Storing up treasures in Heaven

      Jesus told His followers: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and were thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21

     What do earthly treasures look like? Our homes, our cars, our bank accounts, our clothing and possessions. How many of these things could withstand a fire, or rust or decay? Over time, the newness wears off, the roof may start to leak, the tires get worn out, fashion trends change, the stock market crashes, appliances quit working, or our treasures get stolen. In short, they don't last and we can't take any of them with us when we pass from this life.

     Jesus knows that we need the basics of life to survive, we all need food, clothing and shelter. We need enough money to support and take care of our families, but are we viewing these necessities from an eternal standpoint? Are we spending more time and money in maintaining an outward appearance than we are in maintaining a relationship with God?

    We are to store up treasures in heaven because they are eternal, they will never break down, wear out or lose their value. So, what do heavenly treasures look like? They look like the faces of those we have ministered to and loved while we have lived on earth. But how have we ministered to others? By the kind words we've spoken, the prayers lifted in their behalf, by sharing our food, clothing, and resources with them. The ways we have shown compassion through a healing touch or gentle instruction. The money we have given to missionaries so they can minister in other lands. When we give a hug, share our talents or give of our time to help others, we are storing up treasures in heaven.

     Whenever we sacrifice for the good of others we are adding to our treasury. All of these things can never be destroyed, burned up or stolen. And an amazing thing about these treasures is that they aren't for us, they all belong to our Father God. If we give God first place in our hearts then we already have a treasure that can never be taken from us. 

     We are God's treasured possession, He loves us and has redeemed us. (Deuteronomy 7:6-8) That is a treasure in itself and a fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure. (Isaiah 33:6) If we are in Christ, we can be assured that in Him all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden. (Colossians 2:3) What do these scriptures say about treasures? We, as God's children are treasures to Him, a fear or reverence for the Him is key to becoming one of His treasures and the treasures of wisdom and knowledge can be ours when we give Christ first place in our hearts.

     So how do we go about storing up these treasures? What can we do? If we are followers of Christ, we have the Spirit of God living in us and that Spirit can give us very clear direction. Spend some time in prayer and ask the Holy Spirit to show you ways that you can be a blessing to others. It may be as simple as sending a card to someone, calling those you know who need a friend or donating your time to a soup kitchen or food pantry. God often blesses us so that we can be a blessing to others. Let His Spirit direct you and then be obedient. 

The great I AM

      All things have a beginning and an ending. Before we are born into this world, we have to be conceived; before an invention becomes a reality, it is first a thought in the mind of an inventor; before we can reach a destination, we must take the first step. As for endings, our earthly life always ends in our death; an invention will become a useful tool until it becomes outdated and is replaced with the newest model and as we reach our destination, our journey is finished.

     But the God who created all things has declared Himself as the great I AM. He has no beginning or ending. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Before He created the world and everything in it, He was. He always has been and always will be.

     It is impossible for us to understand this concept and He knew it would be, so He, speaking through His Spirit to the people who wrote the Bible, repeated it over and over again. 

Psalm 102:25-27

25 

In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth,

    and the heavens are the work of your hands.

26 

They will perish, but you remain;

    they will all wear out like a garment.

Like clothing you will change them

    and they will be discarded.

27 

But you remain the same,

    and your years will never end.

Hebrews 1:10-12

10 He also says,

“In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth,

    and the heavens are the work of your hands.

11 

They will perish, but you remain;

    they will all wear out like a garment.

12 

You will roll them up like a robe;

    like a garment they will be changed.

But you remain the same,

    and your years will never end.”

     He knew that Moses would have to have an answer for the Jewish people who would want to know who sent him, so He told Moses His name, I AM.

Exodus 3:14

God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’”

     He also knew that one day He would have to reveal Himself to the world He created. So He planned from the very beginning of creation to send His Son, Jesus, into the world. Jesus, the Spirit and the Father were one when the world was created, they worked together as eternal beings to bring the world into being. Jesus knew He was part of something bigger than His life on earth.

John 8:58

58 “Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!”

Hebrews 13:8

8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

     He was well aware of His mission on earth and who it was that He was going to answer to. He was an obedient Son and wanted the world to know that He was following orders.

John 14:10

10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.

     He also pointed everyone who listened to Him to the Father, knowing full well that those who believed in Him would inherit a place in the heavenly kingdom.

John 6:51

I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”

John 14:6

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

     When Jesus willingly went to the cross, He knew what His death would accomplish and He also knew that He would be one with His Father again. He had no doubt about overcoming death.

John 11:25

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die;

     God wants people to see Him in His glory and He stops at nothing to give everyone a chance for eternal life. 

John 15

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.

     When we accept Jesus into our hearts, we receive the Spirit of God and our lives are transformed into the very likeness of Jesus. We can hear what He asks us to do because of His Spirit. It may not be audible, but His voice is very clear to us.

John 10:14

14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—

     We also have the assurance that whatever we may encounter in this life, He is with us and will help us whenever we call out to Him. 

Matthew 28:20

and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

     If you want to experience God’s eternal glory, which will be far beyond anything we may experience here on earth, all you have to do is believe that Jesus died for your sins, that He rose up from the grave and that He loves you enough to die for you. Invite Jesus into your heart, be attentive and obedient to the Spirit’s leading and you will inherit eternal life.

Seek the truth

        How can we know what is true when we live in a world with fake news, corruption among our government leaders and many of those entrusted with preaching God's word have skewed the truth so that no one is offended. Where can we find the truth? Who can we believe?

     Before Jesus was sentenced to death, He had a conversation with Pontius Pilate who asked him point blank if He was the king of the Jews. "Jesus answered, 'You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.' 'What is truth?' Pilate asked." (John 18:37)

     Those who have no fear of God or the judgement to come have been suppressing the truth to their own downfall. They have exchanged the truth of God for a lie and have worshiped and served created things rather than the creator. (Romans 1:25) The saddest part is that those who refuse to acknowledge God as the maker and sustainer of all things believe their own lies. They have tried to replace the love of God with a love of themselves and will never be satisfied because no one can love us the way our creator loves us. 

     The Bible warns us that there will be terrible times in the last days. "People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God - having a form of godliness but denying its power." (2 Timothy 3:2-5) Doesn't this sound like what we are experiencing in the world today? There is a spirit of deception working in the hearts of so many people convincing them that wrong is right and right is wrong. The devil is a lying spirit who knows that his time is short and he's doing all he can to draw people away from God with his deception. The Bible warns us that those who practice "sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy; fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness and orgies" (Galatians 5:19-21) will not inherit the kingdom of God. So Satan is doing all he can to steal our inheritance from us.

     Before His crucifixion, Jesus told His disciples that He was going to prepare a place for them and that He would come back and take them with Him. He said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6) Eternal life, that is the inheritance that awaits those who belong to Christ Jesus. That is the truth and you can bet your eternal life on that truth. 

     "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." (Galatians 6:7)

     Want to know the truth? Then open your Bible, invite the Spirit of God to speak to you and ask God to answer your questions. "For the word of the Lord is right and true; He is faithful in all He does." (Psalm 33:4) God loves to hear from His children and He will always, always tell you the truth. 

     

God loves YOU!

     Do you ever wonder how the God who created the universe and everything in it could possibly love and care about you? I've wondered that myself, especially since I've done so many things in my life that I'm ashamed of, I've spoken so many hurtful things that I can't take back, I've failed to serve God faithfully and I've failed as a disciple of Jesus. After all these things, how could God possibly love me? But I'm sure that He does because He is my heavenly Father.

      God wants each one of us to share in His glory for eternity because He loves us so much. "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him." (John 3:16-17)

      When we acknowledge what Jesus did on the cross for us and we repent (turn from our sins), we are guaranteed a place in God's eternal kingdom and all our sins, past, present and future are erased from His memory. Yes, God loves each one of us and He has good plans for us that we cannot fathom. When God created mankind, He made us in His image and desired our companionship. His Word says that "The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9)

     After we accept what Jesus did for us, He sends the precious Holy Spirit to live in us. This is the same Spirit that raised Him from the dead and that Spirit empowers us to live out our lives in oneness with God. The Holy Spirit will convict us when we mess up, and we will mess up because we are still living in this world. And God will forgive us as we repent, time and time again. I have found that when I fail to do something that God wants me to do, the Spirit will give me reminders. And when I've hurt someone, the Spirit won't let me rest until I have asked that person to forgive me. God's Spirit, living in believers, always obeys the Father and He (the Holy Spirit) will always point us in the direction God wants us to take.

     Jesus showed us the way to keep in touch with our heavenly Father when He spent time in prayer. Oh how God loves to hear from His children. Just as we, as parents and children, love to hear from our loved ones. We enjoy hearing how their days are going, we love to celebrate their successes with them and we also want to share in their sorrows and disappointments. Remember, God created us to fellowship with Him and the way we do that is through prayer and reading His Word. It's simple to pray to God, just talk to Him as you would a dear friend. He already knows the trials and problems you are facing, but He really wants you to verbalize those issues and ask Him for help. He's available 24/7, 365 days a year and He's waiting to hear from you because He Loves YOU!

