The not-yet-visible treasure may be closer than you think

Treasure Hunters
Relentlessly Seeking Signs of God's Grace



How's it going with your gratitude journal?  Last week we were challenged to consider that 

There are beautiful blessings ... even in the ugly messes of life.  

The act of thanksgiving (eucharisteo) can be a prelude to a miracle.

Consider God's word from Matthew 14:19-20 (NIV)...

¹⁹ Jesus directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. ²⁰ They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.


Here's this week's "Lesson from Treasure Hunters" based on a treasure-hunting movie:

Lessons from Treasure Hunters

National Treasure (2004) 

The Not-Yet-Visible Treasure is Closer Than You Think

Part 1: Keep seeking the not-yet-visible treasure (no matter how others respond)

Ben Franklin Gates and his colleague Riley Poole meet Dr. Abigail Chase, telling her about their quest for treasure.  She thinks they’re crazy (treasure? invisible map?), but they keep searching.

Part 2: The treasure may be closer than you think - don't give up hope of finding it.

Ben, Riley, Dr. Chase, and Ben’s father come to what seems like the end of the line—no treasure to be found.  But what they don’t realize at the time is that the treasure they’ve been seeking is closer than they think, just on the other side of the wall that surrounds them.


Scripture Connection
Philippians 4:10-13 (NIV)

Thanks for Their Gifts
I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength....And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

The Secret of Contentment, empowered by Christ, will keep you from giving up hope during the times when the treasures of God's grace seem far away...yet that grace is always closer than we realize.


Our Journey..................................................................................................

During this season of Lent leading up to Easter, our congregation is engaging in a unique group learning experience.  We're soaking up the video teaching of Ann Voskamp, author of the book One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are (Zondervan, 2010).

The adventure is to live the New Testament Greek word for "thanksgiving," EUCHARISTEO.  Within this word is the Greek word for "grace," CHARIS...which is related to another key biblical word CHARA, which means "joy."  The equation we're testing out is this: grace + thanksgiving = joy

The daily practice of maintaining a gratitude journal helps us to 

1. Notice the gifts and signs of God's grace in our lives (God's blessings)
2. Be thankful for them, valuing them enough to record them and give thanks to God in prayer
3. Experience the joy that results from doing the first two steps