Comfort: God’s or Man’s
Being “well off” is not an unmixed blessing! The human goal is prosperity–economic, social, and physical–where there is no unmet need (a world without hunger, war, or disease). The last time such a condition existed, those “blessed” by it turned away from God! (The garden of Eden). Ever since, death, disease, and disaster have brought us closer to God than the “good times” we so long for ever could. God does want us to be happy, and the final home He has prepared for His own children will be free from all sorrow, pain, and suffering. But, the “happiness” His way brings on earth is not the same as the “comfort” we want and strive for.
The very trials we all must face serve as the way to spiritual well-being. Jas 1:3 –“count it all JOY when you fall into divers trials...” Not that trials are “pleasant”, it is that they are productive! They are essential to supply the needed character and outlook with which man can successfully confront and defeat the tendency to “mind earthly things”. In enduring them, the patience and humility which can alone sustain us in our journey toward heaven is gained.
God is not as interested in making us “feel good”, as He is in making us BETTER! While He does not rejoice when we are in pain, He is willing to have us subjected to painful things in order to see us grow in necessary ways. The happiness (“blessedness”) heaven offers comes through humility, mourning, sacrifice, and mistreatment (Mt 5:1-12).
As for us? We want “convenience” and “comfort”! “Inconvenience” and “discomfort” are to be avoided at all costs! Frequently, this desire overwhelms our commitment to righteousness or generosity. We had rather have a scoundrel and sexual predator as our president than one who is on the side of morality and “life” – so long as he feeds our lust for ease and security. We had rather diminish our level of service and devotion to God if being devoted threatens our own comfort or indulgence. We cater to our own needs, rather than His desire for us. This is most unfortunate, because it robs us of the true happiness that comes through spiritual discipline. Our actions and thoughts must not be governed by our “wants” and selfishness, but by their relation to our GOOD, and God’s purpose for us. Our personal “comfort” is way down God’s list of priorities for your well-being – believe it! --AcBelue
Editorial: Minding Earthly Things
Php 3:17-19: Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
In the Bible, God speaks of two ““states of mind””. Ro 8:5-8: For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
These two mindsets determine our course in life–and they also explain our actions! When you see a person giving priority to earthly things over spiritual things, you can know it is because he “minds earthly things”. When you see a person “putting first the kingdom of God”, you can know that he “minds the things of the Spirit”. The paper for this month calls attention to the consequences of “minding earthly things”. We must understand that our “state of mind” (the condition of our hearts) is vital to our standing with God. The “carnal” (fleshly) mind CANNOT please God! John, in 1 John 2:15-17, calls this state of mind “loving the world”; James in James 4:4, calls it “friendship with the world”. In Luke 12:15-21, Christ identified it with “laying up treasure for” oneself.
Sadly, we have acquired a restricted view of the “carnal mind”. To us, it is only indicated when some immoral thought or act occurs in our life. Thus, sins like adultery, murder, stealing, etc., must not be done. The truth is, ANYTHING which caters to this world, and this life, can make us “an enemy of God”. The above text in Phil 3 says that God considers those His enemy who “mind earthly things.” Admittedly, there are physical needs which must be met–but even these are secondary to our relationship with God. To Him, it is seek FIRST His kingdom, His righteousness, and trust Him for our daily needs (Matt 6:25-33). When your job, your fun, your “things”, or even your family, come before serving God, you are at war with Him! This, in its most persuasive form, is “minding earthly things”–and one cannot do this while still pleasing God! According to the parable of the sower, when describing the danger of “falling among thorns”, it is the “cares” of the world, as well as its “riches”, which choke out the word and render us fruitless to God (Matt 13). The goal of God? He wants you to “change your mind” about Him, and about the world! –The Editors
These bible study questions provide assistance to you in studying and teaching God's word. The answers are quite clear, and they prove that we can have the same understanding as the apostles had by reading what they wrote (Ephesians 3:4). We challenge you to open your bible and establish the truth.
(Mark 12:28-34) Which is the first of all of God's commandments?
(Matthew 7:21) If we put God first, what will we do?
(1 Jn. 5:3) What does it mean to "love God?"
(2 Tim. 3:16-17) Where do we find God's will for us?
(2 Jn. 9) Are we free to go beyond that which has been revealed?
(Rev. 22:16-17) Are we free to alter the scriptures?
(1 Cor. 4:6) What is going beyond God's word evidence of?
(Heb. 11:6) Is believing God's promises part of putting Him first?
(Lk. 13:1-3) Is repenting of our sins part of putting God first?
(Mt. 10:32) Is living a life of confession part of putting God first?
(Jn. 3:5) Is being "born again" part of putting God first?
(Rom. 6:3) Is the rebirth experienced in baptism? Does this put one into the body of Christ (see 1 Cor. 12:13)?
