Keys to the Treasure of Heaven

By Thomas Denegre

For every lock there’s a key.  For every mystery there’s a clue.  In Matthew Chapter 6:19-34 Jesus talks about the treasure from heaven that we should seek and having the clear eyes so our body will be filled with light. I know all of us want the treasure of heaven.  It’s eternal and marvelous.  So how do we acquire this treasure?  What is this treasure Jesus wants to give us? The eyes are the clue to this mystery.

Jesus used the term that bad eyes will make your body full of darkness. I discovered that bad eyes represent the way we value and filter things through our self-professed identity. Our character and virtues are established from our identity; such as being a doctor, lawyer, farmer, mother, teacher, bank robber, or a saint.

After college I entered the U.S. Navy pilot program.  I discovered early on that being a goofy college student was not compatible with being a professional pilot.  I bought a pair of gold wings and put them on a uniform.  I saw myself wearing those wings and then I saw the person behind them.  I saw the character and virtues a pilot needed to be great at his craft.  So, I robe myself with the virtues of being the best navy pilot and became one.  By stepping into my future identity, I was able to change my present self. 

My walk with God was in the same way.  For awhile I was the confused Christian who thought I was still a sinner or the goofy college student.  However, when I assumed my future identity as a saint, disciple and, a son of the Most-High God then I became transformed.  Everything changed.

As Ephesians 2:4-6 puts it: But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus…

By knowing I am a son of God, I robed myself with the virtues (Col. 3:12-14) of God that the Holy Spirit gave me, which allows me access to the treasures of heaven. St. Paul aptly wrote;

You are always and dearly loved by God! So, robe yourself with virtues of God, since you have been divinely chosen to be holy. Be merciful as you endeavor to understand others, and be compassionate, showing kindness toward all. Be gentle and humble, unoffendable in your patience with others. Tolerate the weaknesses of those in the family of faith, forgiving one another in the same way you have been graciously forgiven by Jesus Christ. If you find fault with someone, release this same gift of forgiveness to them. For love is supreme and must flow through each of these virtues. Love becomes the mark of true maturity.  Col. 3:12-14 (TPT)

At this point I want to encourage you to embrace your identity as a son or daughter of God.  By knowing and being a son or daughter of the Most-High God, you freely receive the treasure from heaven.  By living in life union with Jesus and having his words living powerfully within you, (John 15:7)  the Holy Spirit will pour his living streams of water to empower and fill you with love, kindness, gentleness, long suffering, patience, peace, and joy.  By knowing and owning these characters of virtue, the treasures of heaven become yours.

The treasure is God’s presence and gifts with you all the time.  He will go through the trials, tribulations, and temptations in life with you.  You will never be alone.  Our Father will bring the love, trust, and security in your life.  By being broken in humility our Father will make you complete and perfect, you’ll be satiated with your sense of purpose and mission.

By investing yourself in the treasure of heaven you obtain real eternal wealth;

When you give

When you forgive

When you encourage and lift others

When you share the gospel

When you love your enemies

When you endure insults and persecutions

When you have mercy and tolerance for those in the family of faith

Psalms 51: 1-5

We All Need Forgiveness

Many years ago I recall my niece having a purse full of what you might call spiritual reminder cards. She offered me one, and it said something about being a sinner. I half smiled not sure what she was trying to tell me and said, “So you think I’m a sinner?” Her response was correct, but at the time I wasn’t far into my true faith walk so wasn’t really sure what she meant. She replied, “We all are.” 

I have learned much since those days, and am grateful to her and many others in my life who have been examples of God's grace. We can't do this without others. We can't grow by ourselves. We can't learn about all God has for us without connecting with others who are farther along than we are. Once I began associating with other Christ followers who had been "in the word" for years, I began learning what I didn't know I didn't know. Now, the more I know, the more I know I don't know. :) 

One thing I DO KNOW however, is that forgiveness is the key to peace within my heart. 

Forgiving others who have hurt us is very freeing.

Luke 6:37 Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven

Forgiveness is powerful.

Mark 11:25 And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

Forgiveness can be given even when it is not requested.

Ephesians 4:32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

We may need to forgive again and again.

Matthew 18:21-22 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times? Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.

We all need forgiveness from the Lord.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Read/Listen to Psalm 51:1-5

Celestial celebrations

Very early in my wife’s freshman year of college, her roommate entered the room very upset.  She had lost a contact lens outside.  With a strong penchant for helping people, Peggy said, “Let’s go look for it.”  Her roommate declined the offer – the thought being so preposterous – but upon further urging, she reluctantly agreed.  And Peggy quietly prayed, “Lord, please help us find her lens.  And if we don’t find it, at least let her know she's loved.” 

The lawn was vast, so Peggy asked, “About where were you when you lost your contact?”  In a tone of voice that suggested this is so ridiculous, her roommate said, “Right about here!”  Peggy bent down and separated two blades of grass.  “Is this it?” she asked, spying the glistening lens.  Her roommate bent down, eyes wide and mouth agape.  There it was!  She bent down and picked it up, hugged Peggy and jumped around a bit, for against all odds, the lost had been found! 

God searches intently, far and wide, for something much more valuable than a contact lens.  Us!  The people of his creation and redemption!  Some of us are easier to spot, I suspect, while others of us are improbably found in the most unusual circumstances of life.  But regardless of where we are when God reaches down and lifts us up, there is celebration in heaven.  Great celebration!  Unimaginable celebration!  Speaking as one who’d been there, Jesus said, “I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10). 

Have you entrusted your life to the saving power of Jesus Christ?  If so, there was celebration in the heavens over you!  Yes, you!  Individually, you!  Who knows ... maybe it’s still going on! 

So now we get to join God as he continues to look for his missing “lenses,” for he wills to shine his light into their soul as well.  And when God bends down and picks up the “one sinner who repents,” the angelic celebration over another redeemed treasure begins anew!  Hugging and jumping around in celestial proportions.

Lord, please lead us to those who do not know you.  Use us today in whatever capacity you will.  Open their eyes to behold your beauty.  Open their souls to know your love and salvation for them.  And may your angels celebrate new life this day. 

[Click here to see the daily reading in Luke 15:8-10.] 

1Timothy 1: 12-16

The Lord’s Grace to Paul and Us

Does not the Lord make example of people and situations in our lives in order to reveal himself or draw us closer to Him? Would you agree there have been times when you have felt or said; “That was a God thing?”

Paul was definitely “A God Thing” and he knew it. In 1 Timothy 1:15-16 Paul wrote something worth remembering; “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who believe on him and receive eternal life.” Yes, believe “on” him.

As we travel this journey of life and make ourselves aware of the trials and struggles others face, we can learn from their mistakes as well as triumphs. We can gain wisdom from their tears and their anger. Just as God is a relational God, we too are relational human beings in need of others.

 At times we may be the example, support or love needed by another, yet other times we are the one in need of a rock to lean on, a Paul in our life who can help us make sense of our situation.

Paul’s heart grew into one of passion and compassion for God and people. He is such an incredible example of transformation there are 13 books in the bible written by him.

Romans 
1 Corinthians 
2 Corinthians 
Galatians 
Ephesians 
Philippians 
Colossians 
1 Thessalonians 
2 Thessalonians 
1 Timothy 
2 Timothy 
Titus 
Philemon

No one knows for sure who wrote Hebrews, but if it was Paul, then his total is at 14.

Paul had to tell his story, through the power and inspiration of the Holy Spirit. What a blessing for us!

Dear God,

We thank you for your gracious and unending love. You shower us with blessings we do not even acknowledge and offer us new mercies every day regardless of our gratefulness. Your forgiveness for Paul and for us goes far beyond reasonable in our limited minds, but we are so very humbled and honored to call ourselves your children. We will focus on you Lord, and though we too are the worst of sinners, we will use Paul as our example and you Christ, as our Rock.

Read/Listen to 1 Timothy 1: 12-16

Mark 5: 17-20

 Go to People Like Yourself

I am not able to identify with brain surgeons or international diplomats. How about you? It would be most uncomfortable to be forced into a situation where it was essential to rub elbows with the very rich and famous, as I would have nothing in common with them. Having to mingle with a world class physicists or mathematician would be awkward at best.

Put me in a room with psychologists or teachers on the other hand, and I would be in heaven, so to speak. There would be endless topics of discussion and subjects for me to pick their brains about, and then sit back and ponder as I formulated my next inquiry.

We all have a sense of comfort when with those we have things in common with. Why then do some Christians feel the need to push their beliefs on those who do not have an ear for what they proclaim? Perhaps it is all in the approach, not empathizing with the other person considering their background or paradigm (set of ideas used for understanding something) can bring out negative feelings. No one wants to be preached to about a subject they feel uncomfortable with. It is unlikely we are going to change the lifestyle of another through proclamation. Most humans thrive on relationships. We do not hear what others have to say until we first know they care.

If any of us are going to make a difference in the life of another, we must meet them where they are as Jesus did. He humbled himself. He dwelled among sinners and lepers. He broke bread with the undesirable and spoke to those shunned by their communities. Jesus lived the life of a poor man, and dwelled amidst those like him.

Jesus modeled the perfect, sinless life. We cannot even think about comparing to him, but we can grow where we are planted, spreading the seeds of love and compassion, as we reach out to those near to us. We need not travel the world to make a difference. Often we can simply "Just Walk Across The Room."

Read/Listen to Mark 5: 17-20

Review the Book “Just Walk Across the Room” by: Bill Hybels

Matthew 28:19

     

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

Like last Sunday, and the Sunday after this one, we will remain in Matthew 28. The message is so significant, one day is not nearly enough to communicate its power and intensity. So again, we are reminded of....................................... "The Great Commission." 

                                

Matthew 27 tells of the torment Jesus endured before and during His crucifixion. According to “The Journey” bible: The instant Jesus died, the curtain in the temple was miraculously torn. This curtain had separated the innermost part of the temple from all people except the high priest, and he could enter only once a year. In tearing the curtain, God signified that Jesus’ sacrificial death removed the barrier and opened the way to give people direct access to Him. Anyone can come into the presence of God.

We are all His children, yet many on this earth are not aware of His mercy and grace. Multitudes are still oblivious of what baptism means, and the promise that is ours when we turn our lives over to God. This relationship with The Father may be ours, and it may be wonderful, yet offering this opportunity to others is what makes this gift complete.

Jesus was drawn to the corrupt. He would seek out the lost and abandon. The son of God was in search of sinners who often were oblivious to their sin until they met Him. The love and peace of our Lord that lies within a relationship with Him awaits every person on this earth, but how will they know if we don’t tell them?

Read/Listen to Matthew 28:19