Category: Treasures for the Heart

Everyone can use encouragement!

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What the Future Holds

by Dr. Paul Chappell

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. Psalm 23:4-6

I’m sure you’ve seen the photo sections in newspapers where they ask various people to respond to a question. I recently came across one where they were asking people how they viewed what lies ahead. A thirteen year old girl said, “My computer screen is brighter than my future.” There is no question that we live in a time of great uncertainty and confusion regarding what will happen next. Things that people counted on as stable and long-lasting proved to be anything but reliable. People we expected to remain steadfast faded away. It is no wonder that many people are unsettled and fearful concerning the future.

As believers, our trust is not to be in men, institutions, or our resources, but in God. When we recognize that He is in control and provides His mercy to accompany us every day, we realize there is no need to be fearful regarding the future. Our lives may be filled with hardship and difficulty, but we will never be forsaken by the Good Shepherd. We can always rely on Him to both know what is best for us and provide for all our needs. Corrie ten Boom said, “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”

When we allow worry and fear to control our thinking and our actions, we are demonstrating a lack of faith. The promises of God are certain and sure, and our future is settled. We do not see what lies ahead, but God already knows. We simply need to trust in His love and care for us every day.

Today’s Growth Principle: 

The faithfulness of God is the foundation of our hope for the future.

https://devo.paulchappell.com/

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How is Your Day? -Lucinda Metsinger

Happy Monday!!! Are you ready for another great week to spend with the Lord?!? This weeks devotion is “How is Your Day?” written by Lucinda Metsinger! Please take the time to read as she shares her heart with us today. I hope you have an amazing day!!!

How is your day?

One of the best things my father ever taught me was, “Never let anyone else decide what kind of day you’re going to have or what kind of person you’re going to be.” He was usually telling me this wisdom when I came crying to him about some ornery thing my brother had said or done. At the time, I just wanted my dad to scold my brother for being ornery. However, he knew that he would not be able to correct every person that came into my life and hurt my feelings or made me cry. My Dad was trying to help me realize that allowing someone else that kind of power in my life was giving them power that only God should have. God, and God alone should be the One to decide what kind of day I’m going to have or what kind of person I’m going to be.

Throughout my life, I have recognized that this wisdom can be used over and over again, not just on ornery brothers, but other prickly people.

– You can use it when it comes to the church lady who has to let everyone know ALL the gossip.

– Use it on the fella who cut you off in traffic.

– Use it when dealing with people who are unkind to your children.

– You can even use it on your willful child who seems to know just the right buttons to push to send you into “Crazy Mommy” mode.

No matter who the person is, they should NOT get to decide what kind of day you are going to have or what kind of person you are going to be. Only GOD should have that power.

Along the way, I’ve also realized that I can use this wisdom when it comes to hard circumstances that come my way. Hard times WILL come. We cannot control when they will happen, but we can decide what our response to them will be. Many things in life can knock the props out from underneath us.

– The loss of a job

– A wayward child

– A cancer diagnosis

– The death of a loved one…etc

Satan will use any number of things to try to make us bitter or angry or jealous or even spiritually paralyzed. As a Christian, we can decide to give God the hard circumstances that come our way, then, sit back and watch Him use them for our good and for His glory. Only GOD can do that!

Don’t let anyone or anything but God decide what kind of day you are going to have or what kind of person you are going to be!

Proverbs 3:5-6, Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Isaiah 26:3-4, Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:

https://www.sappsolutely.com/devotions/how-is-your-day-lucinda-metsinger

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The Napkin by Dianne McQueen

Welcome to Monday!!! Are you alive alert and enthusiastic?!? This week’s devotion is “The Napkin” written by Dianne Mcqueen. Please take the time to read as she shares her thoughts with us on folding a napkin! I hope you have the best Monday ever!!!

John 20:7 And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.

