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Living Simplicity

No wonder this is how God intended it….

I have recently noticed that I have been living simply for the past few months without realizing it.

It all happened when I moved to Brenham back in January. I was given a beautiful house to live in with a washing machine, kitchen and incredible backyard. It was only missing a few key parts of my existence: TV and Internet. I quickly realized how dependent on these things I have become. Believe it or not, but these things complicated my life. In their absence, I have had to find other ways to occupy my time when I am not at the office. The result has been a whirlwind of delightfully simple activities. Furthermore, my days have been able to be completely consumed with the Lord.

Simplicity has allowed me to notice all the beautiful things that Christ created for His children.

I challenge you to cut out a few things this week that tend to make your days and thoughts complicated.

May I suggest:

TV, Radio, Internet, Time(set your watch aside for the day), Movies, Cooking, or maybe even friends (for a day)

What are you living for?

As I was doing my devotion the other day something really stuck out to me.  1 Peter 4:2 says, “That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.”  If God wanted to take us right when we received Christ as our Savior, He could and would have.  God did not choose to take us immediately because we are here on earth to reach others for Him. So as you live your daily lives, live for God’s will.

(Posted by Courtney Brauer, courtney@sageministries.org, who is currently serving as a SAGE intern.) 

 

Small Things

Sometimes looking at the world around me, I think that there is no way that God could care what happens in my life on a day-to-day basis. If it bores a simple person like myself, I wonder what it does to the Creator of the universe. However, this is not how God sees it.

I had recently ordered a textbook off the internet (which I don’t normally do) and paid extra for it to arrive at my new home quickly. I needed the book to complete an assignment that was rapidly approaching its due date. The day that my book was supposed to arrive, I decided not to gather the mail until I arrived home for the night. When I got home, the mail was gone. Long story short, the homeowners’ daughter had taken the mail with her to some location unknown to me. I had only met the girl that day and had no means of reaching her. My heart began to race with the stress of figuring out how to get my book back. After all, I had paid extra for it. I thought through and overthought (as we ladies do often) every possible solution. None were very appealing to me. All the while I kept reminding myself of Matthew 6:34 – “Don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow has enough trouble of its own.” And Matthew 6:27 – “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” I couldn’t do anything about it. All the solutions I had thought of depended on circumstances beyond my control. So I prayed a simple “help me” prayer and stopped worrying. The next day, to my chagrin, when I arrived home there was a book-shaped package leaning against my door.

Yes, our God is a huge God, but that doesn’t mean that the little things that trouble us don’t register with him. Inversely related, He delights in the things we take pleasure in. What a wonderful God that governs the universe, yet doesn’t overlook our small trials.

Posted by Alyssa Weaver (alyssa@sageministries.org). Alyssa is a junior at Dallas Baptist University who is serving as a SAGE semester staffer this spring. She loves people, bright colors, Africa, the rain, and rolling down hills.

Question:
What are some “small” situations that God has shown his unfailing interest in you?

Simple Giving

This Christmas season, it’s easy to see the picture of materialism that exists within America. We like stuff, and lots of it. We pass around our Christmas wish lists, and we anticipate the day when we can open all those packages under the tree.

But this Christmas season, we have the opportunity to practice “Simplicity” in the way we give and the way we receive.

As you consider the gifts you will give this year, why not write a poem or paint a picture to give those you care about? It’s personal…it’s poignant…and the only thing it costs you is time.

As you consider the gifts you ask for this year, why not ask for someone to donate to a church or charity in your name? Why not put a limit on the quantity and the price of those items on your wish list?

Simple giving and simple receiving. That’s a simple Christmas. How refreshing!

What Are You Thankful For?

As we get ready to stuff our faces with turkey and dressing, it’s important for us to remember why we celebrate Thanksgiving. While we shouldn’t have to set aside a day to be “thankful,” it does help to have a day to remind us of the importance of gratitude.

1 Chronicles 16:34 (NIV) says, “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.”

When we take time to give thanks to God, it certainly alters our perspective. And I believe if we did that more often, we wouldn’t have as much difficulty simplifying our lives. A changed perspective means a changed life, and that’s what I am praying for this Thanksgiving.

Talkback Questions:
What are you thankful for this year?
How do you think gratitude changes our perspective?

A Simple Meal

Want to help out at home this week by whipping up something delicious? The following recipe is from the book The Art of Helping by Lauren Littauer Briggs and given by Elaine Hardt.

Simplified Chicken Enchiladas

Mash 10oz. package of white corn tortilla chips slightly and pour half into a 9″ x 13″ baking dish.

Mix together in a large bowl:
1 c. sour cream
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1/2 c. onion, finely chopped
1 small can chopped green chilies
1/2 c. milk
3 c. cubed, cooked chicken

Pour over chips in baking dish. Sprinkle over this 1c. shredded jack cheese. Top with the rest of the tortilla chips and 1 more cup of cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Serve with hot sauce.

Posted by Heather Dillard (daughteroftheking374@hotmail.com). Heather is a junior at Wayland Baptist University in Plainview, TX. She is from Lubbock and has 2 sisters. She loves cooking, crocheting, singing, playing guitar, and drinking tea.

What’s Love Got to Do With It?

Do you remember learning about plants in elementary school? One of our class projects involved leaving a stalk of celery in a vase of colored water. As the celery soaked up water, we were able to see the color run up the stalk and into the leaves.

1 John 4:10 tells us that we are not changed because of ourselves, but because God has first loved us. Just as dyed water makes a plant change color, God’s love transforms us to be more like Himself.

God’s demonstration of love is present in every day grace, but His ultimate sacrifice of His Son’s life for our souls showed His willingness to love to the extreme. John says we also must love others in this sacrificial way; if we do not, then we have not experienced God’s love.

Sometimes we avoid showing love because we are afraid of the outcome. Will the person shy away? What if our classmates ridicule us? While fear may tempt us, we need to remember that God extended mercy to us as sinners, regardless of our response.

Our Lord has called us to love others in the same manner He has loved us—with service and sacrifice. Let us soak up His transforming love and display His splendor in our actions and attitudes today.

Real Choices
What were you like before God changed your life? Tell an unbeliever about your life-changing experience and about Christ’s love for them.

Digging Deeper
Read Ephesians 2:1-10. Is there any reason why God should love sinful man based on verses 1-3? Note man’s condition after Christ changes him. How does this affect your understanding of how much God loves us and how we should demonstrate love to others?

Pray
Father, please forgive me for taking Your love for granted. Help me to love others more than myself.

Posted by Leigh Carter (lcarter@sebts.edu). Leigh is from Roanoke, VA, and graduated from Roanoke College with a Physical Education/Education degree. She enjoys playing sports of all kinds (especially softball and volleyball), music, photography, and being outside in God’s creation. Most of all, she enjoys spending time with women of all ages and teaching them God’s Word and equipping them for ministry.

Simply Intimacy

It’s amazing to me how God can speak one word and bring life to areas that have caused years of trouble and pain. As much as we strive to figure it out, we can’t bring ourselves healing. But as soon as we come and ask Jesus to speak His truth, all He has to say is one thing, and we have peace.

“One thing I ask of the Lord,
this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord
and to seek Him in His temple.”
Psalm 27:4

Posted by Heather Dillard. Heather is a junior at Wayland Baptist University in Plainview, TX. She is from Lubbock and has 2 sisters. She loves cooking, crocheting, singing, playing guitar, and drinking tea.

Simplicity Is Coming to a Town Near You!

SAGE is going on the road with “Simplicity!” And we’d love the opportunity to meet you in person. Check out the schedule below to find out when we’ll be in your neighborhood:

SIMPLICITY PREVIEW EVENT: September 22, 2007 (Lake Pointe Church, Rockwall, TX)

GEORGIA EVENT : November 9-10, 2007 (First Baptist Church, Alpharetta, GA)

NORTH TEXAS: February 15-16, 2008 (Travis Ave. Baptist Church, Fort Worth, TX)

WEST TEXAS/NEW MEXICO: March 28-29, 2008 (Calvary Bapt. Church, Lubbock, TX)

EAST TEXAS/LOUISIANA : April 4-5, 2008 (Green Acres Bapt. Church, Tyler, TX)

SOUTHEAST U.S. EVENT: May 2-3, 2008 (First Baptist Church, Jackson, MS)

Click here for details.