EARTHLY THINGS ARE UNSATISFYING

“A man's wealth often breeds misery, but never contentment. How foolish to suppose it ever could! Our spirits are immaterial; they will not be satisfied with the perishable delights of flesh and blood. The earthly prizes we strive to win are far inferior to the nature of man. Therefore, we must look far beyond them if we want to be blessed-- even to God Himself, who is the Father of spirits.

The possessions God allows us to have are intended for our use, not our enjoyment. Trying to squeeze something out of them that was never in them in the first place is a futile endeavor. A cow's udders, gently pressed, will yield sweet milk, nourishing and refreshing. Applying more and more pressure will not produce greater quantities of milk. We lose the good of material things by expecting too much from them. Those who try hardest to please themselves with earthly goods find the least satisfaction in them.

All our frustrations could be easily avoided if we would turn away from things and look to Christ for happiness. Here is what you can expect when you do:

First, the guilt of your sins all gone. Guilt is the pin that constantly pricks our joy. When Christ takes away your sins, He also takes the guilt.

Second, your nature renewed and sanctified. Holiness is simply the creature restored to the state of health which God intended when He created him. And when is a man more at ease than when he is healthy?

Third, adoption into the family of God. Surely this cannot help but make you happy—to be the son or daughter of so great a King.

Fourth, an eternal inheritance with Christ. We cannot begin to comprehend what this means in terms of everlasting joy. Our present conceptions of heaven are no more like heaven itself than an artist’s painting of the sun is like the orb in the sky.“ 


Reflection: How much are you seeking satisfaction from your earthly possessions?

Conclusion: True satisfaction can only be found in the life Jesus gives us every day.

Quoted material from, ”The Christian in Complete Armour Daily Readings in Spiritual Warfare” by Gurnall and James S Bell. http://www.moodypublishers.com/pub_productDetail.aspx?id=41823&pid=53617

ONLY HEAVENLY THINGS LAST

“You may lose every temporal comfort, including family and friends, but if your treasure is secure in Christ, you are a rich man still.

Earthly things are uninsurable. Though God may have blessed you with wealth, you could be rich today and poor tomorrow. You could be in good health when you go to bed, but seized by pangs of illness or death before morning. Can you take enough precautions to guarantee that nothing will happen to wipe out your fortune? Can you become rich enough to buy good health or add one day to the span of your years?

Scripture compares the world's population to a mighty ocean. Kings and rulers sit upon this ocean. As a ship floats upon the waves, so their lives float upon the favor of the multitude. And what kind of security is there in riding the waves? For a while they will be lifted up to the heavens, only to fall down again into the deep. David knew how fickle the world's preferments are: "We have ten parts in the king," said the men of Israel 2 Samuel 19:43; and in the very next verse the tide had already turned: "We have no part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse" 2 Samuel 20:1-2. Thus was David tossed up and down, almost in the same breath.

But heaven is a kingdom that cannot be shaken. Christ is an abiding portion, which changes not. His graces and comforts are sure waters that spring up into eternal life. The quail that were food for the Israelites' greed soon ceased, but the rock that was drink for their faith followed them. This rock is Christ. You may lose every temporal comfort, including family and friends, but if your treasure is secure in Christ, you are a rich man still. Christ will come to you in your darkest hour with peace and a promise: "Fear not death nor devils. I will stay right here beside you until you breathe your last breath. My angels are waiting with Me. As soon as your soul is breathed out of your body, they will carry it to heaven and lay it in the bosom of My love. Then I will nourish you with those eternal joys that My blood has purchased and My love has perfected for you." 


Reflection:

Prosperity is a relative measurement colored by our culture and upbringing. In this earthly life we are told by the world that the more things we posses, the more people we influence, the more control we have over the world and people around us the more prosperous we are. Jesus taught that it is not what we have but what we do with it as He taught in the parable of the sower.

