For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Godliness with contentment is great gain. 1 Timothy 6:6
Here's one guy's thoughts on it...
When I was shopping for engagement rings, I spent many hours looking for exactly the right diamond. I was plagued by the thought, What if I miss the best one?
According to economic psychologist Barry Schwartz, my chronic indecision indicates that I am what he calls a “maximizer,” in contrast to a “satisficer.” A satisficer makes choices based on whether something is adequate for their needs. Maximizers? We have a need to always make the best choice (guilty!). The potential outcome of our indecision in the face of many choices? Anxiety, depression, and discontent. In fact, sociologists have coined another phrase for this phenomenon: fear of missing out.
We won’t find the words maximizer or satisficer in Scripture, of course. But we do find a similar idea. In 1 Timothy, Paul challenged Timothy to find value in God rather than the things of this world. The world’s promises of fulfillment can never fully deliver. Paul wanted Timothy to instead root his identity in God: “Godliness with contentment is great gain” (6:6). Paul sounds like a satisficer when he adds, “But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that” (v. 8).
When I fixate on the myriad ways the world promises fulfillment, I usually end up restless and unsatisfied. But when I focus on God and relinquish my compulsive urge to maximize, my soul moves toward genuine contentment and rest.
In some ways this echoes something I have tried to instill into my boys their entire life so far. Know the difference between what you want and what you need.
James 3:13-16
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
"Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life."
John 5:24
"Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." - Proverbs 27:17
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
Ephesians 2:8-9
"Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." - Proverbs 27:17
"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
"Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." - Proverbs 27:17
The first photograph of a living person was taken by Louis Daguerre in 1838. The photo depicts a figure on an otherwise empty avenue in Paris in the middle of an afternoon. But there’s an apparent mystery about it; the street and sidewalks should have been bustling with the traffic of carriages and pedestrians at that time of day, yet none can be seen.
The man wasn’t alone. People and horses were there on the busy Boulevard du Temple, the popular area where the photo was taken. They just didn’t show up in the picture. The exposure time to process the photograph (known as a Daguerreotype) took seven minutes to capture an image, which had to be motionless during that time. It appears that the man on the sidewalk was the sole person photographed because he was the only one standing still—he was having his boots shined.
Sometimes stillness accomplishes what motion and effort can’t. God tells His people in Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God.” Even when nations are “in uproar” (v. 6) and “the earth” shakes (v. 2), those who quietly trust in Him will discover in Him “an ever-present help in trouble” (v. 1).
The Hebrew verb rendered “be still” can also be translated “cease striving.” When we rest in God instead of relying on our limited efforts, we discover Him to be our unassailable “refuge and strength” (v. 1).
By James Banks
Heavenly Father, please help me to trust in You and to rest in the quiet awareness of Your unfailing love. How will I “show up” for God by being still before Him today?
That's also the root of Zen and Tao, wisdom comes dressed in many different garbs when it is an expression of a truth. When it is not the case it probably isn't truth....
@peter4jc said:
The first photograph of a living person was taken by Louis Daguerre in 1838. The photo depicts a figure on an otherwise empty avenue in Paris in the middle of an afternoon. But there’s an apparent mystery about it; the street and sidewalks should have been bustling with the traffic of carriages and pedestrians at that time of day, yet none can be seen.
The man wasn’t alone. People and horses were there on the busy Boulevard du Temple, the popular area where the photo was taken. They just didn’t show up in the picture. The exposure time to process the photograph (known as a Daguerreotype) took seven minutes to capture an image, which had to be motionless during that time. It appears that the man on the sidewalk was the sole person photographed because he was the only one standing still—he was having his boots shined.
Sometimes stillness accomplishes what motion and effort can’t. God tells His people in Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God.” Even when nations are “in uproar” (v. 6) and “the earth” shakes (v. 2), those who quietly trust in Him will discover in Him “an ever-present help in trouble” (v. 1).
The Hebrew verb rendered “be still” can also be translated “cease striving.” When we rest in God instead of relying on our limited efforts, we discover Him to be our unassailable “refuge and strength” (v. 1).
By James Banks
Heavenly Father, please help me to trust in You and to rest in the quiet awareness of Your unfailing love. How will I “show up” for God by being still before Him today?
Not a scripture verse, but a meaningful quote, from a book by Max Lucado.
Come with me to the most populated prison in the world. Its name is WANT – the prison of want.
You’ve seen her prisoners. They want something bigger. Nicer. Faster. Thinner. They want a new job. A new house. A new spouse. If you feel better when you have more and worse when you have less, you’re in the prison of want. If your happiness comes from something you deposit, drive, drink, or digest, then face it – you’re in the prison of want.
The good news is, you have a visitor: the psalmist David. “I have a secret to tell you,” he whispers, “the secret of satisfaction.” From Psalm 23:1, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” David found a place where discontent goes to die. It’s as if he’s saying, “What I have in God is greater than what I don’t have in this life.” Think you and I could learn to say the same?
1 My heart is not proud, Lord,
my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
or things too wonderful for me.
2 But I have calmed and quieted myself,
I am like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child I am content.
3 Israel, put your hope in the Lord
both now and forevermore.
For ye, brethren, were called for freedom; only use not your freedom for an occasion to the flesh, but through love be servants one to another.
Galatians 5:13 ASV
Don't let the wife know what you spend on guns, ammo or cigars.
Comments
"The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light."
Romans 13:12
"Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." - Proverbs 27:17
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."
