Day 10 - Matthew 6:21

Yesterday I wrote about my treasures in heaven.  And although I do know that ultimately, everything on earth will pass away and become ashes.... while I walk on this earth, I do have treasures here.

I treasure my husband.  We have been married almost 15 years.  We were high school sweethearts, but situations ensued, life changed, and we both found ourselves in different paths.  Thirteen years, unfortunate divorces, struggles, hurt, healing and 4 children later.... he walked into my church.  I don't know how else to explain it all, but I knew I was still very much in love with him, the moment I saw him.  (By the way, that was while I was on stage, singing in worship. Whew!)  God's redemptive grace is so good... we married after much counsel, and have been very much in love 15 years and three MORE children later!  

He is my treasure.  We have been through so much together, some very hard struggles, and now we face new ones with his health.... but he knows the keys to my heart.  He holds my hand.  He is my opposite in everything I need.  We work together, face life together, and believe God has His hand o n our family.  Even in our "worst" days, when I think of him, my heart is touched.  There are no words in the English language that can sum up how we feel about each other.  So although, we will both pass away, our goal is to be treasures on earth to each other, and see each other face to face one day in heaven.... I hope I will know he is still my treasure there!

My children are my treasures.  I have given birth to four beautiful and amazing children.  God knit my heart with three more, in whom I love dearly.  As far as I am concerned... I am mom.  They all call me mom, except my oldest son, who calls me MA, much to my annoyance! Ha!  They vary in age from 14 to 6 as of this date!  And our relationships are complex - married children and in law children, grand babies too, one engaged, one about to graduate, one 11 year old tender heart, one 9 year old tough guy, and my 6 year old princess!!!  Every day is something new.  We have been through bumps and bruises, fights and fusses, and I'm sure there are more to come.  But oh my goodness, I love these children with a passion.  They are  my heart, they are my treasures.  I hurt when they hurt, cry with them and for them.  I plead with God over them, their spouses, their future spouses, their relationships with God.  When they are broken, I am broken.  When they rejoice in life, I rejoice for them.  There is nothing I would not give or do for my children.... they are the best of my life. 

When my days on this earth are gone, if my children (and grandchildren) can say - she loved me, she loved God, and I am all the better for it, then I have accomplished great things.  If they have a love for Christ and their family, then I have done well. 

And if I should leave this world, before my husband, if he can say - she loved me fiercely, she was my passion, she led our family to love the Lord, then I have done well.  If he knows that life without him would have never been the same, that I am thankful for every moment, every trial, and every victory, as long as it was with him.... then I can be happy. 

What I do for and through my earthly treasures, will matter in eternity.  I pray daily, that God will always find me faithful and say ... "Well done wife and mom, you did great things in the lives of those you loved."

What are your "earthly" treasures that matter for today?  If it is the hearts and lives of people, good for you.  If it is your houses, your cars, your toys, your appearance, the amount in your bank account, etc.......... maybe you need to re-evaluate!   

God, give me eyes to see my treasures here on earth.  My husband, my children, my friends and family.  Give me a heart to love them hard and fierce and to make a difference.  Show me how to love more those who I may struggle with.  May I touch their hearts for You, and may they be the better for it!

Day 9 - Matthew 6:21

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  Matthew 6:21

Treasure -

1. wealth or riches stored or accumulated, especially in the form of precious metal, 

money, jewels, or plate.

2. wealth, rich materials, or valuable things.

3. any thing or person greatly valued or highly prized

This verse comes alive to me in two different ways - Heavenly and Earthly
  
We live in this world, but what we "do" here goes much further.  Our treasures that will be counted for some day in heaven will be what we found important on earth. The acts of kindness done for the love of Christ will be recorded and preserved when we stand before God.  Anything done or received for our own glory will not stand the test of time... and will be nothing but ashes.  What we do matters. 

Let me ask you to just think about this?  

Where were the last five Heisman Trophy Winners?  
Who were the last five Miss America's?  
Who own the 5 most expensive houses? 

