NEITHER mentality SHOULD be part of a Christians walk with *GOD*, yet, because of our being reared in the ways of the world, our perception of having all our needs provided for BY THE LORD, tend to be measured according to what we have!!!
People greatly misinterpret BLESSINGS, as well as THE LORD'S favour; there is a struggle to refrain from longing that HE WILL SUPPLY ALL OUR NEEDS, materialistically! Ah yes, we must HONESTLY be able to determine our needs from our desires, AND to be OPEN to the FACT that more often than we know, *GOD* places something, or someone in our path which assists us, or comforts us, in various ways!!!
Also mistaken is ABUNDANCE; it is almost automatically associated with material gain! Let us remember that since we are NOT OF the world, material gain, other than for the necessity of helping others, should NOT be a priority, because TRUE gain is that which secures, and leads the soul TO THE KINGDOM, where we shall ETERNALLY share in the riches of THE LORD!!!
BLESSING means *GOD'S* favour, and protection! THEREFORE, those people who imagine BLESSINGS to be absolutely tangible are off course! Favour from THE LORD PRIMARILY, indicates our being CHOSEN, and then, what HE WILLS for our time in this realm, it does NOT mean we will be BLESSED with riches, or worldly gain, though in some cases HE has, read on!!!
Personally, I think BLESSINGS are found in CONTENTMENT! Like Apostle Paul, I HAVE learned to be content in whatever circumstances, BECAUSE I KNOW THE LORD IS WITH me! MANY people view BLESSINGS materialistically, and yes, some HAVE been BLESSED in such ways, ACCORDING to *GOD'S* WILL, and PLAN for their time in this realm, but the one who does not have material matter might be even more BLESSED, IF they are aligned to HIM, and HIS WILL!!!
Contentment is a GREAT aid in managing ourselves during our journey here, though because we are raised to assess our worth according to what we have tangibly acquired, too many people are way outside understanding of contentment, which means they are as if closed off to receiving, OR so busy looking for tangibles to notice the BLESSINGS right before them!!!
I have had absolutely nothing to my name before, along with no place to live, or call home; I have gone hungry for long periods of time, I have suffered, believe me, but through it all, I found something in each day to feel BLESSED about, and KNEW I was being led through this to a better place! I was content even when there wasn't much to be content about, and I cherished every single goodness which came my way, no matter how it came to me, that is, through a kind stranger, or an intangible BLESSING; I knew HOW to embrace the good even when next to the heap of not so good, it wasn't much! I LEARNED HOW TO BE CONTENT in ALL circumstances, and today, I am more than GRATEFUL for the many BLESSINGS *GOD* has bestowed upon me, despite their seeming meager if measured by the world! To me, I AM BLESSED in ways I probably couldn't elaborate on, as they have no beginning, or end, they just ARE!!!
THE GOOD LORD DOES take care of us, which ought not be measured in worldly ways! That we are here today is the first BLESSING of the day, and SHOULD prompt us to receive with a grateful heart, for then we are open to acknowledging, then receiving what else might be placed before us, by our most LOVING LORD, instead of dwelling on the negatives, which deadens the senses, and cause us to not notice the POSITIVES!!!
SURE, it IS difficult to see those who have everything, and more, but we mustn't envy them, or imagine that they are more BLESSED, because we KNOW that what they have is perishable, and fleeting, and *GOD* has stated that this just might be their lot, now, and forever, SO, be careful what you wish for, and in fact, IF you are OF THE LORD, REALIZE that wishing for worldly things is NOT aligned TO THE WAY, which DOESN'T mean that HE won't grant you more than what you need, but that you shouldn't EXPECT it as part of FAITH, because often, when HE grants more than what one needs, it is NOT for their benefit exclusively, but for that of others, and even for teaching purposes!!!
*GOD'S* enemy, our enemy, USES the mind to infiltrate, by means of deception, delusion, confusion, and so forth, which HAS rooted in the human condition, hence in our upbringing! The mind, and emotionalism are closely interrelated, and so, self-control HAS to be in place at ALL times, THAT we are not overtaken by the traps of the enemy! This especially applies to areas of seeking gain, as it IS, or CAN be, a snare, a pit, even for those who have otherwise been devout!!!
