I Have All that I Need – Pt. 3

Principles one and two of The Westminster Catechism say that man’s purpose in life is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever; and the Bible, Old and New Testament, is the Word of God that instructs us on how to carry out our designated purpose.

   

Some commands tell us that we should:

• Love God and others more than we love ourselves (Matthew 22: 36-40) 
• Be willing to forgo selfish ambition for the sake of others (Philippians 2:3); even those who have wronged us, and we must do it without complaint. (1 Thessalonians 5:15-17)
• Focus our energies on taking the good news of God’s Kingdom to a dying world instead of worrying about our daily needs; that our Father knows our needs and will provide them without an appeal from us.  (Matthew 6: 25-34)
• Accept that though we love God we will experience adversities, and believe that in the end these are for our benefit and God’s glory; that God’s Name and our welfare are God’s priority; that He loves each of us uniquely and completely and will never abandon us. (Romans 8:28-39)
• Choose always to follow God’s directions since His wisdom far outweighs ours (Isaiah 55:9) and we could trust Him to lead us to great success (Proverbs 3: 5-7) because His plans for us are not for evil, but to give as a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11)

These all ask us to comply and cooperate with God’s will instead of asserting our own – to put God first and to follow Christ Jesus who loved us enough to die for us. “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:23-24. This is not impossible for a child of God, as the Father Himself will “…equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ.” Hebrews 13:21.

With God’s help and the Holy Spirit, we can give up striving after possessions that do not satisfy but bring so much physical, mental and spiritual chaos into our lives. Our reward then will be freedom to rediscover our true purpose in life, to love God and to serve Him and with joy.

Christian author Joshua Becker wrote an article recently for Christianity Today Magazine titled 

5 Surprising Spiritual Benefits of Owning Less Stuff - Minimalism was meant to help our finances. Here’s how it helped our faith. Written from personal experience, Mr. Becker’s shows us that we can have a fuller life with fewer possessions and that contentment is essential for true happiness.

Clutter is not our Calling; the abundant life in Christ is, and that is all we need!

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy and Everlasting Father, we praise you our Jehovah-Jireh and Faithful Provider, GOD who is always with us. You are the Good Shepherd who gave His life for His sheep and you are our Abba Father. We thank you that in you and because of you, we lack nothing; thank you for Jesus Christ, the good and perfect gift you prepared for us before the beginning of time; we thank you that you alone can satisfy, you are living water that restore our souls. We thank you for the Holy Spirit that sanctifies us and teaches us to abide in our Savior so we can bear much fruit for your honor and your glory. Teach us to always make you our greatest delight, to seek your face and your righteousness, to be anxious for nothing and to trust you who always provide above and beyond what we could ever imagine. Teach us that the good life is not about what we own but about who we are, children of God who obey your Word and do your will. You are truly a good, good Father, and we love you. To you, Father, be dominion and power for ever and ever. We pray and ask all things in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile