It's a nice almost-fall day in the lower Texas hill country.  I have been working outside most of the morning at the little table in my garden and haven't felt hot once.  It's almost noon.  Of course the shade of this oak tree helps.

Resting Easy in the Lord

If you care to look back at my last post, you will see that I hadn't posted anything on here in several months before that last entry, which was about two weeks ago.  My subject that day was about how I couldn't be a warrior for Christ if I didn't load my weapons for winning the battle of spiritual warfare with the ammunition necessary:  Daily reading of the Bible.

In the past few weeks I have read my Bible just about every day.  I cannot begin to describe the WONDERS that have resulted from getting close to God through the Word on a daily basis.  Just the feelings alone that I have experienced are amazing enough.  But God has been answering my daily prayers consistently.  I haven't felt alone near as much, and the second I started feeling that way, I prayed or pulled out my Bible (I do keep it with me) and I felt immediately better!

How can anyone deny that there is a God when they experience something like that?  I am resting easy in the Lord.  I know that He is my God, that I can trust His word, and that He always has and always will love me.  I am confident that as long as I continue to glorify Him first, love and serve others second, and think about myself last, I will always have everything I need.  My family will always be taken care of as the Lord has promised.

No, it doesn't mean it will always be easy.  Sorrow is necessary in this life to bring us closer to God.  Read any of Paul's letters; God's word tells us life on earth will be hard.  BUT if we believe and have faith, we will not want for necessities.  There is a letter from Paul to Timothy that states:

"But Godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.  But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that....Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs."

1 Timothy 6:6-8.

Food and clothing.  But what about all the stuff that is thrown at me daily in advertisments?  Don't I need that stuff?  Let's see...does the passage say, "But if we have an IPOD, a 3600 square foot home, a red Lexus, a walk-in closet full of expensive designer clothes, and a membership at the club, we will be content with that."

NO NO NO!  It doesn't say any of that.  Insert your own "stuff" in a Paul-to-Timothy ad-lib type format and you will see that most of what you want to be content doesn't fall under FOOD and CLOTHING! 

And it doesn't say food at the best restaurants or clothing from Neiman's or Sacks.  It just says food and clothing.  The Bible must be read in context; you can find other passages (and I encourage you to search) that explain that Jesus advocated necessities, not extravagances.  Food means whatever it takes to keep you alive.  Clothing means whatever it takes to cover your skin. (Seems some clothing these days costs more but covers far less of the skin!)

I had a discussion with my wife today about why I get stressed over money.  Generally, my salary has no problem covering the mortgage, the cars, the food, and the necessities.  But I worry sometimes about getting behind on other bills.  Why?  Because right now we want to move into a bigger house.  To do so, we have to save money and improve our credit scores.  If I get behind on bills, those goals are hindered.

Pay attention to what I just wrote....I worry because I may not be able to pay a bill and that will hurt my credit score.  SO WHAT!  Read the passage from 1 Timothy again! 

"But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that."

I just reported that all six (yes, six) members of my family have food and clothing at all times.  SO WHY AM I WORRIED?  Because I'm giving into sin and falling into worldly wants.  Sure, we could use a bigger house because we are VERY cramped.  But do we need it?  Are we dangerously close to wandering from the faith and being "pierced with many griefs"?  Are we already there?

People die of starvation and the elements all over the world EVERY DAY.  So why should I be worried about a bigger house?  About my credit score?  Answer:  There is no reason why.  I need to be content with what the Lord has blessed me with. 

Sitting here, right now, I realize I am very close to the Holy Spirit.  The Bible is resting on my chest as I type, having just read it and soaked up God's words and instructions.  And right now in this moment, I have zero fear of anything. 

Will I be able to carry that sense of safety and comfort once I leave the sanctity of my garden, place my Bible on the shelf or in my backpack, and face the world?  In court tomorrow, as I argue my case, will I be arguing doing what is best for God and not worrying about worldly desires, or will I forget this moment I am experiencing right now?

I revel in the fact that I can work from home and watch my children grow.  But I know that I am sacrificing making more money at a firm or as a more "industrious" lawyer.  And I love it that way!  On a Wednesday morning, I can work on my computer, preparing for a trial, at the little table in my garden as my 3-month-old sits in a bouncy-seat, watching me and cooing at me. 

Why is that possible?  Because I'm not after riches.  I at least have that figured out!  I don't care for the best house, the best clothes, the best cars.  I care about serving God and spending A LOT OF QUALITY TIME with my wife and quickly growing children.  Our pastor asked us this weekend to consider what God may be asking us daily:  Is this what you want to do with your one and only life? 

YES!  I am doing what I want to be doing with my one and only life.  I am sacrificing wealth for God, family, friends. 

But...I have got to STOP WORRYING ABOUT BILLS!  I pray now that God will free me from this burden by helping me to remember Paul's letter to Timothy when I need it the most.  I pray that he will help you remember it as well.

My Father has blessed my family with food and clothing.  We should be content with that.  Only then, will we know true peace in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Until tomorrow...

Come Believe.