Do Not Covet

This past summer, I was asked to come speak to this vivacious group of young ladies! It was definitely worth the effort and I loved getting to meet each and every one. The juxtaposition of their outward diversity and yet united heart's desire was inspirational!

During our time, we talked about what contentment (a positive view on this command: Do Not Covet!) really is, why it is so important, how we can adopt a mindset of contentment, and how to apply it - not just to the really difficult trials through which we go, but to our daily lives as well.

We came to understand that contentment is both (1.) realizing God has provided everything I need for my present happiness, and (2.) knowing what is most important can never be taken away from me. 

What can never be taken away?

• God
• The Word of God (including all of His promises to believers, such as eternal life, eternal joy and eternal fellowship with Jesus Christ)

“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

The man who has God for his treasure has all things in One. Many ordinary treasures may be denied him, or if he is allowed to have them, the enjoyment of them will be so tempered that they will never be necessary to his happiness. Or if he must see them go, one after one, he will scarcely feel a sense of loss, for having the Source of all things he has in One all satisfaction, all pleasure, all delight. Whatever he may lose he has actually lost nothing, for he now has it all in One, and he has it pur ely, legitimately and forever.

- A. W. Tozer

One of the biggest lies you will ever here is, 

If I only had _________ I would be happy!

Not only is this false, it can easily retard (meaning to delay, or hold back in terms of progress, development or accomplishment) the work God has ordained YOU to do!

Our contentment can determine who we are and how far we excel.

Do what you can with what you have! There is a man named Nick Vuijic who is an incredible example of  both realizing God has provided everything he needs for his present happiness AND doing all he can with what he has. Nick was born without arms or legs, and yet leads a vibrant and contented life. He didn't have control over his circumstances, but he did have control over how to respond to them.

It is important to realize, however, that contentment should not be the fruit of comparison. This means that we should not look at a handicap like Nick's and determine that since "we have arms and we have legs, we should be happy"!  

II Corinthians 10:12 says,

"...but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. "

If our contentment has a foundation of comparison, all it will take is someone who has MORE than we do to make us discontent. 

Also, remember the significance of seasons in life. 

One of the best ways to apply contentment is to keep our hearts  in the present and not in the future. 

We talked about the power of gratitude, and the need to let go of expectations. To illustrate letting go of our expectations, each girl wrote a desire of hers on a balloon ("a horse", "a camera", "a sister", "answers"), blew it up, and then together we let go of our "expectations" and symbolically gave God our desires to deal with as He pleases.

Last evening while reading more on the command, "Do Not Covet" I was struck with how often we covet things we see. All the more reason to guard our eyes with all diligence and to not expose ourselves to things that would distract the vision that God has given for our lives (Proverbs 4:25). Think of David and Bathsheba, for example. David was just out meandering on his roof top (idleness, perhaps?) when temptation was thrust into his sight uninvited and unprovoked. We don't know when the devil will throw a fast one at us! We may be out walking along a storefront when, upon seeing an attractive picture of something, all that has already been provided for us dims in the potential of what we could have. 

The example of David and Bathsheba highlights another good point besides the influence of sight and unexpected timing (he was tempted in the middle of a common, unexciting event: walking): that we are not capable of only coveting things, but people as well. One greek word for covet is epithumeo; it refers to having strong affections directed towards someone or something and longing after it.

Will we be as the simple - tossed to and fro with the leadership of another, be they a fool or wise? The "leader" is often an advertisement, designed to make you believe you do not have all that you need to be successful in life. Don't forget - the greatest commandment is to love the Lord the God with all of your heart, soul, mind and strength and we don't need anything but life to fulfill that!

 A lovely tea party was prepared for after our meeting, and I smiled at the illustration it provided of I Timothy 6:8,

"And having food and raiment let us be therewith content."

Helpful verses to memorize:

Hebrews 13:5: By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

I Timothy 6:6-8: But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

Philippians 4:11-12: Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 

Exodus 20:17: Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.

Psalm 119:36-37: Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.

Proverbs 28:16: The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.

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Go the Second Mile!

