'contentment' Tagged Posts
Daily Devotions
I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being.” vs. 33 Psalm 104:31-34 The psalmist didn’t know how many more years he would have to enjoy God’s marvelous creation. None of us do! In our early years we assume that there’s a lot more time allotted to us–some even appear to believe that they will live forever. There’s not a hint in their talk or demeanor that…
Daily Devotions
When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, ‘What are you looking for?’ They said to him, ‘Rabbi’ (which translated means Teacher), ‘where are you staying?’” vs. 38 John 1:37-42 The question Andrew was asked is one that searchers of every age have been hard-pressed to answer. Certainly that’s true in our time. People are looking for something, but they often have no idea what it is. Some think they want material prosperity, but are disappointed when…
Daily Devotions
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation…” vs. 15 Colossians 1:11-16 There is a solution for those who despair of ever knowing God or of having a sense of God’s presence in daily living. And it’s easier that we might ever suspect. All we need to do is focus on Jesus, the man from Nazareth, and we will be connected to the invisible God through whom the universe came into existence. At least that’s…
Daily Devotions
Of course, there is great gain in godliness combined with contentment; for we brought nothing into the world, so that we can take nothing out of it; but if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these.” vss. 6-8 1 Timothy 6:6-12 The wisdom in these few short verses is overwhelming. Obviously, accumulation was an issue even for first century followers of Jesus, and some seem to have been infected by the notion that more is better.…
Daily Devotions
Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, ‘I will never leave you or forsake you.’” vs. 5 Hebrews 13:1-5 The writer of Hebrews concludes his letter to early believers with some words of encouragement and advice. His admonitions are consistent with the words of Jesus and the testimony of scripture, but still we seem reluctant to accept what he has to say about money. There are some…
Daily Devotions
For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another.” vs. 13 Galatians 5:1, 13-18 The freedom that Paul was talking about to the Galatians had little to do with the ordinances and rules of the Jewish Law. And for us it has nothing to do with escaping the strict moral and ethical codes of a pietistic upbringing. Our experience of freedom…
Daily Devotions
You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures for evermore.” vs. 11 Psalm 16:7-11 We wouldn’t know it from the television and streaming programs we watch in our leisure time, but there is a good and decent way to live, and it is possible to find joy and pleasure in daily living. We don’t have to have one crisis after another and be so afraid that we…
Daily Devotions
Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.” vs. 2 Isaiah 55:1-5 The prophet was an astute observer of his peers and had discovered that a large number were dissatisfied and unhappy. It wasn’t that they were broke and unemployed. Like many of us they had jobs and earned a reasonable wage,…
Daily Devotions
And the crowds asked him, ‘What then should we do?’” vs. 10 Luke 3:7-14 When John launched into his tirade about snakes and stones, axes and fires, the crowd was pretty much terrified. They all pretty much took what he said personally and responded much like any of us would have. “What then should we do?” they wanted to know. Any number of situations can spark those words. “What do you want me to do,” we say to an angry…
Daily Devotions
Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it?” vss. 4-5 Job 38:4-11 The writer shows the Lord reverting to sarcasm in his response to Job’s laments, implying that Job didn’t know squat when it came to the creation of the earth. It’s an amusing section and points to the basic deficiency we humans have when it comes to…
Daily Devotions: September 26, 2019
September 26, 2020 For full passage click: 1 Timothy 6:6-12 … “for we brought nothing into the world, so that we can take nothing out of it; but if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these.” vss. 7-8 This little letter of pastoral instruction was written somewhere around the end of the first century and offers some bits of wisdom for people of faith. The writer maintains that there is “great gain in godliness combined with…
Daily Devotions: July 24, 2019
July 24, 2019 For full passage click: Psalm 138:6-8 …“The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.” vs. 8 Many people wonder, and some worry about God’s plan and purpose for their lives. The worriers are concerned about the possibility that they’re missing something important, that God wants them to do something bold and heroic while they’ve been doing the routine and boring. They want…
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