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  1 Peter 2:9 tells us that we are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.  What this all means is that we did not choose God, but have been “chosen out and carefully selected” by Him as His kindred and offspring (chosen generation).  As His selected, we are also called a royal priesthood, meaning we are now of a kingly nature and ancestry dedicated and set apart for service and worship, devoted exclusively to the Lord.  We are an innocent, chaste, perfect race set apart for the work of God (holy nation).  As a peculiar people, we are distinct and separate, different from the usual or normal, presenting a clear unmistakable impression.  Very simply, we should be leaving the impression of God on others wherever we go.  As a separate people, we have been severed (divided) from this world and others should be able to distinguish us and notice a difference in us from those who are not saved.  We were made in such a way that we would be able to show how HE called us from the darkness into His light and how He forever changed our lives.  When we live like a royal priesthood and the peculiar people that we are, we show the world that we have found mercy in the sight of God.

Have you ever known someone who lived a terrible, wicked life who was born again and became a completely different person?  When you see them, it’s so hard to believe what you are witnessing!  A changed life!  A new creation!  Someone living and walking in a totally different direction! 

On the other hand, maybe you’ve known someone who has made a “profession” but they remain the same old person as before.  You are so excited for them when you hear about their salvation, but, sadly, you never see evidence of it.

Consider this interesting comparison.  What if you went to the beautician for a new hairstyle only to come home looing the same!  Everyone would look at you rather strangely when you told them you had just come from getting a new do.  Why would they want to waste their time and money going to a place like that?  In much the same way, if we proclaim to be saved but live pretty much the same lifestyle as before, what would everyone think?  Just as no one would want to visit the same hairdresser that you had gone to, what lost person would want to follow the God that you say you are now following & serving if your life has not changed or seems no different from theirs?   

However, come into church with a new hairstyle and everybody wants to know where you went to get it!  The next day, the phones are ringing off the hook at the hairdressers because there is clearly a difference in what your hair looked like before and when you came out of the place!  No matter how much they might have to pay, they are willing to sacrifice it all to get a new do.  In much the same way, you can have a marvelous influence on others when they see the difference that a relationship with God through Christ Jesus can make.

Continuing on, we find that 1 Peter 2:11 takes things further when we’re told how much different we really are than others around us.  It says that we are strangers in this world!  What this means is that we are resident foreigners, strangers dwelling in a foreign country.  While there is no denying that we live here on this earth, it is equally true that we are only temporary residents and we do not belong here!  Our allegiance, obligation, fidelity, faithfulness is not to this world!  Allegiance is the obligation of an alien to the government under which the alien resides.  As foreigners of this world, our duty and responsibility is to the government our true home:  Heaven.   

And though we are told by Christ to render unto Caesar those things which belong to Caesar, we are also exhorted to render unto God those things which belong to God.  Namely, our hearts, souls, strength, and might; our love and service; and a desire to take up residence in our Eternal Home.

In 1 Corinthians 3, Paul had to admonish the believers there because they were carnal and walking as men.  He was telling them that they were succumbing to bodily pleasures and appetites, devoted to this world and its pursuits rather than the Lord.  Instead of minding eternal things, they were focused on that which was temporal and pertained to the flesh.  Temporal has the meaning of relating to time as opposed to eternity. 

I do wonder what Brother Paul would think of Christians today!  Whether or not these Christians ever knew the reality of 1 Peter 2:11, I do not know.  But what I do know, what we should all know and live by, is that this world is only temporary!  The things of this world will soon pass away and there is so much that we concern ourselves with that won’t even matter! 

Jesus told us in Matthew 6:19 & 20 that we should lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal.  Instead, we are to lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.  What He was basically telling us is that the things of this earth will not last.  Sooner or later, they’ll all be gone.  All of the time and effort we have put into stock piling things on earth will pretty much be wasted. 

One interesting thing I noticed when I was looking to see what the word lay means is that it has the idea of applying oneself vigorously.  The example the dictionary used had a lot to do with really applying yourself to something and putting a lot of effort into it.  I think that this is what Jesus was talking about!  He did not want us to put so much effort into something that isn’t going to amount to a hill of beans when it’s all over!  And as we learned above, it will all be over one day because we will be leaving for our forever home!

The most telling thing Jesus had to say in this passage was the fact that where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.  I believe He was telling us that even though we live on this earth, our hearts can be in Heaven.  It just depends on what our thoughts, feelings, and mind (your heart) are focused on.  Treasures are things stored up or hoarded for oneself.  If this is the case, I guess we all know who our thoughts were on when we were filling our lives with meaningless things.  What a let down to get to Heaven only to realize that all the things we laid by to keep for ourselves was all in vain.

There is so much that we set our hearts on, so much that we concentrate our efforts on, and that doesn’t even matter.  One example I can specifically think of happens almost every Sunday morning at our house.  Without fail, one daughter or another will change clothes five times.  At 9:00 a.m., when I am checking to make sure everyone is on track to leave on time, I’m sure to find someone (sometimes myself) in tears of frustration or fuming because they cannot find anything to wear.  When I suggest a particular outfit, what I usually here is, “But I wore that last Sunday!”  My usual reply is something along the lines of, “When we all get to Heaven, nobody will remember that you wore the same outfit two Sundays in a row!”  Of course, that doesn’t always help matters any and most times I’m ignored because to the girls is does matter.  My point to them is that no one really notices those things we think are so important, carnal things generated in our flesh.

What, then, you may ask, are the things that will matter?  We'll cover that next time! 

Until then!

Julia

© 2007 Julia Faulkner

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1 Corinthians 2:16 . . . we have the mind of Christ.

First impressions are often the ones we remember and that makes it difficult for us to think of someone as anything other than what that first impression left in our minds.  It’s easy to make a first impression, good, bad, or otherwise, but quite difficult to shake it off. 

A few weeks ago my husband took me out to eat supper on a Saturday night.  While he was parking the van, I went into the restaurant to get a table for us.  Sitting there in the waiting area for Randall to come in, I noticed a young woman (probably in her 20’s) across from me with what I assumed was her boyfriend.  What caught my eye at first were her shoes:  strappy, three-inch high heels made of some sort of glittery material.  The shoes caused my eye to move upward where I encountered tanned legs that ended at the bottom of very short shorts.  The blouse she had chosen, though it had three-quarter length sleeves, left a lot to be desired in other areas.  Thankfully her dark hair was long enough to cover most of it up, though enough was still exposed to let you know that she was probably pretty proud of what she had and didn’t mind showing it off.  I was just glad we didn’t have our boys with us that night, though I didn’t particularly want my husband to see it either. 

As we sat there waiting for our table, a couple of thoughts crossed my mind.  First, I wondered what the guy with her thought of how she had put herself together.  Did he like it?  Did he think she was (excuse the term) hot?  But, even if he did, did he mind “sharing” his woman with every other man in public?  I’m sure that what she had on caused all sorts of thoughts to run their course through his mind, but did he realize that those same thoughts ran rampant through the minds of other men as well? 

What I wondered most, though, was whether or not this young woman thought that her provocative clothing is what being a woman is all about.  What had been her influence in deciding on how she would present herself that day?  I believe that she wanted to be remembered for what others saw in her appearance and she had allowed the world (television, movies, and magazines) to influence her.  No matter what it was, obviously her intentions were to draw attention to herself.  I believe that she probably thought she was quite beautiful with her revealing outfit, long silky hair, and tanned skin.  While there is nothing wrong with beauty, what I witnessed that night is that this world has a twisted idea of what makes a beautiful woman.   

Maybe if I had taken the time to speak to that young woman, I would have found that she was intelligent and well-spoken.  The impression I received, however, was far from that.   

As I sat there further contemplating the whole situation, God brought to my mind a startling thought:  many Christian women suffer the same plight as the young woman in the restaurant.  They want to be noticed and remembered for something.  They also seek to make an impression.  Most women, Christian or otherwise, often use their clothing, hair, nails, and shoes to bring attention to themselves..  In all honesty, what woman, no matter her age, size or figure doesn’t have a desire to be thought beautiful and attractive?  And what woman hasn’t at some point in her life enjoyed being the center of attention? 

 But here is my concern:  who or what is influencing Christian women in their daily conversation?  What is the intention of the Christian as they live each day on this earth?  What is it that YOU, Christian woman, will be remembered for?  What will the people who knew you in this life think of when you come to their minds?  Who shines and stands out more, YOU or JESUS?  Is your radiance from glowing skin and jewels or the glow of joy that comes from knowing and serving the Lord?  Do you consider anything other than the outward appearance when you’re putting yourself together?  Have you any care for the spiritual or is the world your standard for living?  A standard is something established by authority, custom, or general consent as a model or example.  In other words, is the world your guidance, your example to be imitated and your pattern on how to live in this world? 

It is so easy to be drawn into the world’s ways, especially considering all that the media throws at us today.  In fact, I believe that Christians have made television, movies, music, magazines, books and other worldly pursuits their authority and custom more so than the Bible.  And why not?  How much more time is spent with these things compared to God’s Word?  Too many of us are probably in denial about the influence these all have over us.  I’m not saying that there is anything wrong with reading a magazine or book; watching a movie or a television program; or having hobbies or interests.  What I’m talking about today is the influence exerted over us and how much of it is taken to heart at the exclusion of God.

The danger is that the world and its devises, of course, aren’t concerned with godliness, but instead are consumed by the temporal:  fame, recognition, success, and to be the most whatever (beautiful, sexy, etc.).  Unfortunately, we have allowed ourselves to be drawn into this trap.  We’ve got to have perfect hair, nails and make-up.  If we’re not skinny, we’re not good enough.  We’ve got to have the latest fashions and look just like everyone else.  We’re too embarrassed by what’s conservative and modest because it is often considered “old fashioned”.

I’m not so sure that we even know who we are any more because we are so often drawn into the world’s ways.  What is unfortunate, however, is that the world doesn’t see Christians as different any more.  Many lost people have no need any more to be born again because they do not see Christians living lives much different from their own.  How very unfortunate this is because God has placed Christians in a very unique position.  

Next time I'll talk to you about who you really are and let you decide if you're making the right impression on people.

In Christ,

Julia

© 2007 Julia Faulkner

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Are there smells that are a comfort to you?  Or maybe these fragrances bring fond memories of times past.  I was reminded of this recently while at one of the 4-H camps with my children.  The camp is filled with huge pine trees, and as you would probably guess, the ground was littered with pine straw.  On this particular day, it was quite warm out.  As the sun beat down upon the piles of straw, there was the pungent aroma of the pine needles surrounding me.    The straw must absorb a lot of heat from the sun, because I could feel warmth mingling with the scent.

The smell of warm pine straw brings different memories to me.  One of the most special is when we lived in Orlando when I was a girl.  My family would go to this wonderful state park for picnics.  It always seemed like it took forever to get there, but it was well worth the drive.  There is nothing like the scenery, flora, and fauna of southern Florida.

I was also reminded of the times that we would visit Stone Mountain park in Georgia when I was a teenager.  Those were some great times, especially when out-of-town friends or near-by relatives would join us.

Yes, it was a sweetsmelling savour indeed.

Smelling that sweet smell reminded me of other smells that evoke fond thoughts and memories.  For instance, my grandmother's irises.  Though I was very young when she sold her farm after grandpa died, I remember visiting her house in the spring and seeing a yard full of purple iris.  When she died many years later, her irises were the first thing I thought of.

The man who bought my grandpa's farm also bought up all the farms around it and tore down all of the houses and barns.  Back in the 90's, my mom, one of her sisters, and one of her brothers were able to get back to the property.  While they were there they dug up the irises that were still growing and mom brought some home with her.  A few years ago she gave me some for my yard and every year I look forward to the time when the iris will bloom.  I can see them from my kitchen window and at the sign of the first bloom, I'm out the door to catch a whiff of the sweet, if not unique, smell of grandma's iris.

It's really a bittersweet sort of thing.  I know that once the flowers have bloomed and faded away, there will be no more until the next spring.  But for a few moments every time I smell the iris, I am transported back to my childhood and the few memories I have of the farm.  I remember eating beans and taters for lunch one time, as well as gathering eggs from the hen house.  I remember the time the rooster got after my brother and pecked his rear!  I also remember the time when my grandfather was very sick with cancer and died.  Then there are all of the memories of grandma in the 20 or so years after grandpa died.  When we lived away in Orlando, she would come to stay with us from Thanksgiving until Christmas.  When we would visit for the summer, we always stayed in her trailer. 

So, so many things to think about when I smell the iris.  Yes, a sweetsmelling savour, indeed.

Something else that conjures up pleasant thoughts is cantaloupe.  My dad's mom loved it and it seemed that everytime we visited her house at meal time, she was cutting one.

Maw-maw was one interesting lady and I've learned things about her the last few summers that really surprise me.  Okay, well, not really.  I'm just reminded of what a fiesty woman she was!  Sassy and saucy describes her perfectly!  Her cheeks were always pink, her hair always white as snow, and she absolutely loved to dress up!  I have several of her hats from the 50's, as well as some costume jewelry.  She was a beautiful woman.

Some of the things I am reminded of are family cookouts to a place called The Laurels.  It was a very shaded park with a good sized creek wondering through.  It was always such a wonderful time to spend with aunts, uncles, cousins, and our grandparents, especially out-of-town family or during times when we lived away.

Christmas was always a grand time!  We'd gather together for a big meal on Christmas Eve, then all of the kids would wait patiently (NOT!) for gift-giving time.  With such a huge family and a limited budget, she never could afford to do much for us.  But there was always something for each grandchild.  Most often she would make things for us.  One of the best things for me were all of the babydoll accessories like blankets and pillows.  There were also pajama bags, frogs stuffed with birdseed, and snakes made from old ties.

When I cut a cantaloupe, there is a sweetsmelling savour, indeed.  Sometimes bittersweet, but always sweet.

Experiencing the wonderful smell of warm pine straw not only reminded me of all the other significant smells in my life, but it caused me to remember that we are constantly sending up odours to the Lord.  Though we can send up a stench to the Lord (Lev. 26:31), today I want to talk about those swell smells we send up.

Those sweet smells come to Him in the form of our love and sacrifice.

But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.

Philippians 4:18

Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

Ephesians 5:1 & 2

Jesus loved us and sacrificed His own life.  The believers in Philippi sacrificed in order to provide for the man of God.  In doing so, they were expressing their love for God and the preacher.  Both of these sacrifices were acceptable, wellpleasing, and sweetsmelling to God.

I think when I smell all those things that bring back such wonderful memories for me, what I remember most is the love and sacrifices of my parents and my grandparents.  There might not have ever been much money, but there was always love.  That love was shown in the things my family did for me.  Materially, there wasn't much and you can't sacrifice what you don't have.  But they gave what was most important:  their time and devotion.  I don't think I missed much by not having material things from them, but what I did get is acceptable, wellpleasing, and sweetsmelling even to this day.

Does this make you wonder if you are leaving sweetsmells for your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or other people in your life?  Do you complain about the sacrifices you must make?  Do you give up what God is calling you to release with joy?  Do you back up our claims of love of God with your sacrifices and sweetsmells?  What odour is making its way to God from you?

