Monday, October 18, 2010

Rules of Contentment...

 
*  Allow ourselves to complain of nothing, not even the weather.  
-Do everything without complaining or arguing,  Phil. 2:14
-And do not grumble, as some of them did--and were killed by the destroying angel.  I Cor. 10:10

*  Never picture ourselves in any circumstances in which we are not.  
-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.  Phil. 4:11-13

*  Never compare our lot with that of another.
-We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.  II Cor. 10:12
-Better is one day in your courts  than a thousand elsewhere;  I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.  For the Lord God is a sun and shield;  the Lord bestows favor and honor;  no good thing does he withhold  from those whose walk is blameless.  Ps. 84:10-11

*Never allow ourselves to wish that this or that had been otherwise.
-And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.  Rom. 8:28

*Never dwell on the morrow; remember that is God's and not ours.
-“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?  “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.  Matt. 6:25-34

-Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Phil. 4:6-7

BY: E.B. Pusey

5 comments:

Donnetta said...

Thank you for this!

I can't think of a much better reminder, challenge, or encouragement heading into the Monday of a new week.

Barbara H. said...

Thanks for joining in today!

Those do look like good rules for contentment -- a little hard to follow in some cases!

Lisa notes... said...

Just what I needed this morning! Lately I’ve been working again on contentment and rereading notes from Jeremiah Burrough’s book “Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment”. Your quotes here from E. B. Pusey and from the Word are excellent. Thanks for sharing.

bekahcubed said...

What a good reminder--with excellent Scriptures to support each point.

Janet said...

Ditto what everyone else said... AND that photo is awesome! :-)