“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21 (NIV)

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33 (NIV)

We once had trophies lined up in our house from accomplishments, and we were especially recognized and known for the sport of volleyball. One day, as I was sitting there looking at those trophies, I realized that I, as a father, was missing the whole point if I was raising my children to base their lives only on who they are and what they can be through education and sports.

In Deuteronomy 6:7, the Word of God commands us parents to impress upon the hearts of our children, to talk to them about loving God with all our heart, soul and strength. We thought we had achieved a lot, and yet sin had crept in because I was not alert as a father, a leader, a spiritual protector of our household.

I needed to prepare my family not only for this world, with its presence of evil, but to prepare them ever so greatly to put their trust in Jesus Christ, to follow Him, and walk with Him to enjoy the abundant life by having a close relationship with Jesus Christ.

I started “cleaning” my house. I put aside the gold trophies that get tarnished by time, and I brought out the more important thing: the Word of God. I have never made a better choice. I love my Lord and thank Him for the time He has given me to share what is the most important thing in life.

There are so many distractions in life, even good ones, whether it be music, sports, jobs and security. We can become so busy that we forget our calling from the Lord, to seek first the kingdom of God.

– Ken Mitsuing

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 (ESV)

Our Ladies Bible study is really bolstering my faith and how I see myself as a born-again believer. I admit the enemy was gaining in holding me down. It has been difficult these past two years as I age, and physical problems persist. Yet I remember all that Jesus endured before His death on the cross and I say, “Why not me? Jesus, you went through so much more, this is trivial compared to the pain and suffering you had.”

Our study is based on Colossians. We are reminded that our words should be gracious and seasoned with salt to give the unbeliever a reason to hear more and come to Jesus. I have also learned to turn off the accusations, the attempts to burden me with guilt and, most of all, to turn to Jesus every time and acknowledge His strength is sufficient for me in all things. The study book is called He Is Enough.

I remember when my husband first came to the Lord. He led singing at fellowship on Sundays, and we had Bible studies in our home. All the learning I had growing up came back and had so much more meaning and brought joy to my heart. Because my husband had become sober through Alcoholics Anonymous, most of the men who came to study were also in the AA program. They liked what they saw and heard in my husband’s sharing. Several were men he grew up with in Merritt, B.C., and two accepted Jesus because of his example.

Dear Heavenly Father, may we always shine for You so others will be attracted to You.

– Loretta Oppenheim

“For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” 2 Corinthians 4:6-9 (NIV)

God called Gideon to save Israel from the Midianites. Gideon started with 32,000 men, but that was too many for God’s purpose, so He reduced them down to 300 men. The victory would come through God’s power—not their own. God wanted His people to trust Him and shine. Gideon divided the men into three groups; each carried a trumpet and a hidden torch inside a clay pot. Upon command, they blew their trumpets and broke their jars and let the light pour out. The enemy believed that each trumpet and light had thousands of troops behind it, so they panicked and turned on each other.

My pot’s artistic decoration wore off years ago. It carries a few chips now, and a crack runs part way down one side. I pray that God’s light will shine through the brokenness. I thought of Romans 8:28: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (NIV) A potter’s hands work the clay, shaping and forming it to fi t his purpose.

Dear Father, thank You for working out the lumps of my transgressions so that You can form me into the image of Christ according to Your purpose. Please give me insight and understanding from Your Word and Your Holy Spirit so that I can take advantage of diffi cult times and use them as an opportunity to share Your light with others.

– Sue Carlisle