Treasure Hunting

The following is in response to the question, "What gem have you found?"

I found Proverbs 24:13-14.

My son (daughter), eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to they taste; so shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul; when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off.

I was intrigued that the honeycomb was written into this text, or proverb. I understand the sweet taste of the honey and how it relates to the even, but not all inclusive, simple discovery of Christ, and the wisdom and knowledge found in Him. There is a great reward in eternity. There is great expectation at His providing, protection, healing, and second coming. But why is the honeycomb mentioned? My memory recalls a waxy taste with no real flavor. So what did my inquisitive mind find?

I found that the early European settlers brought the honeybee over for selfish reasons. They wanted “good-quality wax” for making candles and for the sweet tasting honey that the honey bees produced. They felt these things were essential to the existence of their life, in an untamed and virgin land.

So what I found was that you should not only dig into God’s word everyday for its nutritional value for the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God, but for the light that it provides in and around your life. The byproduct of feasting on the word of God is the light that it produces in your life; the lamp unto your feet and the light unto your path; lamps of wisdom, lanterns of love, sparks of sharing, and floodlights of liberty. Walking in the pathway of God’s guiding light. Seeing the deception of the enemy. Looking to the hill from whence God’s abiding love shines bright as a blazing fire for all the world to see.

Naked

This past week I have been in awe at the beautiful colors of fall; subdued red with a hint of purple, bright orange, and vibrant yellow. All contrasted against green, brown, black, and grey backgrounds. When a tree is green the evidence of the intricate branches beneath are easily hidden. Yet as the leaves change colors the contrasted dark branch is vividly seen against such a canvas of beautiful colors.

This morning I watched this beautiful golden yellow tree at the entrance to our subdivision loose a golden leaf. I then noticed the entire floor area beneath the tree was completely carpeted with these golden gems. The green ground beneath was unnoticed by the mound of yellow that blanketed it. As the gentle morning breeze crept in, the tree began to sing softly as another, and another, and yet another leaf was removed from its branch; its own shedding of tears at the loss of its beauty. My heart was saddened at such a thing of beauty being stripped of her royal colors and her nakedness exposed to all who passed by.

O, but one day, she will be a thing of beauty. She will be a tree that gives endless life. She will bear fruit in every season. She will be the shade at the right hand of God. She will adorn the streets of heaven and her beauty will evidence the power and majesty of God. Her leaves will sing praises in the wind and will magnify the radiance of God himself. Her roots will bury deep next to the water of life, flowing down from the very throne of God. She will be renewed; a creation of beauty, a creation of glory and whose lips will never cease praising God, “Holy Holy Holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who is, who was, and who is to come. Who reigns forever, and ever, Amen.”

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for the murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”(Rev 21:1-8)

Darkness

The dark clouds are in the sky once again. Their dominating presence holding back the bright warmth and dawning of a new day. Their pockets carrying cold rain, bitter blistery wind, and booming thunder. It is cold. It is wet. It is frightful.

Tear drops of rain begin to fall against the grey back drop, rushing downward and spilling across a dry, parched ground. Rain drops whose rhythmic drumming awake the sleepy, send the tired into deep slumber, and cause the timid to hide in fright. The darkness seeps into the house, creeping into the open windows, crawling under the door, boldly entering in from the skylight above. It invades a home. O that the night will come quickly so the darkness will be chased away by the radiance of the light; artificial light that fades in the morning. Artificial light whose power is limited by its source. Artificial light whose brightness dims with each passing moment.

But you, O Lord, keep my lamp burning. You, my God, turn my darkness into light (Psa 18:28). You descend from the heavens. You hold back the clouds. You restrain the falling rain. You hold back the night. Your radiant love is mighty and powerful. It burns as bright as day. It is as a mighty flame. No one can extinguish it and it can not be hidden. It is for all the world to see. O Lord, Your love has no limit and knows no bounds.

It reaches to the bottom of the deepest well. It penetrates the darkest forest. It climbs the highest mountain and swoops among the lowest valleys. It quietly seeps through the tiniest of crevices, and under the door of the darkest heart. It gives sight to the blind and warmth to the weary traveler. My God is mighty to save. My God turns my darkness into light. My God lives and reigns forever. He will never leave me nor forsake me.

