The Shepherd's Desk
September 13, 2022
Pastoral Letter
Dr. Patrick Vossen
Founding Pastor, CGMFINC
Pastoral Letter
Dr. Patrick Vossen
Founding Pastor, CGMFINC
Shepherd’s Monthly Message To The Covenant Family
Sept. 13th, 2022
The Heart Of Man, The Rudder Of Life.
19 “Stop collecting treasures for your own benefit on earth, where moth and rust eat them and where thieves break in and steal them. 20 Instead, collect treasures for yourselves in heaven, where moth and rust don’t eat them and where thieves don’t break in and steal them. 21 Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Common English Bible (Nashville, TN: Common English Bible, 2011), Mt 6:19–21.
INFLATIONPROOF INVESTMENT
If people have too much money, prices go up and dollars buy less. Then the Federal Reserve Board raises prime interest rates, people have less money, and prices stabilize. So the theory goes. Fortunately, none of the laws of economics apply to salvation: Everyone can have it; money cannot buy it; and the value never depreciates. This investment tops anything your retirement plan can offer. God makes all the payments, gives you daily interest, and keeps a huge escrow account for you in heaven. That’s why we must take the Bible as our only real Prospectus. It reads: Don’t worry; serve God heartily; the future looks really good with God in control. Do you suppose this financial tip might interest your neighbor? You be the first to tell him.
Bruce B. Barton, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, Jude, Life Application Bible Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 1995), 29.
What do you treasure? What do you hold as your single most valuable possession? Where is your heart, when it comes to your relationships, to God, family and friends? What is it you’re willing to sacrifice the most for in life?
I could ask these types of questions all day. However, it’s absolutely crucial to recognize what motivates, and guides our goals and aspirations in life. For when its finally over what is done for Christ will last, and the things of this world will fade away, and are temporary. What legacy of love for God, family and friends are you wanting to leave? Or, is it all about me, myself and I?
Your intentions matter in life. Your aspirations matter in life. Your goals matter in life. Your devotion matters in life. It’s All A Matter Of The Heart!!!!!
Your heart will ultimately dictate your outcome in life, whether for good or for bad. For it steers the ship of your soul in the direction you truly want to find port in. The destination for your life’s aspirations, goals and reveals your utmost desires.
In verse 20 you find the key to success in life, and the best investment for every living soul. The collecting of treasures in heaven, investing in His Kingdom Economy, that He has built that will last for eternity. Where corruption doesn’t destroy, and there are no “ bad investments. “ Only eternal grace with grand benefits.
Many of you are saying to yourselves, Oh, this is just pastor being pastoral and all religious. No, it is not! I am being practical and forthright. For in every decision, your heart determines what is going to play out in everything you do in life. For better or for worse!
God has had to grant me a couple of “ mulligans “ in my life. Times when I just messed it up and got it wrong, but I’ve always had the same vision, and desire in life. Placing my trust not in building up riches in life but investing in the lives of so many that I want to see know this Jesus who has been so good to me. Nothing against riches, but that isn’t a goal that appeals to heart of God. How you invest what God gives into your life, your talents, time and treasures reveals who you are.
You know we need a fresh revelation of the Beatitudes in the church, in our lives, in our hearts. For the Lord summed up for us in a unique way what the attitude of the believer should be, and what is of the most value in life.
5 1 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up a mountain. He sat down and his disciples came to him. 2 He taught them, saying: Happy people 3 “Happy are people who are hopeless, because the kingdom of heaven is theirs. 4 “Happy are people who grieve, because they will be made glad. 5 “Happy are people who are humble, because they will inherit the earth. 6 “Happy are people who are hungry and thirsty for righteousness, because they will be fed until they are full. 7 “Happy are people who show mercy, because they will receive mercy. 8 “Happy are people who have pure hearts, because they will see God. 9 “Happy are people who make peace, because they will be called God’s children. 10 “Happy are people whose lives are harassed because they are righteous, because the kingdom of heaven is theirs. 11 “Happy are you when people insult you and harass you and speak all kinds of bad and false things about you, all because of me. 12 Be full of joy and be glad, because you have a great reward in heaven. In the same way, people harassed the prophets who came before you.
Common English Bible (Nashville, TN: Common English Bible, 2011), Mt 5:1-12
I love that he greeted them relating to what true happiness is and revealed what the Father considers primary in a believer’s life, and it isn’t always what we teach in the church. For it is uncomfortable and it does not fit into the scope of modern Christianity too well, or our society in general. However, these are eternal truths, and every generation has battled with this understanding while searching for that elusive “ Happiness “ in life.
Let me make it simple for you. He can put within your heart exactly what you need. That spiritual compass that can direct the paths you choose to follow in life. He can lead you to
safe harbor.
33 No, this is the covenant that I will make with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my Instructions within them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 34 They will no longer need to teach each other to say, “Know the Lord!” because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord; for I will forgive their wrongdoing and never again remember their sins.
Common English Bible (Nashville, TN: Common English Bible, 2011), Je 31:33–34.
The Lord writing His Word, and Guiding Us By His Spirit is an amazing thing. It has the ability to put us 100% on course toward life and eternity’s Grace. Yet, too often we neglect to recognize the heart of God, and His direction for our lives, and we usually only pray to him out of structure, and when “ we “ need something. Too busy for Him, too hard seems the path, too obscure the vision. So we allow life’s “ excuses “ to eat away at our life, and we end up far away from the promises of God and safe harbor. Don’t let that become you, and trust God at His Word, allowing Him to write the “blueprint “ for your life on the tablet of your soul.
