Dear Ones,
Hope you have a contented day. Al will be going to preach next door at Assisted Living and when he is done we are going to the lake to do more celebrating of his birthday. Ann has invited my sister and brother and their spouses as well. Fun!
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Would you say that you are content and at peace, or are you seeking more thinking that then you will feel satisfied? I like what Joyce Meyers says about contentment: “Contentment is resting in God’s peace and provision right where we are, while trusting Him for what’s next.” Paul is a wonderful example of someone who knew what it was to be hungry, shipwrecked, cold, uncomfortable with his feet in stocks, and yet he says in Phil. 4:11-12, “I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, whatever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.” He goes on to say that God will take care of everything we need, not necessarily all our wants, for often we find out that some of our wants are not good for us and lead us down the wrong road away from the Lord.

We will have wonderful peace and joy when we rest in God’s provision for us. Early in our marriage, we knew what it is like to live frugally from a paycheck of a part-time salary, and yet we were happy and confident the Lord would provide…and He always did. I look back on those days as faith building and joyful, for our dependency was fully on Him. Even now, as I walk the hall to our apartment, I thank the Lord for His provision for us, as it is exactly what we need. Yes, there are larger and more elegant apartments, but we have what meets our needs and friends around us from all walks of life.

The Lord wants each of us to enjoy our lives right now, and it doesn’t mean things won’t change in the future, as it did for us. But I have to say, we were just as happy in the days when we had little and had to trust much as we are now. Our hope and sufficiency is in the Lord, not in what we think would be perfect circumstances.

Challenge for today: Spend some time thanking the Lord for where He has you right now and express gratitude.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy