Where your treasure is...

This week I’ve been reflecting on Jesus’ statement that “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21)

What I’ve come to realize is that this truth works both ways!

If my heart is truly dedicated to God, then I’m going to want to put my treasure in God’s kingdom. The more my heart is dedicated to God and God’s purposes in the world, the more of my treasure I will want to invest in his purposes. And, God’s greatest purpose is to bring everyone to a saving belief in Jesus Christ.  I’ve always known that.

But it turns out that the opposite is true too! The more that I invest my treasure in God’s work, the more my heart will be drawn to Christ and his kingdom.

For example, for the first many years of my life, I had no interest in the stock market. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was nothing more than a bunch of numbers in the newspaper. And Costco was just a place I went to shop.  But, a few years ago I went out and bought some stock in Costco. Suddenly, the fortunes of Costco began to matter to me. How were same store sales compared to last year? Were they growing or shrinking. Costco grabbed a part of my heart. Why? Because I’d invested a portion of my treasure there.

Do you want to become more passionate in your relationship with Christ and his Church? Then make some substantial investments in what God is doing here locally and around the world. And, the more your heart is drawn to Jesus, the more you’ll want to invest in reaching more people who need him.

I’ve never bought anything here on earth that’s lasted more than a few years. Just about everything I’ve put money into has pleased me for a while, then eventually lost my interest as something newer, flashier, faster, cooler came along. But every person who was lost but has now received eternal life in Jesus is going to be living with him – and me – forever in heaven. Wow! Now that’s treasure that can get my heart beating.

Where are you putting your treasure? What is the passion of your heart?

True joy will come to you when you make a decision to put them all in one place.

Grace and Peace,

Jeff

The Right Tool

For years, I've taught that being a faithful and effective disciple of Jesus Christ requires that believers become "life-long learners." So, trying to be a "doer of the word" and not a teacher only, I recently enrolled in a pastoral coaching network with Nelson Searcy. Nelson is lead pastor at The Journey Church in New York City, and under his leadership that church has been remarkably successful at reaching unbelievers, leading them to faith, and nurturing disciples.

I told you that so that I can tell you this...

Today will be our third coaching call. And, according to the contract we signed, this is the time we can bail out at no cost if we don't believe the network is useful.

Much to my surprise, I went to my mailbox this morning and found a letter from Nelson. A letter of encouragement. A letter that said, in effect, I hope you're getting the tools you want out of our time together. I know it's a big commitment. I hope you'll stick with it.

The letter also contained a gift - a multipurpose tool (and a very nice one), with a reminder that most jobs in life are easier when you've got the right tools!

Well, the fact is that I'm getting a lot out of this network, and I was planning to stick with it anyway. But I'm impressed with how important a little gift made me feel. A token of appreciation. A note of encouragement. Maybe he's teaching by example.

Do we show that same kind of appreciation and encouragement to our friends and neighbors? To the leaders and others engaged in ministry in our church? Would we be willing to take on that kind of extra expense to catch an unbeliever's attention and share the gospel of Jesus Christ?

I hope this blog is an encouragement to you. My hope is that we can all encourage one another to deeper faith and more radical discipleship. Let me know what tools you need, and I'll try to pass them along.

Now may the God of peace— who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood— may he equip you with all you need for doing his will.
Heb 13:20-21 (NLT)

What would Jesus do?

Someone just brought this video to my attention.  As I watched, I found tears welling up in my eyes.

If you've got seven minutes to invest, please watch this video. Then, I'd appreciate your comments on how Christians can and should respond.


How Muslims are Treated in the USA

Grace and Peace,
Jeff

Prayer for our Attitudes

Several folks have requested a copy of the prayer we prayed in church at the end of the "Lord, Change My Attitude" series.  The foundation for this prayer came from the book, "Lord, Change My Attitude, Before It's Too Late," by James McDonald. I made some revisions to help it better fit our congregation.

Lord, I confess that I do not have the strength to follow you. My attitude is often anything but Christ-like. I invite you to fill me with your Spirit and give me the strength that I need for every difficult circumstance and person I encounter. I ask that your grace would help me put of all the sinful attitudes and put on righteous ones in their place.

Help me to put off complaining and replace it with thankfulness

To put off a covetous attitude and replace it with contentment

To replace a critical attitude with an attitude of love

To surrender my rebellious attitude and take on an attitude of submission.

I claim your promise that in Jesus Christ, our sins are forgiven.

I declare with gratitude that I trust you will change my attitudes, and that it’s definitely not too late! In your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.