Friday, September 11, 2015

Learning to be Content

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“I have learned, in whatsoever state I am. Therewith to be content.”
Philippians 4:11(KJV)

               The Apostle Paul shares a very important thought here. Because he learned contentment in any state he found himself, he could endure house arrest and imprisonment.

               In my past, events and conditions dictated how I responded to others. When I had both physical and emotional pain, I could not control how I felt. Once, I had a supervisor tell me she decided I was not angry at her. At that time, I did not know how to counteract my resultant moods. It has taken me a long time to realize that Jesus can, take care of the negative things that beset me, if I allow him to.
               In my reading for pleasure, I am reading a book called Letters from Le Anne. In this book the authors, Jill Beran and Le Anne Anderson begin a friendship when Jill coaches Le Anne’s daughter in basketball. The friendship grows from a mentor/mentee relationship. Le Anne, the mentor, tells Jill that Everything God allows and does happens for a reason. Ergo,a believer learns to accept the state he or she is in.


               I only wish I had learned this way of thinking in my younger years.

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Handle Matters Wisely

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“He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good;
 and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he.”
Proverbs 16:20 (KJV)

               Solomon, the wisest man ever, wrote these words. We all know there are at least two ways to handle Christian issues—the world’s way or the Biblical way. The verse talks about matters being handled ‘wisely.’

               When we handle situations in the Biblical way, we honor God. Conversely, if a circumstance is handled as the world does things, we run the risk of causing more hurt.

               The rest of the story in this verse is: When we trust the LORD to work on our behalf we are carefree and blessed beyond measure.

                              When issues present themselves to us, we need to 1.) Pray about them, 2.) Give them to God, and 3.) Leave them with Him. This way of operating takes practice. Our leaving those circumstances with God both honors and pleases Him.


               Would our woes become things we could manage if we practiced these three steps for all our needs? I believe the answer is yes.

Monday, September 7, 2015

Come and Rest


Today is Labor Day. I found this scripture and thought I would share it in honor of those who work to keep our families safe, strong, and going.

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“Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28 (KJV)

               Jesus Christ beckons us into his presence. The invitation to “Come” is extended to all who work—at whatever job we have. He promises us a reward when we do go into His presence; that reward is rest.

               Certain jobs are more strenuous than others are. Some jobs require technical skills. Others are service related and deal directly with the public. All these types of jobs have their own stresses--physical, emotional, or mental. 

               Our LORD gives us rest and relaxation as only He can. He invites us to recline against His chest and relax while He sooths us with His words, as He sings over us. (Zephaniah 3:17)

               In this process, we have to do our part; we have to follow Jesus’ words “Come to me.” In addition, allow Him to minister to us. We accomplish this by listening and surrendering our will to Him.

               As long as we do not submit to Jesus, we continue to feel weary and burdened by all the things that confront us.

God Alone

  Jesus and the children at our church's prayer walk.          I will both lie down in peace and sleep;  For You alone, O LORD make ...