Debris and lots of ashes. That was all
that was left after heavy equipment demolished the remains of the home
of Tony and Juanita Taylor in Luther, Oklahoma, after it was destroyed
by a fire in December of 2016. The greatest loss was the life of Tony,
Juanita’s 48-year-old husband.
In March 2017, a group of teens and
chaperones from the Hartsville Pike Church of Christ in Gallatin,
Tennessee, spent their spring break serving the community of Luther.
One of the projects was to help clean up Juanita Taylor's property.
At least 2 loaded dumpsters of debris had
been hauled away, but the group kept sifting through the debris to find
any remaining valuable items for Juanita.
12-year-old Libby Rominger
was digging through a pile of cookbooks that were mostly intact, when
she spotted a plastic baggie in good condition with something in it.
“We were told ahead of time there might be money in the house but no one
had been able to find it,” said Libby. She couldn’t believe it when she
spotted the baggie and what appeared to be a stack of cash inside.
The youth group
also uncovered a Bible in good condition. The Bible and the baggie
filled with money – approximately $4,500 – were presented to a grateful
and tearful Juanita.
Out of the ashes, treasures were found.
One treasure that will help pay the bills left after a devastating fire
and the loss of a dear loved one; another treasure that serves as the
guide to an eternal home.
Jesus told a brief parable to remind us of what is truly
valuable: “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a
field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells
all that he has and buys that field” (Matthew 13:44).
The Greatest Treasure of all is to know Christ as our
King and to be in His Kingdom!
For in Christ’s kingdom, we have great spiritual and
eternal blessings (Ephesians 1:3). “In Him we have redemption through
His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace
(Ephesians 1:7). “In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being
predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things
according to the counsel of His will” (Ephesians 1:11).
God will save and add to His kingdom those who place
their
faith
and trust in Christ (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in
repentance
(Acts 17:30-31),
confess
Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are
baptized
(immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). He will
continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in the light of
His Word (1 John 1:7).
Out of the ashes, true treasures can be found. Out of
the grave, Jesus came bursting forth to reign from heaven over His
eternal kingdom – the kingdom to which He desires to add YOU, if you
will only submit to His rule today.
Won’t YOU?
-- David A. Sargent
*
Information gleaned from “Out of the Ashes” in The Luther Register
(www.lutherregister.news),
March 20, 2017, and the March 2017 issue of The Christian Chronicle
of Oklahoma Christian University (see
www.christianchronicle.org).
David A. Sargent,
Minister
Church of Christ at Creekwood
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama 36695
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