contentment

Blessed Assurance

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Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

I was on the front porch when the lightning struck then just half a second later the ground shook as if struck by a giant fist. It was so powerful that for a moment I was raised straight up from my seat on the wooden bench. Since that day I have never again been so close to lightening but the fear and confusion remain etched forever in my mind. It was for exactly those kinds of moments that Jesus assures us his children again and again. “I will never leave, I will never forsake. I am with you always, I will not leave you orphans; your angels always behold the face of the Father.”

 

In the hymn, “Blessed Assurance”, Fanny Crosby pens these words, “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine, O what a foretaste of glory divine.” Jesus is mine! What a thought, that the one by whom all things were created is my own. He is always with me. He sees beyond my blindness and through my confusion. He takes my hand in the storm and calms me when the lightning bolts of life fall suddenly He calms me with His promise, “I will never leave.”  With each new clap of terrifying thunder He reaches out again and touches my shoulder. “I will never forsake!”

 

But even Christians still live in a world of storms, thunder lightning and unexpected change. We are not exempt but we have His word. He not only once lived among us, but He continues by our side. He is all that we need and I will choose again today to rest in a contentment that I cannot explain. He is by my side and sees beyond to the day when the skies will be rolled back like a

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scroll and Heaven comes down to this earth forever. Praise Him today for the promised calm assurance that He will never leave, no never forsake!

Anxious for Nothing or for Everything?

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Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God Philippians 4:6

Am I anxious about tomorrow’s decision or resting in whatever comes? A
India and Nepal 109 - Copym I worried about fixing things in the house (Like the furnace that failed before Christmas), or am I trusting that God knows everything we need? Am I happy with my small ministry in the church or am I constantly pushing for a more prominent position? These are where mental battle lines are drawn each week for many of us. Interestingly, Paul wrote these words from a Roman prison cell where he also observed that whether he lived or died he was content in Christ.

One famous ballet dancer shared in a New York Times magazine interview, that he never felt more empty than when he had finished a perfect performance and heard the sound of applause filling the air.. Recently, one man was arrested with 21 million dollars in cash under his mattress, and another sits in jail to conceal the knowledge of a treasure ship filled with gold. They have each traded their health, their freedom and their years for one moment of riches. In contrast, I will always remember a village at the center of a tea plantation in north India. I sat on the ground with small children who happily ate their rice, dahl and chicken with curry. There were no tears, complaining or pushing and shoving to be seen that afternoon. Gentle shy smiles peeked up at me as my own tears flowed down my face.

Where is that kind of peace and contentment here in America or in my own life today? We seem to complain deeply over the loss of small things and fight bitterly for control of passing power,position or possessions. But when we pray and release everything to God, the greatest treasure sits waiting to be discovered! What could be of more value than His peace?

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.! Philippians 4:7

 

 

 

 

Being Content

/ pastorpete51 / 3 Comments

In Paul’s letter from a roman jail to the church he makes the astonishing statement:

Philippians 4:11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content

This week end as I was walking with my grandson I took several pictures of some birds who were flocking around tree branch just above our heads. They didn’t seem much disturbed by our approach or our voices as we watched them. On closer examination I discovered that they were perfectly content right where they were because they were surrounded by the abundance of seeds in the ash tree where they perched.

Paul found himself “perched” in prison but he had discovered contentment. He saw around him the opportunity to share the gospel, a place for prayer and most importantly for us a place to write a good portion of what we call the New Testament!

Where have you found yourself perched today? Can you see the provision that God has  deposited abundantly in the branches around you? Every place has its own season of abundance. Every restriction focuses us on what we can still do. Every unwanted change, every circumstance beyond our control and every unexpected sorrow draws us closer to our Savior whose promises never change, who never lets us go and whose presence gives us comfort through every stormp1020480

Why should I feel discouraged?
Why should the shadows come?
Why should my heart be lonely
and long for heaven and home?
When Jesus is my portion?
My constant friend is he;
His eye is on the sparrow,
and I know he watches me   Civilla Martin “His Eye is on the Sparrow”