treasured in the ashes Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

Jesus' words often catch me. Especially when His words so clean and clear.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21

In these words about heart and treasure Jesus invites you and me to be brave and vulnerable. He knows that you and I are made from dust. He knows that you and I wrestle with sin. And he invites us into a full and honest--a treasured relationship with God who knows who we are and who knows what matters above all else.

What is less than your greatest treasure? Someday it will all just be dust again. Everything you work for today: the car, the boat, the house, the meal at a great restaurant, the great diploma, all the honors you can accumulate, someday it will just be dust.
Even you—your body will someday just be dust again.

A few years ago I was at a presentation that used a great question to help get people thinking and talking about what really matters.

If you had to leave your home in five minutes and never return what would you take?

Imagine you have just five minutes.
Most people don't get this much warning before a tornado hits or a fire consumes their house.

But I've talked to people who've been through hurricanes who left home with just a few minutes warning before they hit the road never sure if they would ever return again to see the house they'd called home for decades.

Jesus invited his first followers to see their greatest treasure. It's not something that can be stolen or lost in a fire. Your true treasure can't be destroyed by moth, rust, or decay.

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Every day we believers are invited to live awake and alert to our greatest treasures—and as Christian I believe we have two great treasures

1. We are invited to live awake and alert to our neighbors.
2. We are invited to live awake and alert to the constant loving presence of God the Father who made us, who is the same God who redeems us through the cross of Jesus Christ, and who breaths life, hope, and faith into us today through the work of the Holy Spirit.

May the peace of Christ dwell in year heart. AMEN
Peace and thanks for reading, John

Present in a moment of glory Matthew 17:1-9

Matthew tells a story of a day when God's voice boomed out on a mountain top.

This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased Matthew 17:5

It was a moment Jesus chose to share with just a few close friends Peter, James, and John.

Matthew says he took these 3 up the mountain. And there on the mountain top he changed. Jesus shined. He was dazzling and bright. The change happened fast. In a flash Jesus glory was so bright for these three to see.

And now just as fast two great figures from the past of Israel stepped in. Moses the one who shared the Law of God with the people—and Elijah the greatest of the prophets were there speaking with him.

It all happened so fast. It was all so glorious. And Peter—the disciple just anybody can relate to—wanted to do something. He said boldly,

Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah. Matthew 17:4

Maybe Peter wanted to prove to Jesus just how much he loves him. Maybe he wanted to show Jesus just what he could do for him. Many a believer can relate. We want to prove our worth—to earn God's love and mercy.

And Peter looked to do something. Surely, he must have thought, Jesus must need him, Peter, to do something. “O Lord it's a good thing we're here.” I can sure relate to Peter's thinking. I can think of all the times when I forget that God really has got it all together and that he doesn't need me to do anything. I can so relate.

Peter was looking for something. And he thought fast. “Tent's” Peter piped up. "I can build a build tents for all 3 of you up here.” And right as Peter was still speaking a bright cloud full of light gathered over them. This was no dark storm cloud gathering overhead—but a cloud of light was over them. And they heard a voice from the cloud that just left Peter speechless.

This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him! Matthew 17:5

Peter, James and John fell to the ground as they heard this voice. Fear grabbed onto them.

And Jesus came right next to them and touched them. Imagine him reaching down and touching their shoulders saying simply,

Get up and do not be afraid. Mattew 17:7

Part of faith is hearing this simple direction again and again. Get up and don't be afraid. There are so many times when we fall or lose hope. There are times too when fear can grab us. And Jesus words give us direction.

Get up and don't be afraid.

The promise that Jesus is God is such good news. We can put down all the extra things we try to do for God and just let Jesus be God with us and for us.
Peace, and thanks for reading, John