Date: Wednesday July 18, 2012
Today's Chapters: Ecclesiastes 9-12
Message Title: True Treasures

Hello My Friend,

It is amazing to learn of the things that one treasures, some people treasure what the world can give them, such as wealth and riches, which are usually hoarded. Some people treasure little things given to them, something that is precious and will never let go of them. Some people treasure what is in their mind and keep it safely retained here until the day they die. What we treasure the most is determined by what the heart desires, if we are seeking godly things the heart will long for those, likewise, if we are seeking worldly things the heart will long for those as well. Interestingly enough though, when we give our hearts to God He places new desires upon them and gives us treasures that nothing here on earth can compare to. “Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” -Ephesians 2:3,4,10.

Solomon, when applying his heart to know the work of God went through a great deal of pain to search into it, although he was no closer to an answer than when he first began he did come up with one conclusion, it's all in the hands of God. “For all this I considered in my heart even to declare all this, that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God: no man knoweth either love or hatred by all that is before them. All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath. This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead. For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion.” - Ecclesiastes 9:1-4.

God's hand is in everything that we do, whether we are saved or not, those who are saved find hope in life after death because they know they will see Jesus. Those who are not saved, or perhaps never let Him in their lives after salvation fear death, they scramble around trying to find joy in every thing imaginable to no avail when God is trying get their attention. I rather have nothing with God than have everything without God, at least I know where my true treasures will be. “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.” - 1 John 3:2,3,6.

When we begin to seek treasures that are in the world, our heart turns away from God and toward what it finds pleasure in, but there comes a time in our lives when we must grow up and stop seeking pleasure in something that will never truly satisfy us. In all that we do we need to remind ourselves that it is eternal. “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all. For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.” - Ecclesiastes 9:10-12.

Solomon observed that one day we will all be judged for our actions as adults, in our youth, it's easy to fall for the things of the world because we are learning and growing, but as we grow we learn that life is not all about fun and games, everything we do, whether we are saved or not is eternal. “Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun: But if a man live many years, and rejoice in them all; yet let him remember the days of darkness; for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity. Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment. Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity. “ - Ecclesiastes 11:7-10.

When we die we all have to stand before Jesus Himself, those who are not saved we will be cast right into hell, only to be resurrected to face Him again for a second death. “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” - Revelation 20:12-15.

Solomon spent his lifetime searching for pleasure from every worldly source, he used the word vanity over thirty times in the Book of Ecclesiastes and concluded that ignoring the Word of God was the vanity of vanities, we need to fear God and keep His commands if we want the true desires of the heart. Solomon concluded, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” - Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.

True pleasure in life results from giving one's time, talents, and resources to fulfill the will of God. This is the only true source of happiness, peace of mind, and genuine enjoyment in life. The only way to live in the will of God is to first know His Son, Jesus Christ as your Savior, otherwise nothing we try to do will even matter, God will not pay attention to us unless the Savior is in us. “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.” - 1 John 5:1,20.

Today's Prayer: God, Thank You for the treasure chest of Your riches; salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. Your salvation, wisdom and knowledge surpass those passing and temporal treasures experienced in this mortal life.  We walk by faith and not by sight, so keep us steadfast in our times as we hold to the true treasures that can only come from a life with You. Keep our eyes and hearts on You as we await our glorious union in heaven. In Jesus' name. Amen.

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