THE WORD FOR TODAY

(CONTENTMENT)

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you see the word contentment? If you are single, you probably think of being content with being single until you find the right person. If you are married with family, you probably think of being content with having a house, a vehicle big enough for your family, and the finances to stay stable. There are many things in which we struggle to find contentment in.

Where is the Apostle Paul when he makes mention of this word "contentment"? Phillippians 4:11, "Not that I speak in respect of want, for I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." Paul was sitting in a cold, dark, wet dungeon surrounded by some of his centurion buddies. Well, I will not call them buddies, but they were usually keeping close watch over Him. Here is a man who had been beaten with rods, stoned, whipped, shipwrecked, mocked, and shackled more times than I can imagine. The word contentment rolls off his tongue like a man who has truly endured and has found the true meaning of it. This is the same man who says, "Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice."(Phil. 4:4)

What definition comes to mind when you reflect on the word Contentment? Can I actually say that I rejoice in every situation that comes my way? Not hardly. I am sure that there have been many situations that have crossed your path, that have brought you face to face with the struggle of contentment. I would like to leave you with this definition to ponder as you carry on with your day. You may have other definitions. Please feel free to share them with me.

Contentment - being completely satisfied with who you are in Christ, where you are in Christ, with what you have in Christ; even if not a single one of your heart's desires(wants) is ever fulfilled

End Of The Day Thoughts

It is Thursday night and I have decided to just share my thoughts as they come to mind. Usually, I have everything written out before posting anything. I would just like to randomly share some questions, thoughts, and hopefully words of encouragement to those who may read this.
Why is it that when a person's title of postion changes to a higher level; they sometimes change the way they treat certain people? A title will change the quality level of our position, but it should not change the quality of how we treat people. If I am wearing a suit, or wearing jeans and a t-shirt; I should be the same person. I should treat people equally.
Right now I am still waiting for the Lord to open a door of full time ministry for me to enter. To carry out this waiting process I am working part time doing a job that I had not planned on doing at this point in the year. At times I have referred to this waiting as being in "limbo" or just lost. Rebuked I have been in my quiet time in the Lord as He has reminded me that His Timing is not my timing. His Ways are higher than my mundane ways. Where I am right now, the position I am in right now, is where God wants me. I would rather be in the Hands of God doing what I don't want than doing what I want and not being in His will. For in His Hands, there is always peace.
Why is it that the same people always volunteer in church to do the things that need to be accomplished? Why is it that those in leadership always seem to take advantage of those that never say no to a new task? Why is it that there are so many lazy, apathetic, unloving Christians sitting on the sideline watching other people do everything? Why is it that Christians are afraid to open up and share with other Christians in small group studies? Why is it that social status seems to be more important in church than the single mindedness we should have in Christ as believers? Why is it that independent, fundamental, Baptist, Bible believing churches are not as diverse ethinically in their pews as other denomination? Just a few questions to ponder.
As we pause at the end of each day, what really matters to us? What truly keeps us motivated for another day? Seriously, what do we really value the most in our life? As a Christian, what it should boil down to at the end of each day.....................

What is my RELATIONSHIP like with God today? Is it real? Am I being real or just living another day with a facade?

I would like to end with this thought that I once heard from a Professor. "What I think about God and what I believe about God, is how I live."

LET GO AND LET GOD

Stretching forth with passion holding on to the reins of life,
Fighting for a strong grasp, while clouded with toil and strife.
We carry on with burdens enduring the pain,
Neglecting that God is the only one who can make it refrain.
Holding on to our ground claiming what is thine,
Forgetting who is in control most Holy and Divine.
Our grip is growing weak and our heart quite faint,
Precious in His sight are His needy discouraged saints.
Pulled in two directions for what is right or what is wrong,
Our eyes have lost their focus, our mouth has no song.
When will we let go of the reins of our pride,
Humble ourselves before God who is our Strength and Guide.
We must let go and let God have His way,
For in God we have hope for now and everyday.

Food for Thought:
What is it in our life that we see as so important that we are unwilling to let go of it and let God have control of it? What is it in our life that we are grasping onto so tightly that it is keeping us from having a closer walk with the Lord? What person, trial, past circumstance, sin, or wound from a friend are you holding onto that you need to let go of? Let God have it so you can begin to live free?

Psalm 26:1-2

Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide. Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.

WHO IS IN CONTROL?

Food for thought:
Have the things you done in private today been consistent with what you have done that someone else has seen today? Before answering that, remember that God sees everything.

WHO IS IN CONTROL?

If you are a living breathing person you probably like to have control. You like to have control over how much money you make, when the street lights turn green or red, or when you can go on vacation. As you know, there is no way that we can control everything that happens in our life. There is one particular area that I would briefly like to talk about. That area is our ATTITUDE/Spirit/Heart. Who is in control of you? Why do you do the things you do?

Proverbs 25:28

"He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls."

Things to consider:

1.Who or what that controls us has an affect on the choices we make

2.What we value most is what has the most control over us.

3.Our attitude, thoughts, actions, and how we treat others; is a reflection on whom or what that controls us.

In the passage of scripture above it compares a person who does not have control as a city in ruins. As Christians we are to be Spirit controlled individuals. That means that we are not to be controlled by our emotions, by how others treat us, or by the circumstances that arise in our lives. We have a choice each morning with how we are going to begin our day. We have a choice of what atitude or spirit in which we are going to go about our day. It is easy to get distracted by things that are daily fighting for control over us. Such as: pleasure, selfishness, pride, lack of contentment, and bitterness. A person that is not controlled is like a city in ruins.

Main Points:

1.A city without walls is desolate

2.A city without walls cannot control what comes in or out

3.A city without walls has no purpose

Things to ask yourself today:

1.Who is in control over me?

2.Why do I do the things that I do?(for me, for God, or for others)

3.Am I willing to trust and allow God to have complete control of every area of my life?

....Search me O God and know my heart, try me and know my thoughts, and see if there be any wicked way in me; that I may know how I should walk and what I should change.