May 11, 2016 – I John 2:15-16

Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. I John 2:15-16How easily we are drawn to the ‘new’ things in our lives.  A craving for achievements and possessions fills our hearts and minds, but do not satisfy the soul.  I soon learned as a child that when I asked my parents for something, the phrase, “Every one else has it,” would not be an instant entitlement.What is a craving?  A desire for something that satisfies our hearts instantly.  A new car, or the latest electronic gadget, a new piece of furniture, the largest house on the block do not satisfy.  Things of the world soon rust, decay or become yesterday’s news.“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal.  Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.  Matthew 6:18-19.  These are words from Jesus.  In I Timothy 6:6-7, we find these words of wisdom…But godliness with contentment is great gain,  for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.  What is the first thing we think about when we open our eyes in the morning?  What is the last thing we think about at the close of the day?  That is your ‘treasure’.  That is what is important to you and how you spend your time.  There is an old hymn…Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of Earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace. Only Jesus can truly satisfy our inner longings.