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Daily Devotions Archive
July, 2000
By
Bernie Parsons - Jul 3, 2000
In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall
declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. Acts 8:33 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
Pride is hard to overcome. We become upset when someone humiliates us, often becoming
angry, sometimes desiring revenge. But Jesus humbled Himself to the death on the cross,
where He was executed as a common criminal, accused of being an insurgent who was plotting
the overthrow of the government.
Philippians 2:6-10 "Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal
with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and
was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself,
and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
"Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every
name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in
earth, and things under the earth;"
Matthew 5:43-45 "Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour,
and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do
good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute
you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun
to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust."
This, again, is the expression of charity that we keep reading about in the Bible. When we
love those who hate us--and therefore do not deserve our love--we truly understand the
love of God for us.
Romans 12:18-21 "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all
men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is
written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
"Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing
thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
"Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good."
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By
Bernie Parsons - Jul 5, 2000
But when thou
makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: Luke 14:13 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
Part of humbling ourselves before God involves humbling ourselves before our fellow man.
When we "party"--have a big dinner, or a social gathering--we tend to invite
friends and family members.
The Lord said that we should have big feasts for the less fortunate in our society. More
of the text is included below:
Luke 14:11-15 "For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth
himself shall be exalted.
"Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not
thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they
also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee.
"But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: And thou
shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the
resurrection of the just.
"And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him,
Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God."
If we want to sit with the Lord at the feast table in the kingdom of God, we need to let
others less blessed than ourselves sit at our feast tables here in this life.
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By
Bernie Parsons - Jul 6, 2000
But when thou art
bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say
unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that
sit at meat with thee. Luke 14:10 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
Jesus said that when we are invited to a celebration or "party", we should not
seek a place of prominence, but rather should remain unobtrusive. The context follows:
Luke 14:8-11 "When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the
highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him; And he that bade thee
and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the
lowest room.
But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee
cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the
presence of them that sit at meat with thee.
For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be
exalted."
How embarrassing to be told to step aside for someone more prominent! But what a thrill to
be called forward for a special place of honor by the host. In other words, Jesus says,
humility is rewarded.
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By
Bernie Parsons - Jul 7, 2000
Wherefore let him
that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. 1 Corinthians 10:12 KJV
Hello, Family
& Friends,
It is good to
remember that God holds all power and is in charge of everything. When we forget that, we
think too highly of ourselves.
Romans 12:3
"For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to
think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as
God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith."
To share a
personal observation, every time I have prayed for humility I have found myself face down
in the dirt. In other words, God has always answered that
prayer for me! When God assists us in our quest for humility, we must not become
frustrated or angry. Rather, we should be thankful. Our day of exaltation is coming in due
time.
1 Peter 5:6-7
"Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in
due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."
We are not in
this alone. If we will humble ourselves before God, He will take care of us.
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By
Bernie Parsons - Jul 10, 2000
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with
all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great
commandment.
And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Matthew 22:37-39
KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
As we contemplate charity and how we should relate and interact with our fellow man, we
must note that Jesus said to love our neighbors as ourselves--to which many have replied,
"And just who is my neighbor?" Jesus gave us that answer in Luke 10:29-37.
Luke 10:29 "But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my
neighbour?
And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell
among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving
him half dead.
And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by
on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on
him, and passed by on the other side.
But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had
compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and
set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and
said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I
will repay thee.
Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the
thieves?
And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou
likewise."
Our neighbor is anyone who needs us. Don't forget to love your neighbor as yourself!
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Jul 11, 2000
And with many other words did
he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Acts 2:40
KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
Jesus said that we are to love our neighbors as ourselves. Implied in this statement is
the idea that we must first love ourselves, otherwise we will not understand how to
properly love our neighbors.
If we don't care enough about our own souls, then why should others listen when we talk to
them about theirs?
Matthew 7:3-5 "And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but
considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother,
Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see
clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye."
We need to clean up our own lives so that we may see how to assist others in cleaning up
their lives. Otherwise, we are the blind leading the blind.
Luke 6:39 "And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they
not both fall into the ditch?"
If we want to lead others to the truth, we need to first seek the truth ourselves.
Matthew 6:33 "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all
these things shall be added unto you."
Matthew 7:7 "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it
shall be opened unto you:"
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By
Bernie Parsons - Jul 12, 2000
In
whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the
light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 2
Corinthians 4:4 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
It is Satan and sin that blind the minds of those who do not trust God's truth. We lose
trust in God, when we trust in ourselves.
Matthew 13:15 "For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of
hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes
and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted,
and I should heal them."
We need to open our eyes to the truth of God and His wonderful will. He has a plan for us,
and we need to hear it. He wants to save us from eternal destruction, and from many
unnecessary griefs in this life.
Luke 10:22-24 "All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who
the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son
will reveal him. And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the
eyes which see the things that ye see: For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have
desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things
which ye hear, and have not heard them."
Ephesians 1:17-19 "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may
give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of
your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling,
and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the
exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his
mighty power,"
Let us open our eyes to the truth of God, and work toward our souls' salvation!
