TREASURE

 

Write From My Heart

June 21, 2021

 

TREASURE  that which is of great value

 

Malachi 3:16-17 (NLT)  Then those who feared the LORD spoke with each other, and the LORD listened to what they said. In his presence, a scroll of remembrance was written to record the names of those who feared him and always thought about the honor of his name. “They will be my people,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. “On the day when I act in judgment, they will be my own special treasure. I will spare them as a father spares an obedient child. Then you will again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.”

 

Ponder this: I have often looked at this passage, even included it in many of my previous writings. However, it never ceases to amaze me what new things I can add to my understanding when I look carefully. This morning I noticed a couple points of interest. Did you notice that the people spoke amongst themselves but the LORD listened to what they said. This is a great reminder to each of us that we may not be speaking directly to our Heavenly Father…but he is always listening, not only to our spoken words, but to the words in our hearts. Another interesting point concerns the scroll of remembrance. I don’t think this list or record of names was created to help God remember because his memory is without flaw. I think it was to help the people remember their commitment to obey, honor, and serve the Lord God Almighty and him alone. God knows each of us. He will not forget his faithful people. It is we who need to remember our pledge to serve him in all that we think, in all that we say, and in all of our actions. When we are obedient to God, when we fear him, and when we always think about the honor of his name then we are his treasure—something of great value to him—something he will keep as his own.

STUBBORN

 

Write From My Heart

June 18, 2021

 

STUBBORN  refusing to yield, obey, or comply; determined to have one’s way; obstinate

 

Zechariah 7:8-12 (NLT)  Then this message came to Zechariah from the LORD: “This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: Judge fairly, and show mercy and kindness to one another. Do not oppress widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor. And do not scheme against each other.  Your ancestors refused to listen to this message. They stubbornly turned away and put their fingers in their ears to keep from hearing. They made their hearts as hard as stone, so they could not hear the instructions or the messages that the LORD of Heaven’s Armies had sent them by his Spirit through the earlier prophets. That is why the LORD of Heaven’s Armies was so angry with them.”

 

Ponder this: When you think about it, widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor have enough of a daily burden to bear. So be kind. Show mercy. Treat them fairly. The shame today is that there are those who would exploit the plight of others in order to gain political power and make unjust and unfair laws, rules, and legislation. So I think in part this means we are not to blame the downtrodden for the despicable actions of greedy self-centered governmental leaders, but neither are we to stand by as helpless weaklings wringing our hands in bewilderment. If we are to judge fairly, then we must do our homework and determine how to make our voting privilege the most effective. Remember those in office who make poor or self-promoting choices (who scheme against each other—who stubbornly turn away—whose hearts are made of stone) and do not vote them back in for further terms. Make your vote count. Choose to support legislation that does not promote a society of freeloaders. Yes, you have a right to do that! Then, as you have opportunity, help those individuals in your area who need to see the love of Christ manifested through your acts of kindness and mercy.

SEEN vs. UNSEEN

 

Write From My Heart

June 17, 2021

 

SEEN  tangible; visible

UNSEEN  intangible; invisible

 

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV)  Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

 

Ponder this: If you consider all of those things you hold dear and precious or in any way consider to be valuable, undoubtedly you will first think of something you can touch, hold, or hug. I think that’s normal. Yet the reality is tangible, touchable, huggable items are only temporary. They do not last; they are here, then they are not. They break, they deteriorate, they die. Life in Christ teaches us that there is greater value in focusing upon those things that are not so easily perceived. The reality is…

 

Things I can see for a while that will eventually be gone:  plants, animals, family, friends, “things”, “stuff”, earthly possessions, money, time (as measured by humans). It doesn’t mean these are not important or highly valued by me, I just understand that they are temporary and they will not always be with me.

 

Things I cannot see that will last forever:  God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, faith, grace, love, peace, hope, eternity (time as measured by God). This is the list that brings my life stability. This is the list that brings my life peace. This is the list that remains when all else fails or disappears.