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Posted on July 15, 2021 by beverlyeash

8And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. 

2 Corinthians 9:8

6Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.

1 Timothy 6:6

In the two verses above, the underlined word(s) are translated from the same Greek word – autarkeia. This word is only used twice in the New Testament and it bears digging into just a bit. On one hand, it means the ability to supply the necessities of life without help from others, self-sufficiency, adequacy. In addition, it means a state of mind satisfied with its lot, contentment, satisfaction.

At first blush, it seems the two definitions are not enough alike to be neighbors, let alone nuances of the same word. A closer look is in order.

In the context of Paul’s letter to Corinth, he encourages generosity in giving. He provides some guidelines to help determine how much one ought to give. First, an individual decides in their heart how much to give. It doesn’t need to be discussed or compared with anyone else. Secondly, giving to others is done cheerfully. Finally, it should not be given reluctantly, half-heartedly or under pressure. God loves when we generously open our hands to the needs of others.

What might keep me from giving cheerfully, generously and freely? First and foremost, I am concerned about my own needs. Can I pay my bills? Will I be able to buy groceries? What about the new shoes I wanted? How will I be able to get the latest gadget?

Paul responds to this common concern by pointing to God’s generosity. If we forget ourselves, God provides all we need and then some. It requires one to be content to give generously.

In the letter to Timothy, Paul encourages him to teach the pursuit of godliness paired with contentment rather than the pursuit of godliness to increase wealth. See Out of the Chaos from July 15 for a more detailed look into the letter to Timothy.

I see a great deal of commonality in these two uses. In both, Paul encourages believers to think less of themselves and more of others. It seems these people were not really that different from me. My first thoughts go to my own belly button. Will this be an advantage to me? What will I profit from this? Will it cut into my resources for me?

It seems we do well to switch our perspective. Do you wonder how much have we missed because we don’t trust God to meet our needs with extra to give away? Being consumed with ourselves, we miss the miracle of sharing with others the abundance of what God provides.

Contentment: a quality I do well to develop!

If you don’t have a church to call home, I invite you to join us this weekend at Maple City Chapel – in person or online. I have the privilege of preaching again this Sunday and I will be sharing part of my own story inspired by Psalm 73. See you there!

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!

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Posted on July 15, 2021 by beverlyeash

In the New Testament, Paul writes a letter to his protege, Timothy. Paul left for Macedonia and Timothy remained in Ephesus to give leadership to the fledgingly church. Specifically, Paul wanted to Timothy to stand guard against teaching that was contrary to the truth of Jesus.

It seems people then were like people now and they loved endless discussions and controversy. Everyone wanted to be the most knowledgeable, have the best spiritual pedigree and wax eloquent about the law of Moses. Paul says this is all worthless and leads to unnecessary speculation and arguments.

There must have been some way that this teaching profited the one teaching for in chapter six, Paul says this:

4Anyone who teaches something different is arrogant and lacks understanding. Such a person has an unhealthy desire to quibble over the meaning of words. This stirs up arguments ending in jealousy, division, slander, and evil suspicions. 5These people always cause trouble. Their minds are corrupt, and they have turned their backs on the truth. To them, a show of godliness is just a way to become wealthy.

1 Timothy 6:4-5

I find that so interesting. How does godliness lead to wealth? Apparently, there was some benefit to teaching, even when it wasn’t the truth. The danger Paul warned of was false teachers clawing to get rich and doing anything to make it a reality. He encouraged contentment. Contentment that begins with having our most basic needs of food and clothing met.

6Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. 7After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. 8So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.

1 Timothy 6:6-8

Is the pursuit of wealth clouding your judgment and threatening to capsize your life? How would the pursuit of godliness and contentment be true wealth?

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Posted on July 14, 2021 by beverlyeash

9Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don’t have. Just dreaming about nice things is meaningless—like chasing the wind.

Ecclesiastes 6:9

As I browse scripture to see what it says about contentment, I landed in Ecclesiastes. The wise teacher’s perspective is challenging for sure.

I don’t go shopping very often and I go to a mall even less. A couple of weeks ago, I ended up in the mall. There is no faster way to create discontent in my heart than shopping at the mall. Suddenly, I was painfully aware of my need for new things — shoes, clothes, bags, phones, gadgets, jewelry, books — everything I saw. My things were used and tattered and certainly not the latest style. I felt frumpy.

I hurried through the store without buying a single thing. I guess maybe I am old enough to know that the newer, nicer thing isn’t going to bring me joy.

There are so many ways to shop these days which translates to me as so many ways to dream about things I don’t have. According to the Teacher, that is as profitable as chasing the wind.

Have you ever chased the wind? If not, why not? Does it seem like wasted effort? Just as I would become tired and discouraged chasing the wind, so dreaming of things I don’t have breeds discouragement. Let the wind go where it wants and be content with what you have. If you do, you will have time and energy to do what really matters!

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Posted on July 13, 2021 by beverlyeash

Contentment is feeling or showing satisfaction with one’s possessions, status or situation; to be pleased. It certainly behooves me to be content in the place I am. Sometimes, though, I am prodded to move out of my situation into something different. It might be “better” or maybe it’s just the next step in God’s good plan for my life.

As I meditated upon contentment, I came across this verse in the book of Joshua.

7Then Joshua cried out, “Oh, Sovereign Lord, why did you bring us across the Jordan River if you are going to let the Amorites kill us? If only we had been content to stay on the other side!

Joshua 7:7

Okay, I admit, I chuckled when I read this. I think I have done this. Following God’s leading, Joshua led Israel across the Jordan River and into the Promised Land. He had been given very specific instructions on how this would be accomplished. But the people did not follow these specific instructions, so God lifted his hands of protection and blessing.

What did Joshua do? He fell on his face before the Ark and cried out to the Lord. That sounds very spiritual, right? Possibly, except Joshua’s solution was that they should have been content staying where they were. And that wasn’t God’s plan. God responds to Joshua with this admonition:

10But the Lord said to Joshua, “Get up! Why are you lying on your face like this? 11Israel has sinned and broken my covenant! They have stolen some of the things that I commanded must be set apart for me. And they have not only stolen them but have lied about it and hidden the things among their own belongings. 12That is why the Israelites are running from their enemies in defeat.

Joshua 7:10-12

God didn’t want them to be content with their past; he wanted their obedience. The people not only disobeyed, they lied about it. They took the things that were to be set apart for God and acted as if nothing was wrong.

Today I asked myself these questions: Have I taken anything for myself that was to be set apart for God? Have I broken covenant with God by longing for what used to be because this road I travel is too difficult? Am I blaming God for something because I don’t want to take responsibility?

Yesterday in The Bible in a Year, the reading from Proverbs said this:

3People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the Lord.

Proverbs 19:3

Contentment doesn’t mean sitting and doing nothing. It means being satisfied and pleased with what God is doing in your life and going where he takes you, even when it’s difficult.

Are you tempted to turn away from something because it’s difficult? Do you find it easier to blame God for difficulty than accept responsibility and press in to greater obedience?

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Posted on July 12, 2021 by beverlyeash

I moved to Indiana in 1985. For many years, I hailed from Montana moving to Indiana only when I married. I remember many times looking longingly at other places to live. We would dream of settling in some more romantic space with opportunity, scenery and, to be honest, a starting over.

It certainly wasn’t that Indiana was a bad place to live. And it wasn’t that we really wanted to start over. It just seemed like the “easy” thing to do. There were aspects of our chosen way of living we wanted to change. These changes required us to be courageous, to speak up for what we believed, to swim against the current. That was difficult. If we moved, the changes would be easy to make; we would be starting over.

Turns out, we didn’t move. We took the courageous route, faced our fears and made the necessary lifestyle changes. It meant deep personal work, disappointing others, creating new community. It took many years before I called Indiana home.

Sunday evening as we returned from a long weekend filled with friends, family and ministry, I took time to appreciate my surroundings. I was grateful for the difficult journey we traveled, the hard personal work we did to make this our home. I rejoiced that my heart is content and at peace.

Then I thought of all those who are not in a place of contentment. It might be a job that is difficult, a lifestyle that needs revamping, a neighborhood that is challenging. I remembered those days and I wondered what I would say to that person if they asked me.

I would say this: do the hard work. Learn to be content in every situation. It doesn’t matter where you live or what job you have, you always bring yourself along. And usually, that is where the unrest originates. Learn to be at peace with yourself and the rest will fall into place.

Paul says it a little differently than I do, but it all fleshes out the same.

11Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. 

Philippians 4:11-13

Sure Paul was talking specifically about having his physical needs met. But I believe it applies as well to contentment in any area of life. Can you learn to be content in the work the Lord provides? Can you give it your best, and leave the rest to Him? Consider the last few years of your life — are they marked with contentment or discontent? Do you tend to complain or to cheer?

Remember — no matter where you go, you bring yourself along! Perhaps now is the time to do the hard inner work of soul searching. You might just find you’re in the best place after all!

