Category - Contentment

Don’t give up. Don’t quit in love. Don’t decide God has left you.

And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself. (Eph. 1:23)

Christ is filling all things, everywhere with himself. He is filling you! You are alive with Christ (see: Eph. 2:5). You are equipped through Christ. You are empowered with Christ – in you.

“Or do you not realize about yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you?” (2 Cor. 13:5)

If Christ is in you, how can you ever give up  — on you?

You are called to bring the light of Christ everywhere you go. It’s not about you. It is not about yesterday. It is not about your insecurities, inadequacies or inefficiencies. Forget all that. It is all about Jesus. You go and let Him shine.

“Because the God who said, Out of darkness light shall shine, is the One who shined in our hearts to illuminate the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellency of the power may be of God and not out of us.”—2 Corinthians 4:6-7

The excellency of Jesus, the light of the world, the glory of God, the wonder of His power is reflecting on you, in you and through you. Be not discouraged or dismayed.

Go by faith. Even that you don’t have to fret about. All faith belongs to God anyway. Faith is a gift. He just gives it to you.

Blaze forward. Reflect Jesus everywhere. Touch the poor. Reach out and extend a hand. Be a word of encouragement. Light a fire in a neighbors heart. Pray for the sick. Counsel the weary. But, do not give up.

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners (Is. 61:1)

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I wonder what they think of me? How did I do? 

It’s a subtle thought  – but a dangerous one.

How did “I” do? How did “I” appear? 

Whether you are bringing a dish to a sick neighbor in need, giving money to your kid’s school, or spending your time with people in need -there’s one important question to ask yourself:

Am I doing it onto them or unto God?

I can tell if I’m doing it onto them if I:

expect accolades.
look at results.
decide that I did a good job according to how people react.
need feedback.
gain worth based on how I did.

I can also tell if I am doing it unto God if I:

am at peace no matter how things look.
am thankful.
understand that all good things from him.
get my worth from Christ’s acceptance of me.

Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. (Gal. 1:10)

Pride masks itself as a need – to know, to want recognition, to appear a certain way, to have all the answers, to be loved by everyone, to be seen in good light. Humility, on the other hand, let’s all things go to God and understands that anything good, worthy, true, noble and of good report is the working of God anyway. He created it all from the start. He gave it.

A humble person is not “made” or destroyed by results, or even by God’s good gifts. They love the giver of the gifts more than the blessings of the gifts.

Where do you fall?

I’ve fallen to pride too many times to count. If you are there today, let me assure you, you can get right back up again. Ask God to help you remember His faithfulness, how far He has brought you, what He is doing and how He is helping you. Acknowledge both His goodness and your need for Him. Thank Him for His faithfulness. Thank Him that He is the one doing and seeing everything through. Lean on Him in your time of need. He is there for you. He is restoring you.

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I had never seen such mayhem. I was bumping into people, getting stuck between abandoned grocery carts and making Twister-like moves to reach to simply grab the Arugula. Phew. I did it. I completed my grocery shopping. Or, so I thought. . .

Then, I saw the lines. I’d never seen a grocery store so packed. In fact, it seemed I couldn’t even make it up to the cash register. People-after-people, cart-after-cart passed by me, blocking my way. Plus, the lines were so long, there was nowhere to go. No one even noticed that I also needed to pass by and to make it into a line.

In these kinds of situations, I usually resolve to stay calm and to not be bothered. But, my annoyance level was rising. I didn’t know if I’d ever make it home.

Yet, one man, in the passing line in front of me, actually saw me. He stopped, and said, “You. Go ahead of me.”

I laughed, and said, “It’s like a highway of carts in front of me.” He laughed too.

And, I made my way. I got to where I needed to go.

Sometimes, I think we forget how much of an impact we can have on others when we say, “You. Go ahead.”

Or, “You. I see what you need and it’s an honor to provide it.”
Or, “You. You count.”
Or, “You. I see what you are doing.”
Or, “You. I appreciate you.”

Then, people breakthrough. They get somewhere. To see the unseen, is to bless them and to provide them with new hope, new life.

This man stopped in his tracks to make a way for me. His super-simple act touched me. Where no one else could see me – he did.

“Do not be selfish. .  . Be humble, thinking of the interest of others as better than yourself. Don’t think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others and what they are doing.” (Phil. 2:3-4)

How can you practically do this? Ask people simple questions – How are you (for real)? How can I help you? What are you passionate about? How can I support you? What can I give to you?  

Doing this may change, impact or influence someone’s life, forever. Never negate your ability to change someone’s life.

When I waited in that grocery line, I couldn’t stop thinking of this man and what He did. So much so, I kept sneaking a look at him in the grocery line. While everyone else was frazzled, he had a smile on his face. I knew why.

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There is no fear in Christ’s love. Today, I feel strongly that scripture explains all this better than I can. No matter what you face, His love is enough to save you. His strength is enough to deliver you. His Word is enough to encourage you. His life is enough to compel you. His goodness is enough to believe in. Take faith, and enjoy Psalm 27.

I love you all.

Psalm 27

The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?

When the wicked advance against me
to devour[a] me,
it is my enemies and my foes
who will stumble and fall.

Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then I will be confident.

One thing I ask from the Lord,
this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
and to seek him in his temple.

For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent
and set me high upon a rock.

Then my head will be exalted
above the enemies who surround me;
at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make music to the Lord.

Hear my voice when I call, Lord;
be merciful to me and answer me.

My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”
Your face, Lord, I will seek.

Do not hide your face from me,
do not turn your servant away in anger;
you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
God my Savior.

Though my father and mother forsake me,
the Lord will receive me.

Teach me your way, Lord;
lead me in a straight path
because of my oppressors.

Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
for false witnesses rise up against me,
spouting malicious accusations.

I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.

Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord.

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