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| A Nickel's Worth (Luke 12:31-34) |
Dear Member of the Our Savior Lutheran Church Email Prayer Chain,A Nickel's WorthBut seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. --Luke 12:31-34I admit I enjoy teaching my granddaughters things. I especially enjoy it when it means I can mess with their minds (I know, I'm evil, but you show me a parent or grandparents who hasn't experimented by giving their baby something really sour just to enjoy their screwed up little faces and I'll show you a parent or grandparent that hasn't take full advantage of the joys of parenting). One joy is messing with their poor uneducated minds by offering the child the choice between a nice shiny nickel and a dirty cruddy dime. Ninety-nine percent of the time the child will take the nickel. You can stand there and argue with the child in your attempts to convince them that the dime is worth more but they'll still choose the nickel. The dime is clearly worth more but it just can't beat the appeal of the nickel. Aren't we the same way? We scramble and squirm to get the treasures of this earth. At the same time we squander our opportunities to accumulate true wealth in heaven. A missed opportunity to share what Jesus has done for you… a squandered treasure. Giving a cup of coffee to a homeless person to warm his heart… a moneybag in heaven. If our hearts are right with the Lord and if we are attentive to His leading we will not miss these opportunities for His kingdom. With the Lord's leading we will be able to see beyond our present circumstance to view these hidden treasures. I'm reminded of the story in 1 Samuel 16 when Samuel was choosing a new king for Israel. He was directed to go to the home of Jesse to anoint a new king. When Samuel saw Jesse's first son he immediately concluded that this fine specimen of Israeli goodness had to be the one. He was shiny and clean and all consecrated for the sacrifice. But God had other plans. He said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." God has his eye on someone else. Someone Jesse or Samuel had not even considered. David. He had to be brought out of the fields stinking of the sheep and the sweat of his brow. I imagine, being the youngest, that David was not content to just sit around while tending the flock. I imagine he was throwing stones, practicing his slingshot, and fighting imaginary lions and bears… just as any normal boy would. It was this young man who came before Samuel… a young man sweating and stinking from the efforts of fighting his imaginary adversaries when God said, "Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!" The grimy, dirty, dime… the true treasure of heaven. Where are you investing your treasure? REFLECTIONSMake a donation of dirty coins to your local homeless shelter or church mission fund. Start by collecting all the dirtiest coins you have in the house. Then go to your neighbor's house and ask them to also make a donation of dirty coins for you to add to your donation.PRAYER REQUESTS -- Week of January 31, 2009* indicates a new or updated prayer requestFOR THOSE WHO LOOK TO THE LORD FOR HEALING*Marisa Jahnke [Daughter-in-law of Dave & Ginny Janke] recovering from a C-Section**Ruth Smith [Mother of Scott Smith] Undergoing cancer treatment *Elain*e Carlson [Aunt of Caron Fausel] Suffering from heart problems and complications from pneumonia *Arnold Ott [Father of Diane Rowan]recovering at home from 3 painful broken ribs after a f *Lisa Pfeidler [Daughter of Mim Hawkinson] Recovering from broken hip *Dennis Krause Friend of Diane Rowan] recovering and moved to rehab. . *Phil Sanders Suffering from throat cancer, in discomfort *Lara Webster [Daughter friend of Pastor Fausel] diagnosed with a brain tumor, undergoing tests. Debbie Wolter Recovering from fractured ankle after a fall Ricky Hayes Hospitalized recovering from injuries sustained in a car accident Leona Walker [Friend of the Belza’s] diagnosed with return of lung cancer that has spread to her brain. Julie McConnell [Friend of the Fausel’s] Recovering from surgery Brock Douglas [Brother of Tom Douglas] ill from chemotherapy for liver cancer Austin Speaker [Grandson of Billie and Harvey Detroy] recovering from hip surgery after an accident Phyllis Kenrieck [Aunt of Mark Whitsett] hospitalized in critical condition with health concerns Bob Wolke [Brother of Pat Otten] suffering from severe pain Gravatte Family [Friends of the Lindgren’s] health, family, and life concerns Ty Hassler, Jr. [Friend of the Lindgren’s] health and life concerns Orval Bestian [Brother of Shirley Atkins] heart problems Matt Lowe [Friend of Karyn Ranzau] critical condition after a surgery Kay Mitchell [Friend of Barbe Lamkin] major health concerns Kim Hunter [Friend of Pat Kuecker] 37 yr. old suffering from multiple health concerns Karen Jackson [Friend of Melissa Nelson] waiting for a transplant Mary McKenzie [Friend of the Kaulitz Family] small child with a heart defect *FOR NEW LIFEDavid Jahnke, born to David, Jr, and Marisa Jahnke in Atlanta. Grandparents Dave and Ginny Jahnke.FOR THOSE DEALING WITH LIFE STRUGGLES DUE TO THE WEATHER God, protect your children as they deal with weather related issues. Keep them safe, warm and fed, and may those who are able reach out to those in need with Your love and hospitality. Amen. |