The Importance of Contentment

The other day I was listening to HOPE 90.5 FM who broadcasts pastors from all over the country and their teachings. Skip Heitzig was speaking on the message of contentment and how so many of us, particularly in the United States, lack it. To some this may seem like an insult, but I have to say, I think he's right.

In our society we're driven to consume things. We always want more. Maybe we'll be happier if we get that new car or maybe we'll have a good day if we head to the mall and shop till we drop. We have houses full of things and basements and garage stuffed to the rafters. The new thriving business is self-storage facilities that are popping up all over.

And believe me, I am not trying to lecture you. I am just as guilty. I have things from birthdays and Christmases past that I haven't even had a chance to "play" with or use. I've only managed to make it through 1 disk of 4 from the Taxi television DVD's that may parents gave me years ago. And books? They are piled high. It could years for me to get through them all. Honestly, I could not buy one more thing (besides food and essentials) and have enough things to entertain me for a very long time. In fact, I'd like nothing more than just the time to enjoy the things I already have.

Even the Bible speaks of contentment. Philippians 4:11-14 says: "Not that I was ever in need, for I learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty of little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength." This came from Paul, author of the book Phillippians with the intent of thanking the Phillippians for the gifts they had given him and to show them that true joy comes from Jesus.

We can still draw on this verse today for we really will only find contentment in a future with the Lord. Materialistic things mean nothing. They rot, get lost, and lose meaning to us. Often an impulse buy seems like fun at the time, but then later with then novelty wears of we find we don't even know where the item is. To tell you the truth, I couldn't tell you what I got for my 30th birthday which was almost 4 years ago, so you can see how unimportant "things" really are.

So why do we have such a drive to hoard so many things? It could be:

• We're trying to fill an emptiness within us.
• We're bored.
• Shopping is our hobby.
• We learned it from our parents.
• We have a serious shopping obsession that requires help.
• It was fun to shop while we were out with friends.
• We're trying to substitute our love for others by giving them things.

And I am sure the list could go on and on...

But what can we do about it? Try to:

• Attend church or other church-related activities more to make a strength connection with God.
• Read the Bible more.
• Spend more time with family, friends, and our fluffy furry pet friends.
• Find a new hobby.
• Exercise.
• Make list of all the blessings in your life and try focusing on them.
• Rather than buying gifts for the holidays or birthdays, plan a trip or an event and spend time with your loved ones.

True contentment takes a lot of practice and conscious effort, but it's worth it. It makes us a better person, helps to get our priorities straight by showing us that eternal life with Jesus is what really matters, and prevents us from buying, buying, and buying. Not only does it make us a better person, it helps keep our garbage dumps less crowded!

Be content!
Wishing you "Blessings from Above,"
Denise

Blessings Inspirations - Psalm 128:2

Wednesday - Blessing Inspirations - a look at Bible verses and quotes on the topic of Blessings.

I love what Psalm 128:2 in the National International Version (NIV) of the Bible says. It reads:

"You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours."
- The Bible (NIV version)

I believe that verse is saying to us that if we work hard at whatever we are doing we will be blessed in many ways and will really enjoy those blessings. As my previous Pastor, Pastor Russ, use to say, "Bloom where you are planted," meaning that we should work hard at whatever we are doing and do it well. As we can see the Bible says, in so many words or less, work hard and God will reward you.

I can see this reflected in my own life as I've worked hard at establishing a new home within the last few years, I've gone on to obtain a Master's degree in Writing, I've worked hard at establishing relationships at church and on my job, and I've taken on the role as a wife. After approaching these things with positiveness and determination (most of the time anyway!) God has blessed my with a wonderful part-time job at a local university that I've always wanted to work at, has given me the time to start on a new goal of freelance writing, has provided me with many new and wonderful friends, and has given me a really great marriage.

What things have God rewarded you with for all your labor? Do an inventory and I bet you will see a lot of things God has done for you.

Wishing you "Blessings from Above,"
Denise

A Schedule for my blog, "Blessings from Above"

As I delve deeper into this new world (it's new for me anyway) of blogging, I am learning quite a bit as I go along. I've read more blogs than I can remember and have been reading "Clear Blogging," by Bob Walsh which I'd highly recommend if you are new to blogging (and even if you are experienced!)

Much of what I've read and seen says it's important to set up a schedule for everyday of the week rather than just posting things at random. So here goes....this is what you'll now find on Blessings from Above:

Monday - Dee's Blessings - people who know me well call me Dee and you can too. Here you'll find the many blessings in my life in hopes of inspiring you to recognize these things, and others, in your own life.

Tuesday - Blessing Others - suggestions how you can be a blessing to others.

Wednesday - Blessing Inspirations - Insightful quotes, Bible verses, and poems on the topic of Blessings.

Thursday - Blessing Experts - here's where I will share with you what Christian leaders, authors, musicians, and speakers, have to say on blessings. My post about Joel Osteen would fall under this category.

Friday - Biblical Blessings - This will focus on blessings found throughout the Bible and how they can apply to our lives today.

Saturday and Sunday - A breather from the week with an occasional posting - anything goes on the weekend!

Enjoy!
Wishing you "Blessings from Above,"
Denise

Deuteronomey 28:1-14

The Bible mentions "blessings" repeatedly. I love Deuteronomey 28:1-14 - I think it in itself is a blessing! Enjoy the verse below.

Deuteronomy 28:1-14
1 If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. 2 All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God: 3 You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country. 4 The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock--the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks. 5 Your basket and your kneading trough will be blessed. 6 You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out. 7 The Lord will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven. 8 The Lord will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The Lord your God will bless you in the land he is giving you. 9 The Lord will establish you as his holy people, as he promised you on oath, if you keep the commands of the Lord your God and walk in his ways. 10 Then all the peoples on earth will see that you are called by the name of the Lord, and they will fear you. 11 The Lord will grant you abundant prosperity--in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your ground--in the land he swore to your forefathers to give you. 12 The Lord will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. 13 The Lord will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the Lord your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom. 14 Do not turn aside from any of the commands I give you today, to the right or to the left, following other gods and serving them.

Bibles

There are six Bibles in my house and only two people live here. Think how fortunate we are to have one Bible, let alone six. People in other countries are often persecuted if found with God's Word. Add to that the fact that I can read it because of a good education and have the willingness to accept what it says, you can see how lucky I am.

Although I've yet to read the Bible from cover-to-cover yet, I plan on it. For now, I read it in bits and pieces, grateful for it's words. A verse that I came upon recently is a favorite: "The Lord bless you all the days of your life." Psalm 128.5 I truly wish that for you and your family (and mine too!)

Wishing you "Blessings from Above,"
Denise