Good Morning Lord

“Blessed be the name of the LORD

from this time forth and for evermore

From the rising of the sun

unto the going down of the same

the LORD’s, name is to be praised.”

Psalm 113:2-3 NIV

I have known about the Lord for as long as I can remember. At age twelve I began to want to be counted with those who called themselves Christians. In my twenties and thirties I began to want to know the Lord, and in my forties I wanted to please the Lord. In my fifties I began to want to walk with the Lord. Today I find that I still want to walk with the Lord every single day. I remember when my thoughts about God began to fill more and more of my day. I am now at a point that even before the sun comes up, most of the time I wake up and my first thought is of the Lord. When I end my day he is also my last thought before I fall into deep sleep. Over the past few years, it seems that God is not just satisfied to have a good portion of my daytime thoughts, but now he is milling around through my mind as I sleep. Sometimes he even wakes me up and I feel an immediate urge to pray for the person he brings to my mind. Or if I am having a fitful sleep, God wakes me up so that I can give my fear to him in prayer.

 

“From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same” has taken on new meaning for me! As I open my sleepy eyes first thing in the morning my first thought is, “good morning Lord” and my next thought is thank you Lord for the gift of rest. My next thought is coffee – coffee – coffee! My heart then goes to delight because I am anxious to sit in my cozy chair, or go out on my back porch and spend time with Jesus. “Quite Time” used to be an activity of duty for me, a job that I must do if I was to please God. But now it is the time that I look forward to each day. The garden of my heart is a place where I can connect through the power of the Holy Spirit with the God of the universe. I have no need of a minister, a priest, or any other mediator. In simple conversational prayer I boldly approach the throne of grace. I pray…God listens. I listen…God speaks. I read his Word…he speaks again. I question…he shows me how I can apply the message found in the Word to my life. I am challenged by the Holy Spirit…I respond. Mental imagery also allows me to sit and talk with Jesus, the Master Gardner, who resides in the heavenly garden of my heart. I look forward to this time with God and I feel cheated if life interferes and I have to miss spending time with my Lord. For me I need this time at the top of my morning because if I am anxious…he calms me down. If I am fearful…he suggests that I trust him. If I am angry…he says I must forgive. If I am in need…he promises to provide. If I need love or comfort…he is more than enough. If I am sad…he gives me joy. If I am stressed…he gives me peace.

 

I used to feel guilty that I spent too long reading, praying, writing, or studying God’s Word. I no longer feel that guilt. It is true; I am in another season of my life now. There are no toddlers to feed, children to put on the bus, or a job to rush to. During those days, God met my needs in other ways. I learned to pray quickly in short phrases like, “Help me God!” “Please take care of _____.”  “Forgive me Lord.”  “Please don’t let that person take my parking place.” “Help me to find some inexpensive clothes for my growing children.” “Please take this headache away.” It was always more about my immediate needs and the needs of my family. I also learned to carry a small devotional book in my car so that I could grab a bit of the Divine as I waited, and waited, and waited. There always seemed to be so many things to wait for. I waited for doctors, orthodontists, children to come out of school or their many other activities. Thank goodness for those days when books  filled my time instead of cell phones. I know for a fact I was living the “grab and go” lifestyle for my Christian life. Praise and worship songs on the radio served as my springboard for praise. Sunday wouldn’t be much different. It was full of rushing to and from church. Serving at church, making dinner and then rushing back to church in the evening! I soaked the sermons up like a hard dry sponge that was begging for water. Still, God was good and I seemed to grow in my faith.

 

I am so thankful that God leads his children along. He knows which life cycle we are in and exactly what we need to equip us for our life stage. But life is ever changing. It makes perfect sense to me that the amount of time that I am able to spend walking with the Lord should also be adjusted to fit the next phase of my life. There is always more to learn and new ways to learn what God so anxiously wants to share with us.

 

Our “quiet time” which can often be less than quiet, needs to undergo God’s spiritual scrutinizing from time to time. If we are to step up the pace and raise the bar in our spiritual life it will require us asking God how we should be spending our time with him. Simply ask him if you should remain in the “grab and go” phase, or if it is time to move on to  the “semi-quiet time” phase, or climb higher still by entering the very “private closet of quiet time” phase, or if it is time to accept the challenge of the “dig deeper and study” phase. It might also be good to spend a little time evaluating your prayer time. Is God calling you, as he does me, to spend more of my prayer time in praise and worship and less of my prayer time asking? Has God given you a particular burden to hold up in prayer? Or have you learned the blessing of silent prayer as you wait for God to speak? Without a doubt, God always wants us to bring him all our concerns. I have found that when my prayers are self-centered, God misses out because my praise and worship is non-existent. The truth is when our praises and worship goes up to God, he responds and his blessings fall down upon us and our fellowship is sweet.

 

It is the Holy Spirit that prompts us to raise the bar in our “Quiet Time”. He knows when the time is right and when our heart is ready to receive more. He doesn’t want us to stay in the “grab and go” phase forever. God's prompting is his invitation for us to learn more about him, experience a new life changing spiritual truth, and enjoy a new level of fellowship with him that often blows our socks off! I don’t want to miss this learning experience. Do you? I want to always be sensitive to these promptings. We should be honored and excited when God invites us to climb higher. He invites us to  allow our heart to dance with him as we are caught up in the heavenly presence of His spirit.

 

Today my heart sings. Good Morning Lord! “From the rising of the sun, to the setting of the same.” Thank you Lord! Good night, Lord! “May your name be praised.” The sunrise reminds me of all the hope I have as a believer.  The sunset is a visible reminder of God’s faithfulness to me even when I am in a “grab and go” situation. “The Sovereign LORD has given me his words of wisdom…morning by morning he wakens me and opens my understanding to his will.” Isaiah 50:4 NIV

 

No guilt, no excuses. Simply know that God loves you and the first chance you get he is waiting eagerly to reveal more of his truth to you. He is anxious to fill you with his love, joy and peace. He desires to walk with you through your day in a sweet spirit of intimacy. God has a plan for your life and he needs you to sit with him a spell so he can reveal it to you event by event. If you are discouraged or overloaded, God wants to love on you and encourage you. God wants to redirect your thinking when you are loosing your focus, and he wants to replace the stress you feel with his peace.

 

Not one of God’s children has ever reached the summit of “quiet time”. There is always more to be learned and experienced. This friendship with Jesus is real and it is yours for the taking. So as soon as you hear his call, draw near to God and know with assurance that God will draw near to you!

 

Questions:

1. Which “quiet time” phase best describes you?
• Obligation
• Learning How
• Grab and Go
• Semi-Quite Time
• Private Closet
• Dig Deeper
• Can’t Get Enough!
• What changes could you make in order to get the most out of your current level of “Quiet Time” 
2. Are you satisfied with your level of “Quiet Time”? Do you want more?
3. Will you find time to ask God if he wants you to remain where you are or if he is ready for you to move to a new level of blessed and exciting fellowship?
4. Will you prayerfully ask God to help you obey the promptings of his Holy Spirit?

Prayer:

Dear Lord,

I am both relieved and excited to know that you have a plan for my “quite time”. I am reassured to know that you are always willing to meet with me regardless of my phase of life. You know my schedule. Thank your for being a very present help in trouble and meeting all my needs throughout my busy day. When it is time for me to begin or move on to the next phase of my quiet time, I pray that you will place a desire in my heart to know you more. I pray that I will hunger and thirst after you and that I will not push you aside. Help me not to procrastinate. Lord, I am confused. Sometimes I do not feel qualified to learn on my own. Lord I am afraid I will become frustrated when I don’t understand something in your Word. In addition, there are so many Bible studies, good Christian books to read, sermons to listen to, and praise and worship music to sing to, and of course there is that big thick Bible that I need to read from cover to cover. God, I am overwhelmed! My time is so limited, what should I do? Lord, I will lay out my Bible and all of the other printed devotional books and Bible studies that I have been collecting. Now Lord, I will humbly ask for your guidance. Holy Spirit please impress upon my mind, your top two choices to be used for developing my “Quiet Time”. Father, you know what lies ahead of me in the near future and you know exactly what I will need for the journey. I trust you to choose wisely for me. After I have been led by your Spirit, I will do my best to obey. Lord, you have promised that if I will seek you I will find you. I am going to trust you for understanding. Tomorrow is a brand new day. I can’t wait to say…”Good Morning Lord!”…then see where you will lead me.

 

It is in your name I pray. Amen.

Come To The Garden!

“The mind of sinful man is death,

but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace;

the sinful mind is hostile to God.

It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.

Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.”

Romans 8: 6-8 NIV

Today the invitation from the Master Gardner is clear. He beckons, “Come to the garden!” The same invitation was issued yesterday and he will invite me to come tomorrow. In fact, Jesus offers me a standing invitation to come to the garden every single day of my life. Come to the garden! It is not just a suggestion. It is a loving plea from Jesus. Jesus’ invitation to come to the garden is different from a casual invitation that we might get from a friend or family member. We often say, “Call me if you get a minute,” “come over on Sunday day if you don’t have anything better to do,” “stop by sometime,” or “we need to get together soon”. Our Lord’s invitation is not a casual suggestion nor is it an enforced command. It is a loving invitation to spend time alone with him. It is hard to comprehend that the One who made us desires to spend time with us. He desires our praise and worship and loves to know that we love him. Our words of gratitude are music to his ears. He also wants to love on us, comfort us, and teach us new truth. He wants us to leave the garden with a heart full of joy and a mind that is at peace.

 

Sometimes the term “Quiet Time” is misunderstood. In a legalistic mindset “Quite Time” is a place for one to gird up their holy robes and falsely feel holier than another person because the other person is not keeping the “Quiet Time” law. I used to view “Quite Time” as an obligation and feel guilty if I missed the daily legalistic ritual. Part of the problem is that every day has its own special set of circumstances. Most days these circumstances are busy, loud, demanding, timely, and intrusive. The thought of “Quiet Time” may often sound like it is a place off in a far away county situated across the ocean of life with not even a row boat to carry us there. Satan would ask us to believe that “Quite Time” is an impossible journey. Oh, we would like to visit that garden but for now we are convinced that we must be satisfied to simply look at the travel brochure.  That type of thinking, my friend, is a victory for Satan! It is God’s desire that we come to the garden out of love for him, not responsibility or guilt.

 

When life is busy and hard, why does a loving God continue to call us to the garden no matter what we are experiencing? Doesn’t an all knowing God know that we are busy and that we have more on our plate than we can possibly do? Yes, he does. Nevertheless, Jesus Christ stands ready to help you custom make your “Quite Time” to fit your needs no matter what life stage you are in. For me, recognizing my continual need for more of God made me realize that going to the garden was no more of an option than going to the grocery store for food. It was something I needed to do for spiritual survival.

 

I need to go to the garden because the mind of sinful man is death. The mind of Christ is exactly the opposite of the mind of man. God calls men and women out of his love for us. We often react to God and our life experiences from our humanistic, emotional data base. This is extremely dangerous because our sinful mind leads to death. This can be death of a relationship, the death of reputation, the death of our spiritual joy, or premature physical death. I am finding that my “Quiet Time” should not be the place I go to read a verse of scripture and give God my list of needs and desires for the day and then rush out of the garden. No! “Quiet Time” is a time for me to be still in the presence of my Creator and know that he is God. When I become still before God he stands ready to forgive, comfort, sustain, and empower me with his grace and love. God always knows what I am going through, he knows what it is that others expect of me, he is aware of my busy schedule, and he sees my raw emotions. “Quiet Time” is the place where God begins to rein me in because he knows that I’m like a loose cannon capable of going off at any given moment! God wants me to give him a few minutes at the beginning of each day and a few more minutes throughout my day, and a few minutes at the end of the day. “Quite Time” is indeed that private time alone with God without interruption where we seek to know his mind in solitude. It can also be those unsuspected moments when we quickly turn our minds heavenward in the heat of the moment and ask God for his mind. “Quiet Time” is a place for seeking God’s response to all that concerns us and when we lay aside our first response and choose to take on the mind of Christ, he then rescues us from our sinful thoughts that can only lead to death.

 

I need to go to the garden because the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace. Our Heavenly Father walked this earth for thirty-three years. He understands what it is like to have people crowding in on you, having people misunderstand you, and feeling tired and needing a nap. So if we are to know his mind and follow his example we will make a time and a place to be the recipient of his peace and rest. A mind that is controlled by this world and its expectations is a life of stress and anxiety. Jesus calls us to “Quite Time” so that our life will be controlled by the Spirit. Jesus knows that those who are made of dust are in need of restoration. “Quite Time” is meant to be a time to redirect our thoughts from things below to things above. Jesus knows that we need to learn his way of peace so he says, “Come away from the whirlwind of life, come to a quiet place, and come to the garden!”

 

I need to go to the garden because the sinful mind is hostile to God. When we avoid the garden we give Satan a foothold in our life. We become stressful, anxious, self-centered, and hostile to others and that is offensive to God. We label our negative thoughts, actions, and reactions as “mistakes” that are made in the heat of the moment. But God calls this behavior sin, and that sinful behavior is hostile to God. God’s Word cautions us, “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith…” I Peter 5:8-9a NIV It is in the garden of “Quiet Time” that the Holy Spirit equips us to exhibit control over sinful behavior. It is in the garden that we sharpen our senses and become more alert so that we can recognize the enemy when he strikes. "Quiet Time" is where we learn how to stand firm in our faith and walk away from sinful responses.

 

I need to go to the garden because it is impossible for this type of sinful thinking to submit to God’s law. God calls us to “Quiet Time” so that we can learn about humility. “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” I Peter 5:6-7 NIV Humility is not the ability to put our self down. One with a humble heart simply knows they have a huge need for Jesus. Humility is being open and vulnerable before the Lord. Humility is honest. A humble heart recognizes that the focus of their thinking must move beyond oneself. Humility gives credit to our Maker for all that is good in our life, for all he provides us with, and for sustaining us in all of our times of need. A humble heart identifies us as a true follower of Jesus Christ. Humility allows us to fall deeper in love with Jesus and then be obedient because of our love for our Savior. I know no other way to find this level of relationship and fellowship with Jesus outside of intentional “Quiet Time”.

 

I need to go to the garden because if we are controlled by our sinful nature we cannot please God. If I am to please God I need a safety lock applied to my heart daily. Every day I need a fresh anointing of the oil of the Holy Spirit upon my head drenching me from head to foot. I need to study the example of Jesus and begin to learn his way of thinking. I need a special time to worship and praise my Lord. I need to express my gratitude daily. Otherwise I might become a bitter, ungrateful, complaining child. I need the Holy Spirit to apply hot coals to my mouth because an unbridled tongue above all things is sinful.

 

Everyday when I hear the gentle whisper of Jesus calling me to come to the garden, I must go! I would like to suggest that when we disregard and ignore the call to come to the garden it is entirely possible, as time goes by, the whisper will become fainter and fainter until we can no longer hear Jesus calling. Of course, he still stands ready to meet us in the garden but our daily reminders that are for our own good seem to disappear from our ears. Then out of nowhere some fine sunny day the rug gets pulled out from under our feet and we find our self flat on our kiester! Now it seems we can’t get to the garden fast enough. God is good. He will be waiting at the garden gate with open arms, anxious for us to enter. But never underestimate the personal loss of blessings that we miss or the personal cost we encounter from living our life apart from the sweet fellowship with Jesus that is to be found only in the garden. The garden is NOT a place of obligation it IS a place of privilege, divine guidance and blessing. It is a habit that only gets only sweeter as time goes by. The argument of not enough time, seems to go away when you learn how sweet connecting with the Lord really is. It is not a matter of how much time you spend in "Quiet Time", but rather what happened between you and God during this time. When you left the garden was your heart full and your mind at peace? 

 

It is God’s hope that you will always want to return to the garden and spend time alone with him and it is his joy when you do! The garden is a special place of intentional, uninterrupted fellowship with God. However, when I leave the garden, the One who lives inside me goes with me out into the world of responsibilities. He is always available throughout my day for continued fellowship. God loves receiving my brief thoughts of gratitude that I shoot up to his ears in a moment of joy. He welcomes a prayer for myself or another when those needs come to mind. God loves my phrases of trust when fear rears its ugly head. God hears my requests for instant help in my moments of temptation and times of need. Conversational prayer throughout my day is both an amazing privilege and a fantastic blessing!

Questions:

1. Do you have a special time each day when you meet with God to pray, read his Word, and listen for his voice?
2. Do you think it is absurd to suggest that Satan might delight in keeping us away from God’s Word by pushing us in the direction of other good Christian reading opportunities instead of reading God's Word?
3. Will you consider this scripture? “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thought and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 NIV 
4. Do you believe this scripture is true?
5. Are you willing to pray and ask God to help you re-evaluate what you are reading?
6. Are you currently enjoying your time alone with God in the garden? If not, why do you think this is?

Prayer:

 

Dear God,

 

I confess that in the past I have been guilty of misunderstanding the purpose of “Quite Time”. Forgive me when I reduce this experience to a specific amount of time, a specific time of day, a place, a routine, or an obligation. I am reminded that Jesus went to pray when he felt a need for fellowship with his Father. He made time to pray before any major event in his life. Jesus blessed bread and called upon the Father for strength before performing miracles. Jesus instructed his disciples to stay awake and pray so that their faith would not fail. God, the idea that “Quite Time” should be the same time every day is valuable to all of us who live shrouded in human frailty. I thank you Lord that you allow me to set the time and place for our standing “Quite Time” appointment. I am confident that when I establish this time with you, I know that you will faithfully call me at that time and to that place every day. God help me to understand that “Quiet Time” is where I praise and worship you. It is where I express my gratitude for all that I am and all that you have provided for me. It is during this time alone with you that you allow me the privilege of casting my cares on you. “Quite Time” is where you will open my eyes and teach me your ways. It is the place where I will hear your voice. God, I am so blessed that you minister to me in ways that help me change my negative attitudes. I am so grateful that you meet me in this special place and administer your balm of healing to my emotions. God, I now understand that “Quiet Time” is the very special place where you fellowship with me and equip me for the challenges of this life, not a place of obligation. I thank you God that you love me enough to call me every day to come to the garden!

 

It is in your Son Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

The Revolving Door of Friendships

“…but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

Proverbs 18:24 NIV

In my sixty plus years I have seen friends come and go. Why do some friends remain while other friends exit our life?  I believe we loose friendships for many different reasons. In elementary school we make a wonderful friend and the next year that friend is in another classroom at the other end of the corridor. When we leave home to attend college we leave old friends behind and meet new friends.  We live in a mobile society. We study abroad, we travel all over the world, or we get a new job that demands that we move. We change churches, move to a new neighborhood, join different clubs, and we take up new interest. All of these conditions and many others set us up to make new friends and loose others. Keeping up with old friends can sometime be a full time job. Thanks to the internet and social media it is becoming much easier to stay in touch with our friends both old and new.

 

Often some of our very best friends are found in our own family. More times than not our best friend is our spouse. There is a saying that states, blood is thicker than water! That is why our children, a parent, a sibling, a sister-in-law, or a cousin can be one of the best friends we will ever have. When a family friendship is severed it is one of the greatest losses we will ever experience.

 

Sometimes we simply grow out of a friendship. We find that our childhood playmate, our high school best bud, and often our college roommate are no longer interested in the same things that we once shared. As adults sometimes we find that our friend is no longer “like minded” and the friendship that was once strong is now fragile and stressful. As a result the friendship reaches a weak point where it simply breaks. This too is sad. It would be wrong of me to think that a friendship must be based on two people always agreeing. But it has been my experience that when two people can no longer “agree to disagree” that friendship is over.

 

A wonderful friendship is based on a warm and caring relationship. True friends are trustworthy and hold your secrets in the strictest of confidence. A true friend can be counted on in good times and in bad times. These friends are without a doubt, the beautiful “forget-me-nots” in our heart’s garden. Friendships should be fun! Good friends laugh and cry together. I love to find a friend who loves many of the same things that I do because now we can enjoy sharing those things together. I also enjoy having friends who share my same set of values. I treasure a friend who prays with me and for me. My Christian friendships take friendship to a new level. Those friends are irreplaceable! 

 

Unfortunately, some friendships end because of a misunderstanding, selfishness, betrayal, or any number of other situations that divide and separate. Friends come into and exit our life as though they were stepping in and out of a revolving door. But God’s Word tells us that Jesus Christ is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. Maybe it has to do with that “blood” thing.  Relatives share the same bloodline. However, the blood of Jesus is not restricted to our veins. The blood of Jesus covers us from head to toe. Our friend Jesus gave his life for us so that we can live with him and enjoy him forever. “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command….I have called you friends…” John 15:13-14,15a NIV Jesus is indeed a friend that sticks closer than any brother or sister ever could. When Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior, his Spirit lives within us! What a blessing it is to have Jesus for our best friend.

 

Some people are content having only one friend. Others want as many friends as they can get. But if you must have only one friend, make sure it is Jesus. True lasting friendships are hard to come by. In a whole lifetime you may only have a few that you will always treasure. You will probably be able to count those friends on one hand. But these are the special people that God has placed in your life to love and encourage you through thick and thin. We may rarely see our very best friends, but when we do we are always able to pick up right where we left off. A true friend is a blessing. Treasure that friend and make sure that you are that kind of friend to at least one person.

 

I don’t ever want to forget that I will never have a friend who is a dear to me as Jesus! Because of this I must remember to tell him many times a day how much I love him. I must always set aside time to be alone with him without interruption. I must make sure that he knows that I cherish him. I must make every effort to please him by doing the things that I know make him happy. I do this because that is what good friends do! A good friendship is give and take. He calls me friend, and I don’t want to be a friend that only takes. I take his free gift of salvation, and I take all that he provides. I enjoy his love, his compassion, and his mercy. I enjoy the fact that my friend always keeps his promises. He is a faithful friend in every way. Therefore, I must give back. I give back my love to the One who first loved me. I must show my love to the One who laid down his life for me. I love being in a sweet relationship with the best friend I will every have, my Savior, Jesus Christ.

Questions:

1. Who is your closest friend?
2. How many “for life” friends do you have?
3. What quality do you value most in a friendship?
4. Do you consider yourself to be a good friend?
5. Are you rejoicing in the friendship that you share with Jesus? If no, why not?
6. How can you remedy that problem and cement your friendship with Jesus?

Prayer:

Dear Jesus,

 

You are my very best friend indeed! I am blessed that you call me your friend. I am reminded that Abraham was also called a friend of God and that same friendship reaches over the span of thousands of years, to the very place where I am sitting today. Jesus, how can it be that I, a simple woman, can enjoy a friendship with you, the creator of the universe? Jesus, you were rich, yet you became poor so that you and I could become friends. You gave your life for me. I know of no greater love than this. Jesus you go before me to show me the way, you walk behind me to encourage me, you are above me watching over me, you live inside me and you fill me with your peace, you also walk along beside me because you love me. Thank you for being such an amazing friend. Friendship with you Jesus is a blessed sweet communion. You are always faithful and I am blessed. Lord, when other friendships fail, I pray that I will always know that you are more than enough!

 

It is in the name of my dearest friend, Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen

Discontentment Steals My Joy and Peace!

“I know what it is to be in need,

and I know what it is to have plenty.

I have learned the secret of being content

in any and every situation,

whether well fed or hungry,

whether living in plenty or in want.

I can do everything through him

who gives me strength.”

Philippians 4:12-13 NIV

 Many years ago I had a wonderful friend who mentored me unknowingly. She walked along beside me during the days when my faith was fragile. She encouraged me to dig deep into God’s Word and to appreciate all that God had blessed me with. It was during this time that my patience was short, my words were blunt, my expectations of others were high, and my discontentment with life was obvious. Vera not only taught me a better way to live but she lived out her words by example. I’m sure she would humbly deny all that I have said, but even so, her wise words brought about positive life change within my home and my spirit. One thing that she told me over and over again was that discontentment was a tool of Satan. My Father also lived his life believing that was true as well. Two amazing people both with the same message. Neither of these people lived what the world would call “a charmed life” but they lived good lives. Both suffered loss and experienced blessings. Both people trusted that God would supply all of their needs, they both practiced gratitude, and they chose to practice contentment. Both individuals lived joyfully!

 

Because of their examples I too made the choice to endeavor to practice contentment. I do not do it perfectly but it is always on my mind. When I choose contentment I am at peace and my cup of joy is overflowing.

 

On those days when I let discontentment weasel its way into my thinking, Satan shows up and snatches my joy. Then he runs for all he is worth and hides what he has stolen from me. Much to his surprise, the moment I look up to Jesus and I remember why I am able to be content my joy miraculously returns.  I have observed that people who live contented lives do so because their heart is not cemented to the things of the world but rather to the riches that are theirs in Christ Jesus.

 

Discontentment is only one step away from coveting what another person has. One of God’s commandments is, “thou shall not covet”. It is easy to try to skirt around that commandment. When I believe that as long as I don’t want to take what my neighbor has and leave him with nothing, it’s okay to want what he has. The problem is that often desire can move from “that would be nice” to “I must have that in order to be happy”. When the later thought begins to dominate and consume all of my thinking, I am in trouble.

 

It is possible for us to experience discontentment on many levels.

 

Discontentment with our possessions:

• Never being satisfied with what I have.
• Being embarrassed by what I have.
• Always wanting to have bigger and better and the latest and greatest. 
• Lusting for things I don’t need.
• Trying to keep up with what others have.
• Wanting to purchase things to impress others.
• Feeding my need for instant gratification.

Discontentment with our situation:

• Wanting our spouse to change
• Wanting a different spouse
• Wanting a different church
• Wanting a different job
• Wanting a more understanding boss
• Wanting freedom from responsibility
• Wanting our children to be older, smarter, more successful

Discontentment with who we are:

• Wanting a thinner body or to be more physically fit
• Despising our insecurity
• Loathing our imperfections
• Wanting to be important
• Scrambling for control
• Wishing for a more exciting and interesting life
• Unhappy with our own measure of success

Any one of those scenarios can blow up in my mind and take control of my thinking. I must be acutely aware that Satan is always standing by, ready to steal my joy. His purpose is not to take my joy but to steal my joy so I become an unhappy, moody, angry, depressed, dissatisfied, and discourage person. These negative attitudes always affect my godly influence and can cause me to become an ineffective Christian. I must not be deceived. Satan could care less if I am happy but he most certainly is seeking to destroy my Christian influence.

 

The only way I can practice contentment is to learn to look for the good in my circumstance, my life stage, and be grateful for what I have. I must read God Word and learn who I am in Christ Jesus. I am a child of the King and nothing on this earth can ever compare with the riches that are mine because I am his precious child. A life of beauty grows from the inside out. When I focus on the little miracles of life and I open up my heart to experience the blessed life God has already given me I become content. A heart of gratitude most definitely results in a life of joy and peace.

 

I am also attempting to learn how to practice the spiritual discipline of simplicity. A simpler lifestyle, fewer possessions, and a calendar that has at least one empty square each week! Even God rested on the seventh day! My husband and I are drowning in the collection of our possessions. The up keep is often overwhelming! We keep things we will never use, we purchase things we don’t need, and we hoard because we may need it someday. I believe that we will experience joy when we finally discover that less really is more.

 

We must not loose heart. This life is temporary and in heaven we will have more than our minds can currently imagine. In heaven we will be like Him, all that he has will be ours, and we will be at peace. The struggles of life will be behind us and the word “discontentment” will not exist.

 

Unchecked discontentment steals our joy, dumps on our spirit, and fosters depression. It can end a marriage and sever a relationship. It can open the door for lust and coveting, and it can cause us to incur great debt. Discontentment can make us sick and shorten our life. It directs negative thinking inward and causes all manner of stress in our life. It is driven by the fear that we will never have what we want and it can make us greedy, angry, and self-centered. Discontentment can ruin our life!

 

When our contentment depends upon what we have, where we live, or our position in life, our self worth can become severely damaged. Comparing ourselves to others is the biggest mistake we can make if we are trying to learn to be content. Someone will always have more! Someone will always be thinner. Someone else will always have a larger stock portfolio and be able to take early retirement. Someone else will always have a bigger house, a better car, and take more vacations. Someone else will always have smarter kids and a more appreciative spouse. Someone will always earn more money than we do. Plain and simple comparing ourselves to others is disastrous. Don’t go there!

 

Living a life of regret is also dangerous because it pushes God away. Gratitude brings God near. I am not suggesting that we do not do things to better ourselves, nor am I suggesting that we should not have nice things. But I have found it benefits me greatly when I examine my heart’s motivation regarding these things. What is my attitude as I pursue my dream? What will happen to me if I do not get what I desire? How devastated will I be? Do I try to fit into God’s plan for my life or am I trying to fit God into my plan? How can I be more content with what I already have? Is my heart still full of joy or is it empty and void of joy? Am I at peace? Is God the object of my peace or do my desires drive me in wild pursuit of what I think will bring me happiness?

 

The good news is that I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” In my own strength I may not be able to choose contentment over discontentment, but if I will give this matter to the Lord in continual prayer he will strengthen me each and every time discontentment rears its ugly head. God’s Word says that I can do all things when I rely on my Lord for his strength.

 

Questions:

 

1. Do you consider yourself to be a contented person?
2. If not, where do you experience the greatest amount of discontentment?
3. Are you willing to give up the one thing that has you by the throat?
4. Can you find anything to be thankful for in your unwanted situation?
5. Do you believe that God can help you become a contented person?
6. Will you take time to pray about your discontentment?
7. Will you strive daily to practice gratitude?

Prayer:

Dear Lord,

 

Forgive me for practicing the sin of discontentment. I am beginning to understand that my discontentment is not pleasing to you. I also see that my discontentment is hurting others and damaging my body and mind. Lord, help me to practice gratitude in all things. Even if I hate my job help me to be thankful for it. When I am upset and dissatisfied with my spouse, help me to see their good qualities and be thankful. Lord, help me to love myself as you love me. Father, I am so grateful for all I have. Sure, there are others who have more, but there are plenty of people who have less. Free me from the lusting after that which I can’t afford. Fill me with your joy and peace that only comes from a contented heart.

 

In your name I pray. Amen.

Misunderstanding a "Good Thing"

“For the LORD God is a sun and shield;

the LORD bestows favor and honor,

no good thing does he withhold

from those whose walk is blameless.”

Psalm 84:11 NIV

 In times of trouble when it seems that all has gone wrong we must find a strength that surpasses our own. We cannot trust our self because our emotions are raw. We cannot trust others because they are not walking in our shoes and may not understand. We cannot trust man made gods because they cannot breathe, see, hear, or feel our sorrow. Our only hope is to trust the only One who has been a man of sorrow himself, Jesus Christ. The Psalmist says it well, “I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2 NIV God is our help in times of trouble.

 

It is human nature to doubt the goodness of God in times of trouble. Many things that happen in this fallen world make no sense at all. Both believers and non-believers shake their heads in amazement when tragedy strikes and abuse abounds. Personal loss, pain and suffering leave us feeling helpless and sometimes abandoned by God.

 

But God’s Word assures us that is NOT the case. Joshua 1:5b God says, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” In the very next verse God tells us to be strong and courageous. In verse 7 we are also given a word of caution. “Be careful to obey.”

 

Obeying God is our first rule for our spiritual success. We are not to turn to the right or the left when it comes to obedience. God wants us to stay on the path of obedience and God is to be our focal point, not our circumstance.

 

This pathway is very well lit by our Lord. Along the sides of this path there are also guard rails of our Lord’s protection to be used against Satan and his lies. “For the LORD God is a sun and shield;” Psalm 84:11a NIV  When we  begin to experience darkness within our spirit we must be on guard,  take notice, and consider the possibility that perhaps we have veered off the Lord’s path. We have not lost our salvation; we have merely lost our focus! When we look to our Light, he promises to shield us. What exactly will God shield us from and who will he shield us from? God will shield us from Satan for sure, but I also believe that many times, unknown to us, God has shielded us from the unthinkable. When I get to heaven God may hand me a list of all the times that he protected me from the hand of another, kept me away from the fire of self destruction, prevented an accident, and yes, spared my life. I don’t think about those things because on this side of heaven I am completely unaware that they have existed. Nevertheless, those were the times when God bestowed his grace and his favor in my life.

 

It is so like me to place my focus on the bad times. Of course, I am human, and what is in my face is my nearest point of reference. Still, if I will but look to Jesus in the midst of my pain God will bestow on me a different kind of favor. His grace will rest upon me as he comforts, sustains, and continues to provide for me. God will not leave my side because he must be true to his Word. In today’s scripture we are reminded that it is the LORD (who) bestows favor and honor. God is honorable in all he does. His glory surrounds him and we are the recipient of his favor and honor. As a result, we are blessed and others are blessed as well. God receives glory when we understand and share that he is the source of our blessings.

 

Still I tend to be a bit confused as to this next phrase. “no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.” Psalm 84:11b NIV Oh! How glad I am that he said I must walk blameless instead of saying I must walk perfectly! Talk about God bestowing his favor and his grace. It is the blood of Jesus Christ that covers my sinful state. It is only his shed blood that covers me and makes me blameless. Because of this truth I can be assured that God will not withhold anything good from me.

 

I am reminded of another scripture that tells us that God works in our behalf. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 NIV

 

The only problem that still remains is perhaps my misconception of what a “good thing” really is. I think that to understand good I must know that God is good. Goodness and “good things” originate in the only One who is perfect in goodness. “He is good; his love endures forever.” 2 Chronicles 7:3 The good things of the world pale shamefully by the standard of what God considers to be good. God’s list of good includes valuable jewels of love, joy, peace. His compassion, mercy, and grace sparkle in the light of his love. Forgiveness, hope, and eternal life are priceless gems that are the direct result of his goodness to those who love him. These are the “good things” that God promises to his children who have been called according to his purpose. The faithfulness of our Lord is one of the greatest “good things” that God has ever chosen to bless his children with.

 

God’s purpose is to redeem mankind from the curse of sin and get us safely back to our heavenly home. He has called us all but not all have answered his call. It is only for those who have answered his invitation to be redeemed from sin that these “good things” are given. His jewels of goodness always work for the eternal good of all his children and are vital resources to be enjoyed in this life as well.

 

Men and women are many times driven by their purposes instead of God’s purposes. Most of us believe that for life to be good and work well there must be freedom from poverty, sickness, pain, suffering, and death. Things in our life need to run smooth and end well. By the world’s standards those are indeed good things. When favorable things happen in the life of a believer or a non-believer, God calls them blessings and for these blessings the believer expresses gratitude to God. However, the non-believer usually sees their blessings as something that is a direct result of their own effort, or a stroke of luck, or good karma. The truth is that we all live in a fallen world that is dying all around us and because of this fact we will all experience many things in life that will not be good. But God’s “good things” are available to all who have put their trust in him. God’s “good things” are available to those who will reach up and take hold of all that he has promised to those who love him.

 

Questions:

1. Have you ever been confused regarding what a “good thing” really is?
2. What does the human mind identify as good things?
3. What does God identify as good things?
4. What “good things” from the hand of God are you currently enjoying?
5. How do the temporal blessings of this life differ from God’s spiritual blessings that are truly good?

Prayer:

 

Dear Lord,

 

I am embarrassed to admit that many times I have misunderstood what a “good thing” really is. Even in the middle of so many things in my life that are not so good I am still bombarded from the storehouse of heaven’s riches with so many “good things” that you are using to bless me with daily. It is with gratitude and joy that I say thank you. Lord, help me not to take for granted all the “good things” that come from your hand. In addition, thank you for all the many blessings that I am privileged to experience and enjoy. Lord, I also want to thank you for who I am becoming as a result of the things in my life that I do not consider good. Again Lord, it’s about me trusting you with all that concerns me. Lord, this day I chose to trust you!

 

It is in you name I pray. Amen.

God's Will Revealed

"He who forms the mountains,

creates the wind,

and reveals his thoughts to man,

he who turns dawn to darkness,

and treads the high place of the earth –

the LORD God, Almighty is his name."

Amos 4:13 NIV

We hear a lot about God’s will and most of us spend a good bit of time trying to decipher what his will is. We are often confused. Are we hearing God’s voice or our own voice? Then add to that mix the voice of Satan and we really are bewildered!

 

When I really get serious about knowing God’s will, the garden is the place I need to go. Sometimes I can’t hear the voice of God because everything that surrounds me is so distracting that I can’t even hear myself think. When I finally go to the garden, if I don’t try to talk God to death, I might actually be able to listen for his voice and try to discern his voice from Satan’s voice. If the words I am hearing are convicting I know those words are from the Holy Spirit. But if the words I hear are words of condemnation, then I know they are from Satan. “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,” Romans 8:1 NIV  If the words stir fear within my heart they are from Satan, but if the words I hear are bathed in love they are from God. “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear,” 1 John 4:18a NIV

 

Even though I know in my head that God speaks words of love and truth, many times my heart is not ready to receive those words. I often choose to ignore his words of conviction and many times I second guess his words that command me to go and do. As I walk in the garden today I am seeking to know his will but I am also tempted to argue with God because I fear he is asking me to move out of my comfort zone.

 

Because of my guarded approach to the voice of God and the prompting of his Holy Spirit, I am totally missing the beauty of the garden. Peace seems to be as elusive as the butterfly that flutters over the lantana. I am totally preoccupied with getting my thoughts delivered to the Almighty. I want God to listen to me and see a few things from my perspective. I want him to be keenly aware that I have limitations. I want him to know that I lack certain abilities, and that I am a woman who is often driven by fear. I guess God has forgotten that I don’t take risks. The truth is I already have an agenda that is full of my own desires and dreams. I am walking down the path that I have mapped out for success and I don’t have much time to dilly-dally around with God’s experimental programs. I remind God that I know myself pretty well and I’m sure I have my own best interest at heart and the best interest of my family is always at the top of my list. God needs to understand that my will and my plans for my life have little room for flexibility or change. After all, my plans are not so bad. I am simply in pursuit of happiness.

 

But then the Holy Spirit stirs within my spirit and I begin to soften. My response is less hostile but still controlling.  “God, if per chance I should decide to take note of your suggestions for my life I will need a plan. From where I stand, having this plan in writing would be great. I will need facts and an organized plan of action, complete with charts and graphs that indicate projected success results. I need dates. I also want a guarantee that I will be happy with the end results. Lord, I really don’t think this is too unreasonable. I am simply being responsible. God, you gave me a brain and I am trying my best to use it!”

 

Now that I have said my piece, I guess I owe it to God, at the very least, to listen to what he has to say on the matter. I’m sure after listening to me he will see my point of view and is most likely going to agree with me. After all, God loves me and I love him. Then God speaks, “Paula, take off your shoes, you are on holy ground.” Instantly, my constant chattering comes to an immediate halt. As I look around the garden, I observe that there is not a burning bush anywhere in sight. Again I hear the authoritative voice of God and his message is simple. “Paula, it is not your job to try to figure out my will, it is however your job to pay attention and trust me! It is my job to reveal my will to you. I AM the one who gets to choose when, where and how I will reveal my plan for your life to you. I will unfold the details to you little by little, day by day.” In a matter of seconds my know-it-all attitude begins to melt as I find myself standing before my Creator. I am without a doubt on holy ground. I am sure that it is God speaking to me. In a holy moment my one sided prayer goes from a “me talking prayer” to a “me listening prayer”. God seems to silently suggest that I take out a notebook because it might be a good idea for me to take a few notes. God also lovingly reminded me that just like Jonah, if I opt to disobey and step away from his will for my life there will be natural negative consequences and I will also be robbing myself of his blessings.

 

I ask God, “How can I recognize your revelation?” God answers. “Ask me to direct your life and I will. Trust me that I know what is best for you even if it involves a bump in the road or pain. Allow me to take away your old desires and replace them with my new desires. I want your will to become the same as my will. I will put opportunity and people in your path if you trust me. I will encourage you to end relationships and activities that do not fit in with my plan for you. I promise you I will do my part IF you will do your part. Your part is to seek me, spend time with me, trust me with every detail of your life, and NEVER forget that I am good. Even when it seems I am not good you must believe that I am. I will never leave you or forsake you. I will guide you every step of the way!”

 

My mind tells me that I most definitely want the will of God in my life and that I don’t want to be anywhere that God does not want me to be. At this moment, I’m pretty sure that hanging out in a place where God does not want me to be is not a safe place. But like Jonah, my emotions begin to tell me that trusting God’s plan for my future may not be what I consider to be in my best interest. Satan now shoves his big foot into the door of my heart and begins to suggest fearful worst case scenarios! Of course, all lies! However, the truth is, when we belong to Jesus Christ the major winds of change in our life are God blown. We can choose to walk directly into the wind in an attempt to change direction and escape the will of God or we can move ahead with our back to the wind. When we choose to be blown forward by the breath of God and lead by his Spirit we will experience a life of blessing. If we walk directly into the wind we will be blown and tossed about like a wave on the sea. There will be no firm foundation and we will trip and fall as we struggle to keep our balance.

