Being Content with Your Lot in Life

Can a poor person without anything be completely content. I have to attest to that and say yes. I see it often in the homeless on the streets. I have seen it many times, money, and materials do not constitute  well being. Your lot in life or your present circumstances do have to define who you are. 

It is what is within you that defines who you are. 

Often when we think of contentment, we think about money and having things. Things that are materials that make life better, easier, more enjoyable.  Plenty of food, good healthy food, we think of clothes, cars, a home etc.. I could go on and on, but contentment does not and should not revolve around your circumstances but should reside within your character.  

 I figured this out along the way of life. We work or don't work, we live, we love, we share ourselves our walk, our faith and hope with others and that alone should be enough right? Well look around it isn't. 

“ I maintain that both poverty and wealth are inhibiting. People living in poverty 

 are scared, you scare money away, you scare values away and you scare blessings 

 away. Now some wealthy people also freeze. they too are scared. They are scared of losing what they have. They hold on to all of it and therefore blessings stop coming to them”
 Norman Vincent Peale.  

Peale goes on to pen that the key to contentment is having a giving heart, and being willing to give it all away. The “it” is not only money but ourselves, and our time for God. The way to get to that freedom is complete submission to the Lord, our God. Submission leads to freedom.

"Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.  I can do all things through him who strengthens me." (Phil 4:11-13, Holy Bible) 

I have lived in want, and need, I have lived in plenty, and I am still learning how to be content, but isn't God the wonderful potter.

Contentment is often put in the category of having or not having and often it’s associated with money, just as I have associated with money, but it is so much more than just having financial freedom. It is submitting to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, it is daily seeking him and walking in fellowship with him to obtain just a piece of what Paul had. It is a state of mind and product of character. It is a virtue to strive for, and a habit that can be obtained through submission to God. A product of that submission, will be a thankful heart. That gratuitous heart of humility will seek Him and find Him along with peace and freedom like no other. That my friend, will be contentment at it’s best.

This is part 1 .... be on the look out for part 2.... "Being content on this roller coaster called life."
 

When I feel weak, he is strong

We have been studying in small group about Gideon and the few chapters that tell his story in Judges(Judges 6-8).  I am always surprised when I start studying about him that the story is so short, but the impact is so large. Short story, huge story, lot's of good stuff in it. This past week we talked about discerning God's will, or plans for us. 

If you look at Gideon it was without a doubt God's plan that Gideon defeat the Midianites. God orchestrated a plan that he wanted completed and Gideon was but a vessel he used. Isn't that exactly how we are, just a vessel God can use. 

When I think of my own life, and where I am in life right now, it often looks like I cannot possibly do all that I need to do or want to do or am expected to do. I feel sometimes like Gideon, cowardly, and lacking. I have asked for a sign, for encouragement, and help from God.  Gideon asked, and he received. This story reminds me of just how big God is, how he accomplishes things the way he wants, no matter how crazy or unusual it may seem to us, God is so much bigger than we can comprehend.  

So, I am reminded, be present, be ready, be willing, and God will use this vessel, God will sustain, he will strengthen the weak, he is an almighty God that uses ordinary people. 

Amazing, right ! 

".....I am in the least in my entire family"(Judges 6:15b)

"The Lord said to him, I will be with you"(Judges 6:16a)

More, More, More

Submission, and humility are two words so very hard to understand, so very hard to apply, so very hard to live with. I think it starts all they way back in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve wanted the knowledge of the tree, they were decieved but also deep within they wanted more. We all want more don't we?
More education, more money, more home, more clothes, more health, more shoes, more car, more, more, more......

Contentment could be the attribute we all lack, Contentment could be the answer to submission and humility and most every problem out there.

"Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me." Phil 4:11-13
We all love the last part, but do we read and contemplate on the first part of this scripture?