Conclusion

God places a high priority on our stewardship or (what we do with what we have), than He does the mere accumulation of things, influence and power God is not against wealth, influence and power. He does not however make every Christian Greatly prosperous in these areas as the world measures them

Quoted material from, ”The Christian in Complete Armour Daily Readings in Spiritual Warfare” by Gurnall and James S Bell. http://www.moodypublishers.com/pub_productDetail.aspx?id=41823&pid=53617

MATERIAL GAIN IS NOT SUCCESS

“If anyone pursues heavenly things and does not get them, it is because he did not follow God's instruction in the right manner.

Suppose you do die penniless. What will it matter at all? But suppose you die graceless! Heaven and heavenly things are the kind that cannot be recompensed by anything else. Do not let Satan distract you with baubles and toys. While he is entertaining you with his clever illusions, his other hand is in your treasure, robbing you of that which is irreplaceable. It is more necessary to be saved, than to be; better not to be, than to have a being in hell.

No matter how hard you work for material gain, there is no guarantee of success. Men have been doing business for thousands of years, yet no one has come up with a fail-proof plan for getting rich. How few carry away the prize in the world's lottery! Most have only disillusionment and bitter memories for their trouble.

But now for heaven and the things of heaven, the plan is quite clearly laid out in the Bible: "As many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them Galatians 6:16. . If anyone pursues heavenly things and does not get them, it is because he did not follow God's instruction in the right manner.

If you want heaven but you also want your sins, do not expect to succeed. You must part company with one or the other. If you will not let go of your sins, God will have to let go of you. If you want heaven but insist on purchasing it with your own righteousness, you will fall short of the prize. You are like the near kinsman in Ruth who wanted to buy Elimelech's land but was not willing to marry Ruth as the law required Ruth 4:2-4. All the good you do, all the duties you perform, are admirable if they are acts of love that follow your act of repentance. But if you offer them as a price you are willing to pay for heaven, God will not deal with you. You must close with Christ and Him alone, or lose the whole bargain.”

Quoted material from, ”The Christian in Complete Armour Daily Readings in Spiritual Warfare” by Gurnall and James S Bell. http://www.moodypublishers.com/pub_productDetail.aspx?id=41823&pid=53617

INDIFFERENCE TO EARTHLY THINGS 5/1/2012

“You cannot labor for heavenly possessions if your hands and heart are loaded down with earthly pursuits.

The Christian must practice the same indifference in keeping his earthly possessions as he did in getting them. God never signs the title of anything over to us, but merely gives us things to keep in trust. All will be left behind when He calls us home. If He sees fit to let us keep them until then, we bless and thank Him for His generosity; and if He takes them away sooner, we bless Him still.

God never intended, by His providence in bringing Moses to Pharaohs' court, to leave him there in worldly pomp and grandeur. A carnal heart would have reasoned Moses could best help his people-- slaves under Pharaoh-- by using his position and power to influence the king, or perhaps even by aspiring to the throne. But when Moses renounced his place of privilege, his faith and self-denial were made more eminently conspicuous. It is for this obedient faith that Moses is given such honorable mention in the New Testament Hebrews 11:24-25.

Sometimes God lavishes us with things, not so we can hang on to them, but so we will have something to let go of to show our love for Him. Was there anything better in the whole world Mary could have done with her precious oil than to anoint her Lord? What enterprise will pay more lasting dividends than to invest what you possess in the cause of Christ?

Christian, keep a loose grip on the material possessions you value most highly. Be ready at a moment's notice to throw them overboard, rather than risk the shipwreck of your faith. You cannot labor for heavenly possessions if your hands and heart are loaded down with earthly pursuits. In the end, if you can save anything, it will be your soul, your interest in Christ and heaven. If you should lose all your worldly goods, you should still be able to say with Jacob, "I have enough [all things]" Genesis 33:11.

Quoted material from, ”The Christian in Complete Armour Daily Readings in Spiritual Warfare” by Gurnall and James S Bell. http://www.moodypublishers.com/pub_productDetail.aspx?id=41823&pid=53617