I thought I didn't have any Idols or Treasures that would hold me back. But ever since I lost my daughter Brittany I hated to see each day go by because I felt as though I was leaving her behind with Each Passing Day. I Dreaded to see January 1st of 2011 come because not only was I leaving the last year that she was alive but I was also leaving the Last Decade of her life. I felt that I was Erasing Everything that Pointed to her Existence.
On January 2, 2011 I read Chapter 57 "One Thing Thou Lackets" (Page 519 Paragraph 1) from "Desire of Ages." I couldn't go any farther without Tears Rolling down my Checks when I Realized How much God Loves me and how I must be Breaking His Heart. Plus I told Him how Sorry I was and He said that I wasn't Leaving her Behind - I was going Towards her with each Passing Day. Now I welcome each day and even though they are hard at times to face, at least I'm Going Forward.
1 Thessalonians 4: 16-17
16 - For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 - Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
This is God's Promise of Re-uniting us with our Family and one of the Loudest Verses in the Bible, not a Secret Second Coming. We Will ALL See Him Coming says....
Revelation 1:7
Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
Holding onto my past and not going forward was My "Idol and Treasures" and it was Holding me back from Growing in Christ. I had been begging God to help me feel alive again. What I didn't realize until I read that Paragraph was that God also "Hungers to give me Peace, Grace and Joy." It's not that He wasn't Answering my Prayers, it was that I was holding Him back from them.
Below is from the Desire of Ages where Jesus was talking to the "Rich Young Ruler" which is Very Sad but So True.
"This ruler had a high estimate of his own righteousness. He did not really suppose that he was defective in anything, yet he was not altogether satisfied. He felt the want of something that he did not possess. Could not Jesus bless him as He blessed the little children, and satisfy his soul want? {DA 518.4}
In reply to this question Jesus told him that obedience to the commandments of God was necessary if he would obtain eternal life; and He quoted several of the commandments which show man's duty to his fellow men. The ruler's answer was positive: "...All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?" Matthew 19:20 {DA 518.5}
Christ looked into the face of the young man, as if reading his life and searching his character. He loved him, and He Hungered to give him that Peace and Grace and Joy which would materially change his character. "One thing thou lackest," He said; "go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow Me." Matthew 19:21 {DA 519.1}
Christ was drawn to this young man. He knew him to be sincere in his assertion, "All these things have I kept from my youth." Matthew 19:20. The Redeemer longed to create in him that discernment which would enable him to see the necessity of heart devotion and Christian goodness. He longed to see in him a humble and contrite heart, conscious of the supreme love to be given to God, and hiding its lack in the perfection of Christ". {DA 519.2} "
If you're a Parent or have someone Very Dear in your Life, what would you do for them, if they came to you for something.
Now Apply it to God as being Your Parent and Best Friend what more could he do for you?
Matthew 7:11
If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
AMEN!!
