Verse of the Day: John 14:12 Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever believes in Me will also do the works that I am doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
Memory of the month: Isaiah 41:13 For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”
Today's reading: LEVITICUS 6-7 MATTHEW 25:1-30
We Can Learn
There are so many different kinds of people in this world and so many ways that they have found to work for their lives.
There are those who work for a wage everyday doing manual labor. They work hard but may do something different everyday but always what they are told. They do this all their lives and never change.
Farmers and ranchers are in business for themselves. Some have great parcels of land and their incomes reach into the millions. My grandfather farmed the same 212 acres for over forty years and never owned one square foot of it.
From the richest man on earth to the lowest paid laborer, none are the same. Some are driven by greed and have what it takes to be as big as they want. Some are driven by jealousy of the rich and strive all their lives to be 'bigger' than the biggest.
Jesus told a parable about a master who gave 'talents'(currency) to three men. It reads: 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability.
His 'ability'? What does that mean? It means that each man possessed abilities either 'born with' or acquired from some type of education or experience. None are the same.
Through the years, we have heard people say, "I want to be just like him/her". That usually translates , "I want to be better than...". The human mind is hardly ever satisfied. Why?
One reason is man's love of praise. John 12:43 For they loved praise from men more than praise from God.
This is vanity.
Ecclesiastes 5:10 He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.
All are spiritually equal before the Lord but we have all been given different talents for living in this world. This means that we are not created equal. If you believe that all are created equal, then tell me why we are not all like Bill Gates or John Wayne?
There is not another like you anywhere. It takes many people a lifetime to stop trying to be something they are not. That is because they have bought into the thought that 'you can be anything you want to be in this life'.
We have confused success and contentment. Paul wrote:
Philippians 4:11-13
11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 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. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
We all cannot be the richest-all can never be the brightest or the most cunning. But we can learn, in Christ, to be content-to be satisfied.
Yes, it is possible. Paul said 'well fed or not'. That means that form the lowest and, yes, the highest can be content through Christ who strengthens us. There are those who make millions and billions and give it away. J.C. Penney was giving away 95% of his income at the time of his death.
Contentment comes because Christ fills us with what we need because we have given Him control.
Psalm 37:4 ►Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Matthew 11:28 ►"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Philippians 4:7-9 Then God will give you peace, a peace which is too wonderful to understand. That peace will keep your hearts and minds safe as you trust in Christ Jesus.
Be still and sit with God. Making a living and living a life are apples and oranges-not the same. God will make your life just what it needs to be if you allow Him.
...because He loves us...
Father in Heaven,
I worry too much about what's coming next. Teach me to be content and relax in You, oh Lord.
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