For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also . Luke 12:34 NIV

Twelve months old and cute as a button; that is my little grandson, Austin. His first birthday was in December and, of course, there was a big family party. Austin received so many nice gifts: clothes, toys, books, and money. Then came Christmas…more clothes, toys, and books. He was showered with treasures by all his family members. What a lucky little boy.

Being a normal one year old, Austin doesn’t see the value of all he has been given. Recently, he came to my house with his best treasure. As his Mommy carried him in, he held up a lint roller and said “Roll! Roll!”

“He wants to take this everywhere, Mom,” said my daughter. “If we try to take it from him, he cries and sobs something awful.”

Little Austin has received all these wonderful gifts and, yet, he hangs on to a lint roller with deep admiration and fascination. He’d rather have the lint roller than the brand new toys. He wants a different treasure than what his parents have for him.

I couldn’t help but think that is just how we are with God. We are grasping the treasures of this life with both hands, crying and screaming if we don’t get what we want. Yet, Jesus told his disciples they should place their hearts on things above, not on things below. We, as his followers, have better treasure than what our hands want to hold on to. We have a treasure for our hearts.

It is time for us to let go of the tight grasp we have on the things of this earth– open our hearts to all that God has in store for us through Jesus Christ…a new heart, a new spirit, a home in heaven, His love, forgiveness, mercy, and grace. Look at your gifts and possessions. Do you value what God has given you?

Dear Lord, you are the treasure of my heart. Help me to follow your example more and more each day. Help me to focus on things above and not on things below. Help me to give up those things you don’t want me to have and to follow only you.

Pat Moyer is a freelance writer,    wife, mother, grandmother, and photographer residing in Pottstown, PA. She is a lifetime member of The Garden Club Federation of Pennsylvania and a lifetime member of National Garden Clubs, Inc. She is past president of the Pottstown Area Garden Club and a C.L.A.S.S. trained speaker. She has been an inspirational speaker for Bible studies, women’s groups, retirement groups, conferences, holiday teas and luncheons. She is currently a member of the teaching team for an adult ladies’ Sunday school class. Pat has worked in many areas of church ministry and has served as director of the primary department for DVBS, primary department Sunday school teacher, Camp Cherith camp counselor, and co-chair for the E.B.C. Women’s Conference. You can reach Pat by e-mail at patricia.moyer @yahoo.com. You may visit her web site at: http://www.patmoyer-treasure.net/

Read Pat’s devotions

“If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you.” Exodus 33:13

From the rearview mirror, I watched the building that housed my career, shrink. With each passing mile, I, too, seemed to be reducing in size. I had resigned from my job to be with my new baby and had backed out from my parking spot at work for the final time. Because I believed my identity came from my career, that was gone from the horizon as well.

Who am I and where did I go? These were questions I asked daily. I wondered whether Moses asked these questions after killing an Egyptian for beating a Hebrew slave and fleeing to Midian.

I kept asking, “Who am I Lord?” Instead my question needed to be, “Who are you?” Through daily time spent in God’s word, He began re-establishing my identity. My attitudes and habits changed. Convictions hit. Corrections occurred. “‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord’.” The bar was set higher. My identity started to look more like God’s—my eyes focused on my gifts and blessings rather than my accomplishments at a job. I began to see the soul of Christ and search my own.

If my identity is dependent on my job, what happens when the job changes? If I’m out of a job, am I out of an identity? Not as God’s child. He changes us. We can be surprised when led to serve in an area we normally wouldn’t serve, exercise self-control when the tendency is to react, or smile at someone who wronged us instead of walking past.

My identity does not originate from a career, title nor parent, but from being God’s child. At the end of each day and for eternity, that’s the best identity one could have. Identity begins with God and develops through prayer and time in his word. Are you submitting to God daily? Do you look like Him?

Before becoming a full-time mother, Linda Bernson-Tang was assistant advertising and marketing director for KABC TalkRadio in Los Angeles and handled publicity for KLOS, ESPN and Radio Disney ABC owned stations. She is a freelance writer and author of a YA novel entitled, Picture Perfect. She lives in Thousand Oaks, CA with her husband, two daughters, and her God-based identity.

