Jesus said, “Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 6:20-21
It was a large crowd; people were hungering to hear words that would make a difference in their lives. They left homes and jobs to go to a mountain to hear the Man everyone was talking about. They were not disappointed. Using just the power of His voice and a charisma that could not be ignored, Jesus laid out practical truth for everyday living. He spoke of relationships, prayer, and even financial matters.
On the grassy hill, Jesus brought a unique teaching to these matters. Those around Him were concerned with meeting the day’s needs and acquiring tomorrow’s wealth. Jesus spoke of riches with eternal value; He spoke of treasures that were not subject to the destructive forces of this world.
People spend a lot of energy acquiring the necessary “treasure” to live. You work hard, you save, and you count what you have. The things you value become your treasures.
Your riches can be art, precious stones, or valuable metals like gold and silver. Whatever form they take, however, they are all subject to the forces of nature. They deteriorate, rust, and corrode; at the very least, they remain earth-bound. Jesus spoke of a treasure more secure than the gold in Fort Knox.
The treasure that lasts is work done for God and on His behalf. How do you build an eternal, rustproof treasure? By expressing the love of God in all that you do and say. Each kindness done in God’s name builds a treasure that is indestructible and a wealth you will enjoy in this life and the next……Your most important treasure won’t fit in a safety-deposit box, but it will fit in your heart. Build on faith and invest in love.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Monday, July 12, 2010
The Power of Prayer
Luke 11:1
Once Jesus was in a certain place praying. As he finished, one of his disciples came to him and said, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples."(NLT)
When you consider that Jesus was the greatest miracle worker who ever walked the earth and the greatest preacher who ever lived, it is amazing that His disciples asked Him to teach them to pray. Why didn't they ask Him to teach them how to work these miracles or how to preach and amaze the people with their doctrine?
It's because Jesus' prayer life was even more powerful than His miracles or His doctrine. Indeed, it was His union with the Father that gave Him His power to work miracles and His authority to speak as no man had ever spoken before. Jesus said repeatedly that it was His Father who was doing the miracles through Him and that His doctrine was not His own but the Father's.
The same holds true today. Jesus said in John 15:5 that without Him, we can do nothing. There are many things that we should do in addition to prayer, but there is nothing that we can effectively do without prayer. Prayer is one of the main ways of abiding in Him (John 15:7). Therefore, our request should be like these disciples' — "Lord, teach us to pray."
We should come expecting to receive answers to prayer. The Father is ready and willing to answer our prayers. Just ask and you shall receive.
Once Jesus was in a certain place praying. As he finished, one of his disciples came to him and said, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples."(NLT)
When you consider that Jesus was the greatest miracle worker who ever walked the earth and the greatest preacher who ever lived, it is amazing that His disciples asked Him to teach them to pray. Why didn't they ask Him to teach them how to work these miracles or how to preach and amaze the people with their doctrine?
It's because Jesus' prayer life was even more powerful than His miracles or His doctrine. Indeed, it was His union with the Father that gave Him His power to work miracles and His authority to speak as no man had ever spoken before. Jesus said repeatedly that it was His Father who was doing the miracles through Him and that His doctrine was not His own but the Father's.
The same holds true today. Jesus said in John 15:5 that without Him, we can do nothing. There are many things that we should do in addition to prayer, but there is nothing that we can effectively do without prayer. Prayer is one of the main ways of abiding in Him (John 15:7). Therefore, our request should be like these disciples' — "Lord, teach us to pray."
We should come expecting to receive answers to prayer. The Father is ready and willing to answer our prayers. Just ask and you shall receive.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
God is in charge
God's Spirit, who is in you, is greater than the devil, who is in the world.
1 John 4:4
Satan has no power except that which God gives him.
To the first-century church in Smyrna, Christ said, "Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer for ten days. But be faithful, even if you have to die, and I will give you the crown of life." Revelation 2:10
Analyze Jesus' words for a minute. Christ informs the church of the persecution, the duration of the persecution (ten days), and the outcome of the persecution (a crown of life). In other words, Jesus uses Satan to fortify His church.....Even when Satan appears to win, he loses.
Praise our mighty God!!
1 John 4:4
Satan has no power except that which God gives him.
To the first-century church in Smyrna, Christ said, "Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer for ten days. But be faithful, even if you have to die, and I will give you the crown of life." Revelation 2:10
Analyze Jesus' words for a minute. Christ informs the church of the persecution, the duration of the persecution (ten days), and the outcome of the persecution (a crown of life). In other words, Jesus uses Satan to fortify His church.....Even when Satan appears to win, he loses.
Praise our mighty God!!
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