June 15, 2010

Number 24

VIEWPOINT

“My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments . . . if you seek it like silver and search for it as forbidden treasures; then you will . . . find the knowledge of God” (Proverbs 2:1-5).

The quest for “treasure” has fascinated human beings since ancient times.  From Treasure Island to National Treasure, we are reminded how exciting it is to follow a map and unlock the secret of a hidden fortune.

Jesus utilized our obsession with “treasure” to emphasize spiritual values:  “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field” (Matt 13:44).

He also commented, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21).

Like any good treasure hunt, we follow the clues given in the treasure map, God’s word.  Some of the “keys” to unlocking the treasure box include faith, goodness, diligence, perse-verance, godliness, kindness and love (2 Peter 1:5-7). 

In fact, the hidden treasures of God’s Word are uncovered to a deeper and deeper level as we persevere in our walk with Him and seek to know more about His heart.  Job said, “I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread” (Job 23:12).  If we  honor God’s  Word  that  way we will find the source of true life rather than mere existence.  And that will be real treasure! (Luke 16:11).

I am indebted to Lisa Boucher for the ideas about “our treasure” today.  We are going to have a terrific “treasure hunt” Saturday with our High Seas Expedition. 

I look forward to both Saturday and Sunday with a Bible, a smile and a positive word!                                                        RA

"D DAY"

This is the term coined to describe the events of June 6, 1944 when the Allied Forces attacked the Germans in France, thus being the turning point of the war against Hitler and Nazi Germany, and today is the 66th anniversary of that day. 

But there have been other "D DAYS" in the history of the world. Let me share some with you.

CREATION DAY -- We know in Genesis 6 that God created the heavens and the earth in 6 literal days (as clearly stated by the terms "evening and morning" and the use of numerals in front of the term days in the text), and the Bible tells us that on the sixth day God created man. He created man for his fellowship, and God has always desired that fellowship so much that he worked things out for man to be saved when man sinned.

THE DAY IN WHICH MAN SINNED -- This is recorded in Genesis 3, and it was the bleakest day in man's history. With man's sin, the fellowship with God was broken, and suffering, disease, and death became a part of our lives. It was because of this fateful day that God's circumstantial will then came into play in that God worked things out to save man through Jesus Christ!

JESUS' BIRTHDAY -- this is recorded in Matthew 1 and Luke 2, and this is where Jesus, God's Son, became flesh and dwelled among us (John 1:14ff). I wonder if we really realize what God did in sending his Son; I wonder if we understand how much Jesus loves and cares for us in condescending to become a man. May we thank God daily for his great gift; and always consider what Jesus did for us.

CRUCIFIXION DAY -- Jesus came for this purpose. The penalty of my sin and your sin had to be paid, and we could not do it ourselves. Someone had to die in my place. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (NKJV) It is because of the cross of Jesus that God was able to be just, and the justifier of all of us who come to him in obedient, believing faith!

RESURRECTION DAY -- This is the day wherein God vindicated the message of his Son, and emphasizes to all of us that death is not the final chapter in our lives. Because he is the "firstborn from the dead," we will have life with him as well in heaven; but we also have abundant life here on earth (John 10:10).

JUDGMENT DAY -- We cannot escape this day. This will be the day in which God will right all wrongs and vindicate his followers. For the Christian, we should be looking forward to this day with eager anticipation (2 Peter 3) because we finally get to go home with the Lord, and rest (Hebrews 4:9).

Are you ready for that last great day?

(by Tommy Tidwell at the South Cobb church)

More than Survivors

2010 Wednesday Summer Series

Those who are more than survivors . . .

Walk by Faith not By Sight (Like Abraham)

June 9                   Alan Henderson

 Don’t Let Sin Get the Best of Us (Like David)

June 9                      Alfred Donald

 Risk Everything for God and His People

(Like Ruth)

June 16                     Scott Franks

 Serve God with Passion (Like Joshua)

June 23                      Patrick Gray

 Rebuild Spiritual Protection (Like Nehemiah)

June 30                                 Mike Sparks

 Always Does Good (Like Tabitha)

 July   7                    Ron Bradshaw

 Make Spiritual Choices (Like Moses)

    July 14                      Taylor Hammett

 Serve God with Passion (Like Joshua)

    July 21                      Dan Thompson

 Engage Spiritual Battles with Courage

(Like Elijah)

July 28                     Bob Staples

See Possibilities Not Just Problems (Like Caleb)

August 4                    Ben Slocumb

Hold on to Their Dreams (Like Jacob)

August 11              Barry Blackburn

Share God's Love with Those Around Us

(Like Paul)

August 18                   Chris King

Look at Life through God's Perspective

(Like Joseph)

August 25                 Ron Edwards

Watch Out for Compromises (Like Daniel)

September 1               Mitch Grubb