Joyful living...
@Zelmarq (12585)
Cebu City, Philippines
July 9, 2008 9:18pm CST
Sharing this what I read from our daily bread.
Our search for joy takes us many different directions—dream holidays, shopping, food, clothes, friends, cars—the list is almost endless.
My guess is that if you perked up at the mention of shopping, holidays, or cars, you might have felt a twinge of guilt. We often view the joy of temporal things as less than spiritual and show our discomfort by apologizing for nice things: “I wouldn’t have bought this, but someone gave me a wonderful deal.” As if real Christians never eat quiche, drive cool cars, or wear designer clothes!
No doubt God’s greatest gift to us is our relationship with His Son Jesus. It’s a gift beyond comparison. Jesus promised that when we abide in Him we will experience the fulfillment of His joy (John 15:11), and without that kind of deep, abiding joy the rest of life is mundane at best.
But Scripture also casts the joy of the Lord in terms of temporal things. The enjoyment of “things” can be a positive spiritual experience. When we recognize that He “gives us richly all things to enjoy” (1 Tim. 6:17) and that “every good gift . . . is from above” (James 1:17), our hearts should be full of thankfulness and praise. This, in and of itself, is an act of worship! Enjoy the Giver and the gifts. — Joe Stowell
1 person likes this
2 responses
@r_yuen (332)
• Indonesia
10 Jul 08
Hi zelmarq.
It's a nice discussion you started here. I agree that we have to be thankful for all God has done for us. We don't need to worry for what are we going to wear tomorrow or what are we going to eat tomorrow. God has took a good care and provided us.
My Pastor once said,"Pursue your life with purpose, not by your needs." Meaning, when we look for needs, it'll never ends. We work with $3,000 / month. The next we want $5,000 / month. As our pay increase and so does our expense and needs. We begin to look for more comfortable way to enjoy our life. Look to buy wonderful clothes. Look to own a bigger house. Look to drive a luxurious car. Nothing of this will end. At the end, we won't feel enough by just having what we have.
By having a purpose that our live is to be a blessing for others, to be the God's best disciple, we live our life they way God want us to be.
We are given a big house, let's use it for our church member to pray and worship. We are given a car, let's use it wisely to pick up or send back our friends from church. God want us to be rich and He want us to use it to bring His Kingdom to earth.
Look for the Kingdom of God and His truth and everything shall be provided for you. I think that's the best phrase and basic principle that I want to live in my life.
God bless. :)
1 person likes this
@faith210 (11224)
• Philippines
10 Jul 08
Hi Zelmarq! I completely agree with that and I am so thankful that you have reminded me of such kind of attitude that we should all have somehow. It will be God's Grace also to learn from that and be thankful for everything that we could pick up from each others' discussions, lessons that can uplift our spirits and make our life change for the better. I have always been thankful for the material things I am blessed with and I am still praying for more. haha.."For all I have been blessed and learned, from all that I have suffered and conquered..May God be Glorified."
Take care and God Bless!
1 person likes this
