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Finding lost money and hidden treasures are two words that make men go wild.  They drool and howl at the wind as their tails wag at the thought of possibly finding something.  Strike it rich, and flagging takes place.  But who isn’t intrigued by the discovery of hidden, or lost, treasure?  Men go on life-long quests digging up even a tiny pearl or diamond.

Some men, unfortunately, spend their lives seeking fool’s gold: treasures after the heart and wisdom of man, rather than after God’s heart.  Hunting for treasures that leave you empty will leave both pockets and hearts dry as well. Why are treasures dangerous?  Because we tend to pour our hearts into them; blinding us to other important matters.

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Luke 12:34).

God wants us to “Search the scriptures; for in them you think you have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me” (John 5:39). He wants us to hunt through scriptures like an egg hunt, leaving no stone unturned in our pursuit.

God provides warnings to the dangers of getting into treasures that end up stealing our hearts and turning them away from God.  Man, in general doesn’t seek after God’s ways because he feels he doesn’t need God. Going after treasure, only cements those feelings all the more.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal;

On earth, no matter where you live your treasures are in constant danger.  In fact, the better the neighborhood, the more thieves are “eyeing it” and eager to get it. Instead:

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matthew 6:19:20).

How? “Seek first the kingdom of God and its righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).

“God’s kingdom is like a treasure hidden in a field for years and then accidentally found by a trespasser. The finder is ecstatic-what a find!- and proceeds to sell everything he owns to raise money and buy that field” (Matthew 13:44 MSG).

Interpretation: When you discover God and His word, you have found treasure in an open field.  You find it so valuable that nothing you possess matters.  You’ll want it badly.

Live for God, work for Him.  Everything you do for Him builds your treasures in heaven. You’re doing it because you love Him, and when you get there, you’ll learn He has treasures for you beyond your expectations. Look at it this way: Build treasures here, and you only have a short time to enjoy them.  Build them in heaven, and you’ll live an eternity enjoying them-and no worries!  That’s a much better yield!

Heaven will be ladened with treasures galore for you to explore!

God Bless!
Sam

Do you remember when those 45rpm records were $.15 each? You’d swap them and play ‘em till the artists got sore throats from singing. Every teen and preteen had a collection to get them through the hardships of going to school, doing chores, hanging out, putting up with parents, and even fighting the system.

A line in the famous Dooby Brothers’ 1972 song, Listen to the Music, says “And we’ll dance, Oh, we’re gonna dance our blues away.”  Now, I’m no dancer cause I’ve got no moves, but I believe dancing moves you to becoming one with your partner. Who doesn’t want to enjoy a great time listening to fine music encouraging you to take in some country time with your friends? 

Now, 45s have come a long way.  Back in 1977-78 DISCO produced 45s in 12” format and people were really dancing their blues away.  But there’s another way to dance off our struggles.  There’s another way to dance even if we have no Blues.  Dance for God!

Psalms 149:3 says, “Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with timbrel and harp.”

You CAN’T rejoice before God with your hands in your pockets all the time and your feet still.  Rejoicing and delighting signify movement and excitement.  Of course, you can state how thrilled you are using Ben Stein’s facial expression, but few would believe you!

2 Samuel 6:14 reads, “And David danced before Jehovah with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.”

In his inner garments, King David praised God.  Now, he wasn’t boogying and he wasn’t twisting, or Discoing, but he was expressing himself with adoration before Him.  And he did so with all his might.

You might not be a king-excuse me, didn’t know you were, but king, prince, queen, princess, or your average Jo-anne, once your life is His, praise Him in the heavens with your rightful moves. It’s your expression to Him because of Whom He is.   

And what does God think of this???!!! Ever asked yourself that? Huh? Ever wonder what HE thinks?  Read what Zephaniah 3:17 says:

“[God] will [dance] over you with singing.” Or rejoice over you…

He’s in your midst rejoicing over YOU, His creation, especially if you honor Him.  So, go ahead and dance your blues away; soon we’ll meet in the “country” (Heaven) for more than a day!

God Bless,

Sam

I love the heat. When we lived in New York I loved the cold and snow.  Right now, in the past week, we’ve had running water for about 12-14 hours. Everyday there’s an issue.  If the pumps didn’t need a part, then they needed cleaning.  If they were cleaned and had their parts then there hasn’t been electricity. We haven’t had a 12-hour period with electricity since Weds. (8/14) at 2:34 a.m.  Yesterday, it came and left about 5 times.  Thankfully, we have our water tanks with about 1200 gals of fresh, clean water and 450 gals of collected rain water from the storm.

