@FirstChurchofJerusalem
Today's Early Church Wisdom
“To those who ask us whence we have come or whom we have for a leader, we say that we have come in accordance with the counsels of Jesus to cut down our warlike and arrogant swords of argument into ploughshares, and we convert into sickles the spears we formerly used in fighting. For we no longer take ‘sword against a nation,’ nor do we learn ‘any more to make war,’ having become sons of peace for the sake of Jesus, who is our leader, instead of following the ancestral customs in which we were strangers to the covenants.”
~ Origen (185AD – 254AD)
This week's Psalm is Psalm 31 'My Rock, My Shield, My Song'

Celebrate what God has Given

Writing to his protégé, the young pastor Timothy, the apostle Paul writes, “Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17). God is the most generous being in the universe, and if it were not for the ravages of sin and death that rob us and steal from us on this earth, we would never lack for anything but forever enjoy the most wonderful life possible. Thankfully, a day is coming when creation will be fully restored, and death will die. What a glorious day that will be! But for now, we are living in a world of great injustice, unfairness, and inequality. Those who have been fortunate to acquire riches are commanded to use them in the service of God’s love, making a positive difference here on earth, whilst being warned not to trust in their wealth, for it is uncertain. Idolatry takes many different forms but always leads to loss. Only those who abandon themselves and their lives fully to Jesus can know the freedom that life brings. Only they can fully celebrate all the good things God has done for them. Only they can fully and freely enjoy all the good things that God has given. Maybe take a little time each day to remember, to give thanks, and to enjoy your blessings from God.