Matthew 6:19-21

Storing up Treasures in Heaven

10/25/2024
Friends, thank you for your prayers for my lung biopsy.  I have been diagnosed with Stage 3 Lung Cancer. It has been quite a journey and the sweet LORD has been faithful every step of the way.  I have posted brief video clips updates of what has been happening on my social media accounts. In order to know future updates, you can follow me on Instagram or my Facebook Ministry Page, or go to the HCM Debbie Taylor Williams YouTube Channel where updates are posted. Your prayers for divine healing and for my surgeon and oncologist’s wisdom are deeply appreciated. Looking up! Love, Debbie

 

“How much money do you make?” In our materialistic society, people often place value on the almighty dollar instead of the Almighty Lord. However, Isaiah 33:6 addresses what we should value: “And He will be the stability of your times, A wealth of salvation, wisdom and knowledge; The fear of the Lord is his treasure.” Isaiah reminds us that the Lord is the greatest treasure.

Jesus echoes Isaiah’s understanding of what true wealth is. In Matthew 6:19-21 He says, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Christ’s command should cause us to stop and ponder. Are we storing up treasures on earth or are we storing up treasures in heaven? To the point – on what is our heart most focused – things of the earth or things of heaven?

Lord, You are a WEALTH OF SALVATION, WISDOM, AND KNOWLEDGE. Stir our hearts to seek the treasures that count for eternity rather than the fleeting things of earth.

We can’t take material possessions with us when we pass into eternity. The only thing that will go with us is other people. Store up treasures in heaven by helping us spread the Word and love of Jesus. Here are some ways you can help. 

 

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Fun to Think About

01/20/2024

Have you ever needed an architect to help you design your home, office, or some other building?

In Hebrews 11:10, we’re told that Abraham looked for a city that was built by a particular architect. What city? Who was the architect? He “was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.”

Isn’t that fun to think about? Abraham. Looking for a city designed and built by God. It is not only fun to think about, it is amazing. And, do you recall what Jesus told the disciples in John 14:2? “I go to prepare a place for you.” Jesus is getting everything ready for our arrival in the city built by God.

We can learn from Abraham. What can we learn? To set our eyes on heaven, the new Jerusalem, whose architect is God.

How do we do that? We set our minds on the things above. (Colossians 3:2) We bank on heaven, as Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:19-21; to store up our treasure there.

If our eyes have been on our earthly home and the life we are building here, it is time for us to switch our focus to that of Abraham and to do as Jesus advised. Why? No architect on earth holds a candle to our heavenly architect.

Lord, we praise You, the ARCHITECT of the New Jerusalem and of our salvation. Fill us with awe and gratitude as we think about You preparing a place for us. Focus our eyes and set our priorities on eternity and the New Jerusalem rather than the passing things of earth.

Friends, I’d love to have you join me any week on Wednesdays or Thursdays for our weekly Bible Study of John Part 2. Click here for more info.

Live outside of the Texas Hill Country? No problem! My weekly video teachings and Listening Guides are added HERE each week so you can use for individual or group Bible Study.

 

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Fun to Think About

01/18/2022

Have you ever needed an architect; someone to help you design your home, office, or some other building? In Hebrews 11:10, we’re told that Abraham needed an architect, and guess who he sought? He “

was looking for the city which has foundations, whose ARCHITECT and builder is God.  

Isn’t that fun to think about?!  Abraham. Looking. For a city built by God. It is amazing! And, do you recall what Jesus told the disciples in John 14:2? “I go to prepare a place for you.” Jesus is preparing a place for us! We can learn from Abraham. What can we learn? To not set our hope on what we can build on earth; be it a house, career, whatever. That’s not where we’ll find our true life and joy. Those things are temporal. Jesus tells us not to store up treasures on earth, but rather to store up treasure in heaven. (Matthew 6:19-21) How do we do that? We set our minds on the things above. (Colossians 3:2) We love God first and foremost above all. (Exodus 20:3) If we realize we’ve been focused on building a life for ourselves on earth rather than building up the kingdom of God, it’s not too late to make the switch to a heavenly focus.

