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.  (Phil. 4:12b, 13)

Not too long ago, I needed to make some changes with my internet and phone services so I decided I would also sign up for cable at the same time.  Before, I had very few TV channels to choose from, so I was a little overwhelmed with the magnitude of choices.  I scrolled through the guide to get an overview of what was available.  There were so many, it was hard to choose.  But I would look at the channel name and then select some that looked interesting.  Every once in a while I would select a channel and, at first, nothing would happen … and then eventually, these words came up:  “You are not subscribed to (this channel).”  Throughout that evening I had chosen BBC, National Geographic, Biography, Style, DIY, Family Net, along with some others that I could not get.  Every time that message came up, I would think, “You are kidding me … I can’t get THAT channel?”  Now, remember, I could get MANY others … in fact, a couple hundred others.  But, it really bugged me that I couldn’t get ALL the ones I wanted!!  

As the evening wore on, I started thinking about some of the spiritual lessons tucked into this story.  How often do I focus on what I don’t have rather than on what I do have?  I could apply this on several levels.  It made me ask myself how well am I doing in the area of contentment … with what I have, with what I do, with where I live and with who I’m with?  Have I passed the course (called LIFE) where I have learned through WANT and through ABUNDANCE to completely trust that “my God will meet all my needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus”  (Phil. 4:19)?  When I am lonely and missing my husband (now in heaven), do I choose to content myself with the fact that God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Heb. 13:5)?  Have I learned the secret that through Christ, He will give me the strength to be content with little or much?  Some days I do this well and some days I do not.  Which means I haven’t really learned it yet.

May I encourage you to journey with me?  Read Philippians Chapter Four for yourself (better yet, read the whole book!) and then wake up each morning and talk to the One Who gives us the strength to choose contentment.

Share:

“And Judas, who was betraying Him said, ‘Surely it is not I, Rabbi?’ Jesus said to him, ‘You have said it yourself.’” “Immediately Judas went to Jesus and said, ‘Hail, Rabbi!’ and kissed Him.” (Matt. 26:25, 49)

In these verses Judas calls Jesus “Rabbi,” which means teacher. This got me thinking. What do I call Jesus?  To me Jesus has many names: Lord, Savior, Friend, King and many others

Many who know me are aware of the fact that I have four grandchildren. I call them my “lovies.” They are very special to me. They have a special name for me – “Mom Mom.” When one of them calls me on the telephone, I can tell who it is right away.

This made me think of all the different names for Jesus.  Some are much more personal and intimate than others. I believe there are many people today who know “about” Jesus and many may even call him a “Great Teacher.” But that doesn’t mean they really “know” Him intimately.

Many may attend church, give money and serve in many various ways; but that doesn’t mean they know Him personally. To call Jesus by some of His more personal names, the Bible tells us that we must receive Him. 

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.” (Jn. 1:12)

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Eph. 2:8-9)

I have received Christ as my Savior.  Based on God’s Word I know my sins are forgiven and I will spend eternity with Him. So I call Jesus — Savior, Lord, Friend, King.

What do you call Jesus?

Share:

“On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.  Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.”  (Ps. 63:6-7)

Have you ever had to “count sheep” to get to sleep?  How about waking up in the middle of the night and not being able to get back to sleep?  People do lots of things during those times.  Some worry, some get up and read, or get up and eat, or watch late night TV.  Some try to pray, either for what is bothering them, or for other people they may think of.

I guess I’ve done just about all those at one time or another.  These verses quoted above encourage me to think about God- His greatness, His mercy toward me, His character, and His help.  What better way to spend “extra” time than to spend it thinking about the One who loves us?

When was the last time you couldn’t sleep?  Did you use that time wisely as suggested in these verses?  What will you do the next time?

Share:

“May the LORD answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.  May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion.  May he remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings.  May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.”  (Psalm 20: 1 – 5)

For many of us, these are golden words!  God will give us the desires of our hearts?!  The psalmist also says, “…make all your plans succeed.”  How wonderful to think that God might give me what I want and make all my plans succeed!

In real life, I wasn’t getting everything my heart desired, and all my plans certainly were not succeeding!  In fact, it often seemed that I was getting little that I wanted, but a whole lot of what I definitely did not want!

Was God misleading me? No… my own heart was misleading me.  My heart was leading me to think the agenda was mine to set for my life.

I have come to understand that God, not my desires, should be the delight of my life.  In fact, as we learn to delight in Him, He will indeed give us the desires of our hearts, and interestingly, they seem to be the same desires that are in His heart!

Psalm 37: 4  – “Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

Share: