WHAT IF...
I lose my job
I run out of money
I get cancer
I don't have enough money to retire
I lose my sight
My husband dies or loses his job
My children don't succeed....
Our fears of the future often put us in a prison of doubt. Then we find that these thoughts control our every waking moment. Since my last posting I had an event in my life that I was beginning to fear the future. My retina became detached in my eye and I began to worry and fear "what if" I become permanently blinded. We have all had these doubts and fear arise in our lives, often on a daily basis. The key that unlocks the prison door of this fear and doubt is "PROMISE" the promises of God in His Word.
Where do these fears come from? They don't come from God. Satan uses many sources to attack us and cause us to doubt the promises of God. These sources may be people, problems, and perplexities. Let's look at a some of these.
People may leave us, reject us, or die. But God's PROMISES can quiet these fears. Look at Hebrews 13:5, 6 "I will never leave you, nor forsake thee. The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me." I have a friend, who are experienced this to it's fullest extent. Her husband left her, her grown son won't communicate with her, her daughter has moved away and doesn't have a phone. She is lonely, but has been seeking the Lord to fill that void. She is learning to lean upon her Savior to meet these needs and to fill that loneliness. This is a choice she is making, otherwise she would be miserable.
Problems - what problems are you dealing with that are causing you to be fearful? Look up Isaiah 26:3 "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee." When we worry about problems we are not trusting God. You can replace fear with peace if we trust God. Now ask yourself, what makes more sense living in fear or living in perfect peace. Claim the PROMISES of God. I John 4:18 "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casteth out fear." "Love in your heart frees you from fear; relates you to the Source of Life, God; and releases positive feelings to overcome hostility, redress wrongs, heal hurts, and build relationships. Love is the strongest fores int he world...It give you the winning advantage in all human contacts." (Morgan)
Possibilities - the what-ifs cause fear in your life. What if the thing you fear does take place? What is the worst thing that could happen? If you will trust in the Lord to care for you no matter what the possibilities you don't need to fear. Here is another PROMISE...Psalm 112:7-8 "They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the Lord to care for them. They are confident and fearless." Here is another Psalm 57:7 "My heart is confident in you, O God; no wonder I can sing your praises! Wake up, my soul!" I encourage you to read the whole chapter.
Perplexities - Sometimes we don't understand why God allows certain things to happen in our lives. When we question "why God" Satan will play tricks with our mind and cause more fears and anxieties. Again we need to stand on the PROMISES of God and stand again the wiles of the devil. 2 Timothy 1:7 "For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. This promise is worth standing on..."Remember, that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it. When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it." I Corinthians 10:13.
The Solution to Fear is believing God's PROMISES! Galatians 6: 8-10s give us encouragement to keep on going and living faithful for God trusting in His PROMISES "Those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So don't get tired of doing what is good. Don't' get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time. Whenever we have the opportunity we should do good to everyone.
Psalm 34: 4. "I prayed to the Lord, and He answer me, freeing me from all my fears "(what-ifs)! PRAY and believe the PROMISES of God. Trust God. God is your refuge. God will uphold you. Wait on the Lord. He will never leave you or forsake you. His love for you is an everlasting love.
I challenge you to read your Bible and underline every promise you see in a specific color. Then as you begin to feel as though you are wavering, start flipping through your Bible and stand on the PROMISES of God. With Christ we are more than conqueror! Contentment comes from our relationship to God and our confident trust in Him, not from our responsess or feelings to our circumstances or people.
You are not facing your fears alone - - - God is with you always.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Monday, September 10, 2007
Learning to Be Content with JUST ENOUGH - Lesson 8
When is enough really enough? How much is enough? Our author has a quote in the introduction that says "Just Enough: The rich person is not the person who has the most, but the one who doesn't need more" Do you need more? Why?
