Tried With Fire

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is there your heat will be also . Matthew 6:19 This verse came to mind today as we were taking boxes down from the attic. Over the years we have accumulated a lot of stuff. We're doing our best to give away and throw away, but the number of boxes grows and grows. Even though I'm not very sentimental, there are some things I won't part with - my ancient and furless teddy bear, my daughter's first pair of shoes and favorite stuffed animal, my dad's piano music now used by three generations, my mom's cookbook and mixing bowls. These don't have any monetary value, but these are little treasures because of the memories they invoke. I am surprised that I haven't dreaded packing. Perhaps it...

Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal." Then they said to him, "What must we do, to be doing the works of God?" Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent." John 6:26-29 I was in court yesterday. This was the third time and probably not the last. Although the divorce has already taken place, the dispute continues to rage over financial issues. I am sure that my case is not unique. I am at rest that what happened was under God's sovereign control, but I am grieved that I need to fight for my daughter in this way. As I was praying last night, I had this nagging sense that there was a bigger issue at stake than homeschooling. And then it hit ...

Pastor Ryan's message was on Hebrews 10:32-39, titled Remembering as We Endure . Those early Christians knew that taking a stand for their faith meant immediate persecution. They joyfully accepted the loss of property, possessions, and lives because they found One who was the better possession and abiding one. Yet, the writer of Hebrews needed to remind them. They needed to remember this so that they would endure and not throw away their confidence. These statements stood out to me: They lost the things we cherish in our comfortable Christianity - comfort and security, being liked, material goods - three things that plague 21st century Christianity. We take perseverance lightly. We believe that it is by faith alone in Christ alone but in the back of our minds is it with the thought that I get to keep my comfort and security, too? This message was so timely because on Friday evening, I was shaken by something. It really wasn't that much, but it was enough. Almost immediately,...

Pastor Ryan's sermon was entitled The Family Treasury on Matt 6:19-24. From my notes: What does my family treasure? Is my security in the Gospel or in money and possession? Regardless of whether we are poor or rich too often we find our identity in our possessions. Too often we are quick to sell our Savior for 30 pieces of silver. What ever controls your heart will ultimately control where your affections lie. "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." This is not a best case scenario but Jesus is drawing a line in the sand. If you are Mine, your heart will be Mine. How much of our family's labor is for things? What does what we do with our money say about our lives? Do we show love for our family by the stuff we give them? If we're finding our identity in the master of materialism, we cannot serve Christ. Are we, am I despising Christ by my service to money? Are we, am I despising Christ by serving my stuf...