John 12 and Mark 14 tells us of Mary's sacrifice of precious ointment.  It filled the room with an odour (sweetsmelling, I am certain).  What others saw as a waste, Jesus called a good work and said that her sacrifice would always be remembered.  What stands out to me is Jesus' comment that "she hath done what she could". 

When our life is over, I wonder what memorial we will leave behind.  Will people be able to say that we have done what we could?  What memories and thoughts will certain smells bring to mind in those lives we touched?  What sacrifices will we be remembered for?

One of the most comforting things I know is that God's not looking for perfection.  He just wants our love and sacrifice.  In these things, by imitating our Saviour, perfection will come. 

Say, what's that sweetsmell?

Julia

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Ask yourself these questions:

*What one thing do I think is of the most value to me?

**What is the one thing I think I cannot live without?

***What place does faith have in my life?

I was reading in 1 Peter one day when I came across a verse that talks about the trying of our faith being more precious than gold that perisheth.  It struck me then that my faith is a very important part of my life (or it should be!).  This is very evident in the very meaning of precious.  Strong's concordance lists it as both a comparative and a superlative word.  Thankfully my kids have been studying these terms in English!  :)  For those of you who haven't done this in a while, superlative simply means a comparison of three or more things.  Comparative is a comparison of only two things.  Good, better, best, for instance. 

Anyway, back to my point.  Precious, as I'm sure we all can deduce, means valuable.  It can also mean honored, esteemed, and beloved.  In the verse we are concentrating on today, we can conclude that the trying of our faith is worth more than gold.  When compared with gold, it is has more worth and value and is held higher regard.

Why?  What evidence is there that there is something in this world that is worth more than gold?  Men have died for gold, they have sailed across the ocean to a wild, untamed land in search of it. But God tells us that gold perishes.  In other words, it can be destroyed or come to ruin.  It's an earthly treasure that we can lose or a thief can steal (Matthew 6:19 &20).  When we die, we can't take it with us (Job 1:21; Psalm 49:16, 17).

The most amazing thing to me about this verse is that, though we are reminded that wordly treasures are corruptible, God also tells us that our faith, though it be tried (tested) by fire, becomes more precious and valuable.  James 1:3 says that the trying of our faith works patience in our lives.  This patience, in turn, perfects us and makes our faith entire (sound, pure, uncorrupt).

This, then, must be why our faith and the trying of it is so precious to us.  Though we are complete in Christ (Col. 2:10), we must always be growing and God must perfect us.  Our faith must become stronger and purer, and the only way that can be done is it is proved by God.  We realize that even if we loose everything we hold dear, everything we deem valuable in our lives, nobody can take our faith from us.  Our complete trust in God and our faithfulness to Him makes us more of who we are to be.

Where would we be without faith?  I believe that we would be mighty poor indeed!

More on faith in another entry!  :)

Julia

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Sunday morning I decided to weight myself.  See, I knew I had gained some weight over the last several weeks.  But, when I stepped on those scales and finally got up the courage to look at what I didn't really want to see, I was crushed!  That's all it too for me to fall on the bed weeping. Seriously. It wasn't a pretty sight at all! I'm glad God and my husband were the only one's to see my pathetic self!  (Thank the Lord I hadn't put my mascara on! LOL!)  Anyway, my husband came over and lovingly encouraged me to get ready for church, but I wailed that I couldn't because all of my clothes were too tight! No joke.  I really wailed. 

Later on I realized that there are so many other women in this world with far greater problems than mine.  I have to much to be thankful for, but my struggle with my weight has been a burden to me for so many years.  I knew that crying over this wasn't going to help me out.  God cares for me and He understands my struggles. So, I knew I had to take this to Him in prayer.

I just laid it on the line.  No use in beating around the bush when He knows exactly how I'm feeling anyway!  I was feeling fat, ugly, and unattractive.  So I told God so.  On the other hand, I was feeling pretty vain.  I didn't hold that back either.  I am so tired of this struggle.  I eat because I'm stressed out.  I stress out because I eat and am overweight.  It's like a vicious cycle.