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By
Bernie Parsons - Jul 13, 2000
For
I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to
every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Romans 1:16 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
The world is pressuring Christians to cower in a corner, not speaking the words of life.
If the Apostle Paul was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, then why should we be, seeing
that God manifests His great power to save us through the preaching of that gospel?
We can only "save ourselves" when we believe and obey that gospel of Jesus
Christ.
Acts 2:36-42 "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath
made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard
this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the
apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus
Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the
promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as
the LORD our God shall call.
"And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this
untoward generation.
"Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added
unto them about three thousand souls.
"And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of
bread, and in prayers."
James 1:21-22 "Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and
receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye
doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves."
Let us not only hear, but do, the word of God.
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
Not
Hearers Only
By
Bernie Parsons - Jul 14, 2000
But
be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. James 1:22 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
It is a good thing to listen to our Maker and Heavenly Father. However, there is more to
turning our hearts to God than hearing only. After hearing what He would have us do, we
then have to do what He says.
James 1:22-25 "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own
selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man
beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and
straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law
of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the
work, this man shall be blessed in his deed."
Matthew 7:24-27 "Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I
will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended,
and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it
was founded upon a rock.
"And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened
unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the
floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the
fall of it."
Matthew 23:3 "All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but
do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not."
Luke 6:46 "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?"
It is not enough just to call Jesus our Lord--we have to treat Him as Lord, bowing down to
His word, which He brought to us from God in heaven. We must humble ourselves to receive
that word that can save us, if we obey it.
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
Not
Everyone Who Says, “Lord, Lord”
By
Bernie Parsons - Jul 17, 2000
Not
every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he
that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Matthew 7:21 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
Some folks have the mistaken notion that all one has to do to be saved eternally is to
call upon the Lord. They base this upon the following scripture:
Romans 10:13 "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be
saved."
Like all Bible topics, it needs to be studied in context to truly understand its meaning.
Romans 10:12-15 "For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the
same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the
name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not
believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall
they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is
written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring
glad tidings of good things!"
The context is not that all you have to do is to call on the Lord, but rather that anyone,
whether Jew or Gentile, can call upon the Lord. That is to say, salvation is for everyone,
not just for the Jews, as some supposed in the early days of the church.
After hearing the gospel preached, they were to believe it.
Mark 16:15-16 "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to
every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth
not shall be damned."
People have to hear the gospel before they know Jesus is Lord, and that they can trust Him
for their soul's salvation. Having received this message, folks need to believe in Jesus
as the Son of God, and as their savior, and that His promises will be kept.
After believing, folks are expected to repent, realizing that they cannot save themselvesthat
it takes the blood of Jesus to wash away their sins. Repentance is a turning of the heart
to God, of turning away from sin and selfishness. Instead of trying to direct our own
steps, we turn instead to God.
Acts 2:38 "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the
name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy
Ghost."
At this point, one realizes that it is important to acknowledge (confess) that Jesus is now
Lord of their life, and is their savior.
Acts 8:35-39 "Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and
preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water:
and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip
said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I
believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
"And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both
Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water,
the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on
his way rejoicing."
And of course, baptism fulfills that charge that Jesus made to His disciples:
Matthew 28:18-20 "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in
heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of
the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
"Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with
you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."
Once we are washed white as snow in the blood of the Lamb of God, we are to serve the Lord
every day, seeking His will, increasing in knowledge and doing the work of God here on
earth.
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Jul 18, 2000
Awake to righteousness, and sin not;
for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame. 1 Corinthians 15:34
KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
When God calls us to hear Him, He
intends that we learn of Him. The listening process instills in us the word of the living
God, who created the heavens and the earth. The Apostle Paul urged the Corinthian
Christians to awake to righteousness. Righteousness occurs in us when we align our own
lives with what God is saying to us. God, who holds all power and created all things, is
always right. We are right when we listen to what He says, and then do what He says. That
is righteousness.
Matthew 13:16: “But blessed are
your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.”
Mark 4:24: “And he said unto them,
Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto
you that hear shall more be given.”
The more we are willing to hear
God’s word, the more of His word He will impart to us. The less we receive of
God’s word, the less He will give to us.
We need to awake to righteousness and
learn of God. As we draw close to Him, He will draw close to us.
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Jul 19, 2000
1 John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto
you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus
Christ the righteous:
Hello, Family & Friends,
A disturbing doctrine has been preached and advocated for years in denominational
churches. It is a perversion of the truth, and has now come home to roost in the hearts of
worldly people, as well. This false teaching has ensnared many a Christian, and now
worldly folks are using it to justify their sinful choices and lifestyles.
Here is the false doctrine: "Jesus loves you just the way you are." This
teaching is not found anywhere in the Bible, which means it is from man, and his wisdom,
not from God.
1 John 2:1-3 "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And
if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is
the propitiation for our sins: and not for our's only, but also for the sins of the whole
world. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments."
We know Jesus when we keep His commandments. The blood of Jesus washes away our sins, but
we are called upon to sin no more. God loved His creation so much that He gave Jesus to
die to take away the sins of the world. The operative phrase is to "take away the
sins".
