On a Treasure Hunt

Psalms 119:16

I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil 

Where is your Bible right now?  On your night stand? In the back dash of you car?  On the shelf with all of the other books?  At church in your pew?  Or maybe you don't know where your Bible is.  The sad fact is that many Christians today treat their Bible this way.  But did you know that when you read your Bible it's like going on a treasure hunt?

When I was young, and even today, I loved to watch movies about finding a treasure or even being on a treasure hunt.  One of my favorite movies of today is "National Treasure".  In this movie they find clue after clue that eventually leads them to a room full of treasure.  The one that believes in the treasure is ridiculed all through the movie.  He is told that he believes in fairytales and fantasy.  But he never gives up, he searches and searches until finally he is rewarded.

The truth is that God's Word is like treasure.  David said after studying on it that it was like finding great spoil.  Another truth is that many Christians never find this treasure because when they are ridiculed for reading it they quit.  When the Word seems to get deeper and it takes time to really understand the meaning they say, "It's too hard".  Will you go on a treasure hunt with the Holy Spirit today?  Let Him be your guide to the greatest treasure you could ever find.

Are You Sitting Down? Perfect!

Deuteronomy 6:6-7

And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

Wake up today and share your heart!  Do we need a pulpit? Do we need an audience? Have we forgotten that God has already given us an audience and pulpit to share our heart from?  

God tells us to take the words which He will give us and place them in our hearts. In our hearts to be guarded safely and close. In our hearts, being the center of our lives. Putting things into our hearts means to put things into action. Just like our physical hearts pump blood to every part of the body, so shall the word of God be to our spiritual blood stream. It's vital for us to follow His words. 

When we have things in order, our hearts will be the pumping station to our children and grandchildren. Pumping life and love to them. Teach them diligently (having or showing care) to our children. When we sit, when we walk, when we lie down and when we rise we need to teach.  

See God has shared His heart, so we in turn share our heart. Are you sitting? Perfect! Walking? Awesome! Lying down or getting up? Great! That is a perfect opportunity to share your heart. 

At Least Their Honest

Philippians 4:8-9

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Honesty is the best policy right?  Always!  But the other day someone said, "At least their honest". It struck the wrong chord because it was concerning someone in sin and living contrary to what they profess. Honesty in realizing your sin or fault is one thing, but being open and honest (or ok with living in sin) is different. 

God desires us to live truthfully, honestly, just, pure, lovely, and of good reputation. We should be honest with God about our lives and who we are, He already knows. We should live honestly before all men and women. Being real with them in all things. This lifestyle brings peace to the believer.  ("and the God of peace shall be with you")

So honesty is the best policy, if done correctly. 

Practice What You Preach

1 Corinthians 9:14

Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

"Get your Christian t-shirts! You're Jesus bumper stickers and little fish right here! You're armpit Bibles, and all other things that say you are a messenger of the gospel!"  

So many, too many, are professing to be Christians today and do not live out what they say. What if someone came to you and said I'm the fastest person on the earth and they ran a 2:00 minute forty-yard dash?  What if someone said they are the best at sewing and you were to have them make you a dress only to find that the hem fell out moments later. What would you think of these people?  You probably would say, "Fastest person on the earth? I don't think so."  "Seamstress? Yeah right!"  

So how do people see you?  Your shirts, stickers, Bible?  Wouldn't it be a shame if Christians ever got to the place where they say they are saved and live like they are not changed at all?  

Here is a difference maker though... Someone who says they want to be the fastest person on the earth will practice and practice at getting faster and faster. Although they will not start out running the fastest, they will continue the practice. Although they will fail and fall at times, they will get up and practice again and again. Too many today have set their practice aside and still declare themselves to be the Christian that they need to be. 

What would you say to that?  "Yeah, right!"

