Real Treasure

“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:”

Christians today see their lives through the dimmed glasses of worldly philosophy. We seem to think that our life consisteth of the abundance of things that we possess, though the Bible warns us of this. In fact, the measure of a life is not in the amount that you can see, but rather in the amount that you can’t see. What has he given of himself to God?

The amount of yourself that has been given wholly to God is the true measure of your worth in this life. Those that only look to lay up great wealth here on earth have missed the greatest blessing that wealth can be to you—giving. If God supplies my needs, and I believe he does, then the amount of myself and my possessions that I give to God is the measure of what I think I need to help God take care of me. Do I have the faith that God can supply my needs without my help?

Christians have laid up no treasure in the eternal bank of heaven, focusing to treasure all temporal (and I mean REAL temporal) possessions in safes, banks, and wallets.

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

Herein lies the problem. God wants your heart. When he gets that, the money comes with it. My treasure has, for the most part, gone to reach souls around this world. As a result, I don’t have as many earthly treasures. Should I worry? Did God need that money to pay for my college? No! God paid for my entire college with scholarships.

When your money is not surrendered to the Lord, neither is a whole host of other things. Why? Your heart is wrong.

I know why so many churches freeze up when money is mentioned. I know why missionaries are spending 4-5 years on deputation. I know why the Mormons are doing such a much better job of reaching this world. Because we are looking at the sorriest bunch of Christians God has ever had to work with! You as God’s people are sitting on your wallets as if they belong to you while a lost world is going to Hell! That’s why.

Perhaps your pharisaical, cold heart will only be softened by the flames of Hell as the lost are turned into it on the day of judgment. I promise you, you will be the one that loses out by storing your money in banks that will burn and wallets that steal your treasure, and therefore your heart, from God. God’s people need wake up—and fast! The end is near, and the churches are asleep at the wheel.

Examine yourself!

Coming Home

Breathing hard, he turns the corner. Although he hardly looks the part, he knows these halls very well. The beautiful walls of ivory are decorated with the richest and finest ornaments anyone has ever seen. He takes another turn, leading to the court room. He is hardly presentable in these garments. The stench he leaves behind as he walks through the corridors leaves the bystanders in awe that one would present himself this way. But, they had learned to keep their opinions to themselves when it came to the Kings son. After all, who were they?

He passes by the chamber of learning without even a pause. How many hours had he spent in the chamber of learning? As a child, he had learned so much in that chamber, yeah, precious riches of wisdom. This knowledge of the holy is still with him today. Today, he hardly looks like he once did. He once resembled the royalty he was—and still is!

He sees down the corridor on his left the chamber of fellowship. How many joyous moments has he of that wonderful place? Growing up there, he had the pleasure of spending much of his life in precious communion with the King’s cabinet and counsel. How embarrassing it would be to be confronted in such an environment in his current state!

No, he must keep going.

He finally enters the main hall that leads to the court room.

Almost there…

Now that he’s here, doubts enter his mind as to his decision. What will his father think? Does he know of his son’s indiscretion? Of course he does! Could he possibly not know? Dare he ask for mercy again after again hurting his father? He wasn’t sure.

He sure didn’t remember the hallway toward the courtroom being this long of a walk. His breathing is heavier than before.

He hadn’t been gone long…or at least it didn’t seem long. He had just wandered…a little. But it didn’t take much. First it was just a fancied thought and before you knew it, he was at the end of his rope. Now, here he panted forward at the door through which his fate would be decided.

He begins to recall his father’s mercy last time this happened. What a fool! How could he have done this again? He can only imagine his fathers hurt…

After being adopted out of such a bad situation, you would think a Kings son would have some more loyalty than this. After all, his father kept back no blessings from his son in his time. Everything he owned was a gift from the King; he had given him everything! But in getting what he wanted, he lost what he had! Why did he leave again? That’s funny! As big as it seemed then, he can’t even remember anymore!!

He begins to weep. How foolish can he be? How pointless could the reason have been for him to leave if he can’t even remember?

He must pull himself together before he reaches the courtroom so he can present his sincere apology, and accept his fate. He must.

But thinking on his sinful ways is not helping. He tries to stifle his sobs as he looks up knowing he must be close to the courtroom of his father by now…

And there he stood, in front of his father, in the middle of the courtroom!

Someone must have opened the courtroom doors without him knowing, and while his head was bowed with his sorrow, he had unknowingly walked right in to the courtroom.

His father saw his sorrow. He saw the tears. He saw him bearing out his heart. And now what?

