Contentment in Little or Much

 

Greetings today sisters! 

Hope you're standing strong in the Lord in this wicked world. What a blessing we have to be able to have a sure foundation in Christ. So much deception and greed and self-seeking and pride and all types of sins all around us. But we sisters who have been transformed by the gospel of Jesus Christ can stand washed by His blood and strive to live holy and pure in the midst of it all can't we. We can be content with the simplicity in Christ, the freedom we have from so much bondage to sin and the snares of the world and what they value and seek after. 

Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

Philippians 2:14-15

So I was thinking of how we want to be careful with the gifts and blessings the Lord gives to us. I thought of this scripture and then was pondering it all. 

When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.

John 6:12

Thinking how Jesus had them gather up everything that was left from the miracle He did to feed them. We sisters too should be careful and frugal with the blessings the Lord bestows upon us. As Titus 2 keepers at home this does apply to us in that we want to be using wisdom in what we do with what we have been given; food, money, time etc. We don't want to waste or throw away good foods or other things the Lord has blessed us with. And I'm not meaning that makes us not generous towards others, no, but just to value and give God the glory for the blessings He bestows upon us and not be unthankful or misuse them. 

A few more scriptures to encourage us on similar things...

He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.

Proverbs 18:9

He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.

Luke 16:10

The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.

Proverbs 12:27

I love thinking about that. And we sisters treasure what the Lord blesses us with...little or much. 

If we have much we know it's extra blessings the Lord has given and He can take it away. 

And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.

Job 1:21

If we have little let us be content also knowing life is more than food and clothing...let alone everything else we usually have. 

The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.

Luke 12:23

Neither do we want to be unthankful or covetous seeking more than we really need. 

And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

Luke 12:15

Maybe there are some women who think they have to make a fancy home for their husbands and children. It may be more of what they want rather than their husbands but if a woman is a godly woman with her affections set on things above and knowing the truth about this life, knowing the Word, then she will be content with whatever and careful with how she uses the blessings the Lord has given her. Perhaps the Proverbs 31 woman is a good example of one such woman looking after the needs of a household but we don't see her getting swept away in useless things but she is about food and clothing and caring for the needy. 

We know the example of the children of Israel complaining about the manna they had to eat for a long time. And what God thought of that. We have so much more today don't we. And even if we had bread and water we would be grateful! A sister said it well today... 

Our life is so much more than food isn't it sisters. We have an eternal soul! 

Let's never think we deserve more than simple necessities. Well we don't deserve anything do we but death for our sins but instead we are offered eternal life with the Father if we come through His Son! 

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

1 Timothy 6:6-8

We have been told to be content with food and clothing sisters. And then we can think about the many things we may have on top of that...a bed, blankets, house, technology, cars, washing machines, ovens, running water, sewing machines etc. All good and useful things but we need to be thankful and prepared to do without such things. And it's good to keep reminding ourselves of the blessings we do have. The Lord gives us good gifts and blessings and we give Him the thanks and glory for them all! We ought to! 

We can get some encouragement from what apostle Paul went through... 

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 

I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Philippians 4:11-13

Obviously it's our soul that is eternal so we would be wise to make sure we are in the truth and obeying the gospel at all times. 

And another area is that so many are looking out for others physical needs but not caring for the people's souls. We see people reaching out to the homeless and the hungry. We see people trying to save babies lives or save lives from sickness and dangers. These are good things of course but the gospel for their souls is most important. We don't want to forget that. 

So I think that is about it from me. But basically what I'm trying to encourage us sisters is to value and be faithful in the basic necessities. One day we may have much taken away and will our joy go with those things or will we continue on in thankfulness to the Lord for all He has done for us? The world attaches their joy and happiness to what they can do and get here. But we know this life is only temporary and we are to be laying up treasures in heaven and our heart will be there. What a blessing to live for eternal things and not for that which fades away amen sisters. 

Pretty clouds this afternoon... 

I love this picture...a fruitful pine tree and a fruitful fig tree. 

And we want to be fruitful in good works unto the Lord don't we sisters! 

