‘I have learned the secret of being content...'
Philippians 4:12 NIV

So, what's the secret of being content? Here are three things that may help you on your way...

1) Learn to be happy with less. Happiness isn't about getting what you want, but about enjoying what God's given you. Make a list of good things in your life, and thank God for them today. Paul said he had learned to be content, ‘whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.'

2) Remind yourself things could be worse. Snoopy was lying in his kennel one Thanksgiving Day, mumbling about being stuck with dog food while all those humans got to be inside with the turkey and gravy and pumpkin pie. ‘Of course, it could have been worse,' he finally reflected, ‘I could have been born a turkey.' Reminding yourself ‘It could be worse' can really help you to develop contentment.

3) Know that you're going for spiritual contentment, not just stuff. We may want more stuff, but underneath that is what we really want; God, the perfection of heaven - and that's to come. You're unlikely to feel totally content, as this world isn't your ultimate home; heaven is.

Today, try flipping your discontent on its head, and using it to pray ‘Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven' (Matthew 6:10 NIV).

Thursday, 08 October 2009
http://www.word4u2day.com.au/200910071881/Learn-to-be-content-1.html

I Know I Can

[God] is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. —Ephesians 3:20

Remember the story of The Little Engine That Could? That determined little train climbed the steep hill by chanting positively, “I think I can. I think I can.” And then, as it gained more resolve, it declared, “I know I can. I know I can.”

No one would disagree that followers of Christ should think and live in a positive way. But do you ever find yourself depending too much on your own abilities rather than on the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit?

In John 15, Jesus explained our need for complete dependence on Him when He said, “He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” (v.5). Paul reminded us that we “can do all things through Christ who strengthens [us]” (Phil. 4:13), that “the excellence of the power [is] of God and not of us” (2 Cor. 4:7), and that we are “strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man” (Eph. 3:16).

Because of God’s power, we can do whatever He asks of us—through Him. We can base our confidence not in our own abilities, but in God’s absolute promises.

So, today, with exceedingly more power than the little engine could ever muster, we can say, “I know I can. I know I can—because of Jesus.” — Cindy Hess Kasper

God gives to His servants this promise:
You’ll not have to face life alone;
And when you grow weak in your struggle,
His strength will prevail—not your own. —Hess

God’s requirements are met by God’s enabling.

August 20, 2009
http://www.rbc.org/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/08/20/devotion.aspx

You can't enjoy today if you're worrying about the past or the future

Your mind and your thoughts could be stuck in the past, continually thinking about what has already happened. If that's the case, it's best to get over it. The past has already happened; you can't do anything to change it. Rather, you ought to trust God that he is working out those things for ultimate good (see Romans 8:28).

On the other hand, your mind could be stuck in the future, thinking about what might happen, what you fear will happen, and things you wish wouldn't happen. However, being a person of faith requires trust--trusting God about the future.

Romans 15:13 says, May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him. You'll have joy and peace when you trust in God. Why? Because you'll be able to rest and relax knowing that God has good plans in store for you (Jeremiah 29:11).

Don't worry about the past or the future. Instead, have faith; trust God. When you trust God to help you learn from the past and provide for your future, you're free to enjoy your life today.

Weekly Wisdoms for the week of August 17, 2009
http://www.christnotes.org/ww.php?d=2009-08-17

Anthony Evans - Letting Go ♫

Behind your disguise
I see in your eyes
Something has left you wounded
I don't have the answers
For all of your tears
But you're not abandoned here

He knows where you are
He's been there too
When you can't go on
Hell carry you through
When your loosing hope
He's still in control
He's never letting go

So the damage is done
You try to move on
Still your empty handed
But this isn't your home
I want you to know
You don't walk alone

Of your situation
In the face of the unknown
He's right there
Look deep into your heart
For his reflection and
Don't let go please don't let go

I don't have the answers
For all of your tears
But you're not abandoned here

Don't Stop Praying ♫

Don't stop praying, the Lord is nigh;
Don't stop praying, He'll hear your cry;
God has promised, and He is true;
Don't stop praying, He'll answer you.

Don't stop praying for every need;
Don't stop praying, the Lord will heed;
No petition to Him is small;
Don't stop praying, He'll hold your hand.

Don't stop praying when led to sin;
Don't stop praying that good may win;
Christ was tempted and understands;
Don't stop praying, He'll hold your hands.

Don't stop praying when bowed with grief;
Don't stop praying, you'll get relief;
Troubles never escape God's sight;
Don't stop praying, He'll make it right.

Don't stop praying but have more trust;
Don't stop praying, for pray we must;
Faith will banish a mount of care;
Don't stop praying, God answers prayer.

GAD Or God?

Are you a chronic worrier? Do you worry about bills, the future, health, debt, marriage issues? Has worry so consumed you that you have become “a fret machine”? If this describes you, perhaps you have generalized anxiety disorder, or GAD—a condition marked by a perpetual state of worry about most aspects of life. According to David Barlow, professor of psychology at Boston University, “the key psychological feature of GAD is a state of chronic, uncontrollable worry.” A little anxiety is normal, but constant worry is not.

Overwhelmed by suffering and persecution, the first-century Christians were driven out of Jerusalem and scattered throughout Asia (1 Peter 1:1-7). Many of these Jesus-followers were experiencing feelings of distress because of possible danger or misfortune. Peter encouraged these believers not to be filled with anxiety but to cast all their worries upon God (5:7). He wanted them to realize that it made very little sense for them to carry their worries when they could cast them on God who cared deeply about what happened to them.

Are you a chronic worrier? Let God be responsible for your anxieties. Stop worrying and start trusting Him completely. — Marvin Williams

When every worry, every care
To God in faith is brought,
We have no place whereon to found
One single anxious thought. —Anon.

Worry is a burden God never intended us to bear.

August 11, 2009
http://www.rbc.org/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/08/11/devotion.aspx

Nothing is more important than love

'...live a life of love...' Ephesians 5:2 NIV

The great Scottish writer Thomas Carlyle married his secretary, Jane Welsh. She kept working for him but when she got ill, Carlyle, who was devoted to his work, didn't really notice. But she had cancer and was eventually confined to bed. Although Carlyle loved her, he found that he didn't have much time to give attention to give to her. Then she died. After the funeral Carlyle found Jane's diary and began to read it. On one page she'd written a single line: 'Yesterday he spent an hour with me and it was like heaven: I love him so much.' A reality he'd somehow been too blind to see now revealed itself with crushing clarity. He'd been too busy to notice how much he meant to Jane. He thought of all the times he'd been preoccupied with his work and failed to notice her. He hadn't seen her suffering. He hadn't seen her love. Turning the page, he read words he'd never forget: 'I've listened all day to hear his steps in the hall, but now it's late, he won't come today.' Thomas was devastated. Later, friends found him at the side of her grave, covered with mud. His eyes were red from weeping, 'If only I'd known, if only I'd known,' he cried. After Jane's death, Carlyle made little attempt to write again. Nothing is more important than love. Is there anyone you need to spend time with today?

SoulFood: Ezek 47:1-12, Rev 21: 22 - 22:5

Sunday, 09 August 2009

http://www.word4u2day.com.au/200908081821/Nothing-is-more-important-than-love.html?bsb_midx=0

God will provide!

'...do not worry...' Matthew 6:31 NIV

King David writes, 'I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread' (Psalm 37:25 NIV). Nobody can say that King David lived a 'sheltered life'! He lived on the front line, and so when as an old man he shares his reflections about the way the world works we need to pay attention. His advice to the next generation is to learn how to lean on God: 'Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this;' (Psalm 37:3-5 NLT). The sad thing is, even though David, Israel's greatest King, took the time to write down this advice, and even though it was taught year in year out in the schools and the synagogues of the land, the people just didn't follow it. When Jesus began to minister He had to deal with the same issue saying: 'Do not worry, saying, "What shall we eat?" or "What shall we drink?" or "What shall we wear?"...your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well' (Matthew 6:31-33 NIV). So today, relax, no really, chill, trust, God will provide!

SoulFood: Deut 18-21, Luke 12:1-12, Ps 119:17-24, Pr 17:7-10

Friday, 07 August 2009

http://www.word4u2day.com.au/200908061819/God-will-provide.html?bsb_midx=0