On the Eve

1 Corinthians 2:9

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

I can remember as a child being so excited about Christmas. I was that sneaky one who would always search the house from too to bottom in search of my presents. I started looking in November. My parents would hide them in the craziest places, but without fail I would find them. Then when they began to catch on to my hunting, mom would wrap them early and place them under the tree thinking that would deter me. But once again, I would precisely cut the tape, pull out the present and place them back without any notice. (I know what you're thinking. You are wishing you had a child just like me, hahaha)

It seemed to just drive me crazy!  I would think for days on end about what I knew I had for Christmas. I would beg my dad to let me open them weeks before Christmas was here. I remember one year telling my dad to just go ahead and let us have them on Christmas Eve because I knew what I was getting anyway. He said, "What?"  That's when I proceeded to tell him piece by piece and present by present of what was under our tree. But he never caved (much). It was always... "We open presents on Christmas Day!"  

As I think of that it reminds me of God's Word. As Christians, we long so much for the land that He has gone to prepare. A place where there is no more death, sorrow, pain or crying. A place of perfect peace where our Lord is. A place where our family in Christ have gone.  What kind of joy would you have if you knew today was the eve of your arrival in Heaven?  You see I'm often trying to search for those promises (presents) in His Word. I pray for sneak peaks. I say as John in Revelation, "Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus". 

Are you looking forward to Heaven and what Jesus has prepared?  We should be!  It's going to top any G.I.Joe train set or Michael Jackson microphone that I received on earth. 

Just Another Brick in the Wall

Jeremiah 31:3

The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying,

Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love:

therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

John 15:13

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

In the late 70's and early 80's a song came on the radio called, "Another Brick in the Wall". It was a song that spoke of being another face in the crowd. In the video it has school children with clone/style faces and being nothing but another brick in the wall. But this teaching, along with many other worldly lessons, is dangerous. It causes people to feel that no one cares, or that no one loves them. But this is not true!  

God loves you!  I know you've heard it from every preacher that has run off with a lady in the church. I know you've heard it from every Christian who has said it while stabbing you in the back. But have you ever heard it from someone who loves you?  Someone who took your punishment?  Someone who has never ran off, lied, cheated or stabbed anyone in the back?  

To Jesus, you are NOT another brick in the wall. You are NOT just another face in the crowd. You are valuable!  So valuable that He paid the greatest price ever!  NO ONE, no one has loved you more than Jesus has. 

So all in all, your NOT just another brick in the wall!

Moving from Crying to Worship

Matthew 15:21-28

Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and CRIED unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Then came she and WORSHIPPED him, saying, Lord, help me. But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs. And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters 'table. Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

How do we approach the King of Kings with our petitions and requests?  Some think that because they are faithful in church or because their moms and dads are saved that God should listen up. Few think that because they pay tithe, or give of themselves that the King of Kings should pay attention. Approach is everything!  

Remember when you were young?  You knew the right moment to approach your parents about things. You could sense when they were in the right moods. You knew exactly what to say to them and how to approach the situation. 

Well the woman in this scripture didn't know how to approach Jesus with what she needed. Her need was very great and heavy on her heart. Notice that she tried first to claim it.  She called Him "Thou Son of David". Tying herself together with the Jews and claiming rights to what they had in God.  Look at Jesus' response... He said nothing. 

Then something great happened!  This woman realized her approach was wrong. See she CRIED for something that didn't belong unto her. She changed her CRY into WORSHIP!  Her approach now was to worship the King of Kings and ask for Help. "Then she came and WORSHIPPED Him, saying, Lord Help Me". It was then that Jesus answered, "It's not right to give food from the table to the dogs". Which meant she was trying to receive a blessing by claiming heritage, but she was a Gentile. But then she said, "Yes, but even the dogs get crumbs". All she wanted was the crumbs. She knew the crumbs would be sufficient from the King of Kings. She no longer claimed the best, but just wanted God to bless her. When we do this, humble ourselves in worship, we will receive nothing but the best. 

I wonder how long it took for her to realize that she approached it wrong?  How long will it take you?  Today you may need the Lord Jesus to move in your situation. Maybe you have approached the situation wrong. Claiming something that doesn't belong unto you. Thinking that because your parents know Christ that He should do this for you. Or because you do things (works) for God that He should take notice quickly. Why not fall before Him in worship?  Show Him our great need and broken heart. Move from crying about it to worshipping Him and knowing that He can and He will help. When we do, He will help. 

Hebrews 4:16

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.