This may not be for any of you..BUT it sure was/is for me. I can sometimes...get my eyes off all that the Lord has given ME....and focus on what HE has given others..or allowed others to have. So I am passing this on.....thinking there might be someone else that can have a problem in this area....maybe not today...but...now and then.
I receive this devotional in my email everyday and truly it is a recommend:
Keeping Contentment
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor’s.”
Exodus 20:17
One of the most exciting pieces of news in the electronics industry last year was the release of the Play Station 3. But even though marketers were anticipating a number of sales, they were not prepared for the great demand that came about after the release. Nationwide, short supplies of the PS3 and strong demand led to long lines of buyers, some waiting for days outside stores. Once the doors opened that Friday, they pushed and shoved their way to the shelves in several cities to get to the limited supply. Two people were arrested in Fresno, California, after a crowd trampled people in a parking lot, and in Connecticut, a man was shot while waiting in line.
We must admit that we live in a very materialistic society. People thrive on gaining the latest gadget or toy. While it is not wrong to have nice things, our Lord desires that we as His children would be content with what He has given us.
We must be careful with the passion to possess. We are certainly pushed with this in today’s society. Marketing researchers spend their lives developing slogans, music, and commercials to get us to buy things. But God tells us in Luke 12:15, “And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” God desires that we keep Him first in our lives and be content.
We see in our verses today that God commands us to avoid discontentment. He desires that we would focus on Him and not the possessions we do or do not have. As we have seen over the past few days, we must thank God for all He has done for us! One way we can remain content is by being thankful for what we have. When we take time to realize all God has given us and thank Him for it, we will realize how greatly He has already blessed us! We must thank Him daily in order to remain content.
Not only should we thank Him daily, but we must also fix our hearts on Him. Many people in our society look to possessions to bring them joy and fulfillment, but when our hearts are fixed on God, He will fill our lives with joy! The things of this world do not bring true happiness but only temporary enjoyment. Psalm 57:7 says, “My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.” God has always been concerned not only about outward behavior, but also with the heart. When our hearts are fixed on God, He will give us joy, and we will be content with what He has given us.
When we become discontent, we are really telling God that we deserve more than what He has given us. God has blessed us beyond what we ever deserve! He has given us salvation! We all deserve to spend eternity in Hell, yet He sent His only Son to die for us. When we put things in perspective, we will see that God has given us far more than we could ever ask! We must remember that, even though we may not have the latest gadget, we have God’s Son, and He is all we need in life.
Have you found yourself desiring things others have that you don’t? God has given each of us exactly what we need to fulfill His will for our lives. We must thank Him for what He has given us and fix our hearts on Him. Spend time with Christ now, and be content knowing that you are saved and on your way to Heaven!
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor’s.”
Exodus 20:17
One of the most exciting pieces of news in the electronics industry last year was the release of the Play Station 3. But even though marketers were anticipating a number of sales, they were not prepared for the great demand that came about after the release. Nationwide, short supplies of the PS3 and strong demand led to long lines of buyers, some waiting for days outside stores. Once the doors opened that Friday, they pushed and shoved their way to the shelves in several cities to get to the limited supply. Two people were arrested in Fresno, California, after a crowd trampled people in a parking lot, and in Connecticut, a man was shot while waiting in line.
We must admit that we live in a very materialistic society. People thrive on gaining the latest gadget or toy. While it is not wrong to have nice things, our Lord desires that we as His children would be content with what He has given us.
We must be careful with the passion to possess. We are certainly pushed with this in today’s society. Marketing researchers spend their lives developing slogans, music, and commercials to get us to buy things. But God tells us in Luke 12:15, “And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” God desires that we keep Him first in our lives and be content.
We see in our verses today that God commands us to avoid discontentment. He desires that we would focus on Him and not the possessions we do or do not have. As we have seen over the past few days, we must thank God for all He has done for us! One way we can remain content is by being thankful for what we have. When we take time to realize all God has given us and thank Him for it, we will realize how greatly He has already blessed us! We must thank Him daily in order to remain content.
Not only should we thank Him daily, but we must also fix our hearts on Him. Many people in our society look to possessions to bring them joy and fulfillment, but when our hearts are fixed on God, He will fill our lives with joy! The things of this world do not bring true happiness but only temporary enjoyment. Psalm 57:7 says, “My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.” God has always been concerned not only about outward behavior, but also with the heart. When our hearts are fixed on God, He will give us joy, and we will be content with what He has given us.
When we become discontent, we are really telling God that we deserve more than what He has given us. God has blessed us beyond what we ever deserve! He has given us salvation! We all deserve to spend eternity in Hell, yet He sent His only Son to die for us. When we put things in perspective, we will see that God has given us far more than we could ever ask! We must remember that, even though we may not have the latest gadget, we have God’s Son, and He is all we need in life.
Have you found yourself desiring things others have that you don’t? God has given each of us exactly what we need to fulfill His will for our lives. We must thank Him for what He has given us and fix our hearts on Him. Spend time with Christ now, and be content knowing that you are saved and on your way to Heaven!
14 comments:
Hi Deby!
Thanks for your visit today! It is wonderful to meet you and to peek into your world!
Your piece on "focus" and "things" is so right on! We are so easily distracted, aren't we? Speaking of the electronic games, I am convinced that there are strongholds on many of those games. We have had to take them away from one of my sons because his behavior shifts dramatically when he plays. It almost inhales him! Not to mention that it is sedentary and boys need to be outside playing.
You might be interested to check out an August article I wrote on my blog entitled "Things." It speaks of loving beautiful things and the balance of it all.
I actually have a stronger version of this piece that I chose not to publish on the site. It gives illustration of a dear soul that God placed in my path. She has boxes and debris stacked from floor to ceiling in her home. It has overrun her life. She never opens her drapes or turns on the lights. The backseat of her vehicle is packed so high that she can't even see out! Of course, this is an extreme case, but spiritually speaking, there are applications.
Well, HAPPY MONDAY!
KJ
P.S. I love Sound of Music!!! I even performed in it 2 times! Now that Julie Andrews has lost her singing voice, it is even more special to watch.
kj
Hi, Deby! just popping in to say I don't think it will work out for us to meet this week, but we come down into WA once a month or so, so maybe we can meet on one of those times. I didn't realize that Wes had made arrangements with some friends of ours on the way in, and it will be just a quick visit there. I'm sorry I'll miss you this time, but I will definitely make some plans with you for another time soon! See ya!
I agree wholeheartedly! It is a wonderful thing to be content with the simple things in life - a walk in the woods, a cup of tea, making something with your own hands...simple pleasures but all gifts from the Lord.
Thank you for your visit to my blog, you are welcome anytime!
With love, Mrs.TLC
Great Article Deb....Lets just keep our eyes off the world and on the Lord!!! The Lord has each and everyone of us where we are for a reason..
Love,
Your Sis Lisa
Amen! This is a wonderful post and you are right on Deby!
I appreciate this and love that you have the scriptures that make it so clear!
Have a wonderful day!
Jennifer
A sound that needs to be trumpted all the more in our day and land. O that we who claim Jesus would have a true sense that He is our treasure! Maybe it would help us place less value on the things of this world.
Another thing. It would do us well to go to the websites of organizations like World Vision and Voice of the Martyrs more.
Hi again,
thank you for visiting my blog and leaving a lovely comment...I'm such a novice at all this that I clicked on the wrong thing and rejected your comment instead of accept...sincere apologies! Please drop by again soon...
Love in Him,
Mrs.TLC
Love to hear Paul Chappell!
~Kristi
Thank you for this post!! I believe it is a problem that many have in their lives. I know I have and still do at times...no matter how hard I try not to. We just need to realize just how blessed we truly are...even if it doesn't appear that we are as blessed as our neighbor.
The thing about being content if it is not fixed on things of the Lord, contentment from things we have or aquire only last for a little while,
Things get old, the new smell is gone, we get tired of them but the things of God, we never tire of, nor to they get old. connie from Texas THANKS DEBY.
kj
I did check out your article...it is excellant...thanks for visiting..come back anytime
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kj....love Sound of Music so much..went on the SOM tour in Austria...and then saw it on stage in Seattle...loved it.
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Susan
Catch you another time.Can't wait to hear how all our adjusting to a child in college.
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mrs.tlc
AGREED....simple times...sometimes you gotta work at it...and in my case repent of the coveteousness thoughts...
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Lisa,
my sister, my friend...you are so right....
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Jennifer,
This devotion by Dr. Chappell sure touched me too...glad it did you.
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Maxine,
I know I need to get real about what is important myself.....thanks for the reminders and SUGGESTIONS
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Kristi,
I get his devtions sent to my email everyday..what a blessing and more often than not..CONVICTION
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Julie,
I know that if I stuggle with it now and then others must too....to some degree....especially in this day and age.
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Connie..
True comments indeed....just check out thrift stores etc...and see some of the brand new stuff just cast aside...I too am GUILTY...with food and rainment..therewith to be content..
maybe not exact wording...but it..meaning life really needs to be about the LORD and all HE provides and all HE is...you are a great reminder of this.
Sometimes, but not very often, I get the what if's and I want's and then I look around at all God has given me. A loving, faithful hubby for 27 years, a cute, comfy little home, great neighbors and internet friends, a wonderful church and so, so much more. Now what in the world could make my life ANY better? So then I slap myself and go on! LOL!
Another great post Deby, thanks for leading me to these. Not that I would want a playstation 3 myself but I can see things that I would, even right down to being cross if I see someone in front of me take the last packet of cookies on special offer from the supermarket shelf! Now that can make me tempted to stampede!! ;-)
Blessings.
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