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Confused - 6/28/2008 1:30:26 AM
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Gracebeliever
Posts: 8
Joined: 3/25/2007
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OK this is something that bothers me a lot lately and I don't understand why. I know someone who is doing very well. Great job, plenty of $$, nice car, new toys (Wii, Play station 3, etc) good health and yet this persons spiritual life is a sham at best. What bothers me is the fact that the Lord is blessing him and his wife left, right and sideways and me and my small family are just barely getting by. I know I should not envy the man for what he has (in fact I pity him for what he doesn't really have) but at the same time I ask myself why doesn't God meet my needs the same way? At least I would give Him the Glory for blessing me instead of taking all the praise my self as this young man does. I get tired of hearing him and others like him say things like "I worked for what I got, no body gave it to me" Who do they think gave them the ability to work in the first place? If not for the Lord, he would have nothing at all and would be less off than we are.
I hate feeling this way and that is why I feel so confused. I know in my heart that God is good and will always do right I just wish that His blessings of good fortune would come upon me and my family at times instead of someone like this guy and his wife who as far as I know never really gives thanks to the Lord or give Him any glory. These people like to show off and act conceited now that they have made it good for themselves. I sometimes wish that God would take away His blessings from them just so they would see that it all comes from His hand so maybe that would stop them from being so proud.
_____________________________
"When I'm in the cellar of affliction, I always look for the Lord's choicest wines" Thomas Watson
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RE: Confused - 6/28/2008 11:08:20 AM
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TaoPoohBear
Posts: 390
Joined: 1/18/2008
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quote:
I have three treasures,
Which I guard and keep.
The first is compassion.
The second is economy.
The third is humility.
From compassion comes courage.
From economy comes the means
to be generous.
From humility comes responsible
leadership - From 'The Te of Piglet'
You know, most of an iceberg is under the surface. If both you & your neighbor lost their job tomorrow, who would be more likely to cope? I would imagine your neighbor's monthly bills are fearsome, is he paying off the principle or just covering the interest? Servitude to debt is a stress that few Americans realize until they are chained to it (and by then it's too late).
Boastful pride is usually a cover for secret fear; Lavish spending a futile attempt to fill unmet needs.
Your life may just be richer than you realize.
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RE: Confused - 6/28/2008 8:59:20 PM
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breaking_stagnancy
Posts: 10
Joined: 6/28/2008
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Being worried about money and focusing on not having enough will keep you where you are. The problem here is where the focus is. If you believe God will give you everything you need, then why focus on anything else but God? As a brief example, if you want to go to sleep and you focus really really hard and falling to sleep, you will never fell asleep. You soon find that at the times your mind is relaxed and void of worry, you fall straight to sleep. The trick is, if you want it, take your focus off of it....either it will come to you or else you'll find you never needed it.
As for your neighbors, they may seem to have the world, but you've got something more...something beyond the world. I would be much happier with what you have then what they have, regardless of the packaging.
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RE: Confused - 6/29/2008 9:34:25 AM
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Szaftoo
Posts: 866
Joined: 4/13/2005
From: So. Calif.
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Welcome.
It's never healthy to look at how others are blessed and compare yourself to them. How they get their money, how they spend it and their spiritual life should be none of your conern.
Instead, focus on your own situation and your own walk with the Lord. Look at your finances and see if any practical changes can be made. Things like your job, where you live, your spending habits, can you cut back, etc. Sometimes it's seeking financial help from professionals.
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RE: Confused - 6/30/2008 12:35:56 PM
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Freedomdances
Posts: 1
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A little encouragement for you here from the Word of God..........>>>
This is from the Message Bible Version......I thought this explains in more depth from what the King James Version states it.....but you can read it from there if you so desire.
Philippians 4:11-13
11. Actually, I don't have a sense of needing anything personally. I've learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances.user notes
12. I'm just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty.
13. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.
I know its not easy, but I've been there and thru what you are going thru, but this is what the Lord has shown me in His Word and it was enough for me.
God bless you abundantly more than you could ever ask or think.
In Christ's Love,
Shar
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RE: Confused - 7/1/2008 12:45:06 PM
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uncabeeil
Posts: 5740
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: Joisey. Got a problem wit dat?
Status: offline
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Are you meeting your expenses? Do you have enough food? Then God is already providing for your needs. He never said He'd give you everything you want, just what you need. somehow I don't think a Wii is considered a necessity.
_____________________________
There is unrest in the forest
There is trouble with the trees
For the maples want more sunlight
And the oaks ignore their pleas
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RE: Confused - 7/1/2008 1:09:41 PM
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Carleejoan
Posts: 968
Joined: 9/1/2007
From: Canada
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Very good advice here. I have nothing to add. Much wisdom. It is a struggle when we are met with financial adversity. We have to live within our means even that means certain others look down on us. Myself and my husband were never ones to "keep up" appearances. We had several "setbacks" that kept our financial situation under close and careful balance. I can't always say we honored God the way we should have with an actual tithe. It seems we like to hang on so much that God can't pour in the blessing he wants to give. It's a lifetime lesson of letting go of material things. God will only fill you up with not only all your needs but the joy and active ministry to others. I found that when we were "struggling" we were more sensitive to what others were going through too and our tendancy would be to reach out and open up our home even more. Hence the "generous poor people" syndrome. Adversity, no matter what it is, causes us to have more compassion to others. We take our eyes off our selfish desires and this fellowship is sweet. I thank God for this.
