If you make the right choice your treasure can be both here and there.

” 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 heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21)

The bottom-line question here is not where your treasure is, but rather where your heart is. The Bible says “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? ” (Jeremiah 17: 9).

Therefore, do not trust your heart in this matter. Trust what Jesus said In Matthew 6:33: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you.”

I have many friends who are wealthy and successful in this life and who also have treasures waiting them in heaven. They have all made the right decision.

Also, the Bible is very clear on this issue in that the Father wants his children to enjoy the blessings bestowed upon them: ” …… charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasures for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.” (1 Timothy 6 17 – 19)

My prayer for you is that you will realize the transitory-ness of all you possess, enjoy what you possess, put God first in your life, and when you have opportunity, send it on ahead.

In the year 496 AD the Roman Emperor Claudius II forbade all marriages or engagements in Rome. A Catholic priest named Valentine secretly married couples in love, and for this, on February 14th 496 AD, Claudius had him put to death.

Later, Valentine became Saint Valentine, the patron saint of lovers, and today several nations observe Valentine’s Day each year on February 14th. Valentine’s last act before his death was to leave a note for a young girl which he signed,” From your Valentine. “

This is a marvelous testimony to love. St Valentine gave his life for love. But there is another who gave his life, not for a few lovers, but for all mankind.

St Valentine gave his life that people might love. Jesus gave his life that people might live.

The Bible says: ” Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends”(John 15:13).

And again, the Bible teaches:

” This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him” (1 John 4:9).

The amazing thing about God’s love is that He loves us because He wants to love not because we deserve to be loved.

” This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 John 4:10).

And his love is for all nations:

” For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life” (john 3:16).

Take a moment now and thank God for loving you and for being your heavenly Father.

If you haven’t already accepted Him into your life, do it right now. This is done by a simple prayer of faith in which you tell God that you want a new way of life, and that you accept his son Jesus into your life, and that you will serve him daily.

If this is a new beginning for you, as a new person, you must seek out a believer who will be able to give you guidance in this new life.

The trees have no leaves and the grass is brown. In some parts of the world snow and ice cover the ground causing severe damage to trees, plants, and crops. Homeless people shiver through the night hoping for the day and the warm sun. This is winter. In most ways winter is a time of great suffering for both nature and people.

But if it is winter, spring is coming. This is the law of God’s creation!

The snow and ice melt and provide refreshing water for rivers and lakes. Colors return as flowers bud and bloom and green grass replaces the brown deadness. Trees begin the process of producing fruit. First, the green leaf, then the small flower, then the bud and finally, in God’s time, the fruit. This whole process is a form of resurrection which is an arising again from the dead.

It is no coincidence then, that at this time of the year people across the world remember and celebrate the greatest and most significant ‘arising again‘ ever to occur in the history of the world———- The resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ from the dead.

This is the gospel, the good news from God:

'... That Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, that he was buried, that he's raised on the third day According to the Scriptures" (First Corinthians 15: 3,4)

" What this means is that those who become Christians become new persons.  They're not the same anymore, for the old life is gone a new life has begun:"   (Second Corinthians 5:17}.

" But the fact is that Christ has been raised from the dead.  He has become the first of a great harvest of those who will be raised to life again" (First Corinthians 5:20).

This day of remembrance is not about Easter bunnies and Easter eggs.

It is a time to rejoice in the new life God has provided for us through the resurrection of his Son, Jesus.

Be encouraged: if winter is upon you, spring is coming! If you are discouraged take hope and look to Jesus as your Savior and friend.

” The human spirit can endure a sick body, but who can bear it if the spirit is crushed?” (Proverbs 18: 14)

The most difficult part of life is not the physical, but the spiritual.

Modern medicine can replace or repair broken body parts such as the heart, lung, or liver. Impaired sight or hearing may be improved through mechanical devices. Disease or infection can be controlled by antibiotics.

But what about loneliness, discouragement, heartaches, failures, frustration and too many activities— and just not enough hours in the day. Where do we find relief for the crushed spirit?

Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11: 28 -30)

Notice that Jesus said ” …take my YOKE upon you………..” (v.29) The yoke was a harness used to join two work animals. One was usually older, wiser and stronger, and the other was to benefit from his age, wisdom and strength.

