August 14, 2007
Elusive Contentment
Proverbs 16:9 (NLT) We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.
My Children,
I ask you to examine your circumstances, your thoughts, and your resulting emotions. "When", I ask you, will you learn to be content? Anxiety, frustration, and hopelessness has filled your minds as you have chosen to live in the thoughts of a non existent future, or in the regrets of remorseful yesterday.
Have I not given you instruction to "Take No thought for Tomorrow"? Have I not added that looking back will make you unfit for the Kingdom of Heaven? Many sorrows accompany the undisciplined of mind. Those who look for happiness in an action yet to be taken, or deed yet to be done, will find that contentment is far from them and happiness takes wings from those who continually dwell in thoughts of the past.
Disenchantment is the fruit of an independent creature set on his own ways. My children, you may take thought for tomorrow, but I ask you, what work can you accomplish without Me present in it?
I have given you this day My children. I have instructed you to rejoice and be glad in it! Still your restless souls before Me. Learn contentment as you realize My presence within you. Bring into captivity the unkempt thoughts and daydreams about what could have been or your independent judgements of how things should be.
Contentment is always eluding those who refuse to truly embrace the individual moments I have given them. Choose to see Me in this moment with you and your joy will be restored. Contentment dwells in the heart of those who cherish the gift of this moment with Me in it.
Ephesians 4:21-24 (NLT) 21 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 2Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God-truly righteous and holy.
Provision. Your contentment is important to Me. When you are satisfied with Me as your all in all, I know that I have your heart completely. Your heart is good. Trust in Me allows and encourages Me to give you the desires of your heart. You have become thankful in most things. And yet there are those few, very few, areas wherein you have not been able to be thankful. Show your faith in Me and rejoice that provisions from My hand are good and appropriate. Rejoice in your condition and then let your petitions be known. Provision.
Philippians 4:12 "I know how to live in poverty or prosperity. No matter what the situation, I've learned the secret of how to live when I'm full or when I'm hungry, when I have too much or when I have too little."