Contentment - A Life Long Journey

Contentment- we are all in that stage of life. I realized earlier this year that we never reach a point in our life where we are completely content . You can try to convince yourself that once you get to a certain point, like marriage, you’ll be content. The Lord has shown me that it doesn’t end there. We are all human beings and most times very fleshly ones at that. We are always desiring something else.
Growing up it was my dream and prayer that I would marry a godly man, that God would help me know the right man without me “trying others” and being in a lot of relationships. This is a normal desire and there is nothing wrong with wanting to marry a godly man, but we have to be content where the Lord has us. If you are single right now, God wants you to be content there. And contentment isn’t just saying, “I’m fine with this stage of life because I have to be, I‘m supposed to be content because that‘s what the Bible says.” God wants us to be happy and joyful, serving Him, not worrying about our future with a godly mate. If we sit around spending too much time on ourselves we dwell on the things we don’t have. Want to know a simple cure for that? Busy yourself serving the Lord and being involved in the lives of those around you.
Recently the Lord has brought a godly man into my life and has worked it out that we and both sets of our parent have the peace of God about a relationship. So over the past few months we have spent time together, getting to know each other and the goals we feel God has for us. For some reason I thought once God brought the godly man He created for me into my life, it would all be great, no more dealing with contentment for a godly mate. Guess what? I was wrong, I found myself content in our relationship but waiting and longing for the moment that he would ask me to marry him. God had to remind me, “Anna, be content where I have you, in a wonderful relationship with a godly man, your engagement time will come.”
Little did I know that less than a month after I was praying about this my man of God was going to propose to me. And it was amazing… better then I could even dream, and now, the next project for me? Being content until the day God has for us to marry, August 20th. And I know that once we are wed I will have other issues of discontentment to deal with: homes, children, money, ect… It’s a normal part of our lives.
We will never reach the point of perfecting ourselves in the area of contentment, but this also means we have to keep bringing that sin to the feet of the cross and let God work it out in our lives.
Embrace where God has you right now, “…for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” Philippians 4:7. Whatsoever state in the Greek means who, which, or what - that’s you and your circumstances. Content here means 1) sufficient for one’s self, strong enough or processing enough to need no aid or support 2) independent of external circumstances 3) contented with one’s lot, with one’s means, though the slenderest
Be happy with the things God has given you and the way He’s made you “…Be content with such things as ye have…” Hebrews 13:5. The word content in that verse can mean satisfied but also means to be strong in.
Lord willing this may have given you a glimpse of what to look “forward to” or the work you have cut out for yourself. There is great joy and peace from God that comes as a result of being content and rejoicing where God has you in life, who He’s created you to be. Remember- contentment is a lifelong journey, you’ll never arrive at your destination until we find ourselves in Heaven with the King.

Being A Girl Who Serves Notes

The following are points taken from a book that I recently read that was an encouragement to me, Being a Girl Who Serves by Shannon Kubiak Primicerio. I will put a disclaimer in and say that I don’t agree with everything she says and she doesn’t use the right Bible version but in all it was a really good book and help me put some things back in line.

• True servant hood is a lifestyle and a lifelong commitment. A servant who trusts their master is always going to be more willing to serve.
• Life becomes exciting when we dare to take risks that count for something.
• What are we risking out lives for? Because everything in life is a risk. Be sure that in the risks you take you aren’t rash in your decisions. It’s little steps of obedience that prepare you for bigger ones. The places God asks us to go and the things He asks us to do may not always be earth shattering but they will make an impact.
• God uses those who are out there moving and searching because they have no plans of their own.
• God gives us talents and gifts to use to serve Him, not lie dormant. He has a purpose for the things He made you good at.
• Insecurity is a form of pride- dwelling on what we can or cannot do or what people will think of us.
• Sometimes we are called to serve in places that make us uncomfortable, and pride keeps us from doing God’s will.
• Many times it’s what we don’t want to do that God has for us. Don’t refuse to stoop and have God force you to stoop!
• So many hope they have to courage to die for Christ but they won’t even live for Him now.
• Mary and Martha both had a servants heart. Take times to be still and know God rather than rushing around like a maniac. Great peace and joy come from sitting at His feet. Before you can serve you must sit. Forget about everything and everyone and spend time with Christ.
• How often do we look for someone to serve? Three things a servant of God should do when serving: 1). Call them by name, 2). Put them at ease, 3). Give them a place of belonging.

Several Ways to Make Yourself Miserable

These were in a devotional book by Elisabeth Elliot, Keep a Quiet Heart.

