GPS-Za’atar Seasoning

JUN 23  / Sunday – Psalm 51 / Matt 17:20 / Matt 23:23

Overview: Stories of biblical spices and their relevance to the power of confession, faith, and focus.

24 / Mon – The spice of confession  |  Read Psalm 51

Za’atar is a mixture of spices used to season Middle Eastern dishes. One of those spices is often identified with the biblical ‘hyssop’ plant. In this psalm, David confesses his great sin, pouring out his anguish and repentance, acknowledging he deserves God’s judgment. He knows he needs forgiveness, cleansing (v 7, 10) and a new heart. Only God can do that. When the Holy Spirit brings to your attention something wrong between you and God or others, what is your response? What would you like it to be?

25 / Tue – The spice of faith  |  Read Matt 17:19-20 / Eph 3:20

Have you ever seen a mustard seed? It is typically 1/32 to 3/32 of an inch in diameter. (It takes roughly 1000 seeds to manufacture 8 ounces of mustard). Do you feel like these disciples at times when you pray but nothing happens? Are you putting your faith in the size of your faith? Maybe you’re looking at it backwards. What if you put your faith in God, in who He is and what He can do? Start by being honest, as this man in Mark 9:23-24, and see what happens next.

26 / Wed – The spice of focus  |  Read Matthew 23:23-24

Do you ever get sidetracked by the minutiae of life, small trivial details that become so large they crowd out the important things? It was commendable that the Pharisees gave a tithe (10%) of every blessing they received, even of the spices from their gardens, but Jesus knew their hearts. He had strong words for how they ignored the more important matters. Are you doing things for God that are easy but neglecting the harder things He is calling you to? Will you humble yourself and ask the Holy Spirit to give you a more balanced focus? He can do that.

27 / Thu – Another essential seasoning  |  Read Colossians 4:5-6

Sailors often had a reputation for colorful language and their crude speech was often ‘salty’. Do you know someone like that? Has it ever been a part of your life? Paul gave good advice here about our speech. Some Christians are unfortunately indistinguishable from those around them in this. What about you? Would someone recognize you follow a different standard by the way you speak or the words you use? If this is a difficult area for you, ask the Holy Spirit to help you. He will.

28 / Fri – A preservative  |  Read Prov 13:3 / Prov 16:17 / Prov 22:5

Salt brings out the flavor of foods when it’s used sparingly. It is also useful as a food preservative. What are some ideas about preservation that you noticed while reading Solomon’s wise words? How could they be applied to real life? In what ways has the Lord taught you to guard your lips and how did that preserve your life? Have you ever been caught in a pitfall because you chose the wrong path? What is different now about how you guard your ways?

29 / Sat – Back to the mustard seed  |  Read Matt 13:31-32 / Mark 4:26-29

Jesus used many examples to show what the kingdom of heaven is like. He described the way it starts as something tiny and grows exponentially, impacting the environment around it. That is what the kingdom of heaven in you is doing. You may feel small and unable to make a difference but your acts of kindness, smiles, words of encouragement and prayers for (and with) those in need are seeds of faith you plant. God will produce the harvest. All He asks is your obedience.