In pursuit of Treasure

I live in the "Mining City" in the "TREASURE State", and before yesterday, I never really thought about the spiritual connotation of these names.  Yesterday, however, during my quiet time with the Lord, I was struck by the truth that this state, this town, has great spiritual treasure, just waiting for holy excavating!

So like all good Holy Book lovers, I mined the Word for relevant scriptures:

 Proverbs 2:4-5 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.

 Isaiah 33:6 And he will be the stability of your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is Zion's treasure.

 Isaiah 45:3 I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.

 Matthew 6:19-20 “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.

Matthew 13:44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

 Matthew 19:21 Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”

 Luke 12:33-34 Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

 2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.

 Colossians 2:2-3 My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

I love the idea of gathering spiritual treasure: wealth I can amass that furthers the Kingdom of God; riches that never diminish and actually multiply the more I share them.

Not long ago, I read "The Ultimate Treasure Hunt: A Guide to Supernatural Evangelism Through Supernatural Encounters," by Kevin Dedmon and Bill Johnson, one of the most exciting books I've ever read.  In a nutshell, the authors record how Holy Spirit-directed evangelism works: praying for and receiving specific words/descriptions and using those "clues" to locate specific places and individuals to minister healing, encouragement, and ultimately the gospel to.

Dedmon introduces: "The Ultimate Treasure Hunt is about supernatural encounters. It is about learning to live a naturally supernatural Kingdom lifestyle, in which miracles, physical healing, the prophetic, and setting people free are normal occurrences, as we release the presence and power of the Kingdom of God to the people we know and meet every day...God wants to transform a community, not just those on the "streets." ...The Ultimate Treasure Hunt is about demonstrating God's goodness and kindness to everyone, wherever we go...As you step out and take risk, you will find countless, undreamed of Treasures that will cause incredible rejoicing on earth and in Heaven."

Oscar Wilde said, “Ordinary riches can be stolen, real riches cannot. In your soul are infinitely precious things that cannot be taken from you.”

Lord, give me a miner's heart for lost, wounded and afflicted, here in my home town: "the richest hill on earth!"