He will turn my darkness into light. He will cause me to see and know the things of heaven. He will restore my spirit. He will refresh my soul. He will pick me up when I have fallen. He will gently lift me from the deepest pit. He will bandage my wounds and love my broken heart. He will quench my thirst and He will feed my hunger. My God is…the Lord, and there is no other. “He” forms the light and creates darkness, “He” brings prosperity and creates disaster. “He” is the Lord, who does all these things. (Isaiah 45:6-7)

God Loves You (The Artist)

I John 4:4
Ye are of God little children and have overcome them. Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

As the artist, seamstress, musician, or craftsman you lovingly stitched together your piece of handiwork. You formed it in your mind, you thought of every angle and corner. You created it. To you it breathes and has a special personality. You may even think it speaks of your love and creativity. You know it’s every intimate detail. You know what makes it flash, what brings out it’s brilliant color, what makes it hum so beautifully. No matter who uses it, touches it, plays with it, or just admires it – it is your creation and you love it!

God has the same thoughts toward you. You are thought of, created and loved. He knows every detail about you. Your mere presence on earth speaks volumes of His love and his creativity. You are his pride and joy, the workmanship of his very own hands (Eph 2:10). He cares for you and about every detail and aspect of your life. He hurts when you hurt. He cries when you cry. He laughs when you laugh and he rejoices in the new life you have found in Him.

God Created You, God Knows You, God Loves You, God Made You Part of His Family.

Hungry?

Psalm 34:8
Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him.

After twelve hours of walking and touring the streets of Budapest, Hungary, the group collapsed into seats on a nearby bus, then stumbled to a train, and onto another bus before a short walk back to the Panzio (hotel). We were exhausted. We had been on foot and in buses, trolley cars, and boats. What a whirlwind experience. Our bodies were tired and we were thirsty. We all huddled around the hotel desk, jockeying for a position at the cooler and a chance to grab a nice cold drink. With smiles on our faces and less money in our pockets, we stumbled to our rooms, opened our cold water and took a large gulp. Yuk! This water has gas! also known as bubbles. Everyone had grabbed a carbonated water instead of the non carbonated water. It reminded me of Alka Seltzer tablets; a very unpleasant taste and not satisfying at all! Lucky for our room, someone had brought some good water from our previous place of residence. We all shared in the pleasure and refreshment before falling into bed.

I am reminded of how we eagerly look for and seek the “good things” in life, and yet we are not satisfied. We want that new car, but it doesn’t satisfy the inner craving of love within our hearts. We want a new house, but it doesn’t satisfy the inner searching for eternity deep within our hearts. We want a child, but it doesn’t satisfy the loneliness we feel. We want more money, but it doesn’t buy happiness. We want a larger TV, and dish network with 150 channels, but it doesn’t satisfy the deepest cravings of knowledge of who our creator is.

If we could only taste God! We would be satisfied with His love and with the future He holds for each one of us. If we could only taste Him, we would not feel lonely, we would discover true happiness, and we would discover the wisdom and knowledge of God. If only our eyes could see, our ears could hear, and our hearts could love. We would be satisfied. For blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. He would fill our every need. He longs to give us “good gifts.” He stands at the door to our heart and knocks. Do you hear him? Are you lost in the distractions of this world? Are you hungry for an inner peace? Do you desire a hope and a future? Do you long to know your purpose in life?

Taste Him! He is good. He is the bread of life, anyone who comes to Him will no longer hunger for the things this world offers, but will desire the eternal hope and glory of a future with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Taste Him! He is good. He longs to call you His own. He loves you beyond measure. God is near. He is merely a breath away. Simply believe and confess with your mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord and that God raised him from the dead, and you will be saved for all eternity. For it is with your heart that you believe and are blameless, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. Taste Him! He will satisfy your most intimate desires and needs. You will find peace in turmoil. You will find joy in your sorrows and unhappiness. You will find rest when you are weary. You will find strength when you feel you can’t go on. You will discover that you are not alone, and that you have a bigger family than you ever imagined; others who have tasted, confessed, and believed.

