Treasure Hunt: Things of the Heart

Where is your heart?

What do you long for? What are your hopes and dreams?
Where do you find satisfaction?
Where do you find your happiness? What dictates your emotions?

Go back and read that again. Yes, do it.

Now answer them.
The answers you give to these questions can give you a good idea of what your treasure is.

What would happen if your dreams didn't come true?
What if the person(s) or thing(s) in which you find satisfaction leave or are taken from you?
What if the person(s) or thing(s) that make you happy let you down and cause you heartache?

Would you still be okay?
Would your treasure still be safe and guarded
Or would you be left with nothing?

The Bible says "do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:19-20)

So, maybe it's not likely that your significant other or your dreams of being a Broadway star will be eaten by moths. Still, are those things treasures of heaven? When we get to heaven, there is only One star who will matter.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that you should seclude yourself and bury any dreams you once had for yourself; not at all.
DREAM, my friends, DREAM! But place your dreams in God's hands. They will be of no use in your own.
Give your heart to Jesus. He guards it and protects it much better than we will.

When you truly relinquish all your hopes, dreams, and treasures to Him - you will find your treasure. And you won't find it in what you gave up. You will find it in Jesus Himself; your Deliverer and Comforter; the Mender of broken hearts, the Completion factor, the All-Powerful, Sustainer, All-Knowing, Perfectly-Planning God that He is.

When you find that treasure, everything else pales in comparison. Yes, it matters. It is important. But if you had to give it up, you would still be complete.


To be fair (and to provide an example), I will also answer the questions at the top for you.
I hope to someday have a career, husband and family. I would love to be "Mommy" and drive the kids to soccer practice. I also hope that I will fulfill God's plan for me, which overrules my dreams. God's plan is definitely more important than mine.
I find satisfaction in God, but I do sometimes look for it in other places: my grades, my friends. When I do, I usually end up feeling empty. God fills me always.
I find my happiness in serving God's people. Simply, I like making others happy. That cannot always be done, however. I also find happiness in the people around me: my family, friends, and boyfriend. But the joy that God has given me is far greater than any of these things. Eventually, others will let me down, and I will be frustrated. I can still delight in the Lord and His promises for me.


I care about my boyfriend very much. He is an important person in my life, but if God directed me away from him, I would go. Certainly, it would not be easy, but I know that God would sustain me and have a different plan for me.

The same goes for family, and friends. God is currently leading me away from friends right now, and it hurts. It's difficult. But God takes away, and He also gives.

God sent me to a college this is not far from my home, but keeps me away from my family for more often than I would like. That hurts as well, but I know that it is all a part of God's plan for me.

Give it up, people. The control is not worth the heartache in the end. Give everything to God and see what His plans are. Follow Him, then stand amazed.

If you're smart, you already know where your treasure is.  Put it where it needs to be, and let God reveal to you how amazing He is.

I realize this is a long and possibly confusing post. If you have questions and/or comments, please post them. I would be happy to answer them and get back to you.

Remember friends - be blessed. ~ Phoebe

You Make All Things Work Together for My Good

Today, I have thanked God for changing me.
I have praised Him for making me a new person.

I'm not who I was.

Looking back a year ago... looking back six months ago, or even three...
I can see his work in me, and it is such a beautiful thing.
Isn't it?!

A year ago, I was hurting. I was in pain, and I couldn't see any hope in my future.
Six months ago, I was longing. I had false hope for things that God didn't have in his plan for me.
Three months ago, I was searching for God's will for me, and hoping to find it.

Recently, I have seen some of God's will for me. Certainly not all of it... but a small piece of what He has in store for me.

Isn't that so absolutely marvelous? He is so wonderful to me.
I think it is so beautiful that the more you pour into God, the more He pours into you.
Give him your heart, and He'll reveal his to you.

God is so faithful to us!!! Amen?!?! Let's praise Him for it :)

"but I will not remove from him my steadfast love or be false to my faithfulness." -Psalm 89:33

Treasure Hunt

Where does my treasure lie?

As I pack my things for another year at college, I can't help but look at it all and think, "Why do I have so much stuff? And why do I feel that I need it all?"

Why are we so attached to this world? The world calls out to us, and we answer. It pulls us in. We give the world power when we give in to its voice and its requirements of us. What does it take to give that power to something (or someone) else?

I don't want my treasure to be found in my earthly possessions: how many shirts I have, or how expensive my jewelry is. So where should my treasure be found? Where should it be compared to where it is now?

I'll be exploring my heart and God's Word as I seek my treasure (all puns intended). This topic is something that God has been laying heavily on my heart in the past few days. I hope that you take these blogs seriously and considering joining me as I search for my treasure and come closer to the very heart of God.

"My son, if you will receive my words and treasure my commandments within you,
making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding,
yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding,
if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, 
then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God."
-Proverbs 2:1-5

Be blessed, friends. ~Phoebe

You are good.

I don't say it nearly enough.
When was the last time I said "thank you"?
I honestly don't remember.

But it's true, God-
You are good to me...
So amazingly good to me.
Don't ever let me forget it.

When I truly stop and think about it, it's overwhelming.
How can I even begin to express my gratitude?
Simply, I suppose -
Thank You, God, for this life, these opportunities, these talents, this moment.

Help me use them to glorify You.

"So I'll sing You a love song, it's all that I have -
To tell You I'm grateful for holding my life in Your hands."

This is the day

This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24)

I feel sick.
This is the day the Lord has made.

I'm sweaty and tired.
This is the day the Lord has made.

I'm so stressed.
This is the day the Lord has made.

I have to confront someone I didn't want to speak with.
This is the day the Lord has made.

I didn't study for today's test.
This is the day the Lord has made.

Monday, again?
This is the day the Lord has made.


I'm running late.
This is the day the Lord has made.


Money is tight.
This is the day the Lord has made.


I will rejoice and be glad in today, no matter what it brings. This is the day that You made, and that makes today very special.

This Is My Father's World

Staring out the window, I can't help but think of God's majesty.
My gaze glazes over as I stare at miles of cornfields. We pass patches of wildflowers and I smile. Pink flowers with dark centers try to hide behind tall purple "weeds", but fail.
Without a doubt, this is God's creation. Sometimes His name is shouted by roaring winds, and other times it is whispered in a soft breeze. The birds sing His praises, and if humans didn't, the rocks would.
Every piece of His world declares that He is King. As I look up at the powder blue sky, I have to agree that there is no one greater than Him.

"All the earth bows down to You; they sing praise to You; they sing praise to Your name." -Psalm 66:4