“And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.” (1 Kings 19:12)

I was on a plane on my way back from a speaking engagement. I was travel-worn and exhausted. Usually when I travel, I try to get a seat next to the window, then I put on my noise cancelation headphones to escape mentally from all that is around me

But not this time!

I took a middle seat between two people. I put on my headphones as usual and started to relax into my private thoughts. But I couldn't help but notice that the man sitting in the aisle seat next to me was ordering one drink after another. He wasn't sitting still but was squirming in his seat and seemed uncomfortable. I tried to ignore him!

I hoped sincerely that he wouldn't talk to me. I closed my eyes and pretended to be asleep. I simply had no desire to talk with anyone!

“Speak to that man!”

Then I heard the Lord gently prompt me, “Speak to that man.” And I instantly thought, “No! I don't want to." I tried to ignore that still small voice and tried to think about something else.

But I heard it again!

“Speak to that man.” So, very reluctantly, I removed my headphones, looked right at the man, and said, “How are you doing?” He said, “I don't know if you’ve noticed, but I am drinking a lot.” I said, “Well, yes, I did notice that you’ve been slamming them down. What’s up?”

He said, My wife just left me and is filing for a divorce. I can't think, I can't sleep, and I am drinking a whole lot! I'm about to lose my job because I can't concentrate on my work anymore. My life is a mess! I need help, but I don't know where to get it!”

I said, “Actually, your story is very similar to mine. My life had also been chaotic, leading me to turn to alcohol.

I shared my story with him

I told him how I had struggled with one personal failure after another. Then I told him about Jesus, how I had prayed to receive Him, and how He had changed my life. I told him that Jesus loved him and had died on the cross for him so that he could come into a personal, life-changing relationship with God. Then I asked him if he wanted to receive that for himself. I offered to pray with him. He said, “Yes. I would like that very much!” So, I prayed with him to receive Christ. (See John 1:12 & John 1:9).

I was pleased that I had finally obeyed God’s gentle prompting!

Therefore 

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” (I Peter 3:15)

“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” (2 Tim. 4:2) 

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence.” (Eph. 1:7-8)

When I was living in California in the 1950s, my dad bought a three-bedroom house on two acres of land for five thousand dollars! That was a lot of money for a house back then! However, the value of that property has significantly increased over time. That same place would be worth over a million dollars in today's housing market. When Susan and I bought our brand new three-bedroom home in Washington State in 1971, we paid seventeen thousand dollars for it. We sold it twelve years later for forty-five thousand; it’s now worth about three hundred and fifty thousand dollars. We then bought our present home for fifty-five thousand dollars. About 40 years later, the value of our home has increased to approximately six hundred thousand dollars! It is astounding how much prices have changed over the years! Prices have not only shifted for houses but also for just about everything else!

The riches of God’s grace - priceless!

It’s true that prices of things often fluctuate; they go up and they go down. But, one thing that will never change is “the riches of God’s grace”, (Eph. 1:7). Its value is priceless because it is paid for by the shed blood of God’s Son, Jesus Christ! There is nothing in existence, or has ever existed, more valuable, more precious! And to think, “He made it abound to us in all wisdom and prudence.” (Eph. 1:8).

Think what this means to you!!

No matter what you may have done, “the riches of His grace” has it covered! His grace towards you is above and beyond and more than covers any possible need! 

·      Exceeding riches of grace!

“That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” (Eph. 2:7)

·      His grace is more than abundant!

“And the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus.” (1 Tim. 1:14) 

·      The riches of his kindness leads to repentance!

“Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?” (Rom. 2:4)

Quote

“I'm not perfect. And who knows how many times I've fallen short. We all fall short. That's the amazing thing about the grace of God.” – Tim Tebow

“The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts.” (Prov 17:3)

I have read accounts of people having their catalytic converters stolen from beneath their vehicles. A catalytic converter is a device attached to a vehicle’s exhaust system which converts Hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and oxides of nitrogen, into carbon dioxide, nitrogen gas and water vapor.

