There was a calm sweetness in the air, even though it was quite crisp. The stillness itself was almost loud.”
–D.C. Adkisson (The Outlaws of Boulder Canyon)
“…The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb. By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.”
–Psalm 19:9-11 (NIV)
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What is a fulfilled life? Is it having your “barns full” so to speak like the rich man we read about in Luke 12. Jesus tells the story” “So he said, “I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, and be merry.”‘ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” (18-21, NKJV) “Fool!” What a scary thought when God calls someone a fool; it should make us tremble and ponder our lives. It doesn’t stop with the words of Jesus as Paul wrote Timothy, “Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” (1 Timothy 6:17-19, NKJV)
Wealth, fame, and power seek those who live for themselves and for the world. On the other hand there are those who believe that when they come to Christ life will be boring, dull, a disappointing life. Ha, nothing could be further from the truth! Ask Luther, Tyndale, J. Hudson Taylor, Livingstone, and a host of others if they had a dull existence. To live for Christ is to be a warrior, courageous and constant in battle and in daily life. Dull–far from it.
Know this, we have a good and generous Father. Matthew relates, “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” (7:11, NKJV) Do you enjoy watching your children unwrap their presents at Christmas or birthday time? One of the best presents are those you give unexpectedly. Our heavenly Father delights in caring for His children and enjoys giving them blessings. On top of that He loves to watch us as we enjoy and use those blessings.
Alistair Begg writes, “The Christian standard is not one of austerity or asceticism, nor consumption or consumerism. No, we are guided by God’s word to set our hopes on God and to enjoy all He gives us as good gifts from Him. This approach to life leads us to a wellspring of unending joy.” We don’t have to keep up with the Joneses for we are really ahead of them. We have a good and gracious Father who sees to our needs. We don’t have to have the best car or the newest phone to have happiness. No, we “have found His grace is all complete, He supplieth every need…” (B.E. Warren)
Perhaps we may have to forgo certain creature comforts in this life, and we should step away from worldly pleasures, but know this–untold riches await us in glory. Never “believe the lie that life following Jesus gives you less than you would otherwise have enjoyed.” (Begg) Now this day, and all days that we follow Jesus we have “joy unspeakable and full of glory.” (Warren) So expect those wonderful gifts from the Father. Remember, you are His child. Walk in obedience, hold His hand, and live expectantly and triumphantly in His grace knowing that He cares for you. Oh, the words of that hymn by W.C. Martin are indeed real, “The half cannot be fancied, this side the golden shore; O there He’ll be still sweeter than He ever was before.”
“…The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb. By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.”
–Psalm 19:9-11 (NIV)
—————————
What is a fulfilled life? Is it having your “barns full” so to speak like the rich man we read about in Luke 12. Jesus tells the story” “So he said, “I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, and be merry.”‘ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” (18-21, NKJV) “Fool!” What a scary thought when God calls someone a fool; it should make us tremble and ponder our lives. It doesn’t stop with the words of Jesus as Paul wrote Timothy, “Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” (1 Timothy 6:17-19, NKJV)
Wealth, fame, and power seek those who live for themselves and for the world. On the other hand there are those who believe that when they come to Christ life will be boring, dull, a disappointing life. Ha, nothing could be further from the truth! Ask Luther, Tyndale, J. Hudson Taylor, Livingstone, and a host of others if they had a dull existence. To live for Christ is to be a warrior, courageous and constant in battle and in daily life. Dull–far from it.
Know this, we have a good and generous Father. Matthew relates, “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” (7:11, NKJV) Do you enjoy watching your children unwrap their presents at Christmas or birthday time? One of the best presents are those you give unexpectedly. Our heavenly Father delights in caring for His children and enjoys giving them blessings. On top of that He loves to watch us as we enjoy and use those blessings.
Alistair Begg writes, “The Christian standard is not one of austerity or asceticism, nor consumption or consumerism. No, we are guided by God’s word to set our hopes on God and to enjoy all He gives us as good gifts from Him. This approach to life leads us to a wellspring of unending joy.” We don’t have to keep up with the Joneses for we are really ahead of them. We have a good and gracious Father who sees to our needs. We don’t have to have the best car or the newest phone to have happiness. No, we “have found His grace is all complete, He supplieth every need…” (B.E. Warren)
Perhaps we may have to forgo certain creature comforts in this life, and we should step away from worldly pleasures, but know this–untold riches await us in glory. Never “believe the lie that life following Jesus gives you less than you would otherwise have enjoyed.” (Begg) Now this day, and all days that we follow Jesus we have “joy unspeakable and full of glory.” (Warren) So expect those wonderful gifts from the Father. Remember, you are His child. Walk in obedience, hold His hand, and live expectantly and triumphantly in His grace knowing that He cares for you. Oh, the words of that hymn by W.C. Martin are indeed real, “The half cannot be fancied, this side the golden shore; O there He’ll be still sweeter than He ever was before.”