When I wrote Wednesday's blog devotion, I had no idea that the first chapter of the devotional book I was about to start would be on the exact same subject using the same verses! How surprised I was to read the title "Surprisingly Satisfied: A resolution to be content." I chuckled to myself, I just made this resolution four days ago!
Sometimes I struggle with what God wants me to write on this blog. I want to make sure that I'm writing what He wants me to say when He wants me to say it. After reading the first chapter of this devotional book, I felt a sense of relief and encouragement!! I am - at least sometimes - writing the right thing!! I know it is no accident that God laid the message of finding contentment on my heart this week, and the devotional this morning is telling me that I need to dig a little deeper.
Over the next few days/weeks/months -- however long I feel led to write on the subject -- I will be exploring what it means to be truly content and how to find that God-given contentment. I hope you will join me on this journey for contentment because the result is a wonderful blessing! In just the four days since I resolved to be content, I feel different. I want you to feel what I feel, too!!
You know, I started this blog last summer when I started reading The Purpose Driven Life. I feel like I've found my purpose, and it's amazing!!! I have been so blessed thus far through writing this simple online devotional, and my prayer is that others are receiving blessings as well. I'd love to hear your feedback, your comments, your ENCOURAGEMENT!! To those of you who have reached out and expressed to me how you look forward to and enjoy reading what I write, I can't begin to tell you how special that is to me. Thank you!!
Are You Content?
Here's an update on what's going on in my life right now: I teach at Troy University every day until lunch; I answer phones at a construction company every afternoon; I write my novel when the phones aren't ringing at work; I still sell Avon anytime and anywhere I can and train new Avon representatives in the area; I try to squeeze in time for writing this blog (which has been difficult lately); I've started attending Spring Hill Baptist Church and have joined the choir there; and I'm very tired all the time lol.
My life is so different than I ever pictured it would be! I thought I'd have a regular 9-5 like most people, but that wasn't in God's plans for me obviously. Instead, I have 4 jobs (I count my novel as a job even though it isn't paying yet) and still feel like I'm not doing enough some days because my paychecks sure don't seem to reflect how much I work. I'm trying to fill my life, but I'm not content.
That's about to change.
1 Timothy 6:
6But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
9But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
11But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
12Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
Godliness with contentment is great gain!!! Always wanting more is a bad thing. If serving God is our number one priority, then we should daily be seeking "righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and meekness." Let me put that modern day terms: We should act worthy of respect and honor, strive to be pure both inside and out, trust God with everything in our lives, love Him and love others, bear whatever life throws our way (from a traffic jam to sickness) with mental and emotional strength, and do this all without pride or arrogance, submitting to His will. Your reward - in addition to a closer relationship with Him - is contentment. I want that!!
Too often in today's society, we rely on material things or circumstances to supply our happiness. I don't want to be happy based on just those things because they can be taken away! If my happiness is dependent upon them, my happiness is fleeting. I want to be happy no matter what my circumstances are; that's contentment.
So, to find true peace and contentment based on 1 Timothy 6:11, we need to:
BATHE in His Love
B= Be pure
A= Act worthy
T= Trust Him
H= Humbly submit
E= Endure hardships
and do this all in His Love.
It makes a lot of sense!! When you focus on God and let His will wash over your life, your happiness will be based on Him, and that's a happiness which will never be taken away.
I Know that I Know that I Know
Do you know without a doubt that if you died today you'd go to Heaven?
That's really all that matters - not what job you have, how big your house is, what you're studying in college, where you're going on vacation this summer, who hurt your feelings, who made you mad yesterday, who's talking about whom on Facebook, what's happening in politics.... Nothing matters in the end except whether or not you have Jesus in your heart.
If you don't know Christ, I want to tell you what He's done for me. When I thought I was broken beyond repair, Christ fixed me. He gave me a purpose, a reason for living, a joy that I never thought possible. If there were no Heaven, I'd still serve him today because every day spent in His will walking within His presence is better than a day without Him. I don't read my Bible because it's what I'm supposed to do; I read my Bible because it makes me feel good to know how much my Savior loves me. Do you know how much He loves you???? He loves you so much that He died a horrible death on a cross FOR YOU. No one can love you more than that. He was sinless, but He took upon himself your sins and my sins so we could have salvation. I hope you accept Jesus into your heart today so you can feel this same joy I have.
If you're already a Christian, do you know that you know that you know Jesus?? You may know about Jesus in your head, but have you ever asked Him into your heart, asked Him to be Lord over your life? I hope your answer is yes. If so, then you have a responsibility to tell others about what Jesus has done for you. When was the last time you shared your testimony with someone?? Your testimony doesn't have to be fancy; it just has to be real. Tell someone how walking with Jesus has affected your life.
There are many things in life of which I am uncertain, but Jesus isn't one of them.
