We Are Treasures of God

Do you remember being a child and having favorite toy as a friend?  All the love you shared and how much you cherished it?  How about a special pet?  Or an irreplaceable friend?  A family member, your spouse, your child... all of these are treasures in our hearts.  Treasures we would defend and love like they were a part of us.  Here are two passages about God describing his people as his treasures.

1.  Deuteronomy 26:18-19  "The LORD has declared this day that you are his people, his treasured possession as he promised, and that you are to keep all his commands. 19 He has
declared that he will set you in praise, fame and honor high above all the nations he has made and that you will be a people holy to the LORD your God, as he promised."

In Context: Moses' sermon is renewing the Israelites' promise to obey God, and God's promise to treasure the Israelites as his people.  The covenant was first made about ten years prior when the Israelites were rescued from slavery in Egypt.  (Exodus 19:5, Deuteronomy 7:6, Deuteronomy 14:2)

Contemporary Connection: Do I remember the day I committed myself to God's commands?  Do I remember the things he promised me?  Do I acknowledge the fact that I am God's treasured possession?  Do I say thank you for all the ways he treasures me?  Do I have faith in his promises about my future?

2. Zechariah 9:16 "The LORD their God will save his people on that day as a shepherd saves his flock. They will sparkle in his land like jewels in a crown."

 In Context: God is prophesying through Zechariah that the Jews will be attacked by Greece, but they will miraculously defeat them.  And they will prosper and shine like crowned jewels.  This did happen, and is celebrated in the present-day holiday Hanukkah.

Contemporary Connection: It's inevitable that there are dangerous things and people in life that can harm us.  Do I believe that God is strong enough to protect me from being overcome?  Do I believe that he values me like the most beautiful part of his royal attire?  That he wants to be the one to lead me, and save me, and present me as a sparkling jewel...?

I hope this helps you in your understanding that God wants you to be his Treasure. <3

Hockey Player Tweets For Modest Women and Pure-Hearted Men

A young man Rocco Grimaldi took a stand on Sept. 28th via his Twitter, asking women to dress with more respect towards themselves and others, and for men to take responsibility for any lust they may have.  He is an 18-yr old Hockey player for the University of North Dakota, and the top scorer for the 09-10 season.  But he shows he's also on another team, God's team repping 1Tim 4:12!  He caused quite a stir with his bold remarks to the whole world:

"RGrimaldi23 Rocco Grimaldi: Ladies, you can help us guys out big time. Put your boobs away and everything else that is hanging out. Guys have a hard enough time with…

that temptation without u helping it along. When did being a beautiful girl become dressing with the least amount of clothes on? When did… 

what u wear become a competition? Before you dress ask, “Does this outfit honor God, does it honor my body, does it help serve/love my… 

brothers? If it’s a no to any of those questions, then u shouldn’t wear that outfit #ThinkBeforeYouDress 

 RGrimaldi23 Rocco Grimaldi: Guys u ready? Ur up next

Guys, when did sleeping with every girl u can make u a man? Anyone can lay with a woman. And don’t blame the women for how they dress… 

Don’t say it’s because they want attention. Don’t blame ur “curiosity” or that u just wanted a little taste of what it would be like… 

Women are not an object for playing with. Sex is a gift from God. We have made it idolatry by how we use it. We blame the women for what… 

they’re wearing, we blame the media for what they’re producing, but we never blame OURSELVES for how WE’VE twisted God’s gift to only… 

glorify ourselves. WE are the men and WE are to blame. God put US in charge of this earth so WE are the ones who need to man up and lay… 

down our lust. Don’t fall into that temptation. If you don’t do this, you may be a boy for the rest of ur life #ManUp"

I don't know about you, but I'm encouraged to a see a man stand up for honoring God with our bodies!  Someone who understands that yes, we are created to be temples of God.

Show your support on his twitter at RGrimaldi23!