Then I really started to question my motives for wanting to be thinner.  I didn't think I liked the answer I.  It wasn't what I wanted to hear from my little inside voice. 

Okay, so here I am in my tiny voice admitting that, YES! I want to look good in my clothes.  I want people to notice me.  I want to have a nice figure.  I think being pretty is about being skinny.  I think being valued and looked upon favorably is about lookin' good outwardly!  Shhhhh . . . don't tell anybody!  I don't want them to know my secrets!

All my reasons for wanting to loose weight didn't (and still don't) seem very godly to me.  'Cause, guess what??? He reminded me that He has told us in His word how we can be beautiful.

It's not how we look, it's not our outer appearance that makes us worthy and valuable to Him! Praise the Lord, He looks on my heart! 

1 Peter 3:3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; ^{4But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.}

If I'm not the prettiest woman, if I'm not the slimmest woman, if I don't have the best hair, who cares! As long as I possess that one quality that truly makes me valuable to God, that's all that matters. 1 Peter 3:3 says that my outward adorning should not be the most important thing! Literally, adorning means that thing I tend to, the thing I take care of, that thing I groom . . . it should NOT be my outward appearance. What I need to concentrate on most is my heart, that part of me that nobody but God sees.

God says that my hidden man should be adorned a meek and quiet spirit. Unlike my looks, this adorning is incorruptible.  This is important because, Lord knows, that I do NOT look like I did when I was first married. Wheather that's changed for the better or not is questionnable! LOL . . . but what God has done in my heart, well, I'm priceless to Him now! That part of me has definitely improved!

Our husbands are bombarded on every side by ungodly images everyday, either in at work, on the TV, or even at church.  And, honestly, we're confronted with it as well.  We do ourselves a grave injustice when, as women of God, we compare ourselves to a way of life that I'm certain doesn't please God.  It certainly doesn't honor Him, I'm sure!

Well, I've been chatty enough tonight.  Tomorrow I want to share a little more with you about these two verses and what some of the words mean.

'Night!

Julia

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Did you roll out of bed this morning not really thinking that Monday is something to smile about?  Did it seem impossible that it should be Monday already?  That your weekend, your time of rest and respite from work, school, and too many obligations, has already passed?  Rest assured, you are not alone.  If nothing else, just know that this girl feels your pain!  I was telling my husband this morning that the weekend needs to be longer for all the stress I have during the rest of the week.

As I was pondering the 'dilemma' of Monday, it came to me that, as much as we dread it, it is a gift from God.  He tells us in Psalm 118 that this is the day which the Lord hath made.  This means that every dreaded Monday is a day made by the Lord, just like the beloved Saturday or Sunday.

Just think, Monday is a day full of opportunity from a loving God:

Another day to live and breath and enjoy God's creation

Hug your kids

Kiss your husband

Call your mom to say 'I love you!'

Take a walk (well, if it's not raining!)

Read your Bible

Smile at a stranger

Call a friend to encourage her

Visit a sick friend or elderly person

Be a good Samaritan

Share the gospel!

And who knows what else!

A day is only as good as your attitude!  When you think of this day as being made by the Lord, what else can you do but rejoice in it!

Enjoy your Monday!

Julia

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I think most people want nothing more in this life than to be happy, satisfied, and content.  They want a life filled with joy.  And, really, I don't think there is anything wrong with that.  It's probably God-given, which means it will take God to fulfill those desires.

I'd liken life to sitting down to a meal at your favoritie restaurant, only to be disappointed.  It goes something like this.  We have certain expectations when we decide that we'd like to dine at our favorite dining establishment.  In our minds, we most likely have decided ahead of time what we'd like to eat.  Our taste buds begin to water in anticipation.  Our tummies, growling already from hunger, can't wait for that first bite to be chewed, then swallowed.  We have, esstentially, set up this desire in our minds that extends to other parts of our bodies, and we expect to satisfy it with our favorite selection from the menu.  Then, the disaster strikes!  Maybe that selection is not available today.  Then again, maybe we do get what we order but it is not as satisfying as we thought it would be because it wasn't cooked right.  Or maybe we put too high of an expectation on what we hoped to experience.  We are confronted with feelings of anger (so we refuse to even eat!), disappointment, frustration, or even resentment towards the wait staff or the restaurant itself.  We are let down and vow to never eat there again.

