Simple Needs, Simple Pleasures

Lately, God has been leading me into an appreciation of a more simple, back to basic, “taking pleasure in the meeting of simple needs,” type of lifestyle.

Maybe it’s the books on the arctic I’ve been reading, but every day, every book I read, everything He’s calling my attention to, and leading me to, all point to the joy of living simply, decluttering, and enjoying the simple gratitude of having my basic needs met.

What I mean is, people used to spend much more time just doing the basics to survive—hunting or growing food, acquiring and maintaining clothing, shelter, protection, reproducing and then teaching their kids the same. Of course, not to mention worshiping their Creator. (In fact, these things were an expression of worship to the Creator).

There was joy and great gratitude when they had a good harvest, when trade went well, when they had food, clothes, warmth, or shade. And, when they prospered to enjoy the “extra pleasures” of life whether in the form of extra food, desserts, good company of family and friends, sunshine, or travel, that would bring an even more deeply felt sense of joy and gratitude.

However, with prosperity and many conveniences, we take for granted that our basic needs will always be met. We have more leisure time, so we come to expect entertainment, food on demand, expensive vacations, big houses, new cars, and a closet full of clothes. Of course, I appreciate grocery stores, and I probably shop online too much. I want efficient cleaning tools, washing machines and so on. But overall, what does this really cost us?

Why “work” for basic needs when one can eat out, or pay for lawn care, or drive through a car wash etc. We don’t know how to take care of ourselves anymore. To do home repairs, car repairs, grow any food at all. Nor do we want to. We grew up this way. It’s all we know. And in our “spare time” we want “fun” or to “relax.” And meeting our basic needs no longer fits the definition of fun or relaxing, joy or peace. Some people can’t stand to be quiet. To be alone to think. Every moment they seek to be stimulated or entertained. There is no joy or appreciation in what "work" provides.

Our joy is in stimulation, not appreciation. Our peace is a temporary satisfaction, not genuine contentment. Gratitude for the little things goes a long way to attaining the spiritual satisfaction of both peace and joy. 

On top of all that—now enter AI.

Something to think for us. Speak for us. Read and write for us. And then tell us what to think about all of that. Or “better yet” clone us so we can sell our soul to the gods of leisure, laziness, and feel-good idleness, while it takes over our decision making, and our lives. 

We’ve lost so much already.

People used to memorize entire books! They knew how to travel long distances without paved roads, street signs, or GPS. They knew enough to debate complex issues, (and with respect). They knew enough to teach their kids, to correct them, discipline them, and instill in them a sense of respect, honor, dignity, and truth.

Is this path of increasing idleness really good for us? Shouldn’t we look to the Creator of mankind to see what He thinks? Does our command to be fruitful, multiply, replenish the earth, and subdue it mean that we don’t work in the garden? Being exiled from the garden was the consequence of not heeding the Word of the Creator. Are we abdicating our purpose by focusing our attention elsewhere—the lure of idle “pleasure” instead of finding the joy of working to produce fruit in His garden? The fruitful work that sustains us, nourishes us, and around which the joy of fellowship with others occurs. 

I think we’ve gotten off track.

The question is, how to get back on. The momentum of this train has been building for a long time. The answer is always to go back to the beginning. What does God say? What has He said? What was His original intention, and the foundation He laid?

Let's look:  

“Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit.” Psalm 51:12
The joy and sustenance of life comes when we are grateful for the salvation God has provided for us, and when we have a willing spirit—when we desire to do things His way.

“But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.” 1 Timothy 6:6-8.
When we live a godly life, in contentment with the basics, that is great gain. That is a satisfying treasure that lasts a lifetime and beyond. It’s worth asking the question, “What do we take with us after our life on earth is over?”

“But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men not ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a roof of all sorts of evil…” 1 Timothy 6:9-10
Pursuing temporary, earthly, riches leads to temptations and snares. There are many foolish and harmful desires on that path which lead to ruin and destruction.

“Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:31-33
When we seek God’s purposes for our lives, and pursue that, rather than trying to figure out on our own what we should be doing, what makes us happy, what is worthwhile, and so on, we will in fact find all the things that we need. We are not our own god. There is only one—He who created us, He who formed us in the womb—and our satisfaction in life is found only in Him.

“The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite, but the stomach of the wicked is in need.” Proverbs 13:25
When our heart is right—when we’ve become righteous through faith in Jesus Christ—then our appetites will be satisfied. Not because we will get everything we want, but because our “wants” line up with what God wants for us. His desires become our desires, and He will satisfy us with them all.

In Support of Local Community Identities

I don’t think it’s necessarily the harsh cold weather of the lands of Siberia, Greenland, Alaska, Norway, etc. that I am so intrigued with while reading the books I’ve been reading this winter. (Even though my grandparents were from Lapland, above the arctic circle).

I think it’s the remoteness, the small villages, surviving independently, yet within a community and its own identity. Communities like the ones I’ve been reading about exist because of the challenging geography and the physical proximity of the tough, independent people who live there. They exist because of things like the harsh weather, or the location which makes it difficult to travel there. Not a lot of people want to live there. But to those who do, it’s worth the challenges.

Advancements in travel and modern conveniences have made it easier for the very remote places to become more easily reachable, habitable, and therefore more populated. An increase in population can be good as it provides more people to contribute to the community to produce basic necessities, and in many ways enhance the beauty or uniqueness of the region, especially a community in a remote area with built-in challenges. But at what point does the community’s growing demands cause them to become dependent on other communities for basic needs, which in turn might have a negative effect on their own community?

When money is spent outside a community, even to bring in goods, it doesn’t really benefit the community economically. The wealth of that community is going elsewhere. (I suppose you could argue that if money is spent on things like tools to produce a higher quality product or work more efficiently within the community, then it might be worth it).

Those who grow food, raise livestock, catch fish, or become plumbers, electricians, road workers, teachers, doctors, etc. contribute something invaluable to a community. But as the community grows, competing businesses will look for ways to stay in business. While I’m all for healthy competition, when quality is sacrificed by importing cheap goods or materials to try to have the best prices, and the people buy those cheap products, then the entire community becomes cheapened, while at the same time losing something important—their own ability to produce what will help them survive and thrive. The same thing happens when services become sloppy—people will look elsewhere for someone who does a good job; knowledge and skill degrade.

Right now, where I live in Michigan, if I want to eat grass-fed and finished local meat, it’s more inconvenient for me. I have to drive forty-five minutes to another city. But I can get grass-fed and finished meat from Texas by only driving two miles to a local chain grocery store. This is fine, until it’s not. Until something interferes with that meat being shipped hundreds of miles across the country. Yes, my local (chain) grocery store is profiting, along with the shipping companies, and gas companies, and the business in Texas, but the benefit would be greater locally if I purchased locally. The farmers closer to home would stay in business and would be there if the business across the country couldn’t be accessed. Is it wise to grow dependent on businesses across the country for basic needs? It seems convenient, but how inconvenient would it be if that supplier became unavailable? Food especially, is fresher, healthier, and cheaper if it’s supplied locally.

When we support our local businesses, it’s good for all of us. How many local businesses have companies like Amazon put out of business? Look at how many things you used to be able to find at a local store, which you no longer can. How much is this cheapening our local communities? How have our community identities been affected? How much has this left our kids without a sense of community identity? I think there’s a modern-day message in the biblical year of jubilee. We just might need a reset and return to our own land. I think we can learn from the Amish.

It’s not one-size-fits-all. It’s about supporting the gifts of the locals in our communities. Helping them to become they best they can be. That might mean learning from others in other communities, and then bringing back that knowledge and skill to their own. The same is true in families and churches. As we support and encourage one another to learn and grow into what God has gifted and called each of us to do, then it benefits all of us, and we function as one body in Christ.

The Path of the Righteous

“But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,

That shines brighter and brighter until the full day.”

Proverbs 4:18

There’s no sense of peace, purpose, or belonging as when you follow your Creator on the path He’s destined for you.

When you take that first breath after choosing Him and His way, it’s like the breath of a newborn babe. For you truly are born again and filled with His breath—His Spirit—when Jesus becomes Lord of your life.

Keep breathing His breath, learn to walk on His path—the one destined for you—and follow Him always.

When we see that the path we’ve been on—the path of our own thinking, desires, and pursuits—is not taking us to our destiny, and we realize that we can’t get there on our own, that we need Jesus, and that He’s the only way, and we call on Him, He will take us there.

The peace, purpose, and belonging we find as a part of being born into His family, is what eternal life feels like. And there is nothing on earth comparable!

Wait on the Lord (and see what happens)!

On today’s Give Him 15 post, Dutch Sheets talked about the Hebrew word for “wait,” (one of them), which is qavah. Part of it means to be entwined, such as braided together.

 Isaiah 40:31

³¹ Yet those who wait for the Lord
Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary.

 Psalm 27:14

¹⁴ Wait for the Lord;
Be strong and let your heart take courage;
Yes, wait for the Lord.

As we wait on the Lord, we become entwined and joined together with Him into a oneness, as in a braid. Though this gives us increased strength, it also entwines our hearts with His, giving us clearer purpose and vision, so we may become a reflection of who He is. 

 I’m reminded of 2 Corinthians 3:18 and the word “beholding,”

¹⁸ But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.

 “Beholding as in a mirror” is the Greek word “Katoptrizo” (Strong’s Greek 2734). It means to reflect.

So, as we reflect on Jesus inwardly, we will be changed into His image, resulting in us reflecting His image outwardly.

Amazing.

It goes along with 1 John 3:2-3

² Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. ³ And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

 As we see Him, we become like Him—we’re changed into His image. Just the hope of this is purifying!

Spend some time waiting on the Lord--waiting with the Lord--today. Spend some time reflecting on Him, who He is, and as you do, you will reflect His image to others. What a joy, and what an honor!

*** 

Give Him 15: "The Mouse and the Elephant: October 16, 2025: Link here 

Strong's Concordance: qavah: October 16, 2025: Link here 

Strong's Concordance: Katoptrizomeoi, October 16, 2025: Link here

Opening the Seals to the Book of Revelation

I'm posting a link to the download of my booklet, "Opening the Seals to the Book of Revelation." It is a 59-page booklet in PDF form which you may download at this link here, or, if you prefer, from my website here, scroll to the bottom of the page on my website for a download link.

Here is the Introduction:

If you are not familiar with the Book of Revelation in the Bible, what I’ve written will probably sound a little strange. I would suggest you read the Book of Revelation, at least once, prior to reading this booklet.

There are many and varied opinions on the Book of Revelation, which is the story of the Apostle John’s revelation or prophecy he received while exiled on the Greek Isle of Patmos around 90-95 A.D. I’m not claiming to understand this prophecy 100%, yet I believe I have enough insight to give a basic understanding of what’s to come.

Rather than bickering over what we don’t (or can’t) know at this point, (for example the exact time of Jesus’ return to earth), if we instead focus on what is clear and what applies to us today, we will be blessed by John’s prophecy. After all, John began the book by saying, “Blessed is he who reads, and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it, for the time is near.” (Revelation 1:3).

This booklet, for the most part, is about chapters five through nineteen. These chapters cover the opening of the seals, the sounding of the trumpets, and the pouring out of the bowls on the earth at the end of this age. I didn’t include chapters one through four, not because I don’t think they’re important, but because they are, and deserve more attention than what I can give them here. Neither have I included chapters twenty through twenty-two for the same reason.

I’ve tried to avoid sounding either defensive or over-confident about my interpretation of the events John described. This is simply what I interpret the Holy Spirit showing me; please ask the Holy Spirit to reveal truth to you as you read.

Rose Murdock

Opening the Seals to the Book of Revelation

Fellowship Over Formula

In Proverbs 3:1-8 and Proverbs 4:20-23 where it talks about healing and health, it doesn’t say anything specifically about SPEAKING the Word of God bringing life or health to our bodies. Of course, speaking His Word is a good thing, if it comes from your heart.

Speaking something that is not in your heart is false fruit. It is hypocrisy and even lying (See Matthew 12:33-37).

Of course, we are to speak the Word of God, but even in Joshua 1:8 where the Lord told him not to let the book of the law depart out of his mouth, (in other words, to keep His Word in his mouth—to keep speaking it), He said to meditate on it day and night so he would be careful to do according to all that is written in it, for then he would make his way prosperous and have success.

Proverbs 3 talks about not forgetting His teaching, keeping His commandments, not letting kindness and truth leave you, bind them around your neck, write them on your heart, trust in the Lord, do not lean on your own understanding, acknowledge Him, do not be wise in your own eyes, fear the Lord, turn away from evil…

THAT is what will bring healing to your body and refreshment to your bones. It doesn’t even mention speaking. Though speaking, of course, would be a part of this.

Proverbs 4 talks about giving attention to His words, inclining your ear to His sayings, not letting them depart from your sight, keeping them in your heart…

For they are life to those who find them and health to all their body.

When we emphasize all of these things we are to do with the Word of God, rather than just speaking it like a formula to get a result, it will bring the life to us we are looking for. Remember what Jesus said,

“And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words." (Matthew 6:7). Speaking the Word of God is absolutely important to do, and effective, when it's from a right heart.

Moses

Look what happened when God told Moses to strike the rock to get water for the people (Exodus 17:1-6). It worked. But then when they needed water again, God told him to speak to the rock, yet Moses didn’t, he did what he did before when he struck the rock. God provided the water, but was angry at Moses for doing what he did before, instead of what He told him to do this time. As a result, Moses was not allowed to enter the Promised Land. (Numbers 20:1-12). It’s not about a formula.

David

When the Philistines came against David after he was made king of Israel, He inquired of the Lord whether he should go after them. The Lord said yes, and they defeated the Philistines. But then, when the Philistines came after him again—same place, same people—David didn’t assume he should go after them, he inquired of the Lord again. The Lord told him to go, but gave him instructions for a different method of attack. Because David didn’t assume, but went to the Lord again, He got victory. (2 Samuel 5:17-25).

Remember what Jesus said after He cast a demon out of a boy which the disciples couldn’t. They asked Him why they couldn’t, (because they had done it before), and He said, “This kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” (Matthew 17:21).

Prayer and fasting take time. Spending time with Him, seeking Him, meditating on His Word, treasuring them and doing what they say, will bring us the results we need.

David wrote:
Therefore, let everyone who is godly pray to You in a time when You may be found;
Surely in a flood of great waters they will not reach him. (Psalm 32:6).

Spending time with the Lord before the great flood of waters come, will be of great benefit to us. Yet it’s not just about results.

It’s not simply about getting through our troubling situations or overcoming our enemies, which of course is important, and which God loves to do for us. But beyond that, the Lord wants FELLOWSHIP with us. He doesn’t just want us to go to Him in crisis to get through our tough times. He wants us to enjoy His company as He does ours (Revelation. 3:20).

After David's victory over the Philistines, David began to move the ark of God back to Jerusalem. (2 Samuel 6). He wanted the presence of God near all the time. He enjoyed the presence of the Lord, not just in times of crisis.  

There is much to be gained by fellowshipping with the Lord, yet the oneness in love and unity with Him is the greatest gain of all.

