Good morning and welcome in everybody. Today, we are going to take a look at a passage of scripture, but before we do that, I wanted to tell you a little story.
The very first year that we moved out into the woods, we were absolutely broke, and I had spent the little that we had remaining, building our small little cabin out in the woods. When we finally moved out here, we had to sleep on the floor in sleeping bags, but to provide simple comfort for my older son, we went out into the swamp and picked cattails. We would cut off the tops, fill up a large garbage bag, and would haul them back to the house. We had sewn together a large mattress sized bag with a zipper on top, kind of like a futon, and when it was filled up, it provided a soft fluffy bed for many years to come.
This reminds me of the Christian Life.
Adam and Eve didn’t need very much to get by each day, but a lot of people are so focused on attaining the things of this world that they are never satisfied with the simple things that have already been provided to us by God. Because of this, they will constantly lust after increasing their wealth and personal holdings. They want a better car, a bigger house, and a larger bank account, things that in the long run really don’t matter at all. What matters is a personal relationship with God, and using the time He has granted us to seek Him.
1 Timothy 6:6-10 But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
When you are content, you will be pleased with your situation, and not hoping for change or improvement. On the other hand, discontentment is a lack of satisfaction with one’s possessions, status or situation, which can cause people to seek after other things rather than God. This insatiable desire to obtain more and more and more, only pulls your attention away from what we really need the most in life, a seeking heart for God.
1 John 2:15-17 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
When people are not content, they will invest their time doing other things, which eventually leads to unfruitfulness.
Mark 4:18-19 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.
One man had the opportunity to follow Jesus, but he loved his possessions more.
Matthew 19:16-30 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?.Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.
So ultimately, it comes down to who or what you love most in this world, and for those who desire eternal life, our greatest love must be the Lord Jesus Christ. When we love Him perfectly out of a pure heart, we will submit ourselves to His purpose and calling for our lives.
John 14:21-24 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.
When we learn the lesson of contentment, we will find lots more time available in our lives to seek after God. Many people will spend their lives chasing after things that matter the least, saving up their paychecks to spend it all on a brand new bed. But think if they had used all that time to preach the Word instead. We must be thankful for the simple things that God gives us each day, the food on the supper table, the shirt on our back, and having a restful night,…..
……..Sleeping on Cattails
Let’s think about these things for right now. We can be found on your web browser by searching, tlkjbc where you can find our diaries distributed through various platforms. We are not associated, nor affiliated with any other religious groups. You can get our entire podcast feeds directly, along with transcripts at tlkjbc.com or I suppose that you could find us somewhere up here, in the Great Northern Minnesota woods. Peace to you all, and Lord willing, we will talk with you some more tomorrow. Till then, bye bye everybody.❤️
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