Investing for the Future
Nowadays, we hear a lot about the stock market, and “sound investments”. The investor is advised to invest in good “long term” stocks. But, no matter how wise an investor, and how prudent the investment chosen, such things have one thing in common--they have no value beyond this life (the phrase “long term“ is decidedly relative)! The total accumulation of ALL our earthly goods, carefully shepherded and conserved against the “rainy day”, will join the “dust” into which our body decays--unless, we use them to “lay up treasures in heaven”! (Matt 6:19-24)
Many of us have no interest in the stock market, and may have little interest in striving for such things, but may not realize that still, we are all INVESTING IN THE FUTURE! It is not really a question of whether we are or not, but of WHAT we are investing, and WHERE. Matt 6 instructs us to “lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth.....but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven...” A GOOD investment would be to so conduct ourselves as to send our possessions on ahead--by so using them as to advance the kingdom and please God.
There is another side to this picture: In Romans 2, Paul speaks of those who “treasure up to themselves wrath against the day of wrath and the righteous judgment of God.” The idea of “treasuring up wrath” refers to the “investing” (by one’s actions and thoughts) in a course which rightfully demands divine condemnation. In other words, we can either “lay up treasures in heaven”, or “lay up treasures of wrath” to be taken into account before God’s judgment bar. It pictures for us an “account” continually being added to in one direction or another. Each appropriate action taken, or good deed done, will be put to our account as adding to our treasure in heaven (as we would deposit money in an account and the account builds as we add more funds). On the other hand, every evil act, or every occasion when we fail to act in a good way (James 4:17) means that we are adding to THAT account, and it too, will build--accumulate its deposits--until the final accounting day. This is not to say that the two accounts will be compared, or “weighed”, and whichever account has the most will dictate the result--the figure simply reminds us that we can make constant contributions to our final reward.
Sadly, much less attention is given to this “spiritual investing” than the literal, monetary sort, and even less to the possibility our investing may be greatly negative!
As in the stock market, where most investors--through ignorance or neglect--lose instead of gain, most investors of the future fail to profit. They are not wise enough, or disciplined enough, to discern and make the proper investment. Do we take the long range view, and “lay up treasures in heaven”, or do we “treasure up wrath against the day of wrath”? The answer has eternal implications. Consider carefully. --AcBelue
Count Your Many Blessings
“And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth” (Deuteronomy 8:18)
In the 1965 movie Shenandoah, set during the Civil War, Jimmy Stewart plays a widowed farmer who is trying to honor his dead wife’s wishes concerning the religious upbringing of their sons while struggling with bitterness over her death, fears over the war, and his own personal lack of faith. In an early scene, the family is gathered around the table, ready to eat, when Stewart offers this prayer:
“Lord, we cleared this land. We plowed it, sowed it, and harvested it. We cooked the harvest. It wouldn’t be here and we wouldn’t be eatin’ it if we hadn’t done it all ourselves. We worked dog-bone hard for every crumb and morsel. But we thank you just the same for this food we’re about to eat. Amen.”
Perhaps none of us would be so boldly irreverent as to pray such a prayer today, but is that the way we think about the good things we enjoy? After all, we work hard for what we have. The Bible says, “If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat” (2Th. 3:10). There does not seem to be any connection between providence and our material possessions. We have what we have because of our own diligent effort. Right?
That type of thinking is exactly what Moses was afraid of as the Israelites drew near to Canaan. Chapter eight of Deuteronomy powerfully exhorts these soon-to-be landowners to remember God when they were safely and comfortably settled in their new homes. Moses told the children of Israel, “When you have eaten and are full…Beware that you do not forget the LORD your God…lest-when you have eaten and are full…then you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth’” (10-17). As wonderful as it is to have our desires fulfilled, it is also very dangerous. When we have everything we want it is easy to forget the God who gave these good things to us (Jas. 1:17).
We are truly blessed, especially in America. We enjoy such abundance that even our poor people are fat! But let us never forget God or fail to give Him the glory and thanks that He deserves. Yes, we may have labored for what we have, but it is God “who gives [us] the power to get wealth.” Let us learn to be content with less, so that we may better focus on the things that truly matter (Pr. 30:7-9). Let us use our possessions for the benefit of others, so that we may prepare our hearts for heaven (1Ti. 6:17-19). And let us remember to count our many blessings and daily honor the God who gave them (Ps. 68:19). --JME
Our Relationship with the World
We’re surrounded! At workplaces, in schools, on city streets, at shopping malls, and in our neighborhoods -- there is no place free from the influence of godlessness. Dishonesty, profanity, immodesty, drunkenness, sexual immorality, and materialism have become the norms in many cases. These behaviors and many others like them are accepted and even glorified. No place is given for the influence of God and His Word. Men have chosen to disregard the existence, power, and authority of the Creator and their lifestyles have degenerated accordingly (Romans 1:18-32).