He couldn’t speak. But then, he realized he didn’t need to. He could see his father’s eyes stinging with tears, and he knew once again the great love his father had for him. He knew in that one glance that forgiveness was granted. He not only knew it---he felt it! Once again, everything was ok! His father embraced his son, glad he hadn’t gone far, but even more glad he was quick to come back when he realized his mistake.

And the kings aides and the bystanders in the court looked on with awe at the relationship of a forgiving father and an unfaithful son.

And now the painted picture hangs in the corridor of the King’s son, ever deepening his love for the father. For he that is forgiven much, the same loveth much!

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The King is my heavenly father. The unfaithful son is me. The time this occurred? Last Sunday morning.

Our Problem with God’s Will

I appreciate God’s will. I’ve seen it guide, work, and lead in many situations. The will of God has led me as much as I’ve seen it lead anyone. I’ve seen God speak when I had questions, showing me his will. I’ve watched God’s will work in the lives of others. I’ve seen the blessings of those who followed it, and the horrible consequences of those who did not.

I’ve never believed God’s will was a mystery. I always believed that if you truly wanted God’s will, God would show you what he wanted. People act sometimes like God is playing hide and seek with his will, like he gets some sort of pleasure out of seeing you distress over what he might want for you. I don’t believe my Lord does that.

But there is something about God’s will, that, if you don’t understand it, you could be greatly discouraged and disheartened. This concept is called God’s timing! Revealing his will is an art that only God understands, and it’s where faith comes into the picture. There is a beauty that turns the head of God Almighty, and it’s faith.

God does not show you his complete will. He only shows you what he wants you to see. I used to deeply wonder at why he would do this. One night, as I was meditating on this, I asked God why he wouldn’t tell me some important things I felt like I should be able to know. I simply asked God to show me why he wouldn’t let me see the whole picture, or at least more than I was seeing at the time. Then, whether by divine inspiration or common sense I don’t know, it occurred to me that what I knew about God’s will, I would prepare myself for. What I didn’t know about God’s will for me, I could not try to prepare for. Maybe God didn’t want me to try to prepare for my own future instead of letting him prepare me for my future.

And here lies the problem. Are we content to only see as much of God’s will as he allows us to? Do we allow our wishes to see too much of his plan deter us from doing his immediate plan. Could it be that your misconceiving that God is not showing you his will when in reality his will is for you to do nothing. You can’t see everything at once; it would take away from the sovereignty of God, as well as our dependence on his guidance. Don’t allow the road signs miles down the road that you can’t quite make out distract you from adequately obeying the road signs right in front of you. Focusing on God’s will in 5 years may cause you to lose focus on God’s will for you right now.

Faith is taking the first stair when you can’t see the whole staircase. Faith is trusting God to only show you what part of his will he wants you to know for now and being content with it. I say this not because I have conquered it completely. Rather on the contrary, I have been chastened on this quite recently. Without realizing it, you can build up a grudge against the Lord about something you don’t or can’t understand. Don’t allow that to happen. Be content with only a piece of the puzzle. One day, when the picture is all complete, you will enjoy the beauty of it tremendously, because you know every mountain and valley of each piece.

Just something to think about.

His Grace Is Sufficient

I wrote this song back in 2006, but it took a while to develop if you know what I mean. I normally include a key change when we sing this, but due to some voice issues on my part that morning, we omitted it on this occasion. Russell and my dad really make it sound nice here singing those parts. Hope you enjoy!

Vacation

The Maynard family has been on vacation for the last week, and we have enjoyed ourselves. After visiting some relatives, we played golf today before heading home. The course was phenomenal! Below is the best pictures from golf.

   

 Needless to say because of the pictures, it was beautiful. Now that I’m in the car on the way home, it has started POURING RAIN. I mean it is coming down in sheets. The Lord was good to keep it clear until we were done.  Praise the Lord for a good day and a great week!

If you happen to think of it, pray for me tomorrow. I start school, and it will be groundbreaking day, so pray that the transition is smooth. I’ll let you know probably tomorrow how it went.

Piano Duet - Keep on the Firing Line

"And laid thy hand upon me..." Psalm 139:5-6

It's one thing to imagine great things to be done for God, and even ask for the Lord to do them through you. It's one thing to offer your services to God. But it's quite another thing for God to lay his hand upon you.

