Category: Treasures for the Heart

Psalms 46:10
Be still, and know that I am God:
I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

In order to understand the goodness of the Lord, we must take time to be still. God speaks in a still small voice (1 Kings 19:12).

Our fast paced lives filled with activities or places we must go can rob us of the peace and joy we can have through Christ. Nothing is as important as spending quiet reflective time with the Saviour.

Have you taken time to be still and listen?

🎶Why should I feel discouraged? Why should the shadows come?
Why should my heart feel lonely
And long for heavenly home
When Jesus is my portion?
My constant friend is He
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know he watches me
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He’s watching me

I sing because I’m happy
I sing because I’m free
For His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He’s watching me🎶

Author: Civilla D. Martin (1905)

Life may not always go the way you hope for, and it’s definitely not an easy road to hoe at times. Some trials are definitely not for the faint of heart, and they can cause even the toughest warriors to need to bow the knee and cry for just a while.
BUT GOD knows each and every individual need and He loves and cares for us. We need to never forget that He is always with us regardless of our circumstances.

Matthew 6:26
Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

Matthew 10:29-31
Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

John 14:1
​ Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

Philippians 4:6-8
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
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.

We have a choice on what thoughts we dwell on. What we think on will run our lives.

We can choose to dwell on the negative (no one cares, nothing ever turns out right, I’d be happier if…). Or we can choose to think positively (God loves me, count your blessings, meditate on Scripture, pray, spend time encouraging someone else).

When we guard our thoughts against the wicked lies of the devil and choose to trust the Lord, we free ourselves from fear and worry. This in turn gives us a peace that passes all understanding.

John 14:27
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 16:33
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Thankful that no matter what is going on around us we can have peace of mind that Jesus is always near.

🎶There’s a peace in my heart that the world never gave,
A peace it cannot take away;
Though the trials of life may surround like a cloud,
I’ve a peace that has come here to stay! 
Refrain:
Constantly abiding, Jesus is mine;
Constantly abiding, rapture divine;
He never leaves me lonely, whispers, oh, so kind:
“I will never leave thee”—Jesus is mine. 🎶

🎶I have a peace in my heart that the world never gave me and a peace it cannot take away. An everlasting peace and I know that it’s here to stay. 🎶

Psalm 23:1-2
​The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
he leadeth me beside the still waters.

The word “rest” is mentioned 265 times in the Bible. The Hebrew word for rest is “nuach” – which means to rest, to be quiet. God knows that we need to take time out for rest and restoration especially from the influences of a fallen world.

In the midst of our busy lives, whether working a job, taking care of kids, studying for finals, or burdened with a heavy load, God wants us to take time to rest in His care. We are human and it’s necessary to take time to rest not only physically and emotionally, but also spiritually.

If we refuse to take the necessary time for rest, it will only lead to a discontented, distrusting, unsatisfied life. Resting in the Lord will bring refreshing peace and give us strength to face the next task ahead.

Let’s learn to depend on the Shepherd’s provision, guidance, and protection. In doing so, we will renew our strength (Isaiah 40:31), be encouraged (Joshua 1:9), increase our faith (Romans 10:17), remind ourselves that we are loved (John 3:16), energize our hope (Psalm 31:24), and glorify Him (Zephaniah 3:17; John 10:7-10).

Written April 19, 2018

Matthew 1:20 – But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

Thankful that in the face of adversity Joseph chose to believe the Lord and faced the battle with courage and strength, knowing that God had a divine plan for it all.  We may not understand the sorrow or turmoil we face here on earth, but God can turn our sorrows and pain into eternal joy if we allow Him to work in and through our lives.

Luke 5:4-10
Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. 
And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. 
And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. 
When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.  For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.

When it seems like you’ve toiled long and hard and are getting nowhere, Jesus is all the answer you need. Cast your cares upon Him.  He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).

3.10.2018

Luke 10:30-37
And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

It’s sad that this man fell among thieves.  Even sadder is that a priest and a Levite passed by on the other side without offering to give this hurting man some aid.  Regardless of their rank or creed they lacked compassion.  Their hearts were indifferent and apathetic. They chose to do nothing!

Proverbs 11:12 indicates that these men were void of wisdom because they despised their neighbor.  God commands us in Scripture to “love thy neighbor as thyself” (Matthew 22:39; Luke 10:27).  We are to love others without partiality.

When the Samaritan saw the condition of this man, he immediately showed compassion by tending to his wounds and taking care of him.  He chose to see an opportunity to share Christ rather than the obstacles in the way.  He didn’t wait to see if his kindness was going to be repaid he showed kindness anyways.

True compassion will cost something.  May we always be mindful of Christ’s great sacrifice at Calvary.  Our love for Christ should spur us to share His love with others.

Jude 1:22 ~ And of some have compassion, making a difference.

Luke 1:38
And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

Luke 1:46-50
And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.

Thankful that Mary was flexible to the unexpected change in her life that was about to transpire. Mary’s faith allowed her to not only accept the calling on her life, but it also allowed her to be joyful in the journey. What an example of being completely surrendered to the Lord!