Title: Two Things That Are On My Mind
Text:
1 Corinthians 1:4 (NLT)
4 I always thank my God for you and for the gracious gifts he has given you, now that you belong to Christ Jesus.
Hebrews 13:5-6 (HCSB)
5 Your life should be free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for He Himself has said, I will never leave you or forsake you.
6 Therefore, we may boldly say: The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
Observation:
These two scripture have been on my mind within the past 24 hours. So, to work them into my heart I decided to write about them this morning.
The first scripture came to my mind as I read a chapter from a book about marriage. The author wrote about the problem of contempt in marriage that results when the couple looks at each others shortcomings. This focus results in a chain of contempt.
The second scripture came to my mind as I was listening to the daily scripture and prayer this morning.The focus of today's prayer was for contentment.
Can you have contentment in your life if you have contempt for other people who are made in the image of God? Of course sin has marred God's plan, and He has declared that all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.
The members of the church that Paul wrote to had many shortcomings. However, this did not stop Paul from being grateful for them. Paul was grateful for what God had done for them in Jesus Christ.
If you want to break the chain of contempt that you have for others, why not take the attitude that Jesus had for sinners. He embraced them, he went to their homes, he had dinner with them, and He even called some of them to be His disciples.
Showing gratitude and giving honor to people in spite of their shortcomings will break the chain of contempt in your heart. Why not cooperate with God in His desire to make you more holy; it may not make you happy, but pleasing God is better than being happy.
Remember that happiness is dependent upon right things happening, and happiness is for a season. But, pleasing God will give you joy, and you can have joy all the time.
Prayer:
Father, hallowed be Your name. Father, I pray that You will give all of Your children a burning desire to be pleasing in Your eyes.
Father, help us to slay the dragon of contempt by cultivating the attitude of gratitude, and receive the blessing of contentment that You delight to give to Your children. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
Isaiah 55:11 (KJV)
11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
Read the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:
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