Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. – 1 John 2:15-17
Dear Heavenly Father,
This passage is like bleach. It always cleanses me drastically. I love the life you have given me on this earth. I love the nature with which you surround me, the country you have given me and the possessions you with which you have blessed me. When you say, don’t love them, but I do; I am stopped in my tracks. Then you say, if I love them, that means I don’t love you. My heart sinks. I do love you and I love them, too. Oh, please, Father, fill my heart with your Holy Spirit and make any appreciation I have for the blessings of this earthly life pure and holy. Help me walk the tight rope between worldly materialism and self-righteous asceticism with thankfulness and generosity in regard to blessings you give me.
AMEN
Pastor Don Patterson
Love the blesser more than the blessing.