Just Continue That Thought...

A thought by James MacDonald (2015-06-18) from his book, Lord, Change My Attitude: Before It's Too Late (p. 115). Moody Publishers. Kindle Edition. ( Click on the title of the book to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) Covetousness is an attitude that God hates and contentment is the attitude that take its place and that God loves and God blesses.   So what are some of the blessings?   I’m glad you asked. James says, “Blessings such as joy in the present, and health and satisfaction in the simple things of life. Contentment brings a settled sense of sufficiency and a peaceful pace that proves ‘more’ is not the focus of your thinking. You have life. What a privilege to be alive in this world! Contentment brings joy in the present.” James gives more, “Contentment also builds our capacity to enjoy ordinary pleasures. If you’re content, simple stuff makes you happy. Like a nice walk. Go for a walk today with a member of your family, and hold his or her hand. Talk about

A thought by James MacDonald (2015-06-18) from his book, Lord, Change My Attitude: Before It's Too Late (p. 101). Moody Publishers. Kindle Edition. ( Click on the title of the book to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) The positive attitude that takes the place of covetousness is contentment.   And James says, “Contentment is a satisfaction with God’s sufficient provision.”   It is being satisfied with what we have but not with who we are. 1 Timothy 6:6 says, “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” James says, “Now notice that contentment has a partner. Do you see it in verse 6? Contentment has a partner, like salt and pepper, like Dallas and Fort Worth, like my wife and me— meant to be together. Contentment’s partner is godliness. ‘Godliness with contentment is great gain,’ as the New King James Version puts it. We must never be content with who we are, only with what we have. That is why these two words are such powerful partners. Godliness deals with who

A thought by James MacDonald (2015-06-18) from his book, Lord, Change My Attitude: Before It's Too Late (p. 93). Moody Publishers. Kindle Edition. ( Click on the title of the book to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) I know for the most part the thoughts that will get the most people to stop and read.   But I also don’t want to waist my time in just reading fluff stuff.   I want to be challenged by my reading. And that is why I picked up this book by James MacDonald. Now a continuation of complaining which we’ve been looking at is coveting.   We want, want, want because we know what will make us happy.   But James says, “When your life is a covetous life and you’re living for something else— more, better, or different; or perhaps a relationship, a possession— when desires for something are controlling you, you lose your capacity to discern sufficiency. And enough is never enough.” Later he says, “Now I’m not saying that money or possessions equal sin. I am no