Treasures

Sometimes if I look through my Bible, I am reminded of all the times God has opened my eyes, blessed me, comforted me, reprimanded me, grew me, etc.  I write all in my Bibles.  I love putting notes in the margins and writing what each verse means to me.  I pray one day someone (hopefully my children) will look through my Bibles and see how God was there for me throughout my life.  The Bible is a book that has withstood the test of time and the message of Jesus has been passed on to every generation.  Psalm 22: 30-31  "Posterity will serve him;  future generations will be told about the Lord. They will proclaim his righteousness, declaring to a people yet unborn: He has done it!"   God's word has been speaking to people for years and continues to do so. 

Don't miss out on all the treasures found in God's word!  How many of us have Bibles?  How many of us open them daily and search God's word?  A Bible is meant to be read and studied.  If you aren't digging in your Bible, you are missing one of the greatest gifts/treasures God has given you. Matthew 5:6  "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled."  If you don't open your heart and mind to His word, how can you possibly say you desire to love Him and want to know Him.  To me that is like getting a letter from someone and leaving it on the counter and not opening it.  It is as if you really don't care what the person has to say to you.  Do you want to know what God has to say to you?  Open up the word and let the treasures of God pour upon you!

• "My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom  and applying your heart to understanding—  indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure,  then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God." Proverbs 2:1-5 
• "I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD,  the God of Israel, who summons you by name."  Isaiah 45:3
•  "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field."  Matthew 13:44 
• "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."  Luke 12:34 

God will entrust His treasures to those who will seek "the hidden riches of secret places". God is looking for those who will not be satisfied with the blessing but those who seek to know the Blesser and those who will  long for the inner courts of the Most High. We should be like David (a man after God's own heart), who says in Psalm 132: 3-5 "I will not enter my house or go to my bed, I will allow no sleep to my eyes or slumber to my eyelids, till I find a place for the LORD, a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob".  This world is filled with so many distractions but none can compare to time in God's word seeking Him.  What are we putting before time with God?  Is it truly a treasure? 

Matthew Henry (October 18, 1662 – June 22, 1714) an English commentator on the Bible was quoted, "God's word is a treasure worth laying up, and there is no laying it up safely but in our hearts; if we have it only in our houses and hands, enemies may take it from us; if only in our heads, our memories may fail us: but if our hearts be delivered into the mould of it, and the impressions of it remain on our souls, it is safe."  Proverbs 3: 1-2 "My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity."  My heart is full of the promises of God and I want to continue to have more and more.  These precious treasures - we can cling to them, make decisions based on them, find peace in them, dry tears with them, love others with them, face the day with them, be bold with them, grow as a person in them, and comfort others with them.  Open your Bible - search for God's hidden treasures.