(Jesus said) "And all the churches will know that I am He who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works." Revelation 2:23

One hundred years ago people stuffed newspaper into their walls to serve as insulation.

Newsprint wasn't the best insulation, but it was free, plentiful and easy to use. Even though far better products have come on the market, there are still a few people who insist on using paper to keep their home warm and cool during the appropriate seasons.

One such paper-stuffing individual is Luis Hernandez-Gonzalez, a man who runs a successful gardening business in Miami, Florida. His walls were stuffed with paper.

And if you are stifling a yawn and saying, "What's the big deal?" I can tell you this: that while Hernandez-Gonzalez was stuffing his walls with paper, he wasn't using newspaper. Nope, the paper he was using was smaller and greener -- just about the size of money.

Well, actually, it wasn't just about the size of money; it was money.

The police who raided the home of 44-year-old Hernandez-Gonzalez found $24 million stuffed into a secret compartment in his wall. Now while Hernandez-Gonzalez's business is doing well, he's not doing that well, which maybe explains why he was charged with money laundering and marijuana trafficking.

Investigation also showed that Hernandez-Gonzalez's "Blossom Experience" store was selling lights and fans to help marijuana growers with their illegal crop.

Now the articles I read about Hernandez-Gonzalez don't say anything about his reaction when police started carting out those millions of dollars. I can only imagine that he was shocked when those officers breached his almost-perfect hiding location.

Over the years I have come to the conclusion that there are a lot of people like Hernandez-Gonzalez.

No, they aren't laundering money or helping grow marijuana, but like him they do keep their deep, dark sins in what they consider to be a most secret place. This they do because they figure if people can't see those sins, they will manage to escape any kind of judgment or discipline.

Now it's true, an individual may be able to keep their sins hidden from the prying eyes of humanity, but they will never be able to keep those sins hidden from the Lord. As the book of Revelation says, God "searches mind and heart." Then, having looked at every aspect of our transgressions, the Lord promises to give us the reward our works deserve.

This is why we need Jesus as our Savior. Our works are sad and sorrowful things, worthy of condemnation. But when Jesus lives within a human heart, those sins are forgiven. There is peace and a promised place in heaven.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, may we admit and confess our sins to You. Then, because of Jesus, may we rejoice in the forgiveness we receive. This I ask in the Savior's Name. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Amos 7-9    Galatians 2

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