Flowers of Heaven

"I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances."

Philippians 4:11 

 

Some spring and summer finery to help get us through this winter.

 

The first time I became familiar with Philippians 4:11 is during the first year I was saved. My home church had a Singles Sunday School class, and I started attending. Shortly after that I started working on a newsletter for the Singles class and came upon this Scripture verse. 

Considering that most of the members were divorced or widowed, we certainly needed to learn to be content where we were. Through the years I've learned much more regarding contentment and what it means as a Christian.

 

 

"Contentment is one of the precious flowers of heaven, and if we desire it, it must be cultivated." Charles Spurgeon, 1834-1892

 

 All of God's lessons are hard to learn, Contentment is a gradual understanding of what is important in life, especially the Christian life. As each year goes by, I've found myself learning through my joys, my sadness, my heartaches and my happiness. There really is truth to gray hair and wisdom!

 

The more we are filled with God's wisdom, the more we learn precious gifts to fulfill our lives. Thankfully, contentment is one of those gifts.

"You cannot learn contentment through knowledge alone -- this lesson requires discipline. . . It is not a strength that comes naturally but a science to be acquired gradually over time -- something we know from experience." 

Charles Spurgeon, 1834-1892

You learn to be content with what you have, where you are headed, what work is most important for you to succeed in service to God, and the ability to find happiness in each day.

 

I started studying the book of John at the first of the year and the other day the verses I read brought contentment to my mind. "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. I and the Father one one."

 

 

That certainly brings peace and contentment to my mind! We are safe in the care of Jesus and our Heavenly Father. How thankful I am!

You really can be content with your life. And once you are, your days can be filled with happiness no matter what is going on. You will still be sad and grieve when circumstances are hard, but you will be in a state of protection knowing God is in control of all things.

 

 

Prayers for You and Me

 "I have a great need for Christ; I have a great Christ for my need."

Charles Haddon Spurgeon, 1834-1892

 One of my favorite Scripture passages is John 17, verse 20-23. Jesus prays for me. Even me. It reads like this:

  

"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,  that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.  I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me."

 

 

Magnified snowflake.

 

I know that there are people who pray for me. A few pray every day. Some pray during difficult times,Twice, four people prayed for my concern every week for two years. 

 

When we know people pray for us it helps us get through each day. It helps us when a particular need or concern is upon us. We feel stronger, able to work our way through the day. It brings comfort so our hearts will be able to rest.

 But Jesus didn't stop there. As it says in the devotion book "365 Devotions for a Thankful Heart:"

"But the prayers of Christ didn't stop at the cross. Even in heaven, even this day, He continues to speak to God on your behalf . . . Jesus lays His love and concern for you before the throne of His holy and heavenly Father." Romans 8:34

Ice cycles on windshield taken by my friend, Peggy/

It is refreshing to know Christ continues to intercede for us and we're always covered by Him. And the Holy Spirit works with Him in relaying our concerns.

Yes, I'm very glad people lift my name to God. Family and friends are needed to help in this life, and their prayers are heard.

Prayers for you and me. From our Savior to our Heavenly Father. How thankful I am!

"How sweet the name of Jesus sounds In a believer's ear! It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds,

 And drives away his fear."

John Newton, 1725-1807

My Best Thought

". . . Hope springs eternal in the human breast . . ."

Alexander Pope, 1688-1744

I didn't have words for this blog post because of some sad news. My heart led me to this post I did back in 2011.

"In the hymn "Be Thou My Vision," an 8th Century Irish hymn, one of the titles ascribed to God is "Best Thought." I've never thought of a title like this before, but, indeed, God is the Best Thought we can possibly have. The first verse reads:

"Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;

Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art:

Thou my best thought, by day or by night,

Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light."

"Over the last week my thoughts have turned to "seeing" God. Actually seeing Him with my own eyes. We say often I can hardly wait to see God, but the phrase must have become common to me, and I hadn't really focused on that reality.

"Recently I read these words: "Think of stepping on shore and finding it Heaven; Of taking hold of a hand and finding it God's."

 

"Second verse of Be Thou My Vision:

 

"Be Thou my wisdom, and Thou my true word;

I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord:

Thou my great Father, I Thy true son,

Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one." 

"A dear friend made this comment back in 2011:

""Oh so true Carol! I have always been encouraged by the Phil. 4:8 "think on these things" passage and what I've learned is that even if you can find nothing worthy in your circumstances to think on... by focusing on God... thinking on Him... He fulfills the entire list for He forever is true, noble, praiseworthy, etc... so from that verse we see again that He truly is the BEST THOUGHT we can have! Blessings my friend..."

Third verse 

 "Riches I heed not, or man's empty praise,

I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord:

Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,

High King of heaven, my treasure Thou art."

"Take a moment today and consider seeing God. It's powerful. It will be a reality one day. He is the very Best Thought I can ever have!"

Is it as cold over there as it is over here?

 

Fourth verse

"High King of heaven, my victory won,

May I reach heaven's joys, O bright heav'n's Sun!

Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,

Still be my vision, O Ruler of all." 

Ancient Irish, Mary E. Byrne, 1880-1931

 

 

Very BEST Thought!