Wrestling with contentment

Charles Spurgeon once said: “You say, ‘If I had a little more, I should be very satisfied.’ You make a mistake. If you are not content with what you have, you would not be satisfied if it were doubled.”

These words hit home, as they remind us of how we mistakenly believe that 'more' will always make us feel better. More money. More 'friends on Facebook.' More possessions. More time. More 'likes' on our social media platforms.

The writer of Hebrews had these wise words to offer us: "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5)

Thought: In what area of contentment are you struggling with at the moment?

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Six

Each day has enough trouble of its own.
These are the last words of Matthew 6 and they come at the end of portion where Jesus urges his followers not to worry about the trivial things in life.  It is not that these things aren't important for us - we do need food, shelter, clothing and so on - but I believe Jesus wants us to know that God is also concerned about these things too and God will make a plan for us. God will provide enough for us to get through each day.

That could mean - Enough food...
Enough shelter...
Enough love...
Enough strength...
Enough support...
Enough hope...
Enough comfort...

As you continue to make your journey to Holy Week reflect on these wonderful words from Jesus. God is enough. God will give us enough in order to sustain us for whatever we are facing.

^"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." - Matthew 6:33-34

Living in Grace
D3LM3

It starts with ME!

It has to start with me!
I am speaking about making a difference in our nation and speaking out against abuse, violence and the rape of women and children. What we are seeing in our country is devastating and leaves everyone feeling outraged. But, like many people we are asking:

"What can I do?"
"What difference can I make?"
"I want to add my voice, but I am only one person?"

If you are feeling like this, then let me encourage you to add your voice. Don't be concerned that your voice may not be heard - it will be!
A waterfall is made up of millions of drops of water.
A beach is made up of billions of grains of sand.
Each tree boasts thousands of leaves covering it's branches.

We all can make a difference in this world no matter how small it may seem to be.

HOWEVER, it must start with me.

I should lobby government to act, but not at the exclusion of looking at my life.
I must wear 'Thursdays in Black' buttons and pray against this evil, but not just for one day a week.
I definitely must stand up for people who are down-trodden and abused, but not just when it suits me.

And so, it started this week with me! I checked my own attitudes and heart.
And then we sat down with our 3 sons and spoke to them about this situation.
We told them how important it is to treat women with dignity and respect.
We encouraged them to stand for those with no voice.
We urged them not to use derogatory or lewd language in speaking with any woman.
We will tell them again and again, that a women's body is to be respected.
We will continue to tell them what Jesus expects from us.
Our 3 young men must learn how to change the nation and to live differently. 

It started with us.
Any change and revival starts close to home. It has started in our household. The hope is that if everyone does this, then change will be seen in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth.

In his song, Send Revival, Start With Me, Matt Redman bases his lyrics on 2 Chronicles 7:14 and Isaiah 6:5-8. The words speak for themselves.

We're looking to your promise of old
That if we pray and humble ourselves
You will come and heal our land
You will come, You will come

We're looking to the promise You made
That if we turn and look to Your face
You will come and heal our land
You will come, You will come
To us

Send revival, start with me
For I am one of unclean lips
And my eyes have seen the King
Your glory I have glimpsed
Send revival, start with me

Living in Grace
D3LM3

P.S. - Pray for our nation like you have never prayed before.

Enough is Enough - Ezekiel 45

 

“‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: You have gone far enough, princes of Israel! Give up your violence and oppression and do what is just and right. Stop dispossessing my people, declares the Sovereign Lord. - Ezekiel 45:9

God is patient by nature, but even the Lord has limits. In today's reading we see how God reprimands the princes of Israel telling them that they have gone too far. Enough is Enough, the Lord says. He urges them to stop oppressing the innocent and to start doing what is JUST and RIGHT. 

I wonder if this is not a timeous word for all our politicians as we inch closer towards the Elections? Enough is enough! God (and the people) are tired of the greed and selfishness of the 'princes' of our nation and it is time to start acting with Justice and Righteousness.

What do you think?

Living in Grace
D3LM3

When is enough ENOUGH? - Lent #21

I was listening to 'Beat the Bank' on East Coast Radio this morning. It is a show where you get an opportunity to open 15 'bank vaults' - each one has a monetary prize inside, but there are some vaults that trigger an alarm system and you lose all your money. It is a game of chance and the more vaults you open the more money you stand to win - and also to lose.

Anyway, I was so impressed with one of the contestants this morning, because after she had won a certain amount of cash, she said, "I have enough thanks" and she walked away with the prize. She could have chanced her arm for another chance, but she was content with what she had. This is an admirable trait to have. Often we think we need more! We are NOT content with what we have and so we desire more and more, until eventually our greed destroys us.

"Don't wear yourself out trying to get rich.
Be wise enough to know when to quit.
In the blink of an eye wealth disappears,
for it will sprout wings
and fly away like an eagle." - Proverbs 23:4-5

Living in Grace
D3LM3