Seeking the Heavenly Treasure

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. Colossians 3:2.
The Lord reveals man’s relative estimate of time and eternity, of earth and heaven. He has admonished us: “If riches increase, set not your heart upon them.” Psalm 62:10. They have a value when used for the good of others and the glory of God; but no earthly treasure is to be your portion, your god, or your savior.
God tests men, some in one way, and some in another. He tests some by bestowing upon them His rich bounties, and others by withholding His favors. He proves the rich to see if they will love God, the Giver, and their neighbor as themselves. When man makes a right use of these bounties, God is pleased; He can then trust him with greater responsibilities.
There is within the worldly man a craving for something that he does not have. He has, from force of habit, bent every thought, every purpose, in the direction of making provision for the future, and as he grows older, he becomes more eager than ever to acquire all that it is possible to gain….
All this energy, this perseverance, this determination, this industry after earthly power, is the result of the perversion of his powers to a wrong object. Every faculty might have been cultivated to the highest possible elevation by exercise, for the heavenly, immortal life, and for the far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. The customs and practices of the worldly man in his perseverance and his energies, and in availing himself of every opportunity to add to his store, should be a lesson to those who claim to be children of God, seeking for glory, honor, and immortality. The children of the world are wiser in their generation than the children of the light, and herein is seen their wisdom. Their object is for earthly gain, and to this end they direct all their energies. O that this zeal would characterize the toiler for heavenly riches!
The Faith I Live By p. 170
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Prayer Requests
—-Friends, would you please pray for my daughter’s boyfriend? He’s pretty young, about 23, and was just diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome. He’s currently in the hospital with extreme weakness, vomiting and in a lot of pain. DD
—-Please pray for healing of both my eyes, tear ducts blocked, and infection in both. F
—-Asking for prayer for a coworker’s 17 year old daughter and family . She had thyroid surgery a few days ago and did not get favorable pathology reports yesterday. Danette
—-I friended someone that I thought was looking for a Christian lifestyle, been talking/sending her info, sharing bible verses, etc. All of a sudden she is posting Wicca/Pagan stuff. Please pray that I have wisdom to know how I should proceed. anonymous
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Dear Friends,
Photos and videos of the terrible destruction caused by the volcano eruptions in Hawaii are being shown daily on the Internet. Thousands of people have lost everything and are huddled together in emergency shelters. How often we feel like our life is being shaken apart by an even stronger earthquake than the ones accompanying the volcano eruption. How many times we feel as if we are being covered over by a fast-moving river of lava because of the onslaughts of the evil one who “as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 Yet, through all the troubles and trials, we have the promise, “When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.” Isa 59:19
When things go terribly wrong in life and it seems that no one cares or understands, there is Someone Who is our Helper. “The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.” Nahum 1:7 When those about us abuse us, circulate falsehoods about us, and do all within their power to destroy us, we have a Strong Deliverer. Our Dear Saviour says, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” Rom 12:19 We may not see that “repaying” right away, but it will come nonetheless.
When those we love forsake us or turn against us, we have the assurance, “When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.” Ps 27:10 When the evil one uses those near to us to bring in doubts and confusion and we know not which path to take, our Good Shepherd says, “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” Ps 32:8 “And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.” Isa 30:21
May we, when overwhelmed with troubles and trials, cling to God’s promise, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish. Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of naught. For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help ! thee.” Isa 41:10-13
Rose