WHERE ARE YOU STORING YOUR TREASURE?

WHERE ARE YOU STORING YOUR TREASURE?


As believers, our goal here on earth should be to only carry out our Lord’s commands. We should NOT be focus on worldly possession because we know, that when we obey His commands, we are storing riches in Heaven.

Solomon is described as the wisest man in the entire Bible. If you read the book of Ecclesiastes, you will see that he had all that his heart desired and he tried all kinds of things under the sun (Its what the Bible says). What he found out was this… “Meaningless! Meaningless! Says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.” (Ecclesiastes 1:2) He’s trying to teach us something here… That we should not chase after those things that the rest of the world lust and runs after. King Salomon is telling us, "I’ve been there, done that, graduated and got a trophy."  He had it all and in the end he came up with this conclusion… “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including "EVERY" hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)  Earthly things can "NEVER" statisfied or fill your soul like GOD can.... It will always end up being; “Utterly meaningless!

Note: What kind of things are we setting our hearts on? Bigger houses, bigger bank accounts, expensive things or is your heart for God. The Lord says: “ No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. (Matthew 6:24)  As Christians this should be our goal in life… To be completely devoted to Jesus. "NOTHING" else should have first place in our lives. (As Solomon said; "For this is the whole duty of man.") When we put God FIRST, he guarantees, that he’ll take care of us. He supplies all our needs. “BUT seek FIRST His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)

Setting our hearts on other things than carrying out the Lord’s commands, will only lead to pain and disappointments. We watched in horror as all those people’s houses burned in the California fires. We have seen hurricanes, tornados, and tsunamis do the same things. Destroying all the things that we all work so hard to get. Others have never had any of these natural disasters come upon them, but they have had someone take away from them the things they have worked so hard to get. Sometimes this comes in the form of a repossession of your belongings; other times, there could be, a loss of a job, or even a burglary. All these circumstances are very painful. What we see here on earth is only temporary. The material things wouldn’t last. What you do for the Lord will. The Lord is making all things new (Revelation 21:5) I’m looking forward to the "NEW THINGS" God has store up for those that love Him. (1 Corinthians 2:9)

This is what the Lord says: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21) The Lord Jesus is a great boss to work for. He has our rewards saved for us in heaven. We can trust that our 401k and our retirement funds are safe in His hands. So do not worry about getting worldly possessions. FIX your eyes on Jesus and obey His commandments...Knowing as we obey HIM faithfully, we are storing treasures in Heaven.

We are the Lord’s servants, we MUST carry out His commands and WE MUST also be "WATCHFULLY" awaiting for His soon return to the Earth. Let me show you what Paul tells Titus:

"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “ “NO” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,  (Watch This...Don't Miss It!) while we "WAIT" for the blessed hope- the "GLORIOUS APPEARING" of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. "(Titus 2:11-14)

The book of John says:

"DO NOT" love the world or "ANYTHING" in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world – the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does – comes not from the Father but from the world. "The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever." (1 John 2:15-17)

Note: The Apostle Paul has been a great inspiration in my walk with the Lord. He loved the Lord and he didn’t think he wasn’t blessed just because things didn't go his way or that he had to spend most of his time in jail. Paul knew that his earthly stay was a temporary one... His mind was set on heavenly things! (Colosians 3:2)  Paul was committed, on carrying out the task that the Lord had given him and he was going to carry those out no matter what. Let me show you what he tells the Philippians Church:

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:12-13)

Let me give a couple of more scriptures to show you how dedicated this man of God was… Paul knew that the Lord would reward him for his service and dedication to Him:

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." (2 Timothy 4:7-8)

Paul loved our Lord and Savior and he had a genuine love for people also. Look what he tells the Corinthians Church:

“ For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. (1 Corinthians 10:33,11:1)

Note: This should be "THE GOAL" of every Christian to "SEEK" the Lord, to "OBEY" His commands and to seek "THE GOOD OF OTHERS". This is how we store up treasures in Heaven. Is your heart set on getting earthly things that won’t last or is your heart set in being a servant of the living God? Knowing as you live the rest of your life dedicated to Jesus, you’ll be storing treasures in Heaven that will last forever! Amen

In the book of Hebrews says:

"God is NOT unjust; HE "WILL NOT" forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. WE "DO NOT" want you to become lazy, BUT to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised." (Hebrews 6:11-12)


GOD BLESS YOU ALL NOW AND ALWAYS
YOUR FRIEND,
VICKY RIVERA

A NEW BEGINNING

A NEW BEGINNING


Because of what Jesus did for us at the cross…We can have a brand new start in life. The Lord will show you how to live this brand new life. Spend time in His Word (The Bible) and He’ll teach you to live a life that will bring many blessings and rewards to your life.

To get the full benefits of this new life… You will have to become everything that the Lord says a Christian person should be , we can no longer continue to be like we used to be. (John 8:11, John 14:15, 21, 23-24, Titus 2:11-14) The apostle Paul admonish us in this: "... “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord MUST TURN AWAY FROM WICKEDNESS.” (2 Timothy 2:19, Romans Ch.6, Galatians 5:13, Hebrews 12:14, James 1:22, 2 Peter 1:5-11, 3:11, 18)


The Bible it also says: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, "he is a new creation"; THE OLD HAS GONE, the NEW has come!" (2 Corinthians 5:17)

"God made him (Jesus Christ) who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." (2 Corinthians 5: 21)

"And he (Jesus Christ) died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again." (2 Corinthians Ch.5:15) NIV

"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of the light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord." (Ephesians Ch. 5:8-10) NIV

"Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator." (Colossians Ch.3:5-10)

You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. (1 Corinthians Ch. 6:19-20)


Note: Once we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior…Our journey doesn’t stop there, we must live a lifestyle of obedience to Him… Doing and acting like He commands. (John 14:15, 21, 23-24, 1 John 2:3-6)


If you’re ready for “A New Beginning” ... Come to Jesus, He'll give you a brand new start in life. He’ll change your life from the inside out…"NO ONE" can do for you what "ONLY" Jesus can do! Spend time with Jesus daily in prayers and Bible studies...It's very important for our spiritual growth that we spend time with our Savior daily. (Matthew, 6:33, John 15:5-6)

For those of you who don’t know Jesus as Lord and Savior and would like to invite Him into your life and heart… All you have to do is ask Him to and He’ll gladly take your invitation. Here is a sample prayer that you can say to invite Jesus into your life. As long as it comes from your heart and you mean it… That’s really all that matters:

“Dear Jesus, I know that I am a sinner in need of a Savior. Thank you for sacrificing Your life to save me, then rising to life again that I might live forever in Heaven with You. I turn from my sins and invite You into my life. Help me to live in a way that pleases You, for whatever time You give me here on earth”. Amen

Welcome to God’s Family… Remember Jesus loves you so much. Follow Jesus... He'll NEVER let you down!


GOD BLESS YOU ALL NOW AND ALWAYS
YOUR FRIEND,
VICKY RIVERA