“The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.” Genesis 2:15-17

I watched my children play in our back yard – the entire glorious, fenced in, half acre. For two little boys, you couldn’t ask for a better yard. We have a huge pecan tree that spreads its heavy laden branches over the house and most of the yard. In the corner is a swing enticing little boys who think they can fly. We have piles of dirt and newly fallen leaves. Wagons. Tractors. Scooters. Little shovels just their size. Piles of pecans to be thrown, stacked, or eaten. Rocks. Bugs. Bushes with little red berries that turn into paint when you squish them on the fence. On most days they spend hours exploring their little world.

And yet, there are a handful of things they must not do while they are outside. They must not play with Daddy’s grill. They must not throw rocks over the fence at the neighbor’s car. And they must not climb on the metal pipes connected to the air conditioner.

Today my children abandoned their glorious freedom in exchange for the forbidden. I went outside and found them throwing rocks. I went outside and found Daddy’s grill smoking as it singed dry leaves. I found them swinging like monkey’s on the metal pipes of our air conditioner. And they experienced the cost of disobedience.

On my third trip outside I was reminded by my Father, that all of His children sin. I was reminded of two people in a garden long ago that chose the only forbidden thing in their paradise. And I was reminded that my children are sons of Adam – just as I am a daughter of Eve.

And in that moment I remembered my responsibility is not just to punish the wrong but to encourage the right. It is to help my boys make good choices from having a Godly mind that desires to do good, to obey because it is the right thing to do.

I must help them find pleasure in their freedom, and protect them from what brings harm. And I must help them understand that God is not the great cosmic kill-joy that many people would have us believe, but the kind Father that longs to see them enjoy the things that bring life.

Ariel Allison is learning to trust God as she wanders through the desert. When not writing, she is surrounded by a gaggle of little boys, one blue-eyed husband, and a neurotic dog. She explores the issue of greed in her new novel, Eye of the God, due out from Abingdon Press in October. To read a visit her online at www.arielallison.com Ariel is also featured in Christian Devotions new book, Spirit and HEART: A Devotional Journey.

ISBN-10: 1426700687
ISBN-13: 978-1426700682

“This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases.” Matthew 8:17

Did you know there are 49.2M people who have some type of disability in the United States? That is 19% of our population!

How does one handle having limitations? Recently having to face this situation, I must admit it was not what I would have chosen or been thankful in receiving.

Jesus has authority over all earthly diseases and illness, and does heal, so I expected that to happen for me. I have great doctors and have been blessed with great health for many years, so my expectation was that I would be back to normal in no time.

But that was not the path God had chosen for me to take at this time. The words, “there are many more people worse off than you, so just get a grip and move on,” were not what I wanted to hear. I was focused on what I didn’t have or couldn’t do, not on who I am in Christ and what He wanted to do through me.

No one really likes any kind of limitation or disability, but God has a plan and purpose for it. I saw that I had not really noticed or paid attention to those with limitations until I became one of them. God showed me I would have to learn to be a good member of the “Cane Crowd” so I could help others see past their limitations and become all that God meant for them to become and do, even with their limitations.

What are you facing today? Do you have limitations, or do you need to see how you can help those who do? Ask God to show you His plan and know that He is in control and has not left you.

One day when all sickness and disease are no more in our heavenly home we will see the total healing of our Lord. But until then, as Joni Eareckson Tada shares, “my wheelchair has shown me the way HOME by heart.” I, too, know that my heavenly HOME will be much better than here, but on the way there God has shown me His heart, so I can share it with you!

Sue Falcone is a gifted speaker and teacher. God has called Sue to use her unique presentation of encouragement and humor to help others overcome their fears. Skilled as a former “corporate America” manager, Sue is a graduate of Dale Carnegie and is a speaker for Stonecroft Ministries – Christian Women’s Clubs.

“A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.” Ezekiel 36:26

The lighthouse winks periodically, its blaring horn warns ships. Lake Michigan’s water laps over the shores’ round rocks. I am having a rare playtime with my dad. He lets me wander, watching as I chase waves and then laughing as waves chase me. Dusk begins to settles. When I leave I carry a few, small rocks in my pocket as a trophy of our day.

Like my pocket rocks, rocks in the Bible play an important role in God’s story of His people. Abraham prepared to sacrifice his son, Isaac, on a rock alter, but God intervened. They reinforced with a huge stone the rock-hewed grave in which they buried Jesus. God intervened again and rolled it away. God’s plans for Moses changed when he disobeyed and struck the rock numerous times. The significance of each story teaching us today.

Since Bible times each year as the farmer prepared his field he encountered new rocks once deeply embedded. They broke loose and rose to the surface. These must be dealt with before planting can begin.