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Posted on July 9, 2021 by beverlyeash

Monday, the 5th, felt like the fourth Saturday in a row. It began as many of our Saturdays do with Dave asking if he should make sausage gravy and biscuits. By this he meant he wanted me to get up and make biscuits while he fries sausage for gravy. On this day, I agreed to his choice of breakfast food.

About this time, we noticed the electrician for the cabin arriving. Not knowing if he was intending to work or just stopping in, Dave went out to talk with him. Within moments, I received a text message telling me to make enough for Larry. Sure! No problem.

While we ate, Larry told us of the many different places he lived. One determination he made was to never refuse an invitation to sit at someone’s table and share a meal.

Often I feel too busy to pause to share a meal or even a short conversation. But am I really? How would my life look differently if I slowed down?

I think it would look like campfires in the middle of a gloomy day, more moments watching fish in the pond with my granddaughter, coffee with friends, going to dinner to hear live music, making lunch for my son or one of my daughters unexpectedly. It would be saying yes to more invitations to pause.

I looked the scriptures over and didn’t find any kind of mandate to encourage a slower pace of living. I do know, though, that Jesus often stopped to heal or speak with someone his disciples thought he ought to overlook. I want to be like Jesus, so my goal is to slow down and enjoy the fleeting moments along the way.

How about you? Is your life moving at breakneck speed with no room for unexpected moments? Are you willing to slow down?

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Posted on July 8, 2021 by beverlyeash

4Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent.

Psalm 4:4

26And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

Ephesians 4:26-27

The verse from psalms caught my eye the other night. I thought it so wise to hold one’s tongue overnight to allow the anger to subside and reason to take over. And then I remembered the verse from Pauls’ letter to Ephesus that referenced sin and anger.

Much to my surprise, I discovered Paul quoted the Psalm 4 admonition. Stopping short of the advice to think about it overnight, Paul said you shouldn’t let the sun go down while you are angry. It seems logical he meant “don’t sleep on it.”

So what does one do? Stay up all night or sleep on it and let the emotion die down?

A few years back, Dave and I were on vacation with another couple. One evening we went separate ways for dinner and, unbeknownst to us, they had a spat about something. The next morning we reunited for breakfast and our friends were a bit bleary eyed from lack of sleep. You see, they stayed up until they had it worked out.

It seems to me the important part of this admonition is “don’t sin.” Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Sometimes it is best to walk away and allow some time before working things out. Sometimes it is best to work it out right away.

How about you? Does anger have control of you? Is it gaining a foothold in your life, causing you to sin in what you say to others? How would some space of distance or time allow you to rethink your responses?

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Posted on July 7, 2021 by beverlyeash

Last week, it rained here in our corner of the world. It didn’t rain a little; it rained a lot. Inches and inches. I made several observations last week regarding the rain and the plants on my deck.

First, there is nothing like rain to make plants grow. I can water and water the containers with the hose, but the rain takes the plants to the next level of growth. Maybe it is the lightening often accompanying the rain or maybe there are nutrients in the air that are washed onto the plants. Whatever the reason, rain proves to be more satisfying to the plants than water from the hose.

Secondly, if the pot doesn’t have a drain hole, the plant will cease to thrive at some point. I noticed one of my pots looked a bit droopy and sad. I could hardly believe it would be dry, but I instinctively watered it anyway. The next day it didn’t look any better so I investigated more thoroughly. Upon closer inspection, I discovered the plant was too wet. I carefully turned the pot on it’s side and found it had no drain holes. My granddaughter and I found a drill and a half inch bit and before too long, the pot had holes. Now I am waiting to see if it will dry out sufficiently to recover from its waterlogged condition.

As per usual, I found myself making spiritual applications of the rain and its effects on my plants. I thought about how often I try to provide for my own needs, relying on what I can do to grow. It’s important to be alone in the presence of Jesus, to immerse myself in the word, to listen for his voice (watering from the hose). But there is nothing like an outpouring of the Holy Spirit on my life (rainfall). It’s that much needed refreshment that comes because I position myself to be where he is. For me, that means being around other believers, joining in community, sharing life with other travelers along this road by gathering for prayer, worship, the Word, and food. Yes, sharing a meal is spiritual! If I had brought my plants inside or covered them up, they would not have been in a position to receive the rain. If I never position myself to be where the Spirit is at work, I won’t receive his rain either.

I thought about my pot that didn’t have a way for excess water to run out. It was dying from too much of a good thing. In “The God Shaped Brain,” author Dr. Timothy Jennings talks about the importance of serving others in a volunteer capacity. He cites statistics that show those who volunteer live longer and are happier people. When I look at my plant, it makes sense to me. If we hold tightly to all the blessings we receive, we will die. Too much of a good thing is too much. But if we constantly give of ourselves in service to others, we remain healthy and vibrant. We might even exceed expectations, like my plants this year.

38Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.

Luke 6:38

Where do you find yourself right now? In need of a cleansing rain of the Spirit? Or are you needing to get out and give some of the blessing away? There is always more and he is committed to supply all you need. Give generously, hang out where the Spirit is evident, look to the Son and you will thrive!

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Posted on July 6, 2021 by beverlyeash

Yesterday I left you with a scripture to ponder. It is from Paul’s letter to the church in Colosse. The new believers in this ancient city asked many of the same questions we ask today. “Who is Jesus?” topped the list for many people and there were no shortage of answers. False teachers mixed elements of astrology, magic and Judaism to come up with a Jesus who was merely an angelic being, not the triumphant Son of God. Paul wrote to combat these false ideas and restore pure belief in the deity of Jesus.

. . . Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. 14He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. 15In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.

Colossians 2:13-15

These verses speak to me of Jesus’ triumph over the powers of darkness. His victory is complete! He made me ALIVE, he FORGAVE ALL MY SINS, he CANCELED the charges against me, taking it away! He DISARMED AND SHAMED the spiritual rulers and authorities when he died on the cross.

I find a great deal of satisfaction in this description of Jesus’ work on the cross. Not only because my sins are forgiven, canceled, gone — but because Jesus put the enemy to shame and publically disgraced him. That might be the human part of me rejoicing in his humiliation.

In ancient times, when a king conquered another nation, he brought the conquered king in front of everyone and to signify his defeat and to shame him. There were different ways this was done, but several are mentioned in scripture. One way was to cut off the conquered king’s thumbs and big toes.

 5While at Bezek they encountered King Adoni-bezek and fought against him, and the Canaanites and Perizzites were defeated. 6Adoni-bezek escaped, but the Israelites soon captured him and cut off his thumbs and big toes. 7Adoni-bezek said, “I once had seventy kings with their thumbs and big toes cut off, eating scraps from under my table. Now God has paid me back for what I did to them.” They took him to Jerusalem, and he died there.

Judges 1:5-7

Another form of disgrace was to line up the conquered kings and put the foot of the conquerer on their neck.

22Then Joshua said, “Remove the rocks covering the opening of the cave, and bring the five kings to me.” 23So they brought the five kings out of the cave—the kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon. 24When they brought them out, Joshua told the commanders of his army, “Come and put your feet on the kings’ necks.” And they did as they were told. 25“Don’t ever be afraid or discouraged,” Joshua told his men. “Be strong and courageous, for the Lord is going to do this to all of your enemies.” 

Joshua 10:22-25

Jesus died to secure your freedom and he publically disgraced the enemy. This was language these people understood. I believe Jesus says to us what Joshua said to his men that day, “Don’t ever be afraid or discouraged! Be strong and courageous for the Lord is going to do this to all your enemies!”

What does it mean to you that your debts are canceled? How do you feel knowing your enemy has been disgraced publically?

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Posted on July 5, 2021 by beverlyeash

There are moments when I contemplate writing a book. I consider entitling it, “ETC” because it would be a collection of all my random wanderings gathered into one space. The post today might feel like I decided to do that because I did.

First . . .

3Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

Genesis 1:3
There is light in the cabin! One step closer!

The holiday week has been quiet, but as soon as the door and windows come the inside can be finished. Patience is key right now.

Next . . .

On Sunday, July 4, I heard an excellent message from Psalm 23:3 reminding me that life isn’t about me. Nothing is about me! It is all about God! Even Jesus said he lived to bring glory to God. In so many ways, it takes the pressure off when I allow that message to sink into my heart. A renewed sense of freedom from performance rises up in me and isn’t this particular holiday all about freedom?

Finally . . .

I admit I am not a social media expert and I don’t understand how these platforms work. I do wonder sometimes how I can have close to 500 friends on Facebook and see posts from less than 10% of those people? I admit posts from all 500 might be overwhelming.

Anyway, if you access this blog through Facebook and would like to be assured you are seeing every new post, consider going to outofthechaos.blog and clicking on the “follow” button in the bottom right hand corner. Enter your email address and you will automatically receive this content to your inbox every morning at 6 a.m. You will not receive any other annoying content from Word Press. Just my bits and pieces.

Consider this scripture today. . .

13You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. 14He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. 15In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross. 20You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world. 

Colossians 2:13-15, 20

FREE IN CHRIST!

That is something to celebrate!

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