in the ESV) is an understatement. The root for this Greek word means “evil or wicked.” Other translations actually say the faithful were “tormented,” or “treated cruelly.”

Looking back, I’d have to say that to this point, we’ve had it pretty good in this country. Historically, being a Christian was seen as a good thing. It was warmly embraced and actively encouraged. Proclaiming to be a Christian (whether true or not) was considered an important quality when running for office, applying for a job, courting a future spouse, etc. In fact, for many years, I personally did not know anyone who didn’t claim to follow Jesus.

As a result, being treated cruelly (or even being mistreated) wasn’t the norm in our culture for most of our nation’s history. But there’s been a shift. In some locations, Christian couples looking to adopt children run into resistance centered on biblical sexuality. Sophie Cunningham, an outspoken Christian, and a guard in the WNBA is routinely booed when she plays basketball – her crime? Simply contending that women’s sports should be played by biological females.

Such treatment is new to our land. But it’s not new. Jesus actually foretold these things when He said, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also” (John 15:18-20).

Will you continue to follow Christ as it becomes less popular to do so? –Dave

(You may listen to The Teachable Heart Podcast on Spotify, Pocket Casts, Podchaser, or Audible. For more information about the ministry, to order devotional books, or to sign up for free daily devotions, visit: https://theteachableheart.com.)

09/01/2026

Historically, being a Christian was seen as a good thing in our culture.

The Teachable Heart · Episode