For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Colossians 1:9-10

OK sisters time for me to go! Hope your day goes well in the Lord and that you are striving on in Him. So much in this life doesn't matter to us anymore as long as we are set on things above and we are making sure we are loving the Lord with all that we are. There's so much to that command and I was pondering it this morning. We can't let any of the cares of this life overshadow our love and service to the Lord. 

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Hebrews 13:5-6

Love to you in Christ, 

Sister Michaela 

Find the gospel explained here. 

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More Than Food and Raiment

Greetings sisters who love the Lord!

"Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love."

John 15:8-10

How are your Titus 2 and Proverbs 31 duties going these days? It's encouraging to know there are some godly women out there content with their roles the Lord made them for and diligently fill them and go about their work. 

I thought you might like this pic of a week of meals for tea that I made this last week. It's such a blessing that we can have such good food...and have fresh produce from the garden and fresh milk and eggs. And I just get to put it all together and serve it to others. 

And I was doing these potatoes tonight and thinking how it's such a simple thing and a simple food. Yet they are delicious and a blessing from God not to take for granted. 

And most all of us sisters would have good access to clothing too so we should be more than content.

"And having food and raiment let us be therewith content." 

1 Timothy 6:8 

I have a lot to do with food and raiment in my life. I cook and harvest food and I do some sewing of raiment. We have an abundance of clothing really in most of these countries even if it requires some patient hunting to find biblical clothing, it still is easy to find today to clothe our temples as we ought. 

And we don't so much face this....but we might. 

"If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

James 2:15-17

Then we could be like Dorcas who sewed for others. 

"Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. 

And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. 

And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them. 

Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. 

But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. 

And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive. 

And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord."

Acts 9:36-42 

That's amazing....the dead being raised by the power of Jesus Christ! And that must have been a sad occasion for the poor and the widows when she died. It seems like she was certainly a good worker and a very kind woman...well it says she was "full of good works and alms deeds". Certainly sounds like a good example for us sisters to look to! 

It seems she sure would have fit this category...which describes a godly woman's work (for being supported as a widow). 

"Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work." 

1 Timothy 5:10

Of course she died again and is with the Father and we shall all be together one day if we all endure...and get eternal life! 

"Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection." 

Luke 20:36 

But so we are to be content with food and clothing. Think of all the things above and beyond those two things that we have in our physical lives. So many things...too many to list; things like heaters and coolers and houses and blankets and shoes and cars and phones and running water and hair brushes:-) and sewing machines and on and on, not to mention the great variety of foods and things. So we have an abundance of blessings and we have much to be thankful for for sure!

I hope none of us grumble about anything. There's plenty of grumblers and unthankful people in the world...let it not be among us sisters. 

"Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 

And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 

And did all eat the same spiritual meat; 

And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. 

But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. 

Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. 

Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. 

Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. 

Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. 

Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. 

Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. 

Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall."

1 Corinthians 10:1-12

Amen and praise God for giving us plenty of examples and warnings in His Word. 

Let us sisters be content and so thankful. Of course most of all we can be thankful for the gospel, new life in the Spirit, and the hope we can have of eternal life to come! 

(Thank you sister for the these pics of God's creation:-) 

"Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance."

Psalm 89:15 

Well sisters I hope you have a fruitful and joyous day going about the things you all do as godly women. 

"Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen." 

Ephesians 3:20-21

Love, blessings, and peace

....in Christ our Lord... 

...from a servant of His

You can find the biblical gospel here. 

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Learning More Thankfulness

 

Good day sisters!

I pray you are striving on joyous in the Lord looking to things above. 

"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 

For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 

When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory."

Colossians 3:1-4

I have a simple post today with a few simple thoughts and scripture pictures. I'm battling a cold so I got in a lot of rest and such today...so not much Titus 2 things to share. 

But speaking of which I am so blessed. A sister in the Lord called me and read me many scriptures. Even though I couldn't talk to her because of my sickness she still talked to me and read the Word. Precious are the saints of God who love the Lord and love each other. And one of the scriptures she read was Titus 2.

She did what she could to relieve the afflicted...even if she's on the other side of the world.

 

"Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work."

1 Timothy 5:10

Thank you kind sister:-)

In the absence of cold fruit juice, I found this in the fridge and it helped soothe my throat. 