That's really all that matters - not what job you have, how big your house is, what you're studying in college, where you're going on vacation this summer, who hurt your feelings, who made you mad yesterday, who's talking about whom on Facebook, what's happening in politics.... Nothing matters in the end except whether or not you have Jesus in your heart.
If you don't know Christ, I want to tell you what He's done for me. When I thought I was broken beyond repair, Christ fixed me. He gave me a purpose, a reason for living, a joy that I never thought possible. If there were no Heaven, I'd still serve him today because every day spent in His will walking within His presence is better than a day without Him. I don't read my Bible because it's what I'm supposed to do; I read my Bible because it makes me feel good to know how much my Savior loves me. Do you know how much He loves you???? He loves you so much that He died a horrible death on a cross FOR YOU. No one can love you more than that. He was sinless, but He took upon himself your sins and my sins so we could have salvation. I hope you accept Jesus into your heart today so you can feel this same joy I have.
If you're already a Christian, do you know that you know that you know Jesus?? You may know about Jesus in your head, but have you ever asked Him into your heart, asked Him to be Lord over your life? I hope your answer is yes. If so, then you have a responsibility to tell others about what Jesus has done for you. When was the last time you shared your testimony with someone?? Your testimony doesn't have to be fancy; it just has to be real. Tell someone how walking with Jesus has affected your life.
There are many things in life of which I am uncertain, but Jesus isn't one of them.
Love the Lord... and your neighbor
Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40)
Jesus gave us these two most important commandments: Love God completely with every part of yourself and love your neighbor as you love yourself. How often we fail these two simple commandments! If our love for God steered every part of our daily lives, life would be much simpler. It may not be easier because Satan would try his best to stop our witness, but it would be as simple as the question What Would Jesus Do?
I find myself discouraged lately by simple things in life- making the bed, washing the dishes, cleaning up messes, grading papers, grocery shopping (Walmart- ugh!). You know exactly what I'm talking about because everyone has those days where we just want to take a break from the daily grind, the daily chores.
When you have one of those days, just ask yourself What Would Jesus Do? Jesus washed the feet of his disciples. Do you think he'd get torked out by making a bed or washing dishes? Of course not; therefore, I shouldn't either. In every action of my day, I should perform my tasks as I could imagine Jesus would want me to do them. I bet he wasn't huffing and puffing with a scowl on his face as he washed the men's feet, so I shouldn't be irritated when I'm washing my dog.
If your love for God motivated everything you did today, what would you do differently? Of course, you may say you'd be out witnessing instead of going to work, and that's understandable. But can you witness at work?? Yes! Even if your job requires that you not speak of religion, the smile on your face can be your witness. I bet Jesus smiled even when he'd been walking for days. You know he got physically tired just like we do because he was human. I bet he had blisters and backaches from all the walking he did, but I bet he never let an ache keep him from spreading the love God sent him here to share with mankind.
The second commandment- love your neighbor as yourself- will come naturally if everything we do is motivated by our love of God. Everything else falls into place when He takes #1 priority.
Jesus gave us these two most important commandments: Love God completely with every part of yourself and love your neighbor as you love yourself. How often we fail these two simple commandments! If our love for God steered every part of our daily lives, life would be much simpler. It may not be easier because Satan would try his best to stop our witness, but it would be as simple as the question What Would Jesus Do?
I find myself discouraged lately by simple things in life- making the bed, washing the dishes, cleaning up messes, grading papers, grocery shopping (Walmart- ugh!). You know exactly what I'm talking about because everyone has those days where we just want to take a break from the daily grind, the daily chores.
When you have one of those days, just ask yourself What Would Jesus Do? Jesus washed the feet of his disciples. Do you think he'd get torked out by making a bed or washing dishes? Of course not; therefore, I shouldn't either. In every action of my day, I should perform my tasks as I could imagine Jesus would want me to do them. I bet he wasn't huffing and puffing with a scowl on his face as he washed the men's feet, so I shouldn't be irritated when I'm washing my dog.
If your love for God motivated everything you did today, what would you do differently? Of course, you may say you'd be out witnessing instead of going to work, and that's understandable. But can you witness at work?? Yes! Even if your job requires that you not speak of religion, the smile on your face can be your witness. I bet Jesus smiled even when he'd been walking for days. You know he got physically tired just like we do because he was human. I bet he had blisters and backaches from all the walking he did, but I bet he never let an ache keep him from spreading the love God sent him here to share with mankind.
The second commandment- love your neighbor as yourself- will come naturally if everything we do is motivated by our love of God. Everything else falls into place when He takes #1 priority.
Every Little Thing You Do
Do you ever get the feeling that no matter how hard you try, it won't matter?? No matter how hard you try to keep a clean house, no matter how many loads of laundry you wash/fold/put up, no matter how many mornings you rush to make the bed before leaving for work, no matter how many meals you cook and dishes you wash... no one cares but you?
That's how I feel. My husband could care less if the bed gets made. In fact, I think he'd rather me not make it in the morning just to save him the trouble of having to move pillows at bedtime.
Also, no matter how hard I work, there will always be one more bill to pay. I don't think I'll ever get ahead. I'm just a little down today (think I may need to rewind and read my blog post about counting my blessings), which is why I keep thinking, "Does any of this matter at all?"
Steven Curtis Chapman has a song I've heard several times on the radio lately. I think this song was written just for me to hear. Maybe you need to hear it, too. All the little things we do are not pointless; everything you do matters to God. Even when no one else seems to appreciate any of your efforts, make the bed anyway. Taking care of your home shows God that you appreciate what He has blessed you with. Tomorrow, when you make the bed, thank God for a warm snug place to sleep.
That's how I feel. My husband could care less if the bed gets made. In fact, I think he'd rather me not make it in the morning just to save him the trouble of having to move pillows at bedtime.
Also, no matter how hard I work, there will always be one more bill to pay. I don't think I'll ever get ahead. I'm just a little down today (think I may need to rewind and read my blog post about counting my blessings), which is why I keep thinking, "Does any of this matter at all?"
Steven Curtis Chapman has a song I've heard several times on the radio lately. I think this song was written just for me to hear. Maybe you need to hear it, too. All the little things we do are not pointless; everything you do matters to God. Even when no one else seems to appreciate any of your efforts, make the bed anyway. Taking care of your home shows God that you appreciate what He has blessed you with. Tomorrow, when you make the bed, thank God for a warm snug place to sleep.
"You're picking up toys on the living room floor
for the 15th time today
Matching up socks
Sweeping up lost cheerios that got away
You put a baby on your hip
Color on your lips and head out the door
While I may not know you,
I bet I know you
Wonder sometimes, does it matter at all?
Well let me remind you, it all matters just as long
As you do everything you do
to the glory of the One who made you,
Cause he made you,
To do
Every little thing that you do
To bring a smile to His face
Tell the story of grace
With every move that you make
And every little thing you do
Maybe you're that guy with the suit and tie
Maybe your shirt says your name
You may be hooking up mergers
Cooking up burgers
But at the end of the day
Little stuff
Big stuff
In between stuff
God sees it all the same
While I may not know you
I bet I know you
Wonder sometimes, does it matter at all?
Well let me remind you, it all matters just as long
As you do everything you do
to the glory of the One who made you,
Cause he made you
To do
Every little thing that you do
To bring a smile to His face
Tell the story of grace
With every move that you make
And every thing you do
Maybe you're sitting in math class
Or maybe on a mission in the Congo
Or maybe your working at the office
Singing along with the radio
Maybe your dining at a 5-star
Or feeding orphans in the Myanmar
Anywhere and everywhere that you are
Whatever you do
It all matters
So do what you do
Don't ever forget
To do everything you do
to the glory of the One who made you,
Cause He made you
To do
Every little thing that you do
To bring a smile to His face
And tell the story of grace
As you do everything you do
to the glory of the One who made you,
Cause he made you
To do
Every little thing that you do
To bring a smile to His face
And tell the story of grace
With every move that you make
And every little thing you do
In every little thing you do
In every little thing you do."
for the 15th time today
Matching up socks
Sweeping up lost cheerios that got away
You put a baby on your hip
Color on your lips and head out the door
While I may not know you,
I bet I know you
Wonder sometimes, does it matter at all?
Well let me remind you, it all matters just as long
As you do everything you do
to the glory of the One who made you,
Cause he made you,
To do
Every little thing that you do
To bring a smile to His face
Tell the story of grace
With every move that you make
And every little thing you do
Maybe you're that guy with the suit and tie
Maybe your shirt says your name
You may be hooking up mergers
Cooking up burgers
But at the end of the day
Little stuff
Big stuff
In between stuff
God sees it all the same
While I may not know you
I bet I know you
Wonder sometimes, does it matter at all?
Well let me remind you, it all matters just as long
As you do everything you do
to the glory of the One who made you,
Cause he made you
To do
Every little thing that you do
To bring a smile to His face
Tell the story of grace
With every move that you make
And every thing you do
Maybe you're sitting in math class
Or maybe on a mission in the Congo
Or maybe your working at the office
Singing along with the radio
Maybe your dining at a 5-star
Or feeding orphans in the Myanmar
Anywhere and everywhere that you are
Whatever you do
It all matters
So do what you do
Don't ever forget
To do everything you do
to the glory of the One who made you,
Cause He made you
To do
Every little thing that you do
To bring a smile to His face
And tell the story of grace
As you do everything you do
to the glory of the One who made you,
Cause he made you
To do
Every little thing that you do
To bring a smile to His face
And tell the story of grace
With every move that you make
And every little thing you do
In every little thing you do
In every little thing you do."
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