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Sunday Sabbath April 17 2016  LAY UP TREASURES IN HEAVEN

Matthew 6:19-21:

¹⁹ “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; ²⁰ but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

This morning’s sermon was a good reminder of what this verse really means.  Through a roundabout way we ended up at the church I had picked out on the internet to attend.  Our google maps was taking us to satellite campus miles away from where we were staying when we happened to go by the very church we wanted to attend and was able to circle around and get in the parking lot.  Last night I listened to several bits of sermons online from local churches.  One pulled me end because of the few words the pastor spoke, as if there was a reason we were to be there.  And…we ended up there.  I had no idea of the size of church it was.

It was quite an eye opener when we realized the church we wanted to attend was the reason the highway had police officers blocking off traffic so parishioners could come and go from the parking lot during transition time of services.  We were attending the 11:15 a.m. service and the early service was exiting as we were caught in the traffic jam.  The side of the building complex had the word “SOUTHERLAND” on it.  I thought it was a business.  I was wrong. 

The main auditorium seats 3,000 and the auxiliary auditorium seats 1,000.  There is a 9:00 a.m. service with the smaller auditorium running ten minute delay behind the large auditorium time frame.  There are also three other satellite buildings out in the community that seat about 1,000 each and the service is also relayed to that area.  Each auditorium has its own live worship team.  There is also an 11:15 service.  We attended the later service and the 3,000 seat auditorium was about 2/3 occupied.  The worship team was awesome and the songs were beautiful songs of praise and adoration to the Lord. 

We wondered a bit if the service was to be focused on the prosperity principles that so many large churches seems to focus on.  I personally would not choose to attend a prosperity focused church.  The announcer told the church that today’s message would be about MONEY.  Uh oh I thought, what did we get ourselves into.

The pastor began his sermon with the verse above, capsulized that he would be talking about money and our stewardship of what the Lord has given us.  This sermon was the final sermon in a series about dealing with the number “7” in the Biblical sense.  He message was to remind his congregation that God does not want us in debt but rather to live in freedom.  He actually gave several different scenarios of how to break the habit of debt, and how to get free from the bondage of debt so we can live in a place of freedom where God can use us for His purpose.  He gave so many excellent scriptures and challenged his church family to seriously attack the debt they have. 

I could go into depth about his sermon but I think it would be a better experience if you heard it from his sermon that will be online at:  www.southlandchristian.org   It will be on today’s date, April 17, 2016.

One more comment about the sermon.  I do know that Dave and I were supposed to be at Southland Christian Church today.  I was blessed by the worship, learned things to share through the sermon, and we have already put into play one of directives Pastor Jon Weece spoke of this morning.  I will not go into details except to say, that there is great satisfaction when we allow God to direct our steps.

After today, yesterday seems so far past.  This was to be our day of rest and we have been busy every single moment.  Lexington is a beautiful place and we had lots of plans.  God had other plans.  Like Proverbs says:  “Man makes his plans, but God directs his steps”.  What we had planned didn’t seem to materialize but in the course of this day, we have placed our treasures in heaven rather than in the memories we thought we would carry home.

And now back to yesterday, that long ago time.  What a great day it was.  We left Carole and David’s place early and arrived in Charleston, West Virginia by 1:00 p.m.  We viewed the capitol, met six beautiful ballerinas while we were touring and I had a chance to take some pictures for them with their camera equipment.  They were so young, vibrant and full of life.  It always blesses me to be around young people who are excited about living and who look forward to their dreams and plans coming to fruition.  I asked if any one of them had some wisdom for the world and if so, what would it be?  No one would speak up.  Finally one of the moms with the group chose one to speak.  Her name was Riana, from the Augusta Youth Ballet Company, and here are her words:

“Don’t let the state you’re from define you or if you think it’s bad, it’s great, because it could be small, it could be big. West Virginia is just as good as California.” 

Riana had returned recently from Washington DC where the kids from smaller states were made to fell “less than” those who lived in a larger state.  Riana had some good insight about her situation while there.  She realized that the group she was in appeared to be the nicest of them all and did not look down on others because of where they came from.  Kudos to you Riana!  It is the “big man” who does not belittle others to make himself look better.  As the saying goes, “Do unto others as you would like them to do unto you”.  You’ve learned that lesson well.  I admire you and all your friends.  You were all a great bunch of young women.  By the way, you are always welcome in my state of Wisconsin!  Even more so, in my home should you ever come to Madison’s state capitol building.  Get in touch with me through my blog and we’ll make contact.  Who knows, if you have a place to go, perhaps you’ll have a reason to go there.  Look forward to hearing from you or any in your group!

I will include some photos of the ballet group as well as the capitol.  I also put a few others in.  One is from the Black Dog Salvage Market.  Supposedly a famous place.  I only just heard of it.  It was spectacular when it comes to antiques and collectables.  Only wish I had had more time to spend there.

There are so many things to tell about the last three days but no time and I must get to bed.

PLEASE DON’T CALL…

UNTIL WEDNESDAY

By Kathleen Martens

April 17, 2016

Too much to tell

In just a short blog.

Even if it’s concise

It is still too long.

The night is late,

Morning comes soon.

Must get to sleep

So tomorrow I’ll not swoon.

The last long day

Of our wonderful trip.

All done by car,

Not plane or ship.

Just PRETEND I’m not home

For the first full day.

We’ve so much to do

Instead of talk or play.

Do not drop in or even call,

Till Wednesday comes ‘round.

Because if you do

I will no where be found!

It is really a year

Which I will need

But after Tuesday

Your phone calls I’ll heed.

Lord, thank you for coconut yogurt.

Thank You Lord for plenty of food to eat.

Thank You Lord for gasoline for my car.

Thank You Lord for sisters.

Thank You Lord for my husband.

Thank You Lord for knives.

Thank You Lord that You speak to me.

Thank You Lord for perseverance.

Thank You Lord for ball point pens.

Are any of you out there in blog land remembering to tell the Lord thank you for the things you have and can do?

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU.