BE CONTENT

I Timothy 6:6-10


But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

When I’m discontent . . .

I rush from one stop to another
And forget to enjoy the sights.
And miss all the wonderful and good
While checking out Mr. and Miss Right.

When I’m discontent . . .

I feel “I must have more to be happy” -
More pay, more say, more my way.
But chasing after the wind is tiring,
And keeps us from living each day.

When I’m content . . .

In spite of my needs, wants, and lack,
Size, shape, portion and lot -
I’m saying, “My heavenly Father sees . . .”
“Knows what { who} I can and cannot.”

When I’m content . . .

I reflect God’s abundant grace,
All mine, strong and sufficient.
And have time to breathe and play,
And enjoy every conversation.

Be content, says Jesus.

There will be enough, I promise you,
No, it’s enough, let tomorrow be.
Only a few things are important,
They’re right before you, they’re free.

“Why do you labor for what is not bread?”
And live long, bone-exhausted days?
Stop. Take a break. Eat with the ones who love you,
Say no. Switch it off. Be content in me. Obey.

REFLECTIONS FROM THE BEATITUDES

The world says, “Hooray for the A-listers, the ones who get the nods.”
Jesus says, “Blessed are those who know they are nobodies, and can do nothing apart from God.”

The world says, “Don’t worry, be happy, let’s party, life is short.”
"Blessed are those who grief for their sins, and fast for eternal cause.”

The world says, “Go. Fight. Take short cuts. You go nowhere if you are weak.”
"The gentle shall inherit the earth, control your temper, be meek.”

The world says, “Blessed is he who says, ‘I am strong, I have no need.’”
“Satisfaction comes to those who ask to be filled, who pray, knock and seek.”

The world says, “Remember those who hurt you. Complain. Keep score. Make them pay.”
“You are smart if you show mercy, turn the other cheek, do it God’s way.”

The world says, “It’s all about what people see, so look good, be cool, be sharp.”
“It’s all about what God sees in you, and Who you see in your heart.”

The world says, “Look away. Mind your own business. Live a life that’s trouble free.”
“Speak up for the fatherless, stand up for the lost; the sons of God are those who bring peace.”

The world says, “Be a Christian, but play it safe, make everybody happy, win the vote.”
“There’s no such thing as a popular believer. Walk in the light. Speak truth. Take the narrow road.”

GIVE OF A WILLING HEART

When it was time for the tabernacle to be built,
God could have made all the bronze, silver and gold;
But He said, “Bring to me only what you got . . .
“Offer at my altar what you own.”

When it was time for the tabernacle to be built,
God could have forced, ordered, and charged,
“Do what I tell you!” “Obey my command!”
Instead He said, “Give of a willing heart.”

So when it was time for the tabernacle to be built,
The people responded – those whose hearts were stirred;
Seven times, it was said, in Exodus 35, 36,
“They came, they brought, they spun, they served.”

The heart of the matter of the building of the tabernacle,
Is, in my humble opinion, a matter of the heart.
Teach, lead, speak, give – just do it,
But don’t go through the motion, don’t just play the part.

For when God calls us to build the tabernacle,
He doesn’t care if we can do little or much;
Things, time, talent, treasure, He made it all –
He only wants from us a willing heart.

EXODUS IS A STORY ABOUT GETTING OUT:

Moses, born to die, was saved “out of the water” (Ex 2:10).
He fought the Egyptians, and got kicked out of the palace (2:15).
God met him and said, “I AM holy, take out your sandals” (3:5).
“Get my people out of Egypt, I will get you out of trouble.”

But Moses had more serious getting outs to face:
Fear, self-doubt, "I'm not ready", "No way";
Yet, as God had promised - nothing went to waste -
They got out of Egypt, through ten challenges, ten plagues.

The book of Exodus is about getting out –
Of bondage, fear, low self-esteem and doubt.
From death to life, from trapped to free
From reluctance to "Here am I", from “You're kidding!” to “I can see.”

What do you need to get out of today
To live God's plan for you, and claim His promise?
Your fluffy dreams? Your huge sand-castles?
Your defense? Your excuse? Your corner? Your office?

God’s power is often shown in the Sea, the wilderness,
Where "I AM Who I AM" is our only confidence;
Want to live your life? Then stop saying, “Not now.”
Obey. Have faith. Get ready for miracles. Get out.

BE NOT AFRAID WHEN YOU DON’T HAVE MUCH

Reflections on I Kings 15:8-22, 2 Chron 16:7-14
The life of King Asa never fails to puzzle me. How did the king who reformed become the one who rebelled, I wondered many times:

King Asa, young and fearful, “did what was right” –
Reforms, revivals, removal of idolatrous sites.
For 38 years, he ruled in peace;
His only war cry, “Lord, help me please!”

Then Baasha attacked on the 39th year,
And Asa befriended Aram out of fear;
“I’m not a child, stop saying God is displeased!”
“I’ll send you to jail!” he shouted at Hanani.

So God struck him with a disease, he became sick in his feet;
He saw every doctor but refused to submit
To the God of his youth, who fought all his battles;
He’d rather die than bow before the Healer.

Why, tell me, why did Asa end so wrong?
Did he have more to lose when he became strong?
Did he stop being a child because he grew old?
Did he forget to be fearful when he became bold?

Be not afraid when you don’t have much –
God delivers, God heals, He’s Someone you can trust.
Tremble and guard your heart, you know when the troubles start;
When you turn to your own knowledge and gifts – when you think you're too smart.

WANT MANNA?

Reflection on Exodus 16:11-21

The people asked for food and God gave them manna from heaven. “He who had gathered much had no excess, and he who had gathered little had no lack” (16:18).

God rained manna from heaven,

O what a glorious sight!
Satisfied everyone’s hunger to the full,
Filled each longing with delight.

But it would keep only a day at a time,
Grab too much, It’d stink and rot,
Take a little, only what was needed,
And just as God promised, they lacked not.

Want to taste manna from heaven?

See His blessing from on high?
Step in the water, walk boldly in faith,
Trust Him fully, one miracle at a time.

He won’t give us in excess

Lest we forget to lean on Him;
Neither will He give us less
For He knows our frame, He knows our need.

HEAD, HEART, HAND

Moses started with a HEART
But he had no HEAD and HAND.
To save his people, he killed an Egyptian,
And buried him in the sand (Ex 2:12).

He hid in the sand of Midian – for 40 years (2:15-23),
Until God ordered, "Come here!"

"I have a plan, my people are suffering!"

“Send someone else,“ he said, "my HEART is missing." (4:23) 
 

So God worked on his HEART.

He let him see
The hardheartedness of Pharaoh,
And the people's grief.

"Deliver them, please," cried Moses (5:21).
"Help, I can't bear it!"
Now his HEART was beating,
His HEART was free.

But Moses had no HAND.
“I can’t even talk,” he said (4:10).

But God wouldn't give up,
He worked on him again.

First He gave him a side-kick– Aaron,
Who challenged Pharaoh right down to plague #5 (5:1-8:17);
Then He let Moses grow -
One small step at a time.

By plague #2, he prayed for the calamity to stop (8:12),

And he would be an intercessor all his life;

By plague #6, he took over from Aaron (9:8)
And finished the job in grace and stride.

 

No HEAD – ask God to speak;

No HEART – He can make it beat again.

No HAND – be humble, submit, let Him train you,
But you must come out of the sand.