I recall an incident in my life that really taught me to be content and realize what I had was enough. We moved into a new house about 17 years ago. It was beautiful, the kids finally had their own rooms. Big kitchen and master with it's own bath. But my "stuff" was OLD in my eyes and didn't "fit in" the new house. I was determined that I needed a new couch. The old one still looked fine and was even still comfortable. Anyway I decided to try to sell the old one then I would justify getting a new one. I had a yard sale and did quite well, but guess what, the couch did not sell. I keep looking at new ones, but my husband was determined that we didn't need a new one so he was not very cooperative. I put the "old" couch back into the living room. The Lord was dealing with me trying to teach me to be content. I did learn to be content with the old couch and do you know that couch stayed in that house and even moved to the next one with us. I remember that situation every once in a while and God reminds me to be content with what I have and not to become anxious for more. He will always take care of all my needs and so often even gives me the desires of my heart. I did finally get a new couch, actually a living room set with couch, love seat, and recliner. It wasn't completely new though. A friend was getting a new living room set. They wanted to know if wanted their older set. It was much more beautiful than my really old worn out one was now. I still have it and love it, it was free and it's a Lazy boy! God is so good!
So many times we get into the habit of thinking if I could get a raise, a new car, bigger refrigerator, newer this or that...all my trouble would be over. Enough is never enough. The Word of God talks about this money issue over a 1,000 times. Why do you think this is? Probably because God know that this is one of the biggest down falls of man. We have more problems handling money problems and material possessions than anything else in our life.
Proverbs 4:23 (NLT) says "Above all else, guard your heart, for it effects everything you do." In Scripture, I John 2:16, it says what the world has to offer or tempt us with is the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life. Physical pleasure, pleasure in what we see and pleasure in the things we have. These are not from the Father they are from the world. Remember that this world is fading away, we need to focus on doing the will of the Father which will reap eternal rewards!
What does your heart dwell on? Do your eyes keeping looking for more things you can acquire? Do these things bring peace, security, comfort, eternal reward? Back to I John 2:15 we are told not to love the things of this world. Matthew 5 teaches that God will take care of every need we have and we don't need to worry about these things. If we put loving and serving God ahead of serving our money we will find God is all sufficient for everything and you will even be enriched so you have extra to share with others. II Corinthians 9:8-11.
Juanita Purcell challenges us to choose a lifestyle. John McDonald says it this way: "Don't let your income dictate our lifestyle. Choose a level of living that you need, and do not compromise that with more spending when more income arrives. If you don't choose a lifestyle, this culture Will choose one for you, and it will be the lifestyle of living beyond your means." This certainly sounds like a Godly plan.
Everything we have comes from God, so it really all belongs to God. We need to learn to live our life completely for God even using our money and possessions for God. It all had to do with our heart attitude and our relationship with God. We are not our own be have been bought with a price. The blood of Jesus Christ. We try to make claim to what is ours, when it really all belongs to God. Let me encourage you to spend more time and effort growing a rich relationship with God and not growing a rich bank account. Enjoy what God has given you and share it with others as you serve God.
So what is the formula for contentment? Contentment has a partner and it is godliness. So a good formula would be
I recall an incident in my life that really taught me to be content and realize what I had was enough. We moved into a new house about 17 years ago. It was beautiful, the kids finally had their own rooms. Big kitchen and master with it's own bath. But my "stuff" was OLD in my eyes and didn't "fit in" the new house. I was determined that I needed a new couch. The old one still looked fine and was even still comfortable. Anyway I decided to try to sell the old one then I would justify getting a new one. I had a yard sale and did quite well, but guess what, the couch did not sell. I keep looking at new ones, but my husband was determined that we didn't need a new one so he was not very cooperative. I put the "old" couch back into the living room. The Lord was dealing with me trying to teach me to be content. I did learn to be content with the old couch and do you know that couch stayed in that house and even moved to the next one with us. I remember that situation every once in a while and God reminds me to be content with what I have and not to become anxious for more. He will always take care of all my needs and so often even gives me the desires of my heart. I did finally get a new couch, actually a living room set with couch, love seat, and recliner. It wasn't completely new though. A friend was getting a new living room set. They wanted to know if wanted their older set. It was much more beautiful than my really old worn out one was now. I still have it and love it, it was free and it's a Lazy boy! God is so good!
So many times we get into the habit of thinking if I could get a raise, a new car, bigger refrigerator, newer this or that...all my trouble would be over. Enough is never enough. The Word of God talks about this money issue over a 1,000 times. Why do you think this is? Probably because God know that this is one of the biggest down falls of man. We have more problems handling money problems and material possessions than anything else in our life.
Proverbs 4:23 (NLT) says "Above all else, guard your heart, for it effects everything you do." In Scripture, I John 2:16, it says what the world has to offer or tempt us with is the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life. Physical pleasure, pleasure in what we see and pleasure in the things we have. These are not from the Father they are from the world. Remember that this world is fading away, we need to focus on doing the will of the Father which will reap eternal rewards!
What does your heart dwell on? Do your eyes keeping looking for more things you can acquire? Do these things bring peace, security, comfort, eternal reward? Back to I John 2:15 we are told not to love the things of this world. Matthew 5 teaches that God will take care of every need we have and we don't need to worry about these things. If we put loving and serving God ahead of serving our money we will find God is all sufficient for everything and you will even be enriched so you have extra to share with others. II Corinthians 9:8-11.
Juanita Purcell challenges us to choose a lifestyle. John McDonald says it this way: "Don't let your income dictate our lifestyle. Choose a level of living that you need, and do not compromise that with more spending when more income arrives. If you don't choose a lifestyle, this culture Will choose one for you, and it will be the lifestyle of living beyond your means." This certainly sounds like a Godly plan.
Everything we have comes from God, so it really all belongs to God. We need to learn to live our life completely for God even using our money and possessions for God. It all had to do with our heart attitude and our relationship with God. We are not our own be have been bought with a price. The blood of Jesus Christ. We try to make claim to what is ours, when it really all belongs to God. Let me encourage you to spend more time and effort growing a rich relationship with God and not growing a rich bank account. Enjoy what God has given you and share it with others as you serve God.
So what is the formula for contentment? Contentment has a partner and it is godliness. So a good formula would be
Godliness + Contentment = Great Gain
The Pursuit of Contentment is Godliness
If you want to be contented, you must come to the place where you can say:
"I HAVE ENOUGH".
Then add to that,
"LORD, IT ALL BELONGS TO YOU.
GIVE WHAT YOU WANT AND
TAKE WHAT YOU WANT!"
- Choose contentment so as a lifestyle. Strive to come to a place where you really believe you do not need to have more to be happier
- Learn to think and say "I have enough, I don't need more."
- Choose a comfortable level of living and do not compromise that lifestyle with more spending if you make more money.
Godliness with contentment is great gain...I Timothy 6:6
Sunday, September 2, 2007
Learning to Be Content with WHO YOU ARE Lesson 7
I'm always amazed how God emphases a truth everywhere when you are studying His Word. In my Sunday School class this week the main text was in I Samuel 16, and the theme was jealousy, As you probably already noticed, the verse for the week is from this chapter. As I meditate on the lesson in my class, a person who is jealous cannot be content with who they are in their relationship with God, because they are looking on outward appearance, not the heart.
Self-Image is a focal point in our society today. We are always reminded to look at who we are, what we have and if we match the standards that someone else has set. If we don't "measure up," it negatively influences our social life, job, and relationships. We have a need to feel loved, accepted, and successful and it is crucial to our emotional and spiritual well-being. What is the mental picture you have of yourself? Is it a Biblically accurate realistic picture?
We each need to learn to see ourselves as God sees us. No one is as emotionally or spiritually well-balanced as we would like to be. As we reflect on our life, we should see positive steps being taken forward as we mature in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior. "PBPGIFWMY". Have you ever seen the bumper sticker with these initials? They stand for "please be patient God isn't finished with me yet!" I'm reminded the the Scripture that says when we are born-again, having just begun your relationship with God, you are like a babe, drinking and understanding only the milk of the Word. But as you grow in your faith you can begin to eat meat, or understand the deeper things of God. Are you growing in your spiritual faith? If you are, you will be learning to be content with who you are.
Open your Bible to Ephesians 4:17-29. As you study this passage you will see, as you grow, there will be changes in your desires, attitudes, and self-image. If you are not growing you will not be content with who you are. You will be moody, depressed, frustrated, irritable, jealous, and have a low-self image. As you continue in this chapter you will find you should be putting away those old attitudes and putting on the new person, full of kindness, forgiving, loving, tenderness because you are becoming more life Christ. Which person is more content with who they are? The person with bad attitudes and actions or the one with good attitudes?
This change cannot happen on it's own. Nor can these changes happen without Christ. God is the only one who can transform us. Read Romans 12:1 & 2. We are to present or give ourselves as a living sacrifice: holy, acceptable unto God which is your reasonable service. The normal thing for a child of God to do, give themselves completely over to God. Don't be conformed to the world or the things of the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. You can choose to try stopping old habits, but they need to be replaced with a new God honoring habit.
Remember, just because the world may look perfect in our eyes ("as seen on TV") it is not. Why do the "successful" actors often die young by their own hand? Are they content with who they are even by the world standards? It is impossible to ever be content with who you are if you are basing your contentment on the standards of this world. Romans 12:3 says "do not think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but think soberly, according as God hath dealt to everyone man a measure of faith."
Do you know how Christ sees you? As you mature in your love for God and begin to see yourself as He sees you, all of your desires for love and acceptance begin to be fulfilled.
Self-Image is a focal point in our society today. We are always reminded to look at who we are, what we have and if we match the standards that someone else has set. If we don't "measure up," it negatively influences our social life, job, and relationships. We have a need to feel loved, accepted, and successful and it is crucial to our emotional and spiritual well-being. What is the mental picture you have of yourself? Is it a Biblically accurate realistic picture?
We each need to learn to see ourselves as God sees us. No one is as emotionally or spiritually well-balanced as we would like to be. As we reflect on our life, we should see positive steps being taken forward as we mature in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior. "PBPGIFWMY". Have you ever seen the bumper sticker with these initials? They stand for "please be patient God isn't finished with me yet!" I'm reminded the the Scripture that says when we are born-again, having just begun your relationship with God, you are like a babe, drinking and understanding only the milk of the Word. But as you grow in your faith you can begin to eat meat, or understand the deeper things of God. Are you growing in your spiritual faith? If you are, you will be learning to be content with who you are.
Open your Bible to Ephesians 4:17-29. As you study this passage you will see, as you grow, there will be changes in your desires, attitudes, and self-image. If you are not growing you will not be content with who you are. You will be moody, depressed, frustrated, irritable, jealous, and have a low-self image. As you continue in this chapter you will find you should be putting away those old attitudes and putting on the new person, full of kindness, forgiving, loving, tenderness because you are becoming more life Christ. Which person is more content with who they are? The person with bad attitudes and actions or the one with good attitudes?
This change cannot happen on it's own. Nor can these changes happen without Christ. God is the only one who can transform us. Read Romans 12:1 & 2. We are to present or give ourselves as a living sacrifice: holy, acceptable unto God which is your reasonable service. The normal thing for a child of God to do, give themselves completely over to God. Don't be conformed to the world or the things of the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. You can choose to try stopping old habits, but they need to be replaced with a new God honoring habit.
Remember, just because the world may look perfect in our eyes ("as seen on TV") it is not. Why do the "successful" actors often die young by their own hand? Are they content with who they are even by the world standards? It is impossible to ever be content with who you are if you are basing your contentment on the standards of this world. Romans 12:3 says "do not think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but think soberly, according as God hath dealt to everyone man a measure of faith."
Do you know how Christ sees you? As you mature in your love for God and begin to see yourself as He sees you, all of your desires for love and acceptance begin to be fulfilled.
- You are loved eternally and unconditionally Jeremiah 31:3
- You are a friend of God. John 15:13-15
- You have strength to do all things through Christ. Philippians 4:13
- Christ lives in you. Galatians 2:20
- You have wisdom from God. James 1:5
- You have been delivered from sin and it's penalty I John 1:6 & Ephesians 1:7
This is how God sees you. When you see yourself as God sees you, you will begin to realize your value and worth to God and you will become content with who you are... the daughter of the King of Kings!
My acceptance is based on Who God is and what He has done for me, not what I do for Him. I am created in Christ Jesus a workmanship. God wants me to succeed and have a sense of significance. When I sin or fail, He still loves me and still forgives me. Because I am of value to Him, He is always looking out for my best. Walk by faith, obey God, grow in the truth of His Word and learn to be content with who you are! God didn't made not junk!
Please leave you comments at the bottom of this blog. After typing your comment, select anyomous and then publish your comments. Feel free to include your name. If you desire to make you comments private you can e-mail me at plarmitage@comcast.net
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