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What a dreamer!

“Look at that dreamer, with His head in the clouds. He’s such a fool.” This is how I feel many look at me. So instead of fighting against it, I’m learning to accept it.

And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had.
Acts of the Apostles 2:44 NLT
http://bible.com/116/act.2.44.NLT

This is one of my favorite verses in the Bible,  so I was excited when we realized that it was our devotional verse for today.

You see, I have a vision for a Christian community and farm.

Continue reading “What a dreamer!” →

hballinger3 Comments

Why study?

If being a follower of Jesus is a heart change and not just head knowledge, then why do we focus our time on studying scripture?

Joshua 1:8 ESV
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Psalm 119:11 ESV
I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

Psalm 119:105 ESV
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

2 Timothy 2:15 ESV
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

The Word of God is a valuable tool for the Christ follower.

Hebrews 4:12 ESV
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

We who follow Christ are seeking to discern what choices are good and acceptable and perfect. We are c sering to examine our own thoughts and desires and take control of them.

Romans 12:2 ESV
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

This understanding of the difference between our carnal desires and the right will of God grows as we renew our minds with the Word of God and the things of heaven – and as we apply these instructions within our lives when the opportunities come to prove our faith (trials). That is why we set our thoughts on the things of heaven,  not just the things of this world.

Colossians 3:2 ESV
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

We are putting on Christ,  learning to rightly divide the Word of God, learning to walk in the Spirit not in the flesh,  we are training and competing in a race for a prize.

Christ did not say, “Claim me in name once and you will receive all the rewards of heaven.” No, He said, “Follow in my footsteps” and “Bear the burdens of one another” and “if you turn back you are not fit for the kingdom of God”.

You see,  He wants us to be fit for the Kingdom of God,  focused and unwavering in our faith and in our dedication to a life following His example. He sets the bar so high,  telling us that even to be angry with someone to the point of hatred is committing murder in our heart, telling us that to look at a woman with lust in our heart is the same as committing adultery. He is wanting us to reach higher than where we are today, He wants to make us fit,  He wants to refine us and grow our strength through trials.

Yes, this is the point of Christianity – not to raise your hand once,  or pray a sinners prayer once, or to get dunked in water once, or to have an emotional reaction to the Word of God once – only to realize later that you had only become a “religious convert” and not truly a follower of Christ. The point is to decide today whether or not you will serve the Lord – and to mean it, to Believe. And when we believe, it changes us. It changes our desires and our motivations, not just for a season, but for eternity. An emotional reaction to the Word of God can cause someone to spring up and chase after the promises of freedom from consequences. But belief results in a life chasing after freedom from sin,  following in the footsteps of Christ.

And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow.  And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them.  Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil,  but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away.  Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them.  Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.  He who has ears, let him hear.”  Then the disciples came and said to him,

“Why do you speak to them in parables?” And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.  For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.  This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.  Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says:  “
‘“You will indeed hear but never understand,  and you will indeed see but never perceive.”   For this people’s heart has grown dull,  and with their ears  they can barely hear,  and  their eyes they have closed,  lest they should see with their eyes  and hear with their ears  and  understand with their heart  and  turn, and I would heal them.’   But  blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear.  For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.  

“Hear then the parable of the sower:  When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path.  As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy,  yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.  As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.  As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”
Matthew 13:3-23 ESV
http://bible.com/59/mat.13.3-23.ESV

hballingerLeave a comment

How much further?

So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?” He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know.
Acts of the Apostles 1:6-7 NLT
http://bible.com/116/act.1.6-7.NLT

Oh how impatient I can become when I’m wanting to know what is ahead,  when I’m wanting to know what the future holds for me and my family, when I’m wanting to know how to best plan for the future. But some things are not meant for me to know.

I am humbled so often by my search for knowledge and understanding that at times is in perfect alignment with seeking the Kingdom of God and righteousness,  but that at times seems to compete against that goal.

Sometimes I try to put God in a box by thinking that I understand how He works,  then I am reminded of Job and Ecclesiastes. Sometimes I try to put Him on the shelf as I try to figure out how I can accomplish these goals. Sometimes I find myself needing a reminder that the power of Christ is in me and that through Him all things are possible.

You see,  there is great Hope that can be found in realizing that we don’t have to figure it out on our own. HOPE is the gift of grace that we grasp hold of and cling to, thankful for the gift, even while we haven’t even yet unwrapped and opened it.