Last week before a storm was on the horizon, our hot water heater died on us.  We took it for repairs last Monday, August 12. Due to the storm on the 14^th, it isn’t ready yet. We’ve been showering the old-fashioned way: heating water and adding it to cooler waters in a large bucket and pouring it over ourselves. This Friday, August 16, my friend, Andres, called me and we spoke about the water and heater situation.  I told him it’s easier to shower with cold water at night because our bodies are hot and sweaty.  However, in the mornings it’s harder to do.  He said one really has to pray hard to lunge in there under cold water for a shower! I reminded him that decades ago he told us he showers mornings under ice cold water!  He laughed at the fact that it’s true and that I remembered it!  Then I said, “You pray a lot!” And we both laughed at the thought.

True, heat is needed when it’s a bit colder out and when our bodies are aching. In terms of heat, I’m sure you’ve noticed how hot it’s been getting around the world. Is it a coincidence? NOPE!

It’ll be getting seven times hotter in the near future! And during the great tribulation, for those still on earth not serving God but fussing, complaining, and raising their fists at Him, here’s what’ll happen:

“And the people were scorched with fierce heat; and they blasphemed the name of God who has the power over these plagues, and they did not repent so as to give Him glory” (Revelation 16:9 NASB).

Instead of repenting, they curse God all the more.

 Want to escape this inescapable event that will be coming upon the earth-an extremely hot event, albeit, that will pale in comparison to the heat in hell?  Ask Jesus into your heart now and enjoy His presence when He walks with you in the cool of the day as He did with Adam (Genesis 3:8).

Update: Got our heater back today, Tuesday, but we still have no running water.  That’s how Puerto Rico works.

Update, Update: Got water all the way through Weds night. Thursday morning power had gone out during the night as well as the water.

God Bless!
Sam

So, let’s journey again to heaven!  “Just take my hand and I’ll lead ya” Candida (1970 Tony Orlando),and let’s head over yonder!

Upon arriving there, picture these scenes: Multitudes of people are gathered around God’s Throne room.   As time exists no longer and people will have eternity at their disposal, Jesus suddenly announces: “All the way from the lands of the eastern part of the world, let’s welcome Indonesia, China, Australia, South Korea, etc. And wild applause shatters a few glasses.  All the countries from each region presented from every corner of the world may take weeks and years parading their cultural identities, their beautiful colors, and special music dedicated to God!

It will be much more than their cultural uniqueness that will be displayed.  We will know how they triumphed over evil, over sicknesses, over temptations, over hardships and persecutions of every type imaginable to be present at this meeting!

 We will both cry and rejoice, able to identify with them when considering our own trials. Though we don’t currently know these people, we will know they’re united to us in Christ.  From the ends of the world, a string connects us all: our love for each other through Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross.

Were it not for the love of Christ, many of us could never get along with Russians, Nigerians, Europeans, Japanese, Hispanics, Scottish, etc. This is where God’s love truly shines!

See, some people, even entire families can be of a particular  religion like Hindu or Muslim, or belong to a sect or cult.  They can sing, It’s A Family Affair (Sly and the Family Stone). Together, they might even say to outsiders, “Get away from me boy…you bother me” (W.C. Fields).  However, religion plays no part in God’s world! It’s all about relationship with Him!

Salvation is individual and only comes through Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross (Acts4:12).  It doesn’t depend on what your family practices.  Salvation through Christ’s love, allows us to desire fellowship with others of different backgrounds.  His love is more than enough to overcome barriers of all types. His love is amazing!  He said,                        “A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.  By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one to another” (John 13:34, 35).

See, if you keep His commandments of Loving the LORD with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength, and loving your neighbor as yourself, you’re honoring God because the rest of the commandments hang on these two (Matthew 22:39, 40).

Heaven will be unlike anything we can ever imagine!  God gave us culture for the sake of identity and variety!  He’s not a boring God!  We will all bring our uniqueness to Him in person!  He ’ll be thrilled to see us in our splendor.  “Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.  He who has ears, let him hear” (Matthew 13:43 ESV).

We will succeed at everything!  We will do it with all our might!  We’ll be our best for Him because sin will exist no longer! No one will harm us. Death will be NO MORE!  Nothing will hinder us!

As we picture the nations parading before Him, let’s take it all in!  Bask in His presence!  Let’s enjoy this glimpse of heaven.  Better yet, let’s make sure we’re on the invite!  As Mickey and Becky sang back in the early 80s, “I’m cleaning out my closet spaces, I’m dusting down my room…” (Closet Spaces).  Clean your life of all hindrances by yielding to Him.  You CAN’T do it on your own!  Have you made yourself ready?? 

“Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city” (Revelations 22:14).

I’ve got my seat saved, right up front-behind several billion others!  Come, sit next to me! We’ll enjoy the parade!!

“The nations of them that are saved shall walk in the light of it, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it” (Revelation 21:24).

Love your neighbor as yourself!

Sam

Some decades ago, the Transformers came out.  First, they were in cartoons and later, in toys.  They eventually made it to the big screen.  One minute there was a robot, the next, it transformed itself into a vehicle.  Transformations were eye-catching!  They stimulated kids’ minds from creativity to possibilities!                                                                                People are into various types of trans, some are transiting from point A to point B.  Others are transporting goods, some transmitting messages across the globe, and some are undergoing some type of transformation.

Jesus is into the art of transformation.  Regardless of where you find yourself right now, He can transform your life.  Feel an emptiness that nothing fills?  Confused by the latest “trans” movement and aren’t sure where you fit? Not sure if anything is real anymore?  Do you have an addiction?  Cravings? Can’t keep your hands out of the cookie jars?  Or, perhaps you feel like you’re perfect and can’t figure out what others are going through?

Are you crying all the time because you can’t bear this life any longer? People can be cruel and not trust-worthy. But God can transform your life.  Like a tender hurting birdie, he can place you in His hand and cuddle away your hurts and fears. Read this:

“You will never again be called the People that God Left, nor your land the land that God Destroyed.  You will be called the People God Loves, and your land will be called the Bride of God, because the Lord loves you.  And your land will belong to him as a bride belongs to her husband” (Isaiah 62:4).

God’s changes are there!

God’s plans for your life are incredible! You’ll be kicking yourself like that old wolf in the cartoons with a wooden leg pulling down on the lever saying, “Yowl!” if you don’t yield to Him NOW!

Being transformed is so important that Jesus wanted His three chosen disciples to experience what no one else did. 

“Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves.  And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white as the light.  Just then appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus” (Matthew 17:1-3).

The transfiguration showed the disciples that Jesus was more than a man; He was God.  They got a glimpse of His Deity. They saw there was more to Him than met the eye.  It’s the same with us.  He has so much more for us.

No, Christians don’t believe you’ll come back as a roach, a lizard, or a peasant, but we do know allowing Him to work in us will transform our lives. Soon, we’ll be transported to His kingdom forever with new bodies; will be given new names (Isaiah 43:1), and will remember no more the hurt and evil that has shaped our lives. 

Let’s look forward to that new, holy city!                                                “And the street (broad way) of the city was pure gold, like transparent crystal” (Revelation 21:21b).

God Bless!
Sam

I’m officially the dish washer at home, at least for the past 19 years.  The rule is, every time my wife cooks (4-5 times/week), I wash.  When I cook, she washes.  Lately, my wife has hinted at having a dishwasher-such a luxury! Especially so in an area where water comes and goes unexpectedly.  Of course, my concern is they’re so big and therefore need a place for it.

But big isn’t our only concern.  About 18 years ago, we went to Florida to visit our two daughters, then in their early twenties.  The four of us had some food and then the youngest stood up and went to “wash” her plate.  I thought, “Wow, that was quick.” When the second daughter also went to “wash” her plate, I felt good knowing that the things they were taught at home were being carried out; mainly, getting straight to picking up after themselves.

When my wife finished her meal and went to the sink, she was surprised to find that the dishes were nowhere to be found-washed, dried, or otherwise!  She asked the girls where they were, and the youngest said, “Why, in the dishwasher, of course!  My wife said, “A dishwasher for two plates?!” “How long is that going to sit there, a month?” she asked. The girls laughed; we couldn’t believe it! My wife said, “Get outta here!” and quickly washed both their plates.

Yep, so how long will it take for us to fill an empty dishwasher?  Our oldest daughter is now married and it takes two hours for a load to get done. Well, we found some portable dishwashers; the type fitting on a countertop; the type that squirts like a water gun.  But where should we put it? Next to the microwave?  Nah. The air fryer is there right next to the coffee maker.  On the other side of the sink, we have the blender next to the food processor, next to the onion/potato bin, next to the ice maker.  And we can’t forget our toaster…I guess I’ll continue washing by hand.

How we wash or who washes, isn’t important to Jesus.  Being cleaned, is.  But He’s not referring to dishes.  He’s concerned with our lives, with our souls.  He’s not interested in what we WERE, but what we are NOW after receiving Him into our lives.

“But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God”                             (1 Corinthians 6:11 NIV).

