Things in the world

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. I John 2:15‭-‬17 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/1jn.2.15-17.NKJV

The things of this world bring a snare.

Lust and pride are dangerous and can kill faith.

Matthew 13:22 NKJV — “Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.”

Thus, we must be on our guard, at all times.

Because pride is easy.

And desire breeds the idea we deserve…

Our flesh, stirred up by the enemy, wants to follow after these things.

Jesus taught that all the things and the pursuit of them isn’t following God.

Instead, He clearly explained that loving God is the opposite.

Matthew 6:24 NKJV — “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”

Matthew 6:33 NKJV — “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

Jesus’s parable of the seed and the soils (Matthew 13:3-23) provides a perfect word picture.

The Gospel is the seed and the ground is our hearts.

Matthew 13:23 NKJV — “But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”

What type of soil we are has a great deal to do with what we choose to do with the Word.

No one is immune to the temptations of the things of this world, but we can focus on Jesus and His Word.

Romans 12:2 KJV — And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Let’s be wise and prudent gardeners, pulling up the weeds and allowing the Lord Jesus to water the seed with His scripture and prayer.

Colossians 3:1-2 KJV — If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

We can live in today, praising God for His gifts and blessings, being thankful for what we have and the beauty of creation all around us.

We can walk with Him in humility and love, remembering this is not our home, we are simply travelers, on our way to Paradise.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You so much for Your Word. Lord, please help me to be on guard against pride and lust and the love of things. Lord, help me to instead love people and to walk with integrity before You. Lord, help me to see the snares and tricks of the enemy and to be wise about what I look at, what I listen to, what I meditate on. Lord, this world is passing and my life is fleeting compared to eternity. Please help me to live for You today and not to be choked out by the cares of this world. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.

Dealing with the stuff

With these days of prep for the yard sale, I’ve been stretched.

Something I struggle with is holding on to things.

Even as a child, I struggled with this.

As long as I can remember, I’ve struggled with this “stuff”.

God has been so gracious and patient with me.

He has taken me through times of extreme need.

He has walked me through downsizing, multiple times.

He has proven in miraculous ways.

He has taught me that things are never going to fix anything.

Currently, we are in a new season.

Last fall my husband started a small furniture business.

But with the furniture came other things as well.

Used items which were still in good condition.

We donated a bunch straight off, but some other things needed to be sorted out.

That took a while.

Now, with the good weather, we are selling all kinds of stuff.

And this new season of things is a little baffling to me.

Because God hasn’t had me follow my past ways of handling things.

This requires a lot of time, prayer, and patience.

Instead, I’m learning a new way to deal with stuff.

And it’s brought me back to realizing two things:

1st my flesh is greedy and I need to be on my guard against this.

2nd God can use anything or many things to teach me to cling to Him and nothing else.

Deuteronomy 6:5 KJV — And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for this command. Thank You that You are giving us the gift of life, contentment, peace, and true joy in these words. When I focus upon You and Your truth with every part of me, I find all I need and all I want. Lord, it is when I leave off following You with a whole heart that I get into trouble and become confused or depressed or discouraged. Lord, thank You for telling us how to live, that we might not pierce ourselves through with many sorrows. Lord Jesus, following You is not easy, it goes against my flesh, against the culture, and against the enemy, but great is Your faithfulness! I know You chose that which was difficult, to be our Savior. Please help me to choose it as well, each day, to walk in Your ways and to love You with all of me. Thank You for Your faithfulness, truth, protection, wisdom, understanding, justice, goodness, righteousness, and salvation. I could continue speaking Your praises day and night and never come to the end! I praise Your holy name, Jesus. Amen.