I wonder what percentage of our life opportunities for joy and peace in each moment have been squandered by our wanting to know,  by our anxious thoughts, by our stress, by our contemplating the future instead of making the best of this moment? And don’t the clouds begin to roll away and reveal the glory of a future where we are building up the best in each moment instead of being paralyzed by anxiety?  What good does it do for us to worry about the future? It will not change it for the better, but our pressing on and doing our best right now will. This is why we need the grace of HOPE.

But you might say, this is easier said than done – and you are right. I am no wiser for saying such things, I am only wiser if I actually do them. And this takes Faith. Faith is not the easy and broad path chosen by the many,  but it is filled with trials,  and with struggles,  and with lessons,  and with discipline – but it is only there that we will grow. It is only there that we will no longer be paralyzed. It is only in Faith that we will find that peace that comes without understanding. It is only in Faith that we will find the joy that comes from giving what you cannot afford to give to those who are not able to repay you. It is only in Faith that we will find the forgiveness and mercy to extend to those who consider themselves or enemy but who are merely lost friends waiting to be freed from the bondage of their captors. 

FAITH is grace awakening, arising from sleep, stepping forth into our lives. Faith is the currency of the Kingdom of God. Faith is the life giving waters that feeds the plants. Without Faith,  there is no power,  no source,  no authority over the enemy’s plans to harm you. With Faith we are able to participate in His Kingdom and we are able to participate in righteousness. A lack of Faith leaves us fruitless, powerless, and not equipped for His use.

So let’s not become confused and seek to only grow in understanding, which is a never ending pursuit of knowledge, but let’s seek His promises and His commandments and exercise the Faith to see them fulfilled in our lives. Let’s walk in the confidence of knowing that His power is real and that He is working all things for our good. And this is especially true in those fiery trials that give us the opportunity to bear fruit abundantly as we long for the treasures eternal and remove or eyes from the distractions of this world.

So He promises that we will be freed and we find HOPE in that promise. And He tells us not to worry about tomorrow but to focus on the work at hand, so we walk in FAITH. And the glory of the Lord is that His LOVE reveals itself to us when we are not even prepared or expecting it,  because only He knows the date and time to provide for our Freedom.

And the freedom that I speak of is not freedom from the fiery trials,  but the freedom from slavery to sin,  the freedom to walk above the trials and temptations,  the ability to tread upon the heads of serpents and scorpions – and in the trials for His power and authority to be manifest in our lives.

This is a new kind of LOVE, a gift of grace powerful and militant and victorious over sin and temptation. And He pours it out on us,  grace upon grace, victory after victory. And we know the treasures worth having and holding onto that will not rot or rust – treasures of love like joy,  peace,  patience,  kindness,  goodness,  faithfulness, long suffering, and self control. And these treasures eternal are called the fruit of the Holy Spirit because they are the fruit that grow from trees that are tapped into the vine of Jesus Christ, the source, the life.

Yes,  this is His LOVE, that He loves us and He frees us so that we can bring this hopi fruit into the world, that we can be the seed bearers of His LOVE into a world in need of Hope,  Faith, and Love – a world in need of deliverance from bearing the rotten fruit of disease and death into a life eternal.

And what is amazing is that He does it on His time and His plan. We find Hope,  we walk in Faith,  and one day we look up and realize the Love that He is pouring out through our lives,  we realize the victory that is taking place over our old temptations, we realize the change that is taking place – and that we never knew the dates and times that He was using us,  nor will we know them in the future as they come to pass – but like the wind that we know exists because of that which it moves,  He has moved us,  and used us, because we were equipped,  because we were faithful.

What an amazing realization, to be used by God – either to serve someone,  or to encourage someone,  or just to be an example to someone that Christ is real and alive and that He has the power to change lives. You see, I find that the undeniable times that He used me aren’t in the grand plans or efforts that I’ve make to serve Him or others,  but in the times unexpected and unnoticed – He surprises me,  He humbles me,  and He touches me.

And this is nothing compared to the glory of that day when we will be fully in His presence, freed from this temporary world and it’s opportunities to grow and shine and be refined by the trials. But have we yet realized that the growing occurs now? If we have a foundation of Jesus Christ, what have we built upon that foundation, friends? Are we growing? For we also never know the date or time at which our opportunity to grow and bear fruit will be at its end. What will we have as the testimony of our Love for our Lord and Savior?

If tomorrow was that day, are you ready? Use your time faithfully friends.

hballingerLeave a comment

My goal?

Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.
Galatians 1:10 NLT
http://bible.com/116/gal.1.10.NLT

Pleasing people is not the same thing as loving people. Playing people is seeking their approval. Loving people is wanting them to receive God’s approval.

The world would tell us the opposite message,  it would tell us to mind our own business, to let them continue drinking the poison of sin into their lives. The world would ask us to quit talking about repentance and righteousness,  and tell them more about forgiveness and abundance and rewards.

The slave is in NEED of rescue to freedom, but if he receives freedom and returns to slavery did he ever really WANT freedom?

Love is sharing the truth with someone so that they might become aware of their NEED. The world distracts us with a lot of WANTS – things,  titles, honor, pleasures, drunkenness, envy, jealousy –
In hopes that we will forget about our NEED.

And yes,  the milk of forgiveness is available to those babes in Christ,  and that is given to the lost while they grow and mature to a point where they can digest the meat of faithful, righteous living. But how many that should already be eating meat and teaching others are satisfied suckling at the tit.

We are not meant to only have a foundation in Christ’s forgiveness,  but to build upon that foundation, a life demonstrating to others the full character and nature of God – both His mercy and His righteousness.

But how many stop at milk? How many these days who are only drinking milk themselves, having not accepted the whole Word of God,  having not dedicated themselves fully to bringing Him glory and honor in all areas of their life – are then teaching a partial revelation of grace that denies the very power of grace to deliver them from their sin. But grace without power, how can their grace be any grace at all?

True freedom is not just freedom to be attained at a later date, it is not just promise of delivery from the eventual punishment – it is freedom now,  today,  from the very thing that enslaved you. So know,  children of God,  that when Jesus free you,  you are truly free. There is no need to return to your own vomit,  there is no reason to return to the slip with the rest of the pigs – you are a child of God. Get out of the mud, stand up,  BELIEVE!

Do you not know that you are alive? Do you not know that the Holy Spirit of Christ lives within you?  Awake! Arise! The time for sleep is over. The time for remaining in captivity has ended. Rise up and cast off your chains,  and show yourself equipped and mature in the Word of God.

And if you are still on milk, my friend – prepare yourself. Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand! Do not sit and expect to be fed. Put in work yourself seeking the Kingdom of God and righteousness – do not exclude seeking righteousness – do not add or subtract from the Word of God as you see fit –  for you may find that you are seeking the approval of men and not of God. Instead, look to the WHOLE Word of God.

And do not think that I claim to have yet achieved my goal, friend. But I am pressing on toward that goal, even as I encourage you to do the same.

And you ask why?

It is nothing other than a love for Him who loves me,  who loved me first – it is a white hot, fire in my bones – and overflowing waters from my belly – reminding me that I have received that which I do not deserve, that which I could never have earned,  but that which is the only prize worth having,  Jesus Christ,  my Lord and Savior.

I do not seek earthly rewards,  though He will add to me and my family all that we need.

I do not seek titles or honor from men,  although they might mistakenly honor me because they see Him in me.

I do not seek heavenly rewards, though they might lie around our presence some day.

I seek the touch of my Savior,  the kiss of my love, the presence of the one who loved me first and who calls me His.

So you ask me why, and I have no words – for it isn’t even about why once our eyes are open. When there is only one choice that matters, when there is only one treasure worth having,  isn’t it clear why one would give up everything else?

Don’t settle for knowing about Him, seek to know Him, really know Him. And that happens by spending time with Him.

Don’t just play religion. Find freedom.
Don’t just accept forgiveness,  repent.

Walk in Spirit, bear fruit, build upon the foundation things that will last.

Let your why be love.

hballinger1 Comment

It’s not how much, it’s who…

And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.
John 17:3 NLT
http://bible.com/116/jhn.17.3.NLT

Let us know you better,  Lord.

You are the only prize worth having,
The only breath worth breathing.

Who can come to the true knowledge, of who you are and not be in awe?
Who can taste of you grace and glory,
And not be change eternally?

Oh the humbling nature,
Of learning your glory,
Of seeing your light,
Beside our own darkness.

And let not your healing touch,
As we are reconciled to your likeness,
Be a distraction to our eyes –
Let us not think much of ourselves,
Comparing ourselves to the darkness,
But let us keep our eyes on you,
As our only portion and prize,
That we are pressing on to obtain,
To behold  more and more each day.

Set our eyes only upon you,
So that we might know you,  Lord.
Not just know of you,
Not just know about you,
Not just speak of you,
But know you,
Because you live with us,
And we live with you,
Because we follow you,
We walk in your statutes,
We live in the Spirit,
Your Holy Spirit,
Alive in us, 
Bearing the fruit of love,
Demonstrating your righteousness,
Proving your mercy,
And your power,
And your glory,
Forever and ever.

You are mine,
Let me stay in your arms.
I long to enjoy your embrace eternal,
Without distraction,
Without trial or task or toil,
That interrupts our sweet embrace.
But it is in those sweet sufferings,
Where you reveal yourself,
More and more.

So I long for that day,
When I stand in your presence,
Because I do not know yet,
How I might even react,
To knowing you in your full glory.
Will I fall humbly at your feet,
For they are such beautiful feet,
Those that bring forth the gospel,
Or will I long for the living embrace,
Of your outstretched arms,
Or will my heart be pierced,
By your loving hands,
That took the nails for me.
I dare not even imagine,
The awe of setting my eyes upon,
You lovely face,
Not knowing what to expect,
From your piercing eyes,
Or the sword of your mouth.

Oh,  Lord,
Have mercy upon my soul,
For even imagining myself,
Worthy of standing in your presence.
But I stand only to bring you this life,
Even as it is only ashes and dust,
Having been burned away,
By the fiery trials of this life,
To reveal your creation,
For your use,
Either set aside for your use,
Or for destruction.
Knowing that all of it,
My toil and my striving,
Counts for nothing,
If it is not you,
Living and working in me,
If it is not you that I love,
If my heart’s desires have chosen an other,
Maybe even myself?

Oh,  Lord,
Rescue me.
Let me see you,
Let me know you,
Even more today,
Than ever before.
Let me bring you glory and honor.
I have no right to make such a claim, Except for your own promises,
Except for the Word of God,
Who came to reconcile me back into your house,
Who came to deliver me from condemnation,
Into a promise of new Hope,
Into getting to know you through Faith,
Into getting to show you through Love.

I am yours,  Lord.
You are mine.

Your fragrance is so sweet,
It is upon me like nothing else compares.
Let me always be reminded
that you are near,
By that sweet smell of your love.
And let it be so powerful,
Surrounding me always,
Rubbing off on your saints,
Drawing them near to your presence,
And repulsion those enemies of yours,
Who cannot bear to be in the light,
So that they might run away into the darkness,
Until their time has come,
To be a demonstration of your power and glory.

And as these enemies,
Are cast into the pit of eternal flames,
Let it be clear and evident,
That it is by their own hand,
That it is their own choice,
That they loved and cling to,
The scent of death and disease,
Instead of the sweet aroma of life,
And as you spread your sweet fragrance upon all of creation,
We will either find that we have embraced your love and your righteousness,
Or that we have embraced sin which leads to death,
That we will either way,  receive what our hearts desire.

Teach us to know you,  Lord,
So that we might love you even more abundantly,  Lord.
And so that we might love one another more clearly and undeniably as a testimony of your love for us.

hballingerLeave a comment

Scattered, Smothered, and Covered

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But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me.
John 16:32 NLT
http://bible.com/116/jhn.16.32.NLT

Even though we might feel scattered, we are also smothered and covered with His love. Yes, I went there with a Waffle House analogy about God’s love for us. I’m telling you, “Be the hash browns. Know who is preparing you. Trust Him to add all the right ingredients to your order.”

Yes,  the trials and distractions and responsibilities of this world can scatter us,  can leave us at times feeling isolated from others. It can even deceive us into feeling that because we have gone our own way outside of God’s will that we are alone. But He is for us and not against us.

Continue reading “Scattered, Smothered, and Covered” →

hballingerLeave a comment

It’s starting to get weird around here

I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn over what is going to happen to me, but the world will rejoice. You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy.
John 16:20 NLT
http://bible.com/116/jhn.16.20.NLT

Yes,  disciples of Christ are a “peculiar people” compared to the rest of the world. And disciple is not a great title that is beyond you to bear,  friend.