Jeremiah 29:11
"Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." - Proverbs 27:17
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:17-18
Godliness with contentment is great gain. 1 Timothy 6:6
Here's one guy's thoughts on it...
When I was shopping for engagement rings, I spent many hours looking for exactly the right diamond. I was plagued by the thought, What if I miss the best one?
According to economic psychologist Barry Schwartz, my chronic indecision indicates that I am what he calls a “maximizer,” in contrast to a “satisficer.” A satisficer makes choices based on whether something is adequate for their needs. Maximizers? We have a need to always make the best choice (guilty!). The potential outcome of our indecision in the face of many choices? Anxiety, depression, and discontent. In fact, sociologists have coined another phrase for this phenomenon: fear of missing out.
We won’t find the words maximizer or satisficer in Scripture, of course. But we do find a similar idea. In 1 Timothy, Paul challenged Timothy to find value in God rather than the things of this world. The world’s promises of fulfillment can never fully deliver. Paul wanted Timothy to instead root his identity in God: “Godliness with contentment is great gain” (6:6). Paul sounds like a satisficer when he adds, “But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that” (v. 8).
When I fixate on the myriad ways the world promises fulfillment, I usually end up restless and unsatisfied. But when I focus on God and relinquish my compulsive urge to maximize, my soul moves toward genuine contentment and rest.
By Adam Holz
In some ways this echoes something I have tried to instill into my boys their entire life so far. Know the difference between what you want and what you need.
Our consumer culture bombards us with the word "more" and has banished the word "enough".
James 3:13-16
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."
John 14:6
"Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." - Proverbs 27:17
"Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life."
John 5:24
"Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." - Proverbs 27:17
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
Ephesians 2:8-9
"Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." - Proverbs 27:17
"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
"Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." - Proverbs 27:17
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven."
Matthew 7:21
"Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." - Proverbs 27:17
Wait..... I thought I only had to ask for forgiveness..... I'm screwed.
You still have time...probably.
"Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." - Proverbs 27:17
My disagree lol
^There's time until there's not brother
https://aeon.co/essays/how-heaven-became-a-place-among-the-stars
If the Lord allows me through his gates, based on my actions here on earth, I will shall gladly join him.
Spelling
This was an interesting read, Edward. Thank you for sharing it and giving my mind something to chew on.
"Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." - Proverbs 27:17
Job 13:15
Though He slay me, yet I will trust Him. Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him.
The first photograph of a living person was taken by Louis Daguerre in 1838. The photo depicts a figure on an otherwise empty avenue in Paris in the middle of an afternoon. But there’s an apparent mystery about it; the street and sidewalks should have been bustling with the traffic of carriages and pedestrians at that time of day, yet none can be seen.
The man wasn’t alone. People and horses were there on the busy Boulevard du Temple, the popular area where the photo was taken. They just didn’t show up in the picture. The exposure time to process the photograph (known as a Daguerreotype) took seven minutes to capture an image, which had to be motionless during that time. It appears that the man on the sidewalk was the sole person photographed because he was the only one standing still—he was having his boots shined.
Sometimes stillness accomplishes what motion and effort can’t. God tells His people in Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God.” Even when nations are “in uproar” (v. 6) and “the earth” shakes (v. 2), those who quietly trust in Him will discover in Him “an ever-present help in trouble” (v. 1).
The Hebrew verb rendered “be still” can also be translated “cease striving.” When we rest in God instead of relying on our limited efforts, we discover Him to be our unassailable “refuge and strength” (v. 1).
By James Banks
Heavenly Father, please help me to trust in You and to rest in the quiet awareness of Your unfailing love. How will I “show up” for God by being still before Him today?
That's also the root of Zen and Tao, wisdom comes dressed in many different garbs when it is an expression of a truth. When it is not the case it probably isn't truth....
In for the assist...
Not a scripture verse, but a meaningful quote, especially with today being Good Friday...
“The Cross proclaims that we are more broken than we can imagine and more loved than we can fathom.” Randy Remington
Not a scripture verse, but a meaningful quote, from a book by Max Lucado.
Come with me to the most populated prison in the world. Its name is WANT – the prison of want.
You’ve seen her prisoners. They want something bigger. Nicer. Faster. Thinner. They want a new job. A new house. A new spouse. If you feel better when you have more and worse when you have less, you’re in the prison of want. If your happiness comes from something you deposit, drive, drink, or digest, then face it – you’re in the prison of want.
The good news is, you have a visitor: the psalmist David. “I have a secret to tell you,” he whispers, “the secret of satisfaction.” From Psalm 23:1, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” David found a place where discontent goes to die. It’s as if he’s saying, “What I have in God is greater than what I don’t have in this life.” Think you and I could learn to say the same?
And this:
There is no greater misfortune than greed.
[Tao Te Ching chapter 46]
Psalm 131
A song of ascents. Of David.
1 My heart is not proud, Lord,
my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
or things too wonderful for me.
2 But I have calmed and quieted myself,
I am like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child I am content.
3 Israel, put your hope in the Lord
both now and forevermore.
For ye, brethren, were called for freedom; only use not your freedom for an occasion to the flesh, but through love be servants one to another.
Galatians 5:13 ASV
Don't let the wife know what you spend on guns, ammo or cigars.
But let justice flow like water, and righteousness, like an unfailing stream.
Amos 5:24 HCSB
Don't let the wife know what you spend on guns, ammo or cigars.