Discontentment

Philippians 4:11-13 says, "Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have leaned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me."

In the country of America, we can ironically face much discontentment. We are discontent with material things such as houses, cars, clothing, finances, etc. We are discontent with personal relationships such as spouses, children, friends, parents. We are discontent with our circumstances, our careers or lack of, our insignificance, lack of recognition, etc. Discontentment shows that you don't trust God, you don't believe He knows what's best for you, you are self-centered and ungrateful. Ouch! I see it at times in my own heart and as a mother, I see how my self-centeredness and ungratefulness is cultivating the same in my children.

I encourage you today to mediatate on this passage. Confess any discontentment you may have in your heart and repent of the sin of self-centeredness. Paul had much more to complain about then we do and yet he rejoiced in God who gives him strength. Living life abundantly requires rejoicing instead of complaining. May you rejoice in the Lord today!

Self-indulgence

James 5:1-6

Compared to some in the world, I am rich. And compared to others, I am poor. It depends upon where you live in this world as to whether you are considered rich or poor. In reality, we are rich if we have more than we need. And let's face it....most of us have more than we need. But when I read this passage in James, I am most convicted, not about the amount of money I have or don't have, but the level of importance I put on it. Verse 5 says, "You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter." Of course, immediately my mind goes to how many Christian Americans live self-indulgent lives. But God's Word is a light to my path and when the light of this verse is shone on my path, what is revealed? I pray you will consider the same. "A life without self-denial is a life that soon runs out of control in every area," quoted John MacArthur in one of his sermons on this passage.

What is shaping you?

It is inevitable that you will be shaped by what you are most influenced by; that could be the world but I pray it is God's Word. The world will shape you in such a way that God and His Word will look boring to you. How can it be that the God of the universe, who created all things and by whom all things are held together, the One who knows the very details of every living creature great and small, the One who controls every act of nature from the things you see to the depths of the ocean where you cannot see, who has spoken to us and given us His written word, be boring? It must be that you have left His word sitting on the shelf thinking that it is not relevant for your present day life. John Piper says it best, "Without Bible reading, meditating, memorizing, you starve the grace that God puts in you designed to thrive on the Word of God." I encourage you this week to hold fast to the Word of God. Do not absorb more from the world than the Word. Instead, fix your attention on Him.

Resolutions by Edwards

One of my favorite preachers and authors is Jonathan Edwards. When he was 20 years old, he wrote, over a period of several months, 69 resolutions. I love to read these over for they remind me how temporal things are around me and they encourage me to be more heavenly minded. One of my favorites is #53 and it says,

"Resolved, to improve every opportunity, when I am in the best and happiest frame of mind, to cast and venture my soul on the Lord Jesus Christ, to trust and confide in him, and consecrate myself wholly to him, that from this I may have assurance of my safety, knowing that I confide in my Redeemer." July 8, 1723

As the new year begins, may you set your mind on heavenly matters and let the distractions of this world pass you by.

I am too busy!

I have come to despise the word "busy". And it is at this time of the year that I seem to hear it and say it the most. What am I truly busy with? I ask myself, not just have I forgotten the reason for Christmas, but more.....have I forgotten the purpose for which I am created? I am created to bring glory to God and not to myself. I have to wonder if all the things that I am busy with are truly for His glory or mine? I can't help but think of Mary and Joseph and the fact that there was no room for them....or for Christ, the Savior of the world. Were the citizens of the town so busy that they did not notice the baby to be born that night in Bethlehem? Forbid that I would be like them! As Spurgeon said, "Oh! sinner, if thou hast room for him let him be born in thy soul today." Consider your busyness and who is it for. Contemplate Christmas and the treasure of Christ dwelling among us.

New Beginning

This excerpt is from Valley of Vision:

Incomprehensible, Great, and Glorious God,
I adore thee and abase myself.
I approach thee mindful that I am less than nothing,
a creature worse than nothing.
My thoughts are not screened from thy gaze,
My secret sins blaze in the light of thy countenance.
Enable me to remember that blood which cleanseth all sin,
to believe in that grace which subdues all iniquities,
to resign myself to that agency
which can deliver me from the bondage of corruption
into the glorious liberty of the sons of God.

Conviction

I can think of 100 other things that I could be doing with my life right now. Things that wouldn't bring such controversy. However, the key word is "my". It is not mine to have. I was created for His glory, therefore, I will stand for truth and righteousness at whatever the cost. I'm not seeking approval from others or trying to win their affections. I seek to exalt Christ and encourage others who claim His name to live by His standards. I don't want to be doing 100 other things....I want continue to point young people to truth and to have enormous care for the condition of their eternal soul. This is my conviction and my calling.