Today is July 14th

May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way.

Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”

Today’s reading is from the book of 1st Timothy, chapter 6.

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

How are you feeling as this week comes to a close? This passage speaks of contentment, and the pursuit of righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness…. Vs the pursuit of a lot of other things that might come out of a lack of contentment… As yourself: am I in a place of contentment today? If not, why?

It seems like Paul is saying that the good fight of faith can be seen as the pursuit of the right things… kingdom things instead of worldly things… eternal life instead of living-in-the-moment… and contentment, instead of the search for bigger, better, faster, and more. Listen in again for what Paul is calling ‘great gain’…

I think that in order to maintain a spirit of contentment, we need proper perspective. We need to focus on ‘have’ vs ‘want’. If our eyes are always set on our ‘wants’… we lose perspective and live out of unmet desires, or lusts. If we are, on the other hand, content with our ‘haves’ we can live out of a place of sufficiency and enoughness… but God’s. What are your eyes on more? Wants, or haves? End prayer today by asking God to give you His perspective, and to help you focus on those things that Paul would call ‘great gain’ for your faith.

Music Credit:
Surrendered In Praise - Vineyard Worship (YouTube)