Eternal Treasure

Are your treasures stored in a place that cannot be robbed? Have you successfully deposited your treasure in a place that will never decay? Is your treasure imperishable? Are you curious where you can deposit to keep your treasures safe?

We deposit money into a bank for safekeeping. We may invest money in the stock market in the hopes of it growing. We may invest our time and money into a business with the expectation of making more money.

We are cautioned about putting our trust in the wealth of this world. Whether we want to admit it or not, everything in this world will decay, crumble, and ultimately be destroyed. It will all fade away, even buildings made of stone.

I’m reminded the Jews thought the temple in Jerusalem would never be destroyed. Jesus told them it would fall. Roughly thirty-five years after Jesus was crucified the Romans destroyed nearly all of Jerusalem, including the temple.

We don’t know the future, with one exception. We know Jesus will return, this earth will be destroyed, a new heaven and new earth will come, and those of us who have put our treasure in heaven will live with God for eternity. The treasure we have stored in heaven will never be destroyed; it will never be stolen.

I pray we all put our treasure in heaven. I pray we invest in our relationships with God. I pray each one of us looks forward to spending eternity with God and reaping the benefits of our investments. Give to the poor. Invest in heavenly treasure. Trust God. Put your treasure where it cannot be destroyed nor stolen.

Luke 12:33 “Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.”

Everything in Moderation

Does it seem as though the days are long, but the weeks or months fly by? Do you look back over time and wonder how it has gone so quickly? Has it seemed to pass quicker as you have grown older? Does it worry you?

If you are like me, time seems fly as fast as a speeding bullet at times and crawl along like a snail at others. It especially feels like it has flown when I look back over the past few weeks, months, or years. Our perspectives change depending on our situation.

In today’s passage, King David is looking back over his past. He sees his life as if it is merely a vapor, a breath, or a phantom that passes quickly and nothing more than a blink of an eye to God. He views it foolishness to gather large amounts of wealth, not knowing who will end up with it when all is said and done.

It would do us well to ponder our own situation as David pondered his. We work hard to save, often holding every penny we have in fists squeezed so tight our knuckles turn white. For what reason? So we feel secure or pass it on to others or merely because that is what we were taught.

Should we spend foolishly? No. That is not the point at all. The point is to find a balance between spending and saving. We should save some for our retirement years. On the other hand, we should enjoy the blessings God has graciously shed on us. It brings to mind an old saying, “Everything in moderation.”

I pray we all find balance in our finances. I pray we determine to enjoy God’s blessings. I pray each one of us decide to save for our future but do so with moderation. Plan to save. Plan to enjoy. Plan for moderation. Avoid extremes in either direction. Life is short, even if time appears to crawl.

Psalm 39:6

“Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom;

in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth

without knowing whose it will finally be.”

Gold or God

Where do you put your trust? Do you put your trust in gaining wealth? Do you believe the more you are worth monetarily the more secure you are? Have you put your trust in money to the point you have pushed God to the side?

We often put a significant amount of trust in money. We strive to make more of it. We work to save money. We like to have large bank accounts. We invest in the stock market, real estate, or new businesses to grow our money.

Is there anything wrong with saving or investing money? No…unless it becomes more important to us than God. When we put making money or growing wealth above God on our priority list, it becomes sinful. Money and wealth will have become an idol to us.

Our culture, and Satan, wants us to believe we will be happier with more money. True, we may be happy for a little while, but it will not last. Within days, weeks, or months, the gold loses its gleam, and we go off searching for more. We work harder, gain a little more, and are temporarily satisfied again. The cycle becomes an endless cycle of yearning, but never being truly fulfilled.

However, when we put God first, we are eternally satisfied. God grants us joy and peace by his grace. He provides for what we need. He may or may not grant us wealth. If he does, it is for us to share with others, not to hoard and satisfy our earthly desires. It is God’s generosity with us and our reciprocal generosity with others that God provides for all. It is by obeying God’s will in our lives that we are truly satisfied.

I pray we all make God our top priority. I pray we seek the eternal joy only God can give us. I pray each one of us seek to follow God’s will, being generous with the gifts he has given us. Do not put your trust in wealth. Put your trust in God. Seek to follow his will. Be generous with your blessings.

Job 31:24, 28

“If I have put my trust in gold

or said to pure gold, ‘You are my security,’ …

then these also would be sins to be judged,

for I would have been unfaithful to God on high.”

Answer God’s Call

Does the thought of being called by God scare you? Are you like the child in the classroom who didn’t read the assigned text and hopes the teacher doesn’t call on you? Do you feel as though there is too much on your plate already and you don’t need God adding to it?

We often think God only calls people to the big tasks. When we think of being called, we think of missionaries, pastors, or another significant ministry. But God calls people for numerous reasons and often right where they are at.

Jesus related to Simon Peter in his own language. He told him he would fish, but for something different. In many ways, the concepts were the same. Throw out the net. Pull it in. Did you catch anything? Cast out the line with a hook and bait. Reel it back in.

Jesus often does the same with us today. He calls us to work for Him in the places we are. We may be in an office setting, in construction, in retail, or even within our families. There are only a few whom He calls to completely change their profession.