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“A disciple is a follower and student of a mentor, teacher, or other figure. ” – Wikipedia

Let’s not get religious and start putting other people on pedestals so that we can minimize our own value in Christ’s eyes and the purpose and calling that Christ has upon each of our individual lives. But let’s understand that each of us has great value and purpose in the eyes of the Lord. Each of us is meant to be a disciple and to make disciples. That is the call. Yes, even you.

image

The world rejoices over those who seek titles and honor and wealth and pleasure and temptations and distractions and all sorts of wickedness.  Just turn on your television these days and you can see what the world glorifies and gives honor to. And when we were serving that master, we were like the world. But we have been set apart as a peculiar people for His use.

image

And, “He is the stone that makes people stumble, the rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they do not obey God’s word, and so they meet the fate that was planned for them. But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.
1 Peter 2:8-9 NLT
http://bible.com/116/1pe.2.8-9.NLT

And there are those who will make claim that it is narcissistic,  prideful above all things to take something in the Bible said to another group of people and apply it to ourselves – Yes, I know the venom of that liar’s voice. I know the voice of the one who is no shepherd at all and who does not feed the sheep but who instead feed upon them. Take this Word of God and apply it to your heart and to your lives,  children of God. Take hold of your inheritance like your brothers and sisters have done before you.

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So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.
Acts 10:34-35 ESV
http://bible.com/59/act.10.34-35.ESV

Do you see that He accepts all who fear Him and do what is right? That He shows no favoritism? That you are just as much a Child of God as any of those children mentioned in the Bible if you will just hear His call and choose Him over the world – not just a one time choice, but a change of direction to do what is right because you believe and respect, His divine instruction and guidance. You are to be set apart, chosen,  with a purpose and value to God.

And many will say,  but look what I have done. Look at my past.  God cannot use me. I’ve been an addict. I’ve been a drunk. I’ve hurt people. I’ve been a thief. I’ve been a liar. I’ve committed adultery. I’ve been divorced. I’ve murdered. I’ve hurt innocent children. I’ve hurt women. I’ve chased after the things of this world. I’ve participated in things that were satanic, the occult, witchcraft, religions and traditions of man. I too know that liar’s voice – but he has no authority here anymore.

Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.  Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
Luke 10:19-20 ESV
http://bible.com/59/luk.10.19-20.ESV

Have you not yet realized that every person in the Bible has clear flaws except one. Only Christ fulfilled the law and His offering of grace is sufficient for you, dear friend.

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He is ready to do a work in your life. He is the stumbling block that leaves us no room for excuses,  because He says,  let me come live in you and I will do the work,  I will overcome your demons, I will change your life – all you must do is hear my call and choose to follow me.

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But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 ESV
http://bible.com/59/2co.12.9-10.ESV

The world sees a life surrendered to Christ, not keeping wealth for yourself but sharing freely with others who cannot pay you back as foolish, but to His children,  He says:

Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord , and he will repay him for his deed.
Proverbs 19:17 ESV
http://bible.com/59/pro.19.17.ESV

He said also to the man who had invited him, “When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid.  But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind,  and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”
Luke 14:12-14 ESV
http://bible.com/59/luk.14.12-14.ESV

The world says that giving a glass of water to the thirsty,  or food to the hungry,  or giving encouragement to those in prison is foolish and is enabling those “who aren’t contributing to society”, but to His children,  He says:

Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.  For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,  I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’  Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?  And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?  And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’  And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
Matthew 25:34-40 ESV
http://bible.com/59/mat.25.34-40.ESV

Yes, we have laid hold of a treasure greater than what can be held or tasted or enjoyed upon this earth and have set our eyes upon a greater treasure indeed – Christ as our portion and our prize.

“The kingdom of heaven  is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and  buys that field.
Matthew 13:44 ESV
http://bible.com/59/mat.13.44.ESV

But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”—  these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.
1 Corinthians 2:7-10 ESV
http://bible.com/59/1co.2.7-10.ESV

So we must ask ourselves, “Do I love Him? ”

And if our first answer is yes,  we must ask ourselves, “Does my life example demonstrate clearly to others that I love Him?”

And this is the answer that proves us to be a peculiar people,  set apart for His use. For many will be comfortable with the first question,  but will turn back from the narrow path of a living,  surrendered life to be satisfied practicing empty religious sacrifices in His name. But how many truly love the Lord and will follow Him along the narrow path?

Remember, it does not even take your own strength, He will guide you and teach you and establish your steps, but we each choose who we will follow and who we will serve.

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,  and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.  The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever.  So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.  Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me.  Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word.  You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.  But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me.  Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me?  Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”
John 8:31-32, 34-36, 42-47 ESV
http://bible.com/59/jhn.8.31-47.ESV