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| The Most Important Thing! |
| Tuesday, April 28, 2009 |
When I was growing up my mom had a little plaque that hung on the wall behind her sewing table, which read: Only one life, 'twill soon be past; and only what's done for Christ will last. Those words of wisdom have stuck with me my whole life.
Do we see the bigger picture? I mean, do we? Really? When the Apostle Paul wrote his letter to the Colossians he had the "big picture" firmly planted in his mind. If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. (Col 3:1-31)
So many of us simply haven't died. The Bible tells us that true Christians have "crucified the flesh with its passions and desires" (Gal 5:24), and yet, if we're really honest, those passions and desires are still what drive many of us when we get up in the morning.
But I suspect that if God were to give us just a 24 hour glimpse of heaven and hell there would be few of us anymore who would waste much more time on what our friends and neighbors chase. Suddenly our manic coveting would turn to a more speedy and diligent care of our souls.
Friends, it is lack of faith that makes us worldlings: we simply don't see what is in the billions of years ahead of us. We're too focused on the here and now. Oh yes, we believe our creeds and we do our devotions, but we don't really believe in the day of judgment, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting, otherwise we'd be more applied toward it if we did. You know why? Because you always live what you believe!
God has provided salvation for us through Christ, and we must be about the business of preparing our souls and others for eternity. Let me leave you with these closing verses from God's Word:
"Take no thought for your life, what you shall eat or drink, nor for your body, what you shall put on....for your Father knows that you need these things." (Matt 6:25,32)
"Be anxious about nothing." (Phil 4:6)
"Cast all your care upon Him, for He careth for you." (1 Peter 5:7)
"Don't labor for the meat that perishes, but for that which endures to eternal life." (John 6:27)
"Seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these other things will be added unto you." (Matt 6:33)
These verses indicate that we have now become so heavenly-minded that we are no longer worldly in our daily business. We're so absorbed with preparing ourselves and others for heaven that hanging out at the mall just doesn't fit into our plans anymore.
There is a greater good than the accumulation of "stuff", my friends! Are you walking securely in "the good works which God prepared beforehand" for you to do? Labels: Christian living, worldliness |
posted by Alan Harstone @ 9:32 AM   |
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| More Please! |
| Tuesday, April 14, 2009 |
 When my kids were growing up they enjoyed watching the movie OLIVER at their grandma's home. One of the most memorable moments in the movie is when Oliver works up the courage to approach the headmaster, who is feasting, and ask for more food. He wasn't happy with his provision; he wanted more.
Most of us would think that's a fair desire, especially given his circumstances and the miserly way that the school handed out provisions. But it begs a question for me: Am I generally unsatisfied with God's provision in my life?
I've been thinking a lot about coveting lately....what is it exactly?......is it something that I'm guilty of?......all the time?
The tenth commandment instructs us to not covet anything in life; to be happy with what we're given, and to not insist that we have more. Or, as the Apostle Paul put it:
"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:11-13)
So here's a checklist for discovering a covetous heart:
1. If I buy things too cheap, I have a covetous heart.
2. If I hold out for a higher price when I sell, I have a covetous heart.
3. If I give too little, I have a covetous heart.
4. If I must have that dress, I have a covetous heart.
5. If I read romance novels or look at porn, I have a covetous heart.
6. If I long for attention, approval, or admiration, I have a covetous
heart.
7. If I'm not happy with what God has given me, I have a covetous
heart.
Now, we certainly need to qualify the first two. If I buy things too cheap, or hold out for more money on the sale of my house so that I can use what I save to get other things, then I have a covetous heart. However, if I'm buying cheap and selling expensive so that I can facilitate my generous heart, then I'm certainly not being covetous...I'm being a wise steward of God's resources, which He gives me to share with others. But this only works if I'm a generous giver.
So, where are you at with that list? Are you content with all that you've been given, or do you eagerly seek more so that you can lavish your self-worth with gifts of self-love?
Labels: abundance, coveting, desires |
| posted by Alan Harstone @ 11:41 AM |
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| About Me |
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Name: Alan Harstone
Home: Saskatoon, SK, Canada
About Me: Senior Pastor
Saskatoon Evangelical Free Church
See my complete profile
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