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The material possessions that so many people place a high price upon are
only temporary and will not have any relevance when compared to the forever
of eternity. We are to recognize that family and personal friendships
place a higher value than any material thing can ever have. We are to
value our loved ones and show them by our positive actions that they mean
more to us than any thing that is made with human hands. The Lord knows
that material things do not bring long-lasting happiness and so we are
warned to not be fooled into loving the things of this world. The Bible
declares in Ecclesiastes 5:10-11 "He who loves silver will not be satisfied
with silver; nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is
vanity. When goods increase, they increase who eat them; so what profit
have the owners except to see them with their eyes?" (2 Corinthians 4:18)
I hope you are encouraged by today's message to take special interest in
those around you because they are the ones that matter and not any material
thing that is in our possession.
WRINKLE IN MY HOOD
We live in a very quiet neighborhood. Late one evening I was listening to
some music when I heard a loud crash on the street. It took me a while to
realize what had happened. Earlier that evening my wife wanted me to go to
the store to get some soft drinks. It seemed like this would be a good
time to let my teenage daughter get in a little practice driving. I sent
her to the store with her older brother riding shotgun. She took my truck.
I settled back to enjoy the music.
At dinner earlier that evening my oldest son was speaking admiringly of the
truck. It is a little four-wheel drive Ford Explorer and the kids knew I
enjoyed having it. It is the nicest car I have ever owned.
I said, "Guys, my heart is not set on that car. I like it but it is just
rusting metal and it is a depreciating item. It won't last forever. Never
set your heart on anything that is temporary."
I had no idea how prophetic my advice was that night.
The thud on the street was followed by a commotion upstairs and then the
whole family pouring down the steps led by thirteen year old Chuck who
shouted, "Dad, Dad, Holly wrecked your car."
My heart sank and my mind was flooded with conflicting thoughts. Was
anyone hurt? Who else was involved? I ran to the door with a racing heart
and in that instant a message came clearly to my spirit like a voice in my
heart: "Here is your chance. You have always looked for ways to show Holly
that she is precious to you. Here is a unique opportunity to show her what
you really love. How you react now is something that she will probably
never forget."
To my surprise the accident had not occurred on the street, but right in
my own driveway. And my fears about damage to the property of other people
melted when I saw that the collision was with our other car, the family
van. In her inexperience Holly had confused the brakes and accelerator. In
an instant both of my cars were wrecked. Holly was unhurt physically but
when I reached her she was crying softly and saying over and over again,
"Oh, Dad, I'm sorry, I'm sorry Dad, I know how much you love this car." I
wrapped her in my arms and she cried and my heart melted for her.
Later that week an adult friend stopped by and asked what happened to my
truck. I swore her to secrecy and then told her what happened. Her eyes
moistened and she said, "That happened to me when I was a girl. I borrowed
my Dad's car and ran into a log that had fallen across the road. I was
able to drive the car home, but it was totaled. When I got home my Dad
dragged me from the car, knocked me to the ground and began to kick me."
Over forty years later the pain of that rejection still moved her to tears.
It was a deep wound on her soul.
I remembered how tender-hearted Holly had been the night she wrecked the
car and how vulnerable she was at that moment and I breathed a prayer of
thanks to God for His gentle reminder that night. Someday years from now
when Holly thinks back on her life and she remembers me, I want her to know
that I loved her a thousand times more than all my earthly possessions put
together.
I repaired the van, but the wrinkle in the hood of my truck is still there
today. Every day it reminds me of the really priceless things in my life.
I don't mind having damage to my truck, but I don't want to be responsible
for damage to my daughter's heart.
By Ken Pierpont
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
1 John 2:15-17 "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the
world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the
eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the
will of God abideth for ever."
Matthew 6:19-21 Jesus declares "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon
earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through
and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither
moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor
steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
1 Timothy 6:6-10 "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we
brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing
out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they
that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish
and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the
love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they
have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."
1 John 4:7-11 "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and
every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not
knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God
toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that
we might live through Him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that
He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved,
if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another."
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today's Selected Poem: PRICELESS GIFTS
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem73.htm
Today's Selected Testimony: FATHER KNOWS BEST
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony109.htm
In Christ's Service,
Dwayne Savaya
Gods Work Ministry |
