True

Treasure: Its Not What We Possess On The Outside, But What Comes Forth From A Good Heart
By Paula Matthews

When one thinks of treasure the first things that come to mind are wealth, jewels, precious metals and gems, or collectors items. The image of a pirates treasure would capture the imagination of adventurous minds. While shady schemers might envision cold hard cash stashed away in mattresses or in secret bank accounts in far away lands. For sentimental hearts treasure may mean memories gathered in photographs, or souvenirs of times gone by; safely tucked away in scrapbooks and old storage chests. We all have treasures that we value and hold close to our hearts. However, there are very special treasures awaiting those with a pure heart to discover truth and uncover riches hidden in secret places. God has a storehouse full of mysteries and treasures that he desires to reveal to his people. For those who delight themselves in his word, he promises to give them treasures in the form of desires that he places within their hearts.1 The secret things belong to God, but that which he reveals belong to his children as an inheritance. 2 These are the mysteries of God given to us to unveil and demonstrate in this earth. This is the kingdom of God within us: the plan and purpose of God for those who will love and obey him. What God treasures above all things in this earth, is his word. The word of God, although shrouded in mystery, it is the ultimate in creative power when activated by our faith. Gods word is a treasure worth obtaining because it retains its value over time, even throughout eternity. Jesus said that heaven and earth may pass away, but the word of God will not pass away.3 Here is a descriptive quote from the prophet Isaiah: As the rain and the snow comes down from heaven and does not return, but it waters the earth so that it buds and flourishes, so shall my word that goes forth from my mouth. It shall not return to me void, but it shall accomplish what I please and prosper in the thing for which I have sent it. So no matter what happens in this earth, the Lord guarantees us that his word will come to pass and it will cause things in this earth to flourish and prosper. Here is an added benefit. The psalmist David said that Gods word is backed by the reputation of Gods name.4 Whatever God speaks to his people carries the full weight of Gods presence, just as if God was speaking to us face to face. God doesnt have to show up to solve an issue on earth. He just has to send his word by his spirit and it will heal, deliver and prosper a people.5There was a Centurion with a sick servant. Jesus offered to come to heal the servant, but the Centurion interrupted by saying that he was not worthy that Jesus should come to his home. Instead, he requested that Jesus speak the word only. This Centurion was so confident in the value of Jesus word that he knew that just by speaking the word, it (the word) would accomplish healing in the life of his servant.6 There is nothing wrong with having earthly treasure, but Jesus said that it is the fool who lays up treasure for him self instead of gaining treasure in God. 7 In the New Testament the word treasure is interpreted as the Greek word thesauros,8 which means treasury or treasure store, a place where

1 Psalm 37:4

2 Deuteronomy 29:29
3 Matthew 24:35 4 Psalm 138:2 5 Psalm 107:20 6 Matthews 8:5-10 7 Luke 12:13-21

8 Blue Letter Bible. "Dictionary and Word Search for thsauros (Strong's 2344)". Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2013.

18 Mar 2013. < http:// www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm? Strongs=G2344&t=KJV >

valuables are collected and stored. Any valuable thing is also considered treasure by this definition. This is the same word used for Rogets Thesaurus.9 Perhaps Roget, a scientist and theologian, got the idea of treasuring words from the value he gained in studying the words of the Bible. You dont have to be a theologian to recognize that words are valuable treasure. Words shape our lives. They establish our view of life. Words can motivate us. They can also cripple and demoralize us as human beings. With words we bless or curse; love or hate our selves and others. Words get their value based upon the importance we place upon them. In fact this is how we value all earthy treasure. The object has no value except for that which our words, or the words of others have placed upon them. Every directive of our lives is based upon the words we have chosen to believe. Therefore, true treasure is not what we possess, but it is that which possesses and captivates our hearts and imaginations. True treasure begins in the heart, and manifests in our lives. It may begin as a sentiment, an attitude or an opinion, but when it takes hold of our hearts, it motivates us to action. We live out our destinies based upon the words we have chosen to believe, both the good and the evil. Jesus taught us that whatever is in our hearts will be manifested in our lives. He said that out of the good treasure of a good mans heart, he would produce good things. Likewise, out of the evil treasure of an evil mans heart, he would produce evil things in this world. Jesus said that this happens because a man speaks from the abundance of what is in his heart.10 Words come out of the abundance of that which we treasure in our hearts. If you want to know what is in someones heart, just listen to the words he or she speaks. These same words can become the defining pattern of their lives. There are those who speak words to flattery and deceive, but like all men, its whats in their hearts that identifies their true treasure.11 If we want a more prosperous life, then we must find prosperous words and placed them in the treasury of our hearts. Thats where Gods words come into play. Every word that God speaks is designed to prosper our lives. When we meditate on these words and we endeavor to bring them to pass, there will be successful and notable changes in our lives.12 Gods words are spirit and life.13 That means they are supernaturally life sustaining and prosperous. Gods word offers a dimension of infallibility and stability that can withstand the test of time. It is impervious to social and financial instability. Therefore, true treasure can be found in seeking and enjoying the benefits Gods word. Gods word offers creativity, hope and promise in this world, and yet most American Christians have failed to recognize its value. This results from a lack of understanding of the word (the gospel) about Gods kingdom purpose in this earth. Perhaps the confusion is because Jesus told us to lay up treasures in heaven and not in the earth.14 Some may have interpreted this to mean that there is nothing of value in the earth and the only treasure worth retaining is that which is in heaven; but God doesnt see the world as we see it.15 In addition to treasuring his word, God loves and cherishes his human creation. He loved us so much that He sent Jesus to redeem us from the darkness of this world.16 Jesus died and resurrected for us. Jesus endured the suffering on the cross because he saw the treasure that would result in our lives. He forever lives and makes intercession for us in order to extract the treasure in us that glorifies God.17 He saw so much treasure on earth that he gave all that he had . . . He left his throne in heaven, came

