“How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. Not that I was ever in need, for I have 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 or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty…At the moment I have all I need—and more!” -Philippians 4:10-18

This section of Philippians was part of my devotional reading this morning and I had a wonderful time just soaking my soul in the truth of Paul’s words on contentment. I loved his comment, “At the moment I have all I need – and more.”

Perhaps you find yourself a bit unsettled about your future and what might happen tomorrow, next week or next month. And, truth be known, the future might not turn out well, but for the moment, you have all you need. Live in the moment and you will find that God is supplying your ‘daily bread’. Trust him for today! Today is all we have and God is all we need!

Tim

Last week I had an Indiana University student e-mail me requesting that I send her a few of my favorite verses that I go to during difficult times or to bring me comfort or encouragement.  I gave her 10 passages and I thought that maybe you would enjoy reading the Scriptures I gave her. Perhaps someday soon you would read through these verses during your quiet time with God. And maybe some of you would respond with some of your favorite verses!

Here’s the list I sent her:

Matthew 6:25-34

Hebrews 12:1-3

2 Timothy 4:7-8

Philippians 4:6-8 and 11-13

Galatians 5:19-23

Romans 8:35-39

James 1:2-4

Psalm 23

Isaiah 40:26-31

Habakkuk 3:17-19

Enjoy!

Tim

I took this picture of the quote this morning. It was sitting on the counter of  a downtown coffee shop that I stopped by. I thought that maybe some of Mother Teresa’s words would be an encouragement to you! Blessings.

Tim

In the spirit of my last posting on “Sacred Pathways”, I read an article recently in Leadership Magazine written by Gordon MacDonald. The article was entitled, “Your Most Important Conversation” and it was all about growing your relationship with God. Here is the quote I want to share with you from his article: “I am sometimes asked what I do during my devotional times. I disappoint, I suspect, when I evade the formulaic answer. I discarded the gimmicks a long time ago. They didn’t work for me. What became more important was outcomes. What do I do? Simple: whatever it takes for a renewed sense of conversion to Christ, a deeper awareness of the biblical way, an assurance that God’s grace and power remain with me.”

Are you trying to mimic someone else in their pursuit of God? I want to challenge you to find your own way to grow in your love of God. Be creative, be persistent but be passionate about loving God through regular times in His presence; in whatever ways it works for you.

Tim

As described in Sacred Pathways by Gary Thomas, a “pathway” represents the way(s) that people connect with God. Unfortunately, many Christians go throughout their lives only knowing one or two ways to connect with God. For example, someone may have been told by a Bible study leader that the way to connect with God is with a 30 minute “quiet time” involving Bible reading, journaling, and intercessory prayer. Another person may have grown up in a “high” church, where tradition and ritual are emphasized. Gary Thomas describes nine different ways that are all valid ways that people more naturally encounter God, for the purpose of freeing people to try other ways, discover what is most comfortable to them, and to help prevent judgmental or covetous attitudes towards how other people spend time with God.

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