When Jesus calls, there is no doubt. There will be a stirring within us, or a jolt that shocks us. It can come at any time and any age. He may even call on us multiple times before we finally relinquish our hardheaded refusal and accept His call.

John Wesley was called twice. He was first called early in life to pursue ministry and became a priest in the Anglican Church. After having preached in several churches and going on a mission to Savannah, Georgia, Wesley was depressed. It was during this low period in his life that his second call came. It was during a service in Aldersgate Street that his heart was “strangely warmed.” God let him know in no uncertain terms that Christ had died for him and for his forgiveness. God may call us multiple times during our lives.

I pray we all listen for God’s call upon our lives. I pray we answer His call with a resounding yes! I pray each one of us overcomes our fear and understands that God will provide for whatever ministry He may be calling us to. Listen for God’s call. Answer His call. Trust that God will provide. You are never too old for God to call. God will use you right where you are.

Luke 5:10b Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid, from now on you will fish for people.”

Calling All Sinners

Do you know the reason Jesus left heaven to come to this earth? Are you sure you know why? Have you heard there are several reasons for Him coming? Are you willing to answer His call? Have you heard His call?

Jesus came to this earth for one primary reason. There are sub-components to the reason. There are steps required to accomplish the goal. He had to provide the means to accomplish it. But there is only one primary reason He came.

The primary reason for Jesus to come to this earth is the same as the prophets were inspired by God to do for hundreds and even thousands of years before Jesus came—call sinners to repentance. Surprising? It shouldn’t be.

Sure, Jesus had to be the perfect sacrifice to provide the means by which we are forgiven. Yes, He taught using parables and performed miracles. But those are steps to accomplishing His mission. He came to call each one of us to repentance.

Jesus also came to call us to work with Him, to become His co-workers. Jesus never intended to do it all on His own. He always planned to plant the seed, call others to work with Him, then work through those He called. His plan is that every sinner repents of their wrongs, turns to Him, and commits to working with Him. He continues to call sinners and His plan continues to be executed today.

I pray we all repent of our sins. I pray we commit to working alongside Jesus. I pray each one of us will sprout from the seed of Jesus and spread the seed to others. Jesus is calling. Answer His call. Repent of your sins. Be a co-worker with Jesus. Know that Jesus’ plan is being executed today.

Mark 2:17 On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Excited To See Jesus

Are you an excitable person? Do you get excited to see a loved one you haven’t seen in quite a long while? Do you rush to get to them? Do you wrap your arms around them, give them a hug, and let them know you have missed them?

When I think of someone being excited to see a loved, I often think of movie scenes at the airport. Perhaps it is a military homecoming. It may be a return of a person whom the other thought had left forever. But there is always happiness and sometimes tears of joy.

The Apostle Peter is known as a reactive, impulsive, and excitable person. So, when Jesus showed up at the edge of the Sea of Galilee while they were fishing early one morning, his excitement overcame him, and he swam to shore. The boat was going to be too slow.

When we stitch together the gospel accounts, sequencing events can be a little challenging. Especially for the days immediately following the resurrection. However, it is very possible this is the first time Peter has seen Jesus after He rose from the grave. That merely increases Peter’s excitement and makes it all the more understandable.

I often ask myself, and I’ll ask you now, am I excited to see Jesus? It is highly unlikely we will see Him face-to-face in our lifetime. But we can see Him in others. Do we even look for Him in others? Do we listen for His voice? Just as Jesus called the apostles and other disciples while He walked this earth, He continues to call people today. Are we listening? Will we answer the call? Are we excited to see Him? Serve Him?

I pray we all are excited to see Jesus. I pray we look for Him every day in others we meet. I pray each one of us are listening for His call and are willing to answer it with a resounding, “Yes.” Be excited about Jesus. Look for Him every day. Listen for His call. Answer His call. Rush to meet Him. Willingly serve Him.

John 21:7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.

Alert and Sober

How alert are you? Do you regularly observe what is going on around you? Are you of sober mind? Do you periodically take a step back to view the big picture? Have you taken time to view the events on earth in relation to eternity?

We can be distracted in any number of ways. Our attention may be turned to an immediate task at work. We may experience a family emergency. We may be distracted by friends. Even if we attempt to see the big picture, it may turn out to be only of intermediate size.

We know we must focus on what is directly in front of us at times. It may be homework, work tasks, family events, or even simply driving down the road. Yet, while we focus on those in the moment, we are also told to be alert and sober in our thinking.

I can remember being taught while in the Marine Corps to always be alert and aware of my surroundings. That included observing movement in my peripheral vision. It meant to be ready to react on a moment’s notice. It meant identifying potential dangers, even if I were merely in a convenience store.

The Apostle Peter is speaking of both the immediate moment and the eternal picture. When he is talking of being sober, he is referencing thinking clearly and focusing on the long-term plan. He encourages us to focus on our hope and the grace of God. He cautions us to forgo or reject following the evil desires of this world. He even states that when we have been introduced to Jesus we no longer live in ignorance.

Peter continues by quoting from Leviticus 11:44, 45 stating we are to be holy because God is holy. Why? Because God has called each one of us. Part of his call is for us to be holy, to be imitators of him. To be holy we must focus on him and his plan.