As the farmer prepares the field, even so God must prepare us. As believers, we must not allow sin to become embedded, its presence so obscure we refuse to acknowledge it. Bitterness and anger create rock solid formations. These refuse to diminish as we attempt to shovel aside the failures they create.

God is our only help. Forgiveness comes as we acknowledge Him as the cleansing source. He attacks sin one shovel full at a time, removing and tossing it beyond our reach.

Embedding our lives in Biblical truths creates deep craters of assurance. God’s Word provides peace. Each truth nugget builds confidence-sustaining stability. Our heavenly Father smiles as we test His promises. He honors our desire to embed His Word within. Soon, trophy verses become life’s stepping stone, each a solid rock we hold precious.

Daily living embedded in God’s Word provides solid footing when life’s waves lash against us. Our faith stands strong, as His Word becomes a “lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path”. (Psalm 119:105)

Jorlyn A. Grasser is a freelance writer living in Knightdale, North Carolina. She has been published in Secret Place, Horizons, Seek, Evangel and other publications. She enjoys playing the piano and spending time with her grandchildren.

“He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” Luke 8:8b

Jesus has been called the Master Teacher, and we see an example of His teaching ability in the parable of the sower recorded by Luke. Much of what Jesus had to say in this parable encouraged me as I taught for twenty-three years in a public school, and many more years of teaching in our local church. Teaching is often discouraging because we don’t always see immediate results from our labor.

Discouragement is a major threat to all of us. Who among us hasn’t had failures? As a teacher I’ve often looked back and wondered if I should have taken a different approach to a problem. Teachers in the public school are told that unless the pupil learn, there hasn’t been any teaching, an assumption that sometimes made me feel like a failure. Jesus taught, however, that learning is a two-way street. Students must have a receptive mind for learning to occur.

Jesus mentioned four kinds of soil where the seed of the Word might have landed. Unyielding ground where the seed couldn’t take root. In shallow soil, it would sprout and soon wither and die because of lack of moisture. Palestine’s soil was also full of thistles and brambles. If the seed fell among those aggressive plants, the young plant would soon be crowded out. Only seed nurtured in good soil produced a noteworthy crop, and this principle also applies to teaching.

I often had students in public schools whose family background prevented their reception of my teaching. One mother sent an excuse saying that her son had been absent from school the previous day to stay home with his father who was leaving the next day to spend twenty years in prison. I remember another student, whose father was molesting the boy’s younger sisters, and the mother wouldn’t interfere. In situations like these, learning can seldom take place because the students’ family problems crowded out the seed I was sowing.

Christians have the opportunity to sow the seed of the Good News wherever we are. In reality, we are all teachers by example whether or not we’ve ever set foot in a classroom. We are responsible for teaching the Word, not for the response. But how wonderful to praise God when we’ve planted the seed and it has produced an abundant crop in the lives of those who listened!

Irene Brand began writing inspirational novels in 1984. Forty-five books and over 2 million copies in print, Irene still holds to her grass roots, of faith, family and friends.

Irene and her husband live in rural West Virginia. Her newest book,
Love Finds You in Valentine, Nebraska is available in bookstores now.

As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” Mt 4:18-19

Imagine if you called for help and nobody responded. How terrified would it make you feel to realize you were all alone? Well what I’m speaking of here is far more important than that.We’re speaking of eternity. I’m talking about someone’s life…

“C’mon, partner, we need to go!”

“Unh uh, I’m not going.”

“Right. Put your boots on, man. I’ll be in the truck.”

“I’m serious. I wanna see the end of this game.”

His partner gazed at him, incredulous, as if trying to see the humor in a sick joke without a punchline. At first his face revealed confusion, and then a small degree of anger, and then outright disbelief.

“You what?”

“I want to see this game.”

“Medic-seven?” the dispatcher exclaimed. The station radio crackled as if to emphasize the frustration in her voice. “Are you en route yet?”

“Don’t answer her.”

“What? We can’t just ignore this, man. We have to go!”

“Look, I’m not wasting my time on another silly call. It’s a cardiac arrest for crying out loud. There’s nothing we can do for the poor guy anyway.”

The radio crackled again. “Medic-seven?”

“Seven to dispatch—stand by please.” His partner’s expression deepend. A stern frown soured his face.

“Are you insane? Do you realize what you’re doing?”

“Sure I do.”

“Medic-seven!”