God loves us so much that He gave His son for us. John 3:16 "For God so loved the
world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not
perish, but have everlasting life."
His son asked us to believe, repent, and be baptized. Matthew 4:17 "From that time
Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
Mark 16:16 "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth
not shall be damned."
The next time you hear someone say, "Jesus loves you just the way you are",
remind them that this is not only not found in the Bible, it is contradictory to what
Jesus taught. Yes, He loves everyone, but not the way they are. He wants them to repent
and become righteous.
God bless all!
Love, In Christ,
Bernie
By
Bernie Parsons - Jul 25, 2000
Then
Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber:
and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas
made, while she was with them. Acts 9:39 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
Will you be missed when you are gone? The woman, Dorcas (Tabitha) in Acts chapter 9 was
sorely missed by her friends. Why?
Acts 9:36 "Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by
interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she
did."
Upon her death many gathered to mourn the loss of such a loving and dedicated woman. When
you die, will you be missed?
Ecclesiastes 6:3-4 "If a man beget an hundred children, and live many years, so that
the days of his years be many, and his soul be not filled with good, and also that he have
no burial; I say, that an untimely birth is better than he. For he cometh in with vanity,
and departeth in darkness, and his name shall be covered with darkness."
Ecclesiastes 8:10 "And so I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone from the
place of the holy, and they were forgotten in the city where they had so done: this is
also vanity."
If you want to be remembered, do good unto others while you have the chance. Discover
their needs, and meet them, and you will be remembered. Live for yourself, and you will be
quickly forgotten!
God
bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By
Bernie Parsons - Jul 26, 2000
Set your
affection on things above, not on things on the earth. Colossians 3:2 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
Much of our discontentment in this life hinges on the fact that we often pursue money,
material things and fleshly vanity. If we instead lock our sights on heaven and eternal
life there, life here takes on fresh meaning.
Colossians 3:1-3 "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above,
where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on
things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God."
Wouldn't it be wonderful if we never experienced negativity? What if no one ever tried to
bring us down, gossip about us, back-stab us or otherwise make our lives miserable? What
if everyone worked together to accomplish good things, and everyone was eager to lend a
helping hand when we needed it? That's heaven. We need to prepare for it by living that
kind of life here and now.
Revelation 21:6-8 "And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the
beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water
of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he
shall be my son.
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and
sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth
with fire and brimstone: which is the second death."
Revelation 21:27-22:1 "And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that
defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are
written in the Lamb's book of life. And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear
as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb."
Revelation 22:14-15 "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have
right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without
are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever
loveth and maketh a lie."
Yes, heaven is a wonderful place awaiting those who keep God's commandments. We need to
set our hearts on those things, not on worldly things that decay and pass away. Think on
these things.
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By
Bernie Parsons - Jul 27, 2000
Finally,
brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are
just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of
good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Philippians 4:8 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
The Apostle Paul wrote that we need to set our affection on things above--heavenly matters
and characteristics. In another place he wrote that, in order to experience peace, we need
to trust God and think on spiritual things.
Philippians 4:7-9 "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep
your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever
things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever
things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on
these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen
in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you."
He said to think on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report.
How can we go wrong if our mind is centered on these spiritual things? The world fights to
keep our minds focused on the body, the ego and our personal achievements. That is the
opposite of spirituality.
We are constantly bombarded with advertisements telling us that if we will simply send
them our money, we will look beautiful, never age, have everyone's respect and everything
our hearts desire.
You and I know that we will grow old, get out of shape, lose our youthful attractiveness,
and eventually die. In the meantime, most of us will never possess much of this world's
goods, nor will we have the repsect of very many people. Keep your money, use it for God's
glory (do you know someone who could use a little help?)
Matthew 6:21 "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
John 8:23 "And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of
this world; I am not of this world."
Colossians 3:1 "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above,
where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God."
If we stay focused on things above, our minds will never be in the gutter, nor will they
be occupied with this world and its offerings.
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie Parsons
By
Bernie Parsons - Jul 28, 2000
For
where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Matthew 6:21 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
Jesus said that where our treasure is, our heart will also be. The larger context follows:
Matthew 6:19-21 "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust
doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves
treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not
break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
Matthew 6:24 "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love
the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and
mammon."
Matthew goes on to say that Jesus spoke of how intimately God knows our every need, and
will meet them as they arise. Our goal is not to fuss and fret over daily sustenance, but
to look beyond this present life to eternity.
Matthew 6:31-33 "Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall
we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles
seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be
added unto you."
(Read this whole chapter for the full effect!)
1 Peter 5:6 "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may
exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."
Matthew 6:8 "Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things
ye have need of, before ye ask him."
Matthew 7:11 "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children,
how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask
him?"
God is going to take care of us in this life, if we trust Him, pursue His truth and
knowledge, and follow His instructions and guidance. We need to move the majority of our
thoughts and efforts to serving Him, rather than bogging down in the cares of the present
world.
If we place our treasures in heaven's secure vault, then our hearts will be continually
upon that treasure as it increases over our lifetimes.
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
