Tag: Gain

Own Desire Leads to Death

Wow Trevor, no holding back this morning are you. Well, it is the truth that hurts the most once it is realized.

“14But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” – James 1:14-15 (ESV)

And there you have it, no, I am not holding back, only presenting the truth as found in God’s Word. James is writing in this passage of the “Testing of Your Faith” (according to my English Standard Version). But, notice that here he is not speaking of testing, but tempting and when reading the full passage we find that indeed God does not tempt us, but our faith will be tested.

Back to the verses above, James tells us that we will be tempted, but that temptation comes from our own desires. When we are presented with the what the world offers, we are tempted to accept which takes our eyes off of Jesus. And when our eyes are off of Jesus, our hearts will eventually follow and we are led to sin. I ask the LORD daily to keep my hands and heart active with His work to avoid the wandering eyes that will see the temptations of the world and lead to sin.

As we see in verse 15 above, that sin that comes from the temptation of the world ultimately leads in our death. We will find ourselves focused on our own desire in the world and will lose ourselves to it.

“24For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” – Luke 9:24 (ESV)

Jesus said that when we are in the business of our own lives, we are actually out of business. But as we give ourselves to Him fully we will be in business forever. I have to remember to desire the LORD and not the world as presented. I have to stay vigilant in my looking to Jesus or I risk giving into the temptation of the world which will lead to sin and will ultimately end in death.

What is it that you desire? Are you finding yourself tempted by the things of this world? What if you were to focus your desire on the LORD and His work to avoid the temptation of sin which will lead to death?

Desire Through Faith

“16But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.” — Hebrews 11:16 (ESV)

They is all of those who were righteous in the eyes of God, Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah. There are/were of course many others who were considered righteous and all of them were fully faithful to the LORD. They gave of themselves fully for things that seemed impossible, as they knew in their hearts that they would be delivered at the had of God. Each of these desired something better, a heavenly better and knew it would be provided through their faith.

What a great testament to me these are. They demonstrate their full faith and devotion to the LORD and in return, they knew that He would provide. There was not expectation of how, only that He would. They placed full faith in the LORD to provide for their desire for better.

I have to use this in my own life. I have to remember to place my full faith in the LORD, knowing that He will provide. I cannot expect things to go as I plan them, only that they are resolved. I have to be open to how the LORD will provide and simply do the work he has assigned me and live in faith that it will lead to the provision for better.

What a great other view at the idea that I should only desire the LORD. In this instance, I am to desire better, but only as God sees fit for me and have full faith that He will indeed provide. My desire is rooted in the LORD and His plan for me. I can want for things and hope that they will come. But my desire should be in the LORD and for things that will be better in His sight and know that through my faith in Him, I will get the better as He sees fit.

What do you desire? Are you putting all your hope into something that you want? What if you placed all your hope and faith in God knowing that He will provide the better that He has in store for you?

Buckle Up

“12Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,” — 2 Timothy 3:12 (ESV)

So you want to be a follower of Christ and live a life as an example of Him. Get ready, as it is not an easy road to be on. Paul notes above to Timothy that when one seeks God and to be an example of Him, the days are nothing if not filled with challenges.

I can speak to this personally that when we are living for God, we are misunderstood. I gone into situations where I am not shy about my faith in Christ and at those times I am cast aside as inflexible and not like the rest in that are there. To that, I can say I am glad it was found out early to save more persecution as I went forward.

I know that being a follower of Christ was never said to be along the easy road. Yet, it did take some time to realize it as I grew in my faith and understanding of the LORD through His Word. And where I am not one to take a lot of risk, thankfully there is really not a lot of risk in the LORD. There is uncertainty in the moment as we never really know the outcome of God’s plans for us, by following Him, the reward is already known and we only have to do His will to receive.

Buckle-up is where I land this morning in my thoughts of this passage. I know that being a follower of Christ is not easy, and therefor I have to be ready for whatever is placed in the path to work through for Christ. I have to be strapped in and ready for anything that may come my way. I may not know what that is, but I have to know that it may not be pleasant in the moment. I have to study and prepare for those challenges that are sure to be there. The Word of God gives me the straps to buckle with and the learning to get me through.