Jesus, we praise You, our Lord and Architect of our salvation. Fill us with a renewed awe that You are preparing a place for us. Help us focus more on You. Teach us ways we can set our minds on you. 

Prayers of My Heart character trait to journal and praise God: Architect.

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Running Low on Cash

10/20/2021

LISTEN

“How much money do you make?” In our materialistic society, people often place value on the almighty dollar instead of the Almighty Lord. But  Isaiah 33:6 addresses what we should value: “Jesus being a wealth of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge.” Isaiah reminds us that the Lord is the greatest treasure.  Jesus echos Isaiah’s understanding of what true wealth is. In Matthew 6:19-21 He says,

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 

Christ’s command should cause us to stop and ponder. Are we storing up treasures on earth or are we storing up treasures in heaven? To the point – on what is our heart most focused – things of the earth or things of heaven?

Lord, You are a WEALTH of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. Stir our hearts to seek the treasures that count for eternity rather than the fleeting things of earth.

“And He will be the stability of your times,
A wealth of salvation, wisdom and knowledge;
The fear of the Lord is his treasure.”  Isaiah 33:6

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Running Low on Cash

12/15/2019

LISTEN

“How much money do you make?” In our materialistic society, people often place value on the almighty dollar instead of the Almighty Lord. But,  Isaiah 33:6 speaks to what we should value: “Jesus being a wealth of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge.” He reminds us that a healthy fear of the Lord is the greatest treasure.  Jesus echos Isaiah’s understanding of what true wealth is in Matthew 6:19-21 when He says, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Christ’s command causes us to stop and ponder. According to Jesus, we are to consider where are we storing up treasures – on earth or heaven. In other words, where is our heart most focused – on the earth or heaven?

Lord, You are a WEALTH of salvation, wisdom and knowledge. Set our hearts on treasures that count for eternity.

“And He will be the stability of your times,
A wealth of salvation, wisdom and knowledge;
The fear of the Lord is his treasure.”

 Isaiah 33:6

It’s NOT TOO LATE! Give those on your Christmas list the gift that will keep on giving all year:  Prayers of My Heart prayer journal; where they can record their daily gratitudes to God.

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Fun to Think About

12/07/2019

Have you ever needed an architect; someone to help you design your home, office, or some other building? In Hebrews 11:10, we’re told that Abraham needed an architect and guess who he sought? He “was looking for the city which has foundations, whose ARCHITECT and builder is God.”  Isn’t that fun to think about?!  Abraham. Looking. For a city built by God. It is just so cool!  And, that’s what Jesus is doing. He said He was going to prepare a place for us! We can learn from ole Abe. What can we learn? To not set our hope on what we can build on earth; be it a house, career, whatever. That’s not where we’ll find our true life and joy. It’s all temporal. Fluff. Jesus tells us not to store up treasures here, but rather to store up treasure in heaven. (Matthew 6:19-21) How do we do that? If we don’t know, it’s about time we figure it out!

Lord God, we praise You, our Savior and Architect of the eternal Jerusalem, perfect and filled with Your glory. We’ll be amazed seeing Your glory when we arrive. Can’t wait! 

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Running Low on Cash

12/22/2018

LISTEN

“How much money do you make?” In our materialistic society, people often place value on the almighty dollar instead of the almighty Lord. But,  Isaiah 33:6 speaks to what we should value: having a wealth of salvation, a wealth of wisdom, and a wealth of knowledge. He reminds us that a healthy fear of the Lord is the greatest treasure.  Jesus echos Isaiah’s understanding of what true wealth is in Matthew 6:19-21 when He says, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Christ’s command causes us to stop and ponder. According to Jesus where are we storing up treasures – on earth or heaven. In other words, where is our heart most focused – on getting possessions that won’t go to heaven? Or, are we most focused on treasures we’re placing in eternity?

Lord, You are a WEALTH of salvation, wisdom and knowledge. Set our hearts on treasures that count for eternity.

“And He will be the stability of your times,
A wealth of salvation, wisdom and knowledge;
The fear of the Lord is his treasure.”

 Isaiah 33:6

It’s NOT TOO LATE! Give those on your Christmas list the gift that will keep on giving all year:  Prayers of My Heart prayer journal; where they can record their daily gratitudes to God.

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