"And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain." (Matt 5:41)

I remember the first time I learned about this verse in school. I was probably seven or eight, and I thought to myself, "Who would go a second mile if they only had to go one? That's crazy!" That's exactly what those who Jesus was speaking to probably thought. The Jews were under Roman oppression. In those days, a Roman soldier who had to travel could compel a Jewish boy to walk a mile with him and carry his heavy pack. When Jesus told the Jewish people gathered around him to go a second mile, they probably thought He was nuts! When we look at the surrounding verses, we can see that this command was given in the context of teaching on retaliation:

People have always told you to take what is taken from you, but I tell you, don't retaliate! If someone hits you, let him hit you again! If someone tries to take your coat, give him your cloak too! If one of those Romans wants you to carry his pack for a mile, take it a second mile! Give to everyone who asks of you, and as for the person who wants to borrow, don't turn him and away. (Paraphrase of Matt 5:38-42)

I think the point that Jesus was trying to make is summed up with honoring one's authority! Honor does not mean doing what you absolutely have to, but rather, what you think would delight, and please the person who is in charge! Something interesting that I discovered recently in Mr. Gothard's book (49 Secrets of Power for Living) really caught my attention as I was studying this command:

He writes "...there are two types of power when it comes to authority: first...the positional power of those who hold offices of leadership...second...the influential power of those who have close ties with leaders and can influence their decisions. The more powerful of these two is the position of influence - and this is the secret of going the second mile!"

I thought this was profound. Think about how a baby influences his parents with his adorable faces, and the things he does to make people laugh! As believers, our testimony when we go the second mile can influence our authorities...even those over us who may not be believers, or are even opposed to Christianity! Can you imagine the shock of a Roman soldier if a young Jewish boy offered to carry his heavy pack for another whole mile? A mile is a long time with a heavy backpack!!! However, the times I have applied this principal in my life, I have found that there is a new genuine love for my authority...even if I originally began with resentment and irritation! The conscience decision to go a second mile brings joy to the one who chooses to deny himself!

Recently, one of my homework assignments involved studying the Commands of Christ in chronological order! As I did so, I decided to find out which character qualities are linked to which commands. Mr. Gothard laid out the character qualities and the commands some time ago when he published his seven study guides which covered all 49 commands and it turns out that Deference is the character quality that closely relates to "Going the Second Mile."

"Deference is putting the welfare of others ahead of our own personal pleasures"
(taken from "The Power for True Success" published by IBLP)

As we think about the welfare of our authorities, and put them before ourselves, the concept of "Go the Second Mile" begins to come alive! For example, lets say you have an uncle that's unsaved. You're visiting him for the weekend, and you want to be a good testimony. He's working on some odd jobs around the house, and he asks if you want to help him for an hour or so. Your cousin is also there, but he is off doing his own thing, and unwilling to help his father. You help your uncle for an hour, and then someone comes along and says "Hey, we're going fishing...do you want to come?" You love to fish, but because your uncle is working alone, and you want to be a good testimony, you put his potential welfare (the fact that you might be able to witness to him) ahead of your desires, and decide to stay. Your uncle is surprised, and you now have the opportunity to share with him why you stayed to help.

Something I struggle with a lot is complaining about having to do jobs that seem menial, or pointless to me! I wish I had the outlook more often that a menial task, that may seem unimportant, could very possibly lead to a conversation, or even a decision for Christ on the part of those around me. If I refuse to show deference, I am saying, "The things that I am interested in are more important than your eternal welfare." That is certainly not the message I desire to communicate to others. When I think about the person I want to be, it is often very different than the person I usually am. This seems to be a problem for more than one person (me)! When I think I can do it...I really can't! So, what are some practical ways to apply the command to "Go the Second Mile"? After all...it's a command, not a choice!

• If you offend someone, don't just apologize, but if possible, make restitution!
• If you're asked to fold one basket of laundry, get all the laundry through (a personal favorite of mine :-D)!
• If you see a mother juggling way too much for one person, don't just pick up what she dropped, see if you can help her to her destination!
• Don't just hand out a tract...ask the person if they want to hear about it!
• When you find out about a prayer need, don't just write it down...pray about it!
• You listen to a sermon every Sunday...don't just listen...make life application!
• If you're asked to do something, try doing it for double the time that was requested!
• Defer your right to do something exciting so someone else can go who might have had to stay back.

