Easy For You To Say!

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have for God has said "Never  will I leave you and never will I forsake you." Hebrews 13:5

 Do you ever find yourself uttering this above phrase or thinking it?  Maybe jealous over someone's possessions  not even considering what they went through to get there. Things may look like 'easy street' for some but we do not know the whole story of their life and the struggles and things they faced to get where they are. Sadly our own government has perpetuated this jealously with their income inequality stance.

Basically jealously is not a fruit of the spirit but it is something that the enemy creates in getting us desirous of the position of another or what they have.  You can even be jealous of another person's looks. The key is to be thankful for who you are and what God has set forth for you to do. He makes the sun to shine on all of us.

God wants you to be happy with what he has blessed you with and not be whining that you are unhappy. Your situation could always be much worse.

PRAYER: Thank you Lord for my many blessings. Some days I may catch myself being envious and I do not know want to be. I want to look to you and not other people. In Jesus' name. Amen.

STOP COMPARING

The 'grass is always greener' or is it? How many of us have ever been envious of someone elses seemingly perfect life? Maybe jealous of a title a person has,their education, perhaps  their home, their wealth, their success, or perhaps their family life. We don't know the whole story. Not everything that is perfect looks perfect. Even if it is, are we able  to rejoice with those who rejoice and not be envious or jealous of them? The Bible says to be content. It also says to not covet or desire people's things. And it mentions jealously too. There is much within its' pages about focusing just on getting rich too. Can you truly rejoice with those who rejoice?

Why do some folks feel they have to prove things? Many of you reading this from these United States are considered wealthy compared to many nations. Most of us have a vehicle to drive. Usually there is plenty of food on the table and so much sometimes we often gorge ourselves and get overweight. This nation in most areas is blessed with clean running water which we often waste by taking showers too long or leaving it running longer than we should. Almost everyone in America can see a doctor when they need to without a long wait. American women spend a phenomenal amount of money on beauty supplies which could be used to feed  starving people. Not attempting to guilt anyone and not saying go without makeup, just simply making a point. We are blessed with vacation time and go to nice places. I could go on but the point being, stop and count your blessings and thank God for them instead of trying to keep up with others or not being satisfied.

What does God's word say about this? In Matthew 6:24 it says "No one can serve two masters.  Either you will hate one and love the other, or you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money."   This does not say wealth is wrong but if you have an abundance it is not supposed to dominate your life.  Proverbs 23:5 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." Proverbs 27:24 tells us "For riches do not endure forever and a crown is not secure for all generations."   In Hebrews 13:5 it says "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 or forsake you." In 1 Timothy 6:8 it reminds us "But if we have food and clothing we will be content with that." Philippians 4:11 also goes on to say about contentment "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." 2 Corinthians 10:5 says "We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise."

We should really only strive to be like God who is the only one to imitate or seek to be like.Romans 12:15 says to "Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep." Are you able to do this when someone gets a promotion and you don't or when a friend gets accepted to a certain college and you don't? Exodus 20:17 is the last of the Ten Commandments and it mentions not coveting your neighbors things. Take a moment and read over all these commandments. It is good to review them every now and then.

So how do things stack up for you? If the 'rug of success and prosperity' were yanked out from underneath you could you still praise God even when others around you carried on as normal seemingly having no problems? I will leave you with Matthew 6:33 which says " Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His  righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you."

PRAYER: Father forgive me when I have complained or not been happy with what I have in life. I realize I am truly blessed. Thank you for working in my life. Help me learn to rejoice with others when good happens to them. In Jesus name. Amen.

BE HAPPY

 Do you want to be happy? Who doesn't? No one likes waking up and feeling the blues. But the happiness we seek should be from the Lord and living in His will also. It is not just about a non stop party. Things happen in life and we need to prepare ourselves to learn to be content in all situations and weather the storms of life. There may be pleasure in earthly pursuits but seeking the Lord brings ultimate happiness. Some things we think make us happy are wrong in God's eyes. There is pleasure in sin for a season but then deep down you know certain things are not right.  We are not to compromise what we know to be right. Mental anguish and a lack of peace will always follow those who are knowingly not living for the Lord. The Bible is the standard for right and wrong. Read it so you know true happiness.

Philippians 4:12 says " I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want."

Psalm 119:1 says "How  happy are those whose way is blameless, who live according to the law of the LORD!" Have you heard the saying "there is a God shaped hole in all of us?" God did create us and wants us to love him. We may find the pleasures of the world making us happy for a while. But true happiness is found in Christ. The word happy could also mean joy, pleasure, blessing and just feeling content.  We know we can not base everything on feelings. That is dangerous. Feelings come and go.

1 John 2:15-17 tells us "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.  The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever."  Psalm 144:15 says "Happy are the people whose God is the LORD”. Is Jesus Lord of your life? Does he have the controls? Is he your pilot or your co pilot? The saying "God is my co pilot" is catchy but shouldn't he be your pilot, the Captain and in the drivers seat?

Money will  not make you happy. Fame is not going to make you happy. A prestigious job title will not make you happy. Many forms of happiness are very fleeting .All these things are empty compared to knowing and walking with the saviour Jesus Christ.

PRAYER: Lord I want to have happiness in the world but through you. I know when I feel like I have to ' do things' to bring happiness it will only be temporary. Block any things in my life Lord that bring the wrong kind of happiness or are sinful in your eyes. Help me to think of others before myself and find true joy in reaching out of my little world to others around me. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Further Reading: Psalm 34 and Matthew 5:3-11(Take a minute and get into the word of God.)
Click on link below by artist Steven Curtis Chapman to enjoy a worship song to help start your day.
http://youtu.be/PprCvi3fvxs