“16All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” – 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)

What is your view of following Christ? Are you looking for all rainbows and sunshine? What if you went in knowing the path is going to be filled with challenges and you buckle-up for what is to come?

Desire for the Better

Each morning I come to my desk and bible study with an open heart and mind for the LORD to guide me as to what He would have me learn. And, each morning I am brought to the scripture where about half the time I have been been before, only this time to learn something new from the same verse or passage. This morning is not any different.

“21For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.” – Philippians 1:21-26 (ESV)

I have been to this passage many times and have learned that it is important to remain here in this world to do the work that God has for me. I have to stay for the better of those in this world to bring the gospel to them so they have the opportunity to gain from salvation as I have.

But today I am here to learn about the other side, gaining from death and how I am to desire that gain for the reward that is to come in heaven. Paul writes that he desires the better, dying to be with Christ. What a great thing to set one’s sights, being with Christ because it is better than what is here and now.

I began my devoted morning bible study back in October of 2016 and the first of “Trevor’s Thoughts” was through a study of “Jesus is Better”. One of that study’s first lesson was centered on exploring your “kingdom purpose”. Here is one sentence from that writing, “Our ‘kingdom purpose’ comes to us by simply following the plan Christ has for us.” I wrote that on October 8, 2016 and it still holds true today. We are to follow the plan Christ has for us.

That plan is for us to be here doing His work, but the desire for the better, gaining through death to be with Christ is okay and encouraged. Where being with Christ is our ultimate destination, I still have work to do here in this world and as such, being with Christ is simply my desire and something that I will certainly be looking forward to reaching.

What is the work you have here in this world? Is that in line with your desire for the better? What if you kept doing the work of Christ for those here in this world and kept the desire for the better, being with Christ, as just that, the desire and the end destination to look forward to reaching?

Desire the Higher Gifts

Each morning as I study I am introduced to something that I was not thinking of before. This morning is not really any different. I have stated that one should only desire the LORD and yet this morning as I continue with the study of the word “desire” I see that I should desire higher things.

“31But earnestly desire the higher gifts.

And I will show you a still more excellent way.” – 1 Corinthians 12:31 (ESV)

So, how does it work I ask. I am to desire the LORD and yet desire higher things. So confusing when you are not looking at the whole picture.

These “higher things” are of the LORD and not of the world. That is the way. I am to desire the LORD and all that He has and will give. He will provide all that I “need”. The “higher things” here are gifts that only he can give to us and I have to desire the gifts that He has for me, which may be different than my neighbor.

“27Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 28And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. 29Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?” – 1 Corinthians 12:27-30 (ESV)

Not all of us can be healers. Not all of us can be teachers. Not all of us will be administrators. We each have our role in the church and that is what we should desire, the gift that the LORD has for us based on our role He has tasked us.

“1Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.” – 1 Corinthians 14:1 (ESV)

Paul gives additional insight into that which we are to desire in his letter, “spiritual gifts”. These gifts will be different for each of us and that is what we should seek from the LORD. It is easy to see that which others have and think that we should have that as well. But doesn’t that broach the idea of covetousness? So my previous learning related to the word “desire” is correct even now. I am to “Desire the LORD” and “Stay as You Are” and “Desire the Higher Gifts” as are the titles to some of my recent posts.

What is your view of desiring? Are you still of the idea that you should desire more? What if you focused your desire on the LORD and the higher things that only He can/will provide for you?

Satisfy the Desire of Others

Yes, as we know through our study of God’s Word, we are to serve others. Part of that serving is to satisfy the desire of others.

“9Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer;

you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’

If you take away the yoke from your midst,

the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,

10if you pour yourself out for the hungry

and satisfy the desire of the afflicted,

then shall your light rise in the darkness

and your gloom be as the noonday.”

— Isaiah 58:9-10 (ESV)

Here is the how. We are to satisfy the desire, not just of others, but for those who are having a difficult time. My role is to guide them, care for them, provide for them, and ensure that they are in a position to see the LORD and be less concerned with that which is weighing on them at that time.

Yes, we are to serve all and do the work of the LORD for all. Yet it will be those in the difficult positions that will recognize the service to them and will benefit from the service in the moment. We are not to do it to be seen, but simply for the betterment of the one in need.

