What Does It Mean To Be A Christian?

This is an excerpt from a sermon by Samuel Davies, "The Sacred Import of the Christian Name"

I highly reccomend reading the whole sermon! It goes into much detail about the word\label "Christian", including that is a family name, a name of honor, and a name of obligation, showing that there is a big difference between the Christian world and the Christian religion.

"The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch." Acts 11:26

What is it to be a Christian?

1. To be a Christian--is to depart from iniquity.
2. To be a Christian--is to deny yourselves, take up the cross and follow Christ.

3. To be a Christian--is to be a follower or imitator of Christ.

"He left us an example--that we should follow His steps!" 1 Peter 2:21

Christ is the model for every Christian.

Paul tells us that believers will be conformed to His image, Romans 8:29; and that the same mind must be in us--which was also in Christ Jesus. Phil. 2:5.

Christ's heart glowed with love to His Father! He delighted in universal obedience to Him; it was His food and drink to do the Father's will, even in the most painful and self-denying instances! He abounded in devotion, in prayer, meditation and every pious duty.

He was also full of every grace and virtue towards mankind! He was meek and humble, kind and benevolent, just and charitable, merciful and compassionate towards all. Beneficence to the souls and bodies of men was the business of His life; for He went about doing good. Acts 10:38.

In regard to Himself--He was patient and resigned--and yet undaunted and brave under sufferings. He had all His appetites and passions under proper government. He was heavenly-minded; above this world in heart--while He dwelt in it.

This is an imperfect sketch of His amiable character; and in these things every one who deserves to be called after His name, does in some measure resemble and imitate Him. This is not only his earnest endeavor--but what he actually attains, though in a much inferior degree; and his imperfections are the grief of his heart.

This resemblance and imitation of Christ is essential to the very being of a Christian, and without it, all profession is a vain pretense!

Does your Christianity, my friends, stand this test? May one know that you belong to Christ--by your living like Him, and manifesting the same temper and spirit?

Counseling Is For Every Christian

Are you familiar with Dr.Jay Adams?

If not, I beg you to get to know him. His ministry has blessed my life greatly! One simple yet very powerful truth I have gleaned from his ministry is that, the Lord has given every Christian the ministry of counseling...

2 Timothy 4:2-5
Preach the Word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away frim the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Galatians 6:1
Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness.

Whether we intend to or not, we counsel everyday...either by what is said or not said and by what is done or not done. Everyday there is someone watching and\or listening to see how we (professing Christians) will deal with life's issues and it is our chief end to glorify God through them.

I pray that you will really consider honing your skills in the area of "edifying and building one another up". It will be a blessing to your soul and to those around you, but more importantly, it will be honoring to God.

You can find more information on the ministry of counseling through Dr.Adams at the
Institute For Nouthetic Studies.

The Whole Christ

Thomas Sherman, 1680

"Yet to all who received Him . . . He gave the right to become children of God" John 1:12

A whole Christ must be received--with the whole heart.

Some in their understanding, assent to the way of salvation--yet do not consent to it with their will. In judgment they are for Christ--but in affection they are for other things. There is only a part of their soul that is for Christ. Others would have the benefits that are from Christ--but have no love for the person of Christ.

Some would have Christ only as a Savior--but not as a Lord. They desire Him only as a Priest to offer a sacrifice for their sins--but not as a Prophet to instruct them, nor as a King to rule over them. So that it is but part of Christ, that they would receive.

But both of these courses are equally dangerous; for, if we would be saved, we must cleave to Christ with all the faculties of the soul--with will, judgment, affection, etc. And so, again, we must cleave to the whole of Christ--Christ in His natures, person, offices, etc. If, therefore, you would rightly receive Christ, see that your whole soul receives a whole Christ.

Grace Gems

I enjoy and highly recommend receiving daily email devotionals from Grace Gems.
Here is a sample...

J.R.Miller ~ Our words and deeds are irrevocable

"But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken!" Matthew 12:36

We cannot recall any word we have spoken. It may be a false word or an unkind word--a word which will blast and burn! Instantly after it has been spoken--we may wish it back and may rush after it and try to stop it--but there is no power in the world that can unsay the hurtful word--or blot it out of our life!

It is just so with our acts. A moment after we have done a wicked thing, we may bitterly repent it. We may be willing to give all we have in the world to undo it, to make it as though it never had been. But in vain. A deed done takes its place in the universe as a fact--and never can be recalled.

We should be sure before we speak a word or do an act--that it is right, that we shall never desire to have it recalled--for when once we have opened our lips, or lifted our hand--there will be no unsaying or undoing possible.

