Weekly Devotion—May 14, 2025

May 15

By Pastor Chris Simmons

Know always that God’s Grace, Mercy, and Peace are yours through Jesus Christ.

Who/What are major influences on your life? In the past or presently?
Who/What are you major influences on presently? In what ways do you influence them?

Proverbs 4:20-23
20 My son, pay attention to what I say;
turn your ear to my words.
21 Do not let them out of your sight,
keep them within your heart;
22 for they are life to those who find them
and health to one’s whole body.
23 Above all else, guard your heart,
for everything you do flows from it.

We are called to “guard our hearts”... well guard them from what? Influence. We live in a world full of influence, both good and bad (you’ve maybe heard it from your parents before “watch out for that kid, he’s a bad influence!).

1 Corinthians 12:12-16 12
What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us… 16 for, we have the mind of Christ.

Let us guard our hearts, but also open them to Jesus. Allowing His gifts of grace, mercy, and truth be an influence on us, and that flows from our hearts for the sake of others.

Prayer

Lord God, we ask you to be the primary influence on our hearts. Help us to guard it against bad influences on our spirit, so that what flows from our hearts is a reflection of your love for us. We pray this all in your name Jesus. Amen.

Trinity Lutheran Church Paso