An Invitation to the Shores of Grace and the Riches of Christ
Have you ever picked up a seashell and listened to what sounds like the roar of the ocean waters from inside of it?
For me it brings back childhood memories of finding a beautiful treasure on the beach and then experiencing the wonder of hearing the sounds of the sea within it.
Did you know that you are invited to walk on the shores of grace and find the treasures of Heaven each and every day?
I love the first couple hours of my day. It is my quiet time to walk upon those shores and to find these heavenly treasures. Some days it is just a time to bask in the Lord's peace and truth, while other days I find a treasure like the seashells that I'd find in my childhood. When I find one of these spiritual treasures, I will put my spiritual ear to it so that I can hear the sound of His beautiful voice.
Some days it is the voice of His love, other days it is the sound of His strength that comes to gird me up, and still other days it is His counsel and wisdom that have come to set my feet upon the right path for that day.
"My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." (Colossians 2:2–3)
My daily time with the Lord is where all of my riches get stored up—eternal riches. It is where I get to know Him intimately and personally. This is where I put my ear upon His chest and listen for the sound of His voice. This is also where I get a daily glimpse into the mystery of God through Christ Jesus, our Savior and Lord. (Photo via Rawpixel)
Never Lose Your Childlike Wonder
Often, as the years go by, people can begin to see their daily devotional times (in the Word, in prayer, and in waiting upon Him) as more of a discipline rather than a refreshing experience of encountering His peace and discovering the unlimited mysteries of Christ.
Of course there is a place of obedience and discipline in studying, learning, and praying, but we should never lose the childlike wonder of finding a treasure.
"I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord..." (Isaiah 45:3)
Eternal Treasures Are Found in the Secret Place
I have done a lot of counseling throughout my years in ministry, and whenever I hear that someone is dealing with a lot of doubt regarding their faith, I will quickly discover that their personal time with the Lord (and in His Word) has been interrupted by the busyness of life.
Let's look at the Isaiah 45:3 again: "I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord..."
The hidden treasures and riches reveal who He is, and that HE IS THE LORD! We doubt because we have not sought the treasures found within the secret place. But finding hidden treasures requires the act of searching for them. Secret places are rarely found without seeking after them. There are times when we stumble upon hidden treasures or secret places in the Spirit, but those are sweet acts of God's kindness and grace, like when I first found Him; I was not looking for God, but He was a treasure that was handed to me by His grace.
More often than not—as someone who has now walked with Him for forty-three years—I find His treasures and secret places within my intentional times set apart to be with Him. It is like having a daily place where we meet together. I am strengthened in my faith each time I go to meet with Him.
Seek First the Kingdom
The pursuit of money, image, and temporary things have become a far greater pursuit in most of mankind than the pursuit of the eternal treasure of Christ our Lord. The pursuit of temporary things leaves so many empty of true happiness and drains them of strength. (Photo via Creative Commons)
God is inviting His people to pursue eternal treasures. As we make time for this, all other things will be added to us.
"But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33)
God admonished Timothy in this way as well:
"For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses." (1 Timothy 6:10–12)
"...Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." How tragic!
We have been given the privilege and admonishment to pursue the One who was pierced on our behalf and carried all of our griefs to the Cross. As we do, all that we need will be added to us. But if we neglect the pursuit of our eternal treasure, we will find our hearts wandering away, and it will bring with it many griefs.
Childlike faith is found in those who have walked upon the shores of grace and found the hidden treasures of eternal life. He is calling us back to those shores, back to the place of putting our ear upon His chest to listen once again. He is waiting for us in the secret place of His love.
This is where the doorway to abundant life is opened up before us.
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Kathi Pelton
Inscribe Ministries
Email: jkpelton@sbcglobal.net
Website: www.inscribeministries.com
Jeffrey and Kathi Pelton live in Portland, Oregon. Jeffrey is a writer, teacher and book editor. Kathi is an author and prophetic voice to the Church. They walk with nations and individuals to see God's original intent fulfilled. Their ministry, Inscribe Ministries, was founded upon the verse from Habakkuk 2:2 that says, "Then the LORD answered me and said: 'Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it.'"
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