Our words and deeds are irrevocable. We cannot recall anything we have done, neither can we change it. But by other words and deeds, we may in some measure modify the effect of that which we cannot blot out. Paul could not undo his persecutions of Christians--but by a life to devotion to Christ's cause--he could in a sense make reparation for the terrible harm he had done.

Just so, we cannot undo the wrong things we have done--but we should strive to set in motion other influences which may at least compensate in some sense for the harm they have wrought. We cannot unsay the sharp word which wounds our friend's heart--but we can by kindness and loyal devotion--yet bring good and blessing to his life.

Miss Me?

I'm so sorry to have been gone this long! Sometimes life takes you on a little detour and you just have to go with the flow...you know what I mean? Priorities...priorities...priorities :)

Anyways, I thought I'd just give you a quick 3 month update...

January...

We had a wonderful time at the Stone's Christmas\New Year's Party....

I had a terrible mishap with my thyroid medication and lost half my hair! Huge lesson in humility :) and that you should NEVER take the generic brand of thyroid medication.

**Sorry, no pictures of this event!**

We traveled to Panama City to bury my 98 year old great-grandmother. She was a lovely Christian woman and I have many fond memories of growing up with her. She is who I was named after. Her full name was Iola Lillie Dee Vandores Hood Strickland. Whew! Things were a lot different back then! Here's a picture of her younger years...

Lane became more and more involved in his 4-H Archery Club and starting winning several competitions...

And we began some of our "Homesteading & Self-sufficiency" projects...starting with the animals... we built hog pens...Lane is showing one in the Flagler County Fair this April and we have one we are raising for our freezer...Leah is raising chickens to show in the Fair but not to sell, these will be be for eggs and meat...and Lacy is raising rabbits for rabbit stew...I'll post more pics on all that later... :)

February...

Jamey was forced to start Paramedic school, which he wasn't very happy about since the previous year he had quit a very high paying job to take a very low paying job in order to be home with his family more to pursue some "family entrepreneurship" BUT we are trusting the Lord has a reason and a plan that will be for His glory and our good :) The grueling schedule hasn't been easy (roughly 2-3 days off a month and will soon only be 1 day!!!) so we would covet your prayers. Lane and I are filling in the gaps as much as we can and we've learned to treat every moment with dad as extra special!

Lacy celebrated her 4th Birthday...

Lane won more Archery competitions...1st place in Pre-State and 2nd in State! Then he went on to Nationals in Kentucky!!!

We had another great visit at the Stone's...maybe I'll try to do a post of just party pics??

Started an organic vegetable garden, that is quite pitiful...no pics of that yet...

As well as many many other things...

April and May are approaching fast and they will be very busy too...

More ministering to dad...

Easter...

Leah's 8th Birthday...

Lane's 16th Birthday...whoo hoo!!! Big Party????

The Flagler County Fair...to which YOU ARE ALL INVITED...April 15-17

And the end of another "school year"...just to name a few...

I don't know how often I'll be able to post but I hope to squeeze it in somehow!

..........Would love to hear from everyone.........

Ten Questions to Ask in the New Year

Don Whitney:

Once, when the people of God had become careless in their relationship with Him, the Lord rebuked them through the prophet Haggai. "Consider your ways!" (Haggai 1:5) he declared, urging them to reflect on some of the things happening to them, and to evaluate their slipshod spirituality in light of what God had told them.

Even those most faithful to God occasionally need to pause and think about the direction of their lives. It's so easy to bump along from one busy week to another without ever stopping to ponder where we're going and where we should be going.

The beginning of a new year is an ideal time to stop, look up, and get our bearings. To that end, here are some questions to ask prayerfully in the presence of God.

1. What's one thing you could do this year to increase your enjoyment of God?

2. What's the most humanly impossible thing you will ask God to do this year?

3. What's the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your family life this year?

4. In which spiritual discipline do you most want to make progress this year, and what will you do about it?

5. What is the single biggest time-waster in your life, and what will you do about it this year?

6. What is the most helpful new way you could strengthen your church?

7. For whose salvation will you pray most fervently this year?

8. What's the most important way you will, by God's grace, try to make this year different from last year?

9. What one thing could you do to improve your prayer life this year?

10. What single thing that you plan to do this year will matter most in ten years? In eternity?


In addition to these ten questions, here are twenty-one more to help you "Consider your ways." Think on the entire list at one sitting, or answer one question each day for a month.
11. What's the most important decision you need to make this year?

12. What area of your life most needs simplifying, and what's one way you could simplify in that area?

13. What's the most important need you feel burdened to meet this year?

14. What habit would you most like to establish this year?

15. Who do you most want to encourage this year?

16. What is your most important financial goal this year, and what is the most important step you can take toward achieving it?