Knowing Jesus: The Word Made Flesh

As I wrote in my blog, "Knowing Jesus: The Six Groups," the apostle John knew Jesus well. He began His gospel writing of Jesus from a unique perspective--as the Word of God who was in the beginning with God, creating the world with God because He was (and is) God.

In Genesis 1, we read that God spoke--words--and the world was created. We read the details about how all of creation responded to the Word of God. It did what He said to do. When He said, "Let there be light," there was light. We might ask, how did light, or any other part of creation, know what to do? 

God, in creating the world, turned on Light first. What does light do? It illuminates and gives energy. Psalm 119:130 says, "The entrance of Your Words gives light." (NKJV). John said, "In Him (the Word of God) was life, and the life was the Light of men." (John 1:4). 

There is life in the words of God. And this life is Light to us. It illuminates us by giving us understanding. Through this Light we know what He intends for us, what His words mean so we may understand them and know what to do with our life. The Light of God's words energize us, empowering us to do what He says. The Word of God contains within itself both understanding and power which enables the hearer to do what He says--and respond to Him as we ought. His words empower us to overcome the darkness and live in the victory He has intended for us all along as both our Creator God and loving Father. 

John wrote that Jesus is the Word of God made flesh (John 1:14). He is the human manifestation of God's Word, sent to give us the understanding and power necessary to obey God and live as He has purposed for us to.

All of creation knows how to respond to the words of God. All of creation knows what to do in response to His words because His words give the understanding of what to do and the power to do it. As His creation, we respond to His Word which accomplishes what He sends it to do (Isaiah 55:11).

John went on to say, "No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him." (John 1:18). Jesus is the "Only begotten God." As the Word of God made flesh, He is the Son of God. He came from God the Father. When Jesus came to earth and lived among mankind, He explained--revealed--God to us. He taught the people, healed, and did miracles, doing and saying what He heard and saw the Father doing (John 12:49, John 5:19). And He did so as a light overcoming darkness. He was filled with and anointed by the Holy Spirit and went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed of the devil (Acts 10:38, John 1:32-33). 

Then He carried the penalty for all of our sin on Himself, died, was resurrected from the grave, seen by many, and ascended into heaven where He is seated at the right hand of the Father. He sent the Holy Spirit to fill and anoint us, as He was, so we can do the works of God in the earth as He intended for us all along.

We must know Him--the Word of God--in order to fulfill our purpose in this life and the life after. Eternal life is knowing God and His Word--His Son, Jesus Christ (John 17:3). 

Jesus said, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him." (John 14:23). We can only love God once we receive His love for us (1 John 4:19). Love doesn't initiate within us, but within God. And He sent His love to us in the form of Jesus Christ so we could know and believe His love for us (John 3:16, 1 John 4:16). 

So, when we love Jesus, in response to His love for us, we are willing and able to keep His Word. Understanding His love reveals not only His intention for us, but our purpose in life. They are one and the same. His intentions = our purpose. 

His commands are His empowerment for us to perform our purpose--His will. This brings His love to us to such an extent that the Father and Son will abide in us--remain in us. What an honor to have the source of life, love, and truth living in us forever!

What does He command? To love one another as He has loved us (John 15:12). To shine as a light--His light--to one another. To impart the same Word of God we receive that enlightens and empowers us, to others. So they too can fulfill their purpose and destiny in Christ.

Our destiny is to be conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29), who is the One who always did as the Father revealed--always submitted His will to the Father.

Read His Word--the Bible. Keep and treasure it in your heart. Hear His heart. Receive the understanding and empowerment that comes from His instruction, and you will know and experience His love and intentions for you personally.

If we do not receive His words, we are being conformed to the image of the one who opposes God, who betrayed Him, who tries to destroy all that God loves, the one who lives in darkness, turmoil, and torment, trying to capture whoever he can into the same darkness.

Thank God for His Light, and His life, as revealed in His Word--sent to us in human form, so we can know and love Him for who He is, fulfilling His kind intentions toward us--our purpose in life.