Fading Treasures…

All flesh is like Grass, And its lovliness is like the flower of the Field.  The Grass withers the Flower Fades, Because the BReath of the Lord blows upon it; Surely the people are grass. The grass withers and the flower fades but the Word of our God stands forever.- Isaiah 40:6-8

There was some talk the other day on the t.v. about beautiful homes famous people own.  The one’s with  beautiful pools with a hot tubs.  The bathrooms with jacuzzi’s , the rooms for the strippers , the room where they do the “normal” partying and clubbing.  Oh yes the poker table.  The bling bling thousand dollar vehicles how many did this one guy have?  Oh yes i think about 5 mustangs.  Yes these homes were beautiful!  But what is sad is that they do not realize that these things will crumble to the ground like dirt they will fade because the Breath of the Lord will blow upon it and it will crash and fall…   Not to mention most of these people were unbelievers.  And ultimately I pray that they come to know him.  But I think of the believers that think they need all of these things.

The only thing lasting and what stands Forever is Gods word.  We can have something and want more and more and more.  Thinking we can buy happiness and joy thinking that if we just have one more shirt, one more car, one more complete outfit to match our shoes, one more dog… Maybe own a house or whatever the case may be that we will somehow be fulfilled to the max.  Is this true? If we had everything we lusted after would we then finally be happy?

The answer is no.  Why? I mean, How does someone like me know that answer. Well if you read Gods word you too will know.  Just read the verse in this blog.  These materialistic things will wither and fade.  Read the following carefully.-You decide…

Then one from the crowd said to Him, Teacher Tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.  But HE said to Him, ” Man who made me a judge or an arbitrator over you?”  And he said to them, ” Take heed and beware of covetousness, for ones life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”  Then He spoke a parable to them saying: The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully.  And he thought within himself saying,  What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?  So he said I will do this:  I will pull down my barns and build greater and there I will store all my crops and my goods.  And I will Say to my soul, ” Soul you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.” But God said to him, ” Fool!  This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?  So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.  Luke 12.

 This speaks for its self.  Ones life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.  If you know him, your treasure is in Heaven.  Not here on earth.

There is a lie going around in churches that we need to ask God for more. That God wants us to be financially blessed out of our minds.  That The Lord Jesus wants us to be Rich.  The other false teaching we hear is GIVE !  GIVE! GIVE!  So that God will make you abundant in your house, your money your wealth! When we do give it should be out of a pure heart and a cheerful giver not selfishly so that we may recieve more!

In three of the Gospels, Jesus warns that each of his disciples may have to “deny himself” and even “take up his Cross.” In support of this alarming prediction, he “forcefully” contrasts the fleeting pleasures of today with the promise of eternity: “For what profit is it to a man,” he asks, “if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” It is one of the New Testament’s hardest teachings, yet generations of churchgoers have understood that being Christian, on some level, means being ready to sacrifice–money, autonomy or even their lives.-EXCERPT FROM TIME MAGIZINE…

 

True we must present our bodies as living sacrifices holy and pleasing to Christ Jesus-Rom. 12  And be willing to lay everything down for the sake of the Cross! 

This world has nothing for us.  ANd will indeed fade away.  So while I am not saying that having a pretty home, and a nice car and clothing is sin. I am saying those things will pass away and fade.  And we need not put our joy and hope in the things of this world… Let us not store up earthly treasures… 

The Lord loves us and desires us to lay our whole lives down for him.  If you find yourself with all you think you need and our caught in this despairing circle of depression.  Look up and see Christ The King standing there , arms open wide for you to come to him and rest in him and seek him and yearn for him…  He is all we need!  I could go on and on on this but I pray that the Lord speaks to your heart and we would all realize that we are nothing without him.  And also the thing we have and possess will fade one day.  The Word of God Stands forever!!!  I Love you all and pray you are encouraged!

Ephisians 2:4-10- 

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,  5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—  6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,  7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.  8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is your own doing; it is the gift of God,  9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.  10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

This is what we should desire.  To be rich in Mercy that we can be shown the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

We are His workmanship!  AMen? Ponder on these things , dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, take them to heart.

God bless you ! In His HOly Name!

-Jacqueline Keister-firefly

 

OUR GREAT GOD

12/28/2007 Here are my notes of this mornings message i Listened to by Jason PErcy on how great our God is….

 

 

 

 

Hebrews 1 God who at various times ,and ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets …God spoke…And remains the same yesterday and forever. You speak to me by your son.  Every thing in the old testament points to Christ Jesus!  The new testament epistles points us back to Jesus Christ in the old testament!!!!!!!!The same HE NEVER CHANGES! There are no new prophets…

There is no point if everything we do and are and breath does not point us to Christ… You live in me dear Lord.  You are the hope in glory.Jerimiah 31 The old covenant:  God giving commands… Israel broke his commands.A new covenant with His people…Because you live in meYou have written what you desire for me upon the tablet of my heart! It is in you that I shall find everything I hold dearlyMy strength and refuge God you are indeed Just …It is amazing to me that you chose me to be your daugther I sit in the palm of your hand…

You as a believer do not stumble into sin, but walk right back into it.You called me out of the house of bondage… bitterness ,unforgiveness, anger, drugs, alchohol, porn,…. These are some examples of sin… there is freedom in Christ and He delights to set us free…In Corinthians They were not , not saved they were sinning and being corrected.What do we put in front of Christ Jesus?Is it work?is it family?is it love for others more than God?our motivation, our friends, reading music, worship , ministry our selfish ambitions? what do we put before Him?  We probably all have something… what do we idolize? 

