Let your conduct be without covetousness;
be content with such things as you have.
For He Himself has said,
“I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
So we may boldly say:
be content with such things as you have.
For He Himself has said,
“I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
So we may boldly say:
“The Lord is my helper;
I will not fear.
What can man do to me?”
Remember those who rule over you,
who have spoken the word of God to you,
whose faith follow,
considering the outcome of their conduct.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
who have spoken the word of God to you,
whose faith follow,
considering the outcome of their conduct.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
(Hebrews 13:5-8)
We are a discontented people. We murmur and complain when we lack and we are unthankful and wasteful when we have plenty. God suffers with us long!
How many of us can actually say we are content with our portion? How many of us can say God is our everything?
We are to hold loosely to the things of the world. Abraham held loosely to his beloved son when God asked him to sacrifice him on the altar. Noah held loosely to his reputation as he labored away on the ark that God told him to build, even though the general senses was that Noah had lost his mind. Daniel held loosely to his own life when he knelt down to pray to God, even though Nebuchadnezzar had decreed a death sentence to anyone found in such an act.
So too are we supposed to hold the things of this world loosely; our relationships, our jobs, our educational successes, our physical abilities, our financial status, our belongings, our life....everything! And, the clincher, be content!!!
How many of us can actually say we are content with our portion? How many of us can say God is our everything?
We are to hold loosely to the things of the world. Abraham held loosely to his beloved son when God asked him to sacrifice him on the altar. Noah held loosely to his reputation as he labored away on the ark that God told him to build, even though the general senses was that Noah had lost his mind. Daniel held loosely to his own life when he knelt down to pray to God, even though Nebuchadnezzar had decreed a death sentence to anyone found in such an act.
So too are we supposed to hold the things of this world loosely; our relationships, our jobs, our educational successes, our physical abilities, our financial status, our belongings, our life....everything! And, the clincher, be content!!!
The tenth commandment tells us not to covet! The definition of that word is simply; yearn, crave, desire, hanker, or lust to possess or have something. Right now I have a hankering for a big bowl of mint chocolate chip ice cream with pretzels on top...Mmmm!!! Is that a sin? I think if that craving becomes to us a distraction and a stumbling block in our daily walk with the Lord then yes perhaps it is sin! God's heart isn't to withhold good things from us, He wants us to be thankful and enjoy the good things He's brought into our lives. But, for our own good, remember our first love! God should be first in our lives!
God created everything. Then He created man to share in the everything that God had created. Man was told to tend and keep the heavenly garden God had given him. The man was allowed to eat from any tree in the garden except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. My guess...I think that tree must have been the prettiest tree in the garden to behold! I think the tree of life must have been the ugliest tree! Then the man had to decide if he would trust God and live or put his faith in another and die.
For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 1 John 2:16
God created everything. Then He created man to share in the everything that God had created. Man was told to tend and keep the heavenly garden God had given him. The man was allowed to eat from any tree in the garden except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. My guess...I think that tree must have been the prettiest tree in the garden to behold! I think the tree of life must have been the ugliest tree! Then the man had to decide if he would trust God and live or put his faith in another and die.
For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 1 John 2:16
What do you have a hankering for? Hopefully for the living water and the bread of life! If so, read on hungry soul!
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 Therefore
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
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