When God lays his hand on you, you are ruined. You are only good for his use. Someone who has been chosen by God cannot succeed at anything besides what he has called you to be. You cannot be a good salesman, policeman, or soldier of the armed forces when you're called to preach. You won't make a good insurance agent, real estate developer, or even church worker when God wants you on the mission field. I didn't say you couldn't be those things, you'll just be barely making it on your own, miserable out of God's will.

Only God knows what I know about myself. And while everyone else can say the same, it does not take away from me the amazement that God decides to use me. I'm not the only candidate out there. God makes a conscious choice to put me in positions to get glory out of my life. Why?

"Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it."

When choosing someone to be a young preacher one day, God must have looked over the earth for a young, small, unworthy boy. He saw the most insignificant and wicked young man, and decided that if he would give his life to God, he could get glory from his life, seeing he had absolutely nothing to be proud of. He knew at that time how much I would fail him, how much I would fall short, and how sorry of a Christian I would be, and he still laid his hand on me.

Then I've gotten up and preached and God seemed to just blow through and lavish favor on me....for what reason, I for the life of me cannot figure out! I am the last person worthy to be used for God's glory in something like washing a toilet, let alone for God to tell me to preach his holy book.

He's sees right through me! He sees as I preach and knows the struggles I face even in things I'm preaching about. He sees my pitfalls that show up in my sermons, and he allows me to preach the standard so much higher than I've ever been able to attain. I've always had to be honest with him. What's there to hide from him, anyway?

He knew before he saved me what kind of Christian I would be. He knew before he called me just how much I would hurt him in my actions, though striving for better. He knew! And he still laid his hand upon me!

"Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it."

God, if I am only good on earth for one thing, may it be bringing you honor and glory. If I can only attain one thing, may it be that in spite of myself, my love for you always be stronger than the day before. And in essence, God, please help me to bring a smile to your face!

Vacationing!

Well, we finally completed the 2 day, 18 hour trip at about 11 p.m. last night. We were tired, but the family was up and waiting for us. The Lord kept us safe, for which we are grateful! My Uncle Tim has a beautiful place up here in Chardon, Ohio. Here are some pics:

That's about it for now...I'll probably put up another post out of Psalm 139 later.

“Thou hast searched me…” Psalm 139:1-4

People don’t understand what you are feeling. You don’t even understand it all…and yet God has already searched you. God has performed an operation on you that has all of your worries and cares on inventory.

“Thou hast searched me, and known me.”

If anyone knows me, it’s the Lord. Boy, does he know me! I’ve been at his feet just a few times, for many different things. I’m glad he knows me. It brings me comfort. No one else has to understand, including myself. God is the one making decisions, so as long as he understands I’ll be OK. I’m glad he does.

“Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.”

Have you ever tried to hide from God? We don’t really believe we’re hiding, we just try to ignore him quietly. We try to act like God doesn’t know us as well as he does.

“Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it alltogether.”

It says he compasses our path and our lying down. There is not a flank that the enemy can penetrate. Compass literally means to surround. God has compassed you. Not only has he compassed me, but he has compassed my path. My path is where I’m headed! My future has already been staked out by the Saviour. There is nothing to be uncertain about. He will wake me tomorrow. He will meet me at the car tomorrow to help me carry my mental luggage throughout the day. He will open the classroom door on the 19th to greet me at school. I am compassed, brethren!

When faced with a complication in life, Bro. Neils Gade once said, “It’s a matter of prayer, but not a matter of worry.” That is an attitude that would help us all if we would adopt it.

I’m starting to think we complicate the Christian life a bit too much. And it is complicated when we must handle the struggles.

It’ almost like there is a stack of paperwork that is too overbearing for us too even handle, and we let it depress us. Meanwhile, on the other side of the desk sits God. He has all the same information organized and analyzed, and even gives you the answer to the problems that await. Yet still, we allow the sin of worry and anxiety to overcome us. Why don’t you depend on him? It's the Lord’s problem. I have given my life to the Lord, and in return he has promised that I can cast all my care upon him. (1 Peter 5:7)

Just leave it at that.

Good times at HBA!

This was a funny moment the other day at the academy. Saturday while we were outside for recreation, Luis Cabrera, a boy in the home, completed quite an amazing feat here. Enjoy!

Quotes of the Week

"A good character is the best tombstone. Those who loved you and were helped by you will remember you when forget-me-nots have withered. Carve your name on hearts, not on marble." - Charles Spurgeon

"A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." - Charles Spurgeon

"A vigorous temper is not altogether an evil. Men who are easy as an old shoe are generally of little worth." - Charles Spurgeon

And for the quote of the week:

"Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strength."

- Charles Spurgeon