And one of my family bought me an elaborate lunch; lentil curry, fried egg, mushroom, and turkey bacon:-) I eagerly devoured it and was thankful. Praise God for good food!

All these sicknesses and trials that anyone faces do make us more thankful for when we don't have them. Of course we know we might never be free from them until eternity...but I try to learn thankfulness out of the ones I have which aren't bad really compared to some things that could and do happen.

There are many many things to learn from these things. Like being thankful for a good appetite and being able to keep food where it belongs (and not like when I had a stomach sickness the other week). We take many of these things forgranted daily. Or like waiting and waiting for someone who was supposed to bring you your main meal of the day and it never came and you weren't in a position to find much else to eat....well then you are much, much more thankful for a good meal and food when you can. And with a cold there's much to learn...just the fact that you don't normally have to suffer it and all the issues that can come. 

I know I'm blessed normally with a good life with food and raiment and a good place to shelter and to sleep and good health and strength and much more. And I am thankful...but I always look to learn more. The Lord has richly blessed us indeed.

And I was thinking of this account today. 

"And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. 

And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? 

Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. 

I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. 

As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."

John 9:1-5

Imagine being that man blind from birth who was that way for this time for God's glory in healing him! 

And I like this too...

"But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. 

For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. 

For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's. 

But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel. 

Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me. 

But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly. 

Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. 

For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick. 

For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 

I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful. 

Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation: 

Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me."

Philippians 2:19-30

Good examples for us of the early saints.

And thank you sister for these gifts.... 

The sister added scriptures to screenshots of a video I sent her in the pics below. May the Word of God bless you in all of these and His creation in different forms. 

For those obedient holy saints we can look forward to this when we overcome until the end.

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes;

and there shall be no more death, 

neither sorrow, 

nor crying,

neither shall there be any more pain: 

for the former things are passed away."

Revelation 21:4

Amen! 

Well until tomorrow Lord willing... 

Love in Christ, 

...from one of God's daughters

You can find the biblical gospel here. It's very important for us all. 

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Be Ye Thankful

"And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful."

(Colossians 3:14-15)

Today I wanted to share some encouragement in thankfulness. I was thinking about this as someone mentioned something incorrect about it in my life and so I was thinking about being thankful and the part it is to have in a true saint's life...in our case a godly woman's meek and quiet life. 

So I got to thinking and here are some things I am thankful for. There are thousands and even millions of tiny little things you could think of perhaps but these are the most important in my life. 

I thank God for... 

• His Word and truth
• For sending His Son and for the gospel
• For sending the Spirit
• For the hope of salvation and the joy of heaven
• For being set free from sin 
• For godly saints I know
• For His Creation
• For health and strength to work
• Technology to communicate with and encourage the saints and reach the lost (email and blog)
• For food and raiment

Those are just a few and the main ones I can think of right now. But there are many more, I know. And I'm sure you each can thing of more in your own life. We are each in different circumstances, but I want to cultivate a thankful heart in whatever that is for me. We are blessed; most of all because we are new creations in Him and we can have the hope of salvation to come if we endure! Praise God for that...unworthy though we be. 

I hope these verses edify and encourage you in thankfulness to God our Creator. There are so many verses on thankfulness but I share these ones.

"But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you."
(Romans 6:17)

But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

(1 Corinthians 15:57)

"Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place."

(2 Corinthians 2:14)

"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."

(Philippians 4:6)

"By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name."

(Hebrews 13:15)

"Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.

Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations."
(Psalm 100)

And I leave you with this one...to look forward to in the future. There's lots of praise and thankfulness in heaven. Strive on to the very end, sisters!

"After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;

And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.

And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,

Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.

And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?

And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.

They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.

For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."

(Revelation 7:9-17)

Isn't that an awesome promise to look forward to?! 

Another lovely sunset. I was thinking about thankfulness of the beauty all around me. It was just God and me surrounded by His Creation. Yes we might have to live this Christian life on our own on our little patch of earth if no one else around us wants to follow and obey Christ completely...but God is with His saints in Spirit. That's comforting...He is the Comforter.

"If ye love me, keep my commandments.

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you."

(John 14:15-17)

Love to you in Christ,

...from a daughter of God

See the good news to eternal life here. 

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