“Every teacher of religious law who becomes a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven is like a homeowner who brings from his storeroom new gems of truth as well as old.” (Matthew 13:52)
The above verse is sometimes considered a self-portrait of Matthew, the ex-tax collector who wrote this gospel. Steeped in the word of God, he shared old treasures and new insights from scripture and his years as a disciple following Jesus.
Recently, I was given a treasure trove. Marge Brown brought in some old family bibles. She and Buster loved to study the word of God, and they shared devotions and prayers every day of their long lives together. Now Marge wants others to enjoy these surplus bibles.
But as I flipped through these books, I found other gems hidden among the pages. Marge and Buster both jotted notes and quotes throughout these bibles. Tucked among the pages are meaningful clippings from the Upper Room magazine and other devotions. Marge tells me there might even be a love note or two in there – Buster liked to leave her little surprises!
For all his 100 years, Buster was a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven, and sometimes a teacher of religion in the Sunday School or bible studies. Likewise, Marge has spent 90 years gleaning treasures from God’s word.
I thought this month I’d share a few of Marge and Buster’s gems of truth both old and new:
“If you have only three minutes to give to Bible reading in the morning, give one minute to reading and two minutes to thinking about what you have read.”
How wise! Too often we hurry through our bible reading to check off an item on our daily to-do list. Set aside time not just to read, but to chew on and think about what you have read.
“For those who discover the ministry of little things, life is never humdrum or meaningless.”
If you’ve been stuck in a rut waiting for the next big thing, turn instead to the little things of life and marvel at how God is in every detail, and every moment is both a blessing and an opportunity.
“God, since he is Love, is encountered in his fullness only between man and man.”
The great commandment is “Love the Lord with everything you’ve got, and love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-40). When we care for others we are caring for Christ. God is about relationships – relationships between Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; relationships between us and God, and relationships between us and our neighbors, brothers, sisters, the hungry, the sick and needy.
“They pray best together who first pray alone.”
Our spiritual life is both personal and shared. There are things we need to work out alone, listening for the still, small voice of God. And then we are ready to work out other things through the power of group prayer, listening for God to speak through the wisdom of our friends.
“Dear God, you know me so well. Help me to believe you have neither made a dreadful mistake nor intended to make a fool of me. Just give me enough confidence for today. Amen.”
A powerful prayer to remember on those days when you are feeling low. A humble prayer asking for the daily bread of just enough confidence to get through the next 24 hours.
What would someone find if they picked up your bible after a lifetime? Would the pages be wrinkled, the corners turned down, and post-it notes falling out? Would they find jotted notes on most pages, favorite insights scribbled in the margins? Have you been adding new treasures to the old ones between the covers? … Or would they find an untapped gold mine, a mint-condition book with nary a crease or crinkle, no coffee stains, no smudges, no marks of devotion?
(Buster and Marge’s old bibles are available in the lobby, first come, first serve. Enjoy the treasure hunt!)
Pastor Park