For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Matt 6:21

There are things that we deem precious in life. A pristine vintage car. Team championships. Life savings. A home filled with laughter. The smell of a newborn babe. A faithful friend. A devoted spouse. These things may or may not be on your list. Your list of precious things may be totally different. But one thing for sure, there is something you treasure with all your heart. There is something that you live for. The scripture passage remains us that our heart will follow its treasure. It is the most natural marriage and binding relationship ever known to man. The two are inseparable. Jesus declared to His disciples, “where your treasure is, there your heart be also.” Jesus understood the deep desires of the heart and the things we cling to. He understood how one’s heart can become easily troubled, insecure, and unstable. He understood the great lengths that one would go through to secure their heart from trouble and create safety from suffering and pain. That sought after security is the treasure of the heart. Jesus came to redeem the souls of men and secure those hearts with everlasting peace. His eternal promise to the troubled heart is, “let not your heart be troubled, you believe in God, believe also in Me” (Jn 14:1). The heart of man is anxious, continually seeking and searching, burden with troubles, “but a good word maketh it glad” (Prov 12:25). Dear friend, above all things, what is your heart’s greatest desire? What brings you happiness? What is it that you will go to great lengths to secure? The lyrics of the ole’ spiritual hymn “Give me Jesus” were penned to express treasure of the heart. It says “In the morning when I rise, give me Jesus. When I am alone, give me Jesus. When I come to die, give me Jesus.” The great conclusion and treasure of the song writer’s heart was “You can have all this world, just give me Jesus.” My friend, Jesus is the greatest treasure that your heart can ever know. Settle the troubles of your heart and “lay up for yourself treasures in heaven” (Matt 6:19) through faith in Jesus Christ. Father thank You that You know our heart and provide all that is needed through Your Son Jesus. I proclaim with the Apostle Paul, “for to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Phil 1:21). “Just give me Jesus.” In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.

https://youtu.be/wS4JQi4dgvg

And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. Gen 3:6

I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the LORD. Ps 122:1

The weekend brings much excitement and anticipation. Many people break from the work week to spend time relaxing, reflecting, and refreshing themselves with recreation and other revitalizing activities. Many people look forward to the weekend as an emotional recharge while others strive for spiritual solstice. For some, the weekend is anticipated with excitement to gather with the saints of God at a local assembly to worship, give honor, praise, and thanksgiving to God. Their thoughts are filled with anticipation to hear the Word of God, to receive the message that God has given to a local shepherd, sing songs of praise, and fellowship with the saints of God. There is a sense of gladness to “go into the house of the Lord.” For the children of Israel, they pilgrimage to Jerusalem and excitement grew as citybegan to fill the horizon. They were delighted when they were able to see and enter the Temple area. The Temple was the place where sacrifices were given to God, and the Jews worshipped Him. The Temple was the center of Jewish worship. But Jesus changed all that. We no longer need to travel to Jerusalem to worship the Lord. Jesus is the “high priest” (Heb 4:14) to all who believe on Him for salvation and trust Him as Lord.  The Temple of God is now the born-again child of God.  Believers are the dwelling place of the Spirit of God. The Bible teaches us “that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (1 Cor 3:16). The Spirit of God indwells the child of God, and we live with the presence of God every day, at every moment of the day. What an awesome privilege! Yet, this special closeness with God comes much responsibility. We are to keep our temple clean from sin, not grieve the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30), obey His will, and bring honor to the One that dwells in us. Dear friend, are you living up to those responsibilities? Is your testimony worthy of the One you represent? Begin today and prepare your heart to be “glad” for worship in the presence of the Lord. Rejoice and be glad for “ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light:” (1 Pet 2:9). Father thank You the eternal presence of the Holy Spirit. Thank You for the continual worship that indwells the hearts of all saints. I worship You now and give everlasting praise to the Name of Jesus. In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.