Geez, Must Be Nice!

I am not saying this because I am in need for I have learned to be content in whatever the circumstances. Philippians  4:11

Have you ever caught yourself uttering the phrase that is my title today? I know I have and I have had people say it to me. Usually it is out of frustration of yearning for something you are not experiencing or something you do not have.  Recently mine has been comparing myself to other writers, some I know, wondering why it is taking me so long to get that book done I am talking about. Basically the root cause of speaking this phrase would be a jealous spirit. Jealously is not a "fruit of the Spirit" so if you find yourself saying this then you know it is not from God. Perhaps you desire someone else's lifestyle or some gift they have such as singing or being creative.

God is a god of contentment, peace, joy and not one of frustration,anger, envy, and bitterness. The scripture for today basically is saying to us, "be happy now and do not be concerned what others have". God has given each person what he or she needs and each of us has a different course of life. We are not all to be carbon copies of the other. That would be dull and boring. It is hard though if you are having a hard time with something to see someone apparently breezing through life. Do not let Satan make you tempted to want what they have. Remember to be happy where you are and to rejoice with those who rejoice as it says in Romans 12:15.

PRAYER: Thank you for where I am in life. Help me not be desirous of another's skills, talents, abilities, or possessions but be thankful or what I have and where I am. In Jesus' name. Amen.

OFFENSE/DEFENSE

Yeah team. Go, fight ,win! No this devotion is not about the start of the football season which for many faithful fans of this sport is one they can hardly wait for. Instead I am referring to the emotions of taking offense or being offended which I could be a spokesperson for. Then there is defense, feeling like you have to constantly defend yourself in front of others or prove your worth or value. Neither one really draws you closer to the Lord.

These two emotions are no fun to experience. To allow another's comment or perception of you to offend you is not what brings the joy of the Lord to your heart. If you are constantly worried what comments people say or feeling, then you are not trusting the Lord and maybe allowing the enemy to get into a weak area and irritate you. If you can not shake this feeling perhaps it is time to get alone with God for a while and study his word on this topic. A "Fast from Wrong Thinking" as Chicago Pastor Gregory Dickow calls it. I find that prayer followed by really praising God and perhaps listening to praise music really helps. At the end of this devotion today I have included a link to a wonderful song of praise.Take a moment and listen to it.

2 Corinthians 12:10(ESV) says 'For the sake of Christ then I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities, for when I am weak then I am string.' Your worth and value does not come from humans but from God. Taking offense is one thing Satan loves to torment the believer with. If you deal with being offended just remember what Romans 8:1(ESV) says. 'There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.'

In life you may continue to receive little "tests" in order to grow in Christ. You can identify what your weak area is and then need these little "tests" in order to try to overcome your weakness and thus grow more Christlike. Do you want to keep being "tested"? I think it was my sister Judy who told me that we keep going through the same things till we learn. I know that is true.

If you feel the emotions of offense or defense coming on and you know in your heart that you do not want to have them then cry out to God. When you are offended you can risk an otherwise healthy relationship due to misunderstanding.

The thing to do is to seek Christ and His face continually. When you dwell on what bothers you then you can get more and more offended and defend yourself even more. None of us are perfect. We seek to be Christlike in what we say and do. Being offended and defending yourself is of the flesh and not of the kingdom of God. We need to recognize that.

Romans 7:18(ESV) is a good place to conclude. It says 'for I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is in my flesh, for I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.' Aren't you glad Jesus can take those things and help you be a brand new person as you seek His face daily?

PRAYER: My hope is in you Lord and you alone. At times my human nature kicks in and then I have to stay close to you even more. Thank you for forgiving me when I mess up. In Jesus' name. Amen.


Click link to hear a wonderful song to start your day!

http://youtu.be/BOtuJQhW93A

FIRST WORLD PROBLEMS

A few days ago on WAY FM Christian radio the morning DJ's were discussing the Third  World nations and mission trips. They had said how once you go to a Third World nation on a mission trip your life is changed by what you saw and you become more grateful for what you have in your life. They referred to our minor problems as 'First World Problems'. I got to thinking about that and even though I have never been on a mission trip I am indeed grateful for many things. I am sure if I ever am blessed to get to go on one I will be even more appreciative of my blessings.

Later after I heard them discussing this I was at my local car dealer getting my car serviced when a gentleman in the waiting room struck up a conversation with me. A commercial came on TV for a Stryker knee and I nonchalantly made a comment I was glad I did not have a fake knee. He said "I have a fake leg" and proceeded to pull up his pant leg displaying a prosthesis decorated with Alabama memorabilia. It was then I felt very 'little' and ashamed of my comment. I apologized. He said not to worry. This got us in to talking about being grateful. It is funny how the Lord opens doors to chat with strangers.

 Do you ever stop and think of the many things you have to be thankful for? Even a poor person in the United States would be extremely blessed if compared to a resident of a Third World nation. Most of us have a place to sleep at night. Nearly all of us can have access to medical care. We are blessed with clean running water and flush toilets. Most Americans not living where there are subways own a car or truck or perhaps a motorcycle or bicycle. But even if we have no transportation we have shoes on our feet so we can walk places without damaging our feet.  There is food to eat and we do not have flies landing on us or any open sores to get infected by disease. We are blessed to have vaccines to help prevent life threatening illnesses. I could go on but you get the point.

 What are you thankful for today? Your friends, your family, a job, good health? Psalm 107:1 reminds us to "Give thanks to the Lord for He is good His love endures forever." Will it take a visit to a poverty disease ridden Third World country to make you sing  out your praises to God? In the big scheme of things our minor inconveniences and complaints are nothing compared to what the individuals in far off lands go through on a regular basis. Our creature comforts are something they could not even imagine.

Start today waking up grateful for a mattress you slept on, a roof over your head, a car to take you places, a shower, money for gasoline, food to eat,friends to hang out with, employment, a family, clean water to drink and so much more. God is good!! Could you or would you still bless Him without all these things?  Philippians 4:11 says " I have learned whatever state I am into be content." 1 Timothy 6:8 says "But if we have food and clothing we will be content with that."

 We all probably know the story of Job and how he literally lost everything then later it was restored. Job 1:21 says "Naked I came from my mother's womb and naked I will depart .The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord."

PRAYER: I am indeed grateful for each day of life and good health and each blessing in my life. Forgive me when I have complained about where I live, the food I have to eat, the traffic jams, the lines at a store or bank and so much more. In the big scheme of things life is pretty good. For that Lord I give you thanks and praise. In Jesus name. Amen

THE JEALOUSY MONSTER

 Jealousy and envy of others is an infection in society. The Bible tells us  in Romans 12:15 to "Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep" yet how many people can rejoice when someone gets a position they are envious of? This past week at the Olympics I was very disheartened by two American runners who were envious of one of their teammate who did not even medal but who was getting all the press attention. I found it very sad they would react this way. Why not just let it go?

Are you ever jealous of the success of others? Actually God has given each person gifts and talents and if you are in the position and have one the world looks up to stay humble. There is nothing worse than people arrogantly tooting their own horn.

Lately in these United States there has been lots of class warfare tactics going on trying to get the poor and middle class people jealous of those who have wealth. First of all everyone can achieve greatness and money if they work hard. People who have worked hard should not be forced because of jealously to give their money away to help those not working or who choose not to work. But unfortunately this has been a tactic this past couple years by our government. The Bible clearly states in 2 Thessalonians 3:10 that "If a man does not work he should not eat." People who depend on others to take care of them become lazy and think everyone owes them everything. This is wrong.  Remember what the late President John F Kennedy said "Ask not what your country can do for you but ask what you can do for your country." Basically though I am not saying do not donate food to shelters and things like that, but am saying the government should back off when it comes to trying to seaprate the classes of people.

We are told in the Ten Commandments found in Exodus Chapter 20 to "not covet your neighbors home, his wife, his possessions" yet how many see a huge home and wish they had it not knowing if those that own them really can even afford it? Or say your friend gets a boat or fancy new car and you envy them. In Hebrews 13:5 it reminds us to be "Content with what we have." Are you content? Remember we are all going to die one day and the saying goes "I have never seen a U Haul at a funeral."

In Proverbs 23:5 it says "Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle." James 4:1 says "What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you?" Once again be happy for others and be thankful.

The Bible is full of stories of jealousy such as Cain and Able, Joseph and his brothers, and Jacob and Esau to name a view. Jealousy causes bitterness, anger, hate, stealing, murder, lying and is not what God desires.

Are you able to share the joy when another prospers or succeeds? If not ask God to heal that area of your heart that is not of him and learn to rejoice and be glad.

PRAYER: Father thank you for all you have given me. Thank you for my gifts and abilities. Help me not to compare myself to others and become discontent or angry. Forgive me when I have not praised someone who deserved it. Help me learn Lord to be more like you in all areas of my life. In Jesus Name. Amen.