“Seven,” his partner answered, his voice revealing total confusion.

“I-I’m sorry, but you’ll have to send another unit. It’s my partner, he’s…well he’s refusing to take this call.”

A few seconds of uncomfortable silence passed before the radio erupted in a swarm of heated responses. The dispatcher, their supervisor, the fire department squad unit already en route to the scene—everyone fighting for radio space trying to understand the madness taking place. His partner stared at him dumbfounded.

“I can’t believe this, man! Someone’s life is on the line and you’re just gonna sit there and watch that game?”

“Sit down and relax. Ignore it. It’ll go away.”

Jesus said, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock.”

Will you dare to answer it? Will you respond with the same diligence that you would an everyday call? I mean, listen! This is the call of your life! It will determine your ultimate destiny. Where you’ll spend eternity. So will you open the door? Answer Christ’s call and let him in? Or will you sit there and ignore him and hope he simply goes away?

When Peter and Andrew heard Christ’s call they jumped. They followed him. And on their backs Christ built his church. If Jesus Christ is knocking on the door of your heart today, please don’t ignore him. Do as they did. Respond to his call. You must, for someone’s life depends on it…

Pat Patterson is a novelist, a paramedic, and an instructor of Emergency Medical Science. His stories are true, based on real experiences from the streets of Durham, North Carolina where he has served as a paramedic since 1992.

“Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men.” PROVERBS 22:29

When the young Quaker businessman rolled his wheelbarrow through the streets of colonial Philadelphia in the 1730s, he hoped people would take notice. Benjamin Franklin wasn’t merely showing off his wheels. He wanted his neighbors to observe his hands on the handlebar. They were symbols of something close to his heart: his diligence. After all, if people saw him working hard, then they might trust him with their business. Here’s how Franklin described it:

“To show that I was not above my business I sometimes brought home the paper I purchas’d at the stores thro’ the streets on a wheelbarrow. Thus being esteem’d an industrious, thriving young man, and paying duly for what I bought, the merchants who imported stationery solicited my custom; others proposed supplying me with books, and I went on swimmingly,” he reflected years later.

Franklin learned his diligent work ethic from his father, who frequently cited Proverbs 22:29 (KJV): “Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.”

Franklin took his father’s philosophy to heart and turned it into a motto. “I from thence considered industry as a means of obtaining wealth and distinction, which encourag’d me, tho’ I did not think that I should ever literally stand before kings, which, however, has since happened; for I have stood before five, and even had the honor of sitting down with one, the King of Denmark, to dinner,” Franklin wrote in his memoirs.

With his conscientious compass set, Franklin became a print-maker and a postmaster. In addition, this entrepreneur was always tinkering with new inventions. He was so mindful about paying off his debts, especially his printing house mortgage, he wore the wardrobe of a saver, not a spender. “In order to secure my credit and character as a tradesman, I took care not only to be in reality industrious and frugal, but to avoid all appearances to the contrary. I drest plainly,” he wrote.

Franklin also avoided any appearance of laziness. “I was seen at no places of idle diversion. I never went out a fishing or shooting; a book, indeed, sometimes debauch’d me from my work, but that was seldom, snug, and gave no scandal,” he jested.

His hard work and reading made him a renaissance man, accomplished in science, literature, business, politics, and diplomacy. Diligence was possibly Benjamin Franklin’s strongest character trait throughout his eighty-four years. And while not every hardworking person meets five kings, diligence and conscientiousness are still valued today by the King of kings.

PRAYER Give me the strength today to work diligently as if for a king. And although my labor may not bring me recognition by others, help me take satisfaction in knowing that you value hard work.

Bestselling author and columnist Jane Hampton Cook, www.janecook.com, is known for making history both memorable and relevant to today’s news, political events, and issues of faith. A former webmaster for President George W. Bush (1998-03), Jane is the author of Stories of Faith and Courage from the Revolutionary War, a 365-day devotional chronicling the story of the nation’s founding from the viewpoints of 20 key players.

Publisher: Living Ink Books
Release Date: October 2007 BUY Now
ISBN-10: 0-89957-042-9
©Jane Hampton Cook, used with permission.

Stories of Faith and Courage from the Revolutionary War is a 365-day devotional of America’s quest for independence. One book reviewer noted: “Amazingly I was caught up in the sights, sounds, conversation and convictions of the colonists in such a manner that I thought I was there.” With the pace of a novel, the book reveals the miraculous story of the American Revolution, its political struggles, military strategy, and pulpit perspective from the viewpoints of George Washington, John Adams, Abigail Adams, John Witherspoon and others who lived loudly for liberty.

