“Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.” Proverbs 15:16-17 Recently my Daily Bible reading included the story of Ahab and his desire to obtain the vineyard of Naboth.…
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want, Psalm 23:1 This is the time of year when a lot of us can feel triggered when we scroll through Instagram. Impeccably decorated homes, seemingly perfect family gatherings, and opulent holiday trips can cause us to look around at our messy…
“But 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 raiment let us be therewith content.” I Timothy 6:6-8 I like the way Max Lucado describes the word content in his book, In…
“Beware that you do not forget the LORD your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes which I command you today, lest—when you have eaten and are full, and have built beautiful houses and dwell in them, and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver…
But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge…
“I thought to myself, ‘Come now, I will try self-indulgent pleasure to see if it is worthwhile.’ But I found that it also is futile” (Ecclesiastes 2:1, New English Translation). Many people live with the belief that “things” make us happy. The more things we possess, the happier we become.…
Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways. (Psalm 119:37, ESV) Peter turned to watch the wind churn big waves. Lot’s wife looked back to see her city in flames. David peered across rooftops and found momentary pleasure. Eve looked on the fruit and…
“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” (Philippians 4:11 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible) This morning as I read this scripture I asked myself, “What does contentment really look like?” I know…
“The center of the word “life” is if? If I get that promotion… If my husband doesn’t get sick… If my children behave… If I had a bigger house… If it doesn’t rain tomorrow…
Life is full of uncertainties. Instead of enjoying life, we often tread water, wallowing in worries about the future. We delay enjoying our spouses, children, homes, and friends until the perfect time that may never come.
Why take a vacation, if it’s not the perfect vacation? My furniture is worn, I can’t possibly entertain! I’m overweight, no one wants to be my friend.
Life doesn’t come with guarantees. Until we can be happy in the middle of the “if’s,” we will never really experience life.
Prayer: Dear Lord, You’ve told us to be content with what we have (Hebrews 13:5). Thank you for each blessing. We want to really “live” our lives. With Your help, we can.
Devotion by Bonnie Peacock