Be Thankful For What You Have...

"Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." 

Hebrews 13:5

Are you truly content with the things that you have? This is not to mean that you are satisfied with your standing, but that you appreciate everything that is in your life and don’t take them for granted… Today’s focus verse reminds us of the importance to be content with the things that we have or else we will become susceptible to coveting the things that our neighbor has… To covet means to desire, want or long for; when you covet something all your focus turns to obtaining that particular position or object and really leaves you vulnerable to losing what you already have… As a child of God we stand in faith that “he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee…”We don’t covet the possessions of our neighbors simply because we believe that in our faith in God, He will supply all of our needs…  When one takes on the mindset of coveting, they really expose themselves to all the devices and snares of the enemy… The minute you turn to material things you lose sight of God; this is one of the very reasons why Moses received one of the Ten Commandments which spoke to coveting… "You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” God indeed is in the blessing business (as I often hear people say), but you must first take care of the little you have (be content) and allow God to provide the abundance…  In taking care of the little things you have and appreciating all that you have; the quickest way that this is evident is in your speech… It never ceases to amaze me how many people constantly complain about what they don’t have and then in the next breath wonder why God has not open the door to their abundance…

You may not have the mansion; however, you should be thankful that you have a place to call home and not a shelter or a curb… You might not have a fancy car, but it sure is nice to get to work in 20-30 minutes instead of an hour and half by bus… “Let your conversation be without covetousness…” means that you apply the same rules and principles that Paul laid out in is his letter to the church of Philippi; it is in the 2^nd chapter, 14^th and 15^th verses that you will find these words recorded… “Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky” Understand today that as a child of God you are held to a higher standard in are called to think not as the world thinks but to walk in faith… Notice that when you do things without grumblings and arguing that Paul says “Then you will shine among them…” The Lord is ready to open up doors, He’s ready to increase your territory; however, you must stop the complaints and learn to be content… You must stop coveting what others have and become disgruntle towards your creator… When you accept your position and rely on the Lord you will come to know the power that He possesses and the words penned in the 75^th psalm “For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another…” will come to life in your life as you begin to reach the heights and peeks that only can be obtained through Christ… God is in control and His plan is flawless... Your promotion comes from above; God is looking down on you and when you stop looking at others and start looking at Him, He is assure to bless you...Today’s message is simple, stop complaining and start trusting… The sooner you trust Him, the sooner you will realize that “the plans He has for you are not to harm you but to prosper you… To give you hope and a future…” There is a quote I have often heard that really has sunk deep down inside of me; the quote says “appreciate what you have today, before you realize how much it meant to you when it’s gone…” Your life could always be worse, there is someone looking at your life and they would love to be in your shoes… Be thankful and content with where you are and what you have… Tomorrow is not promised; this saying doesn’t just apply to life, but it also applies to your personal belongings…

BE BLESSED!!!