Morning, July 23
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On the day you stood aloof while strangers carried off his wealth and foreigners entered his gate and cast lots for Jerusalem, you were just like one of them.  — Obadiah 1:11
Bible League: Living His Word
Now godliness with contentment is great gain.
— 1 Timothy 6:6 NKJV

If you want "great gain" in life&mdasha life lived to the fullest&mdashthen there are two things you need. According to our verse for today, you need godliness and contentment.

"Godliness" in a person means that they are conformed to the will and ways of God. Consequently, they're people who live good lives and adhere to sound doctrine. Among other things, they're not proud and they don't get caught up in disputes over words, envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, or useless wranglings. For them, godliness is dying to self and living for Christ. It is a life of loving service to God, not a surreptitious means to get wealthy (1 Timothy 6:4-5).

"Contentment," on the other hand, refers to the quality of being satisfied with what you have. This does not mean that you should never try to improve your lot in life, but that you should be content with whatever you have at whatever stage of life you occupy. According to Paul, those who are not content, those who are obsessed with riches, "fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows" (1 Timothy 6:9-10).

Contentment contributes to a life of peace and satisfaction, because it does not lead to frustration by desires that can never be fully satisfied and that lead astray. Content people fully trust God's provision for their lives.

Godliness with contentment is great gain because the person who embodies these qualities knows his purpose. Godly and content people live and serve to the fullest.
Bible in a Year
Old Testament Reading
Psalm 38, 39, 40


Psalm 38 -- O Lord, don't rebuke me in your wrath

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Psalm 39 -- I will watch my ways, so that I don't sin with my tongue.

  NIV   NLT   ESV   NAS   GWT   KJV   ASV   ERV   DRB


Psalm 40 -- I waited patiently for the Lord. He turned to me, and heard my cry.

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New Testament Reading
Acts 23:12-35


Acts 23 -- Paul before the Sanhedrin; Warned of Plot; Transferred to Caesarea

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Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library.
Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion
Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”
Insight
Jesus says that the good life has nothing to do with being wealthy, so be on guard against greed (desire for what we don't have). This is the exact opposite of what society usually says. Advertisers spend millions of dollars to entice us to think that if we buy more and more of their products, we will be happier, more fulfilled, more comfortable.
Challenge
How do you respond to the constant pressure to buy? Learn to tune out expensive enticements and concentrate instead on the truly good life—living in a relationship with God and doing his work.
Morning and Evening by Spurgeon
Obadiah 1:11  Even thou wast as one of them.

Brotherly kindness was due from Edom to Israel in the time of need, but instead thereof, the men of Esau made common cause with Israel's foes. Special stress in the sentence before us is laid upon the word thou; as when Caesar cried to Brutus, "and thou Brutus;" a bad action may be all the worse, because of the person who has committed it. When we sin, who are the chosen favorites of heaven, we sin with an emphasis; ours is a crying offence, because we are so peculiarly indulged. If an angel should lay his hand upon us when we are doing evil, he need not use any other rebuke than the question, "What thou? What dost thou here?" Much forgiven, much delivered, much instructed, much enriched, much blessed, shall we dare to put forth our hand unto evil? God forbid!

A few minutes of confession may be beneficial to thee, gentle reader, this morning. Hast thou never been as the wicked? At an evening party certain men laughed at uncleanness, and the joke was not altogether offensive to thine ear, even thou wast as one of them. When hard things were spoken concerning the ways of God, thou wast bashfully silent; and so, to on-lookers, thou wast as one of them. When worldlings were bartering in the market, and driving hard bargains, wast thou not as one of them? When they were pursuing vanity with a hunter's foot, wert thou not as greedy for gain as they were? Could any difference be discerned between thee and them? Is there any difference? Here we come to close quarters. Be honest with thine own soul, and make sure that thou art a new creature in Christ Jesus; but when this is sure, walk jealously, lest any should again be able to say, "Even thou wast as one of them." Thou wouldst not desire to share their eternal doom, why then be like them here? Come not thou into their secret, lest thou come into their ruin. Side with the afflicted people of God, and not with the world.

Daily Light on the Daily Path
1 Corinthians 15:24  then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power.

Matthew 13:32,33,37  and this is smaller than all other seeds, but when it is full grown, it is larger than the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that THE BIRDS OF THE AIR come and NEST IN ITS BRANCHES." • He spoke another parable to them, "The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three pecks of flour until it was all leavened." • And He said, "The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man,

2 Peter 3:9  The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

James 5:8,9  You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. • Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door.

Revelation 22:20  He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming quickly." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

2 Peter 3:11  Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,

1 Peter 4:7  The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.

Luke 12:35,36  "Be dressed in readiness, and keep your lamps lit. • "Be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door to him when he comes and knocks.

New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org.

Evening July 22
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