The Virtue Of Contentment Week 3

A Spring Bible Study Session that includes Bullet Journaling

Small Group Discussion Outline

1 Timothy 6:3-10 

3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4 they are conceited and understand nothing. 5 They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5 and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

BIG IDEA

It is crucial to believe that the Whole Council of God (The Bible) is (the ultimate) truth and provides sound instruction for our daily lives. Apart from the revelation we receive through the Holy Spirit, we cannot understand the ways of God. If we try to reason with our limited human mind, we are often led by pride and understand nothing. If we lean to our own understanding we develop unhealthy interests (often self focused) which draw us to controversy, quarrel, envy….(corrupted minds) We are robbed of truth pursing (little g) godliness for personal gain. Temptations are traps that lead to destruction. Love of money is a root of all evil and leads to grief.    / “Pride comes before the Fall.”

All of these things separate us from our Father, and keep us in a state of discontentment.

Matthew 6:25-34 

Do Not Worry

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

BIG IDEA

Life is more than food and clothing. These physical necessities will not yield fruit (love joy peace patience, etc.) God provides ALL we need if we rely on Him.

“Look at the birds of the air”, if the Father provides for them, He most assuredly provides for His children! 

Worry and anxiety create chaos and “does not add a single hour to our life.”

The Father knows our every need, and if we seek FIRST HIS Kingdom and His righteousness all these things (that we need) will be given to us as well. Our God is a promise keeper.

Live one day at a time, relying on God, moment by moment, through our helper the Holy Spirit.

IN THE WORKBOOK

1 TIMOTHY 6:3-10

Pg. 48

• Our truth meter is God’s Word. (The sound instruction of Jesus Christ)

• Read Acts 17:11 / What does this instruct us to do?   
• (Measure all teaching with God’s Word for yourself. Don’t assign truth to anything you are taught without searching the scriptures yourself to see if it is true)

Acts 17:11 

¹¹ Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica,for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scripturesevery day to see if what Paul said was true.

Pg. 49 

Another word for conceit is pride. Pride leads us to turn inward, placing ourselves at the center of our focus. What are the results of this kind of thinking?

(self focus, lack of empathy, division, lack of compassion for others, inability to give sacrificial love, need for control, stepping into God’s shoes, frustration)

In what ways has pride come before the fall in your life or those close to you?

PRIDE LEADS TO DISCONTENTMENT BECAUSE IT CAUSES US TO TURN INWARD (self focus) AND AWAY FROM GOD. Pride leads us to the pursuit of ourselves (being right, financial gain, division) and takes us down a road of destruction. 

“It is impossible to be content when our hearts are SET on gaining MORE. A desire for godliness (placed before God) is quickly eroded by a greedy covetous spirit. (Pg 52)

–PG. 52 

Good deeds or godly behavior can be a source of pride in our lives.

Read Matthew 23:25-28

²⁵ “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.²⁶ Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.

²⁷ “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. ²⁸ In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.

-Did anyone in your group do the PRAISE LOG? (See Example below)

-Was this practice helpful in —-> replacing “cravings/desires” (& pride) with gratitude

–PG. 54 

Matthew 6:25-34 

-Were you able to record some of the things you are anxious about?

(Worry jar)

-How do you try to handle these worries on your own? 

 How does this relate to pride?

-Were you more aware of giving these worries and fears to the Lord this week?

Trusting God to provide all our needs requires obedience

-PG. 57 

“When God instructs us to do something based on our knowledge of Him, He moves our relationship from mental to experiential. God doesn’t just want us to hear about Him, but to see and experience Him in our lives.” -Priscilla Shirer

SUMMARY

Contentment is something we can learn. We heard this from Paul in our first week. So, why does it continue to elude us? We tend to keep tripping over the most common stumbling blocks that prevent us from living the life of Contentment God created us for. This week we took a closer look at Pride and Anxiety.

Our Father is very clear…we should not rely on our own (human) understanding…

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and He will make your paths straight. -Proverbs 3:5-6

Leaning on our own limited thinking, leads us to a place of pride where we have no true understanding of truth…this leads to self focus & discontentment.

God is also clear that He is to be our sole provider. We can trust Him, for He has proven to be faithful. Lack of trust in our Sovereign God leads to anxiety and fear….this moves us further from contentment.

The bullet journal exercises this week, are to help instill a practice of releasing our fear and anxiety to the Lord. (Worry Jar)

We are to work on replacing our pride with praise, and to work on stepping out in obedience as we become more aware of the role pride plays in our life and relationships—->To recognize it, and then surrender our behavior as we listen to the Lord’s correction and redirection through the Holy Spirit. As we are able to set aside our pride (through the help of the Holy Spirit), God will allow us to see beyond our limited understanding to see with His perspective…Beyond the circumstance we are in, to the hope He has for us! This develops fruit in our lives, and leads us to Contentment, and living a life like Christ.

John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you;my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
https://1arthouse.wordpress.com/true_grid/
Click on the link above for the pdf of the above layout

Dutch Door includes journaling space for each day of the week

Listening to Worship Music can help refocus our thoughts, and open our posture to receive the Holy Spirit…surrendering our will to the Lord’s.