“The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.” Psalm 16:6

I used to pretend that I was Julie Andrews in the movie, “The Sound of Music”. Behind our little cabin in the woods, where my family spent many weekends and vacations in the Endless Mountains of Pennsylvania, was a steep hill that led up to a high open field. I would run to the highest point where I could see the beauty of the countryside in all directions. There I would break out in song with my arms wide open, turning in circles, and my head lifted to the skies, just like the scene in the movie. Forty-some years later, I still can recall the feeling of freedom and exuberance in those moments as I delighted in the beautiful place God had chosen for me to be.

From where I stand today as I look out over the prospects of the new year, I can see many possibilities and opportunities. Some I will approach with exuberance, while others hold a certain kind of trepidation. I know each day may hold gifts as well as challenges, joys as well as sorrows, surprises and disappointments. But they will all be given within the boundary lines my awesome God has set for me. He knows the song and the desires of my heart and sets each moment into motion with me in mind.

I want to be ready, but I know I will need help. I want to be able to run into the new year with a sense of excitement. With arms wide open I want to welcome the adventures God has in store for me. I realize that I will not always have a clear view of what is to come and will need to lift my eyes heavenward for Divine guidance. And Divine guidance only comes to prepared hearts.

Seeking God’s will first and consistently trying to see life from His point of view enables us to move ahead confidently within the boundary lines He has established for each of us. Navigating in this world is not easy so remember that His Word is our map for life showing us the way. And in all things, give God praise! He is worthy!

Are you ready to step into the new year with exuberance? Do you know the freedom that comes from having a relationship with Christ? Run with praise to the heights of your heart with arms wide open. Receive and be delighted in the beauty of each new day and the possibilities it holds! Walk humbly and in faith. Sing with abandon!

Sue Payne is a freelance writer whose articles have appeared in home schooling newsletters and church news bulletins. She is experienced in curriculum planning and design and uses her writing skills to encourage and teach others. Sue lives in Delaware, is married, and has two boys whom she home schooled for a total of fourteen years.

“Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalms 46:10

For most of us, our day is essentially planned before we ever get out of bed. Once our feet hit the floor, we start our daily routine with personal hygiene, breakfast, and the newspaper. Then we might feed the cat, walk the dog, and take out the trash. When all is said and done, we send the kids off to school, and rush out the door to work. We can become such creatures of habit, we never take a different route to our destination, hesitate to try new and different foods and spend all our free time with the same few friends. We watch the same TV programs and movies over and over, and wear our favorite outfits once a week. Basically opposed to change, we get so comfortable that we do things automatically, without thought. Nothing new and different about today – it’s strictly business-as-usual.

Consider this: are we willing to allow God access into our everyday existence, giving Him permission to interrupt our routine and busy schedules? There are many God-moments in the midst of an ordinary day if we simply look for them. God is always at work in and around us. He has many unique and creative ways to bless us, and bless others through us. He constantly wants to wrap us in His presence, and show us His love, His power and His grace.

Being still (and quiet) is one of the hardest things to do, but we must give God something to work with. We have to set aside our agenda for His and allow Him to help us set our schedules and prepare our to-do lists. When we’re rigid and inflexible, not willing to “stop and smell the roses,” we miss opportunities for God to manifest Himself in our lives. We need to look for the divine in the common and miracles in the mundane. Sometimes God’s presence will show up and overtake us when we least expect it. Moses found that to be true when he happened upon the burning bush.

One word or encounter with God can change your life forever, so be ready. Listen to the birds sing. Watch a sunset. Take a walk on the beach. Look deep into the eyes of a child. Or, simply reach out to someone in need.

Can you see Him?

God is there in the midst of the opportunity, and He’s waiting for you.

Andrea Merrell is a freelance writer with a passion to help others see God’s Word as practical and relevant for ordinary, everyday life. She has written material for ladies’ groups, marriage retreats, skits, websites and brochures, and served as both columnist and editor for Pan Am Bank Notes in Tampa, Florida. She loves Christian fiction and is currently working on three novels, along with countless devotions.
Andrea (a new “grandma” with two more on the way) has been married to her husband and best friend, Charlie, for 37 years and lives in South Carolina. Read Andrea’s devotions