Tag: Matthew 6:19-21

Inspirational Nuggets

** “When I wake up, I smile because I’m alive and ready to succeed” – Raul Perez
** Eating habits develop at an early age. It’s better to build strong children than to repair adults.
** Earthly treasures will pass away. Heavenly treasures are a far better investment. They’re eternal and imperishable.

*** Nugget 1  Humor Time

Favorite Hymns for……..
Hikers: “Go Tell It on the Mountain”
HD TV watchers: “All Things Bright and Beautiful”
Golfers: “There Is a Green Hill Far Away”
Beachgoers: “I Saw Three Ships”

The Marriage of Miss Bad Breath and Mr. Smelly Feet

A young couple, madly in love, decided to get married. But as the wedding day neared, both grew increasingly nervous over secret problems they had never shared with anyone. Privately, the groom-to-be approached his minister. “I’m really concerned about this marriage,” the young man said. “Don’t you love her?” the pastor asked in surprise. “Of course,” the groom said. “But I have unbelievably smelly feet—and I’m afraid my fiancée won’t be able to stand them.” “Oh, is that all?” the pastor replied. “Look, all you need to do is wash your feet twice a day and wear socks all the time.” The groom thought it over and decided it just might work.

Meanwhile, the nervous bride had privately approached the minister’s wife. “I’m so worried,” she sobbed. “I have really bad breath when I wake up each day!” “Oh, dear,” the pastor’s wife replied,” everyone has bad breath in the morning. Don’t worry about it.” “No, you don’t understand,” the bride implored. “My morning breath is so awful; my fiancé won’t even want to be near me!” “Well, I have an idea,” the pastor’s wife said soothingly.

 “Set your alarm just a few minutes before your husband wakes up. Run to the bathroom, brush your teeth, and gargle with mouthwash before he gets out of bed. The key is not to say anything until you’ve taken care of your breath.” The bride thought it over and decided it just might work. In time, a beautiful wedding was held, and the bride and groom enjoyed the day without once worrying about their secret problems.

For several months they managed to keep their issues to themselves. Then one morning, the husband awoke before dawn to find that one of his socks had come off in the night. Frantic, he searched the bed, afraid of what might happen if he didn’t find his sock soon.

His bride woke with a start, and, without thinking, blurted out, “What in the world are you doing?” “Oh, dear!” the young man wailed. “You swallowed my sock!” 

*** Nugget 2 What about the Children?

Do you try to live a healthy lifestyle without including your children?  You can help your children lower their risk of future heart attacks, strokes, weight gain, diabetes, etc. by instilling healthy living habits in them while they are young. Proverbs 22:26 tells us to, “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not turn from it.” This is not related to Christian teachings alone; it’s also applicable for living a healthy lifestyle.

Eating habits develop at an early age. It’s better to build strong children than to repair adults. If children grow up in a family where lots of fried food, candy, fast food, junk food is eaten, no physical activity is encouraged, they could have a hard time changing later in life.  Begin teaching your children and grandchildren now so that they will have the information in them. If they turn from it when they grow older, at least you will have done your part.

It may involve extra work for you as a parent to help your child develop healthy living habits, but it will be well worth it. Here are some tips:

  • Be the example. Children learn by example more than anything else. Children, especially young ones want to try what mom and dad are trying.  
  • Make exercise a family event.
  • Experiment with many different fruits and veggies. Each season brings great varieties.
  • Be consistent and don’t complain. Make everything as fun & as interesting as possible.
  • Don’t buy and cook special food for your children. The whole family should eat the same well-balanced meal. Cook with them.
  • Provide educational material (books, videos) on their level. Let this be a family project.

Future generations can be greatly impacted if we commit to teaching our children healthy living principles.  Parents have a responsibility to supply their children whatever will best ensure their health and vitality. Even if you have teenagers or young adults in your house, it’s never too late to begin. There is no time like the presence. 

*** Nugget 3  Treasures Reveal the Heart’s Desire    

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  –Matthew 6:19-21

We invest a lot of time and energy on earthly things. Years ago, I wanted a very expensive piece of jewelry. Every time I saw it in a commercial or in a magazine, I just knew I had to have it. I did some planning and eventually purchased one, as a Christmas gift to myself. I also had it insured. Of course, there have been other things that I felt I just had to have. I didn’t stop until I got them. As long as I live, I’m sure there will be other things that I will just have to have.

Earthly treasures will pass away. They can be eaten by moths, corroded by rust, or stolen by a burglar.  Jesus is asking us to concentrate on heavenly treasures (spiritual things). He’s not condemning wealth. He wants to bless us with things while we’re on earth, but He doesn’t want us to lust after them and make them our gods.

Heavenly treasures are a far better investment. They’re eternal and imperishable. Our love for Jesus should motivate us to invest in these treasures. There are many ways Christians can invest including:

  • Loving our enemies
  • Sharing the gospel
  • Serving the lord and his people
  • Giving (your time, money, attention, encouragement, a smile, a true compliment, etc.)
  • Faithfully enduring persecution

We can shift our focus from earthly things to spiritual things by simply making a decision. Let us decide to store our treasures where we want our hearts to be. Our hearts will follow our treasures. These treasures will never pass away.

Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior?  If you wait, it could be too late. For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting live (John 3:16).

If you have already accepted Him, He wants you to get to know Him even better.

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Sources
Mitchell, P. (2013). Hey! Christians Have a Sense of Humor, Too! Colorado Springs, CO: Product Concept Mfg., Inc.
The Marriage of Miss Bad Breath and Mr. Smelly Feet – Beliefnet
Free Laugh Cliparts, Download Free Laugh Cliparts png images, Free ClipArts on Clipart Library (clipart-library.com)
http://clipart-library.com/clipart/p6Tyb6cnG.htm
http://clipart-library.com/clipart/free-treasure-chest-clipart_14.htm