Stepping Stones: Do You Covet Or Give Thanks?

Transformational Tip
Many times the grass looks greener on the other side and we spend time focusing on what others have and missing what we don't have. We think having those other things will bring happiness, solve a problem, heal a hurt, or soothe our discomfort or uneasiness. The tenth commandment is "that shall not covet". If we are not to covet what others have, then we are being told to be content with what we do have. This really shows we understand that God is all-powerful, fully in charge, loves us, and is at work in our lives. He is providing exactly what we need at this moment, so let me enjoy it and be thankful for it. I don't need to covet other things, because if they were what I needed for growth, peace, and fulfillment, God would have known ahead of time and be providing it for me. We know through scripture that God loves a thankful heart. And we have so much to be thankful for. Don't be complacent in being thankful and actually saying or giving thanks. This is a very important discipline that reinforces in our mind and heart who God is, who we are, and the story that is really playing out in our everyday lives.
Are you a person who focuses on what you don't have? Gets caught up in the possibilities and fantasies of your agenda for your satisfaction? Or do you focus on the reality of what you actually have, being thankful for all the blessings you have, and asking God how you can be an awesome steward of them to maximize God's glory and your spiritual growth? Today know Your God as the Great Giver. Pray lists of all that he has given you...take time through-out your day for short prayers of thanksgiving. You will find this thanksgiving more clearly opens the line of communication between you and your Lord and you will see Him more for the loving and care-taking father He really is.

Prayer
Dear Gracious Father - You are my Giver. You give me hope when I feel despair. You give me acceptance when I feel unloved. You give me forgiveness when I fail. You give me purpose beyond anything I could imagine in this life. Thank You for the gift of brothers and sisters in Christ who have become part of the Stepping Stone prayer community. Thank you for using me to minister to others as you accept me with my weaknesses and inadequacies. Thank You for working everything out for our good and for Your glory. I pray in the name of the one who gave everything, Jesus - AMEN!

The Truth
He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all-how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
Romans 8:32
You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's."
Exodus 20:17
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19