The Heavenly Treasures
Greetings, brothers and sisters. This is Dr. James Perry continuing with our series where we seek to
explore the deeper meanings of our relationship with Jesus Christ. Over the years, the heavenly
Father has revealed many revelations of spiritual truth to me, and I want to share them with you. This
morning we seek to understand the meaning of heavenly treasures.
And now, sit back and listen to today's message.
The Heavenly Treasures
Jesus said, "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Luke, Chapter 12,
Verse 34.
Brothers and sisters, "Place your hope on things eternal, and seek not the world's vain riches, but
seek the heavenly treasures" go the words of an old religious hymn. But what are the heavenly
treasures and eternal things? Is the difference more than just one of location? That is, are heavenly
treasures the same as the earthly, the only exception being the location of the treasure? Or is there
more to it than this? Is there really a difference between temporal things and eternal things?
In many ways the conception, growth, and birth of our souls is similar to the conception and birth
of a new baby. In both, the conceptions are an unconscious process. The mother is not aware when
a new baby is conceived, and neither is the human consciousness aware when the soul is conceived.
Just as the human baby has two parents, so does the soul.
The Father of our souls is the Father's spirit, and the mother of our souls is the human mind. The first
time our human minds make a moral decision--choose good over evil--that same instant is the soul
conceived. In the human baby (as long as the mother carries out her normal activities), all the
nutrients that it needs to grow and develop come from the mother, though unconscious to her.
Likewise, as long as the material mind continues to make moral decisions, choosing good over evil,
the soul grows and develops.
Initially the baby has little influence or conscious effect upon the mother, but as the baby continues
to grow, it increasingly, though gradually, affects the mother. In a similar manner, the growing soul
has little conscious effect upon the material mind, but as the soul grows, it impacts the material
mind.
In the stages of soul development, our souls manifest a hunger and thirst in our minds that drive us
to search for relief. The developing baby also manifests certain physical urges in the mother as the
child continues to grow. In response to the urges of our souls, our material minds begin to seek relief
from the incessant hunger and thirst for righteousness, and the constant need for courage and strength
to continue to choose good over evil in our ever increasing moral struggles.
The main relief for these forces acting on our souls is prayer, whereby we receive power to choose
righteous decisions. As it gets closer and closer to the time of birth for the baby, the physical
suffering increases to almost unbearable levels, and just before the actual birth, the suffering seems
to transcend unbearable levels. But eventually the baby is born, and the pain and suffering subside
and disappear.
As it gets closer to the birth of our souls, the hunger and thirst for righteousness in the material mind
reaches unbearable levels and seems to transcend what we can bear. Moral decisions appear
impossible to make. To be caught "between a rock and a hard place" is an accurate description of
how we feel during this phase. But he strengthens us. Our material minds engage in much prayer
during this time, but eventually the moral decision is finally reached that brings about the birth of
the soul. Now the spiritualized material mind experiences peace and joy.
Our conscious minds, now spiritualized, are able to comprehend our souls as it begins to perceive
a new kind of reality, a reality that is revealed through the very routine and commonplace and
sometimes painful experiences. This reality is truth and takes the place of the material meanings
heretofore associated with these same activities. This reality though diverse is unified and true,
though flexible and full of different manifestations.
This reality is beautiful and satisfying to our minds and souls, even as it liberates. And this truth is
good, and this goodness transcends the good of moral acts, for this goodness is love, patience, mercy,
and forgiveness unified. As our souls continue to grow, so does our comprehension of truth, beauty,
and goodness. And the soul increasingly influences our spiritualized minds.
The moral struggles continue, but our spiritualized minds now understand the spiritual meanings and
values of these struggles. Our spiritualized material minds have abandoned the material and the
temporal treasures of earth for the spiritual and eternal treasures of heaven, which are the truth,
beauty, and goodness of the Father's love. These treasures are lasting, spiritual, constantly increasing
in value and meaning, and constantly imparting supreme satisfaction and joy to our souls.
This concludes today's message on understanding the meaning of the heavenly treasures. We hope
you find something in this message to ponder and pray about as you go about your day. Until next
time, this is Dr. James Perry.
Inspirational Messages
By Dr. James Perry
Your Kingdom Come, Your Will Be Done!
The Heavenly Treasures
