Examine yourself - Contentment 005

Examine yourself -  Contentment 005

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. (Philippians 4:11 ESV)

LEARNED

The Word and the Spirit - our two key blessings for learning - our two essential and necessary blessings.

But - we don't have to be passive.  Actually we shouldn't be.

Remember that old song, I Fall Asleep Counting My Blessings?  Well it's better to count them before you fall asleep.

Now for most of us, keeping a journal or diary is just not something we consider.  But it is a valuable investment of time and effort.  Just as God has recorded His will and work in the Bible, we can record His will and work in our lives in a diary or a journal.

I think this works best if we keep it simple - and I've tried just about every method possible from a voice recorder to a "cloud" journal.  After a lot of stops and starts, I ended up back at paper and pen.  

Here's what I use.  I have a Moleskine Monthly Notebook - the pocket size.  I have two pages for the current month and two blank lined pages after the two monthly pages.  I keep my calendar and then on the two blank-lined pages I keep track of what God is doing in my life.  

I don't go into great detail - I write just enough to inform myself later.

Why?

If we don't keep some kind of record, we will forget and miss opportunities for prayer, repentance - opportunities for growth.

Ever been in a meeting and spoken ill?  Well you can "jot" that down in the notebook without making a big deal of it.  

Ever had someone ask for prayer and then much later you remember?  Jot it down in the notebook.  Heard a great insight in a sermon?  Jot it down.  Ever been blindsided by your sin?  Jot is down.  Even gotten an unexpected blessing?  Jot it down.

It is said that those who fail to learn from the mistakes of history are doomed to repeat them.  Well, if there is no history kept, we're just going to keep making the same mistakes and sinning the same sins.

OK - so someone out there is going to ask where I keep my business notes if my personal notes are in the notebook.  Simple, I use 3x5 cards for meeting notes.  They fit in the notebook cover I got from, Levengers for my Moleskine - no problem.  The cards get filed in a small 3x5 index file box and there ya go.

The main point is that in order to effectively examine ourselves we really do need to keep some kind of record.  Ever gone to worship feeling like it was the last place you wanted to go and then left worship walking inches off the ground?  That needs to be recorded and examined.  Ever had a sermon or lesson "hit you the wrong way”? (yeah - as if we get hit a right way) -- Anyway, this is something worth noting and examining later --- "Why?"

Look, you're going to find sin when you do this - and that's good.  It should be no great shock anyway - godly dismay yes - shock no.  This isn't about beating yourself up.  It's about getting to know, understand and appreciate you and your walk in the Way.

Another great use for recording this is that it really does "preserve" the evidence that you are His and growing in Him.  With my counseling clients, I always keep a sheet in their file that lists all the wonderful and powerful things they share - ya know why?  Because they don't - so they forget the very evidence the experience.  It's really wonderful to testify to someone about the Lord working in and through them from evidence they themselves gave me weeks or months before.

Think about this - sin is sin is sin - right?  Growth is growth is growth - right?  But you are utterly unique - totally unique by God's design.  So your sin and your growth are totally unique - there are no cookie-cutters on the Way.  We get made of the same stuff but every mold is broken after one use.

If you are the object of God's grace and mercy, you certainly can pay a little attention to yourself - right?

Write it down - examine it - rejoice and/or repent - but, examine yourself.

Examine yourself - Contentment 001

I'm beginning a series on Contentment.  Why"  Well because "things" are tough for a lot of us right now and if you're like Patti and I, it's is really easy to get bogged down in them.  I'm not writing form some ivory tower but from the trenches where "hand to mouth," is a very  uncomfortable reality.  We are struggling on living "God to mouth," and it's tough - contentment is a real challenge.

Examine yourself - Contentment  001

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.  (Philippians 4:11-13 ESV)

Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.   (1 Timothy 6:6-8 ESV)

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?" 

(Hebrews 13:5-6 ESV)

One of the signs of our maturing in the faith is contentment.  I don't know about you - but for me that's a tough one.  From my studies I see contentment as the resulting sense or composure of trusting in God's goodness and the goodness of His providence.

If you read the verse above closely it is obvious that what battles against contentment is - well - stuff.  By stuff I mean everything in this world from food to all that neat goodies.  Regardless of the stuff we look at (food or cultural signs of prosperity) contentment is tough.

Contentment is not just sucking it up and carrying on.  There is a definitive element of satisfaction in true contentment.  It's a "This is fine," perspective on our present conditions and provision.  Like I said, it's tough.

Of course the clearest demonstration of the lack of contentment is seen in Israel's exodus from Egypt.  Once they were out they immediately began to grumble and mummer against God.  Basically they felt that all He had done was not sufficient for them to trust Him and they didn't see what He was doing as "good enough."

They "murmured," or "grumbled," against God and His provision.

They were DIS-contented.  Discontent has within it elements of bitterness and anger so we may assume that contentment is, at least in part, an absence of bitterness and anger.

But here's my conundrum.  I find that event though I don't express bitterness and anger at God's provision I am still anxious and fretful about it.  I also have to admit that when His provision is not what I wanted or expected I fall into a rather grudging "suck it up and take it," mode.

What I want to do is to live with praise and thanksgiving in my heart for what He has given me right now.  That is number one.  Then, number two is to joyfully and expectantly look forward to whatever He has for me in tomorrow.  

I find the worst word that can com to my mind is, "but."  

BUT;

It's not what I wanted

It's not what I expected

It's not what I needed

It's no what "I" ---------

BUT:

Will He provide for this need I know it coming and what do I do if He doesn't?

Will He give enough?

Will He determine that I am to go through a trial concerning this?

Then there are all the possible negative scenarios that may result.  Then there are all the possible ways I can fix it.  The there are all the reasons that He should just ell me that I made my bed and I'll have to lie in it - alone.  Then there are all the reasons I know I don't deserve for Him to do anything.

Yeah, it kind of snowballs in your head and weighs heavily on your heart.  

Working backwards, the passage from Hebrews is a help.  The writer begins with the admonition to, "Keep your life free from love of money,"  Nice translation but a little short.  Actually the word means "unavoritious," or "un-coveting."  of course the idea is to not love money but it is bigger - much bigger than that.

Money is a means - a means of power and a means of provision.  This is why Jesus tells us we can either love Mammon (money) or God but not both.  We can get want we want and need via money (a mere means)- or we can get what we truly need (wants are another matter) from God.

Here's the conflict.  Money I can "get" or God I must trust.

So this is where we begin - hope you'll follow along!

This and That – Us in Him 0908112

Well – tomorrow night is the night, 6 pm is the time and Caribou Coffee is the place.

We are prayerfully offering Him an opportunity for Him to bring folks to a place and time where they can learn of Jesus.  We’ve worked very hard to stay out of His way in this and to only move when we were confident in His leading.

Of course all the typical fleshly stuff has raised its head.  Will anyone come?  Will they come back?  Who will come?  Will it be “successful?”  Who do we think we are?  Where do we get off starting a study?   But – we’re pretty familiar with all these questions and the doubt and fear that come with them.  For the three of us, they are old nasty companions.

What I’m asking of you – is that you pray that we will not forget for a minute that this is an offering to Him, for Him and about Him.  “We,” are just secondary instruments for Him to work His providence.  It ain’t about us – it’s about Him.

Don’t think for a second that your prayers are a requested as some “vote for us” kind of thing.  We know many things we need to be careful about but YOU know some we don’t.  It is those things we ask you to pray about.

Oh, EGO – (whatever that really is :-&).  Pray that our flesh will not interfere with our service !

We all have hopes and dreams concerning the study.  Our imaginations run hot and cold.  Pray that our imaginations will be sanctified by His Spirit and that they do not become, in any way, the controlling factor in this.  This must be His work or it will not work!

Pray that in all ways and all circumstances He will be glorified in what we are doing.  We know He has equipped each of us and us as a team to do works of ministry.  Pray that we do not forget that our gifts are His to be used for His glory and honor.

We have invited, “The wondrous, the wondering, the wandering and the wounded.”  Pray that we are enabled to be with and for them what He needs us to be.

We are keeping in mind:

2Co_4:1  Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.

2Co_5:18  All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;

2Co_9:12  For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.

And

Heb 13:18  Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things.

