Recently, my little Lauren (age 7), wanted to give one of her collectable dolls to another little girl.
God has touched Lauren Grace with a special heart that cares deeply for others. When I took the doll to work to give it away, my only request was that the mother let the little girl remove the beautiful, collectable, porcelain, with certificate, doll from the box, for the little girl to be able to play with it, and enjoy it.
With this doll being a collectable, I was afraid the mother would place this doll on a shelf to
...collect dust.
Being a life-long collector of treasures, I realized a couple of years ago, that we often times place our treasured collectables up in closets, in sturdy containers, in the basement….hidden away so these collectables will not be harmed, and to
…collect dust.
Most treasured treasures are hidden away for safety, and to gain value. We tend to do this with children. We tell ourselves that we will take the time to play with them, but as our busy lives fly by, looking back, the time we take to play with these treasured children..…
The Gideon’s distributed 59,460,000 Bibles worldwide last year. When I researched Bible 'reading' statistics, initially, I was impressed. The number one book sold in America is the Bible. American’s reading the Bible is on the rise. In 1988, 36% read out of the Bible each week.
In 2006, 47%. And I imagine with today’s economic crisis, and loss of jobs, more American’s than ever are picking up the Bible and reading it.
Most of us would agree however, that the time spent consuming the Bible is slim. We often times save the Bible for Sunday’s, but with the verses displayed up on the 'big screens' in church, the Bible is seldom opened. We value the Bible so much that we tuck it away for safe keeping
…to collect dust.
Folks, we don’t have to wait for Heaven to receive God’s treasures. If we would only take the time and spend it with God and His word. If we would heed God's advice, we could ‘play with’ or enjoy the fruit of the Spirit now: Galations 5:22-23 The fruit of the Spirit is: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control.
WARNING - IMPORTANT SCRIPTURE – PLEASE TAKE TIME TO READ!!!
John 15:6-11 (Jesus Said) If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in His love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
Please ask God to forgive you, and look ahead, don’t look back. Grab your Bible and spend TIME with GOD, and ‘play with’ and enjoy God's treasures here on Earth!
Prioritize your life, so God's treasures aren’t hidden from you, and sitting on a shelf,
....collecting dust.
P.S. Another hidden treasure is Henry Longfellow’s writings. He lived from 1807-1882. Longfellow lived through many storms. He watched, and tried to help his wife, as she burned to death, when her dress caught fire from a candle. His son was killed in the Civil War.
Longfellow’s writings are worth reading!
Since we are nearing Christmas, click on the video below to hear a modern-day version of Longfellow’s famous poem and song 'Christmas Bells'. My mom collected bells for years, and I assume she didn’t like the bells only for their beauty. She liked the bells for the sounds they made, and she probably liked to RING them.
Below, ring and listen to the bell. Take hold of the
THE BELL
I KNOW WHO I AM
I am God's child (John 1:12)
I am Christ's friend (John 15:15 )
I am united with the Lord (1 Cor. 6:17)
I am bought with a price (1 Cor 6:19-20)
I am a saint (set apart for God). (Eph. 1:1)
I am a personal witness of Christ. (Acts 1:8)
I am the salt & light of the earth (Matt
I am a member of the body of Christ (1 Cor
I am free forever from condemnation (
I am a citizen of Heaven. I am significant (Phil 3:20)
I am free from any charge against me (Rom. 8:31 -34)
I am a minister of reconciliation for God (2 Cor 5:17-21)
I have access to God through the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:18)
I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Eph. 2:6)
I cannot be separated from the love of God (Rom 8:35-39)
I am established, anointed, sealed by God (2 Cor 1:21-22 )
I am assured all things work together for good (Rom. 8:28 )
I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16 )
I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Eph. 3: 12 )
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13)
I am the branch of the true vine, a channel of His life (John 15: 1-5)
I am God's temple (1 Cor. 3: 16). I am complete in Christ (
I am hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3).. I have been justified (Romans 5:1)
I am God's co-worker (1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor 6:1). I am God's workmanship (Eph.
I am confident that the good works God has begun in me will be perfected. (Phil. 1: 5)
I have been redeemed and forgiven (
I belong to God
Do you know
Who you are?
God Bless!
In His Hands
Love, Glen