9 "Peter Mark Roget." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Mar. 2013.

<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Mark_Roget>.

10 Luke 6:45 11 Proverbs 23:6-7 12 Joshua 1:8 13 John 6:63 14 Matthew 6:19-20 15 Isaiah 55:8-9 16 John 3:16 17 Hebrews 7:20-25

to this wicked earth, and gave his life so that the glorious treasure could be manifested in us. What is this treasure and where is it found? To answer these questions we have to start with the Holy Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit is deposited in the hearts of everyone who receives Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The Holy Spirit communicates to us Gods plan and purpose for our lives. Therefore the true treasure of Gods Kingdom is the revealed word of God, known as revelation knowledge of the kingdom that is placed within the hearts of men. This is the kingdom within us, 18 the treasure in earthen vessels.19 Eyes have not seen, nor have our ears heard, neither has it entered in the hearts of men what God has planned for our good in this earth.20 It can only be revealed by the spirit. God has a plan for everyone, but you must come to him before it can be revealed. King Solomon said that God has placed eternity within the hearts of men.21 Even if you dont know God, there is a yearning for immortality within the soul of every man. That is why many people treasure fame and fortune in this life. God placed that yearning within us so that we could be fulfilled IN HIM. On our own we may desire fame and fortune, but it will never replace what God has planned for us. God does not simply want us to possess fame or fortune. He wants us to use our fame and fortune to improve human conditions in the world. A person is not wealthy just because he or she possesses material treasures. The true sign of wealth is when we are able to share what we have with others and then teach them how to do the same, until all people of the earth are thriving to the glory of God. This is how the gospel (good news) of the kingdom initially spread throughout the earth. The Holy Spirit has always led great men to their destinies. The average person struggles to find value in this fragile human existence but God is still revealing his magnificent plan of destiny for those who have a heart to believe and receive what the Holy Spirit is revealing to their hearts. It is revealed by the spirit and activated by our faith. When we believe what God says, we obey what is necessary to bring that treasure into the earth. This is the Garden of Eden placed inside of us.22 It is the glory of God placed inside of humans and revealed in the earth. This is the manifested word just like Jesus was the word manifested in the flesh,23 and when we obey like Jesus obeyed, our lives also become the word manifested in this earth. I have seen the word manifested in almost every area of my life; but the greatest manifestations were treasures of supernatural deliverance and divine healing. One of the most memorable manifestations occurred when a healing sung pulled my life from the clinches of death. Twelve years ago, I found myself in a heated spiritual battle that literally knocked me off of my feet while on a missions trip. It began when my spiritual covering was broken because the pastor was caught in a sex scandal that jeopardized everyone in the ministry, especially those of us who were on assignments in enemy territories. A curse fell on the entire ministry. The Lord had me praying for the protection of over 200 missionaries around the world. He then said I would become a prisoner of this spiritual war and that he would have to teach me new survival tactics. There were so many attacks against me that it would take an eternity to understand them all, but the Lord began training me how to listen and respond to his instructions in evil and intense darkness. I had to lean intently upon the Holy Spirit to navigate my way around some of the most extreme demonic forces in the universe. The Lord reassured me that this was the only way I could come out of this mess

18 Luke 17:21 19 II Corinthians 4:7 20 I Corinthians 2:9-10 21 Ecclesiastes 3:11 23 John 1:14 22 Genesis 2:8-15; Isaiah 51:3

