Racism is a heated issue today, and sadly most of the world has chosen an unpleasant response to the issue. Jeremiah 13:23 says, “Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.” 

Although it is not the primary emphasis, this verse clearly shows the folly of racism. No one can change their skin.  It is a gift from God. People cannot affect their color and they should not want to do so.

God is not color blind, since He made people red, yellow, black, white and brown after His own image.  We should all be glad just the way that God created us.

Racism has been around for a long time. Numbers 12:1 says, “And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married.”  God brought judgement into their lives because of this.  God is not a respecter of persons, and neither should anyone else be.

As a white pastor, this writer believes that most in the Christian white community care about black people and are horrified at the tragic injustices in our nation. The white community cares about other ethnic groups as well. Sadly, our predominately white churches have often spoken in hushed tones or merely remained quiet on this vital subject.

Today, we know more than any previous generation. We have access to more information. The church simply knows better. James 4:17 warns us, “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”

Now that we know better, we owe it to ourselves to do better. 2 Thessalonians 3:5 says, “And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.”

The God in whose likeness we are all made calls us to that higher place of loving people as we love ourselves.  The church must lead the way and not be struggling to keep up.
 
 

A treasure chest full of gold, jewelry and other valuables worth $1 million was found in the Rocky Mountains, according to author and art dealer Forrest Fenn, who hid it more than a decade ago.

Many treasure hunters were inspired to look for the valuable chest. The treasure was said to be north of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and many deciphered clues from Fenn’s writing, including a 24-line poem published in his 2010 autobiography, "The Thrill of the Chase." 

The state of Texas has an estimated $340 million in buried treasure, more than any other state in the United states.  Across the state are countless stories and legends of buried loot.  On cannot help but dream of finding one of these and living a life of ease for the remainder of our days. Maybe we can strike it rich in our own backyards?

As much as we would like to dig up a box of gold from behind my tool shed, we should realize that it is highly unlikely.  Fortunately, there is treasure to be found in our lives that has much greater value than a dump truck of diamonds.

If you have a copy of a Bible, you have a treasure book of knowledge. Just reading this Holy Book will reap great rewards!  Revelation 1:3 says, “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” Queen Elizabeth II put it this way, “To what greater inspiration and counsel can we turn than to the imperishable truth to be found in this treasure house, the Bible?”
 
The Bible always tells the truth.  It speaks to our heart honestly and penetrates our heart to meet our deepest needs.  An abundance of stuff will never meet our need like Jesus will.  Luke 12:21 says, “So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

William Penn said this, “Knowledge is the treasure of a wise man.”  A wise man will spend time soaking up the knowledge found in God’s Word. Matthew 6:21 says, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
 

Most of us have heard of the story of “The Little Engine That Could”.  The moral of the story was to teach children the value of confidence.

The “little engine” was the only one who was willing to pull the train over the tall mountain.  All the other engines were either too new and proud or too old and rusty, but they all made fun of the little engine.  The little engine just said, “I think I can, I think I can.” Finally, the little engine made it over the top and down the other side.  “I thought I could, I thought I could” rejoiced the little engine.

Almost everyone admires this trait, so what is a biblical perspective of confidence?   We often find secular confidence in wealth, skill or ability, but a spiritual view of confidence comes from a difference source.  That source is God himself.

Jesus said in Mark 10:27, “With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.”  In Numbers 13, the ten spies returned with a description of the land of Canaan.  The report was that the place was amazing, but the people unbeatable and the Israelites should give up and turn back.  Caleb, one of the spies, disagreed: “Let us go up at once, and possess it.”  Do you think Caleb was cocky and brash?  No, because the Lord had said that the land was theirs, and he simply believed God.  Do you believe God?

God-confidence is a mighty weapon when used in our lives.  It will overcome depression, doubt, and defeat if we will let it.  For the Christian, our battle cry is this: “I know He can, I know He can.”  When we win victories, we then say, “I knew He could, I knew He could!”