Unfortunately, we set ourselves up like this everyday, and not for want of a good meal at our favored restaurant.  We tend to put expectations on our husbands, our kids, our church, and who knows what else.  The thought is that if the people in our lives meet our expectations for them, then we'll be happy.  We can feel as if all is right in our lives.  If all goes as we plan for it to, then we can be joyful.  It's our way of thinking that life is good only when things are going our way and turn out according to our own plans.

The truth is we anticipate from others and situations in our lives that which only Jesus can provide.  That is, contentment and joy.  Anticipation is simply the visualization of a future event or state.  Ask yourself this question:  how many times have I visualized a situation in my mind and worked out how it should turn out? 

I have had a hard time learning that joy, happiness, and contentment do not come from the attitudes and actions of people, nor do I receive these things from the when my life turns out right.  This is where I am having to learn to let Jesus be enough.  Just because my husband doesn't meet my expectations, just because school isn't going like I think it should doesn't mean that I have to be unhappy.  I can have joy, no matter what is happening! 

Just what does it mean for Jesus to be enough?  Webster's says to be enough is to be sufficient.  In other words, to meet the needs of a situation or a proposed end.  What is the situation and the proposed end?  For most of us, I think the situation would our lives and the proposed end would be for said lives to be satisfying, joyful, peaceful, & contented.  But, there is only one source for that.  Jesus.

Jesus is enough to meet our needs.  He can and He will!  He is sufficient.  He is fitted for a given purpose, which was to come to this earth to die for our sins in order that He might fill that void left by sin.  Colossians 2:10 says that we are complete in Him.  This means we were once only a shell.  Now we are not only filled up with Him, but fulfilled in Him.  We are full where once we were empty.  We are now perfect.  There is nothing we lack in life to be satisfied, content, and full of joy. 

Not only that, but He came to give life and to give it abundantly (John 10:10).  Before He was crucified, He promised to send another comforter to dwell with us and in us (John 14:16).  The most wonderful thing about that promise is that He said He would not leave us comfortless.  This literally means He would not leave us parentless or fatherless.  The word comfortless comes from the word orphan!  That is comforting in itself, don't you think?  If we really, really took God's at His word, shouldn't we be content just knowing He is always there for us, no matter what?

The apostle Paul said in Philippians 4:11 that he had learned to be content in whatever state he found himself to be in.  He knew that no matter the situation, whether it was hunger, want, fullness, or need, he could be satisfied.  But that's not the end of it.  It also means to limit (oneself) in requirements, desires, or actions.  Though this definition comes from Webster's, I don't think it out of the question to apply it to what Paul says.  If Paul was content in hunger, do you think he sought to find food?  If God supplied his every need, do you think Paul worried about having too much?  I don' think so.  I believe he was satisfied and gratified with his situation.  Contentment required that he put an end to any doubt or uncertainty that might tend to rise in his heart and mind.

Hebrews 13:5 admonishes us to let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have.  Why?  Because he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.  Furthermore, the Lord is my helper.  How comforting to know that we can be content with what we have and where we are because God is always with us.  He never leaves us to our own devises when trouble comes.  He is our helper!  We do not have to go it alone.  Whatever we need to make it through, He is there to meet that need.

Dear reader, no matter your life circumstances, no matter your need, Jesus is enough.  But it is up to you to live that out.  When life isn't going how you think it should, don't take your eyes off the Saviour.  He is your helper.  Be content with Him and in Him. 

Until next time,

Julia

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