Philippians 4:10-13 I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 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. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Just this morning I noticed the flowers that were blooming not thinking about anything, but the beauty that surrounds me helped to focus of the secret of being content. It helped me to realize the need for this scripture passage today, and the meaning of it in everyday life.

True contentment is attainable, and can be lived out in our daily life no matter what state we are in. The Apostle Paul’s words are so profound and yet so needed for today’s culture. We live in a world that has given into the idol of visual pleasure(s), money, greed, jealousy, covetousness, and to put it lightly; more, more, more. 

• Do we truly know the art of contentment when everything around us seems to be crumbling and falling  apart?
•  Do we have true peace with God; the one who provides manna from heaven?

God told Moses (Exodus 16:4) that he would provide manna, but still the people grumbled and complained.

•  Are we murmuring or complaining about our troubles today? 
•  Or are we trying to learn the true secret of being content?

This is a challenge for every believer as we seek to know what our Lord and Savior has for us in our daily walk. Take time to wait on the Lord and learn this precious jewel of wisdom! Jesus does give us the strength for the day that we may bring glory to His name in the most mundane tasks and events. As in the book of Col. 3:23-24 “whatever you do, work it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,” It’s not in the plenty or lack, but in the art of being content no matter what state we are in.

Dear Lord, help us to learn this pearl of wisdom as we seek to serve you in our everyday life. Teach us Lord to number days and to follow the path that you have planned for us. Help us to walk with a heart of gratitude giving thanks in all things making mention of it in our prayers. We bless you Lord and thank you for the beauty of a new day!

By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me. (John 5:30)

There are times that I read something that not only touches my mind, but my heart as well. That’s exactly what happened when I read this quote:

“Christ changes men, and changed men change the world. Men changed for Christ will be captained by Christ. . .Men captained by Christ will be consumed in Christ. . . .Their will is swallowed up in His will. They do always those things that please the Lord. Not only would they die for the Lord, but more important they want to live for Him.” (Ezra Talf Benson, Ensign, November 1985, 6)

Sometimes I can get so wrapped up in my world that my focus becomes very me-centered. The truth of the matter is that no matter what’s going on in my life or how dire my circumstances may look, I’m still better off that someone else.

I’ve lived an incredibly blessed life and to whom much is given, much is required. Consequently, when I want to focus on my wants, needs and desires, I have to remember that living like Christ requires that I am focused on the wants, needs and desires of others too.

I may not be able to stop world hunger or bring about world peace, but I can do something and if each of us does something, we can bring about change in our circles of influence, which ultimately can change the world.

A big task? Maybe. But, isn’t that just what Jesus did? He is not only our Savior and Lord, but He is our role model. As Believers, our goal is to be like Him. And so, while we’re here in this world, let’s do our best to live for Christ.

Blessings,

Joyce

Joshua 3: 4-7 So Joshua called together the twelve men he had appointed from the Israelites, one from each tribe, and said to them, “Go over before the ark of the LORD your God into the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.”

Memorials are sometimes set up for the future generations to remember the fallen, the wounded and the deliverance of a nation. As in the book of Joshua; the Lord God had him call together twelve men together in order to take up a stone and place them as a memorial to the people of Israel forever. What’s so amazing is the deliverance and the move of God during this time in history. Today we see memorials set up for many reasons, and my most vivid memories are the times I stood watching the annual Memorial Day salute of soldiers as they fired their weapons to honor the fallen. Later in life I remember times of working on a boat that honored the lost at sea on a memorial landmark, and it gives me great pride to know that today we honor our men and women who serve. 

As we set aside time to remember this week, let us not forget the most important memorial of all time as a Christian; the covenant Jesus Christ mediated on our behalf, the grace and pardon of our sin. The Bible tells us that “Jesus has obtained a more excellent ministry, because he is the mediator of a better covenant, which is based on better promises” (Heb 8:6-8). 

When we keep our covenant relationship with Christ we are blessed, but if we violate this covenant we are cursed. Today take time to renew your covenant relationship with the One who called you and plucked you out of the mire. Remember His unfailing love for you today!

Isaiah 49: 8 This is what the LORD says: “In the time of my favor I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help you; I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people, to restore the land and to reassign its desolate inheritances.

Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. (Joshua 1:7)

To be able to carry money without spending it;

This is the true measure of success.

-Anonymous

Blessings,

Joyce

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

In the times we feel abandoned, alone, crushed and broken that we must stop, we must pray and we must reflect upon the goodness of the Lord. How many times do our wells run so depleted and spiritually dry; when there is nowhere else to turn, but to get on our knees and look up. In John 4:10 Jesus spoke to the woman at the well and said; “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”  Do you know this precious gift of God? If not, call to Him today and let Him be that oasis of Living Water so times of refreshing may come, and He can restore, replenish and renew what the enemy is trying to steal.

James 4:8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. 

Psalm 5:3 In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.

Psalm 145:18 The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.

Definition:  Hope: (verb) to cherish, desire with anticipation; expectation; to expect with confidence.

Hope is based on trust, and learning to wait on hope is a lifelong journey; one that is established between us and our loving Savior, Jesus Christ. Do we wait with anticipation for that good report, knowing He is in control? Do we lean upon Him in times of great expectation; knowing that it is our hope in Him that brings us to the center place of trust for everything in life? Learning to lean upon Him will help to establish and settle our hearts, and it will bring peace as we eagerly wait!

Romans 8:25 But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.

Taking each moment in life, no matter what we are experiencing and wait in hope; praising Him for the answer and the outcome; knowing that the Lord will see you through it all, as He cares for you, and you will always have hope!

Psalm 71:14 But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.

As you rely upon Him and His word today, may you find that true peace with every decision, situation, and every dream yet unfulfilled. Let Him be that hope in you!

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Hebrews 6:19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain.

. . . and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood . . . (Revelation 1:5)

My parents, brothers, neices, nephews and I all have the same blood flowing through our veins. Short of a blood transfusion, nothing will ever change that. Each of us have different fingerprints, but our DNA’s are all similar because we’re connected by blood - we’re in the same blood line.

As a Christian, understand that you have a Christian blood line. Through Jesus, you have inherited certain rights, privileges, gifts and obligations that can not be taken away from you as a member of God’s family. This means that you can be thankful for who you are. You can accept your gifts and your calling because they come from God.

When Jesus washed your sins away with His own blood, you became part of a royal blood line. You can honor Him by obediently carrying out your life’s purpose. God did not save you, make you a part of His royal blood line, just for you. There are others - in your family, at your job, in the world - who need what you have been appointed and assigned to give. Resolve today that you will answer your call. Doing so is not only a benefit of being in a royal blood line, but ultimately it is your obligation, as well.

Never forget that we are Christ’s hands here on earth. Use everything you’ve been blessed with to serve others. Someone needs to hear the good news of Jesus Christ. Tell them, teach them and show them. After all, we want others to join our family and know the incredible joy of being a part of a royal blood line.

Blessings,

Joyce