The Stealth of Envy

  A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones. Proverbs 14:30

Envy has a way of creeping up on me.  I'm not really a "stuff" kind of person so I don't envy cars, clothes, jewelry, etc.  My temptations are sneaky and less obvious.  I envy things that are good and worthy.

The last few days I have found myself discouraged about my garden.  My purpose in gardening is to provide lots of food for my family.  Sounds worthy right?  Well, I have been seeing gardens that are much nicer and more productive than mine and it really started to stress me out.  I started feeling sluggish and not wanting to even look at my yard.  

This morning I realized I had fallen into envy.  I need to reclaim my "sound heart" to bring back the life to my flesh.  I need to do my best with what the Lord has provided and then find contentment in that.  Honestly, this is easier said than done.  

Today I will push though this dark cloud of envy to find the "great gain" of contentment.  I will walk in victory through the strength of the Lord.

No Defense

Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.  1 Peter 2:12  

This morning before church I was reading some news articles on the internet.  The main point of one article is that, despite the recent "end of the world debacle," evangelical Christians deserve respect.

I was amazed at the comments from readers that followed the articles.  There was vicious obscene name calling against Christians.  Dozens of people shared the view that Christians are the cause of all the world's problems.

I am well aware that there is malice against the children of God and that Christians are martyred daily around the world.  I don't know why, but today, these hateful words struck me deeply.  I knew there was no use in using logic to try to convince these people.

I felt helpless as they slandered my brothers and sisters and my God.  I decided I was done with the internet, done with blogging and done with the world.  I would retreat into my safe haven of home and church. No longer would I put my thoughts and expressions of faith in a venue that was open to such attack.

Then I went to church.  Today's message came from 1 Peter 2 and was full of wisdom.

It is clear that the world needs the love of Christ shown through His people.  Even those who will never accept us or the words we say, need to hear and see us.  We need to represent Christ in such a way that they have no defense for their behavior.  There will come a day when they have to answer for it.  I pray they turn to the Truth before then.  However, if they do not, I pray that my actions are in no way a cause of their rebellion.

Wait on the Lord

Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. Psalms 27:14

It seems I am always waiting. Waiting for answers, for healing, for Spring, for tomorrow. Waiting for some time other than today, right now. 

What then? When I get "there" (where ever that may be) is that when I start living? Is that when I decide it is okay to relax now? Or is that when I find something else for which to wait?

To be sure, it is good to plan for the future. Where there is no vision, the people perish pr. 29:18. 

However, I need to ask, for what future am I planning? What is the ultimate goal of this plan?  If it is not eternity then I am bound for disappointment, bound to step from trial to trial waiting for an earthly rest that will never be attained. With eternity in sight I can celebrate every victory in Jesus, even those disguised as failures.

As Matthew Henry said, "this earth is the land of the dying." One way or another, some sooner, some later, our earthly bodies will reach the end of their appointed days. Then all our waiting will be over. How will I have spent those days? To profit eternity or clinging to a never-to-be-realized hope?

Lord, teach me to wait patiently and in that waiting to rejoice and be fruitful.

Godly Discontent

 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. - 1 Timothy 2:4 

In my last post we talked about the blessings of contentment.  Is there such a thing as godly discontent?  I think so.

Do we want all men to be saved?  Are we content to allow our unsaved friends and family remain in their dangerous state?

I believe godly contentment frees our hearts and minds for godly discontent.  Contentment comes when we stop dwelling on ourselves and how to better our situation.  We then look around and see that we are surrounded by those who need the love of Christ.

We should not be content with this.

This week let's allow our godly discontent to motivate us.  Let's leave our fears behind, walk in love and change the world for Christ.

The Blessings of Godliness and Contentment

   But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.  -1 Timothy 6:6-8  

That sounds good doesn't it?  Just be godly and content and you will have "great gain."   As with most Biblical concepts, this is simple.  Yet, not easy.  

I used to fear that godliness was out of my reach.  I didn't understand what it meant.  Then I researched it a bit.  Webster's 1828 dictionary defines godliness as ...belief in God, and reverence for his character and laws.  Well, even I can do that.  I do have belief and reverence for God.  It doesn't always show in my actions but improvement in this area is part of the Christian walk.

What about contentment?  Sometimes I struggle.  I don't (often)want more or nicer things for myself but sometimes I do worry about what tomorrow will bring.  Will we be able to provide for our children in this economy?  During those times I think of this verse:

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.  -Hebrews 13:5

What more could I want besides a relationship with my Savior and the promise of eternity with Him?

If my Lord promised that He will never leave me or forsake me, how can I worry about things?  Do I really have a deficit of "stuff" in my life or do I have exactly what the Almighty Provider has given for today?

More and more I am learning to be content with such things as I have.  Therefore, I am learning to experience the "great gain" of peace and joy.

Lord Jesus, forgive my covetousness and lead me into a life of contentment and greater gain than this world has to offer.

It's All About the Love

Love originates in God...

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. - Romans 5:8

We love him, because he first loved us. - 1 John 4:19  

We reap blessings from Holy love...

Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. - Psalms 119:165  

The LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy. - Psalms 145:20  

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. - 1 John 4:18 

We are taught how to live through love...

For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. - Galatians 5:13-14  

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.- Mat 22:37 - 39

Will you walk in love today?

Hiding from God

 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. ~Psalms 51:6 

This verse from Psalm 51 changed my relationship with God.  

A few years after becoming a Christian I was very busy being religious.  I kept striving to be godly, reaching for the next rung on the ladder to heaven.  

I said yes to every opportunity to "serve."  I had to.  The next good work might be the one that proved to God that I was not struggling.  

One day during my requisite Bible reading I came across these words...Thou desirest truth in the inward parts...  Those words flipped a switch in me.  I instantly realized that it was okay to admit my struggles to God.  Not just okay, in fact, it was His desire.

That was when I poured out my heart to God.  I told Him my struggles and my sins and you know what?  He wasn't shocked.  He already knew every inch of "the inward parts" of my heart.  He just wanted me to release it all to Him, to let Him in so He could heal my broken places.

And He did.

Thank you Jesus that you see our actions before we conceive of them, and hear our words before we speak them.  Knowing all this You still accept us and cover our sins.  Praise You Father.