PSALM 116:1-6 (King James Version)
1Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.
2Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.
3They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.
4Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.
5O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!
6Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.
7I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.
8I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.
9Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
10With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
11Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
12Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.
13With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.
14I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.
15I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
16I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.
(Psalm 119:1-16, King James Version)
SCRIPTURE READING Matthew 13:44 (The Message)
44"God's kingdom is like a treasure hidden in a field for years and then accidentally found by a trespasser. The finder is ecstatic—what a find!—and proceeds to sell everything he owns to raise money and buy that field.
HYMN Living for Jesus
Tune: Living for Jesus
Living for Jesus a life that is true striving to please him in all that I do yielding allegiance glad hearted and free this is the pathway of blessing for me.
CHORUS: O Jesus Lord and Savior I give myself to thee for thou in thy atonement didst give thyself for me; I own no other master, my heart shall be thy throne, my life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for thee alone.
Living for Jesus who died in my place bearing on Calvary my sin and disgrace; such love constrains me to answer his call follow his leading and give him my all.
Living for Jesus through earth’s little while my dearest treasure – the light of his smile; seeking the lost ones he died to redeem, bringing the weary to find rest in him.
Hymn sung by Cedar College of Education Choir at KwaSizabantu Mission in South Africa.
What an appropriate reading the Gospel for today is for Ash Wednesday. Finding a treasure beyond any price – isn’t that what the journey to Easter is all about??? I’ve talked with several people who are giving up all kinds of things for the Lenten season – some of them Facebook, some of them broccoli – but it’s all the same thing, recognizing a treasure beyond anything we could ever hope to have or be and willing to make a sacrifice to obtain it. What’s the treasure that’s motivating you today? Somehow, when I ask myself that question, I don’t always like the answer. The treasure we’re seeking should always be those things that money can’t buy. My friend and colleague Allen Gibson talks about just such a treasure in his blog today – you can read it at http://bit.ly/hBQlMt My hope and prayer for you today is that you can find your treasure and that it is a treasure worth spending your life to pursue.
Happy birthday today to Christian Board of Publication http://www.chalicepress.com/ which was founded 100 years ago on this date.
Tonight is our Official Board meeting at the church at 7:30. Hope that all of us, as we go about the church’s business, can see in that more than just business but truly the work of God.
God’s blessings on your journey,
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