Peter’s Pen 1st Peter 1:13-16 (B)

1Pe 1:13-16  Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.  (14)  As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance,  (15)  but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,  (16)  since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."

Now, “and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

Sober-minded can well apply to physical drunkenness but here, not so much.  Here it has the meaning of being watchful or circumspect. 

John Gill writes about this:

being inebriated with the cares of this life, which choke the word, and make it unfruitful, and lead men into temptation, and many foolish and hurtful lusts, and from the faith of Christ; and likewise to a being intoxicated with errors, and false doctrine, which lull men asleep, and render them incapable of serving Christ, and his church;

Ok – been there, done that and may be again.  The cares we have for those around us, the circumstance we are in, our needs and our fears as well as our hopes and dreams can easily “inebriate” us.  Peter is Not telling us to just blow them off, rather he’s telling us to keep them in their proper perspective – under God’s sovereignty.  It isn’t easy – we all know that – but we can work on it. 

How can we work on “sober mindedness”?  Peter answers that.

“set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

Notice, it’s about where we put our hope.  Our hope is in His grace and in His return.  The words here are directing our gaze to Him and His return.  That’s the biggy.  He will come.

Peter wants us to hang on to the very Words of Jesus, Himself:

Joh 14:1-3  "Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.  (2)  In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?  (3)  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

This is a great verse to commit to memory.  It is the all encompassing promise, the fulfillment of all God labors for us.  It can and will help us, “set our hope,” and be “sober-minded.”

Oops – did I say commit to memory?  Yes, I did – but not all of us are really good at that, so jot it down on a card and stick it in your wallet – God bless you and keep you all!

Me 081612

I used to think I was grateful to God for all He has done is  doing and will be doing in our lives.  Boy was I wrong!!

On the recommendation of my Pastor I started reading The Mystery of Providence by John Flavel.  Notwit’s an old book written in a very different time but it’s presentation on Providence is powerful.

Here’s the “Aha!”

A one point Flavel talks about the “providence’ of being raised in a Christian home.  Well, I wasn’t – not even close.  But that got me thinking about what was providential in getting to where I am with Him today.  Then I began to see with a new clarity and understanding.

Her name was Grace Hood Sanders.  She was my fraternal grandmother.  She was over 6 feet tall, built like a block-house and had a mustache.  She also loved Jesus like you wouldn’t believe.  She was an avid member of the church next door to her house (interestingly named “Grace Baptist) in Chattanooga, TN.  She was a big fan of Oral Roberts and a real hard core prayer.

She was also reviled and I guess you could say persecuted by her own family.  Her husband ignored her, her daughter and oldest son humored her and my father ridiculed her.  But she held firm in her faith and every summer when we visited off we’d go on Sunday to church with her –  “we” was my sister and I.

But when I was very young she said she’d give me a dollar if I would memorize John 3:16.  OK, in my immediate family a dollar was not such a big deal.  But something made me anxious about memorizing the verse.  Not excited – but anxious – it was strange.  But, memorize it I finally did – and I got my dollar.

My point is that Grace has always been a big part of my memories.  I have lived in awe of her and until the other day, I never knew why.  Now I do.  Among a lot of other ways I see His providence in my early life – from bombings to really bad car wrecks to simple kindnesses, Grace  Sanders looms largest – now.

It was through this big, loving, faithful Christian woman, whom I rarely ever saw, that a seed was planted in my heart.  I like to say that I couldn’t remember a time I didn’t know who Jesus was and what He did for me.  Well now I can – it was before Grace Sanders told me His story and implanted the first little piece of His Word in my mind and heart.

This realization has resulted in a whole new understanding and sense of gratitude in my heart.  When I realized this wonderful providence I began to see His hand working through so many others as he shaped and molded and refined me.  The number of those whom He used is legion.  From a  business executive who mentored me in high school, to Sinclair, to some I have discipled, to some who were not believers, to strangers at Caribou,  to my current Pastor, God has had many hands busy in my life.

It’s overwhelming and wonderful.  I recommend the book but I also encourage you to take time to remember those whom He has used to care for you.  Some will be glaringly obvious but I assure you, there are many many more.  It just takes a little digging to find them.

To all of you whom He has used in my life.  Thank you and God bless you and praise Him for you.