I fail miserbaly what do I allow to be more important to me than seeking the face of God? We say he is first.. What, though, does that exactly mean?  For Christ to be first in our lives…?do you pray or play first? God, Forgive me for the times I put other things in front of you and people.. Anything dear Lord forgive me and help me to stay focused upon you and you alone Father…Anything that Is more important than you is an idol…        How do we know what is right for us? only through the revelation of him self through His word…Help me to love you Dear Lord and keep your commandments!!!!Deut24:16Ezekial 18:19 Jer 31:30This message is so simpleChrist says  Turn and live the message of the gospel is clear in these passages  we are responsible for our own actions.Repent turn and have life everlasting life in Jesus Christ our Lord !

AMEN!!!That is awesome! If you are in Christ you are a new creature! All things have been made new…Everything has become new…. Even if there was something you grew up around you don’t have to do it just because they did it… If one generation of Israel turned away from God turning to serve  idols it would take a couple of generations yet for that influence to be weeded out of their children. they were not cursed If I grow up with something all my life and that is all I know Guess what my infuelece will be?   but God can break through al of that.  AMEN !!!There is freedom in Christ… A repercussion to I doltiry.  IF I make any other thing more important than the Lord it will affect my kids.      But showing mercy to 1000thds of gerneratians to all those who love me will keep my commandments.  What are we teaching our children the most important thing is in life?    Not ministry, job anything first but Jesus First. My decision making should always be, Lord what do you desire? upon Your principle… your commandments are  not greiveianced…. Oh how I love your law dear Lord!!!!

To obey is better than sacrifice…. I know that was long but the Lord truly is amazing… THe simple message of the Gospel remains… Turn And Live!!!!Amen,

HOpe you were all encouraged!

Jacqueline HElms

Dwelling Place…

I often think back over the years and where I was at this or that moment such as, “Hmm this time last year I was…”  I tend to go back and dwell on the things i did or the places in life I was at that time.

I think of the people I hurt sometimes and how I could have done this thing or that thing differently.  Then that results in self-condemnation and tears…  Now I mean I also dwell upon the good things of Life and the things the Lord drew me out of as I felt as though I was drowning and i think of those things with the heart and mind of thankfulness toward Him.  But why do we, ask yourself as I ask myself why do we go back into the past and dig out the dirty and down the hill parts of our lives only to condemn us for what has been forgiven.  Its as though we move foward then throw our selves in our past and we move backwards.  When the Bible tells us to press foward toward the mark of the High calling when he says in Romans 8:1 There is now no condemnation to those who are in Christ. 

Are we worthy of that?  No!  But he loves us and when we come to him with a heart that yearns for righteousness he forgives and allows us to move foward.    Is that not  awesome?  It really is.  I think we sometimes try to find something to hold onto something more to apoligize for just because we do not understand Gods Grace and Mercy and how true and faithful he is…  The bible says When We confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.

Allow me to be personal here….  For instance  year 2007 I did somethings that hurt the people I love the most and when I was a teen I was very rebellious against all over me and all who loved me.  A little while ago maybe 2 or 3 months ago I was sitting at my computer. Allow me to get sidetracked…

As you can maybe see I started this blog in 2008 and not its 2009…

I did not realize I never published this.,  I would like to just conclude with my story i was sharing… Because looking back I remember that day.  I had been sitting at my computer and started beating myself up, replaying every instance in my mind of how i hurt my family members and the harsh things i said and the way i was.  Self condemnation, all over again in that very moment.  In Christ there is forgiveness and hope and freedom.  My family forgave me The Lord forgave me!  Hallelujah.  I realized as well that we can choose to condemn ourselves , living in the past.  But the Lord does not want us to do that.  Recall with me  Psalm 103:

1 Bless the LORD, O my soul;
         And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul,
         And forget not all His benefits:
 3 Who forgives all your iniquities,
         Who heals all your diseases,
 4 Who redeems your life from destruction,
         Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
 5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
         So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. 
         
This speaks by itself.  This is what Christ Jesus brings back to me constantly…

I pray that this encourages you heart. ANd remember, There is therefore no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus!

AMen!  YOu are His and you sit in the palm of His hand!  He Is just, forgiving merciful, our redeemer and friend!  Let us together worship Him for Who he is!

Don’t dwell on that which lies in the past- your dwelling place should be Christ.  So dwell in Him!

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