Whether you have the space or not, and whether it’s two minutes or two hours of washing, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

That’s why we do water baptism.  As you go down, it represents your dying to self; and as you come up, it represents resurrection to new life!  Just like Jesus! Water-washing is symbolic of newness in Christ and public confirmation you now belong to Jesus.

God Bless!
Sam

I had five older brothers, one older sister, and a younger brother.  I now only have the youngest of the five older brothers and the youngest of all left.  Today, August 10, would have been my brother Ruben’s 78^th birthday. Ruben was my favorite brother from the older group. He was funny, super thin, good-spirited, and when I was four years old, he used to iron my shorts.  When he was around 19 yrs. old, he would come home from work and give us pocket change, maybe 18-35 cents each.  We didn’t know how much; all we knew was that we had lots of coins and we’d zoom to the candy store down the block and grab what we could for what we had.  It wasn’t about how much we received, but that unexpectedly, we had “jingle” in our hands.

Unfortunately, for my brother, he and his wife got caught up in a very false cult, where they were taught that Jesus wasn’t God nor His Son.  Speaking of Jesus, Acts 4:12 reads, “There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

They teach there’s no hell and Jesus’ parables or stories, were all allegories.  “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night forever and ever. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire.  This is the second death” (Revelation 20:14,15).

According to them, one can drink life away and it not be held against you.  Where, since one could give gifts at any time of the year, and not on Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, definitely not on Christmas Day, or on birthdays-which should not be celebrated at all…but NEVER give gifts at all. Doctrinally, Jesus was just another good man.  He is not needed, according to them, for salvation.  And since there’s no hell, and no one is going to heaven either because only 144,000 already went up, one should just live until you die and become dust.

God’s Word, not the one they have manufactured, says differently.  “After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language standing before the throne and before the Lamb” (Revelation 7:9a).

So, unfortunately, members die not knowing where they’re going other than that they will live on the earth forever.  The old, sinful earth, that is; not the New Earth that Jesus said He’ll make.  “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heavens and first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea” (Revelation 21:1).

And based on scripture, they die a Christless death.

Make sure you’re not caught up in a false cult; one telling you your family isn’t your real family but only their organization is.  Please note that there are many other false cults and sects-all borrowing truths from the Bible and adding their own twists to make scriptures say what they want them to.  Make sure scripture and Jesus are the main focus at what house of worship you attend. Most importantly, get saved!  We’ll meet up there and can swap stories!

These verses paint a different picture to that of cultists believing there’s no eternal punishment at the end of a life lived away from God. Everyone who has died without Christ and/or cast into Hades (Hell), will also be cast into the lake of fire.  It’s the second death because “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment…,” (Hebrews 9:27,28) all who haven’t received Christ will face a second death; that is, a spiritual death as well as the physical one.

Be not deceived by false security where you think all is dandy.  Make 200% sure your life lines up with God’s word. Example: “And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand” (John 10:28).

That’s real security!

I’m sorry my brother is gone and probably isn’t with Christ.  Ultimately, God knows.

God Bless,

Sam

I think everyone has met at least one two-faced person;  Hypocrites. They’ll say something to you and then change what they said or they’ll say something differently to others about you.  Generally, they’ll talk behind your back.  Here’s a goodie to remember: “He who tells you about others, will tell others about you.”

No one likes two face people.  Of course, they don’t actually have two faces, but they

Re perceived that way.  But what about a four-faced being?!  Ever heard of that?  Ever seen one? I doubt it!  And I’m sure you’re glad you’ve never seen one!  So, what is it?

“And I looked, and saw a windstorm coming out of the north-an immense cloud with flashing lightning and surrounded by brilliant light.  The center of the fire looked like glowing metal.  And in the fire was what looked like four living creatures.  In appearance their form was human, but each of them had four faces and four wings.  Their legs were straight; their feet were like those of a calf and gleamed like burnished bronze. Under their wings on their four sides they had human hands.  All four of them had faces and wings. And the wings of one touched the wings of another.  Each one went straight ahead; they did not turn as they moved.  Their faces looked like this: Each of the four had the face of a human being, and on the right side each had the face of a lion, and on the left the face of an ox; each also had the face of an eagle.  Such were their faces.  They each had two wings spreading out upward, each wing touching that of the creature on either side; and each had other wings covering its body…The creatures sped back and forth like flashes of lightning” (Ezekiel 1:4-11, 14).

These are God’s special creatures! There’s plenty of speculation out there.  I’m sure Mulder and Scully would have jumped on the scene and searched relentlessly trying to discover and recover what they believed the government would cover up!  Nonetheless, they are weird creatures which are continually in God’s presence and which we will get to see!  I don’t know about you, but I surely don’t need to see such creatures standing before me now.   Sounds scary enough!