But, you say, what about me? I know just what you are thinking as I think the same thing. I am having a difficult time and when/where will my desire be satisfied? That is the best part. When we are doing the work of the LORD, the difficulties will still be there, yet we will also have the LORD and our community on our side to help out. When I have served others, selfishly, they will serve me the same way.

I recently have been looking as to what is next for me. Now I am not looking to abandon what I am doing, just looking for something that I can add that I can use to do more. Lori and I are on our own again and there is time available to take on more. I have been praying for it. I feel some challenge and am looking for God’s guidance. As mentioned before, we are members of a church plant and as such Lori and I volunteer our time to make it work. Even as we have a scheduled time and work to do, we jump in when there is a need and help out. As we have, God allowed us to be seen helping and led one of our pastors to invite me to a discipleship group. This invitation led to my next thing.

When we are giving selfishly to satisfy the desire of those in need, in return we will be made whole at some point. Our role is to satisfy others and the LORD will work to satisfy us.

What are you doing to satisfy others? Are you doing so to get something out of it? What if you just did the work of the LORD and assisted those in need, knowing that God will satisfy your needs in due time?

Desire the Substance of Jesus

“2For he grew up before him like a young plant,

and like a root out of dry ground;

he had no form or majesty that we should look at him,

and no beauty that we should desire him.”

— Isaiah 53:2 (ESV)

According to the above, Jesus was nothing astonishing to behold growing up or even as an adult. He was just a regular guy that was as noted, not of desire. Yet He was so great for us and brought us so much even at His earthly expense.

I think that it is interesting in that Jesus is portrayed as a striking and good looking man. To the eyes now, it would seem that people may have flocked to Him based to some degree on His appearance. And when I think of it, there must have been something about Him as He was recognized by the people when He was out in public view.

I know that the appearance of someone is easier to explain. And let’s face it, following someone who is not remarkably looking or visually is not the way to win people over. So to the eye, Jesus must be made to be appealing to draw us in.

But, it is not the outward appearance that we should be desiring when it comes to Jesus. His outward beauty will do nothing for us. Just like the outward beauty of man or woman is not the thing we should be drawn to. It is the substance of Jesus that we should desire.

In His ministry, Jesus was recognized in the public, not for His beauty, but for who He was. He was seen as carrying Himself different, walking different, and just being different. He was seen for His work and being and I like to believe that others could see the aura of God in Him.

I am going to make a comparison although it is not meant for anything other than the idea to help with understanding. Ever hear or see the “glow” of a woman with child. There is something about a pregnant woman that emanates a “glow”. People just know that she is different. I believe Jesus to be similar only bigger than this. There is something about Him without even knowing Him intimately that all can “see”.

This difference is the substance of Jesus and not His appearance. This is where our desire should be. We should be in desire for the substance of Jesus and not the appearance of Him.

What do you desire? Are you looking out for the appearances to desire? What if you looked to the substance of Jesus and placed your desire on His love?

Rejoice in Fulfilled Desire

We are, as I have read, learned, and remembered during my study of the word “desire”, to desire the LORD and if there is something other than Him, it should be wisdom. Our fascination with things of this world is not sustainable as it will be gained and lost in the blink of an eye. The desire of the LORD and of wisdom are forever. The LORD has been and will be forever. Wisdom is gained and allows for continued growth and understanding.

“19A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul,

but to turn away from evil is an abomination to fools.”

— Proverbs 13:19 (ESV)

Here we find the direction as to the fulfillment of desire. We are to relish in the fulfillment as it is “sweet to the soul”. So, taking in that we are to desire the LORD and wisdom, what a great thing to know that the LORD and wisdom are “sweet to the soul”. And it is true.

The LORD loves, cares for, guides, and protects us. He provides for our every need and even blesses us beyond those needs. He is the one constant that can be counted on in this world. He is there always and will not turn away.

Likewise with wisdom. With wisdom we can see and adjust to that which is presented. Knowing that what is can be changed with a little understanding is so amazing.

Bryson, my oldest son, commented to me a while back that I was the smartest person he knew. Now, I know that there are many people who are smarter than I am and Bryson likely knows those people as well. But, for him to recognize that I have something inside me, wisdom, is certainly fantastic in my eyes.

