Proverbs 15:16 Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.
Who said you were poor? Who told you that you had a lack in your life? Gen. 3:11 And He said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Who has made you aware of what you do not have and why does it matter?
Some of the best memories that my sons talk about are times in there lives that were rich with love, wonder, and life. When I think back on some of those times, I remember that they were difficult and arduous financially, as we were just trying to get ahead with a young family.
They were times of struggle and hope to meet the basic needs of house and home. Yet the children did not know they were poor per se, as to the world standards, because the kids were full of life and fun.
Psalm 37:25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. How true this verse is because when I do look back now on the same events that my sons are so fond of, there was no real lack or extreme want. They never went to bed hungry or to school in need of nourishment. As a matter of fact, my youngest son complained one day that the healthy sandwiches he brought to school did not trade well for sweets at lunchtime.
When did we find out that we had a lot of stuff missing in our lives? It was when the devil started pointing out our dissatisfactions and that we did not have it as good as everyone else in life. 2 Cor. 10:12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
I did not know I had been short-changed in life because I did not have a new Lexus. I thought that my paid-for Buick Allure was a blessing, but apparently not. The enemy of my soul wants me to compare myself to Mr. Lexus and lose my peace because I do not measure up. Is there anything wrong with buying a Lexus? Not at all. They are very nice cars, but I will choose to be satisfied with what God has given me to date and I will keep my peace for the day I am living in. However, I will have hope for the future. Prov. 10:22 The blessing of the LORD, it makes rich, and He adds no sorrow with it.
One of my favorite memories of gratefulness and seeing prosperity through the eyes of a child is the Christmas of 1988 in Redcliffe, Queensland. A few months previous we had just bought our first home and there was no extra money whatsoever that first Christmas.
One of my favorite memories of gratefulness and seeing prosperity through the eyes of a child is the Christmas of 1988 in Redcliffe, Queensland. A few months previous we had just bought our first home and there was no extra money whatsoever that first Christmas.
My wife had done her best for Christmas presents for my son who was four years old. She had wrapped a snorkelling set separately so that there were a bunch of presents to unwrap. To this day I remember the look on my son’s face when he had unwrapped the second flipper and loudly exclaimed with joy, “Look, mom, just like the other one. I can go swimming with all of this.”
There he was in pure happiness and never suspecting the hardship we were going through at the time because my son did not know we were struggling; he only knew the love that was lavished on him. Are we not even more loved from our Heavenly Father? Matt. 6:26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are ye not much better than they?
Psalm 43:5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. When did we become so ungrateful and dissatisfied with everything in life? It was when we started looking around at everything, but God.
Psalm 43:5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. When did we become so ungrateful and dissatisfied with everything in life? It was when we started looking around at everything, but God.
God has made it impossible to get satisfaction outside of Himself. Matt. 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. We need to be walking in Christ daily and make grateful choices in the day we are in. Psalm 118:24 This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
When the enemy of our soul keeps us focused on the pains of the past or the fears of the unknown future, we become paralyzed to live in the joy of the Lord for the day we are in. 2 Cor. 6:2 For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.
Who told you that you were lacking in life? Who said that you did not measure up to God’s grace? Not God, because the Lord spends His whole time drawing us to Himself through His eternal gift – Christ our Lord. Jer. 31:3 The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee.
Hi Larry
Interesting verse Eccl.8:11 Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.
I have noticed this to be true in our culture of long trial dates, court stay orders and anything to prolong dealing with the crime. If you look how long it takes for a case to get to court and then the case is thrown out because of a technicality. The the hearts of men do scheme a corrupt plan because there is no consequence to the crime. Look at all the liar-loans that brought down the US economy during the crash of 2008 and 2009. Not one financial leader who were thick in the money of this scam has been arrested or even gone to court. Only some low level employees of some of the loan companies have done time and because of this another "Enron" is just around the corner.
(Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily) I have found that using this verse in my own personal judgment, per say, works well. I try to deal quickly with anything I have done that is contrary to the word by looking for a verse that deals with my heart and actions as fast as the grace of God allows. Then there is no need to scheme in the darkness.
Always nice hearing from you Larry. Blessings upon blessings to you and Fran.
good word pastor, I had just read Ecc.5: 8-20 and got stuck on vs. 11 and thought about your expression of things begetting, then I opened your blog. These verses out of Ecc. are similar to your message. Thank God for the peace he gives us, as it gets easier and easier to not covet.