Solitude

Solitude is something that most people just do not have enough of.  We are constantly being pulled into the fray of busyness.  The Bible speaks of solitude in the following Scriptures:
Matthew 4:1-11 - In this passage Jesus is alone in the wilderness.  While there Satan comes to tempt Him.  The temptations presented to Christ are the same ones we encounter each day - Jesus is tempted with food. In a nation that has a high obesity rate- we see how we, as a nation, are tempted by food.  Each day we see ads for fast food, gourmet food, snacks of all sorts and when going through a drive through we can even "supersize" our meal.   Jesus' statement to Satan was simple. "Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."  Maybe we should spend more time feasting on the Word of God and less time feasting on our supersized meals.
The next temptation which Satan brought before Jesus was one of testing God, to see if God would protect Jesus.  Of course, Jesus had an answer for Satan. "Do Not test the Lord your God." 
The final test came when Satan showed Jesus the splendors of the world.  When I read this it makes me wonder just how many of our nations leaders and world leaders have fallen for this lie that Satan tangles. Jesus gave Satan an answer that needs to be used by our leaders today. " Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only."
Jesus spent that time in the wilderness to be close to His Father- if Jesus needed time alone with God.  I do believe that we also need time alone with God.  Time for Him to comfort and advise us.
If solitude were not important it would not have been mentioned so often in the Bible.
Please take some time to be alone with Christ and read His teachings on solitude:
Matthew 14:13
Matthew 14:23
Matthew 17:1-9 (Transfiguration) Time with God transforms us
Mark 1:35
Mark 6:31
Luke 5:16 - time spent alone in prayer

May God bless you and I pray that you will find time to be alone with God for some one to one time with your Savior.

Carrie
Luke 6:12

Simplicity

How do we live a life of simplicity in a world that is so complicated? I know for me I enjoy gadgets, computers, etc., the thought of going back to time before Iphones, Ipods and Gps devices is not something I would want to do.  However, you and I can live a life of simplicity if we look to the Bible for guidance.
There are at least 14 Scriptures that address the issue of simplicity.  I would encourage you to look over and study these Scripture references.

1. Matthew 6:19, 21
2. Matthew 19: 16-22
3. Luke 6:30
4. Luke 6:20, 24
5. Luke 12:15-21
6. Luke 12:33
7. Luke 16:13
8. 1 Corinthians 5:11
9. Philippians 4:12
10. 1 Timothy 3:3
11. 1 Timothy 3:8
12. 1 Timothy 6:9
13. Hebrew 13:5
14. James 4:1-2

After studying these Scriptures, it seems to me that it is not the having of possessions that matters, it is the place the possessions have in your life: Therefore, if you are in accordance with God's Word and putting Him first in your life then living a life of simplicity amidst all the technology and advancments of the world  can be achieved. 

1. Stay focused on God 
2. Buy useful items rather than status
3. Reject anything that causes an addiction in you
4. Make a habit of giving things away
5. Do not believe everything you hear (ads)
6. Enjoy things without ownership (park, beach, library)
7. Appreciate nature
8. Avoid buy now pay later schemes
9. Use plain honest speech (Matthew 5:37)
10. Do not oppress others

I pray that you will strive to live a live of simplicity.

God Bless you,

Carrie