Let’s talk about TREASURE

People with money in the stock market have experienced big losses in recent weeks.  The best investors think long-term. I am far from being a financial wizard, but I understand that I cannot allow every downturn make me change my investments.  If the portfolio is diverse and includes solid companies, as an investor I must be willing to stick with the the up’s and down’s over the long term.

Serving Jesus Christ must be viewed as a long-term investment! If that sounds selfish to you, please keep reading. Moses knew the end of his life was approaching, so he called the elders of Israel together to review the Law for Israel. His words are recorded in the final chapters of Deuteronomy. He says –  "If you listen obediently to the Voice of God, your God, and heartily obey all his commandments that I command you today, God, your God, will place you on high, high above all the nations of the world." (Deuteronomy 28:1, The Message)  "All the peoples on Earth will see you living under the Name of God and hold you in respectful awe." (Deuteronomy 28:10, The Message) 
 

Christians love and revere the Lord God accepting His merciful grace and goodness. As we invite the Holy Spirit to lead us, He cause us to experience that “life to the full”  that Jesus said He came to provide for those who follow Him.

Did I hear you object? Did you say,  “But, I know Christians who are suffering. I know people who really love the Lord who are going through very tough times.” And, so do I! So, is God’s promise true or not? 

It is but the blessings we enjoy are like the investing in the stock market– they are realized over the long term!  We cannot walk with the Lord one week and then say, “Where’s the blessings?”  The godly are part of a world where evil people do things that cause suffering for the godly and ungodly alike. Godly people suffer along with the rest of the world in times of war, when pandemic causes economic chaos, and when family members forsake the Lord and drag their sin home. 

But, Jesus points out that  “everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock." (Matthew 7:23-25, NIV)  Those who stay faithfully close to the Lord through it all are blessed with a security that reaches into eternity.

A word of caution here -  we must not to begin to believe that we can manage God by doing all the “right stuff” so that He is obligated to produce the life for us that we think we deserve.  It is a religious trap to think that it is our goodness that makes God bless us. It is such a subtle deception; and the Devil delights in letting us wander into that place.  When we think, “it’s all about me” we make the wonderful life of those who are graciously godly into an ugly parody, increasingly absorbed with trivial matters. Over time we create a long list of rules that hides the beauty of the grace of God from us and in us!  Knowing the peace of God, the assurance of salvation, the hope of eternal life grows in us as we keep step with the Spirit. A life of love, filled with forgiveness, that seeks peace sows seeds that bring us a harvest of things far more valuable than the trinkets money can buy.

Disciple, love Jesus!
Invest yourself in Him, pursue Him.
Don’t fixate on the up’s and down’s of life.  Only God knows why the trials and joys of each day are allowed to come our way. Invest in Him for the long-term.

Here’s a word from the Word. May it be both a caution and encouragement for you today.

"Don’t be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest.
The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others—ignoring God!— harvests a crop of weeds. All he’ll have to show for his life is weeds!

But the one who plants in response to God, letting God’s Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life.

So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit.

Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith." (Galatians 6:7-10, The Message)

Are you investing your life wisely, laying up treasure in Heaven that is beyond loss?

_________

How I Need You

Every day in Your hands

You were there before time began

Sovereign one I rest in Your plan

From the depths to the dawn

You are there Your promise is strong

I will trust with all that I am

Jesus Jesus oh how I need You

You stay the same

You are good in Your ways

Jesus Jesus oh how I need You

You are enough

All my trust is in You Lord

You fashioned me formed my heart

Search my soul and know every thought

Love so great but never too far

And through the storm You're the calm

And every war You've already won

Life secure in Your loving arms

You are powerful God above it all

I believe in You I believe in You

You do miracles the impossible

I believe in You I believe in You

Bethany Phillips | Chris Griffin | Micah Massey | Nicole McLean

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