Is it any wonder, then, that children of God are called upon to keep themselves “unstained by the world” (James 1:27), uncorrupted by the rampant spirit of rebellion against God Himself? But it’s not easy. Sure, if we could completely isolate ourselves from every influence of godlessness and immorality, the kind of holiness expected by God would be simple. But we live in the world, with all of its influences (1 Corinthians 5:9-10), and at the same time we must live above those influences. That is our challenge -- to follow the example of Christ, who lived in but not of the world (John 9:5; 17:16).
This is a matter of the heart. Jesus said plainly, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). In other words, our devotion follows that upon which we place our greatest value. If the world, its standards, and its benefits receive our highest esteem, then God, His will, and His blessings will fall from our favor. “No one can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24). We must choose the focus of our hearts, to either love the world or to love God, and our devotion will be determined accordingly.
To Christians, John the apostle wrote, “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15). Affection for the world and affection for God are mutually incompatible. There is no position of compromise for the child of God. One who seeks to divide his loyalty between the world and God has unwittingly made himself the opponent of God. And it matters not how cursory or how consuming, any love of the world is condemned. “You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God” (James 4:4). Such split devotion is tantamount to spiritual adultery, being unfaithful to the commitment made as a disciple of Christ.
In what or in whom should we place our confidence? Shall we depend upon that which is transitory and uncertain at best, or shall we trust the One who is eternal and almighty? “The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever” (1 John 2:17). –Jeremy Paschall
Daily Dependence on God
“Give us this day our daily bread.” (Matthew 6:11)
It’s a simple statement. So simple, in fact, that we might overlook its profound implications. When Jesus gave His disciples the Model Prayer, He told them to ask the Father for that day’s bread. On another occasion, when the disciples sought to learn how to pray, Jesus taught them to say, “Give us day by day our daily bread” (Lk. 11:3). Why did Jesus direct His followers to pray for daily bread? The Lord could have told them to pray that their monthly needs would be met. He could have urged us to pray that the Father would meet all our needs, in advance, for our entire lifetime. But He didn’t do that. Instead, He told us to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread.”
It is not easy to restrict our attention to the needs of the day. Most of us are disposed to looking ahead and worrying about the needs of tomorrow, next month, next year, and the next ten years. The Bible says, “You do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that’” (Jas. 4:14-15). Our lives are in the hand of God. Every day ought to be lived with an awareness of His will, His presence, and His oversight of all our affairs. We cannot even know whether we will be here tomorrow, so we certainly do not need to overly concern ourselves with the necessities of that day. It is enough to pray that the Lord will take care of us today. That He will “give us, day by day, our daily bread.”
After teaching the Model Prayer to His disciples, Jesus went on in the same sermon to discuss the sinfulness of worry and its relation to worldliness (Mt. 6:19-34). Man cannot have his affections fully and properly set on two things at the same time. Our lives must be focused upon the Lord and doing His will, not our own. My job is to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,” not worry about the future (Mt. 6:33). If I concentrate on living my life in service to the Father’s will, He promises to meet all my needs (Mt. 6:33b). It requires faith to accept this promise when the mechanism of its fulfillment is not readily perceived. Nevertheless, it is the will of my Father than I lay aside worry and devote myself entirely to His will. I can trust Him for my daily needs. I can trust that those needs will be met, day after day. “Therefore,” Jesus said, “do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Mt. 6:34). –JME
I believe that one reason why the church of God at this present moment has so little influence over the world is because the world has so much influence over the church. –C.H. Spurgeo
Final Thoughts: Three Steps toward a Simpler, More Spiritually Focused Life
1. Devote quiet time every morning to God
My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD; In the morning I will direct it to You, And I will look up. (Ps. 5:3)
Praying and reading your Bible first thing in the morning ensures that the most important things are done before later conflicts displace them. You start your day in the best way possible, meditating on the Lord and seeking His help throughout the day.
2. Reduce secular commitments
Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her." (Lk. 10:41-42)
Most families are simply overbooked with too many activities that limit time for family and faith. Make a list of your commitments and decide which ones are truly important and which can be eliminated for the sake of spiritual focus and family sanity.
3. Clean out “stuff”
Now 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 clothing, with these we shall be content. (1Ti. 6:6-8)
Most of us have far more than we actually need. We are surrounded by worldly things that can easily take our attention away from God. Begin sorting your stuff one room at a time. Process each item into one of four categories: Keep, Give Away, Throw Away, or Undecided. Box up the undecided items, and get rid of them if you haven’t needed them in another six months. --JME
Back to Newsletter Archive Home