Week Two -- 
Review - This resolution is with God, and should not be taken lightly, and will affect those closest to you.
I received an email this past week, reminding me to BE STILL . . .
2 Chronicles 20:7, Ruth 3:18, I Samuel 9:27, Exodus 14:13, Psalm 46:10, and Isaiah 30:7 -- all of these verses tell us to Be still, or stand still, or sit still . . . just re-iteration of last weeks lesson not to rush ahead, but taking the time to be still.
The Secret . . . 
Society needs for us to be discontent. This allows them to sell their product. . . Examples: Ragu-it's in there, Burger King - have it your way (because the way you have it now is not as good), Cover Girl - you're worth it (or at least we want you to think that). . . 


The satisfied woman is a rare woman. Her character traits are???
Peaceful, serene, restful, refreshing, has a sense of ease. . . 
She is satisfied with WHAT she has, WHO she is, WHERE she lives, WHAT she drives, etc. 
She is a woman of substance because she is a woman of satisfaction, choosing contentment over displeasure.


Contentment does not come naturally, or easily! it must be learned like an acquired skill. 
Paul wrote in Philippians 4:11-13 -- "Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
This did not come easily. Paul had to resolve to be content in every situation that he was placed in, whether in jail or preaching or praying. It took discipline. He had to make a choice...


Other verses:
2 Corinthians 9:8 - And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.
Psalm 84:11 - For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.
I Timothy 6:6 - Now Godliness with contentment is great gain.


External circumstances cannot and do not affect our choice to be content. 
It comes from within -- inner sufficiency.
It also brings emotional stability.


God has given an overflowing supply of his grace for:
Every decision . . . 
Every task . . . 
Every relationship . . . 
Every element of daily life . . .


S atisfied
E xpecting
C hrist's
R estful
E ternal
T ransformation.


Paul knew the SECRET . . . we can also have that secret. Being satisfied, knowing that Christ has a plan for us which ends in an eternal transformation to be like Him.


Overflowing Blessings


Luke 6:38 - Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you."


We use exact measurements, but God presses it down, shakes it together, and then still runs over!


" . . . looking forward to experiencing the promise of an outlandish return on her investment." We will be blessed more often than we bless, if we follow God's direction. 


The Balancing Point


Contentment is the equilibrium between the enjoyment of life (present) and the anticipation of what is to come (future). 
Discontentment can make you a slave to what you don't have.
Resolving to be content demands that your desires be held in check. Bigger house, newer car, nicer clothes, better paying job, slimmer body, etc -- none of these are bad, but all must be in God's timing.


Contentment keeps your mind clear. You can be peaceful, settled, undisturbed, happy, and content!






Next week we will discuss thru page 48. Please post your comments or if you are unsure how to, email me at debbburden@gmail.com and I will post them for you. 


Looking forward to seeing how this is affecting each one of us. God is good all the time.


Be sure to read over all 13 resolutions at least one time during the week.


db