Jesus wants to be a part of your life; He wants to harness with you. He wants to be there with you as you live life with all of its problems. He will give you rest when you take on his yoke. Do not overlook that we must “take” the yoke. it will never be forced.

He has not promised to remove you from difficult circumstances, but He has promised to go alongside with you in those circumstances.

The Bible says: ” For God has said, I will never fail you. I will never forsake you. That is why we can say with confidence, The Lord is my helper, so I will not be afraid. What can mere man do to me? “(Hebrews 13: 5, 6)

The Psalmist spoke to this principle when he said: ” The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.” (Psalm 145: 14)

I dare say that more people today suffer from a broken spirit than from a broken body. We all need help, and the Lord is willing to come alongside and to be our yolk fellow. This is not a sign of weakness, it is a sign of strength, which we all need.

Finally, let me encourage you to look away from the futility and darkness of this world and look to Jesus. He is waiting to be invited into your life and wants to be your strength and light. This is the first step. The second step is to ask the Lord to bring into your life a true yoke fellow. When that happens just say, thank you.

One final note, a person is never too old or too young to be a yoke fellow.

In a recent article, I noted that there are 5 steps to successful learning. I used the fingers on a hand as an example. They were the little finger, the ring finger, the middle finger, the index finger and the thumb. I then applied these 5 fingers to steps to success in memory.

Then I moved the application to a study and memory of the Bible. The percent of retention from memory was, theoretically, 100% and all the way to hearing which was 5 to 10 per cent. These percentages were purely academic and had little import spiritually. However, I do think they are accurate.

Considering these five steps in the Christian life is totally different. The value of each finger whether hearing, reading, studying, memorizing or meditating is equally essential to success.

What you read can change your life. What you hear can change your life. What you study can change your life. What you memorize can change your life. What you meditate on can also change your life.

Please note also that if you lose your thumb finger the other four become basically head knowledge and of little personal value.

If you want your life changed or if you want your life to be improved, consider these very significant areas of your life. And also, take note that James 1:25 says that it’s not the hearer, but the doer of the Word that will be blessed.

Let’s take an inventory of your activities:

1) Do you hear the Word of God on a regular basis?

2) Do you have a system of faithfully reading and marking your Bible?

3) Do you have a system of personal, non-group, Bible study? (the quiet time)

4) Do you have a system of review that enables you to remember a verse memorized?

5) Do you have a system that allows you to meditate on verses throughout the day?

If your answer to all of these questions is in the affirmative, you are well on your way to producing fruit, more fruit, and much fruit. (John 15)

Remember, that success in these exercises is in the doing not the knowing!

Prayerfully evaluate your life in each area, make any adjustments and just keep moving.

May the Lord bless you, as you travel on.

This is perhaps the most famous and oft quoted line from the writings of William Shakespeare. It is found in Act 3, Scene 1 in Hamlet. The words express the anguish of one who has a very critical decision to make. He is overwhelmed and distraught. In essence what Hamlet is asking is: do I fight or do I give up.

The Bible speaks of another man, the apostle Paul, who faced a struggle that seemed to be overwhelming.

These, however, were spiritual problems, not political and to give up was not an option. Romans chapters 7 is reflective of the struggle he faced, and which every believer faces today : “I do what is wrong when I want to do what is right.”

Every Christian is tempted to do wrong, and when the Bible says all have sinned, it means exactly that.

Society says there are at least three categories of people: the good, the bad, and the indifferent. The Bible says there are only two: the lost and the redeemed. Both groups however face the same question that both Hamlet and the Apostle had to answer which is do I stand and fight or run and hide.

This conflict is summarized in Romans 7: 19: “ For the good that I would, I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.” This of course is the principle of free choice. An example of this dilemma is found in the in the book of Genesis. When the Serpent approached Eve, he gave her the opportunity to disobey God. She had a choice, do what is right or do what is wrong. We all know the choice she made.

Do you recognize what Paul is facing? He recognizes that too often he chooses to do what is not right, and he does not like it. In desperation he asks the question that every believer has asked at one time or another and immediately he gives the answer.

“Oh, wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.” (Romans 7:24,25)

If we struggle with sin in our own strength, we will have a problem, and that problem is spiritual defeat. However, when we do sin, we should immediately claim the promise of first 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.”

