Life's Simple Pleasures

Many people question my sanity. I am weird by their way of thinking. I have two pair of shoes - one for home and one for dress. I buy all my clothes at the thrift store or clearance racks. I make my own jewelry, unless it is a gift. I clean my own home and cook most of our meals myself from scratch.

My husband has this same mindset. We have basic cable; we live in a trailer without a mortgage, instead of an expensive house; and we do not pay exorbitant amounts of money for entertainment. He even makes his own Folgers coffee at home.

We have no expensive "toys", but spend our free time walking in nature and rocking on the front porch. We have one car and paid no interest on it. We also take staycations instead of lavish trips - of course, it helps that we already live in Florida.

We live below our means, tithe even on financial gifts and bonuses, and share our savings with missionaries and the needy in our community and around the world. Why do we do this? Do we have a spirit of poverty or a martyr complex?

We simply came to the realization that we are not of this world (1 John 2:15-17; Romans 12:2; 1 Corinthians 9:19-23). We find joy in life's simple pleasures and would prefer to spend time with people than things. We have no desire to partake in the allurement of this world; it does not interest us at all.

We find more joy in listening to worship music, writing our devotional blogs, discussing God's Word, ministering in our local church and being involved in our community, so that God can open doors for us for His divine appointments.

We are Saints, not because of our habits, attitude and focus, but due to what Christ did for us on Calvary's cross. Our chosen lifestyle is a result of His character and nature within us. He gave us the mind of Christ, and we love what He loves and are not interested in the excesses of this life.

Prayer: Father God, whatever we do, it is for Your glory, even something as mundane as eating and drinking (1 Corinthians 10:31). You do care about what we eat and drink, because You want us to care for our body, which is Your temple (1 Corinthians 6:19). You bring health to our bones (Proverbs 3:8).

In the beginning, we loved You because You first loved us (1 John 4:19). Then, we gradually grew deeper in love with You until we can honestly say, "Though You slay me; yet, I will serve You" (Job 13:15). This is when we knew that we are living in union with You alone (1 Corinthians 10:31). We enjoy serving You, our Savior, who are also our help and deliverer.

Thought for the Day:

The good things in life often become the enemy of the best things; let those who love God's salvation magnify Him with our body, spirit and soul - thoughts, choices and emotions - so that we do not partake in the excesses of this world. 

- Psalm 70

Answers to Life's Questions

There are several questions that every human being wants answered. Who are we? Where did we come from? What are we here for? Where are we going? Scientists, philosophers and researchers spend inordinate amounts of time looking for answers.

God is the source of all of our answers. He created us as His Children, for His glory and to spend eternity with Him in His Kingdom (Galatians 3; 2 Corinthians 5; Romans 8).

Everyone who chooses to believe in Christ and His sacrifice for us on Calvary's cross finds our true identity in Him. Those who refuse to believe condemn themselves to eternal darkness (John 3:16-18).

God is constantly perfecting us by His Spirit who abides in our spirit. He takes away our desire to sin, and it no longer appeals to us. We are alive to God and we desire intimacy with Him more than the temporal pleasures of sin.

God's Spirit helps us to walk away from our weakness and addictions. He searches our heart and knows our mind and prays for us according to the will of God (Romans 8:26-27).

We are Born Again by the blood of the Lamb, and God's Spirit replaces the carnal nature in our soul with the divine nature of Christ. Our eternal destination is heaven (2 Peter 1:3-4).

Jesus swallowed up death, and gave us the victory through His resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:54; Isaiah 25:8). What the world views as the finality of death is actually the ultimate victory for God's children.

Leaving this earth is to our benefit, because God rejoices in the death of His Saints (Romans 8:28; Psalm 116:15). In truth, there is greater advantage for us to go Home to the glory of Heaven than to continue living here on this sin-cursed earth (Philippians 1:21).

Prayer:

Father God, thank You for making us a new creation in Christ, for filling our life with Your peace and joy, and for exchanging our sin for the righteousness of Jesus Christ. Through His resurrection, we have assurance by Your Spirit of enjoying everlasting life with You both now and for eternity.

You rescue us from violence and deceit, because we are precious in Your sight (Psalm 72:14). Your mercy and grace are our mainstays and ground us in this life with stability and normalcy, which only You can give. We cling to Your promises and enjoy the divine nature of Christ in us (2 Peter 1:4). Continue to mold us into sanctified servants for Your Holy Kingdom.

Thought for the Day:

Accepting who we are in Christ, and why we are different from those in the world, helps us to make an eternal difference in our world.

On Mission for Christ

The church is not a building, a social club or a charitable organization. It is a world-wide Body of Believers with various functions on Mission for Christ. We each have an appointed job to do for the glory of our King (Ephesians 2:10, 4:1).

We are not on this earth to amass worldly goods, but to be a missionary for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. God may give us the ability to acquire money, but it is to use for His Kingdom rather than our own pleasures.

Are you going to the grocery store? There is a divine appointment waiting for you there. Are you attending a ball game for one of your children or grandchildren? God has someone there who needs the Christ in you.

Our place of employment, neighborhood and community are our mission field. If nothing else, we can hand out our Sunday bulletin and invite someone to join us next week for a service.

If our focus is inward, our ministry team or church will self-destruct. We will develop an exclusivity mentality where other people are not welcome and growth of any kind is resisted. Backbiting, gossip and disgruntlement will grow.

Petty differences and self-centered desires will take the place of God's will for our church. We become at ease in Zion (Amos 6:1). We push God and His purposes right out of our church life, as well as our personal life.

We spend more money and time on our own pursuits than on God's calling for our life. Our focus is on having a good time and being happy rather than laying down our life and taking up our daily cross (1 John 3:16; Luke 9:23).

Our eternal reward is limited because we only seek our own pleasure during this lifetime. We want nothing to do with sacrifice or doing anything hard or unpleasant for the Lord. We might contribute toward paying for someone else to do the disagreeable chores, but we cannot be bothered.

Each small group in the Church, each ministry group like singles, seniors, or men's or women's Bible study needs a mission, as well as a time of fellowship and outings to enjoy each other's company. Let's consult God in all we say and do (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Prayer:

Father God, give us a heart of flesh in place of our heart of stone (Ezekiel 36:26). Make us a Kingdom-minded army of Believers who would rather serve You and share our testimony and Your Word with the world around us than to seek this world's riches and pleasures for our own benefit.

Prick our conscience when we get off track and focus on our self, our next vacation or the purchase of our next expensive toy; so that we do not lose our heavenly rewards. If we do not obey Your will for our life, we will have no spiritual fruit or righteous deeds. We will stand naked and ashamed at our wedding feast with King Jesus (Revelation 3:18, 19:8). 

Thought for the Day:

Christ is our whole life (Colossians 3:4); so, develop a mission-minded purpose for your life and pursue the things of God rather than what the flesh, the world and the devil have to offer; the good things in life rob us of the rewards we would receive if we focused instead on the best things, which God calls us to do.