     The Bible is God's love letter to us and He speaks to us through His Word, but it's up to us to open the Bible and seek God. If you don't know where to start, begin with the gospel of John. The love of God is evident throughout John's writing. And when you open your Bible, always ask God's Spirit to teach you. The Holy Spirit will encourage you, He will plant God's ideas in your mind, He will convict you of sin and He will bring to mind people you need to lift in prayer.

     God does love YOU, just open your heart to receive His amazing love.

   

   
     

Let us not give up meeting together!

     During the present trouble that we all find ourselves immersed in with a world-wide pandemic and civil unrest, it's easy to forget who we are in Christ Jesus. The problems of the world can seem overwhelming and never-ending if we focus only on the troubles. But as Christ followers and the bride of Jesus we should be beacons of hope and our lights should be shining to dispel the darkness. We need to continually and earnestly seek God by reading and studying His Word daily. Now, as never before, Christians are suffering from persecution and our religious freedoms are in jeopardy. We have been told that we shouldn't be gathering for worship and many are fearful that the Carona Virus will spread within congregations.

     How can we encourage one another and grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ if we can't meet and fellowship? Many pastors and churches have been offering worship services online, but that falls short of being with one another physically. We need one another to share our burdens, we need corporate worship, we need to join our voices in praise and prayer to the God who loves us. 

     Some of us are blessed with little churches and small congregations so we've been able to continue meeting. My husband is the pastor of two little churches and there are so many churches across the world that have fewer than 20 believers in their congregations, so it's fairly easy to keep our social distance and not exceed the recommended crowd limit. It was such a blessing to us when, after several weeks of not meeting, we met to worship for the first time. Perhaps Christians need to seek out small groups which will fulfill the need to worship, pray and praise together.

     We are living in a time much like that of the first churches who met in the homes of believers, they broke bread and worshipped together with glad and sincere hearts. Those early believers can serve as a model for us today. If you can't worship in your home church maybe it's time to meet with a few of those folks and study God's Word in your home. It's not difficult to start a small group. Just invite a few Christians to your home, open your time together with prayer and ask God's Spirit to direct your worship. Open your Bible and read it together, then share your hearts with one another about what God is speaking to each one. Pray together and speak to our heavenly Father about your cares and concerns. He wants to hear from you and will always answer His children when they ask for specific needs.

     I once led a women's Bible study and often there were only 2 or 3 ladies who came but Jesus said that where 2 or 3 were gathered in His name, He was in the midst of them. And He always, ALWAYS showed up and blessed our time together. God will be honored when we open and read His word and our prayers offered to Him will be a sweet fragrance to Him. 

     If your church is offering online worship, by all means tune in and also remember to continue to support your church financially. But during the week meet with another believer or two and study the Word. 

     "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:25

For such a time as this...

     As I write this, the world is in the midst of a pandemic. The corona virus Covid-19 has spread throughout the world and although the survival rate is more than 90%, the enormity of the situation has placed a strain on medical facilities and caused a shortage of personal protection equipment, disinfectant, ventilators and medical personnel. Since the virus is extremely contagious and can live for hours on surfaces, we have all been told to keep our distance from one another and to stay in our homes if possible. All these measures are recommended to help stop the spread of the virus while researches search for a vaccine to stop the virus.
     Never in the history of the world has the entire world been stopped in its tracks like it is right now. Very few people are traveling, many have lost their jobs, small businesses have closed their doors, all sporting events have been cancelled and large gatherings of any type are not taking place.
     As a Christian, I'm not fearful of getting Covid-19, but I am pondering what I should be doing at "such a time as this". With the technology we now have, the world is more connected than ever before. So many people are sharing their gifts and talents through the internet and on social media and it is amazing to behold.
     As I have been praying and seeking direction from God, I can help but focus on the fact that I am living in the end of days which was prophecied in God's Word. What a blessing it is to be alive to witness the words of Jesus coming to fruition.

Mark 13:5-10 (Amplified version)
      Jesus began to say to them, “Be careful and see to it that no one misleads you. Many will come in My name (misusing My name or claiming to be the Messiah), saying, ‘I am He!’ and will deceive and mislead many.  When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed (frightened, troubled); these things must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These things are the beginning of the birth pangs (the intolerable anguish and suffering).
“But be on your guard; they will turn you over to courts, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand (as accused) before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them. The gospel (that is, the good news regarding the way of salvation) must first be preached to all the (Gentile) nations.
Mark 13:29-37 
Even so, you too, when you see these things happening, know (for certain) that He is near, right at the door. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, this generation (the people living when these signs and events begin) will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth (as now known) will pass away, but My words will not pass away. But of that (exact) day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son (in His humanity), but the Father alone. “Be on guard and stay constantly alert (and pray); for you do not know when the appointed time will come. It is like a man away on a journey, who when he left home put his servants in charge, each with his particular task, and also ordered the doorkeeper to be continually alert. Therefore, be continually on the alert—for you do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— (stay alert,) in case he should come suddenly and unexpectedly and find you asleep and unprepared. What I say to you I say to everyone, ‘Be on the alert (stay awake and be continually cautious)!’”
     As Christians during this particular point in history, our work for God's kingdom continues as we have been told to preach the gospel to all nations and we just have to be faithful, obedient and watchful. We know that God has the entire universe under His control and He knows everything that is happening. None of this is a surprise to our great God. Therefore, we can just trust in Him to work out His plan for the world. 

Good Friday

Matthew 27:27-31 The soldiers assigned to the governor took Jesus into the governor’s palace and got the entire brigade together for some fun. They stripped him and dressed him in a red toga. They plaited a crown from branches of a thornbush and set it on his head. They put a stick in his right hand for a scepter. Then they knelt before him in mocking reverence: “Bravo, King of the Jews!” they said. “Bravo!” Then they spit on him and hit him on the head with the stick. When they had had their fun, they took off the toga and put his own clothes back on him. Then they proceeded out to the crucifixion.

My husband, Don Mundy created this figure of Christ on the cross using wood. 

32-34 Along the way they came on a man from Cyrene named Simon and made him carry Jesus’ cross. Arriving at Golgotha, the place they call “Skull Hill,” they offered him a mild painkiller (a mixture of wine and myrrh), but when he tasted it he wouldn’t drink it.

35-40 After they had finished nailing him to the cross and were waiting for him to die, they whiled away the time by throwing dice for his clothes. Above his head they had posted the criminal charge against him: this is jesus, the king of the jews. Along with him, they also crucified two criminals, one to his right, the other to his left. People passing along the road jeered, shaking their heads in mock lament: “You bragged that you could tear down the Temple and then rebuild it in three days—so show us your stuff! Save yourself! If you’re really God’s Son, come down from that cross!”

41-44 The high priests, along with the religion scholars and leaders, were right there mixing it up with the rest of them, having a great time poking fun at him: “He saved others—he can’t save himself! King of Israel, is he? Then let him get down from that cross. We’ll all become believers then! He was so sure of God—well, let him rescue his ‘Son’ now—if he wants him! He did claim to be God’s Son, didn’t he?” Even the two criminals crucified next to him joined in the mockery.

45-46 From noon to three, the whole earth was dark. Around midafternoon Jesus groaned out of the depths, crying loudly, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”

47-49 Some bystanders who heard him said, “He’s calling for Elijah.” One of them ran and got a sponge soaked in sour wine and lifted it on a stick so he could drink. The others joked, “Don’t be in such a hurry. Let’s see if Elijah comes and saves him.”

50 But Jesus, again crying out loudly, breathed his last.

51-53 At that moment, the Temple curtain was ripped in two, top to bottom. There was an earthquake, and rocks were split in pieces. What’s more, tombs were opened up, and many bodies of believers asleep in their graves were raised. (After Jesus’ resurrection, they left the tombs, entered the holy city, and appeared to many.)

54 The captain of the guard and those with him, when they saw the earthquake and everything else that was happening, were scared to death. They said, “This has to be the Son of God!”

55-56 There were also quite a few women watching from a distance, women who had followed Jesus from Galilee in order to serve him. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the Zebedee brothers.

The Tomb

57-61 Late in the afternoon a wealthy man from Arimathea, a disciple of Jesus, arrived. His name was Joseph. He went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Pilate granted his request. Joseph took the body and wrapped it in clean linens, put it in his own tomb, a new tomb only recently cut into the rock, and rolled a large stone across the entrance. Then he went off. But Mary Magdalene and the other Mary stayed, sitting in plain view of the tomb.

62-64 After sundown, the high priests and Pharisees arranged a meeting with Pilate. They said, “Sir, we just remembered that that liar announced while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will be raised.’ We’ve got to get that tomb sealed until the third day. There’s a good chance his disciples will come and steal the corpse and then go around saying, ‘He’s risen from the dead.’ Then we’ll be worse off than before, the final deceit surpassing the first.”

65-66 Pilate told them, “You will have a guard. Go ahead and secure it the best you can.” So they went out and secured the tomb, sealing the stone and posting guards.