HIS WORDS
“But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:20-21
True Treasure
HIS EXAMPLE TO US
Jesus saw and lived far beyond the physical realm and the circumstances of life. He heard the Father’s voice. He never worried about the need for things. I’m sure His shoes wore out and He spent many nights sleeping on the ground, but this didn’t consume Him and He didn’t get caught up in the drama. His treasure was the Father’s will—to restore what human kind was created for: relationship with God.
MY STORY
I’ve been deceived by the world by misunderstanding wants and needs, and by my own heart seeking pleasure in treasures of this world. God does give us good things to enjoy, but they aren’t to consume us. James 1:14-18 describes what happens when the things of this world overtake our hearts, distracting our vision of the truth and living in the reality of God’s desires for us. Yet we read in James 1:17, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” I want to live with this mindset! My focus and discipline need to be on things above, seeking my treasure in heaven. It’s a lifetime journey and adventure discovering His treasures for us. I’m ashamed of my failures through the years but Jesus has forgiven me and sets my mind and heart straight.
MY RESPONSE
I love discovering the satisfaction in pleasing the Father by staying in His word and living in obedience. I love to watch Him answer prayer and change lives, such as a drug addict delivered from addiction, or a worldly, materialistic person changed to seek God’s Word and truth as their heart’s desire. I experience joy when I choose to obey God and walk away from a “good idea” and choose His path, which is by faith and usually not comfortable. These are our rewards which are far different from those the world offers. These treasures bring lasting pleasure and hope and can only be experienced by surrendering our lives to Christ. This is my treasure and adventure, but it is a moment by moment struggle because I am in the flesh as Paul describes in Roman 7, then concludes in 8:1: “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” This is the great resolve!
MY PRAYER
“Father, only in You and in seeking Your kingdom is true joy and treasure. Help us make choices that bring You glory and pleasure, seeking Your smile. There’s truly no greater reward! Let us be fine-tuned to Your voice and vision as we live out our days in Jesus Name.”
” I experience joy when I choose to obey God and walk away from a “good idea” and choose His path, which is by faith and usually not comfortable.”
This one thought jumped off the page to me… 1. I had a friend whose was sharing her frustration with me, trying to decide if God had called her to participate in a ministry.. She believed that if God called you to it, it should be “easy.” I tried to share with her God never promised that His path would be “easy,” actually His path can be long and difficulty.”
2. I am one of those people that is “filled with good ideas.” In fact, I can’t tell you how many rabbit’s holes I have jumped into without thinking only to end up disappointed or frustrated.
But in the end, when we choose to obey God, we may not experience that “joy” immediately, but that peace and joy does come, step by step as we see His work being accomplished before our eyes…
Amen!
Your devotion touched my heart. God’s treasures are so sweet.
I recently have been soaking on this verse:
Your Word I have treasured in my heart, that I might not sin against you.