Something special inside!

What you may not know is that catalytic converters contain precious metals, platinum, palladium, and rhodium. They are very valuable! As of today, platinum is $986 per ounce, palladium is $620 per ounce, and rhodium is $800 per ounce. But to look at old converters removed from the underside of vehicles, you’d never suspect their value, because they are usually dirty and rusty-looking things. However, the smelter furnace burns away all other materials, revealing the precious metals within. 

In a similar way, God looks within you

We look on the outward appearance, but “the Lord looks at the heart” and sees what is actually there. (1 Sam. 16:7). He refines us with His fire and reveals what is there. 

“For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried.” (Psalm 66:10)

Therefore

“Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.” (1 Cor. 3:12-15)

“I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.” (Isaiah 45:3 NIV)

Wow! “Hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places.” Imagine that!

There have been many stories throughout history about hidden treasures, such as the lost Dutchman’s Goldmine, for one, believed to exist somewhere in the Superstition Mountains of Arizona. About 8,000 people a year continue to search for it. Think how exciting it would be to actually find such a thing.

The hidden locations

There is someone who actually knows where all the hidden treasures are, and of course, I'm talking about God Himself. He has that information! And He could tell you where they are located, as our verse at top says. And, sometimes he does. But, that may not be best for you, He knows that too, because for many, riches do cause problems. In fact, there are countless stories of people winning the lottery and it wrecked their lives. Many have said they were much better off before they had won and wish they hadn’t.

Be discerning!

Keep in mind that there are different kinds of riches and treasures and some are much better to be had than others. Ask God for wisdom (see James 1:5 & Prov. 16:16).

The deceitfulness of riches

“But the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.” (Mark 4:19 ESV)

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matt. 6:19-21 NIV) 

Kingdom of heaven is like a treasure 

“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.” (Matt. 13:44 NIV)

A good foundation is a treasure

“Storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.” (1 Tim. 6:19 NIV)

Wisdom and knowledge are treasures

 “That their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God's mystery, that is, Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Col. 2:2-3 NIV)

God’s kind of blessings makes rich without sorrow

“The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.” (Prov. 19:22 ESV)

Therefore

“But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal. (Matt. 6:20 NIV) 

“And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.” (John 17:22–23 NIV)

So, exactly what is glory anyway? 

Glory is defined in the dictionary as high renown or honor won by notable achievements. It is fame, prestige, honor, distinction, acclaim.

In the Bible, glory can mean different things depending on its context

·      The glory of position: Joseph in Egypt. (Gen. 45:13)

·      The glory of possessions: Jacob’s servants and livestock. (Gen. 31:1)

·      The glory of young men: is their strength. (Prov 20:29 )

·      The glory of the elderly: is their long life. (Prov. 16:31).

·      The glory of human character: is

willingness to overlook the faults of others (Prov. 19:11), or to avoid strife (Prov. 20:3 ).

·      The Glory of God: His greatness:(Deut. 5:24) and hundreds of other verses.

·      The Glory of Jesus’ second coming: “THE SON OF MAN COMING IN A CLOUD with power and great glory. (Luke 21:27)

Why did Jesus share His glory with you? 

Jesus said in John 17 that He was sharing his glory with you, and He gave the reason, “That they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.” 

You must reflect His glory! 

Because He shares His glory with you,  your life must reflect that glory as you go about loving others as He loves you!

“For God, who said, ‘Light shall shine out of darkness,’ is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.” (2 Cor. 4:6 NIV)

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matt. 5:16 NIV)

Therefore

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Eph. 3:20-21 NIV)

"May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had.” (Rom. 15:5 NIV)

When I was in my early 20s, I worked as a dry wall installer, also called a sheet-rocker

You might call my partner and me highballers back then because we were fast! In fact, we often completed two houses in one day. Back then we nailed drywall on with a hammer (it's screwed on these days), and I figured out, at 48 nails per sheet, that I hammered in about a million nails every three months! That's a lot of nails! All that lifting and hammering made me very strong in those days.

