Today's Scripture:
Luke 6:39-49; Numbers 13:1-14:10; Acts 3:1-4:20.
Yes, three passages if you can make the time but at least the passage in Luke.

Key Verse:
Luke 6:45

"A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh."

The Point:

A Thriving Heart Overflows with Good Treasure

The heart is a storehouse. Whatever is placed inside - whether bitterness or blessing, corruption or Christ - cannot remain hidden. In time, it spills out. Jesus teaches us that our words reveal the abundance of the heart. A thriving heart filled with God's Word, His Spirit, and His love cannot help but overflow with encouragement, truth, and grace.

But notice the picture Jesus uses in Today's Key Verse (Luke 6:45): treasure. Treasure is not casual, it is what you value, what you seek after, what you guard most carefully. For some, that treasure is pride, fear, or worldly ambition. For others, it is Christ, His Word, and His promises. What you covet becomes what you collect. What you store becomes what you speak. This is why Proverbs 4:23 warns, "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." If the treasure of your heart is corrupted, the overflow will poison not just your speech but your entire walk. But if your treasure is godly, then the overflow will refresh and strengthen both you and those around you.

A thriving heart not only fills itself daily with the good treasure of Scripture but also guards itself through remembrance. When we forget what God has done for us, we are quick to grumble, fear, or doubt. But when we recall His past faithfulness, we strengthen our trust for the future. This is what keeps the storehouse stocked with the right treasure.

If your speech is sharp, negative, or deceitful, it is not a mouth problem but a heart problem. Conversely, if your heart is alive with Christ, then your lips will declare His goodness, your tone will show His kindness, and your life will testify of His presence. A thriving heart overflows - it cannot remain contained.

Examples:

When Israel came out of Egypt, they witnessed miracle after miracle. The LORD parted the Red Sea before their eyes (Exodus 14), rained manna from heaven to feed them (Exodus 16), and gave water from the rock (Exodus 17). His presence was a constant pillar of cloud by day, fire by night (Exodus 13:21). Yet despite all of this, their hearts were often filled with fear instead of faith. When the twelve spies returned from scouting the land of Canaan, ten gave a discouraging report as recorded in Numbers 14:2: "And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt!" Out of the abundance of their fearful and forgetful hearts came words of doubt, complaint, and rebellion. They chose to dwell on their obstacles rather than remember their Deliverer. Their storehouse was full of unbelief, and that overflow doomed an entire generation to wander in the wilderness.

Now compare this with the disciples in the Acts of the Apostles. In Acts 4, Peter and John had healed a lame man in the name of Jesus Christ. This miracle drew the attention of the religious leaders, who were "grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead." (Acts 4:2). Arrested and brought before the council, they faced the same temptation Israel had faced centuries earlier: to let fear govern their response.

But instead of doubt or silence, their hearts overflowed with boldness. Peter, "filled with the Holy Ghost," (Acts 4:8) declared, "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:12). When threatened, they answered, "For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." (Acts 4:20).

What was the difference? The disciples remembered. They had walked with Christ, seen His death, touched His resurrected body, and were empowered by the Spirit at Pentecost. Their hearts were overflowing with the treasure of God's truth and presence. Out of that abundance came words of faith, courage, and testimony.

Israel forgot God's faithfulness and overflowed with fear. The disciples remembered God's faithfulness and overflowed with fire. Both faced the choice of what to store in their heart - but the results could not have been more different.

Study Today's Scriptures (Luke 6:39-49, Numbers 13:1-14:10; Acts 3:1-4:20) and answer the following Reflection Questions:

1. What currently fills the "storehouse" of my heart - fear, anger, doubt, or the treasures of God's Word?
2. Do my words and actions reveal a heart that is thriving in Christ?
3. Who around me is being influenced by the overflow of my heart - for good or for harm?
4. What intentional steps can I take to fill my heart daily with God's truth so that my overflow is life-giving?