The Napkin

Image by RitaE from Pixabay

The gospel of John 20:7 tells us that the napkin which was placed over the face of Jesus was not just thrown aside like the other grave clothes. The Bible takes the entire verse to tell us that the napkin was neatly folded and was placed separately from the grave clothes. Early Sunday morning while it was still dark Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone was rolled away from the entrance. She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciples, John, the one whom Jesus loved. She said they have taken the Lord’s body out of the tomb and I don’t know where they have put him. Peter and the other disciple ran to the tomb to see …the other disciple, John, got there first. He stooped and looked in and saw that the linen cloth laying there but he didn’t go in. Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrapping’s lying there while the cloth that had covered Jesus’s face was neatly folded up and lying to the side. Was that important ..absolutely, it is really significant.

It had to do with the Hebrew tradition of that day. The folded napkin had to do with the master and servant and every Jewish boy knew this tradition.

The servant set the dinner table the way the master wanted it.

The table was furnished perfectly and then the servant would wait just outside of sight until the master had finished eating. The servant would not dare touch the table until the master was finished. Now if the master were done eating, he would rise from the table wipe his fingers, his mouth and clean his beard and would wad up the napkin and toss it on the plate. The servant would then know to clean the table for in those days the wadded up napkin mean’t I’m done but if the master got up from the table and folded his napkin and laid it beside his plate the servant would not dare touch the napkin because the folded napkin meant I’m coming back.

Praise God we know he’s coming back and we look for his coming. Not even the angels in heaven know that day or hour, only God knows.

We don’t have those Hebrew traditions but the next time you’re done eating, consider where you put your napkin. Will you wad it up and put it on your plate because you’re done serving your Sunday school class, your bus route, working in the nursery, whatever ministry you have or will you fold it neatly, you’re coming back to because we haven’t finished our course, let’s get busy on our next course for the Lord

https://www.sappsolutely.com/devotions/the-napkin-diane-mcqueen

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Suffer the Little Children…

Thankful that my Heavenly Father cares about the needs of young and old alike. All of us are in need of a Saviour and are capable of receiving His blessings. Let us learn from His example not to count anyone unworthy that is willing to learn and seek after Christ.

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If There Be Any Virtue

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8

The word virtue has many different meanings these days. It can be a word used to describe a person or a situation or it can be a character trait.


The dictionary defined virtue as a conformity to the standard of right, morality, moral excellence.  The biblical definition of virtue is things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report (Philippians 4:8). It’s moral excellence that is judged by the standard of God’s principles alone.


Virtue causes a person to have a higher level of standards where few desire to obtain because it goes against human nature.  Self seeks to advance one’s desires at the expense of others. While virtue seeks to treat others fairly, esteem others better than themselves (Philippians 2:3), and seeks to live a godly life. 


Colossians 3:12-17 gives us a list of Christian virtues that we are to “put on” – mercy, kindness, humbleness, meekness, long-suffering, forbearance, forgiveness, and charity. These traits all operate within the boundaries of wisdom and peace.


Before virtue (moral excellence) can occur our heart, soul, and mind must be in line with the will of our Heavenly Father. We must actively seek a personal relationship with Him. We cannot exhibit virtue or any godly character trait if we are ignoring Him. 

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Whatsoever Things Are… Of Good Report

Good Report
Well spoken of; reputable

The Dictionary definition of a Good Report is a person’s high standing among others; dignity, honor, reputation

We live in an age where everywhere we turn seemingly has negative messages. The news is riddled with evil doings and malicious speech. It’s just plain depressing at times.

Have you ever thought to yourself the news you just watched made you feel better? Probably not! Hardly ever do they focus on good things in your area or across the country.

In computer science, there’s an old saying that states, “Garbage in, Garbage out.” If we fill our hearts and minds with garbage (evil things) eventually the things that come out of our mouth will be rubbish.

God wants us to fill our hearts and minds with good things.

Did you know that everything we say or do God hears it? When we watch the tv, God is right there with you. When you listen to music on the radio or a podcast, God is listening with you? What about when you tell your friends the latest news about —–, God hears it. God wants every aspects of our lives to bring glory to God that others may be won for Him.

Psalms 19:14
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

Are we meditating on things that are pleasing to God? Do our actions honor God? If someone were to be able to hear our thoughts, would they see Jesus or self?

1 Corinthians 10:31-33 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

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