God Bless!
Sam

Is another man’s treasure, the saying goes. And it’s true! We’ve all seen it. Someone dumps a few items, and another person gathers them and makes something out of it. We can repurpose many things.  We can even turn them into works of art.

Sometimes we may not feel too good or worth too much.  Maybe our self-esteem is down; or maybe, others have picked on us so much, we feel worthless.  Now that’s a word Satan is good at using.  He makes us feel worthless, cheap, or like garbage. He wants us to believe we’re unwanted, refuse, repulsive, reckless, or ruined.

Jesus, though, searches about.  Where others might give up on us, He doesn’t. He might find you outside a bar or down an alley.  He might rappel down a ravine to find you at the bottom of a valley; or scale mountain to reach you beyond heights.  He can confront a bear and protect you from the enemy’s claws, or simply shuffle in to an upscale club and snatch you up from a heap of “trash.” 

What Satan deems trash and of no value to him, Jesus finds, rescues, reclaims, restores, and redeems for His glory and purposes.  We are then reconciled to the Father.  But He expects us to grow by remaining in Him that we may bear fruit.

No matter how clean you are, no matter where you study, work, live, or the clothing you wear, where you work, who your cronies are, or how much moolah you own, until claimed by Jesus, you’re nothing but waste in Satan’s eyes.  Just as reclaimed wood is worth much more than regular wood, you’re of extreme value to God.  In fact, you’re irreplaceable.  You’re priceless to Him!  He left His throne in heaven to live in this trash-like earth just to find you and let you know your worth.

So, get yourself appraised and praised by the LORD of Lords and King of kings.  He thinks the world of you!  You’re His Beloved (Song of Solomon 6:3)! You’re the reason He went to the cross-to be rescued from Satan’s gripping claws. Satan loves garbage.  Satan loves keeping people in bondage. Jesus, however, loves all of His creation and longs to give you freedom from sin and death.  Seek Him now!

“But I am come that you may have life, and have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).

Get Cleaned Up By Jesus!
Sam

 We’ve all seen movies about The Invisible Man, including with the comedians Abbott & Costello. People have wished they could be invisible to pull off pranks, naughtiness, or disappearing acts, etc.  Even the X-Files returned a few years ago with an episode where two guys made some wishes from a genie lamp.  One wish was to be invisible, which didn’t produce the results they had hoped for!  Unfortunately, we can’t be invisible.

However, God, who created the visible world also created an invisible one.  It’s where battles are fought daily; probably 24/7.  All spiritual warfare takes place in this realm.  Prayers against demonic activities and release of souls from spiritual chains and the powers of darkness, occur here.  In this invisible world Christians storm the gates of darkness binding Satan and his demonic host.  Spiritual victories lie in this realm unseen by the natural man.                                                                                                  Our eyes can’t see the invisible world lying beyond us. Yet, it exists. In a familiar Biblical story, Elisha’s servant, Gehazi, doubted God’s deliverance from the enemy.  Early one morning, Gehazi saw his city surrounded by an army of chariots and horses ready to overtake them in battle.  He panicked. But Elisha told him,

“Don’t be afraid,” those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”  And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, LORD, so that he may see.”  Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha” (2 Kings 6:15-17).    

Elisha’s faith in God allowed him to trust God for deliverance.  However, Gehazi lacked the faith and belief that God was with them in a most dangerous situation.  He only saw what was present in the natural world-the enemy.  That’s what Satan wants us to see.  He doesn’t want us to walk by faith.

God opened the servant’s spiritual eyes, the ones needed to wage war in the heavenlies; also known as spiritual battles.  God has myriads of angels known as his angelic host which battle with Satan’s demonic armies over our minds, thoughts, lives, plans, decisions, and other areas that need/want to serve God.  The unseen world exists and is frequently looked into by occultists, mind readers, those into witchcraft, and everyone  that opposes God’s presence and dominance on earth.

“For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers.  All things were created through Him and for Him.  And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist” Colossians 1:15-20).

One day soon, however, both worlds will meet!  Check it out:   “That in the dispensation of the fullness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth, even in Him” (Ephesians 1:10).                                                 

YEP, God will unite both worlds.                                                      “What is seen is temporal, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18).

We’ll live amongst the seraphim, the cherubim, angels, and other heavenly creatures He’s created. But for now, we can’t be invisible but we can travel to the invisible world, the spiritual realm of God, that is, when we talk to Him in prayer.

God Bless!

Sam