17. What's the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your work life this year?

18. What's one new way you could be a blessing to your pastor (or to another who ministers to you) this year?

19. What's one thing you could do this year to enrich the spiritual legacy you will leave to your children and grandchildren?

20. What book, in addition to the Bible, do you most want to read this year?

21. What one thing do you most regret about last year, and what will you do about it this year?

22. What single blessing from God do you want to seek most earnestly this year?

23. In what area of your life do you most need growth, and what will you do about it this year?

24. What's the most important trip you want to take this year?

25. What skill do you most want to learn or improve this year?

26. To what need or ministry will you try to give an unprecedented amount this year?

27. What's the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your commute this year?

28. What one biblical doctrine do you most want to understand better this year, and what will you do about it?

29. If those who know you best gave you one piece of advice, what would they say? Would they be right? What will you do about it?

30. What's the most important new item you want to buy this year?

31. In what area of your life do you most need change, and what will you do about it this year?

For more Don Whitney resources please visit:
http://www.biblicalspirituality.org/index.html

The Art of Divine Contentment - Part 9

The Art of Divine Contentment: An Exposition of Philippians 4:11

"I have learned, in whatsoever state I am in, therewith to be content." Philippians 4:11

"Highlights" from Chapter 15 Consolation to the Contented Christian...

To the contented Christian, I shall say two things for a farewell. 1) God is exceedingly taken with such a frame of heart. If you would please God, and be men of his heart, be contented. God hates a froward spirit. 2) The contented Christian shall be no loser. What lost Job by his patience? God gave him twice as much as before. What lost Abraham by his contentment? God made a covenant with him that he would be his God, that he would be the father of many nations; God makes his seed as the stars of heaven; nay, honors him with this title, "the father of the faithful". God will be sure to reward the contented Christian. As our Saviour said to Nathaniel, "you shall see greater things than these:" (Jn.1:50) so I say, art thou contented (O Christian) with little? thou shalt see greater things than these.

End.

That concludes this 'Book Highlight'. I hope that you have been encouraged, edified, and spurred towards a closer walk with the Lord. It is my earnest prayer that we all glorify Him more with our lives as we "learn to be content in whatever state we are in". Thanks for following along. I hope to see you again next time.
If there are any specific book requests you have, just let me know, and I'll see what I can do!
Thanks again, and may God bless you!

The Art of Divine Contentment - Part 8

The Art of Divine Contentment: An Exposition of Philippians 4:11

"I have learned, in whatsoever state I am in, therewith to be content." Philippians 4:11

"Highlights" from Chapter 14 Rules About Contentment...

Rule 1. Advance faith. All our disquiets do issue immediately from unbelief.

Rule 2. Labour for assurance. Labor to say "my God" and "I know whom I have believed".

Rule 3. Get a humble spirit. The humble man studies his own unworthiness and cries out with Paul, that he is the chief of sinners.

Rule 4. Keep a clear conscience. O take heed of indulging any sin!

Rule 5. Learn to deny yourselves. Look well to your affections, bridle them in. Do two things: mortify your desires and moderate your delights.
How?
1) Get a right judgment of the things here below.
2) Often seriously meditate of mortality.

Rule 6. Get much of heaven into your heart. Fly aloft in your affections, thirst after the graces and comforts of the Spirit; the eagle that flies above in the air, fears not the stinging of the serpent; the serpent creeps on his belly, and stings only such creatures as go upon the earth.

Rule 7. Look not so much on the dark side of your condition, as on the light. Do not pore upon your losses but ponder your mercies.
Thou art not fully sanctified in this life, how then thinkest thou be fully satisfied? *Never look for perfection of contentment till there be perfection of grace.*

Rule 8. Consider in what posture we stand in the world.
We are in a military position; we are soldiers.
We are in a peregrine condition; we are pilgrims and travelers.
We are in a mendicant condition; we are beggars.

Rule 9. Let not your hope depend upon outward things. O never place your felicity in these dull and beggarly things here below! Say with thyself, "if friends leave me, if riches take wings, yet I have that within which comforts me, an heavenly treasure; I still have an interest in God, and that interest cannot be broken off."

Rule 10. Let us often compare our condition. Make this fivefold comparison.
1) Let us compare our condition and our desert together; if we have not what we desire, we still have more than we deserve.
2) Let us compare our condition with others; are you in prison? are you in the lion's den? are you wondering in sheep's skins? art thou tormented with stone or gout? Some Christians who have been in a lower condition, have looked better, been more patient, and more contented than we who enjoy abundance. Can you take up their cross and walk cheerfully under it? or will you murmur under even lighter crosses?
3) Let us compare our condition with Christ's upon the earth. He was rich, yet for our sakes became poor (2Cor.8:9). Jesus Christ was in a low condition, he was never high, but when he was lifted up upon the cross, and that was his humility:he was content to live poor, and die cursed.
4) Let us compare our condition to what it once was. It was a Christless and hopeless condition: but now God hath cut off the entail of hell and damnation; he hath taken you out of the wild olive of nature, and ingrafted you into Christ, making you living branches of that living vine; he hath not only caused the light to shine upon you, but into you, and hath interested you in all the privileges of sonship; is not here that which may make the soul content.
5) Let us compare our condition with what it shall be shortly. God may presently seal a warrant for death to apprehend us; and when we die, we cannot carry estate with us; honor and riches descend not into the grave, why then are we troubled at our outward condition? O lay up a stock of grace! Be rich in faith and in good works, these riches will follow us.

Rule 11. Bring not your condition to mind, but bring your mind to your condition. One man has a whole manor and is discontent; another is satisfied with a few acres of land; what is the difference? The one studies to satisfy curiosity, the other necessity; the one thinks what he may have, the other what he may spare.

Rule 12. Study the vanity of the creature. It matters not whether we have less or more of these things, they have vanity written all over them; the world is like a shadow that declineth; it is delightful, but deceitful; it promiseth more than we find, and it fails us when we need it most. All the world rings changes, and is constant only in its disappointments: what then, if we have less of that which is vanity?

Rule 13. Get fancy regulated. What is the reason one tulip is worth five pounds, and another not worth one shilling? Fancy raiseth the price; the difference is rather imaginary than real; so, why it should be better to have thousands than hundreds, is, because men fancy it so; if we could fancy a lower condition better, as having less care in it, and less account, it would be far more eligible.

Rule 14. Consider how little will suffice nature. Christ hath taught us to pray for our daily bread...not to thirst and not to starve is enough; and the apostle saith, "having food and raiment let us be content." The stomach is sooner filled than the eye; how quickly would a man be content, if he would study rather to satisfy his hunger than his humour.

Rule 15. Believe the present condition is best for us. Flesh and blood is not competent to judge. O what a strange creature man would be, if he were what he could wish himself! A wise Christian hath his will melted into God' will, and thinks it best to be at his finding.

Rule 16. Do not too much indulge the flesh. We have taken an oath in baptism to forsake the flesh. The flesh is a worse enemy than the devil; an enemy within is worst. The flesh puts us upon the immoderate pursuit of the world; it consults for ease and plenty, and if it be not satisfied, then discontent begins to arise. O let it not have the reins! Martyr the flesh!

Rule 17. Meditate much on the glory which shall be revealed. It is but a while and we shall be with Christ, bathing ourselves in the fountain of his love; we shall never complain of wants and injuries anymore. O eternity, eternity! Think often of the kingdom prepared. This is an excellent means to bring the heart to contentment.

Rule 18. Be much in prayer. It is not our strong resolutions, but our strong request to God, which must give the heart ease in trouble; by prayer the strength of Christ comes into the soul, and where that is, a man is able to go through any condition.

The Art of Divine Contentment - Part 7

The Art of Divine Contentment: An Exposition of Philippians 4:11

"I have learned, in whatsoever state I am in, therewith to be content." Philippians 4:11

"Highlights" from Chapter 13 How a Christian May Know Whether He Hath Learned This Divine Art...

1st.Character: A contented spirit is a silent spirit.

"I was silent; I would not open my mouth,
for You are the one who has done this." Psalm 39:9

"Let him sit alone in silence,
for the LORD has laid it on him." Lam.3:28

There is a sinful silence; when God is dishonoured, His truth wounded, and men hold their peace, this silence is loud sin; and there is a holy silence, when the soul sits down quiet and content with its condition.

2nd.Character: A contented spirit is a cheerful spirit.

Contentment denotes more than patience; for patience only denotes submission, contentment denotes cheerfulness.

Contentment looks upon God as a wise God; and whatever He does, though it be not willingly, yet sensibly, it is in order to a cure.

Contentment not only submits to God's dealings, but rejoices in them; he does not only say, "just is the Lord" but "good is the Lord".

3rd.Character: A contented spirit is a thankful spirit.

Thankfulness is a degree above cheerfulness.
Some will bless God for prosperity, while the contented Christian will bless Him for affliction..."in everything give thanks." 1Thes.5:18

A contented Christian in the greatest of straits hath his heart enlarged and dilated with thankfulness; he often contemplates God's love in election; he sees that he is a monument of mercy, therefore desires to be a pattern of praise.

4th.Character: No condition comes amiss to him; "in whatever state I am in."

Paul knew how to manage every state; if he were in prosperity, he knew how to be thankful; if in adversity, he knew how to be patient; he was neither lifted up with the one, nor cast down with the other. A contented Christian doth not choose his cross, but leaves God to choose for him; he is content both for the kind and the duration.

5th.Character: The contented Christian will not turn to sin in order to rid himself of his troubles.

With reverence, the contented Christian says, God hath cast me into this condition; and though it be sad, and troublesome, yet I will not stir, till God fetch me out.

The Art of Divine Contentment - Part 6

The Art of Divine Contentment: An Exposition of Philippians 4:11

"I have learned, in whatsoever state I am in, therewith to be content." Philippians 4:11

"Highlights from Chapter 12 Three Estates in which we must NOT be contented...

1) "We must NOT be content in our natural estate." (IE. content to be without Christ)
"For a man to be in debt, body and soul; in fear every hour to be arrested and carried prisoner to hell, shall he be content? O get out of this condition! The smell of brimstone and fire is upon you!"

"The longer a man stays in his sin, the more sin strengthens. Therefore it is mercy when we are disquieted about sin."

"It is one of the worst sights to see a bad conscience quiet. I wonder to see a man in his natural estate content. What! content to go to hell?

2) "We must NOT be content where God is apparently dishonored."
"If a man's trade be such that he must trespass a command, better to knock off and divert, better to lose some of his gain, so he may lessen some of his guilt."

"Or, if a man live where the name of God is not called upon, unless when it is taken in vain, he is not to content himself with such a place, but rather come out of the tents of these sinners; for there is double danger in living among the profane...
2 Dangers:
1) Lest we come to be infected with the poison of their ill example. O how prone we are to suck in example; men take in deeper impressions by the eye than the ear!
2) We are liable to incur their punishment."

3) "We are NOT to be contented with our growth in grace."
"It is not enough that there be life, but there must be fruit."

"O covet more grace! "press on toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" Phil.3:13-14."

"The hypocrite brings forth only sour grapes; the godly man grows in love, faith, and humility which cast a fragrancy and perfume."

"Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart." 1 Peter 1:22

"For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness." 2 Peter 1:5-6

Happy Birthday Jesus!

Luke 2
The Birth of Jesus
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

To God be all the glory!

Santa Delays & Distorts

I thought for Christmas Eve I would share a blog post from Desiring God Ministries on why it's really not good to include Santa in our tradtions surrounding Christmas. I pray this will minister to you and encourage you to keep the focus on Christ tomorrow and all throughout the year...

Desiring God Blog

Thinking About Santa
Posted: 15 Dec 2009 12:05 AM PST

(Author: Noel Piper)

Over the years, we have chosen not to include Santa Claus in our Christmas stories and decorations. There are several reasons.

First, fairy tales are fun and we enjoy them, but we don't ask our children to believe them.

Second, we want our children to understand God as fully as they're able at whatever age they are. So we try to avoid anything that would delay or distort that understanding. It seems to us that celebrating with a mixture of Santa and manger will postpone a child's clear understanding of what the real truth of God is. It's very difficult for a young child to pick through a marble cake of part-truth and part-imagination to find the crumbs of reality.

Third, we think about how confusing it must be to a straight-thinking, uncritically-minded preschooler because Santa is so much like what we're trying all year to teach our children about God. Look, for example, at the "attributes" of Santa.

* He's omniscient—he sees everything you do.
* He rewards you if you're good.
* He's omnipresent—at least, he can be everywhere in one night.
* He gives you good gifts.
* He's the most famous "old man in the sky" figure.

But at the deeper level that young children haven't reached yet in their understanding, he is not like God at all.

For example, does Santa really care if we're bad or good? Think of the most awful kid you can remember. Did he or she ever not get gifts from Santa?

What about Santa's spying and then rewarding you if you're good enough? That's not the way God operates. He gave us his gift—his Son—even though we weren't good at all. "God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). He gave his gift to us to make us good, not because we had proved ourselves good enough.

Helping our children understand God as much as they're able at whatever age they are is our primary goal. But we've also seen some other encouraging effects of not including Santa in our celebration.

First, I think children are glad to realize that their parents, who live with them all year and know all the worst things about them, still show their love at Christmas. Isn't that more significant than a funny, old, make-believe man who drops in just once a year?

Second, I think most children know their family's usual giving patterns for birthday and special events. They tend to have an instinct about their family's typical spending levels and abilities. Knowing that their Christmas gifts come from the people they love, rather than from a bottomless sack, can help diminish the "I-want-this, give-me-that" syndrome.

And finally, when children know that God's generosity is reflected by God's people, it tends to encourage a sense of responsibility about helping make Christmas good for others.

The Art of Divine Contentment - Part 5

The Art of Divine Contentment: An Exposition of Philippians 4:11

"I have learned, in whatsoever state I am in, therewith to be content." Philippians 4:11

"Highlights" from Chapter 11 Divine Motives to Contentment...

1st Divine Motive: Consider the Excellency of it...
"There are two things in a contented spirit which make it like heaven: 1.God is there. 2. Rest is there."

"Contentment makes a man in tune to serve God."

"Contentment fits a man to bear burdens."

"Contentment prevents many sins and temptations...
SINS:
There are two sins in particular which contentment prevents: impatience & murmuring...
Impatience arises from a lack of faith; a lack of love for God; and a lack of humility.
Murmuring is quarrelling with God. The murmurer saith that God hath not dealt well with him and he deserves better... In Numbers 17:10 murmurers are likened to rebels; and is not rebellion as the sin of witchcraft? O Christian, be not as a witch, a sorcerer, or as one that deals with devil!
A contented Christian doth not murmur, but admire.
TEMPTATIONS:
"Satan takes great advantage of discontent because it eclipses reason and weakens faith which leads to atheism and apostasy."

"Contentment sweetens every condition...Do I meet with crosses? My comfort is, if they be heavy, I have not far to go."

"Contentment is the best commentator upon providence..."Love thinketh no evil" of God's providence, no matter how dark. God is wise; he hath done this either to prevent some sin or to exercise some grace."

2nd Divine Motive: Hath not God given thee Christ?
"A Christian hath "one thing needful"...Is there not enough inexhaustible treasure locked up in Jesus Christ to give the soul content?"

4th Divine Motive: God hath His end and Satan misses his end.
""The devil will cast some of you into prison" Rev.2:10...Why doth the devil throw us into prison? It is not so much the hurting of our body, as the molesting of our mind, that he aims at...O let us not gratify our enemy! for he loves to warm himself at the fire our passions...Repentance is the joy of angels, and discontent is the joy of the devils.

7th Divine Motive: Consider the evil of it.
"Discontent is unworthy of a Christian's profession. It was the saying of the heathen, bear thy condition quietly, "know thou art a man"; so I say, bear thy condition contentedly, "know thou art a Christian."

9th Divine Motive: The shortness of life. It is "but a vapor", saith James (Ja.4:14)
"We have but a short time here, and death calls us presently off the stage; therefore to thirst immoderately after the world, is an extreme folly."

"Death begins a wicked man's hell, but it puts an end to godly man's hell."

The Art of Divine Contentment - Part 4

The Art of Divine Contentment: An Exposition of Philippians 4:11

"I have learned, in whatsoever state I am in, therewith to be content." Philippians 4:11

"Highlights" from Chapter 10 A Suasive to Contentment...

"Discontentment is sin. It labors to hide itself under some mask or vindicate itself by some apology."

Apologies & Replys...

Apology: "I have lost a child"
Reply: Oftentimes, our love to relations is more than our love to religion. We must be content, not only ehen God gives mercies, but when He takes away. look not so much upon a temporal loss, as a spiritual gain. O, be not discontented that a mercy is taken away from you, but rather be thankful that is was lent you so long. Be thankful of the loss of burden or the saving from future evils. Think of the mercies you still enjoy. Christ hath given you His only Son. Why complain of losses if you have Christ? He is his Father's brightness (Heb.1:3), his riches (Col.2:9), his delight (Ps.42:1). Is there enought in Christ to delight the heart of God? Then there should be enough in Him to ravish us holy delight.
He is wisdom to teach us, righteousness to acquit us, sanctification to adorn us; He is all in all. Why then are thou discontented? Though the child be lost, yet thou has Him for whom all things are loss.

Apology: "I have a great part of my estate largely melted away"
Reply: God hath taken away your estate, but not your portion. Honor and estate are rather luxuries than essentials. Be content; if God dam up our outward comforts, it is, that the stream of our love may run faster another way.

Apology: "It is sad with me in my relations"
This apology branches into two particulars...
1st: "My child goes in rebellion"
Reply: a) The child's sin is sometimes the parents sermon. Look upon your child's rebellion and mourn for your own rebellion.
b) To see him undutiful is your grief, yet not always your sin. Hast thou seasoned his tender years with religious education? Thous canst do no more; parents can only work knowledge, God must work grace.
Weep for the child, pray for him; but do not sin for him by discontent.
2nd: "My husband takes ill courses"
Reply: Mourn for his sins but do not murmur. God hath placed you in your relation; you must not quarrel with God. God often turns the sins of others to our good; and makes our maladies our medicines.

Apology: "My friends have dealt unkindly with me"
Reply: Why should we think it strange to have the same measure dealt out to us as Jesus Christ had? Look upon the unkindness of thy friend, and mourn for thy own unkindness against God; shall a Christian condemn that in another, which he hath been guilty of himself? You have a friend in heaven that will never fail you. Pr.18:24

Apology: "Disrespect from the world...I have not that esteem from men as is suitable to my quality and grace."
Reply: Honor is in him that gives it. It is better that God approve, than men applaud. Discontent arising from disrespect savours too much of pride; a humble Christian hath a lower opinion of himself.

Apology: "I meet with very great suffering for the truth"
Reply: Your sufferings are not so great as your sins. Shall we not with much constancy and patience devote ourselves to injuries for religion, and rather suffer for truth than the truth suffer for us?

Apology: "The evil of the times: heresy & impiety"
Reply to heresy: It should make us mourn when every man's opinion is his bible, but let us not murmur through discontent. God can make the errors of the church advantageous to truth; some had never so studied to defend the truth by scripture, if others had not endeavored to overthrow it by deceitful reasoning.
When we see others have the "leprosy in the head", how thankful are we to God that he hath not given us over to believe a lie and so be damned?
Reply to impiety: It is indeed sad to live among the wicked, yet, we ought, if there be any spark of divine love in us, to be very sensible of the sins of others, and to have our hearts bleed for them.

Apology: "My sins disquiet & discontent me"
Reply: Be sure not to lie to God or yourself; a man's disquiet about sin may be beyond its bounds, in 3 cases...
1. When it is disheartening, that is, when it sets up sin above mercy.
2. When sorrow is indisposing, it untunes the heart for prayer, meditation, and holy conference. This is not sorrow but rather sulleness and doth render a man not so much penitential as cynical.
3. When it is out of season. This is when God calls us to be thankful for a special mercy and Satan puts us to mourning; therefore God looses the acknowledgment of mercy, and we the comfort.

The Art of Divine Contentment - Part 3

The Art of Divine Contentment: An Exposition of Philippians 4:11

"I have learned, in whatsoever state I am in, therewith to be content." Philippians 4:11

"Highlights" from Chapter 6 The Nature of Contentment...

"Contentment - a sweet temper of spirit, whereby a Christian carries himself in an equal poise in every condition."

Webster's 1828 definition, contentment - satisfaction of mind; appeasment; gratification; quietness of spirit. Content, literally means held, contained within limits, hence quiet; having a mind at peace.

"1. Contentment is a divine thing - we can not acquire it ourselves, it must be infused to us by God."

"2. Contentment is an intrinsical thing - contentment lies within the soul, and doth not depend upon external comforts. Contentment arises from apprehension of God's love."

"3. Contentment is a habitual thing - it is a settled temper of the heart."

"Highlights" from Chapter 7 Reasons Pressing to Holy Contentment...

"1. It is God's precept. Hebrews 13:5 "Be content with such things as you have."
"Though our hearts become as a raging sea, they should be stilled by His word."

"2. It is God's promise to "never leave us, nor forsake us." We should be content to be at God's disposal."

"Highlight" from Chapter 8...

"The way to be comfortable, is not by having our barns filled, but our minds quiet."

The Art of Divine Contentment - Part 2

The Art of Divine Contentment: An Exposition of Philippians 4:11

"I have learned, in whatsoever state I am in, therewith to be content." Philippians 4:11

"Highlights" from Chapter 3...

"This word, "I have learned," is a word that imports difficulty; it shows how hardly the apostle came by contentment of mind; it was not bred in nature...It is an easy thing to be wicked but matters of religion must be learned."

"Good things are hard to come by."

"There are two pregnant reasons why there must be so much study and exercitation: 1. Because spiritual things are against our nature. 2. Because spiritual things are above our nature."

(In this section, Watson goes on to describe individually why faith, self-denial, self-examination, and self-reformation are all against our nature...he concluded with...)

"We must implore the Spirit to teacheth! Is.48:17"

"Highlights from Chapter 4...

"The main proposition I shall insist upon, is this, that a gracious spirit is a contented spirit. The doctrine of contentment is very superlative, and till we have learned this, we have not learned to be Christians."

"Contentment is a hard lesson. If our first parents clothed with innocency had not learned to be content, O how hard shall we find it, who are full of corruption!"

"To bid a natural man to live by faith, and when things go cross, be contented, you bid him do what he hath no skill in."

"To live contented upon God in the deficiency of outward comforts, is an art which "flesh and blood hath not learned;" nay, many of God's own children, who excel in other duties of religion, when they come to contentment, how they do bungle. They have scarce become masters of this art."

"Highlights" from Chapter 5...

"1. We must be sensible of our condition and humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God."

"2. We must pray. When any burden is upon the spirit, prayer gives vent, and it easeth the heart. "Hannah, having prayed, and wept, she went away, and was sad no more." "

"The difference between a holy complaint and a discontented complaint; in one we complain to God, in the other we complain of God."

"3. We must forego: ~ vexatious repining (murmuring) ~ uneven discomposure (being easily agitated, defeated, and confused) ~ childish despondency (uninformed depression)

The Art of Divine Contentment - Part 1

The Art of Divine Contentment: An Exposition of Philippians 4:11

"I have learned, in whatsoever state I am in, therewith to be content." Philippians 4:11

A quote from the FOREWORD by C.H.Spurgeon: "Although Thomas Watson issued several most valuable books, comparatively little is known of him - even the dates of his birth and death are unknown. His writings are his best memorial; perhaps he needed no other, and therefore providence forbade the superfluity."

"Highlights" from Chapter 1 An Introduction to the Text...

"Care when it is eccentric, either distrustful or distracting, is very dishonourable to God"

(The meaning behind some of these words seem to change over time, so using my Webster's 1828 dictionary, I translated the above quote to...)

Discontentment, which is deviation from divine law, comes either from not trusting in God or because of distractions away from heavenly things; both dishonor God.

"Highlights" from Chapter 2 The First Branch of the Text...

"I have learned"

"not "I have heard" thus..."

"It is not enough for Christians to hear their duty but they must learn their duty."

"Christians hear much, but it is feared, learn little."

"How can you say you have 'learned' what sin is, if you have not learned to leave sin! You have not learned - you have heard. Will you have learned what a viper is, yet still play with it?"

"A man may know much of Christ - so did the devils."
"A man may preach Christ - so did Judas."
"A man may profess Christ - there are many professors that Christ will not profess (Matt.7:22-23)

"To learn Christ is to believe in Him."
"To learn Christ is to love Christ."
"To learn Christ is to be made like Christ."

21 Posts To Go!

Well, I have posted 79 times since I started this blog in April! That means there is 21 more to go before my BIG 100th BLOG GIVEAWAY!!! I've never done a giveaway, so this will be my first and I am very excited about it!!! It's going to be a very special 'edification' gift!!! So, I hope you'll stay tuned and be looking forward to it.

In the meantime, I would like to do something new on my blog...

I'm calling it a: "Book Highlight".

What I would like to do is share some of my favorite books with you by giving you the "highlights" of each chapter! For those of you who are not "readers" you will really enjoy these little snippets of edification. And for those of you who are avid readers, hopefully it will inspire you to read the whole book!

The first book I would like to "highlight" is: The Art of Divine Contentment by Thomas Watson. This is the most powerful book I've ever read on the fruit of contentment and I know it will be of the utmost encouragement to you. I pray you'll be faithful to follow along and reap the fruits of this labor for the glory of God.

Happy Anniversary!

This past Friday, Jamey & I celebrated our 16th Wedding Anniversary!

For those of you who know us well, you know the INCREDIBLE testimony God has so graciously given us over the years...and today, we want to give Him all the honor, praise, and glory!

Thank you Father for your patient loving kindness towards two depraved sinners such as us! We love you and praise your Holy Name! Thank you for never leaving nor forsaking us. Thank you for 16 wonderful years of guidance and protection. Words cannot express our eternal gratitude for all Your grace and mercy. We look forward to spending all eternity worshipping You in the splendor of holiness! Thank you Lord, we love you!

A Cherished Memory...

(Yes, that's mud on my arm... We were mud-boggin!

It's good to laugh and play and act like kids every now and then :)

A song for my hubby...

You're Still The One

Shania Twain

(when I first saw you, I saw love.

and the first time you touched me, I felt love.

and after all this time, you’re still the one I love.)

Looks like we made it

Look how far we’ve come my baby

We mighta took the long way

We knew we’d get there someday

They said, ’i bet they’ll never make it’

But just look at us holding on

We’re still together still going strong

You’re still the one I run to

The one that I belong to

You’re still the one I want for life

You’re still the one that I love

The only one I dream of

You’re still the one I kiss good night

Ain’t nothin’ better

We beat the odds together

I’m glad we didn’t listen

Look at what we would be missin’

I’m so glad we made it

Look how far we’ve come my baby

I love you Jamey and I'm very thankful for the 16 years we've shared together. I pray there be MANY more to come.

Treasure, Rejoice, and Delight

Psalm 119:11-16

11. Your word I have treasured in my heart,
That I may not sin against You.

12. Blessed are You, O LORD;
Teach me Your statutes.

13. With my lips I have told of
All the ordinances of Your mouth.

14. I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies,
As much as in all riches.

15. I will meditate on Your precepts
And regard Your ways.

16. I shall delight in Your statutes;
I shall not forget Your word.

God is glorified not only by His glories being seen, but by its being rejoiced in. When those that see it delight in it, God is more glorified than if they only see it. ~ John Piper