Enough

“There are two ways to get enough: one is to continue to accumulate more and more. The other is to desire less.” -G. K. Chesterton. This quote is something we need to hear. We just finished the holiday season where we got more. I wonder how many of those things that we had to have are still even in use a month and a half later. We build bigger homes, garages, and sheds for our stuff. If we run out of room, we just rent a storage unit. I get it; the temptation is everywhere with commercials on television, ads on the internet, my friends/co-workers have something new. I believe we begin to believe if we just had something else, something newer, something bigger, etc., we would be happy. That is the lie the world is telling us because it is caught in the same trap of wanting more so it has to get your money to get more. It is a vicious cycle that never ends because there is always more to get or desire.

What is the solution? The second part of the quote is the answer. Desire less. It reminds me of what the Bible says in 1 Timothy 6:7-10. All the things we have did not come with us and are not going with us. We need to learn to be content with what we have and not always be chasing something else. The continual pursuit of more or as Timothy says “want to get rich” plunges us into ruin. I think Solomon would refer to that as vanity and chasing after the wind. We must learn that God is enough, and we can be content with whatever blessings we have in our lives. I think this is what Paul is discussing in Philippians 4:11-13. There were times in Paul’s life that the physical blessings were lean, and there were times they were abundant. Paul had learned, no matter the physical situation, to be content and that came from God. Are you content with God? Is He enough for you, no matter what you have physically?

Pray for One Another

"We can do nothing, we say sometimes, we can only pray. That, we feel, is a terribly precarious second-best. So long as we can fuss and work and rush about, so long as we can lend a hand, we have some hope; but if we have to fall back upon God — ah, then things must be critical indeed!" — A. J. Gossip

I hate to confess, but I catch myself in this position far more than I should be. Maybe you have been here as well. Someone is sick or going through a difficult time, and you ask them what you can do. Then they say something to the effect of: pray for us. I will do that or have been doing that, but is there something else I can do to help? Maybe it is because I do not believe in the power of prayer. Maybe it is because I want to do something to receive glory. Maybe it is because when I do something, I feel useful. Praying does not mow their yard, cook their meal, or any other number of things that need to be done. Let me encourage you to help mow or cook or whatever they need. Our love should show itself. But never let us think mowing a yard or fixing a green bean casserole compares to carrying someone’s name before the God of the universe.

I believe in the power of prayer because I believe in the power of the One we pray to. The Bible tells us over and over of the power of God. Whether it is the creation of the world or the resurrection of Jesus, we see God’s power over and over. Prayer is a direct appeal to the greatest power that has ever existed. He can do more than all we ask, think, or imagine. Does He always give me exactly what I ask for? No, He loves me too much to do that. The greatest thing you can do for someone is carry their name before the throne of God (Ephesians 6:18-19).

Afraid of the Snow?

My thoughts turned this week to a place I do not believe they have turned before. As I was walking through the house after dealing with the snow for multiple days on end, my thoughts turned to Proverbs thirty-one. When you think of Proverbs thirty-one, one of your first thoughts is probably the worthy woman. That is where my thoughts turned. You might be thinking: this is not Mother’s Day, why are you thinking about Proverbs thirty-one? Verse twenty-one says, “She is not afraid of the snow for her household, For all her household are clothed with scarlet.” As I walked around in the house, warm and well-fed, I thought about my wife.

First and foremost, all glory to God. We would not have anything if He did not bless us (Acts 17:24-25). I realize that I am the primary bread winner, and without a job, we would have no funds. (Thanks for employing me!) She does a wonderful job managing what I bring home. We did not have to rush to the grocery store because we did not have enough for a couple of days. She went just to pick up some things we wanted. I believe if a blizzard hit our area without warning, our family would be ok. That is in large part to my wife managing our household so well.

Verse ten of Proverbs thirty-one says, “An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels.” I believe we have many ladies in the congregation who would fit into this category. How many families were warm and filled during this last snow storm? Verse twenty-eight says, “Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her; saying.”

Husbands, were you warm and well-fed? Did you say thank you? Were your children taken good care of even after a long day of sledding? Did they say thank you? The end of verse thirty-one says, “And let her works praise her in the gates.” Today, we praise you in this article. Thank you.