Category: Treasures for the Heart

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” 2 Timothy 3:1-5

Ungrateful people tend to complain and are nitpicky about everything.  They complain about everything, never seem to enjoy life, and always want more.  God’s word repeatedly implores us to “give thanks” in all things.  Colossians 3:15; 1 Thessalonians 5:18; Psalm 100:4

Developing a grateful heart is an important part in the growth of a Christian.  God’s grace enables all believers to give thanks in all things (2 Corinthians 4:15).

Regardless of the pain or problems we face in this life, each of us has something for which to be thankful.  i.e.: roof over our head, clothes to wear, food to eat, family, life itself.  God is good all the time whether we are willing to admit it or not.

Even in and through our darkest trial, God is working things out for our good and His eternal glory.  By faith, we can have a grateful heart in all circumstances.

Take time to think of all the ways God has been good to you! 

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16

Thankful that I have unlimited access to my Heavenly Father on a daily basis – most days multiple times.

Christ is our ultimate example as He made the ultimate sacrifice as He was wounded, bruised, chastised, oppressed, and afflicted yet He opened not His mouth (Isaiah 53:5-7). He sinned not.

Most times the best way is the hardest to endure. Because of Christ’s sacrifice for us, we have the ability to boldly approach the throne of grace in times of need. His throne is where we can find the mercy and grace that we do not deserve in times when we especially need it.

John 13:34-35
A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Jude 1:22 – “And of some have compassion, making a difference:”

While reading the book of Jude this week during one of my morning devotions times, it was an encouragement to me.  It made me think of all the evil reports in the news media, of how disrespectful lots of people are to Pastor’s, the President, or those in authority, and how people are lovers of self more than God. It made me think of how God would not destroy Sodom and Gomorrah for their wickedness because of ONE righteous person.

America still can have hope of old-fashioned revival as long as the righteous are willing to allow the presence of His glory shine in their lives in the darkness around them.  God alone has the glory, majesty, power, and dominion now and forever!  Amen!

Thankful that Jesus is Lord of everything!

Additional Scriptures to read: 2 Timothy 3:1-7; Genesis 18:16-19:24; Jude 1:1-25

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” Ephesians 6:10-13

The armour that God gives His children: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, the sword of the Spirit, and the battle plan of prayer. We need to purposefully put these on daily in order to be successful in our Christian walk. Without these, we are unarmed and will surely fall.

Have you dress for success today?

Psalm 37:3-5
Trust in the Lord, and do good;
so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. 
Delight thyself also in the Lord;
and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
Commit thy way unto the Lord;
trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

Interesting enough is that in this psalm David gives us the solution to achieving peace admist the turmoils of life:

fret not (vs1), trust (vs3), delight (vs4), commit (vs5), 
rest (vs7), cease from anger, forsake wrath, & fret not (vs8). 

I am thankful that we can trust the Lord with all of life’s challenges.

“For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.”   Ezekiel 36:24-26

Living in this world tends to taint the believer’s heart, mind, and soul.  Whether we realize it or not taking in the enticing worldly views day in and day out overwhelms the heart and begins to seep into our lives.  Little by little we become more and more like the world causing the lines of separation and purity to blur.  This is why it is so important to guard our hearts with diligence (Proverbs 4:23).

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”  Proverbs 4:34

When we seek the Lord first in all we do (Matthew 6:33), God will begin to work on our lives and weed out the sin that has taken root in your heart unawares.  He will cleanse our heart white as snow (Isaiah 1:18) and make up like new (2 Corinthians 5:17).  The “new heart” and “new spirit”  are renewed by the Holy Spirit which instills a new look on life, a new yearning to serve and worship Christ, and a new hunger to please Him in all that we do.

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”  Matthew 6:33

“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord:  though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”  Isaiah 1:18

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

This year I want to grow my faith – a FAITH that trusts that the Lord knows what He is doing even on my most difficult days. Days when my pain is so bad I can barely muster the strength to get out of bed. Faith that believes in the inspired, infallible Word of God more than in my feelings, in my circumstances, or in the thoughts or opinions of others.

God’s Word is full of examples of people who believed God at His Word when no one else did. Noah built an ark for a flood of waters that He didn’t know from where it would come (Genesis 6). Esther was brought to the king’s palace “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14) to save her people. Gideon who followed strange orders to dwindle his army down to just three hundred men to conquer their enemies (Judges 7). There are many more that are part of our “great cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1) which are cheering us on to press toward the mark.

I want to please God by drawing closer to Him and in return He will draw closer to me.