What Is Under Your Blanket?
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.”
Matthew 6:19–20
Got a text early this morning from one of our associate pastors letting me know his truck was broken into last night and all of his tools stolen. Obviously he was bummed for a number of reasons in no particular order. First they broke the window out of his new truck and then proceeded to scratch the side of the truck leaving a permeant scar of the assault. Secondly, they took all of his tools that were purposely placed under a blanket so as to be less conspicuous. Proof that even sociopathic burglars are tempted too. Then there is the time and hassle of making a police report that will do absolutely nothing even though there are nice fingerprints on the truck, and then taking the truck to get a new window. Oh, and don’t forget the mess and the time and effort it will take to clean up the mess. Am I missing something other than all the additional out of pocket expenses that just add insult to injury?
Its on mornings like today where the words of Jesus ring in our ears as a comfort and an encouragement to us reminding us all that this world is not our home and thank God our treasures are not here on earth. Locks only keep honest people out my dad would say. Matthew Henry, a well-known Bible scholar, was once robbed of his wallet on the way to a speaking engagement. Knowing that it was his duty to give thanks in everything, he meditated on this incident and recorded in his diary the following: "Let me be thankful, first, because he never robbed me before; second, because although he took my purse, he did not take my life; third, because although he took all I possessed, it was not much; and fourth, because it was I who was robbed, not I who robbed." The point is, God is a redeeming God and He will get the last say, not the devil here.
As Mike and I exchanged texts this morning about the events last night we concluded there were a few life lessons we could take away from this incident. Two that will dominate our thinking today. First, we were reminded to invest in spiritual things that can’t be stolen. And secondly, maybe a little deeper spiritual truth we gleaned that the Lord brought to mind today. Focus on the inside and keep it clean. The thieves looking in the window of Mike's truck saw a blanket covering something and not knowing what that something was, temptation got the best of them and they broke in hoping it was something of value. Looking back, had the truck been clean on the inside, with nothing in it hidden, the temptation would have been much less if at all to break in.
A great reminder for us all today to keep our eyes on Jesus, to keep our focus heavenward and to commit ourselves to living lives of purity and holiness. Is there a sin you are trying to hide, something you are covering with a blanket so to speak today? Read 1 John 1 this morning and better understand the benefits of storing our treasures in heaven and what to do when we don’t. Know this too, that when we try to hide our sin, we draw the attention of the enemy of our soul who Jesus says is a thief and a robber who is hell bent on ripping us off every chance he gets (John 10). The good news is Jesus came to give life! Thank God for good insurance to replace our earthly possessions and praise God the Father today even more for the gift that the assurance of our salvation offers. We get ripped off down here on earth but we never have nor ever will get ripped off in heaven. Lastly, what the enemy meant for evil today God is turning for good by drawing our eyes upward into heaven where our true treasures await us one day! Look up!
“Lift up your eyes on high, And see who has created these things, Who brings out their host by number; He calls them all by name, By the greatness of His might And the strength of His power; Not one is missing.”
Isaiah 40:26
I LOVE YOU!
Matthew 6:19–20
Got a text early this morning from one of our associate pastors letting me know his truck was broken into last night and all of his tools stolen. Obviously he was bummed for a number of reasons in no particular order. First they broke the window out of his new truck and then proceeded to scratch the side of the truck leaving a permeant scar of the assault. Secondly, they took all of his tools that were purposely placed under a blanket so as to be less conspicuous. Proof that even sociopathic burglars are tempted too. Then there is the time and hassle of making a police report that will do absolutely nothing even though there are nice fingerprints on the truck, and then taking the truck to get a new window. Oh, and don’t forget the mess and the time and effort it will take to clean up the mess. Am I missing something other than all the additional out of pocket expenses that just add insult to injury?
Its on mornings like today where the words of Jesus ring in our ears as a comfort and an encouragement to us reminding us all that this world is not our home and thank God our treasures are not here on earth. Locks only keep honest people out my dad would say. Matthew Henry, a well-known Bible scholar, was once robbed of his wallet on the way to a speaking engagement. Knowing that it was his duty to give thanks in everything, he meditated on this incident and recorded in his diary the following: "Let me be thankful, first, because he never robbed me before; second, because although he took my purse, he did not take my life; third, because although he took all I possessed, it was not much; and fourth, because it was I who was robbed, not I who robbed." The point is, God is a redeeming God and He will get the last say, not the devil here.
As Mike and I exchanged texts this morning about the events last night we concluded there were a few life lessons we could take away from this incident. Two that will dominate our thinking today. First, we were reminded to invest in spiritual things that can’t be stolen. And secondly, maybe a little deeper spiritual truth we gleaned that the Lord brought to mind today. Focus on the inside and keep it clean. The thieves looking in the window of Mike's truck saw a blanket covering something and not knowing what that something was, temptation got the best of them and they broke in hoping it was something of value. Looking back, had the truck been clean on the inside, with nothing in it hidden, the temptation would have been much less if at all to break in.
A great reminder for us all today to keep our eyes on Jesus, to keep our focus heavenward and to commit ourselves to living lives of purity and holiness. Is there a sin you are trying to hide, something you are covering with a blanket so to speak today? Read 1 John 1 this morning and better understand the benefits of storing our treasures in heaven and what to do when we don’t. Know this too, that when we try to hide our sin, we draw the attention of the enemy of our soul who Jesus says is a thief and a robber who is hell bent on ripping us off every chance he gets (John 10). The good news is Jesus came to give life! Thank God for good insurance to replace our earthly possessions and praise God the Father today even more for the gift that the assurance of our salvation offers. We get ripped off down here on earth but we never have nor ever will get ripped off in heaven. Lastly, what the enemy meant for evil today God is turning for good by drawing our eyes upward into heaven where our true treasures await us one day! Look up!
“Lift up your eyes on high, And see who has created these things, Who brings out their host by number; He calls them all by name, By the greatness of His might And the strength of His power; Not one is missing.”
Isaiah 40:26
I LOVE YOU!
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