Doodle 101 / Headphones

ACTS 17:11
Below see a step by step

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

  Page was prepped with CLEAR GESSO
  When using permanent ink pads/stamps it is safest to prep page to prevent bleed through

https://1arthouse.wordpress.com/act-1711-traceable-script/

Supplies used:

Watercolor, Unity Stamp, StazOn black ink pad, Micron 005 & 01, Bold white uniball-signo pen.

FOR THE PRINTABLE/TRACEABLE script above click on the image for pdf

Unity Stamps https://www.unitystampco.com/

Happy post Easter week!

He is Risen!!! He is Risen Indeed!

Xo,

Doodle 101 / Unpack Truth / from The Armor of God Study by Priscilla Shirer

This week begins our (my church’s women’s bible study) last in the Armor of God Study by Priscilla Shirer.

WK 6 THE HELMET OF SALVATION

“Salvation is meant to implement an entire new way of thinking into your life.”  -Priscilla Shirer

“What the brain is to the body, the mind is to the soul.”  -Priscilla Shirer

Until we allow God to renew our minds, our lives will remain the same…stuck in the limited and “wrong thinking” of our human minds.

I will repeat this truth again….We can have a mind like Christ! (1 Cor 2)

Let that sink in…

With a mind like Christ, we can see beyond any circumstance to the hope and GOOD PLAN for the FUTURE God has for us.

In the midst of losing a job…we can see hope

Beyond the chaos of challenging relationships…we can see who God is, and who He says WE ARE…AND that it’s not “all about me.”

Above the loss and disappointments of this earthly life, we can see the eternal.

We can live the full life Christ died to give us…understanding that our purpose is not to find “happiness for ourselves” but to Love God and love others…living as “the last” on earth with the promise that we will be first with Christ. To be FREE from the bondage of sin that keeps us in chains.

Our HUMAN MIND cannot “reason” these truths out.  Only the Spirit can renew our mind to “think like Christ.” (1 Cor 2)

The Helmet of Salvation is the truth that resides in our heart & mind…the belief and faith of our true identity. That Christ came to save us from ourselves…to bring us new life and a hope for our future.

We must know and act out our belief…trusting God …putting our faith into ACTION.

Today’s doodle comes from Priscilla’s analogy of her luggage.

She shares that she and her family travel extensively. Being a sought after public speaker, means traveling to events all over the world.

She confides in us that after some of these trips, she has a tendency to leave her unpacked luggage in the corner of her closet until she is looking for a particular article of clothing.  After searching in her drawers, washing machine, dryer and laundry basket, she finally realizes what she’s lookin for is still in her suitcase on the floor.

(I’m smiling right now, because I returned from a trip on Monday, and my unpacked suitcase remains on the floor of my closet!)

Her analogy goes on like this:

Our unpacked suitcase is much like the unpacked truth we carry around.  (Or leave on the pages of our sermon notes) We can walk out of church with a “bag” full of truth and leave it all, right in that bag on the floor of our closet…never actually using it…never “putting it on.”

Until we step out with our truth and put it into ACTION, our lives remain unchanged.

LIKE OUR UNPACKED SUITCASE FULL OF IMPORTANT ARICLES OF CLOTHING…We leave the power of God’s Word in the back corner of our mind…never “putting it on” …never allowing it to transform us and move us forward in the direction God has planned.

I just spent a few weeks with my Granddaughter. (She recently turned 6)

At bedtime, we read stories & then have girl talk, something we both look forward to!  One night, I was explaining the 3 P’s …PAUSE, PRAY & then PROCEED.  She’s a smart cookie, and seemed to understand what I was teaching her.  To her school’s credit, she is learning some incredible principles in the classroom…compassion, tenacity, craftmanship, courage, and self discipline. (After spending time with her class, it was encouraging to hear these 6 year old describe circumstances using these concepts!) Anyway, I told her that without God’s help, we can never fully achieve these characteristics. (Her school calls them “the way of the Blue Bear” ) Sometimes we don’t want to show compassion to the bully in our class, or use tenacity to overcome something that is hard…and sometimes we don’t want to use self discipline when there is cookie on the counter and no grown up in sight…we need God’s help.

(Pause, Pray and then Proceed.) She definitely pondered this and we prayed about it.

The next night, while reading stories, out of the blue she says, “Mimi, I like the 3 P’s, but I am going to also remember the 3 T’s.”

I said, Annabelle, that’s awesome…so what are the 3 T’s? And she replied, “I am going to TRY and THINK before I TALK.”

Kids are incredible…and capable of far more than we give them credit!!!

The point is…

We can “collect truth,” feel better for the moment we hear it, but never utilize it in our lives.  Truth is not meant to just be heard and filed away in our “suitcase” It is meant to become active in everything we do!

UNPACK YOUR TRUTH. It is meant to bring you LIFE ! As the Holy Spirit reveals truth to you, God has great purpose for that truth..purpose that will bring you blessing…peace, fulfillment, & joy! (FRUIT!) Purpose that reveals God’s glory.

Upack your suitcase…practice the 3 P’s (and the 3 T’s) and you will keep moving forward to the places God calls you to go.

