Depend on Jesus for Joy

As we know Christ more, we discover the insignificance of worldly treasures. Our true goal should be to know Christ and His power.

I was glad to see the plastic ball pit. . . It's a large, covered, shady, cool, soothing pavilion. . . But rather than being filled with water, it's loaded with balls - thousands and thousands of plastic, colorful, light-weight balls.

Three-year-old Andrea, however, had a few difficulties. As soon as she took one step into the pit, she filled her arms with balls. . .

Andrea took a step and fell. .  . She began to cry. I walked over to the edge of the pit. "Andrea," I said gently, "let go of the balls, and you can walk."

"No!" she screamed, wiggling and submerging herself beneath the balls. I reached in and pulled her up. She was still clutching her armful of treasures. . .

Andrea's determination to hold those balls is nothing compared to the vise-grips we put on life. . . Try prying our fingers away from our earthly treasures. . . The way we clutch our possessions and our pennies, you'd think we couldn't live without them.

Ouch.

Jesus' promise is comprehensive: "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled". . .

Blessed are those, then, who hold their earthly possessions in open palms. . . Blessed are those who are totally dependent upon Jesus for their joy.

-From The Applause of Heaven by Max Lucado; part of The Inspirational Study Bible: New Century Version by Max Lucado

Your heart will be where your treasure is. -Matthew 6:21

"The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. One day a man found the treasure, and then he hid it in the field again. He was so happy that he went and sold everything he owned to buy that field." -Matthew 13:44

In the same way, you must give up everything you have to be my follower. -Luke 14:33

We set our eyes not on what we see but on what we cannot see. What we see will last only a short time, but what we cannot see will last forever. -2 Corinthians 4:18

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