Contentment

 1 Timothy 6:1

But godliness with contentment is great gain.

People seek many things to find contentment. Like the rich man in the Bible, they seek to build greater “barns” to store the things of the world they have gained. The love of money is said to be the root of all evil. Seekers of earthly things. Houses, cars, computers, phones, clothes, and all that money can buy cannot buy contentment. The love of family is to be cherished, but even with that, true contentment cannot be obtained. We all enjoy our creature comforts, they do bring a measure of contentment and a sense of safety. But we bring nothing into this world, and we will leave this world empty-handed. Like the rich man, Jesus says. “Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of you.” Our contentment is found in knowing Jesus, knowing that our treasure is not of this world, but of the other world. Living a life of godliness and righteousness towards God. Knowing that each day we live to please and glorify God. Knowing that our sins are covered by the blood of Jesus, and our names are written in the book of Life. This is real contentment with great gain.

Wisdom From God

Proverbs: 8: 11, 17 For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it….I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.

The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. The wisdom of this world is not the wisdom of God. The wisdom of this world is tainted with selfish desires and want of pleasure. It seeks to preserve self at any cost and always has hidden motivations. Money is not the root of all evil, but loving money more than loving God and people often causes individuals to make bad choices. Those that seek riches are not wise. Aspiring to make money and obtain material things for legitimate pleasure is not folly, but neither is it prudent to seek it at the expense of others or at the detriment of our relationship to Christ. The wisdom we are to seek is the wisdom that comes from God. His wisdom is selfless, loving, and understanding. His wisdom looks at life with eternity in mind. Those that seek first His Kingdom will seek wisdom early in life and early each day. My prayer each morning as I start my day “ Lord, given me wisdom to do what is right and to make decisions that will make this world a better place to live, and keep my motivation on things that are eternal”- Amen.

Self Made Man

1 Corinth 15:10  But by the grace of God I am what I am:…

There is no such thing as a self made man in God’s kingdom. We are but dust of the earth and nothing but mud. The world give accolades to those who take account of their own life and by the might of their will and determination make themselves successful in the riches of this world. Such is admirable, but success in the eyes of God is not measured by popularity or the gain of material things. Many have come to realize that there is more to life than what appears on the surface. The greatness of a person’s life happens when God is given control of one’s life. It is the grace of God that truly makes us great in this world and the world to come. We may never be notices or have a large bank account, but God, who is rich in mercy has made it possible for us to be the person He desires us to be. We must be willing to give what we have to Him, and He will do the rest.

Nothing But the Blood

1 peter 1:18a,19 “For ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, such as silver and gold…but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot”

Nothing but the blood of Christ is able to redeem us back to God. No amount of money or means can buy eternal life. Unless we keep our minds and hearts focus on things above, it is easy to get our affections set on the things of this world. We are surrounded with messages that wealth is a sign of a successful life. The world values its worth on how much it can gain of this world’s goods. God looks at us with tender loving care.  We all are precious in His sight and His love for us is so great that He gave His Son to die for the sin(s) that separates us from Him. His precious blood that was shed on the cross is worth more than any earthly treasure on earth. We don’t have to be anyone special in this world, or have riches of this world to get God’s attention. His love reaches all who will come to Him, believe that He is the One to make us in His image. “Silver and gold, have I none, but such as I have I give unto thee”.

Rejoice in His Word

Psalm 119:14, 15.16 “  I have rejoiced in the way of Thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate on Thy precepts and attend unto Thy ways. I will delight myself in Thy statutes; I will not forget Thy word.”

Sometimes reading and mediating on God’s Word is like a sword. It pierces the heart with convictions and reveals what lurks in the shadows when the light of His Word searches the soul. Rejoicing is not the first emotions that comes to my mind. His law, His commandments show us how sinful we are, and how bad we need a Savior. His Word does not leave us without hope. The testimony of the Lord is to show us that we don’t have to live in darkness and sin, that we can rejoice that He has provided a way to live and to live more abundantly. His Word becomes light that shine before us, leading us day by day to walk close to Him. We have a heart of gratitude, we give Him praise for giving us His Word that we can learn to walk in His precepts. His Word, that became flesh can now dwell in our hearts and fill us with joy beyond riches. 

Bread of Life

John 6:66 “From that time many of His disciples went back and walked no more with Him.”

Following Jesus will not make you rich of the things of this world. The earthly bread of this life will pass away and eating that bread will only bring temporary satisfaction. Following Jesus is to eat of the Bread of life that lives on beyond this life. Many serve God because they believe that God will give them the desires of their heart and fill their lives with the material things of this world. Known as the prosperity gospel, people are fooled into thinking that being a Christian means that we now have a right to ask anything in His name and He will give it to us. Many of those who followed Jesus, followed Him for the loafs and fishes. They were not willing to take up the cross and follow Him to death. There are those who come to the crossroad in their lives to give it all to God or keep living for self. Those who choose self only want the bread of this earth, Those who choose the cross want the bread of heaven.