Hidden Treasure

LEONARD DAVIDSON

 

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Someone once said, “One man’s junk is another man’s treasure.” Or woman’s in my wife’s case. She loves yard sales—a lot. On Saturday mornings, when I should be allowed to sleep in, she wakes me up at dawn. She is already dressed and has the newspaper spread out on the counter. The classified section is open, and the page is covered with bright yellow circles.

Those circles lay out the destiny for my “morning off.” They’re all the yard sales that seem to show promise of a treasure. Beside each yellow circle is a red number. You guessed it; the numbers map out the order in which we are going to travel from yard sale to yard sale.

What if You Prayed Adventurous, Courageous, Audacious Prayers?

LEONARD DAVIDSON

 

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One year for Christmas our family decided to implement a new idea. We had been discussing wanting to cut back that year—partially because in prior years we seemed to really go overboard. We were buying for the sake of buying. Honestly, it was more about us feeling good about what we did than thoughtful purchasing.

Then we read a devotional by Linda Mintle entitled “An Uncluttered Christmas,” and we decided to follow some of her thinking. We asked the adult children to make lists for themselves and ones for the young children. The list could include one couple gift and then individual gifts. We set dollar limits, which was really hard for my wife. The items listed had to follow three basic guidelines: a gift really desired, a needed item and a relatively educational gift.

On Your Knees

He that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. — Hebrews 11:6

This verse does not say that God rewards casual acquaintances or with those who know something about Him. It says God rewards those who diligently seek Him. "Knowing God" means to have an intimate relationship with Him. Jesus rejects lukewarm relationships (Revelation 3:15-16). He desires all your love, all your passion, and all your commitment.

If you are in a trial where the devil has stopped you in your tracks, don't become bitter or talk about it. That will only compound the problem. Find yourself a closet. Climb up the mountain of God. Like Jacob, declare, "Lord, I will not let thee go unless thou bless me" (Genesis 32:26).

Show Gratitude ... in Everything

 

Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. —1 Thessalonians 5:18

The anointing is the power of the Holy Spirit that enables me to do things with ease. It could be greater insight, greater energy, greater joy, or greater blessing of any proportion; and I want a greater anointing. One of the quickest routes to a greater anointing is to show gratitude to God—in everything.

Thanking God for everything and thanking Him in everything are not exactly the same thing. Not many people thank Him for everything. We may end up doing that—when enough time rolls along that "all things work together for good" (Rom. 8:28, KJV). Then we may thank Him for things that were once evil and caused grief. But I do not counsel that we must thank Him for everything at any given moment.

Pears, Pears, Everywhere

Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. — John 15:5

My family had a tree in our backyard that provided two things: shade and countless jars of pear preserves. One day, I asked my mother why she made so many jars every year. Her response was, "If I don't, they will start falling off the tree and go bad." With that, I went outside to take a look for myself. There were pears everywhere--so many, in fact, that the tree branches were beginning to sag and snap under the immense weight of their fruit. It looked to me like my mother's faithful picking was encouraging the tree to produce even more!