Quote from Forum Archives on August 1, 2002, 1:19 pm

Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>

Dear friends,

It is my heart's desire to be content, no matter what is going on
around me. Wow, that can be very difficult, indeed, when the
children that you dearly love (such as my three young children)
each are demanding things, and screaming when they don't get what
they want. Certainly they have not matured to the point where
they are content in all circumstances, not even the oldest one.

But what about ME? Am I content in all circumstances? That's
where I'd like to be, but I have to confess that I am nothing
more than a work in progress! But I DO have the confidence that
God HAS begun a good work in me, and according to the famous
passage that the apostle Paul wrote to the Romans, God will be
faithful to complete the work that He has begun in me.

Do you have that same inner confidence, even if you're a work in
progress? What if the progress hasn't started yet, or it has
barely gotten off the ground? Are the promises of God any less
true?

In my opinion, an opinion that I believe can readily be backed up
with scripture, I believe that the only limitation to a good work
being completed in us IS us. That is, only WE stand in the way
of what God intends for us. From my perspective, believing God's
promises and obeying His instruction are guarantees for becoming
all that God designed us to be. By God's Amazing Grace, each of
us can not only live in contentment, we can enjoy an eternal
hope. Like the old hymn says, all it takes on our part is to
trust and obey. The work is God's... our involvement is to trust
Him, believing in the things He says, whether we see them or not,
and responding to His gracious promises.

Have you had your own private appointment with your Savior today?

Lord,

May I have some time alone with you today, Lord? You know, as
well as I do, that even when no other person is around, my mind
is still active, thinking about all kinds of things. I realize
just how little I include You in those thoughts, and I sincerely
need Your help to turn that around.

Am I really content? Or is there something hidden in me that I'm
not paying attention to, but something I should be paying
attention to? Lord, You know my heart - actually far better than
I do! As David once wrote in Psalm 139, will You search my
heart? Please dig into the inner recesses of my being. I desire
to be purged of the things that get in the way of my relationship
with You. Will You continue to help me with that so that we may
grow ever deeper and closer with one another?

I also continue to pray that You would help me to be a genuine
encouragement to others, and that I may also be encouraged by
others. May we be one in the common hope that we find complete
in Christ. I ask each of these things humbly in Christ's Name.
Amen.

Your Brother in Christ,
Brian

Quote: Everything has its wonders, even darkness and silence, and
I learn, whatever state I may be in, therein to be content.

Helen Keller (1880-1968) was deaf and blind as a result of a
childhood illness. She overcame her disabilities to become a
remarkable advocate for the dignity of all persons.

Source: The Book of Positive Quotations by John Cook, UK

Verse: I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to
have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any
and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living
in plenty or in want.
Philippians 4:12 (NIV)

Prayer: Dear Lord, I have everything I want and need in you. I am
content. Amen.

=====
--
Brian Masinick, mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: www.geocities.com/masinick/

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