Obedience develops faith…

It is the place God meets you and transforms you.

Click on the image below for the PDF file

 

Blessings,

 

Doodle 101 / Pickles & Ice Cream/ Have my tastebuds changed????

I am continuing in the study The Armor of God by Priscilla Shirer.

This week Priscilla talks about her tastes.

Isn’t it funny how our tastes change?

When my husband and I were first married, I’d say my tastes were simple “arts and craft country,”  We often laugh, when we look back at our first home…mauve colored walls…did we really like those? Eek.

As a child, I used to marvel at the onion, tomato, and mustard sandwiches my Mom would eat. GROSS MOM.  Blue cheese, yuk. Creamed Spinach,…double yuk.  All tastes I now enjoy.  My tastes have changed.

Priscilla mentions that during one of her pregnancies, she had the overwhelming craving to eat pickles and ice cream…at the same time….something she had not had a taste for before this season of change…this time when a  precious little life was growing from within in her, creating a change in her “tastes.”

What a vivid example and picture of the change that takes place in our heart when we intentionally put on our breastplate of Righteousness…the very armor that protects our most vital organ.

CHANGE happens. It must, or we are not growing to be more like Christ.

No change = no armor.

No armor means no protection and no weapon to fight, allowing cracks to ensue….inviting the enemy in.

If my tastes aren’t changing, well…then “Houston, there is a problem.”

In the study, we are pointed to Ephesians for guidance. (Ephesians 4 and 5.)

Paul urges us to put away old tastes for new.

Put away anger…don’t let the sun go down on it. (Do I harbor anger towards my friends, co-workers, spouse?)

Put away destruction and use your hands to help, not hurt…to work honestly in order to have something to share with others. (Do I work for myself, or do I work to SHARE what God provides)

Put away corrupt talk…do not speak unless it is to build up others…not tear down, but extend grace. (Do I speak harsh words to others, forgetting the grace that has been extended to me?)

Put away bitterness, wrath, anger, slander and malice. (Do I hold on to bitterness and wish others ill will? Do I say unkind things to or about someone?)

Put away sexual impurity, immorality, or covetousness. Do not allow foolishness or crude talking. (Do I allow sin before my eyes and ears, do I covet what I do not have? Do I listen to foolishness or crude talk?)

The above tastes originate in sin.

Righteousness comes from right standing with God…as we develop new tastes that are in alignment with His tastes.

This is where true peace, joy, and contentment reside…in our obedience to truth.

Every day, I must check my taste buds!

Such a great study.

I pray that we are each reminded of our need for changing tastes.  That we will put away the old and allow the change to begin.

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT / DAY 7

TODAY IS ALL ABOUT MEMORIZING.  STEEPING IN GOD’S WORD AND DRINKING IT UP.

Our She Reads Truth study is encouraging us to stop and take some time today to

 

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. ” 
- Galatians 5:22-23, NASB

How do you memorize scripture? It would be great to help one another in this!!

Bless you,

 

1 Arthouse Etsy Shop: Digital Downloads Now available too!

 

Hope you’ll stop by my shop!

xo,

sue

 

2 Free Font Downloads:)

WK 5 / Contentment is a heart matter

ABOVE ALL ELSE, GUARD YOUR HEART.  (Proverbs 4:23)

As I have said before (& have done so myself repeatedly) we give our hearts away every day.  We give them to those who don’t properly care for them, we give them away to fleeting fancies, we give them away to anyone and anything that will have them…hoping, that we will receive something back…LOVE.

Disappointment comes fast.  Our great expectations not met. We are not aware or do not believe that our GOD is the only ONE who can be trusted to guard them against what we fear the most…our love returned void.

As we “rest” in the Lord, “His peace will guard our hearts.” (Ephesians 4:7) His peace, will open up the door to contentment in Him.  As we experience His goodness and His faithfulness through our obedience, our faith in our Father will grow. His peace will become our longing…what we come to know…and in it, we find contentment.

We must learn to give our hearts to the one who knows them…to the one who created them…to the one who protects them…and…loves them perfectly. Take the first step. He will meet you right there.

We love because He FIRST loved us.

BUT…our hearts need guarding…for unguarded, they are broken and wounded…empty.

As we commit ourselves to abiding in Christ, we will receive all we could ever hope for or imagine. (Ephesians 3:20)

That’s a GREAT return on our investments.

The ONLY sure thing to a NO FAIL INVESTMENT.

Let the Lord’s peace guard your heart…heal your heart, bind your heart to His:)

When “He is our portion” we find Contentment.

FREE COLORING PAGE / CLICK FOR PDF

In Him,

 

 

Love God, Love Others:)

Free Coloring Page

Hello beloved Sisters from all over the world!  What a miracle we are afforded with the opportunity to connect with so many Christian women far & wide! I count it as such an honor that you take the time to meet me here:)

So much so, that I look for ways to bless you. To pay it forward…to share the gracious love & provision of our Father.

I have been reworking a little piece I did on paper over a year ago, in order for you to have a “clean” page to color.

So, here it is. The new version in PDF form.

Hope it blesses you today!
For a 4 day study on the Word Abide click here.

In Him,