alive. These were more than training exercises; these were lessons of survival that the Lord said I would teach to others. The enemys first attack against me was with sexual perversion and witchcraft. It was intense and brutally wicked. The local police investigators told me that my situation was similar to reports from women in the area allegedly stalked by members of a porn ring. When the sexual perversion and witchcraft didnt stop me from obeying God, these same goons began making threats to kill me. I was astounded that human beings could even imagine doing evil to those who are trying to live peaceful in the world. The death threats did not move me, so the enemy had to devise another way to take my life. One day I became ill while eating lunch with friends. The Holy Spirit let me know that it was a supernatural satanic attack. It was as if something evil was inside of my stomach sucking life out of my body. This went on for about a week or two. I was so ill that it became almost impossible for me to walk or talk. I was at home alone and unable to call for help. Amazingly, no one called to check up on me either; not even my family. Since my prayer covering was broken, I had to battle this thing alone. It took great effort for me to pull my body up to walk, but I was able to crawl very slowly. For one solid week, I positioned myself on the living room floor in between the kitchen and the bathroom so that I could crawl to get where I needed to go. I kept fruit and bottled water besides me, but it was too painful to digest. As soon as food hit my stomach, the spiritual battle would intensify. Therefore, I made the word of God my sustenance and I soon realized that it was the only thing that I needed to produce healing in my body. Twenty-four hours a day, I listened to the Bible on CD. I meditated on the miracles of Jesus. Whenever I tried to pray, it was like Satans demons were piercing poisonous swords through my stomach to restrict my breathing. This went on for days. Then one day the Holy Spirit told me to put on a worship CD by Kevin Burroughs Neeley.24 He said that it would produce healing in my body. That CD must have played for days. Then one day I heard my spirit singing. The song was not in my mind nor was it in my mouth. It was coming out of my inner most being. My spirit was singing with tremendous power. All of a sudden there was a bubbling up feeling that began to flow out of my spirit. The more my spirit sang, the stronger the bubbling feeling became. It then felt like a tidal wave arose in my spirit, when the song hit a crescendo that burst out of my stomach and sprang through my mouth. It was so powerful that it forced my mouth open and pushed that song through my vocal chords. I began singing with the same amount of force that came rushing out of my spirit. Then something exploded inside of my stomach. Out of my belly was a flow of living water that brought forth healing and deliverance in my time of need. Immediately the pain was gone and my breathing was restored. I have come to value the word of God above all the valued treasures of this world. With it, I have the wisdom of God made available to me to solve every solution in my life. Proverbs 3:13-18 (KJV) says it all: Happy [is] the man [that] findeth wisdom, and the man [that] getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it [is] better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She [is] more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days [is] in her right hand; [and] in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways [are] ways of pleasantness, and all her paths [are] peace. She [is] a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy [is every one] that retaineth her. As valuable as Gods word (wisdom) is to be received, it can only come to pass if we obey the instruction of the Holy Spirit. Obedience is required in releasing the kingdom within. The process is no different from that of an artist or a musician, or anyone who receives a creative idea or

24 "ITunes Preview." ITunes Music A Perfect Praise Vol. 1 by Kevin Burroughs Neeley. Apple, Inc., n.d. Web. 18

Mar. 2013. <https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/a-perfect-praise-vol.-i/id499088988>.

solution. That idea wont come to pass unless they begin translating their revelation into a physical manifestation. You have to pick up a pen and paper and write down the vision; and you continue writing and working the vision until its completed. The Holy Spirit reveals Gods script for our lives. Our faith activates the dream or vision from God; and our tongue is the pen of a ready writer25 that brings it to pass, just like God spoke and brought all creation to pass. In my case of healing, the Holy Spirit revealed the script by letting me know the enemys plot against my life. I could not write out the solution, but I did meditate on what I was hearing. Even when I could not speak, my faith activated my spirit to sing words of healing to my body. The full manifestation of healing came when I opened my mouth and began to sing the same words that I heard in my spirit. As followers of Jesus Christ we are called to be imitators of God who saw lack, void and disorder in the earth and called forth from his spirit all of the creation we see today, including man.26 Jesus said that rivers of living waters would flow out of the belly of those who believe.27 This is great treasure, the glory of God placed in men and revealed on earth as it springs forth out of our inner most beings with all the power of creation. This power is manifested not only in healing and deliverance, but also in ideas, schemes and witty inventions that will reproduce the results of Eden in this earth. Whatever is lacking and void of order will suddenly produce all the wealth, beauty, abundance and order that heaven originally designed for our good. The Lord desires to manifest his kingdom in our lives. The Spirit of God says there is about to be "A Restoration of An Ancient Kingdom Dynasty" in the earth. It is the original dynasty that began when God created man and placed him in the Garden of Eden. God is about to "Raise a nation in the earth; a nation of those who are obedient to God. Power and glory shall be unto all who obey for it is the Glory of God Manifest in Men; changing the lives of human beings by ridding the earth of hunger, sickness, disease, poverty and human degradation. This is Christianity. It's not a religion. It's a way of living (kingdom living); a way of loving and sharing with our fellow man. Beloved, if you dont know God or his plan for your life, now is the time to seek him with all your heart. You shall surely find him because he has great treasure awaiting you. This treasure is Gods inheritance that is available to anyone who will obey him . . . with one stipulation. If you want this treasure, the Spirit of God says, "It has to be sought after as one who searches for great treasure." After all, Jesus said that the kingdom was like treasure hid in a field . . . when a man found it, he hid it again, then in joy he went and sold all he had and bought that field.28 This article is based upon an excerpt of her latest book entitled, Seeking and Enjoying the True Treasure of This Life by Paula Matthews . . . Coming Summer 2013!

25 Psalm 45:1 27 John 7:38 28 Matthew 13:44 26 Genesis Chapters 1 and 2