Heb 13:5a “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have….”
You would think it might be easy to be satisfied with what we have, but our commercial culture thrives on discontentment. It is used shamelessly to help sell products. “If only I had this item, life would be perfect. I’d have everything I want. My family would behave as proper families should. All would be well.” The downsides of this mentality are 1. It’s never enough. There’s always something else we need for everything to be “just perfect.” and 2. That sense of “if I only had…life would be perfect” keeps us from seeing and appreciating what we do have, all the blessings in our lives.
Heb 13:5b “…because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
Sometimes I grumble about the way things “should be,” but God wants me to live in what is, knowing that all my blessings are from Him and all my trials will be faced with Him, in Him, and through His strength. He has me at this exact place and time. He’s given me tools and gifts to use right now, for my good and His glory. This is true for all of us, no matter our current circumstances. He sees us. He knows us. He is with us. He has given us the tools and gifts we need to shine right this moment for Him. Thank You, Jesus.
Matt 6:20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for the reminder to be content—in You, where You have us, with what You’ve given us, with what You ask of us. Our culture thrives on more, more, more, on comparison and discontent, but You ask us to bloom and grow where You plant us, using the gifts and strengths You’ve given us for Your glory. Help us, always, to focus on how we can use what we have where we are to glorify You. Help us to find contentment in You, regardless of our physical circumstances. Draw us closer. Amen.
Matt 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Have a blessed day.
Fierce love and deep mercy…. (devo reflection)
James 2:13 …Mercy triumphs over judgement.
My caustic inner critic is at it again. She’s dragging to the fore attitudes and insecurities I thought had long been dealt with. She’s calling into question my abilities as a wife, mother, teacher, person. She’s frantically whispering that I should NOT share these feelings and insecurities because I am the only one who deals with them. She thrives in silence and shame. Jesus, Help me.
Luke 6:36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.
Even with my rational, intelligent side, the temptation is great to believe that I am just too far gone, too messed up, have said too many insecure, irrational things to be salvaged. All she has to do is crack open the door of insecurities, and they all come tumbling out, readily acknowledged. Yep, I’ve screwed up over and over in all my roles. Maybe I am too far gone. Thankfully, my precious Savior doesn’t deem anyone too far gone. He doesn’t love us because of what we’ve done right. He loves us because we are His—fully, completely, entirely His beloved children. He doesn’t need any other reason.
Heb 4:16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Lord, Thank You for this day, for Your fierce love and deep mercy, for the gift of knowing that my inner critic lies. We often pick up the noise of the world, “You aren’t good enough; you’ve screwed up too many times to be salvaged; you are no good to anyone.” Help us to tune out that rubbish and to hear instead Your still, soft voice, whispering, “You are loved; you are cherished; you are enough, simply because you are My deeply beloved.” Help us to show ourselves mercy for our faults and to trust Your deep love for us. Draw us closer. Amen.
Lam 3:22-23 The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning….
Have a blessed day.