Love What You Have?

Most of us give lip service to the truth that we should not put our possessions above God or other human beings. Here's a good test for you. Estimate what percentage of your awake life has been devoted to money and possessions. Remember to include investing, managing, maintaining, using, researching and purchasing them. Then add the time spent working to obtain them.

Have you been that dedicated to anything else in your life?

Was This Written Yesterday?

“Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.” - 1Timothy 6:17

This doesn't apply to you, right?  

Well, uh, yes it does.  In fact, you are precisely who it was written for.  You don't think of yourself as one who has riches. However, it is not a stretch to say that you are in the top 5% of the richest people who has ever lived.  I'm not exaggerating.  Our conceit comes from neither knowing that nor appreciating it.   

But, Paul is not talking about just the riches that we already have.  He's talking about our pursuit of more.  We pursue because we think that it will get us something or somewhere. That equates to me trying to get something for me. That is a works doctrine.  

What about the riches that we already have?  A lot of people accumulated a lot and now it is gone.  What seemed like a lot that was gathered over decades is gone in a snap.  You can see what that got them?   

Think about this.  The wisdom of this verse has lasted WAY longer than the riches of any man. What does that say about the wisdom of the Timeless One who inspired Paul to write it?

Remember, God's not telling you this to ruin your fun.  He's telling you this because He doesn't want you to be hurt.  So, with that in mind, ask yourself this question.  During all the bad economics news, have your thoughts dwelled on any thing(s) that you have lost, could lose or can't get now?  

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses,

but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.” - Psalms 20:7

    

Need for Peace

Peace, I just need some peace. If I have to I'll do anything. Don't need your love or your sympathy. But, I cannot go on living without peace.
- The Isaacs

Peace. It is difficult to imagine a better gift. But, that is precisely what God has given the Christ-follower.

Above all, [put on] love—the perfect bond of unity. And let the peace of the Messiah, to which you were also called in one body, control your hearts. Be thankful. Let the message about the Messiah dwell richly among you, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, and singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. - Colosians 3:15-17

Paul & Peter, in the New Testament letters, repeatedly greet other Christ-followers with "peace". It is though they understand the need for it in the hearts of believers. Everyone needs it, but, it is only given to those who love Him.

Too often, we don't realize we have God's gifts. Or, maybe we don't understand what they are. Or, perhaps we don't really see how totally powerful they are in our lives. All this is especially true of peace.

This world we live in is cold, evil and most difficult. Let's face it, the burdens of living "down here" are overwhelmingly harsh. That will change for the Christ-follower - when we finally reach our destination. Our Father is leading us out but, for a short time we're still here.

Many well-meaning teachers claim that God will get us out of the pain and heartaches of this world. They claim that, by faith, we can talk Him into removing our problems. We just have to have enough faith and it will be done. When this is taught, it takes the focus away from one of His greatest miracles - peace for right now. Peace for our souls, peace in our hearts and peace through any trial. I mean any trial.

Peace is a miracle. The Bible says that the Messiah Himself is our Peace. It gives a picture of The Man walking beside us through the valleys and through the trials. Through the depressing moments and sad years. This kind of miracle is what He means when He says, "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." I'll submit to you that what we really desire is peace. God says that we already have it. We just have to trust Him when He says we do.

To me, that is a bigger miracle than a financial blessing or a physical healing or anything else man can promise. And, I can't think of anything I desire more. What about you?

Simple

I'm serious about this simple thing. We try to balance a bunch of stuff thinking we can prioritize and keep things straight. All it does is burdens the Christ-follower down with too many obligations and hassle. Jesus knows this and cares enough to give us warning after warning.

Remember that He said the obligations of a rich man make it very difficult for him to enter the kingdom of God? Remember that He said that you cannot serve two masters?

I see this in me and everyone around me - the need to get simple. If I could impose one thing on all the younger Christ-followers in my life it would be to get rid of stuff and commitments that you really don't need. You wind up serving them whether you intend to or not.

Can't Miss Idea - What to Give up for Lent

This will be short. But, it needs your full attention. If you don't have time to read and think about this, then you absolutely must read this.

Complexity breeds confusion. Satan is the author of confusion. Confusion brings fear. Perfect love casts out fear. Complexity causes anxiety.

Simplicity is easy. Peace is found in the simple.

Simple is less. Less rules. Less stuff. Less to take care of. Less hassle. Less confusion. Less stress. Less fear. Simple means fewer things keeping my attention and focus of Jesus. Simple.

Keep it simple. There's a reason why we've heard this cliche repeated.

No one can be a slave of two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot be slaves of God and of money.

Look. Jesus says it flat out. NO ONE CAN DO IT! No one can handle complexity. We need less to focus on. We need to be devoted to less...not more. We need less stuff. We need fewer commitments. We need to want less and to be content.

Don't collect for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But collect for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don't break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

So, here's an idea. Do something to make things simple. Think of something BIG that takes your time and get rid of it. Choose something that truly takes a lot of your time and remove it. I am getting rid of DirecTV. You?