Greetings today sisters!
Hope you're standing strong in the Lord in this wicked world. What a blessing we have to be able to have a sure foundation in Christ. So much deception and greed and self-seeking and pride and all types of sins all around us. But we sisters who have been transformed by the gospel of Jesus Christ can stand washed by His blood and strive to live holy and pure in the midst of it all can't we. We can be content with the simplicity in Christ, the freedom we have from so much bondage to sin and the snares of the world and what they value and seek after.
Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
Philippians 2:14-15
So I was thinking of how we want to be careful with the gifts and blessings the Lord gives to us. I thought of this scripture and then was pondering it all.
When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.
John 6:12
Thinking how Jesus had them gather up everything that was left from the miracle He did to feed them. We sisters too should be careful and frugal with the blessings the Lord bestows upon us. As Titus 2 keepers at home this does apply to us in that we want to be using wisdom in what we do with what we have been given; food, money, time etc. We don't want to waste or throw away good foods or other things the Lord has blessed us with. And I'm not meaning that makes us not generous towards others, no, but just to value and give God the glory for the blessings He bestows upon us and not be unthankful or misuse them.
A few more scriptures to encourage us on similar things...
He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
Proverbs 18:9
He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.
Luke 16:10
The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.
Proverbs 12:27
I love thinking about that. And we sisters treasure what the Lord blesses us with...little or much.
If we have much we know it's extra blessings the Lord has given and He can take it away.
And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.
Job 1:21
If we have little let us be content also knowing life is more than food and clothing...let alone everything else we usually have.
The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.Luke 12:23
Neither do we want to be unthankful or covetous seeking more than we really need.
And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
Luke 12:15
Maybe there are some women who think they have to make a fancy home for their husbands and children. It may be more of what they want rather than their husbands but if a woman is a godly woman with her affections set on things above and knowing the truth about this life, knowing the Word, then she will be content with whatever and careful with how she uses the blessings the Lord has given her. Perhaps the Proverbs 31 woman is a good example of one such woman looking after the needs of a household but we don't see her getting swept away in useless things but she is about food and clothing and caring for the needy.
We know the example of the children of Israel complaining about the manna they had to eat for a long time. And what God thought of that. We have so much more today don't we. And even if we had bread and water we would be grateful! A sister said it well today...
Let's never think we deserve more than simple necessities. Well we don't deserve anything do we but death for our sins but instead we are offered eternal life with the Father if we come through His Son!
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.
1 Timothy 6:6-8
We have been told to be content with food and clothing sisters. And then we can think about the many things we may have on top of that...a bed, blankets, house, technology, cars, washing machines, ovens, running water, sewing machines etc. All good and useful things but we need to be thankful and prepared to do without such things. And it's good to keep reminding ourselves of the blessings we do have. The Lord gives us good gifts and blessings and we give Him the thanks and glory for them all! We ought to!
We can get some encouragement from what apostle Paul went through...
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Philippians 4:11-13
Obviously it's our soul that is eternal so we would be wise to make sure we are in the truth and obeying the gospel at all times.
And another area is that so many are looking out for others physical needs but not caring for the people's souls. We see people reaching out to the homeless and the hungry. We see people trying to save babies lives or save lives from sickness and dangers. These are good things of course but the gospel for their souls is most important. We don't want to forget that.
So I think that is about it from me. But basically what I'm trying to encourage us sisters is to value and be faithful in the basic necessities. One day we may have much taken away and will our joy go with those things or will we continue on in thankfulness to the Lord for all He has done for us? The world attaches their joy and happiness to what they can do and get here. But we know this life is only temporary and we are to be laying up treasures in heaven and our heart will be there. What a blessing to live for eternal things and not for that which fades away amen sisters.
Pretty clouds this afternoon...
For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Colossians 1:9-10
OK sisters time for me to go! Hope your day goes well in the Lord and that you are striving on in Him. So much in this life doesn't matter to us anymore as long as we are set on things above and we are making sure we are loving the Lord with all that we are. There's so much to that command and I was pondering it this morning. We can't let any of the cares of this life overshadow our love and service to the Lord.
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
Hebrews 13:5-6
Love to you in Christ,
Sister Michaela
Find the gospel explained here.