Also, ” He that covers his sins shall not prosper, but whoso confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy.” (Proverbs 28:13)

Do not let Satan deceive you. It is not a question of “to be or not to be,” but it is a decision to “confess and go on.” And when you do this your Heavenly Father wipes the slate clean, and you have a new beginning. Our God is an awesome God!

This is a question that has been asked by people of every language for centuries.

The answer is very clearly taught in the Bible.
” Why do the nations say, where is their God? Our God is in the heavens…..….” (Psalm 115 :3.)
Yes, our God he is in heaven; but he is also in the world today, living in the hearts of those who put their trust in Him.
Jesus said: ” If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father,
and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever——- the Spirit of truth.” (John 14:15-17).
The Spirit of truth–the Holy Spirit– is with all believers forever and wherever they are. The Bible also says: “Never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13: 5) As one of his children He may discipline you, but He will never forsake you.

Here in Irving, Texas, God is with us, and we can pray to Him. If we are in an airplane at 30,000 feet, He is with us, and we can pray to Him. If we are 6000 miles from our home God is with us, and we can pray to Him. At all times He knows where we are and what our needs are.

God is not living somewhere far away and inaccessible to his children. He lives with his people and truly wants to be a part of their lives.

We do not serve and worship an idol who is unable to help us. The Bible describes an idol when it says:”… their idols are silver, and gold made by the hands of man. They have mouths but cannot speak; eyes, but they cannot see; they have ears, but they cannot hear….” (Psalm 115:4-6).

Our Heavenly Father sees us, listens to us and hears us when we turn to Him.

We serve and worship the living God as revealed to us in the Bible. So, set your heart today to seek Him and his guidance for your life!

Where is God? He is wherever his children are!

One of my favorite Psalms is Psalm 103. The whole Psalm is a commentary on the many blessings God has given to his children. Of the many verses in this psalm, I was impressed with one in particular this morning, verse 12.

” As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.”

My question for you: how far is the east from the west?

Many years ago, I heard a retired airline pilot explain the difference.

He began first explaining the difference between N S and E W. He explained that there is one very significant difference. He said when you fly north from Dallas you will reach the North Pole. As you continue over the North Pole, you are now going south.

As you continue to travel south you come to the South Pole and if you continue over the South Pole, now you’re heading north to Dallas.

By contrast, if I set my compass to go east, I will travel east. And as long as I do not change the compass I will continue going east.

As long as my compass is set to go east, I will never be going west.

The Bible says, “As far as the east is from the west so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”

Is this just an exercise in semantics or is there a difference in north to south – east to west? In God’s economy and by application the answer is “yes.”

North to south Is circular. while east to west Is linear. By circular I mean my past will be repeated, if I do not change course. Linear means the past is behind me and my future is before me.

Once a person receives Jesus by faith as personal Savior, that person is born into God’s family and nothing can change that! The linear path has begun and is permanent! The life of the new Christian is now underway. The Bible teaches very clearly that once a person is in God’s family, by faith in Jesus, that person will never be removed from God’s family. There is no “about face” in God’s economy.

The Bible includes many verses that support this conclusion. Let me note two:

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that hears my word and believes on him that sent me has everlasting life and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” (John 5: 24)

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me; and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my father’s hand, I and my father are one.” (John 10:27-29)

As we continue moving into the future with our heavenly Father, are we then free from sin? The answer of course is no; we are free from the eternal penalty of sin, but not the physical consequences of sin. Only one person who has ever lived has been completely free from sin and that was our precious Jesus. When we do sin, and we will, we simply tell God that we have sinned.

“ If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

“ He that covers his sins shall not prosper: But who so confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy.” (Proverbs 28: 13)

So, how far is far? as far as the east is from the west.

The question for you is very simple: in which direction are you going? Your answer determines where you will spend eternity.

How good is good? A young Christian friend shared with me that while she is a committed Christian, her husband, who is not a Christian, is in many ways, a much better person than she.

She said that she often gets angry and sometimes impatient with her children and her husband. He, however, seems always to be in control and is very seldom angry or impatient. She sees him as a much better person than she. Her remark to me was, “He is such a good person, so maybe he doesn’t need God.”

