S.O.A.P. for 03/06/2009 True Wealth

All I want, All I need is YOU.

S: Psalm 49: 16-20
Do not be afraid when one becomes rich, when the glory of his house is increased; For when he dies he shall carry nothing away; His glory shall not descent after him. Though while he lives, he blesses himself (For men will praise you when you do well for yourself), He shall go to the generation of His fathers (death); They shall never see light. A man, who is in honor, yet does not understand, will perish like the beasts.

O: We are being told to rest easy and not become jealous when we see someone else who has more that we do. We are also to remind ourselves that things of this world are fleeting. We should not think it unfair when we find that someone with LESS love for God may have more worldly things than we do, and remind ourselves to see with HIs eyes for what is truly of value. We must continue to count our spiritual blessings in order to see that we truly have so much more that the person with an abundance of worldly gifts, for truth be told, without love, without Jesus, without salvation, he truly has nothing because he can't take any of what he's accumulated with him.

A: At the moment of death, both rich and poor are naked and empty handed before God. The only riches we have at that time are the ones that have become a part of us, those we ahave already invested into our eternal heritage. When we die, we will wish we had spent more time and focus on heaven, where we will retain it forever, and less time on the temporary luxuries we may have found on earth that now leave us barren, empty, and hollow before God. To have treasure in heaven, HE must be our priority here on earth, we must pledge ourselves to obey Him and use our resources to glorify His Kingdon. This is a good time for a self inventory. How am I using what I DO have? What am I fighting for? What are my goals? Where and how am I spending my time?

P: Father God,
I thank You for your spiritual gifts, that have made me feel much happier, and far more blessed than when I can remember actually having "things" of this world. Thank You for the gifts and blessings that truly do fill my life and make me feel rich. Father, please remind me to never compare myself to someone else for I do not know what goes on behind those custom doors, and I do not know of their salvation and I DO know of mine, which is the treasure of treasures! Help me to not feel lacking when I find I may have less than others, but remind me of what I DO have that will be with me forever! Help me to keep the "green-eyed-monster" at bay so that I may focus my time and energy on storing up Godly treasure for myself in heaven. Let me be truly wealthy in Your eyes, according to Your will for my life and let that be all that matters on this earth.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

No flashy cars, no movie stars, no man, woman, boy or girl
No fancy things, no diamond rings, nothing in the whole wide world
Can make me happy
Can make me feel the way You do
You make me happy
I want to make You happy too
You make me happy
*Ayiesha Woods*