The world is a busy place.  We spend a lot of time, money, and effort pursing all kinds of things.  Some of them are good for us and some of them aren’t.

Remember that just because something is good for others, the world, a different time in our lives, etc., doesn’t mean that it is good for us now or ever.  Anything that can take us away from The LORD will NEVER be good for us, no matter what the world or anyone else is telling you, especially what we try to convince ourselves is good for us!

We need to remember that not only are there things that we’re not to do as believers in and followers of Jesus Christ that are sin, but there are also things that we are supposed to be doing as believers in and followers of Jesus Christ, and not doing those things are also sin.  (James 4:17)  When we spend our time, money, resources, etc., doing things that are either what The LORD says we’re not to do, or we don’t do those things He tells us we’re supposed to do, then we’re sinning, there’s no godliness and therefore no great gain in our lives Spiritually!

In Jeremiah 29:11, we’re told that God has a plan for us to succeed.  I realize that we may want this verse to mean succeed financially, but God clearly tells us in many places in His Word that He wants us to increase in our knowledge of Him and that we turn that knowledge into doing what His Word says and that in turn will prosper us Spiritually.  As 1 Timothy states, living our lives in a godly manner is great gain!

Notice that Paul uses the word contentment in our verse.  We need the faith that The LORD gives us to do anything He requires of us.  One of the things He requires of us is to know that He will supply ALL we need when we need it.  He doesn’t say it will be easy, He just says He’ll do it.

The LORD wants to make us more like Jesus.  He will do everything He knows we need to accomplish this task in us.  This includes allowing whatever circumstances He deems necessary, into our lives in order to make us more like Him!  (2 Timothy 3:16-17, James 1:2-4) 

Knowing that The LORD has our best interest in mind to accomplish what He wants in our lives, means that we are content with The LORD because He is working out ALL things for our good when we love and obey Him and do those things that He is asking us to do!  (Romans 8:28-29)

If The LORD blesses us financially, or any other way for that matter, it’s not meant for us, it’s meant for Him.  What do we have that doesn’t come from Him?  (1 Chronicles 29:13-14, Psalm 24:1, James 1:17, Romans 11:36)

It's so easy to get off track in our walk with The LORD.  The world, including those close to us who may even be Christians, can easily sway us from what The LORD has for us.  Whatever He has will ALWAYS be better than ANYTHING the world has to offer us.  The sooner we figure that out, the better off we’ll be.

Mostly what the world offers us, is stress.  Stress trying to keep up with everyone and everything else.  Jesus offers us His peace, and it’s a peace that we will never understand (Philippians 4:7), but it only comes to us when we are following and obeying Him and we are “content” with living Godly lives knowing He knows best!  Everything else, and whatever “peace” we get from it, is short lived.  And then we’re more stressed trying to create yet more “peace” for ourselves by following the world’s ways rather than following The LORD!

What will you pursue today?  What will that get you in the end?  What is it you want to leave behind?  Life is short, eternity is forever!

Want to KNOW Jesus more intimately?  Let us know.  We exist so that others can come to KNOW Him in a true and meaningful way that leads not only to a more peaceful life here on this earth, but ultimately eternity in heaven with The LORD God Almighty!

Please don't hesitate to reach out to us with any questions, prayer requests, etc.  We'd love to pray with and for you and to the best of our ability answer any questions you may have soley using God's Word!

Here to serve and disciple until He calls us home,

Curt & Mary Jo

Note-all Scripture references in parenthesis are direct links God's Word so that you can easily click and read what The LORD has to say about the section before the reference.  I encourage you to click, read, study and even memorize these passages for yourself and NOT to just not just take my word for it.  (Psalm 119)