I pray we all focus on God. I pray we are attentive to God’s plan. I pray each one of us remains alert and of sober mind, focused on the long-term plan and not fooled by evil. Be alert. Be of sober mind. Focus on God. Think about the big picture. Look beyond yourself. Do not fall prey to evil temptations.

1 Peter 1:13-16 Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

Fix Your Eyes On Jesus

How do you view Jesus? How would you describe Him? If you were asked to put titles on Him, what would those titles be? Do you believe He has and continues to call you to Him? Are your thoughts fixed on Jesus?

We have heard Jesus called the Son of God, Messiah, Savior, Son of Man, Teacher, Rabbi, King of kings, and Lord of lords. Have you heard Him called High Priest? What about Apostle? Let’s take a look at both of those titles.

In today’s passage, the author of Hebrews labels Jesus as “our apostle.” To be an apostle meant to be sent as a missionary. Jesus was certainly sent on a mission to this earth. He came to preach the good news and reconcile us to God.

Today’s passage also calls Jesus a high priest. The high priest in the Jewish tradition was the one who went into the holy of holies to speak directly with God. He was appointed over all other priests, typically for a year. No one was appointed to be a high priest for the remainder of their life. However, Jesus is our High Priest forever. He is our Intermediator before God until the day of judgment.

The author tells his Jewish audience to fix their thoughts upon Jesus. That instruction is for us as well. Fixing our eyes on Him, focusing on Him will keep us focused on what is truly important, which the author tells us is our heavenly calling. Think about that for just a moment. God is calling each of us heavenward. Isn’t that wonderful?! God wants us to be with Him for eternity. We can forget, or at least endure, the troubles of this world by focusing our thoughts on Jesus, our apostle and high priest.

I pray we all fix our thoughts on Jesus. I pray we fix our eyes upon Jesus. I pray each of us hear God’s calling of us heavenward, His desire for us to spend eternity with Him. Know Jesus was sent for you. See Jesus as your High Priest. Know Jesus is your Intermediary. Fix your thoughts on Jesus. Fix your eyes on Jesus.

Hebrews 3:1 Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest.

Live A Worthy Life

What is your definition of a good life? What are the components that make up a life worth living? Have you spent time thinking about it? Does it include a list of possessions? Does it include a spouse with certain qualities?

I believe we all want to live a life worth living. For most of us, we want to make a difference. We want to make a positive impact. We may desire to contribute to research. We may want to teach. We may be looking to change the laws of the land.

When we think of a good life, we often think as the world thinks. But notice what the Apostle Paul points out as components of a good life in today’s passage. He includes being humble, gentle, and patient. He includes keeping the unity of the Spirit through peace, but not just any peace, the bond of peace that comes through the Holy Spirit.

Notice also that he says it is the life we are called to. God calls us to this good life, a life worthy of living. Not one of the components he lists is a physical possession. Not one of them is a specific skill or job. In other words, Paul is stating every follower of Jesus Christ can have a good life.

Pursuing the life worthy of living as Paul defines it can be done regardless of where we work or live. It is a life we can have. How do we acquire it? We turn our lives over to Jesus. We follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit. We ask God to provide and rely on his provision. In short, we trust God at his word.

I pray we all answer the call. I pray we seek to live a life worthy of living. I pray each of us will pursue the abundant life Jesus promised us by trusting God to provide. Be humble. Be gentle. Be patient. Bear with one another. Love one another. Keep the unity. Ask God to provide. Trust God. Live a worthy life.

Ephesians 4:1-3 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

Work Where You Are

Do you feel led to do something for God? Do you believe he has called you to a specific task? Do you know God can call you for a wide variety of tasks that are not full-time ministry? Will you answer the call?

There are times when we feel motivated to do something good for someone else. It isn’t just a thought but there is a driving force behind our motivation. We may feel a heightened sense of anticipation as we approach completion of the task and a wonderful sense of joy when completed.

Doing something good for someone else can feel very good. However, this isn’t the only way God calls us. He may call us to do any number of tasks. We may be called to volunteer at the hospital, babysit the neighbor’s kids, coach a little league team, or even write a daily devotional. Whatever you feel called to, know that God will provide you with what you need.

God calls us right where we are at. Notice the Apostle Paul tells the people of Corinth this very fact in today’s passage. He says they are to do the work God has called them to right in their own neighborhood. God has not changed. He continues to call us to work in our neighborhoods. He calls us to work within our own towns. We don’t have to go on a missionary journey halfway around the globe to be doing God’s work.

Many people are afraid to listen to God calling them. They are afraid God will call them to be a pastor or deacon and they don’t want that kind of responsibility. But God calls people everyday to work at short-term tasks right where they are at. We would do well to listen for God’s calling.

I pray we all listen for God’s call. I pray we are willing to work for God in our own neighborhood’s. I pray each one of us will answer God’s call on our hearts to make a positive difference. Listen for God’s call. Accept God’s call. Be willing to work in your neighborhood. Be willing to work in your hometown. Be a positive impact.

1 Corinthians 7:17 Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.