< Message edited by Carleejoan -- 7/1/2008 1:18:17 PM >
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RE: Confused - 7/1/2008 8:22:41 PM
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ricegirl
Posts: 88
Joined: 5/25/2006
From: virginia
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Read Joel Osteens books. How to become a better you I think is one name of the one I bought my grandaguhter. When she finally read it she said it changed her life. She is a single mom trying to riase 2 little boys and having a stuggle took 2 years to get any child support, Not it comes but not on time 3 weeks behind right now. But she said the book gave her hope and made her attitude so much better. I am so glad I bought it for her. I love to watch is TV programs I know you are problabbly much happier than the person you are talking about. As the others said they live day to day. Your life is so much richer than theirs is. God will grant you everything you need. I raised 5 children with only my husband working and we were happy even tho we didn't have lots of money didn't get big vacations. or fancy clothes My children are now ages 45-55. They are all doing well and my life is also blessed with grandchildren and great grandchildren. And a loving husband (of 57 years ( almost) God has been good.
< Message edited by ricegirl -- 7/1/2008 8:34:28 PM >
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RE: Confused - 7/12/2008 8:55:01 AM
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conrack50
Posts: 747
Joined: 4/23/2005
From: 200 N. Bryan Ave. Shawnee, Ok 74801
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quote:
ORIGINAL: TrustingGod
What makes you thing God is blessing them with all the stuff? 
quote:
I get tired of hearing him and others like him say things like "I worked for what I got, no body gave it to me"
I agree. If nobody gave it to him, how do you know it's coming from God?
Connie Lou
_____________________________
Want to make some extra money?
No quotas,you're the boss.
Come take a look.
http://www.connieloubarnes.com
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RE: Confused - 7/13/2008 12:24:22 AM
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lightshineon
Posts: 3451
Joined: 4/11/2005
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God will bless you in his time. I do not know how, or with what type of blessings. Things built upon the sand never satisfy, I have been in want and plenty myself, and God has been good in both. Thank the Lord for his goodness to you, because sometimes we covet things ( which is sin) we totally miss the Lords blessings, totally cannot see. Paul did not need a Rolls Royce, he traveled by ship, he was beaten, and was so ragged, he said angels and people both laughed at him. He was be-headed, but could not wait for the promise of life with the Lord. Turn your eyes off this world, and on eternity. I know it is hard, when I was in lack, it was hard not to feel envious of others, but, why concentrate on building your house on the sand.
_____________________________
Remember, whenever you have pearls, there are always plenty of pigs nearby who would be glad to step on them.
F.T., 2007
Be sure you vote for those, whose views you want your children to emulate.
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RE: Confused - 7/13/2008 12:28:15 AM
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brothertodd
Posts: 119
Joined: 4/7/2008
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because of there life style they are corrupted to the pleasures of this world, There wii and other toys will rot and decay. As children of the Living God our treasure will not rot or decay for it is in the kingdom waiting for us.
_____________________________
Brother Todd, servant of Christ
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RE: Confused - 7/14/2008 10:55:18 AM
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loco79
Posts: 79
Joined: 6/18/2008
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God's blessing are eternal and not limited to earthly possessions. I used to think that God was blessing someone who was better off financially then me, but then I asked myself are they really blessed more than me. I have a family that follows Christ, and he told us to take up our cross. To be it is about having confidence that God will bless you when the time is right for him and not for you. If it makes you feel any better Abraham felt similiar to what you are feeling now. He had to wait 25 years before God gave him his son, and from scripture it shows how may have led himself astray. I mean the sense of confidence in God. All of the great prophets have been tested by God, on his terms not theirs. If you need someone to talk with or pray with, just drop me a line and I will respond. God gave us a body of believers because none of us can do it all on our own. It is the will of God and the support of his people that is truly the greatest blessing.
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RE: Confused - 7/17/2008 10:13:53 AM
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SingHisPraise
Posts: 20
Joined: 11/23/2007
From: Florida
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quote:
As children of the Living God our treasure will not rot or decay for it is in the kingdom waiting for us.
Brother Todd, what an awesome statement!! 
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RE: Confused - 7/21/2008 11:59:25 PM
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OneJohn410
Posts: 662
Joined: 6/1/2008
Status: online
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Ouch! That there is an extreme case of what some call 'keeping up with the Joneses'. Only you've got Jonesesitis next door. Sounds to me like there's no need for you to show any interest in their new stuff, that they are proud to bring it all out and show it to you. It's not only in you face, they are making sure of it.
I could be challenged by that type of lifestyle too, yet I saw something in your post that is really awesome if I read it right. You said the father's spiritual life is a sham at best. That to me meant you invited them to church one Sunday, or have had some religious talk with them?
Just a little encouragement here, if that is the case, or is about to be, that you sought to share what you consider to be being rich, and got him thinking apart from his castle of toys for a minute, and that perhaps maybe that's why you have fewer distractions, bills, things breaking and being outdated than Mr. Jones.
Enough of all that. Let's start hearing some stories of problems that your neighbor has following that freak lightning strike. (Not that anything is being wished on his belongings, just that how can he maintain it all???). I bet he'll come to you with problems he thinks you can help him on, being penny wise and having a lot of 'toys' in the workshop.
OneJohn410
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