Whole On Both Sides
A pancake turned at the right moment, a heart fully turned toward God.
Devotional Credit: Days of Heaven on Earth, A. B. Simpson
Photo Credit: Unsplash
Hosea paints a picture of a griddle cake that was never turned, burned on one side, raw on the other. That was Ephraim. It is a simple image that reaches into real life. We can be devoted in public worship, yet divided in private attachments. We can confess Jesus, yet cling to lesser loves. A. B. Simpson gently invites us to let God turn us fully toward Himself so that our hearts are not half for the Lord and half for everything else.
The heart of today’s reading is about first things first. When God is first, gifts stop competing for our allegiance. Money, homes, friendships, even dear family, become channels of grace instead of rivals for our affection. We are not asked to dislike God’s gifts. We are invited to enjoy them rightly, as good things that flow from a better Giver.
There is freedom here. When Jesus is our contentment, we are not captured by outcomes. The portfolio can go up or down. The calendar can stay full or thin. Our center does not shift. The Lord is our portion, so the blessings He gives do not own us, and the sorrows we meet do not sink us.
Thank you, Brother Simpson, for pointing us to the simple order that brings rest. Put God first. Let Him arrange everything else. Then even the smallest joy becomes a gentle cord drawing us nearer to Him, and every resource becomes a means to pour out His goodness.
Journal Entry - Voice of the Holy Spirit Through Scripture
I turn your heart toward the Father, not in part, but whole. I dwell in you. You are My temple together with My people, a house I am building as My dwelling. Lift your gaze where the Messiah is seated. Present your body to God as a living sacrifice. I renew your mind so your loves are reordered around the Son.
Count yourself dead to sin and alive to God. You have been crucified with the Anointed One, and the life you now live in the body is lived by faith in Him. Seek first the kingdom and the righteousness that is already yours in Him, and what you need finds its place without ruling your heart. Keep yourself from idols. Hold the gifts of this age loosely, as those who buy, as though not possessing, as those who use the world without being used by it.
I am your portion and your cup. I set pleasant boundaries for you. I teach you contentment in every circumstance, in plenty and in need. I never leave you. Keep your life free from the love of money. Remember, every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of lights. When resources flow into your hands, I make all grace abound so that in every good work you are supplied and generous. Do not say, my power made this wealth. I give you power to steward what is Mine.
Whom have you in heaven but Me, and on earth there is none you desire beside Me. I make My home with you. Abide in Me. Apart from Me you can do nothing. Yet united to Me, you bear fruit that remains. My grace trains you to say no to ungodliness and to live with quiet devotion in this present age. If the Father did not spare His own Son, how will He not also with Him graciously give you all things that serve His purpose in you. Guard against every kind of greed. Treasure the kingdom like a field found and purchased with joy. I am enough, and in Me, every gift finds its rightful place.
Real-Life Analogy
Think of a pancake on a skillet. If it is never turned, one side burns while the other stays uncooked. A quick, gentle turn makes the whole pancake ready to serve. In the same way, when the Spirit of Jesus turns the heart Godward, our attachments get their proper heat. Work, money, and relationships stop scorching or staying underdone. They become nourishing in their season.
Today, when you open your investment app, or consider a purchase you have wanted for a while, let the Holy Spirit set the order. Simply say, Lord, I entrust my desires and decisions to You. Live through me in this choice, and let this remain a gift, not a god. Then act with a calm heart, content in Jesus, generous where He leads, and free on the inside.
Prayer of Confidence
Lord, thank You that in Jesus You are my portion and my peace. You have already given me every spiritual blessing in Him. You have placed me in Your kingdom and reordered my loves by Your Spirit. I receive Your good gifts as gifts, not masters. I rest in Your faithful care, content in the Messiah, and ready to steward what You provide for Your glory and the good of others. My heart is Yours, whole on both sides, turned toward You.
Scripture References for the Voice of the Holy Spirit Through Scripture Section
Hosea 7:8; Ephesians 2:22; Colossians 3:1-3; Romans 12:1-2; Galatians 2:20; Romans 6:11; Matthew 6:33; 1 John 5:21; 1 Corinthians 7:29-31; Psalm 16:5-6; Philippians 4:11-13; Hebrews 13:5; James 1:17; 2 Corinthians 9:8-11; Deuteronomy 8:17-18; Psalm 73:25-26; John 14:23; John 15:5; Titus 2:11-12; Romans 8:32; Luke 12:15; Matthew 13:44