"Simply Living" is not a new idea. We find so many people these days trying to simplify and reduce everything in their life. I have found that once you simplify, unless it becomes a part of you deep in your spirit man, you will not keep up with the simple life.
For me, a wife and a mother of 7 and one on the way, my life has got to be very simple and very organized. If my life is not that way I feel very overwhelmed and I notice that it also blocks my relationship with my Heavely Father.
I find that I am spending more time taking care of my home than tending to my spirit man and that of my childrens spirit. I have less time to read the word of God and meditate on His word. One of my favorite verses has always been Psalm 1. This was the first chapter I ever memorized and it has become very dear to my heart.
1 BLESSED (HAPPY, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather.
2 But his delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on His law (the precepts, the instructions, the teachings of God) he habitually meditates (ponders and studies) by day and by night.
3 And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper [and come to maturity].
4 Not so the wicked [those disobedient and living without God are not so]. But they are like the chaff [worthless, dead, without substance] which the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the wicked [those disobedient and living without God] shall not stand [justified] in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous [those who are upright and in right standing with God].
6 For the Lord knows and is fully acquainted with the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly [those living outside God's will] shall perish (end in ruin and come to nought).
I want my life to be just like that tree, that person was likened to a tree that was planted by a stream of LIVING WATER. As it is with me, I must be deeply planted in the living water, the word of God. I want to soak in His presence every chance I get. I cannot get enough of Jesus. I am truly a lovesick bride when I don't get to spend time with Him.
I also notice that when I spend time with Him, when I rise and give Him the first fruits of my eyes and my lips, my days is so much more fruitful and I am more relaxed. I even notice that I am very creative. I am a painter by gift and some by experienced skill. But I owe all that I do to God. I find though that my creative flow in my painting is done with more ease. It is as if the Holy Spirit guides me.
In the bible we also find ~
7 Two things have I asked of You [O Lord]; deny them not to me before I die:
8 Remove far from me falsehood and lies; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me,
9 Lest I be full and deny You and say, Who is the Lord? Or lest I be poor and steal, and so profane the name of my God. (Proverbs 30:7-9)
Proverbs 30:7-9
Agur wisely prayed for a middle state, that he might be kept at a distance from temptations; he asked daily bread suited to his station, his family, and his real good. There is a remarkable similarity between this prayer and several clauses of the Lord's prayer. If we are removed from vanity and lies; if we are interested in the pardoning love of Christ, and have him for our portion; if we walk with God, then we shall have all we can ask or think, as to spiritual things.
When we consider how those who have abundance are prone to abuse the gift, and what it is to suffer want, Agur's prayer will ever be found a wise one, though seldom offered. Food convenient; what is so for one, may not be so for another; but we may be sure that our heavenly Father will supply all our need, and not suffer us to want anything good for us; and why should we wish for more? (Pr 30:10) ~ Biblegateway Commentary
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There are many different ways to incorporate "Simply Living."
"Simply Living" means choosing to live our life consciously, deliberately, not under dictation of the worlds standards, but under Gods. In our lives we choose to stay focused, living deeply and seeking to find out what the true value of life really is. We choose to not allow culture and consumerism to lead our lives. It means living in such away that we give to others what God intended for us to give, ourselves. This is the very essense of simply living. Just as Jesus gave of Himself, we walk in those same footprints.
"Simply Living" means to feel such a huge compassion for others that we "choose to live simply so that others may simply live." We respect one another and we feel an urgency to bring peace and reconciliation to those around us. We want a sense of community with one another. We seek to share our hearts with those around us. To help others reach their dreams and to live a fulfilled and fruitful life. We long to tell them about the greatest love they will ever know, Jesus. His story is forever at the edge of our lips ready to pass life on to the next person. Because we know that without Jesus our lives would never be lived so beautifully as He has made it.
"Simply Living" means that our lives are but a letter in the hands of a life~giving, compassionate God. He longs to tell His story through us. He sent our friend, the Holy Spirit, who weaves every detail in our past to present us as a beautiful work of art before a dying and hurting world. If we allow it creativity will flow from us daily. We look for ways to show God's creative handiwork through us. Whether it is through painting, sewing, drawing, crocheting, knitting, wood widdling, planting a beautiful landscape of flowers, or the beautiful way we mother our precious children. We celebrate life in it's full godly compacity. Reaching out to those in our community and sharing with them the fruit of our hands and the fruit of our wombs. Because of how we mother our children we are presenting gifts to the world and not more problems. We are very precise on how we raise them and how we present them back to God.
"Simply Living" means always looking for ways to cut back on unneeded spending. We cut back on spending that does not promote life or spending that does not serve our lives and those around us in a godly manner. We look for ways that will bring more income into our lives so we are able to live a simple and comfortable life, as well as to be able to bless those around us and those in need. Also, becoming more conscious of what we are spending gives us the freedom to have the life that God has set before us. The Lord has told us in the word, to be good stewards of our money. (Luke 12:13-21)
"Simply LIving" means to remember Christ in all we do. We are very aware that without God we have no existance. We understand that everything we do and say will ultimately affect our lives as well as those around us. We are also very respectful of the world around us. We understand that we have dominion over the earth, but it is not ours to destroy or ruin. We look for ways to experience all that God has created, as well as looking for ways to preserve and maintain a balance in the earth around us. It also means to celebrate the miracle of God's seasons, physically and spiritually. We have a respect for all of life, plants and animals, not just the life of humans.
"Simply Living" means to allow the Holy Spirit to move through us in all that we do. Whether it is when we are talking to a dear friend, our husbands, our children or a stranger passing through. While we are preparing a meal for our family or loved ones who need to be nourished. (For us farmgirls ~ while tending to the land.) We must allow the presence of a Holy God to infuse the world around us, by living a life that is simple, we are more aware of the needs around us. We live our lives more concerned for those around us, we want to taste life and all that God has created it to be for us. We want to live life to the fullest. We want to show those around us that life, with Christ, is beautiful and very rewarding. We choose to look for His presence in all that we do. We look to see what is beyond our physical eyes and to focus on the unseen in every situation. We know that as believers in Christ, nothing just happens as mere concidence.
Most importantly, "Simply Living," we seek to find the SACRED IN THE ORDINARY! In our ordinary everyday lives, God is ALWAYS at work around us, in us and through us.
May you have a more blessed day today. I pray that I have given you some food for thought and shared with you some of our thoughts on the simple life, or my verions, "SIMPLY LIVING." Until next time,
Your friend and farmgirl,
Tina
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