Walk with P and me 081612

Walk with P and me 081612

Today was the first day of the “hours” cut we’re facing.  Of course, cut hours = cut income.  So some decisions have to be made –

Having no “fiduciary” sense what so ever, I decided to let the gifted one in the house have the reins.  Yep – Patti is now our official nickel squeezer.  Patti approved the decision ;-}.

Having made the decision I wrote and Elder to kind of feel him out.  Wow!  He made it very clear that if $$$ managing wasn’t my gift I was nutz to do it and since it is Patti’s – of course she should. 

Two things happened almost immediately.  I became very proud of my wife and very chagrinned at my (former) determined obstinacy.

I wrote a while back about husbands giving their “selfs” for their wives.  I think I did that!?!  I gave up control ( even very poor control) to her.  She will get the “picture” together get with a friend who does $ management and I will follow orders.

How could something that was sooo hard feel soooo good?  Don’t know – don’t care – but I suspect taking a little more air out of my “me ballon” and acknowledging her gift played a big part in it. 

Ya know, I’m slowly and at times painfully realizing that even without all the hot air in my “me balloon,” it still says “Me” and that’s ok.  I’m probably a better “me” without it (No comments from you Sinclair!!!)

That’s the most recent step.  God hasn’t revealed how His providence is working out but we trust that it is working.  

Thank you for your prayers and please continue – they are working!

Walk w/ P & me 04

Walk with P & me 04

Richard Sibbes in his work, The Soul’s Conflict With Itself, does a wonderful job of not only pointing out the need for real and true conviction but he powerfully addresses the issue of false or overdone conviction.

For us (especially me) it’s a matter of fighting the “would have, could have, should have,” attackes.  Hindsight may be 20/20 but it can also be overwhelmingly toxic.  The flesh, the world and the devil can wreak havoc with our minds and hearts using these as its entree.

“Had I,” and “Had we just . . . .” are brutal and cruel messages that have just enough truth in them to lay a heavy and blinding burden on our hearts.  Whether sinful, silly or just stupid, all the things we might have done differently rise up and accuse – legitimately or not and they gain power from the uncertain parts of the future.

Imagined destitution, desolation and desertion loom large and all the shame and humiliation that come with them press down.

Sibbes also does a good job of helping us understand that our imaginations, which, when not operating within the truth and trust of God, are cruel companions.  When the time is right the imagination (through the flesh with help from the world and the devil) create “potential realities” that ,apart from his faithfulness ,seem certain. 

Even when we consider that the “worst” that could happen might well be with in His will for us, the flesh (w/ help) makes it seem punitive instead of providential.  Bad not good. 

We know He works all things together for the good of His own.  But the flesh (w/help) paints pictures of Job early on, David in the flight, Israel oppressed.

We look to Him for help.  From Him we desire relief.  But what if the hardship is the help we need?  What if He needs a new Job (kind of)?  What if the worst that could happen is in His will for us? 

We are confident in His grace and we are grateful for His providence.  We know we are His but (and it’s an evil but) the flesh (w/ help) clings to, “I love reading about Job but I don’t want to be one!!!”

However, and please don’t think we’re being snooty or presumptuous, Paul was willing to suffer the loss of all things for the sake of the gospel and he enjoins us to follow his example.  We want to – but if feels a lot like falling.  Add to that the fact that the flesh, the world and the devil make it look a lot like failing and it’s a double whammy.

But feelings aren’t facts and faith isn’t a feeling.

We had a good night together last night and we are doing, at least for right now, what we can do.  We are resisting where needed and drawing near as often as possible.  I still want to pack the car and run away.  Patti still wants me to quit wanting that ;-}. One cool personal thing.  I've never been one who liked to snuggle - however I've come to discover its therapeutic benefits ;-}  and Oh boy-is Patti happy!  ;-}}}}}}}  That's one blessing that's has come in the midst of all this!

Our prayer needs are simple:  A new job for Patti, more work for me, support for the ministry Us in Him and last but most important the grace to trust Him however His plans are laid.

Thank you !

Patti and Michael Sanders

2205 New Garden Rd.

# 2807

Greensboro, NC 27410

ms@tc2v1.com