Three Key Points

Today’s post addressees three key points that are needful for recovery and stability. The first is: Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV) Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

When I read this, keeping in mind what Jesus said about the kingdom of Heaven being within us, upon us, and at hand, I began to see things a little differently than I had learned to. Treasures that are important to successful living are not material or temporal. Yes, we need those things; they are necessities. But treasures are those things that turn minutes into moments, give us revelation and understanding, and strengthen us. They are those few moments spent on the patio early in the morning, sipping coffee and listening to the world wake up. Triumphs, special bonds to people, places, and things can be counted as treasures. The things we cherish and treasure become parts of our soul. It is these things that we will fight for, protect and defend, and hold on to with all our might. That’s why it’s important to have the right understanding of what treasure is. That brings us to the second key point: Matthew 6:22 (ESV) The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

This is a powerful revelation about misinformation and wrong attitudes. It reminds me of Jesus’ words, “I am the truth, the life, and the way.” We can grow up learning the wrong beliefs, which cause us to adopt the wrong attitudes, and develop the wrong thought processes and coping strategies. This creates a darkness that can hamper, hinder, and eventually destroy our lives completely. And all the while, we’re thinking we’re enlightened and know the truth. This is why it’s crucial that we know the truth, which we find in God’s Word.

Finally, we come to the fork in the road. Key point number three: Matthew 6:24 (ESV) No one can serve two masters: Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

There’s a reason you can’t go out and party like the devil on Saturday night, till you don’t even know what you’re doing anymore…and now it’s Sunday morning, you’ve have 1 1/2 hours of sleep, don’t know who this guy next to you in bed is, and you’re supposed to be at church for choir warmup in and hour. You’re going to hate that it’s Sunday, hate that you have to go to church for choir, maybe hate that guy next to you, but surely hate yourself for losing control last night. It isn’t just about money; it’s about all things temporal and worldly. Paul said it best: All things are lawful, but not all things are helpful, and I won’t be mastered by anything. That’s why we need to know the truth, think the right thoughts, come to the right conclusions, and make the right choices. This is where that sin and iniquity checklist comes in handy. It can help us to see things more clearly, and make the right choices and changes.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, August 14, 2022, 2:36 p.m.