Continuing the thought of things that can only come from Jesus:
The Present of Today.
One clever thinker got it right: “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift––that is why it is called the present.” Proverbs 27:1 teaches: Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.
The fact is, we cannot buy another day on earth. It is Jesus who supplies the breath and heartbeat for another day. Life is a gift only Jesus can give.
The Provision of God.
God will supply all the things you really need in life. The content person who is giving to the cause of God and His Gospel has the backing of Jesus Himself on his life.
Sometimes banks will convey how many assets they have to draw on. A bank could have $57,000,000,000 in cash, silver, gold, property, and holdings. That is a lot of money! Jesus has the “Riches of Glory.” Think of all the wealth of Heaven, streets of gold, and gates of pearl. Jesus owns all of that. In addition, Heaven has no health issues, no jails for criminals, and no funeral homes or graves for death. In the perfect economy of Heaven, Jesus owns it all.
Christian, you can “go to the bank” of Jesus and see God supply all the things in life you really need. The “First Bank of Heaven” is always open and will never go out of business. Be sure to understand the differences between your “wants” and “true needs.” Natalie, my wife and best friend, says that people have big “Wanters.” My “Wanter” is tested from time to time as well. You and I must come back to this verse often and choose contentment and trust Jesus to supply what we really need in life.
Jacob, in Genesis 25, is a “grabber.” He grabs his brother’s heel and grabs his brothers’ stuff (birthright and blessing). As times goes on, Jacob grabs onto God in a wrestling match, as we see in Genesis 32. This encounter with God totally changes his life. He starts to value things of God instead of the things of the earth.
Colossians 3:2 admonishes, Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. This is how Jacob begins to live his life. His priority change is a good example for us today. He found contentment in God.
The things worth loving in life are not things. Jesus told us to love two things: God and then people. This is the first and second command. Matthew 22:37-39 elaborates, Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Focus your life on the things that God values, and He will supply all you really need in life. The answer is contentment.
Concluding Thoughts…
- When you find yourself complaining – choose contentment.
- When you hear yourself being critical – choose contentment.
- When you see yourself comparing to others – choose contentment.
- When you feel yourself coveting another person’s life, position, relationship, job, upbringing, or life-stage – choose contentment.
Like the hot air balloon, this old preacher’s story captures the idea of our search for contentment. “The story is told about a pilot who always looked down intently on a certain valley in the Appalachians when the plane passed overhead. One day his co-pilot asked, ‘What’s so interesting about that spot?’ The pilot replied, ‘See that stream? Well, when I was a kid I used to sit down there on a log and fish. Every time an airplane flew over, I would look up and wish I were flying… Now I look down and wish I were fishing.’”
Are you content today? The only place to find true, lasting contentment is in Jesus Christ. Perhaps a Christian friend reading this has a covetous heart. Confess that as sin to God and in Jesus’ name choose contentment today – and every day.
Perhaps another reader is not sure they are a Christian. Even if you were born into a religious home, it does not automatically make you a Christian. Have you trusted in the GOSPEL – the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus? Has there been a moment when you expressed faith in Jesus to God through prayer? Why not trust and believe in Jesus right now?
Pray this way: “God in Heaven, I realize I am a sinner and need Jesus as my Savior. I confess my sin to you. Please forgive me of my sin in Jesus’ name. I believe in the Gospel. Jesus shed His blood for my sin, died on the cross taking my punishment, and rose again the third day. I believe in Jesus. Please save me from my sin and give me a home in Heaven. Thank you for saving me.”
If you prayed for salvation, please let me know. I would like to share Bible verses with you to help you in your new faith in Jesus. Please call 518.583.2736, or email me at: pastor@wiltonbaptistchurch.com
EDC Christian 