Someone once told me and I remember these words clearly, "if you are not content now in this moment with what you have, you will never be content even with more." you see it isn't a state of lack that gets us, it's a state of want, a state of desire, a state of discontent deep within us that gets us, maybe it does go all they way beck to the Garden, and even before.  God had to throw angels out of heaven for their want of more, more power, more control, more.
The same concept goes for the rich and the poor, the poor want more and live in a state of discontentment often striving for more, hoarding, saving what they have, and living guarded lives of preservation. The poor live in a state of need, and want, guarded, striving, wanting, needing, but both can have contentment if they want it. Contentment is a product of the heart, not circumstance, not the lot in life, but character.

What were the disciples doing when Jesus told him he was going to the cross and going to die,  but trying to figure out who was the greatest. They wanted more, more power, more adoration, more love, just more.  We all desire validation which is not a characteristic of humility. We all desire to be adored, appreciated, esteemed, but why?


The reason why submission and humility are so hard is because we work towards contentment through submission to Jesus Christ and believing through humility that his sovereignty will keep us. He has a plan and his plan is perfect. He knows us personally, and even knows the numbers of hair on our heads and when we grasp that concept and can cling to it, we can begin the journey towards humility.

If you want to read more, read Philippians chapter 2-4

Romancing Life

Have you ever been around that optimist, the one who always tries to turn things around to the brighter, more hopeful picture, when sometimes you actually want to live in the real world, you know the one who wears the rose colored glasses and see's all things as opportunities and lessons,  not the known reality that life is....
Well let me tell you, I see that as Romancing life... yep that is what I shall call it.

Then there are others, the people that continuously live in the real world and see things as they truly are, not hopeless, not a cynic or fatalist or pessimist, but a realist.

The realist-  someone who lives in the real world, but occasionally gets to experience Life to it's fullest, they usually can see the silver lining, hope and often will be optimistic, but when we get to Romance life, well that is great. Even the realist get to experience life and life to it's fullness.

I could go on and on with definitions of cynic, fatalist, pessimist etc... but we all know what those words mean, let's talk about Romancing life..... without rose colored glasses.

Enjoy the little things, small moments that take your breath, gestures, flowers, sunrises and sunsets.

Enjoy the grace, hope and mercy Jesus Christ offers. It is abundant, it is everlasting, and it is an awesome experience in the Life journey !

Romance Life, find the good, see the good, look for the good in others, in situations, challenge yourself to do it if you do not do it naturally.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippine 4:8

God has a plan for your life. He wants you to live for him... simple. He wants you to be happy and if Romancing life does not come naturally, take a vacation from what comes natural and try it, try on a pair of rose colored glasses for a few hours, challenge yourself to think a little differently and find good in everyone, not bad. Look for that good quality and concentrate on it. God will bless your efforts. When something bad happens look for the good, look for a lesson, look for God in all things. If you cannot find God in it, look for him to be there with you through it.  I will say he will be there for you in all things if you are his. He will comfort you, guide you and help you in times of trouble, he is a refuge of strength and peace. Try him.


Try Romancing life a little, look for the good.....

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.Romans 12:2

Faith is Holding on....

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  Hebrews 11:1

I have heard that scripture for as long as I can remember, but God showed me something a little different the other day. 

I love it when God shows me things. It is very humbling to hear from God.
When you think of Faith, you think of that very scripture.

 God showed me that faith is a necessary attribute and discipline in our life. I can remember getting saved when I was younger and not always walking in his way. I tried, I strived, and I stumbled. I kept my faith, and I prayed and though I wasn't always in fellowship and though I did not always hear from him (because sin separates and I was in sin). I kept my faith, he was there and He was still there when I decided to live wholly for him. God is so Good. I am thankful for his grace and mercy and for helping me even when I was not in fellowship with him.

What's so great about that? He was always there, He was changing me and molding me even when I did not realize it. When I chose to live for Him, and put Him first in my life, my life changed.

"Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."Matt 11:29

God is with you right now, wherever you are. He will help you and lift you up, He will teach you and be with you, even when it feels like you are alone. He is with you, he loves you and he is calling to you.

