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403rd -- The Treasures Of The Church

  

There are times in our life that we underestimate our worth in the eyes of
God. We think of our past sins, mistakes, and shortfalls and think 'how 
could God really love me?' The important fact that is rarely thought of is
God's love and forgiveness start where ours has reached its limits. The 
Bible declares in Psalm 103:10-12 "He hath not dealt with us after our sins
nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high 
above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him. As far
as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions 
from us." Never believe the lie of the enemy that God is mad at you and
will not receive you unto Himself because His forgiveness is eternal and
His love is ever reaching. Rest in His promise and know that you are 
greatly loved and favored in the eyes of God. (Psalm 103:9-14) (Jeremiah 31:3)

I hope you are encouraged by today's message to rest in God's love and know
that you are most precious to Him.


THE TREASURES OF THE CHURCH

The early church had a stormy relationship with the wicked and powerful 
Roman government. Cycles of severe persecution interrupted by tenuous peace
recurred at the whim of the emperor. Roman officials, ignorant of the 
actual teachings and practices of true Christians, often acted out of 
bigotry, fear, superstition, or misinformation. The royal court assumed 
that the growing Christian church operated along the same lines as their 
own greedy religions.

The emperor, coveting the wealth these Christians must surely possess, 
summoned their head bishop to the royal court and ordered him to produce
"the treasures of the church." The frustrated bishop protested that the 
church had no gold, jewels, or other valuables (which was indeed true at 
this point in history). The emperor, brushing aside the bishop's objection,
demanded that the riches of the church be brought to him in the morning. 
The bishop left the royal presence quietly.

The next day the bishop dutifully appeared at the palace doorway. He was 
empty-handed. "I told you to bring me the treasures of the church!" the 
emperor raged.

The bishop then invited the emperor to look out at the palace steps. 
Gathered together, peering sheepishly at the great doors of the royal 
palace rising above them, was a mass of ragged beggars, cripples, slaves,
and outcasts.

"These," said the bishop with a sweep of his arm, "are the treasures of 
the church."

For his unappreciated but accurate insight, the good bishop was promptly 
martyred.

The treasure of the church is people. The church is not a building; it is
not a doctrine; it is not a program. The body of Christ is the church, the
community of all who believe in Him. (1 Corinthians 12)

Author Unknown


Be encouraged and know that in God's sight you're His greatest achievement.
He formed you with His own hands and with His own breath He breathed in you
the breath of life. The Bible says that you are kings and priests in His
sight that are highly favored and called to be victorious in Him. In times
of discouragement we are to remember how special we are to God and keep a
positive attitude knowing that we who believe and trust in Christ are God's
elect and chosen people. (Genesis 2:7) (Psalm 8:3-9) (Psalm 37:23-26)


Read and meditate on these scriptures:

Romans 8:31-34 "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us,
who can be against us? He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him 
up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 
Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that 
justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather,
that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh
intercession for us."

Psalm 139:1-6 "O LORD, Thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest
my downsitting and mine uprising, Thou understandest my thought afar off.
Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my
ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, Thou knowest
it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid Thine hand
upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot 
attain unto it."

Romans 5:8-10 "But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we 
were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified
by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if, when we
were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much 
more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life."

1 Peter 2:9-10 "...ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy
nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the Praises of Him who
hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light: Which in time 
past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not 
obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy."

All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.


Today's Selected Poem: HE IS WITH ME
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem120.htm

Today's Selected Testimony: FROM PRISON TO PRAISE
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony8.htm


In Christ's Service, 

Dwayne Savaya 
Gods Work Ministry

 
 

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