Our houses aren't homes because of there facade, appearance, size or even the items they may contain. Our houses are homes because of the time, love, care and attention we put into the family of people who live in them.
We could live in a tent or a dirt floor apartment that could feel like a castle. Just as easily we could live in a mansion or brand new home equipped with all the latest gadgets that feels like a dark whole in the wall. Each scenario comes down to the spirit and nature of our heart and the value we place on it. So it is with our lives.
We have a choice to fill our lives with eternal treasures or temporal pleasures. Which begs the question, what in your life revels your value?
Are we living for this life or eternity? Are we acquiring things that are of temporal or eternal value? Which house are we building up, our earthly home or our heavenly home?
You see, it's all about where and in what we place our valued time, love and attention for there also will your treasures be. *See (Matthew 6:19-21)
The enemy would love to keep you focused on the things this world values. If he can do that, you'll spend your time, love, and attention on those things you think you need to make your life feel comfortable and "look" valued in this world.
The enemy has lied to us via television, magazines, radio, all of which say: "You need your house to look this way, you need you car to look that way, you need to have this, you need to own that, do this, be that."
The problem is, if we fall into the enemies trap we begin to value the wrong things and treasure that which has NO eternal value. Once that occurs, we give the enemy an advantage.
With us busily running in the wrong direction we stop valuing what God has called us to value and we become of no threat to our enemy. We stop using our gifts and talents for what they where meant for. And if we stop moving toward eternity, what are we moving toward?
The enemy has no reason to be threatened by a child of God who doesn't value the things of eternity because their life just becomes another temporal pleasure.
If we, God's chosen elite, "aren't" running the race with intention, placing value on the things God has called us to do, than we will reap what we've sown "nothing". Heavenly treasures are stored up for those who seek after the things of God and pursue after them until they are accomplished. To those will great heavenly blessings flow.
We could work to gain this or that and it might make us happy for a time, but the reality is nothing we acquire of earthly value is lasting!
It is solely important to keep our mind and eyes focused on eternal goals. We have to choose a perspective that is lasting.
The truth is, no matter weather we realize it or not, we're making choices every day that determine weather or not we're storing our treasures up in heaven.
God has entrusted us with talents, gifts and anointings that have the power to impact the lives of those around us. If we aren't properly using those tools, as God has designed, then we "are not" utilizing our lives in such a way that will sow good seed and ultimately store-up eternal treasures.
Our time is short and we must make decisions that count towards eternity!
You see, God has equipped and entrusted us with gifts, talents and anointings that one day we will stand accountable for using or not using; and we will gain eternal, Heavenly treasures accordingly.
As a child of God we are already promised eternity in Heaven because Jesus bought our eternal salvation. But I hope that makes you desire more of God and His plan for your life. I pray that makes you yearn to utilize every bit of your life, every breathe you have, every gifting, talent and anointing God has placed in your life; simply because you love Him and desire to say thank you to Him through the honor of allowing Him to be seen and felt in and through you!
Please understand, each of us, individually, are responsible for the use or non-use of the abilities (gifts, talents and anointings) God has uniquely entrusted and equipped us with to further the Kingdom, His Kingdom, while here on this earth.
God created each of us out of love, with a purpose. So, what will we choose? Will we live a life that is caught up with working toward and receiving that which is temporal or of eternal value?
Just as Jesus reminds us in *(Matthew 6:19-21) "Don't store up treasures here on earth, where they can be eaten by moths and get rusty, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in Heaven. where they will never become moth-eaten or rusty and where they will be safe from thieves. Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be." Paul also reminds us in (1Timothy 6:17-19) "Tell those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which will soon be gone. But their trust should be in the living God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and should give generously to those in need, always being ready to share with others whatever God has given them. By doing this they will be storing up their treasures as a good foundation for the future so that they may take hold of real life."
We must put our time and effort into acquiring eternal treasures. And in order to do that we must take time to stop and evaluate what or who we are making ourselves useful to and for. We must recognize, determine, where our treasures are positioned.
No matter where you find yourself upon evaluation, you can choose here and now, from this point on, to build up eternal treasures.
Make a decision starting today to use the gifts, talents and anointings God has placed within you. Begin praying for God to change your perspective. Ask God to give you strength to make right decisions with the time you've been given. Stand up against the enemy who wants to steal your eternal treasures! For the Bible tells us in (James 4:7) " Humble yourselves before God. Resist the Devil (your enemy), and he must (he will) flee from you." Most of all we must recognize "God will never leave or forsake (abandon) us" along our journey. (From: Hebrews 13:5, Joshua 1:5, Deuteronomy 31:6 and; Genesis 28:15)
When we seek after God as His children, we are given the strength to carry out His plans for our lives. He desires the best for us, and for us to have in abundance. His abundance is far more than just the physical wants, needs and pleasures, but spiritual abundance, that of joy, laughter, peace, comfort, hope, strength etc.; all of which have far greater value than anything this world can ever offer.
My prayer is that each of us will take to heart what Paul said in (1Corinthians 9:24-27) "Remember that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets a prize. You also must run in such a way that you will win. All athletes practice strict self-control. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. I am not like a boxer who misses his punches. I discipline my body lake an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified."
Let us not strive for the latest and greatest of things here on earth, but move toward eternal blessings, heavenly rewards and spiritual joys. Out of pure love for our Savior and Heavenly Father may each of us find ourselves bringing Him honor, joy and pleasure through joyfully, and with great desire, building up eternal treasures. Lets enjoy the honor and privilege of being chosen to run this race, and run it well!