Here we have desire that is or will be fulfilled, the LORD and wisdom. I have received the LORD through my acceptance of the salvation gift He offered. I have experience in this world that leads to wisdom and understanding. For each of these I rejoice as they are “sweet to the soul”. I have and will continue to gain from these desires being fulfilled and will continue seeking them as I go.

What desire do you have? Are you aware of the impact of the fulfillment of those desires? What is the difference in the long term gain from those desires compared to the fulfillment of the desire for the LORD and wisdom, and are they worth your rejoicing?

Desire Wisdom, Nothing Else Compares

“7And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. 8And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. 9Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?” – 1 Kings 3:7-9 (ESV)

King Solomon prayed for wisdom. He knew that without wisdom, all else was futile without wisdom to start things off. And the LORD granted him his request as it came from the heart and was in the interest of doing God’s work.

Here we have an example of asking for something that is to be used to further God’s kingdom and yet, we in the now, continue to ask for monetary or fleeting things.

“13Blessed is the one who finds wisdom,

and the one who gets understanding,

14for the gain from her is better than gain from silver

and her profit better than gold.

15She is more precious than jewels,

and nothing you desire can compare with her.”

— Proverbs 3:13-15 (ESV)

Nothing we desire, beyond the relationship with Christ, will compare to wisdom. It is wise to desire the relationship with Christ which leads to all other things.

Solomon had it right in his prayer to the LORD for wisdom. When granted, it allowed him to do the work of the LORD in not just a moment, but for the long haul. And that is what I am looking for, the information and ability to do the work for the long haul.

This morning I have reflected on the work I am doing for the LORD and realized that I have completed eight years of Trevor’s Thoughts. I have done well to study God’s Word diligently over that time and subsequently sharing my thoughts as I do. This study has not been about growing monetarily, or in some physical way, but growing in the LORD. I have learned so much over this time and yet still have so much more to learn. I am looking for that which will sustain me over time and not just feed me today. I am seeking wisdom and not just knowledge. Nothing else that I could desire compares to what I have and will gain from the LORD and the wisdom He grants me.

What are you seeking? Are you desiring to gain from the monetary or the world? What if you were to seek wisdom, knowing that all other desires will gain little?

Desire the LORD

My recent study of the word “desire” has yielded that desire creates difficulty and that we have to rule over desire. This morning I am continuing the study and found that we should be desiring the LORD. If desire is difficult and I have to rule over it, then my immediate question is as to why would I accept desire for the LORD.

Well, here we go. Desire is hard and I have to rule over it, but I also have to remember the saying, “anything worth having is worth fighting for”. The LORD is certainly worth having and therefor He is worth fighting for. In fact, the LORD is the only desirable that gives back unconditionally. What He offers us is Love and salvation in return for our love and devotion to Him. He will provide all that we need in all situations and once we have completed the tasks He has for us, we will be granted rest.

“14They swore an oath to the Lord with a loud voice and with shouting and with trumpets and with horns. 15And all Judah rejoiced over the oath, for they had sworn with all their heart and had sought him with their whole desire, and he was found by them, and the Lord gave them rest all around.” – 2 Chronicles 15:14-15 (ESV)

What is an oath? Merriam-Webster Online defines an oath as: a (1): a solemn usually formal calling upon God or a god to witness to the truth of what one says or to witness that one sincerely intends to do what one says (2): a solemn attestation of the truth or inviolability of one’s words b: something (such as a promise) corroborated by an oath

An oath being a sincere commitment to action is just what the people of Judah were doing. They were fully committed and desired the LORD. They gave themselves fully to Him and the action of finding Him. And because of this oath and desire, they found Him and were rewarded with rest once they did.

When we desire things of this world, we may find them, yet they are limited in what they give us in return. What is the fight for if there is nothing to be had in return. Well with the LORD, we receive a return for the work done. The fight yields a result that is fully worth having, rest and glory in heaven.

I choose to desire the LORD. I will fight for Him. I will work for Him. I will love Him. I am fully committed to Him. I will spread His word, regardless of the consequences in this world. My reward is not of this world and is fully worth it all.

What do you desire? Are you fully committed to the thing that you desire even knowing that the reward is minimal and not much if anything will be received in return? What if you desired the LORD and committed yourself to Him for the reward of rest and glory that comes when you are united with Him?