Wednesday October 26, 2022

Today is Wednesday, October 26 and we are learning what Jesus says about treasure.

I enter this time of prayer seeking to still the chaos of the world and silence the noise of my mind. I center myself upon the One true God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Pause and Pray

Lord Jesus, I want to learn the definition of true treasure. Teach me what it means to live the kingdom life with You as my personal instructor and the Holy Spirit as my guide. Wherever You lead, I will follow. Amen.

I lift my heart to the Lord and praise God’s holy name with the words of Psalm 37.

Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. Psalm 37:3-6

Pause and Pray

Jesus wants me to learn important lessons in this section of the Sermon on the Mount. Whatever my goal in life or whatever I consider most important will determine the course of my daily activity and ultimately the course of my life. I will commit my time and energy to the things I value the most. In these three verses about treasure, Jesus contrasts perishable earthly treasures with imperishable heavenly treasures. He brings it home when he adds a reflection on the relation between my treasure and my heart.

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin 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

Today I carefully consider the state of my heart. What do I love? What do I treasure? What do I value? What is the intention and motivation of my life’s activity? In a society that is completely driven by amassing personal wealth, gaining professional success, consuming the latest products and purchasing the hottest technological gadgets, I pause and see where my priorities lie. I come into this world as a new born baby, helpless and naked. I leave this world much the same, all earthly things are ultimately relinquished and left behind.

Ask: Where is my treasure? If today was my last day on earth, how would I live it differently?

Pause and Pray

Holy and Loving God, reveal the secrets of Your kingdom. Forgive me for wasting time, money and energy on earthly desires and put a heart in me eager to find what is of true value and ultimate worth. Give me a discerning spirit to know what is good, righteous, worthwhile and true. Teach me a new value system and show me how to walk in it. I read Matthew again, listening for the message You have for me today.

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin 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

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

God is trying to speak to me about my value systems and the way I am living my life. I endeavor to listen. I reflect on the striking words of this passage and consider who or what comes to mind. Who or what do I visualize when I say the words – heart and treasure? Who or what do I visualize when I say the words – moths, vermin, and thieves? What do I value that cannot and will not last? Perhaps God wants to use this week’s passage to help me get my priorities in order. Maybe God wants me to see that I have valued things over people or I have sought possessions over relationships. Perhaps today I will take a step in a new direction.

Pause and Pray

Come, Lord Jesus, bring Your love and mercy to the poverty of my soul. Cleanse my heart from the idols I have stored there. Purify my spirit from any attachment to material things. Renew my mind to discover what holds true imperishable value. Inspire me to strive after what is of genuine worth. Let my heart reside in a place of authentic treasure. Amen.

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23

I leave this time of prayer with a heart of pure intentions. I go to share love, invest goodness and bring blessings into the lives of other people.

Amen