The Teachable Heart

10/07/2026

We likely don’t have literal statues above our fireplaces. But are there any less obvious idols which might turn our hearts away from God?

10/06/2026

My quiet time recently had me in the ever-popular book of Ezekiel. It’s tempting to rush through such books thinking there’s nothing of any relevance for us in the 21st Century. Yet, that’s not the case. Through Ezekiel, God called Israel to carefully examine where they were currently, compared to where they had started.

For example, in Chapter 16, the Lord reminded His people that it was He who took them under His wing while they were still newborns (v. 6). It was He who washed them (v. 9), clothed them (v. 10), adorned them with fine jewelry (v. 11), and fed them with the finest of food (v. 13). As a result of God’s many blessings, Israel gained fame among the surrounding nations (v. 14).

Such a rags to riches story should have filled the peoples’ hearts with gratitude. Instead, this is what we read next, “But you trusted in your beauty and played the harlot because of your fame, and you poured out your harlotries on every passer-by who might be willing” (v. 15). Instead of being thankful, the people became proud.

If that weren’t bad enough, God contended that they had taken the very things He had given them and used those gifts to create their idols. For example, God stated, “You also took your beautiful jewels made of My gold and of My silver, which I had given you, and made for yourself male images…” (v. 17).

God’s insertion of that little word “My” before the silver and gold really hit home for me. The gold and silver Israel used to make other gods wasn’t theirs, it was God’s. Yet they had taken what was His and used it against Him. I fear I’m guilty of similar things. While I’d never make a physical idol of gold, I have idolized material things. On occasion, I have allowed my trust to be in the nest egg God has provided, instead of trusting in Him directly.

That’s my story. What about you? Have you unconsciously turned His stuff into your comfort? Has God’s bountiful hand in your life led to gratitude or pride? This week, focus on the reality that everything you have is a gift from God and it remains His. –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.)

10/06/2026

They had taken what was God’s and used it against Him. I fear I’m guilty of similar things. How about you?

The Teachable Heart · Episode

10/06/2026

And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? (Luke 9:23-25)

In his commentary on the passage above, Anglican Bishop JC Pyle, wrote, “A crucified Savior will never be content to have a self-pleasing, self-indulging, worldly-minded people.” Or as my pastor paraphrased it, “A self-indulgent Christian is inconsistent with a self-sacrificing Savior.”

Pyle would add, “It costs something to be a real Christian, according to the standard of the Bible. There are enemies to be overcome, battles to be fought, sacrifices to be made, an Egypt to be forsaken, a wilderness to be passed through, a cross to be carried, a race to be run. Conversion is not putting a person in an arm-chair and taking them easily to heaven. It is the beginning of a mighty conflict, in which it costs much to win the victory."

I’ll be honest, sometimes I wish the Christian journey was easier than it’s proven to be. I’d like the easy-chair to heaven, please! But Christ hasn’t called us to sit down in our favorite recliner, but to stand, pick up our cross, and follow Him. Jesus used such beautiful and poetic language – but there’s nothing easy about the task.

The reality is that we will not bear our cross or follow Him if we don’t first “deny” ourselves. The Greek word from which we get “deny” means to “disavow, reject, renounce, or disown.” Disown ourselves? That’s awfully strong language isn’t it? Perhaps, but it’s nothing compared to “take up your cross.” While we frequently use the phrase in sentences like, “Well, we each have our crosses to bear,” that’s not what Christ meant.

No, the cross in His day was an object of ex*****on. The person seen carrying a cross was marching to his death. That’s the idea behind denying oneself and taking up one’s cross. It’s to show disregard to ones’ own interests. We simply cannot do anything for Christ if we’re still doing everything for ourselves.

Comfortably sitting in an arm-chair, or carrying a cross of self-denial – which better describes you? –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.)

10/05/2026

“Conversion is not putting a person in an arm-chair and taking them easily to heaven. It is the beginning of a mighty conflict, in which it costs much to win the victory." JC Pyle

The Teachable Heart · Episode

10/04/2026

The heart can be whole even as the body falls to pieces.

(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.)

10/03/2026

If you prefer to read, the text is provided below.

Peter and John had been imprisoned for speaking about Jesus near the temple. But after threatening them not to repeat their “offense,” the Sanhedrin let them go (Acts 4:1-21). Immediately after being released, Peter and John went to the other believers and reported all that the Jewish leaders had said, done, and threatened (v. 23).

In response to all that had happened, the group decided it was a good time to pray. Most of us would have likely agreed. But I wonder how many of us would have prayed the same prayer they did. Here’s how part of their prayer began, “Now, Lord, consider their threats and…” (v. 29a).

They were being arrested, imprisoned, beaten, and threatened, so they rightfully laid these very serious concerns before God, just as we would have. But here’s where their prayer likely deviated from ours. I suspect that most Christians today would have continued that prayer with a request something like this, “Now, Lord, consider their threats and intervene; put an end to our mistreatment. Give us favor in the eyes of our opponents; remove the risks we face, etc.”

In other words, restore our safety and return us to the comfort we enjoyed previously. At least, that’s what I would have prayed for. Now let’s see what the group led by Peter and John asked from God. “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness” (v. 29). Instead of asking God to reduce the external threats, they asked Him to increase their internal courage.

It’s little wonder that early believers were described as those who “…turned the world upside down…” (Acts 17:6). Speaking the gospel boldly in the face of hostility can change the world. Whereas constantly seeking the path of least resistance for our faith likely won’t result in much impact at all.

As our culture becomes more opposed to our faith, what will your prayer be? Will you pray for the opposition to be removed? Or will you pray for your courage to be increased? –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.)

As our culture becomes more opposed to our faith, what will your pr...