Last week through the encouragement of friends, I was blessed. Birthdays are always so great to give. I enjoy seeing the excitement and blessing others... (possibly caking them too =D). But when it comes to my birthday I sometimes don't like it because I feel I get too self-conscious and self-consumed. I would expect people to treat me better or something. But a birthday is just a day I still do not deserve. I used to fear that I'd get bitter that after the day is over people would not treat me the same as that day. I felt people may have treated me better just because they may have felt obligated. But I see that's not necessarily true. I enjoy making people special on their birthdays for who they are not because I'm obligated. In any case, that isn't my point for this entry. I was blessed by people who reminded me to look to the Lord. I think those are the best birthday gifts - to be encouraged to not think about myself but how good God is.
I understood better what storing up treasures in heaven meant
Matthew 6:19-21: Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break or stea; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
I wasn't really appealed to the idea of storing up treasures in heaven. I just knew that Christ alone saves me and I am to be obedient because our goal in life is to glorify Him. Yet, I do not think I thought about glorify God with much joy. However someone shared with me Galatians 4:1-7. God calls us sons and we are able to call Him Abba Father. There is an intimacy with God that we have access to! Our growth/sanctification and obedience does not save us but it does draw us nearer to the Lord and when we are in heaven we will be even closer to Him. People will not have equal intimacy with the Lord, but based by our faithfulness on earth, we will have our rewards in heaven. Before when I thought about rewards I thought of gold and material gain... and maybe God will give us materials, but moreso our greatest treasure is the Lord Himself. So when we sin it isn't just a sin and oops... but we offend God and it hinders our relationship with him. This life is so short compared to eternity. I'm glad that our knowing God does not stop here on earth but in heaven forever!
So sanctification and being obedient has no longer been a duty of a christian life but I hope a great joy and privilege. (Though I am not there yet. Philippians 3)
oh i broke the cake knife
