August 21st deliberatePeople. post by Phil and Heather Joel + today's dP reading schedule:
Tuesday, August 21, 2012 Job 1:1-3:26 / 1 Corinthians 14:1-19 / Psalm 37:12-29 / Proverbs 21:25-26
Standout Verse:
Psalm 37:16
“ A little that a righteous man has is better than the riches of many wicked.”
It‘s always good to stop and take a look at what it is we value. It can be a hard task in this crazy world we live in which tells us that success in life is measured by our bank accounts, the size of our homes, the school we attend, and the clothes we wear. The crazier thing is, we find ourselves taking the bait as we strive to measure our worth by these same standards. When we don’t match up, we are left “wanting”, insecure and unsatisfied. If we do match up, we can find ourselves resting in a false sense of security, doing all we can to “hang on”, keep up appearances and maintain our “success”.
The thing is, it takes a HUGE amount of TIME, ENERGY and MENTAL FOCUS to keep up with the ever-changing value system the world advertises. And, if we buy into what it is selling, we will find ourselves running on an ever-spinning “hamster wheel” trying to satisfy ourselves while the most important things (The REAL GOLD and RICHES) are waiting on the sidelines neglected.
God’s measuring stick of TRUE RICHES AND SUCCESS have nothing to do with what the world tells us to value – He loves simple, uncomplicated living: Seeking first the Kingdom of God (our relationship with Him – His heart for us, others and the world); allowing that to change the way we see all of our relationships (marriage, parenting, friendships, the world around us).
If these are the things we are pursing wholeheartedly, we’ll experience real joy, true peace, close friendships and deep purpose - we’ve already won the GOLD!
Reader Comments (1)
Yep. You guys are living proof of that peace : )
Job 2:9-10
"Then his wife said to him, 'Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die!' But he said to her, 'You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?' In all this Job did not sin with his lips."
It takes humility to accept the bad with the good, in this life. You mentioned 'keeping up the appearance' of success. It's hard to do that when troubles come. But when we can accept the fact that there is both blessings and difficult circumstances, in this life, we acknowledge that we are not the ones who are really in control. It is those trying times that may drive us to purse God, even more. And the result is hearing His voice, following his lead, and eventually...peace.
We may not see what God is going to do with the pain and the losses...yet. I'm still not there, yet : ) Maybe on the other side of glory, or years from now, I'll know. But its ok--one day at a time. That's about all we can handle, sometimes-LOL.