 

I find that my emotions have always been tied to my specific plans. In the past when those plans failed I was devastated. I did not understand that failure can be a very important part of God’s plan for my life. Looking back, if some of those plans had been carried out according to my will those plans would have placed me in the middle of disastrous situations. God has always known the path my life would take from beginning to end and many times his “no” has been his hand of protection. Still, God has allowed me to make my own mistakes while all along he knew that he had a better plan for my life that was grounded in blessing. My failure to listen to the voice of God resulted in God delaying or withholding a blessing that he had set aside and reserved just for me. Sure, because of God’s loving heart, he blessed me in other ways, but what about the blessings I may have missed? How many blessings have I forfeited?

 

Even along the path of blessing, not all things are pleasing. It is a common misconception that if we belong to God and follow his plans for our life we will sail through life with a smile on our face and problem free. The truth is that being a Christian does not entitle us to a perfect life. There are no guarantees for a wonderful stress free marriage, model children, perfect health, or a big bank account. It would serve us well to remember that God is not a wishing well or a good luck charm! However, God is our strength, our comfort, our provider, our peace, and our hope for eternity. Our prosperity does not depend on what happens to us in this world. When we belong to Jesus our prosperity is firmly planted in heaven.

 

When God asks us to step outside the walls of “our plan” and follow his will we can be sure that he is already on site waiting for us. We discover and learn the will of God for our life as he reveals it to us one event at a time. I really have come to believe that God is in all that concerns me. He places me where he wants me to be, he causes the lives of other people to intersect with mine, sometimes he removes people and things from my life, he leads me to my place within the body of Christ, he orchestrates for my provision, he blesses me, and he always allows things to enter my life that will give me an occasion to trust and rely on him rather than myself. God has taken the knee bending trials of my life and twisted them around for my sanctification and his glory. All that Satan has meant for my harm, God has uniquely used to create something beautiful out of the sinful ashes of chaos. My brokenness has always been God’s perfect tool for changing my character, teaching me his mind, and redeeming and restoring my life.

 

When God wants to reveal his plan for our life he speaks to us in amazing ways. The Word of God is a vital tool that God uses to teach us who he is and how he thinks. We learn how to trust God by discovering his character and his attributes as we read his Word. Other times we hear the voice of God through godly teachers, preachers, mentors, writers, and musicians. Godly friends also encourage us and confirm what we know to be true. God speaks to us through our world. Creation sings of his love and care, and his provision and faithfulness. Believers also hear the voice of God through the promptings and conviction of the Holy Spirit. The Word tells us that the Holy Spirit speaks to us and tells us only what the Father tells him. “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” John 16:12-13 NIV

 

It is Satan who sows seeds of doubt, fear, inadequacy, and selfishness. It is the lies of Satan that attempts to pull Believers away from the will of God. Nothing pleases Satan more than to cripple the mind of a believer and by doing so he is able to make them ineffective for the cause of Jesus Christ! But Jesus can always get us back on track!

 

As God reveals his will to you through circumstances rejoice, give thanks and praise to him. Move forward in confidence knowing that God is going ahead of you clearing the path you take, opening doors and placing you in a position that will bring glory to him. God will always wait for just the right moment in time to reveal the next step of his perfect plan for your life. “For I know the plans I have for you, … plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

 

If your path is currently unsure, dark, and lonely you can still give thanks. Not for what has happened to you but because Jesus has promised to walk with you in this place of loneliness. He has not abandoned you! His holy presence does not depend upon your emotional state being perfectly intact. Jesus has promised that he will sit with you as long as it takes for you to be able to move beyond the darkness. I have never heard a single Believer say they regretted walking with Jesus and submitting to his glorious will for their life. Even the Apostle Paul said that for him to die was gain! When we find ourselves in the middle of an undesirable situation we must still choose to believe that God has a plan. When we submit to that plan we will be blessed and God will be glorified.

 

We should not strain to know the will of God. We should simply be obedient to our “spiritual” desires and instincts. We should also look to God’s Word and believe his words to be true. Simple mustard seed faith is all it takes. We must set aside our logic, and our emotions. God merely asks us to move ahead each day, one event at a time, in simple obedience. We must train ourselves to keep our eyes open for God’s smallest of opportunities. When God tugs on our heartstrings we must respond in trust and obedience. God will reveal his plan for our lives when and how he sees fit. We need not fear the One who loves us and is always good! We only need to trust in his amazing goodness. Adversity, pain, suffering, and brokenness in life are necessary because these things create need in our life. Problems are gifts that allow us to trust God with our needs. Trusting God is our golden opportunity to see his glory unleashed!

 

Questions:

1. Have you ever struggled to know the will of God?
2. Are you relieved to know that discovering the will of God is not your job?
3. Do you see the necessity to intentionally tune in to God so that he can reveal to you his will for your life?
4. Do you see that God’s perfect plan for your life is an ongoing process to be revealed to you event by event?
5. How do you feel about God being the One who gets to choose when, where, and how he will reveal his plan to you?
6. Do you find comfort in knowing that your job is to pay attention, listen for his voice, trust him and obey his promptings?

Prayer:

 

Dear Father,

 

Let me be the first one to confess that when it is time for me to trust and obey I am not always smiling. Usually, I am anxious and afraid. Forgive me for not trusting you. Forgive me when I doubt your goodness. You are the one who knows my life from beginning to end. On the other hand, I remain totally in the dark regarding my future. Father, I want others to trust me, so why should it be so hard for me to realize that you too want to be trusted? Heavenly Father, perhaps the solution is simple; I need more of you and less of me. The better I know you and your reputation, the more I will continue to fall deeper in love with you. Then because of my great love for you it will be easier for me to totally trust you. Father, create within me a hunger to make this simple truth come alive within me. Lord, not my plans for my life but your plan for my life is what I desire to be divinely accomplished.

 

It is in your name I pray. Amen.