Psalm 23:1 The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.

We were recently given the opportunity to tour an exquisite home that we have always admired from afar. After doing so, my husband and I looked at each other and realized that the plan for our future retirement home in Texas (a plan that we had lovingly selected and tweaked to meet our family's needs) was definitely not as appealing as it was before our tour. In fact, our "dream" home now lacked anything distinctive. It appeared ordinary!

The Tenth Commandment found in Exodus 20:17 warns "You shall not covet your neighbor's house....or anything that belongs to your neighbor." Webster defines covet as to excessively desire what belongs to another. In the Bible, wanting what others have is forbidden by God and doing so is considered to be a sin.

My husband and I had a choice to make after touring this home - to covet (excessively desire) our neighbors' home OR to be content with what had previously made us so happy. Joyce Meyer's once stated, "Contentment with life is not a feeling, but it is a decision we must make. Contentment does not mean that we never want to see change or improvement, but it does mean we can be happy where we are and will do the best we can with what we have."

Thankfully, my husband and I were able to put our feelings in check. We were quickly able to realize that our dream home was a wonderful GIFT from God....a home worthy of praise to our ultimate Provider. We were reminded of God's assurance as revealed in today's scripture that in Him we have all that we need. 

In our materialistic world, it is extremely easy to get caught up in wanting to be like the Jones' --- especially during the holiday season. Children AS WELL AS adults often see what others have and feel that their lives are incomplete without having it too. Often, trying to keep up with others can lead to extreme financial difficulties due to making purchases that are unaffordable.   

My challenge to you today is to avoid placing so much attention and energy on desiring what you don't have. Instead, keep your eyes and heart focused on what The Lord has to offer you. Always know that nothing else will fulfil us like God!

Dear Lord, Thank You for always providing what I need and keep me from coveting the things that I do not have. Help me to always BE CONTENT with what You have in store for me.

I also thank You, my Jesus, for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord and that God raised You from the grave so that I can have eternal life.