Eventually I changed jobs and started doing something less strenuous

Many years later, my son John was installing wallboard on the ceiling of a house he was working on and asked me if I would give him a hand since I knew how to do it. I agreed and grabbed my old set of tools and jumped right in. I was happy to see that I could still swing a hammer and lift the heavy board! It was like I had never stopped... well, for a brief time, anyway. I soon ran out of energy and got tired. Sadly, even though I knew what to do and was willing to do it, I was no longer in my 20s and didn't have the strength or endurance I once had. I felt awful about it, but John just smiled and said, “It's okay, Dad!” I knew he was trying to be encouraging to me, and I appreciated it. I continued to assist him that day, but he took on the majority of the heavy lifting.

Endurance and encouragement

Endurance is defined as the act of working very hard without stopping, even in the face of difficult situations or pain. It is an expression of support, approval, words, or actions that assist or inspire someone or something.

In our walk of faith, God gives us both endurance and encouragement, and He expects us to do the same for others

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Heb. 10:25:25 NIV)

Therefore

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” (1 Thes. 5:11 NIV)

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” (2 Cor. 1:3-4 NIV)

“Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household.” (Eph. 2:19 NIV)

There is a lot going on in the United States about the large number of illegal aliens in our country and what to do about them. The lawful answer, although not popular, is for them to do what the law of our country requires to become a citizen. However, they want to stay in our country, enjoy all of the benefits and privileges without doing what's required to become a citizen.

Religious illegal aliens

In the same way, many religious people, who call themselves Christians, are actually religious illegal aliens, because they have not done what is necessary to become a member of God’s citizenship.

Jesus spoke about them

He said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6 NIV). He also said, “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.” (John 10:9 NIV). He said, anyone who attempts to “enter any other way, is a thief and a robber”. (John 10:1). When Jesus said these things, many religious people, such as the Pharisees and other religious leaders of that day,  became very angry and plotted to kill Him.

Just because you are a religious leader doesn't mean you are a citizen of God’s Kingdom

In fact, many religious leaders will find out at the day of judgement that they were not legal citizens of God’s Kingdom. Jesus said, “Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” (Matt. 7:22-23 NIV)

The great news is we can easily become legal citizens of God’s Kingdom by personal faith in Jesus!

“If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Rom. 10:9 NIV)

Therefore…

“Our citizenship changes when we become born again, and therefore become “fellow citizens with God’s people.” (Eph. 2:19 NIV)

“I will make them and the places surrounding my hill a blessing. I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing.” (Eze. 24:36 NIV) 

Abundant showers

We replaced the small six-gallon hot water heater in our RV with a tankless one. It had been frustrating to suddenly run out of hot water while taking a shower; that was especially so for Susan while she was washing her hair. Now we have endless hot water, limited only to our RV’s water supply. And when we are hooked up to water at a camp site, our hot water never runs out!

In a similar way, as God’s children, we are connected to His supply of  blessings which will never run out!

God’s blessings come down like rain!

“May he come down like rain upon the mown grass, Like showers that water the earth.” (Psalm 72:6 NIV)

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17 NIV)

Therefore

“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (2 Cor. 9:8)

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.” (2 Cor. 8:9 NIV”

Jesus became poor so that you could become rich!

This is called the great exchange! This is the gospel — the good news that our sins are laid on Christ and his righteousness is laid on us.

This great exchange happens for us not by works but by faith alone. When you receive Christ as your personal savior you instantly become enriched.

Here is what you get in the great exchange

·      Forgiveness according to the riches of His grace. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight, (Eph. 1:7-8 NIV) 

·      Every special blessing in Christ. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” (Eph. 1:3 NIV)

·      You have been brought to fullness in Christ. “And in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.” (Col. 2:10 NIV)

·      Your needs are supplied according to His riches in glory. “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:19)

·      You have a great inheritance. “To obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you.” (1 Peter 1:4 NIV). “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.” (Eph. 1:18 NIV)