If you are like me, you have no idea!  I could not tell you even one of those, honestly.  But allow me to ask you to think about something else?

What teacher made the biggest difference in you life?
Who shared the love of Christ with you and discipled you?
Who do you enjoy spending time with?

Do you see the difference?  When I get to heaven.... I do not want to be  known for all the work I did in church.  I want to be known.... by how I touched peoples lives.  I want to be known because I made a difference in people!  That thought overwhelms me with sadness and urgency.... have I done enough for HIS name?

Part 2 Tomorrow - This verse and the Earthly things... 

Day 8 - Micah 3:8

But as for me, I am filled with power,
    with the Spirit of the Lord,
                 Micah 3:8a

 Many in the body of Christ no longer think we have Power!  The Holy Spirit has been deemed a presence and working of the past!  But there is nothing further from the truth.  The Holy Spirit is alive and well, and working in the lives of those who are open to Him!

Micah was chosen and called to be a spokesman for God.  He stood against all the other religious leaders and political leaders.... and he called sin - sin!  He spoke with power, and wisdom and strength that came from the Holy Spirit!

Micah's task was to reflect the heart of God, to encourage right and to discourage wrong.  

We today,  do have this same power!  If we are followers of Christ, and are doing our best to live a holy life, allowing the Holy Spirit to work in and through us.... we have Power beyond our imagination.  

If we can ever take a hold of this, we as Micah, can accomplish amazing things for the Kingdom!

Day 7 - Ephesians 2:6

 God raised us up with Christ. He has seated us with him in his heavenly kingdom because we belong to Christ Jesus.  Ephesians 2:6

 When we realize the truth of being seated with Christ the view from heaven changes our mindsets and is a trigger for revival in our hearts and those we speak to.

When we speak we are called to speak out of the atmosphere of heaven, when we pray for the sick we are called to pray out of heaven, not from the earthly perspective.

When we worship we are called to worship in Spirit, our whole lives are meant to be a reflection of where we are seated.

I am learning that when heaven invades earth as it does through our direct connection with Christ, then transformation comes. Our words change, the power we see released changes.  Glory is manifest on earth through signs & wonders and unusual miracles, because we are speaking out of heaven and not from the position of those who are earthly bound.

For God to do within His church, what this world is needing, what the lost are needing, what the broken and hopeless are needing...... we must learn to tap into the heavenly places.  We have been given power and authority, we have been given the ability to do "even greater" than what Jesus did while on earth!  (John 14:12)

My prayer today...... that my mind would be filled with heaven.  That I would be able to reach into the heavenly realm and accomplish what God has set out for me to do.  I've wasted so much time.... but I am ready... I am wanting.... I am desperate to see what God can do when I find myself standing in the heavenly places!

Day 6 - Psalm 27:4

I’m asking the Lord for only one thing.
    Here is what I want.
I want to live in the house of the Lord
    all the days of my life.
I want to look at the beauty of the Lord.    I want to worship him in his temple.
                               Psalm 27:4


David had it all!  He was King.  He had a huge army.  He had a family.  He could possess anything in this world.  Nothing was out of reach for King David!

Yet, God called him a man after His own heart.  David wanted to know God more and more.  He had messed up, sinned, paid huge prices for those sins, and repented.  Even with all his major disappointments to God..........he continues to seek God, to reach out and go after the heart of God.

In this verse, David asks one thing of the Lord.  Just one thing that he wanted to ask the Almighty God, Creator of Heaven and Earth for.......... remember David could have had anything!  But what did he want?  What was so deep in his heart, that he only wanted one thing?

David wanted to live in the house of the Lord, ALL the days of his life.  David wanted to be where God was.  To be in His presence all the time.  Every day, 24 hours a day, seven days a week... forever.  Every day in his life on this earth, he wanted to live in the house of the Lord!  