A few months ago, our family was going to go rafting. I have a two-year-old brother, and he wasn't old enough to go yet. My mom had never been, and she really wanted to try it, but she was worried about the baby. There was only one solution. I would have to be the one to stay back, because none of the other older kids could be alone that long, and my dad was the only one who knew how to steer the raft! My mom didn't ask me to stay back, but I knew she really wanted to go. I also knew I really, really wanted to go! The morning after we discussed the dilemma as a family, I was reading in my quiet time, and I felt God prompting me to deny myself...to defer to my authority, and put her welfare, and enjoyment before my own. I went to my mom, and I told her I'd take Timmy so she could go rafting. She was grateful...but...the trip ended up falling through, and we never even went. I have to say though, that for days after that decision (before we decided not to go), I had an extreme joy, and anticipationation as I looked forward to the opportunity to "Go the Second Mile." Sometimes it doesn't mean doing something for twice as long. Sometimes it means doing something you weren't going to have to do at all, and deciding to take the leap, just because you know it's the right thing to do!

It's hard to trust God to make it worthwhile to "Go the Second Mile", but He does. The influence God can give us as we demonstrate the power of the "Second Mile" is illustrated by the rudder of a large ship. Though tiny and not even visible, it has the power to control the direction of the entire vessel. May God give us the ability, though we are often unseen, to influence those who rule over us for the Lord, giving HIM the glory, as we exercise the power of the command, "Go the Second Mile."

-Hannah
Phil 2:13

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Ask, Seek, Knock

Our family was circled around our dining room table for some good ol' fashioned game time when I inquired after the possibility of getting our own water purifier. We have fairly good rural water, but some of us are pretty particular when it comes to drinking only the best and cleanest out there, and buying bottled water starts to really add up after a while! I had been on the look out for some time and was under the impression the Berkey Light was well made and would be efficient for our needs. The Berkey Light is powerful enough to filter totally raw and untreated pond water, removing pathogenic bacteria, cysts, parasites, foul tastes and odors and all sorts of unhealthy minerals without removing the healthful and nutritional minerals we need. I was excited! As I started describing the features of the Berkey Light and pulled it up on the web for all to see, Dad looked up and said, "I think we have a water filter!" I stopped talking. We have one? All this time I've been searching for a good water filter, and there's been one right under my nose?? Dad quickly went to the basement whilst I mulled over the possibilities. A few minutes later, a large box was the first we saw of Dad as he returned and set it on the counter. On the front of the box were big, blue letters, "BERKLEY LIGHT WATER PURIFIER". We all looked at each other in unbelief! As I investigated the contents of the box, this was indeed the very same filter I was trying to convince Dad we should get! "I can hardly believe it!" I exclaimed. "Talk about fast shipping!" This $200+ filter has been just sitting in our basement - never used - for the past 12 years.

As we continued our game, one person mentioned, "Hey, Emily, you should write a blog post on how we have not because we ask not!" It was then I remembered this command: Ask, Seek, Knock. I had already been scheduled to share on this particular command, and now the Lord had provided a fun and exciting testimony of how He LOVES to provide for us, if we will but ask! I am amused to think I have time and time again ignorantly walked passed the very thing I desired. It was not until I asked, that it was given. "What else do we just need to . . . ask for?" I inquired after my parents. "Yeah," piped in my brother, "you got a Ferrari somewhere?!"

Before you settle on simply asking for all that you desire, though, let's study the rest of this command a little further. After all, Jesus didn't just say, "Ask." We have the responsibility to seek and knock. We are being called to action! God has given us eyes to see, hands to work, feet to run. Remember it is the slothful man who puts his hand in the dish and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again (Proverbs 19:24).

Arnold Pent reminded his family many times, "If you need anything, just ask for it and God will supply it, and if you want something that you don't necessarily need, obey the verse that states, 'Delight thyself in the Lord and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.'" God desires our fellowship, not just our quick prayers informing him of our wants. Is this perhaps why He has promised the desires of our heart if we will but spend our time focusing and delighting in Him? When you desire something, seek after the Lord! He will show you what to do and where to go. He will present the door on which you should knock, and He will open it. A door is symbolic of opportunity and hope. What lies over the threshold of your obedience?

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Matthew 7:7-8

Helpful Verses to Memorize:

Matthew 7:9-11: Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

James 4:3-4: Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

John 14:14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

Psalm 81:10 I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.

Psalm 34:10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.

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