In preparing for my message for this Sunday on contentment, I came across a story that I want to pass along.  It may speak to some of us who struggle being satisfied with life as it is.

Standing on a small pier late one afternoon, an investment banker from a large city who was vacationing along the North Carolina coast, watched as a lone fisherman docked his small boat. Inside the boat were several large yellowtail tuna.

The banker complimented the fisherman on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.

The fisherman replied, “Only a little while.”

The banker then asked, “Why didn’t you stay out longer and catch more fish?”

The local responded, “With this I have more than enough to feed my family and share some with my friends.”

The banker then asked, “But what do you do with the rest of your time?” (more…)

This morning on my walk I passed an overgrown area filled with weeds. To be honest, it wasn’t very attractive or inviting to look at. In fact, there was even some trash thrown among the weeds. But among the weeds and trash was this thistle in full bloom and it was absolutely beautiful. I reflected on this scene and was reminded that amongst all the unsightly or undesirable parts of our lives, God brings forth some beauty.

If you are feeling like your present life is full of weeds and trash, look around. I bet you can find something beautiful that God has planted there to remind you of his presence, care and faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-23, “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Tim

This morning in my quiet time I was reading in Matthew and came to 11:28-30 which says, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

I stopped and prayed for those in the River Oak’s family who are, for whatever reason, feeling weary or are carrying heavy burdens. I know many of you are dealing with stressful financial issues, health concerns, the pressures of no job, issues with children or parents, or are in a season of discouragement or depression. I prayed that you would find rest for your souls today as you lean into Christ. May you find him sufficient today for whatever is dragging you down by accepting his invitation to come to him… and find rest for your soul.

Tim

This past Sunday I encouraged everyone to read Colossians 3:5-17 each day this week. I have and if you haven’t started yet, I hope you will start today. It is one of the great ‘sanctification challenges’ in the Bible.  Sanctification is the process of growing more and more into the image of Jesus, as Paul wrote in Colossians 3:10 “Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.”

As you read and reflect on these great verses, I have no doubt that God’s Spirit will bring things to mind for you to consider, start, stop, or develop in your life in order to become more like Christ. Here is Colossians 3:5-17 in the New Living Translation. I challenge you to read it every day for seven days.

“So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us. Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.”

Tim