Whatever you may be going through, remember to hold on tight to Him, he will bring you through.

So hold on 

and hold tight,

 Don't give up 

with all your might, 

times may be hard, 

things might get tough

 but God is there, 

just look up

Why go to Church?

Many articles and commentaries are out there on why different generational groups are leaving the church, what they like and how many people out there believe in the organic church and I could go on and on about less is more, more is less and philosophies, theories, etc... but I won't.

First and foremost, why go to church?
Is it for self? for enrichment, fueling, getting revived and improving oneself?

Of course, and  that is a great biblical question.

That is the day ole question.

Do we go to church to worship and fellowship with other believers, well yes, that is biblical too.

God's word when shared has the ability to produce new life, whether it's from a pulpit or in personal conversation.

The question here again as it is always is a matter of the heart. There is a fine balance in all things of life. Finding that balance and contentment is our journey.

Is church necessary? another question that poses many debates.
God's word says preaching is necessary and assembling together is necessary, so the answer would have to be yes. Some type of worship with fellowship is necessary .

"not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another ; and so much the more, as ye see the day drawing nigh" Heb 10:25


 “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Rom. 10:17)


God's word when shared has the ability to produce new life.......

we are to share, share our life, our hurts, our hopes, our short comings, because when we share with others and explain how awesome our God brought us through, held our hand, taught us something or simply gave us peace.... we touch a life.

If you are in the church or not in the church, search your heart today and ask yourself some important questions.

Why am I here ?

What am I doing to help someone else along the way.

Am I too proud to join a body of believers, am I scared, am I hurt and feel like I cannot get close to others because of past hurts, insecurity or pride?

A true body of believers will accept you right where you are..... God will change you and mold you and make you more like him if you will let him.... If you are in the church and feel like you don't belong, take a look at self and look closely to see if you are allowing God to mold you, drawing you closer to him. Stop looking at others and comparing yourself, your ideals, your beliefs and start looking at others like God looks at them...

A beautiful being he created, that isn't perfect, that may be hiding, may be "fake" as some people say, they may have walls up, they make mistakes, in church or out, but they are his, and they are trying, and it is up to HIM and them to follow that narrow path to Him, not us to judge and feel elevated because we have it all figured out.

Try and look at others as God does, someone he loves, someone he created...
If you can do that, you can fellowship with a body of believers .... even the ones who you deem fake or pretending .... We are all traveling this journey together, some just figure it out before others.....

Not Good enough

I woke up feeling slightly oppressed and questioning “am I good enough” 

Am I pouring into people like I should be, 

Am I living as holy as I should be

Am I loving like I should 

Am I the mother and wife that I should be 

Am I the daughter and sister that I should be

After all those questions, I came up short. I came up short in every category 

Why do we come up short? Why do we as Christians always come up short? 

I am reminded of the other blog I wrote about "Fighting an image", though a true Christian will try and work hard at being Christ like, we often fail and the world around us sees it. Whether it's small or big, they look for excuses to prove that we are no better than them.   I am reminded that my sin or short comings are covered by the blood of my Lord and Savior and the world hated him then, just as they do now. Things are really different, times are different, but's it's all the same, just as the Bible predicted over and over that it would be. IT's not popular to be a Christian and never will be. 

A true Christian is striving to be Christ like so we are reminded when we mess up. Whether we are reminded by others through reproof or through the nudging of the Holy Spirit, A Christian will evaluate self and turn or try to correct the problem, striving to be Christlike,

 but we will never be perfect until we make it to heaven. 

I woke up feeling inadequate because I am inadequate, I am completely inadequate in my own strength.
 I prayed this morning and God reminded me of a few things, including my purpose.  He reminded me that I can do all things through him(Phil 4:13) and the key there is through him, in that I must include him and how do I include him? 
I include him by praying, seeking, reading his word, 
He reminded me that I am His and I need to lift up my head and go forward, continually striving 

I serve an amazing God and I am so thankful to be his.