Joining the Being Content Bible Journaling Study
There is no charge for joining the Being Content bible journaling study. Simply use this article, grab the free calendar and mini-kit provided upon sign up at the bottom of this article, and get started! To join our Bible journaling family and share your thoughts and layouts head over to https://www.facebook.com/groups/BibleJournalingforBeginners.
There are multiple options to do the study. The devotional and kits are designed to help you take a deeper dive into the Word and start applying biblical principles to your life. They are not required, but they’re a fun way to grow in the Word creatively!
- Join Momentum – Momentum members get just about everything for only $25/month. Click here to learn more.
- Subscribe to the 2018 kits – New for 2018! You can get all of the 2018 devotionals and their corresponding kit as they release for only $52. That’s $1/Week. You also get the How to Study Bible Topics Guide and worksheets Click here to purchase.
- Purchase the kit by itself –New for 2018! Purchase the devotional and kit for only $7. You’ll also get the How to Study Bible Topics Guide and worksheets. Click here to purchase.
- Free option – To get the calendar and free mini-kit, please scroll to the bottom of this article and register for our emails between August 1 and August 30, 2018. If you are on the email list and haven’t received it, please check your spam! The emails will begin sending out on the 1st!
The Secret of Being Content – Five Things to Consider
I’m embarrassed to admit that I used to love money. Seriously love it. I loved it so much that I did everything I could to make it. If overtime was available, I’d take the shift. When I traveled, I would turn down lunch with clients and site tours, and work all night long. Don’t ask me about my Massachusetts work assignment. I don’t remember anything except the papers I was auditing.
I spent a lot of time chasing money and many years seem like a blur. I used to work 80 hour weeks and then come home, frequent yard sales, and sell stuff on eBay. I almost worked myself to death. Even though I quit my job when I needed to stay home with my son, I still worked during the nights to build a business. For many years I can remember working, but I don’t remember living.
Things started to change for me when my husband lost his job leaving us with no monthly income. Despite being a very difficult season, we spent more time together doing things that were simple, free, and engaging. To this day we still have family game nights on Sunday. Over time, my love for money was replaced with a passionate pursuit of purpose and life.
I’m more content today than I’ve ever been; it’s funny how God works. Don’t get me wrong. I still love working. But, now I set boundaries and try not to overbook my schedule so that life can happen.
Finding happiness and being content are common struggles for everyone. Life isn’t perfect, but all of us have the ability to achieve happiness through Christ, regardless of our current circumstances.
The Secret of Being Content
The Bible never said life would be easy, but it does promise that God will never leave or forsake you. Hebrews 13:5 reads:
Be free from the love of money, content with such things as you have, for he has said, “I will in no way leave you, neither will I in any way forsake you.”
But, being content isn’t easy! Diving deeper into the Bible to find Paul’s secret might be the thing that encourages you this month. The apostle Paul found the key to a life of peace and contentment in times of trouble. He tells the Philippians how to find peace and shares the secret of being content (Philippians 4:12-13).
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. – Philippians 4:12-13 NIV
Paul’s secret is Jesus.
Knowing that the secret to contentment is Jesus, how do ordinary Christians embrace that secret especially when it’s not easy. Here are five tips to consider:
Strive to Be Wise
Know also that wisdom is like honey for you: If you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.” – Proverbs 24:14 NIV
With Wisdom (in God’s Word) there is hope. While all of God’s children are capable of attaining wisdom, quite often our behavior is driven by impulsive, emotional and unconscious reasoning. With wisdom in God’s Word, we can achieve anything. Read the Bible. It’s life’s instruction manual. Things you think can’t be addressed in the Bible are really there! With God in our hearts, all things are possible.
2. Seek the Peace of God in Jesus Christ
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
When you find yourself feeling stressful, filled with worry and anxiety, find a peaceful place to center yourself and focus on God. Do what works best at that moment in time, whether it’s reading Scripture, or praying for guidance. Listening to inspiring worship-based music can help as well. God wants us to be able to live life to the fullest and you can’t do that if you’re not at peace. Through prayer, you can achieve the peace of mind you need to calm your stress and anxiety.
3. Hustle Less
“But only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” – Luke 10:42 WEB
You looked for much, and, behold, [it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why?” says Yahweh of Armies, “Because of my house that lies waste, while each of you is busy with his own house.” – Haggai 1:9 WEB
We live in a “rush-rush” society, scrambling from one demand of our time to another. Jesus didn’t rush, yet, He accomplished everything God gave Him to do. Rarely did He tell His followers to move faster. He even praised Mary for choosing to stop and spend time with Him.
Avoid being so caught up in the hustle and bustle of life that you end up forgoing Christ and family. Many people struggle with being too busy in our fast-past society. The good news is that we can overcome, or better control the chronic demands on our lives and enjoy a more peaceful life when we trust in God.
Challenging life circumstances create stress that can end up eliminating the joy that Jesus wants us to experience each and every day. Rushing through life can also rob us of the spiritual fruitfulness we should be creating, preventing us from reflecting on what’s happening in our lives so we can learn and grow from it.
4. Be Thankful for God’s Provision in Your Life
“Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.” – Matthew 6:31-32 WEB
We have so much to be thankful for. We just need to stop and count our many blessings, appreciating all that we have been given. Being thankful makes it possible for us to look outside ourselves, beyond the end of our noses at a wider view. A view that shows us all the good that surrounds us. Sure, that goodness isn’t always easy to identify but if you open yourself up to God, discovering a quiet place to “be” with him, you’ll find it.
The truth is, we’ve all been given abilities and talents that we should appreciate and rejoice over. We might think we need to have more, or even deserve more, but He has provided us with everything that we need.
5. Have an Eternal Focus
“Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in obedience to all I command you, that it may go well with you.” – Jeremiah 7:23 WEB
A lot of us are planners, making to-do lists and plans for the future. We dream about what we want to have someday (a shiny new car, a home, best clothes, etc.) While this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, over time we can end up being deterred from our eternal focus.
We have been given eternal life through our belief in Christ. An eternal life that is “now” (John 5:24 says “has eternal life” not “will have”). It’s not something that we achieve in the future. Believing and not losing our eternal focus is what unites us with the life of God in Christ at this moment.
What Steps Will You Take?
The five tips to being more content listed here will help you find peace in this restless world. Contentment can’t be found in money, possessions, or a dependence on other people. As a matter of fact, these things may impede your pursuit of contentment and true happiness. You will only find contentment when you’re eternally focused on Christ and the journey that God has for you.
Being Content Journaling Examples
Here are my Bible journaling entries from the Momentum devotional this month called Being Content.
Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Philippians 4:6
Proverbs 24:14
Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off.
Proverbs 24:14
Haggai 1:9
You looked for much, and behold, it came to little. And when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why? declares the Lord of hosts. Because of my house that lies in ruins, while each of you busies himself with his own house.
Haggai 1:9
Matthew 6:31-32
Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.
Matthew 6:31-32
Jeremiah 7:23
But this command I gave them: ‘Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people. And walk in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you.’
Jeremiah 7:23
I hope this Bible journaling study encourages you to be content with your blessings, and have your eyes fixed on what’s most important.
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what a wonderful devotional. so relevant for our times and applicable in my life. Even though I am retired. there are still days in the week, where ore hours in the day is needed. God Bless you and keep your strength as you move forward in your ministry.
Yvette
Thank you Yvette! I’m so glad you liked this month’s devotional. xoxo