Jesus Teaches, Herod Plots

Matthew 14:1-5, "Jesus teaching was reported to Herod and he said to his men, 'This is John the Baptist risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.'

"Herod had arrested John and bound him, putting him into prison for John had told him it was not lawful for him to have his brother's wife.

"Herod wanted to kill John the Baptist, but was afraid of the people because they considered John a prophet."

Matthew 14:6-12, Because of Herod's lust, he granted  a request for a woman that pleased him for her dancing before him. Her request was grotesque asking for John the Baptist's head on a platter! (It seems he no longer was concerned with what the people thought!)

Matthew 14:12, "John's disciples came and took John's body and buried it. They then went and told Jesus."

Desires of the flesh destroy not only in this fallen world, but for all eternity! It can be desire for power as well as the lust of the flesh as is seen in these verses. Today's world is sadly involved with the powers and struggles of the flesh from politics to the evil lust of flesh abounding everywhere. It is called SIN! Sin is not only committed in physical involvement, but also in the thoughts and lust of the eyes! But praise our Awesome, Almighty, Creator, Savior, Holy Father GOD, He has made a way out of the lusts of the fallen world! His Name is Jesus Who paid the penalty for all sin while upon the Cross. Do you have His salvation? You can. Simply by faith, humble yourself and ask Christ for the forgiveness of your sins and He will. You may not have committed the sins mentioned in the Scripture above, but GOD's Word has said, "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of GOD." (Romans 3:23) Even an unkind thought, deed, or word is sin.

Acts 2:21, "Everyone who calls on the Name of the LORD (Jesus Christ) will be saved!"

Lack of Faith Brings Dishonor

Matthew 13:53-58, " Coming to His hometown, Jesus began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed! 'Where did this man get his wisdom and these miraculous powers!' they asked. 'Isn't this the carpenter's son? Isn't his mother's name Mary, and aren't his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? Aren't all his sisters with us?'

"They took offence at Him. But Jesus said to them, 'Only in his hometown and his own house is a prophet without honor.' Jesus did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith."

Where do you place your faith? Do you depend on the things of this fallen world or do you place your faith in the Scripture that teaches us: 

Philippians 4:19, "My GOD will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus." Do you realize how rich GOD is!!! Praise His Holy Name He Loves His children of salvation in Christ Jesus! Are you a child of His salvation? If not, realize you are a sinner. Ask GOD's forgiveness and He will save you! What a blessing to know GOD personally!

Our Treasure in Heaven

Matthew 13:47-52, "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full the fishermen pulled it up on the shore.

"They collected the good fish in baskets, but threw away the bad fish.

"This is how the end of the age will be. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous, casting the wicked into the fiery flames where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (for all eternity).

" 'Have you understood these things?' Jesus asked them. 'Yes,' they replied. Jesus replied to them, 'Every one who has been instructed about the law has been instructed about the Kingdom of Heaven being like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old."

If you are a born again Christian, Jesus is your treasure now and forever! His free gift to us is everlasting life with Him forevermore in the New Heaven, New Earth, and New Jerusalem! For the former things (this fallen universe) will pass away with fervent heat! 

Fervent heat! The Law of Thermodynamics has found that each individual atom has a violently vibrating mesh that the inner particles move on. They have no theory as to why the atom in and of itself doesn't explode! I do. GOD has everything in control. One day He's going to let loose of those atoms powerful explosion!  You know what one atom's explosion does in the atomic bomb. Just think of every atom in the universe being let loose at the same time by Almighty GOD!

II Peter 3:10, "The day of the LORD will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens (universe) will pass away with a great noise and the elements (atoms) will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and its works will be burned up." (along with this fallen universe.)

Praise our Awesome, Almighty, Creator, Savior Holy Father GOD, he has a New Heaven, New Earth, and New Jerusalem prepared for all those who belong to His salvation! 

Revelation 21:1-2, "I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the former heaven and earth (present universe) had passed away. I saw the new Jerusalem coming down our of heaven from GOD..."

Are you in the family of GOD for all eternity? Jesus made it possible for you to be so. He is your sacrifice for you sins. All you need do is repent of your sins to Him and accept Him as your Savior. The joys of heaven await all those who belong to Him! Come join us and the Treasure of heaven is all yours!

Have You Found the Hidden Treasure!

The Greatest treasure is not made by human hands! That being, the free gift of salvation that Christ Jesus offers! The Kingdom of Heaven is more valuable than anything we can ever have!  We must be willing to give up our sinful lives for Christ Jesus' free gift of salvation to us.

Matthew 13:45-46, "Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it." Are you willing to give up the sin of this fallen world for the treasure that awaits you in GOD's eternal heaven?