More, More, More!

Did you ever notice when some children open Christmas presents they hardly get it opened and really look at it before they are moving on to the next present and the next until they are finally all opened and paper trash looms in the room? However, a week later they don't even know where their Christmas toys are and even if they do they have no interest in them.

We try to teach our children to be thankful and satisfied with what they have. We don't want them to be greedy, yet we are like children in many ways. Think of how excited we are when we get a new home, new appliance, new furniture, swimming pool, boat, car, clothes, etc. For a while we notice and take care of these things, then they become routine - old hat and we are looking for some other thing to bring us pleasure. Often it is the desires of the flesh - eating, sports, sex, etc.

The Apostle John knew this about people. That is why he wrote in 1 John 2: 15, 16, "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world - the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life - is not of the Father but is of the world."

Things do not bring us lasting pleasure. Only God in Christ can bring us lasting pleasure that satisfies keeps us from wanting more. The deeper we grow in our understanding of Him, the more we shall be satisfied. Jesus has taught us that we are to love the LORD with all our heart, soul and mind and love our neighbors as ourselves. We are to love the LORD and people not things.

If you struggle with love for the world and it's pleasures, confess it to the Lord and He will forgive you (1 John 1:9). Praise be to Him for His continued forgiveness.

As Christmas draws nearer let us focus on what is important. God has given us all we need in Christ. All that we have in this world He has given to us and should be received with much thanksgiving. If we are truly thankful the worldly pleasures become less satisfying to us and we will not be saying "more, more, more."

P.S. We are traveling this week to Georgia and Virginia to spend Christmas with our children. I will not be posting until January 4, 2010. "May the Lord strengthen you in the inner man through His spirit and that you would know the love of Christ and be filled with all the fullness of God. May the knowledge of His presence be with you this Christmas season.

A very Merry Christmas to you and your family.