The Bible says , ” The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart ” ( 1 Samuel 16: 7)

Every person needs to know God because every person has a heart problem. That problem is sin, and the most basic sin is to not believe in God and to not accept his gift of eternal life.

Jesus told the disciples that the Holy Spirit would come and: ” He will convict the world of guilt….. in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me….” (John 16: 8, 9)

A person’s a real problem is not anger, impatience, or some other sin. The problem lies in the heart of unbelief.

A very moral, educated and religious man once approached Jesus with the inquiry about knowing God. Jesus told the man; “… you must be born again ” (John 3 :7).

Jesus did not address the man’s outward sins, rather, He went straight to the issue: the heart. The heart must be changed.

This young lady’s husband may be a better person than she, but God looks at the heart, and because she has put her faith in Jesus, she will be welcomed into His presence someday.

My friend should live her life to please God, to pray for her husband, and then to patiently wait for the Holy Spirit to convict him of his unbelief.

So, how good is good? Jesus said: “ No one is good—– except God alone” (John 18 :19).

When the Father looks at the believer, He sees the righteousness of his Son.

When God looks at you —-whom does He see?

This illustration was given to me many years ago and has never diminished in its importance. It is the key to living a fruitful Christian life.
Please do the Following exercise.
Put your hand on a flat surface and look at the five fingers. If for some reason you were required to lose one of these fingers, which would it be? In each illustration you may use a rubber band to disable each finger. We are going to determine the functional value of each finger.

First finger: Disable the little finger, perhaps with a rubber band, and you will do this with each additional finger. This finger appears to be the least important, unless you want to wear a ring. Now pick something up with the other 4 fingers not using that little finger. The hand functions reasonably well with the 4 you have left. Try it, am I right? However, double your hand into a fist and do not use the little finger. I see a much weaker fist without the little finger!
Second finger: When a person marries it is traditional to place a symbol of love and devotion on this second finger. It is normally referred to as the ring finger. Demonstrate now how your hand functions when the ring finger is disabled using only the other four fingers. The hand is limited in activities, useful but limited.
Third finger: The middle finger appears to be more of a stabilizer to the other 4 and this is very significant. The hand still functions with the other 4 but in a notably limited capacity. Also notice that this finger is the longest of the 5. However, when you make a fist of all 5 fingers, they appear to be of the same length. Why is this significant? They are now working as a unit, and we all know the value of a fist.
Fourth finger: This finger is called the index finger or the pointer. It functions very well with all four of the other fingers. Actually, it may be used more often than the three just mentioned, but without those other three its effectiveness is severely limited, and I emphasize the word severely.
Fifth finger: In my opinion the 5th finger, called the thumb, is not just critical, it is essential in the proper use of the other four fingers. I challenge you, right now, to do any simple exercise with your hand not using your thumb. The other four fingers can barely do anything in concert without the thumb. In reality, however, every finger on the hand depends on the other for success. The successful person will exercise each finger to its fullest capacity.

Now let me explain the significance of each finger in the function of the body of Christ:
The little finger represents “hearing” the Word: ” So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God” (Roman 10: 17). Research Indicates that a person will remember only 5 to 10 % everything read. In its place it is very significant.
The fourth finger represents “reading” the Word: ” Blessed is he that reads, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” (Revelation 1:3) A person may retain 15 to 25% of what is read.
The third finger speaks to a “study” of God’s word: ” These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the Word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” (Acts 17:11) A person may remember 35 to 50% of what is studied.
The 4th finger emphasizes memorizing God’s word which enables us to serve well and to overcome Satan and his temptations: ” How shall young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have a sought thee: Oh, let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119: 9 -11) Theoretically, you will remember 100% of what you memorize. As we all know this is in theory only but can be aided by a program of review. Take note also that when Jesus was tempted by Satan, he used only the Word of God in response.
The 5th finger, the thumb, is the most critical member of the hand. It refers to meditating upon God’s word: ” This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayst observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous and then thou shalt have good success.” (Joshua 1: 8) Notice also in this verse the key phrase ” to do.” Remember the old adage: “To stand outside the door is not to go in.”

Now the application: look at your hand and evaluate each symbolic finger. determine your strengths and shore up the weaknesses. And forge ahead in your pursuit of God.