Wow.  Can you imagine where our heart would be if we felt this way?  Can you see how close to God's heart we would become, how well we would know Him, if we choose to spend this kind of time with Him?  In today's "church"  we do well to make it to one Sunday morning service a week.  We think we are doing really good if we make it to two services!  But David, he craved God's presence.

Go on further in this verse.... "I want to look at the beauty of the Lord.  I want to worship Him in His temple."  I love how the Message Bible states this portion of the verse:  I’ll contemplate his beauty; I’ll study at his feet.  David knew that just "hanging out" was not good enough to get what he really wanted!  He wanted to build intimacy with God.  He wanted to know everything there was to know about God.  He needed to be a learner.  To continue to expand his understanding of God.  He wanted more than just God's presence... He wanted to know God intimately, like never before.  David wanted to spend every  moment of every day for the rest of his life, at the feet of God!

Oh my dear friends, that WE would have such a desire to know God so much deeper.  That we would want to be in His presence, intimately getting to know the Great Jehovah in every aspect of who He is.  That we would be so desperate to spend time with Him.    Yes, that I what I want!  I want more and more of Him.... every moment of every day, for the rest of my life.  

Dear God, the Great I Am, I must know You in every way!  I must learn to live every day of my live, ever moment, every breath, in Your presence.  To know You as well as You know me.  May I never stop longing for You.  May I never think I have found "enough".... I want to gaze on Your beauty... to learn at Your feet!  I must know You more!

Day 5 - 2 Corinthians 1:4

He comforts us in all our troubles. Now we can comfort others when they are in trouble. We ourselves have received comfort from God. 2 Corinthians 1:4


There are so many verses in scripture where we are assured God is with us and that He comforts us.  He sent us the greatest comforter of all - the Holy Spirit.

When we go through storms and trials in our lives, we call out to our Comforter.  He brings us peace and comfort.  It is through these times, our faith and trust in God increases.  We learn more about ourselves and grow deeper in our relationship with the Father.

But we also must remember, when we see others going through hard places, that we must come along side them.  We are witness to the goodness and the ability of God to help them through the muck and mire.  We have knowledge that God can meet all of their needs.  We know the Comforter.

I think that if we see fellow brothers and sisters in Christ struggling and in need, we are required to be part of their comfort.  We should share our testimony of the grace and love and comfort that God has given us in our time of need.  We are to encourage them to hold on and know that God is able.

Lord, help me to have eyes to see those in need.  May I be able to use my times of trials that You have carried me through, to bring comfort to others as they walk similar trials.  Thank You for always being my Comfort.

Day 4 - Psalm 121

Today has been very busy, and I apologize for not having more to share.

However, I am posting my favorite chapter of God's Word.  It is my "go to" verses for everything in life.  There is no other scripture that has brought me as much peace.  Hope it ministers to your heart today.

Psalm 121

A song for those who go up to Jerusalem to worship the Lord.

¹ I look up to the hills.
    Where does my help come from?
² My help comes from the Lord.
    He is the Maker of heaven and earth.

³ He won’t let your foot slip.
    He who watches over you won’t get tired.
⁴ In fact, he who watches over Israel
    won’t get tired or go to sleep.

⁵ The Lord watches over you.
    The Lord is like a shade tree at your right hand.
⁶ The sun won’t harm you during the day.
    The moon won’t harm you during the night.

⁷ The Lord will keep you from every kind of harm.
    He will watch over your life.
⁸ The Lord will watch over your life no matter where you go,
    both now and forever.

Day 3 - 2 Corinthians 2:14

But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. 
                                                                         2 Corinthians 2:14

This verse has two very important elements.

The first is that it tells u God always leads us in triumph in Christ.  We are ALWAYS going to be triumphant.  I realize sometimes it doesn't seem like it.  We definitely can feel defeated.  But we have to set our minds on heavenly things.... because it is there, that we will always have victory.

God, through the death and resurrection of His son, triumphed over death and the grave.  In Him, we are able to do the same!  We are will triumph over the enemy, because Christ blood has already fought the fight for us!

The second part of this verse, for me is a challenge, and a call to "step up" my life in Him.  Christ manifests through us, the SWEET AROMA, of the knowledge of Him.

So, if He is using ME to show how sweet it is to know Him... what kind of stench comes with my bad attitudes? How foul smelling does He seem when I make things all about me?  Oh my.... forgive me Jesus... for anything I do, that takes any fragrance from Your SWEET AROMA!

What type of "aroma" are you portraying?

Day 2 - Zephaniah 3:17

The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight over you, He will quiet you with his love, He will rejoice over you with singing.  Zephaniah 3:17

I love this verse.  It is one of the most beautiful and lovely verses in the Bible.  So, today, let's break it down:

The Lord your God - He is my God.  He is mighty and holy, all praise and honor and glory is due Him.  He alone is God, the Great I Am.  And He is mine.

Is with you - This same God, who is mine, who has all power and authority is with me.  I am never alone.  Every step I take, He is there. He holds my hand every step along the way, even if He seems silent in my situation, He is still there.  He has promised.

He is mighty - There is no one more powerful.  He can do anything He chooses to do.

To save - He is my warrior.  He redeems all of my messes.  He wars for my heart.  He delivers me from the evil one.  He is my protector and watchman! He watches my feet and keeps me safe, so that I can fulfill my calling and destiny in Him.

He will take great delight - He is joyful towards me.  He finds pleasure in my being.

Over You - ME!  With all of my faults, and weaknesses.  Me. He loves me! (and you)

He will quiet you - He will give me peace.  Comfort my soul.  Allow me to rest in Him.

With His love - Knowing He loves me, is like medicine to my  illnesses.  His love never fails, never gives up, never runs out.  His love is amazing!  And always available.

He will rejoice - Be excited, celebrate, He is overjoyed!

Over You - Me!  Because He finds me worthy and precious.  Because I am worth it!

With singing - My God, who adores me, sings over me.  He sings sweet love songs to my soul.  He is utterly and amazingly taken with me!  What a thought.  He sings over me!!!  I hope to hear one of those songs in heaven... when I meet Him face to face. 


How awesome!!!!

Day 1 - Ephesians 1:18-19a

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in His holy people, and His incomparably great power for us who believe. Ephesians 1:18-19a

We just completed week 2 of our LifeGroup based on Ephesians.  I love Ephesians, it is such a rich book.  There is so much to glean from Ephesians.  So I am completely loving this series!

Life is such a struggle at times, that we just can't seem to get an upper hand on our life.  We believe the Word of God.  We we believe God loves us, and walks with us. We believe that His power has been gloriously given to so many throughout history.  But what we usually can't believe.... is that this great power belongs to us.

In the second half of Ephesians 1, Paul is praying not for the lost, but for the saved.  For the believers.  His prayer is that the eyes of their heart would be enlightened.  (I instantly think of the song, Open the Eyes of My Heart Lord.) He wanted these believers to know that they had a hope in all things.  They had a hope because of the "incomparably great power" God had given those who believe.

He has promised us that we are never alone, that we have great power in all things.  But it is up to us to step out and truly claim this power.  It is there, we must take the leap of faith to claim it!!  And if we do claim this power, and believe it is for us as a believer, then we must show it in how we live.  We can not go around living and talking and acting like we have no power and feeling helpless.

Yes, we all have times when we may not feel powerful.  Believe me, with some areas in my life right now... some days power is the last thing I feel!  But I refuse to walk around in doom and gloom, "whining" about things.....because I know God has given me power to walk through any storm, any trial, any hard time... and come out better on the other side.  And even in this earthly life I struggle, even in the power I walk in, I am assured that I have a glorious inheritance.

After all.... as we discussed last week in our LifeGroup.... I am CHOSEN, ADOPTED, AND REDEEMED.

God, please open the eyes of my heart... may I seek You and walk faithfully in the power You have given to me.  I know that You are always with me and You love me.   Amen.