Will you be perfect? Will all your problems magically disappear? No, but you will have someone who will walk with you, share with you, and care for you. He will enable you to persevere, endure, and struggle through them all. You will be satisfied. And you will discover a true, everlasting, Friend, who will never leave you or abandon you, no matter what.

Taste Him! He is good. Taste Him and you will not be satisfied with anything or anyone else. He is good and will bless your life now and forever. Taste and see. He waits - just for you.

How Do I Love an Unseen God?

Philippians 2:13
For it is God who works in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure.

How do I love an unseen God?

How do I develop a “puppy dog love” of “I’ll do anything you say” type surrendered passion for a God I cannot see?

As thoughts wander through a potentially never-ending cycle of why and how come, I am drawn back to, “How do I love an unseen God?” What overrides the earthly desires and drives them to a point of “thoughtless abandonment” of love that becomes second nature? How do I get to the point where I instinctively love and follow after God?

I thought about picturing God through the words penned so eloquently by David in the Bible. Of how mighty, loving, merciful, fatherly, heavenly, and Holy God is. But these are “my” thoughts. A mental picture of who I think God is.

I thought of the surrounding beauty God has graced this planet with. The lovely flowers, the beautifully painted sunrises and sunsets, the childish laughter of a little girl, the strength and beauty of a wild stallion, or the cool, clear, blue ocean water off the Hawaiian Islands. Another picture I created to inspire these earthly desires into loving a being I cannot see.

I thought of the scientific accomplishments that have been made that validate the human fetus in the mother’s womb eight weeks after conception, the intricate and complicated organization of the atoms that surround us daily and of the vast differences within one species that flaunt the design of it’s creator. Again, these are my thoughts that are being stimulated into realizing that only a higher being of greater knowledge and understanding could have created such things.

Then it happened, another bible study, another required memory verse to learn, and another small nudge back into the reality of God’s world. I soon realized that all these thoughts were merely stepping-stones to the ultimate lesson God was going to teach. It was almost like He said, “Yes, the mental pictures you created of me were good and useful. Please use them, but you need more. I loved seeing the sparkle in your eyes when you looked around and surveyed the beauty I surrounded you with and placed you in. What pride I had when I saw you understand the detail of my creation and the depth of knowledge required in designing even the smallest creature of this earth. But child, there is still more. Take heart child, there is nothing you need to do or understand. This one is My doing.”

“For it is I, God, who will work in you and cause you to willfully love me with childlike abandon. Come. Sit. Listen. I will show you great and wonderful things that you know nothing about. I created you. You are wonderfully made in My image. I gave you the desire to be apart of My world, even though you cannot see Me. I have graced you with the evidence of My hand.”

“Do not worry. Take heart. I will never leave you nor forsake you. You are my pride and joy. No one can take you from me. I have given you the Holy Spirit. He and I are one. He will always be with you. It is He who works in you to do the things I desire. Come. Sit. Listen. Come to Me in the morning. I will show you wonderful things I want to do through you and for you. Come. Sit. Listen. I will show you My love. I will fill your heart with My love, for I created you and I love you. No one loves you more than Me. No one knows your inner most thoughts, only I. I Am – loves you! Come. Sit. Listen.”

“Listen to the songs I sing to you in the morning. Re-read the love letters I wrote you and listen. Listen to the stories that evidence My love, My power, My strength, My sorrows, and My joy. Be still. Listen. I AM here. I AM with you always. Be still. Rest. I AM loved you first. I AM loves you still.”

With that said, I can only muster a whispered “thank you” as tears stream down my face. It had nothing to do with me all along. I AM was all I needed. Lord, what a wretched man I am. Forgive me for thinking it was something “I” needed to do. Cleanse my heart and mind of any thoughts of “me.” Lord, wash me anew with your Holy presence. Remove the distractions of this world and the earthly desires of my heart and replace them with Your Holy Spirit. Fill me with the knowledge of Your love in the deepest recesses of my heart, that I may be passionately, willingly, and obediently Yours and only Yours. May Your love always be my love.

Tracy Roberts