Devotional Thoughts | Treasures of the Heart
When I say the word treasure, what comes to your mind?
Perhaps you think of a chest filled with gold, precious jewels. Perhaps you think of a priceless artifact retrieved from the bottom of the ocean. Perhaps you think of a family heirloom which you greatly prize or a prized possession of a loved one which has been passed on to you. The word Treasure is synonymous with resources, riches, reserves, materials, assets, possessions.
I love to watch the Antique Road Show, it is amazing the treasures people have and don't realize it. The other day I was watching, and a lady had a painting in her attic which had an estimated value of $300,000.00.
We all love treasure hunting, don't we? Whether it is the prize in a box of Cracker Jacks, or a safe deposit box filled with cash, stocks, and gold we look forward to the discovery of treasure. Illustration: Al Capone’s Vault
Read Text:Luke 6:45 (NKJV)
A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
1. What is "good treasure?"
We might say the good treasure is the fruit of the Holy Spirit resident in our heart. Galatians 5:22 Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, meekness, faithfulness, goodness, self – control.
2. What is "evil treasure?"
Paul on several occasions lists what I'm calling "evil treasure." These are the works of sin in our flesh. They stand as the antithesis of the good treasure. Galatians 5:19-21 (NLT)
When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, your lives will produce these evil results: sexual immorality, impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure, 20idolatry, participation in demonic activities, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, divisions, the feeling that everyone is wrong except those in your own little group, 21envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other kinds of sin. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
3. What are the treasures of your heart?
Listen to your words, they reveal the content of the heart.
What do you value most… replay your conversations of the past week and you will have a clear picture of your heart’s treasure. Look at your checkbook it will also give you a very clear picture of the treasures of your heart. Matthew 6:21 (NKJV) For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
I conclude today by calling each of you to do a heart check. Jesus calls us to live a Spirit filled life, to walk in the authority and power of His Word. He calls us to be overcomers not victims, to be people of faith, not fear. When we fill our heart with His treasure, we become just that, even in the midst of less than ideal circumstances. Let’s get the fear and anger out. Let’s stop blaming others for our “issues” and let’s fill our hearts with His treasure.
Col. 3:1-17 (Msg)
So if you're serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. 2Don't shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that's where the action is. See things from his perspective.
3Your old life is dead. Your new life, which is your real life—even though invisible to spectators—is with Christ in God. He is your life. 4When Christ (your real life, remember) shows up again on this earth, you'll show up, too—the real you, the glorious you. Meanwhile, be content with obscurity, like Christ.
5And that means killing off everything connected with that way of death: sexual promiscuity, impurity, lust, doing whatever you feel like whenever you feel like it, and grabbing whatever attracts your fancy. That's a life shaped by things and feelings instead of by God. 6It's because of this kind of thing that God is about to explode in anger. 7It wasn't long ago that you were doing all that stuff and not knowing any better. 8But you know better now, so make sure it's all gone for good: bad temper, irritability, meanness, profanity, dirty talk.
9Don't lie to one another. You're done with that old life. It's like a filthy set of ill-fitting clothes you've stripped off and put in the fire. 10Now you're dressed in a new wardrobe. Every item of your new way of life is custom-made by the Creator, with his label on it. All the old fashions are now obsolete. 11Words like Jewish and non-Jewish, religious and irreligious, insider and outsider, uncivilized and uncouth, slave and free, mean nothing. From now on everyone is defined by Christ, everyone is included in Christ.
12So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. 13Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. 14And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.
15Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. 16Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! 17Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.