Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Seeking Treasures In Heaven

King James Bible Daily Devotion – Learning Scripture One Day At A Time
Date: Monday, November 30, 2015
Chapters: 2 Corinthians 5-8
Message Title: Seeking Treasures In Heaven

Hello My Friend,

An amazing thing happens the instant a person receives Christ as their Saviour, they not only escape the punishment of death and hell, they also receive God. He indwells in every person who accepts and receives His Son. Praise God! We can life the best life ever here on earth, but if we want the best life we can have in heaven and in Christ's Kingdom on earth we need to make sure we are seeking the treasures of heaven. “And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” - Luke 12:29-31,34.

While we are not saved by anything we do ourselves, the success we have as a Christian here and what we receive in heaven is determined by what we do after we are saved. Of course, we are going to get tried, we are going to sin, we are going to see some suffering, and we are going to lose some things, but imagine how much we gain each time we endure those struggles with Christ. Paul reminds the Corinthians that while they were not saved by their own righteousness it's important to continue walking in the righteousness of Christ.

For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” - 2 Corinthians 5:1-8.

If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.” It's important that we walk in the Spirit of God, not our flesh. We might have churches or buildings we gather in to worship the Lord, but God is not within those walls, He is within every saved person that brings Him through those walls. Imagine the power of God if every saved person joined together? That is one great power. We are all going to have to face Christ one day, wouldn't it be better having at least tried to live a decent life rather than never doing one thing to thank Him for saving your life? Paul explains that we need to be careful not to take God's grace in vain.

We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” - 2 Corinthians 6:1-3,14-16.

for ye are the temple of the living God;” Some people go overboard in this, but the truth is we are the temple of God, He indwells in us through the Holy Spirit, that means we ought to have respect for our bodies. Those receiving the grace of God in vain are those who have gotten saved, but chose to use it to satisfy the lusts of their flesh. They abuse the gift of their salvation as a way to do whatever they please knowing that they can still go to heaven. This will all backfire on them eventually, but those who turn their lives around while enduring trials are the ones who will truly prosper not only here, but in heaven as well. Paul recalls his first letter to the Corinthians and how much they have turned things around in a year, but warns them to not allow their affliction to take them back to where they were.
Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.” - 2 Corinthians 7:1,9-11.

Did you ever wonder why a person living a wickedly seems to prosper and get away with what they are doing, while you struggle? God knows your faithfulness, He knows that you are capable of doing what He asks you to do, therefore, He is going to keep you faithful by placing some struggles before you. Come judgment day your faithfulness is going to pay off, Jesus is going to show you how much He appreciates you for all the hard work and suffering that you endured for His sake. Paul explains this further as he continues to commend them on their faithfulness.

For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago. Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have. For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened: But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality: As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.” - 2 Corinthians 8:9-15.

For if there be first a willing mind,” We can't live a life with Christ out of obligation or force, remember, God knows the heart, we must do it willingly if we want to see the blessings of God from it. What salvation really means is that every ridiculous or stupid thing you ever did before you knew Christ has been wiped clean from your slate. You now have a second chance to do something amazing with your life while you are still here on earth, and it can only be truly effective when you live your life with Christ in it. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” - Ephesians 2:10.

Today's Prayer: God, In my attempt to live the best life I can live with You in it I am constantly being tested in my faithfulness to You. While I cannot escape being tempted, I can escape the temptation as You always give us a way out of any temptation. Lord, give me Your power, only You can help me overcome the weakness of my flesh to succumb to those who want to see me fall. As I patiently wait for You, let me be the example You want me to be. I ask these things in Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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