TOO, we are wise to remind ourselves that this time is NOT about us, and that we ARE to aid others in diverse, and fluid ways! WHEN we extend ourselves, and what we have, we are then, sowing, thus, shall reap! CAUGHT up ARE we in all the desires to acquire, WHICH DO distract us from our LORD, and our serving HIM, and others! It IS an entangled mindset to be so discontent, and IS that which leads to err, and sin, because knowledge, and understanding get kicked to the curb in order to appease the flesh, which ISN'T who we are, in the first place, and so, we are endangering the soul in chasing after what is worldly!!!
MATTHEW 6: 30...
Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
There is scarcely any sin against which our Lord Jesus more warns his disciples, than disquieting, distracting, distrustful cares about the things of this life. This often ensnares the poor as much as the love of wealth does the rich. But there is a carefulness about temporal things which is a duty, though we must not carry these lawful cares too far. Take no thought for your life. Not about the length of it; but refer it to God to lengthen or shorten it as he pleases; our times are in his hand, and they are in a good hand. Not about the comforts of this life; but leave it to God to make it bitter or sweet as he pleases. Food and raiment God has promised, therefore we may expect them. Take no thought for the morrow, for the time to come. Be not anxious for the future, how you shall live next year, or when you are old, or what you shall leave behind you. As we must not boast of tomorrow, so we must not care for to-morrow, or the events of it.
God has given us life, and has given us the body. And what can he not do for us, who did that? If we take care about our souls and for eternity, which are more than the body and its life, we may leave it to God to provide for us food and raiment, which are less. Improve this as an encouragement to trust in God.
We must reconcile ourselves to our worldly estate, as we do to our stature. We cannot alter the disposals of Providence, therefore we must submit and resign ourselves to them.
Thoughtfulness for our souls is the best cure of thoughtfulness for the world. Seek first the kingdom of God, and make religion your business: say not that this is the way to starve; no, it is the way to be well provided for, even in this world. The conclusion of the whole matter is, that it is the will and command of the Lord Jesus, that by daily prayers we may get strength to bear us up under our daily troubles, and to arm us against the temptations that attend them, and then let none of these things move us. Happy are those who take the Lord for their God, and make full proof of it by trusting themselves wholly to his wise disposal. Let thy Spirit convince us of sin in the want of this disposition, and take away the worldliness of our hearts.
PHILIPPIANS 4: 11-13...
11+++Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.
12+++I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.
13+++I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
The apostle was often in bonds, imprisonments, and necessities; but in all, he learned to be content, to bring his mind to his condition, and make the best of it. Pride, unbelief, vain hankering after something we have not got, and fickle disrelish of present things, make men discontented even under favourable circumstances. Let us pray for patient submission and hope when we are abased; for humility and a heavenly mind when exalted. It is a special grace to have an equal temper of mind always. And in a low state not to lose our comfort in God, nor distrust his providence, nor take any wrong course for our own supply. In a prosperous condition not to be proud, or secure, or worldly. This is a harder lesson than the other; for the temptations of fulness and prosperity are more than those of affliction and want.
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Through Christ we have grace to do what is good, and through him we must expect the reward; and as we have all things by him, let us do all things for him, and to his glory.
And this mindset of contentment, dear ones, opens UP to the NEED, and WISDOM TO WAIT ON THE LORD; TO RELY ON HIM, and HIM ALONE, AND TO TRUST HIM, ALWAYS, REGARDLESS! HALLELUJAH, AMEN! PRAISE THE LORD; WORSHIP HIM; REJOICE IN HIS LOVING CARE for us; THANK HIM; HONOUR HIM IN adapting, and aligning TO HIS WILL, WAYS, and WORD, body, mind, and spirit; LOVE AS HE HAS LOVED; AND PRAY, PRAY, PRAY with ALL your might!!!
LWINSOR © 2016
BIBLICAL, and/or other references marked BOLDLY IN COLOURS
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