On Being Content

''Discontentment is not a product of circumstances; it is the state of the soul.''

 ~Debi Pearl

Part of my flower garden two summers ago:)

 

''But godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.  And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.''

 

~1 Timothy 6:6-8

Wondrously Blessed

"She says I shall now have one mouth the more to fill and two feet the more to shoe, more disturbed nights, more laborious days, and less leisure or visiting, reading, music, and drawing.

Well! This is one side of the story, to be sure, but I look at the other. Here is a sweet, fragrant mouth to kiss; here are two more feet to make music with their pattering about my nursery. Here is a soul to train for God; and the body in which it dwells is worth all it will cost, since it is the abode of a kingly tenant. I may see less of friends, but I have gained one dearer than them all, to whom, while I minister in Christ's name, I make a willing sacrifice of what little leisure for my own recreation my other darlings had left me. Yes, my precious baby, you are welcome to your mother's heart, welcome to her time, her strength, her health, her tenderest cares, to her lifelong prayers! Oh, how rich I am, how truly, how wondrously blest!"

― Elizabeth Payson Prentiss,

Lord Willing, we will be welcoming our new little baby in less than a month now! :)

His Strength

It is not as much what happens, but how we take it that is important. God is watching to see whether we allow the problems to defeat us, or whether we will go through them in His strength, being made stronger for the next problem and ultimately for the final end battle.

Everything that happens to us in life is training for the work we will do next.

-Corrie ten Boom

A Quote For Today

The spirit of godly womanhood is present in the woman who, with courage and fortitude, perseveres through the many challenges of life. She realizes that "faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen," and consequently strives for the principled course of action.

-Christine Russel

God is Good

"Nothing humbles the soul like sacred and intimate communion with the Lord; yet there is a sweet joy in feeling that He knows all, and, not withstanding, loves us still."

~J. Hudson Taylor

A Gentle and Quiet Spirit

"A gentle and quiet spirit is not only imperishable; it is precious in the sight of God. It's also one of the hardest qualities to cultivate. Far from a sign of weakness, a gentle and quiet spirit is the sign of a woman who is strong in faith, mind and character."

~Anna Sofia & Elizabeth Botkin

His Marvelous Kindness

"Take away anything I have, but do not take away the sweetness of walking and talking with the King of Glory! It is good to let our thoughts run away with us sometimes, concerning the greatness of our God and His marvelous kindness to us. As we look back, what wonderful leadings and providence

we see; what encouragement we find for the future."

-John Stam, Missionary Martyr

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Psalm 23:3

~Faith~

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
~Hebrews 11:1

"Faith expects from God what is beyond all expectation."

~ Andrew Murray

The Great I Am

God reveals Himself as the great "I Am", and the Lord Jesus, again and again, during the time of His ministry on earth, spake of Himself as "I Am". Now, people almost always tell us what they are and how they feel. Some say, "I am so ignorant!"; some. "I am so sinful"; some," I am so stupid"; or "I am so timid." But when the Holy Spirit takes possession of us, He shuts up all the "I am" of our nature, and turns us to the one great "I Am", and in which we take our place by the side of Paul, and say, "I am nothing"; or go down even lower to Him Who was "meek and lowly in heart", and say, "I can of mine own self do nothing" (John 5:30).

Yield yourself unreservedly to Him. You say, " I am weak"; and you are; but the true "I Am" joins on to that name of His, "the Almighty God". Where is He Almighty? Where He dwells. Just let the Holy Spirit come into you and dwell within you, then His Almightiness walks about with you wherever you go. If Satan tempts you to the old sin, there is Almightiness dwelling in Him Who dwells in you, and surely you need not doubt whether the temptation shall be overcome or not. God is equal to it, though you are not. Shall the "I am" or our self-life be that of Paul, "I am crucified with Christ"? There is an end of me, and end of all my complaining of myself, an end of that old song of what I am-"I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live.".

~E. Baxter

Go to the Master

"Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the LORD He is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else." Deuteronomy 4:39

We need in our daily life walk to be influenced directly by the Truth Himself, not by what someone thinks about it. Get your marching orders, strength and comfort from the Master Himself!

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." James 1:5

The Significance of God's Word

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

We simply must recognize the utter Significance
and bearing that God's Holy Word and truth has on our daily
lives! It is in every way relevant to our everyday practical
lives, showing us therein the blessed paths of
righteousness. In this blessed Word,
God our Teacher must be!

God's Wonder Working Grace

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. Titus 2:11-13

Clip art image

The Grace of God is:
God working on our behalf;
God undertaking on our behalf;
And it is God engaged on our behalf!
It is simply GOD FOR US!!!

The Master wants us to have implicit confidence in the fact of His grace toward us, in and though Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Contentment

But godliness with contentment is great gain. 1 Timothy 6:6

"Another beauty which God puts on the meek is contentment. They that are of a quiet and gentle spirit, through the grace of God, are satisfied with their lot. They thank God for little. They are of the mind of the godly woman who ate the crust of bread and drank a little water and said, 'What? All this, and Jesus Christ, too?' There is a great charm about contentment, while envy and greed are ugly things in the eyes of those who have anything like spiritual perception. So meekness, through bringing contentment, beautifies us."

-Charles Spurgeon

A Humble Desire

LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear. Psalm 10:17

(A rose blooming in our yard. This beautiful photo was taken by my younger sister. )

"A humble desire is one which leaves everything in God's hands. The man who has it says, 'Now, though I desire this, it may be it is not a right desire. Lord, I desire only to desire what I ought to desire! My desire is that Your desire should be written on my heart, that I may desire what You desire.' Your will be done in my soul, in my body, in my circumstances, and in me, in all respects."

-Charles H. Spurgeon

Abiding Joy

And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation. Psalm 35:9

::Humility::

God is looking for broken men. For men who have judged themselves in the light of the Cross of Christ. God uses people who have come to an end of themselves, and whose trust and confidence is not in themselves but in God. -Unknown

For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. Luke 14:11

Trust and Hope in God in all Circumstances of Life

Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. Jeremiah 17:7

~Lemon tree blossom, taken 1/12/2008~

Do not look forward to the changes and unknown of this life in fear; rather look to them with full hope that, as the arise, God, whose you are, will deliver you out of them. He is your Keeper. He has kept you hitherto. Do you but hold fast to His dear hand and trust in Him, and He will lead you safely through all things; and, when you cannot stand, He will bear you in His arms. Do not look forward to what may happen tomorrow. Our Father will either shield you from suffering, or He will give you strength to bear it. He will be with you and keep you by His mighty power no matter what circumstance of life you may be going through right now as well as in the future. whether small or great a problem the Lord cares for you and will be with you through it all.

-Francis De Sales (slightly revised.)

Give Glory to God

Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto Thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for Thy truth's sake. Psalm 115:1But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the LORD. Psalm 115:18

"Not unto us, O Lord of heav'n,
But unto Thee be glory giv'n;
In love and truth Thou dost fulfill
The counsels of Thy sov'reighn will;
Though nations fail Thy pow'r to own,
Yet Thou dost reign, and Thou alone."

What More Can You Ask?

Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! Psalm 107:15

God's love endureth forever-

What a wonderful thing to know

When the tides of life run against you

And your spirit is downcast and low...

God's kindness is ever around you,

Always ready to freely impart

Strength to your faltering spirit,

Cheer to your lonely heart...

God's presence is ever beside you,

As near as the reach of your hand,

You have but to tell Him your troubles,

There is nothing He won't understand...

And knowing God's love is unfailing,

And His mercy unending and great,

You have but to trust in His promise-"

God comes not too soon or too late"...

So wait with a heart that is patient

For the goodness of God to prevail-

For never do prayers go unanswered,

And His mercy and love never fail.

~Helen Steiner Rice

Quotable Quote

"Nothing humbles the soul like sacred and intimate communion with the Lord; yet there is a sweet joy in feeling that He knows all, and, not withstanding, loves us still."

~J. Hudson Taylor