1. Count your troubles, name them one by one- at the breakfast table, if anybody will isten, or as soon as possible thereafter.
2. Worry every day about something. Don't let yourself get out of practice. It won't add a cubit to your stature but it mught burn a few calories.
3. Pity yourself. If you do this enough, nobody else will have to do it for you.
4. Devise clever by decent ways to serve God and mammon. After all, a man's gotta live.
5. Mike it your business to find out what the Joneses are buying this year and where they're going. Try to do them at least one better even if you hvae to take out another loan to do it.
6. Stay away from absolutes. It's what's right for you that matters. Be your own person and don't allow yourself to get hung up on what other expect of you.
7. Make sure you get your rights. Never mind other people's. You have your life to live, they have theirs.
8. Don't fall into any compassion traps - the sort of situation where people can walk all over you. If you get too involved in other people's troubles, you may neglect your own.
9. Don't let Bible reading and prayer get in the way of what's really relevant - things like TV and newspapers. Invisible things are eternal. You want to stick with the visible ones - they're where it's at now.

Are you a Strong Woman or a Woman of Strength?

A strong woman works out every day to keep her body in shape…
But a woman of strength kneels in prayer to keep her soul in shape.

A strong woman isn’t afraid of anything…
But a woman of strength shows courage in the midst of her fears.

A strong woman won’t let anyone get the best of her…
But a woman of strength gives her best to everyone.

A strong woman makes mistakes and avoids the same in the future…
A woman of strength realizes life’s mistakes can also be God’s blessings
And capitalizes on them.

A strong woman walks sure-footedly…
But a woman of strength knows God will catch her when she falls.

A strong woman wears the look of confidence on her face…
But a woman of strength wears grace.

A strong woman has faith that she is strong enough for the journey…
But a woman of grace has faith that it is in the journey
That she will become strong.

~Cathy Berry~

Don't Leave off the End!

I have been dying to post on here for a while and yet I struggle to find the time and the connection to post. But right now I am managing with one bar of wireless, Lord willing I will be able to finish and it will last.

We had an evangelist last night at church and though he didn't have long to speak what he said was an encouragement and a reminder. Many time when we read Scripture or memorize Scripture we sometimes forget "parts".

• Turn to Psalms 40:1-2


• You probably have this memorized but maybe you were like me and forgot the end of verse 2.

Praise the Lord He hears us when we call. When we are out of fellowship with the Lord it's like that horrible pit - dark, cold, alone, and you can't see the way out. It's also like the mirey clay- you may be able to see things but you cannot do anything to get anywhere, your stuck right where you are.

When we realize our broken fellowship and call on Him, He hears us and brings us out and sets us on that rock- sure, sound, secure. But the verse doesn't end there! He sets us on the rock long enough to establish where we are to be going. And he only wants us there long enough to give us our orders and send us off.

We have this common misconception that we need to wait on God to make the decision of what He wants us to do. Wrong! He already has our future all planned out and we only need to seek His face to get our orders.

I thought it was really interesting and it makes me wonder How many other verses are like that? What other verses do I only look at the beginning and forget the end? Maybe that will spark your interest too!

I have missed posting and hopefully I will have time to post something every now and then about what God has been teaching me. Until then... Keep Following Him.

So Busy... Don't Leave out God!

Well, I have been wanting to post on here for so long but this summer has been busy. That's part of the reason why I am posting, this summer has been tough for me spiritually, and not because I haven't been spending time with Him. I was so busy this summer going from one ministry to another and now that the summer is over I look back amazed at how monotonous it became. I loved every bit of the ministries I was involved in: camp, VBS, Activities, Special musics, Missions trips, but it was so easy just to slip into a comfortable routine, living from one activity to the next.
I don't know if you all ever struggle with this problem but I do and I don't like it. I'm just seeking the Lord on better ways to serve but not become so engrossed in the ministries that I overlook the Master. This summer has been life-changing for me, in more ways than one. I look back at my life a year ago and I see how much God has changed me and how much I have grown (sorry I definitely haven't arrived yet! ;). I wish I had time to sit and be able to write all the things I've seen God do for me this summer, that day will come sometime. I haven't forgotten you all and I for sure haven't been learning things from God's Word. I just can't find time to write and I miss it.

Start of Our Revival

I can't believe that it has been so long since I last posted! Not that I haven't had anything to post but haven't had much time.
We have revival going on at my church this week and Sunday nights message was really good. It was basically a message pleaing with people to surrender to Christian service. Brother Ron Comfort gave some staggering statistics of the world. If you have ever been to another country you understand a little of the need.
75% of the world has heard of Coca Cola, and 50% has tried it, but only 10% of the world has heard the gospel!
I was burdened by the fact that I begun to be complacent in my Christian life, kind of nonchalant in my ministries, which ought not to be. My heart cried out that many teens would see the need. Brother Comfort asked who was going to take the place of those faithful people in leadership when they pass on to glory. I know I don't deserve to take their place but I want to be available and usable for the Lord. But I was praying that it would click to the teens, and at the invitation 8 came forward to surrender for Full time Christian service. It was good, but pray that they would remember this and not take back the string they've now given to the Lord. I so want God to use me for His service, it's an ache that fills my being. There's nothing that soothes it but serving Him.
Well I need to go and get ready for church tonight. I'll try to post again soon.