Thankful Homemaker: A Christian Homemaking Podcast

Meekness is often defined as power under control, and in the case of the Spirit-filled believer, he or she is under the control of God's Spirit. Meekness towards God is a disposition of spirit that accepts His dealings as good and doesn't dispute or resist them. Listen in as we continue on in our series through the Sermon on the Mount - working through Matthew 5:5: Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth. HELPFUL LINKS: Head over to ThankfulHomemaker.com for full show notes. All episodes in the Sermon on the Mount Series at the blog Studies in the Sermon on the Mount by Martyn Lloyd Jones SOCIAL: Join Thankful Homemaker for access to the Free Library of Resources Follow ThankfulHomemaker on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram Join the Thankful Homemaker Facebook Group Subscribe to the Podcast on Your Favorite App Thankful Homemaker Merchandise

True spiritual mourning produces a hatred for our sin and a repentant heart that desires to be in a right relationship with the Lord. We should desire to be holy as God is holy. Mourning is to be our lifestyle. It’s not just a one time moment when we first came to a recognition of our utter spiritual poverty before the Lord - it is a continual part of our lives as believers We want to cultivate hearts that are sensitive to the sin our lives and mourn over them. We want our mourning to be genuine not just an emotional reaction or because we got caught but that there is true confession and repentance and genuine mourning As we continue on in this current series, our text today is Matthew 5:4: "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. HELPFUL LINKS: Head over to ThankfulHomemaker.com for full show notes. All episodes in the Sermon on the Mount Series at the blog Studies in the Sermon on the Mount by Martyn Lloyd Jones SOCIAL: Join Thankful Homemaker for access to the Free Library of Resources Follow ThankfulHomemaker on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram Join the Thankful Homemaker Facebook Group Subscribe to the Podcast on Your Favorite App Thankful Homemaker Merchandise

The Sermon on the Mount lays out for us what it means to be a citizen of Christ's kingdom. The chapters we're working through in Matthew 5-7 layout for us what the Lord desires of those who profess Christ. It describes what our inward and outward desires and actions should look like of those who profess to be in Christ. As we continue on in this current series, our text today is Matthew 5:3: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. HELPFUL LINKS: Head over to ThankfulHomemaker.com for full show notes. Studies in the Sermon on the Mount by Martyn Lloyd Jones SOCIAL: Join Thankful Homemaker for access to the Free Library of Resources Follow ThankfulHomemaker on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram Join the Thankful Homemaker Facebook Group Subscribe to the Podcast on Your Favorite App Thankful Homemaker Merchandise

John Stott opened his book The Message of the Sermon on the Mount: Christian Counter-Culture with this sentence: "The Sermon on the Mount is probably the best-known part of the teaching of Jesus, though arguable it is the least understood, and certainly it is the least obeyed." In our time today, we're going to work through Matthew 5:1-2 and discuss an overview of the Sermon as we begin a series on the Sermon on the Mount HELPFUL LINKS: Head over to ThankfulHomemaker.com for full show notes. Studies in the Sermon on the Mount by Martyn Lloyd Jones SOCIAL: Join Thankful Homemaker for access to the Free Library of Resources Follow ThankfulHomemaker on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram Join the Thankful Homemaker Facebook Group Subscribe to the Podcast on Your Favorite App Thankful Homemaker Merchandise

The Weekly Home Blessing is a simple one hour routine that blesses your home and family for the week. It's a habit I modified from Flylady that has been part of my homemaking routine for almost 20 years. Come walk through how it might bless your home and family too. HELPFUL LINKS: Head over to ThankfulHomemaker.com for full show notes. Weekly Cleaning Schedule Free PDF Download SOCIAL: Join Thankful Homemaker for access to the Free Library of Resources Follow ThankfulHomemaker on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram Join the Thankful Homemaker Facebook Group Subscribe to the Podcast on Your Favorite App Thankful Homemaker Merchandise

As Christian women, there is a desire within us to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. We want to grow in holiness. We desire to become more like Christ. We desire to be more and more separated from sin. We'd love to see the fruit of the Spirit evident in our lives—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. My hope is in our time together today to direct us towards a biblical view of the way God works, and we work in our sanctification. HELPFUL LINKS: Head over to ThankfulHomemaker.com for full show notes. When Grace Comes Home: How the Doctrines of Grace Change Your Life by Terry L. Johnson How Does Sanctification Work? by David Powlison The BAR Podcast Network SOCIAL: Join Thankful Homemaker for access to the Free Library of Resources Follow ThankfulHomemaker on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram Join the Thankful Homemaker Facebook Group Subscribe to the Podcast on Your Favorite App

This summer, we decided to create a camp experience for our grandkids in our backyard. This camp is referred to by Cousin Camp because usually, you're intermingling cousins together. However, our daughter has our only grandchildren, so technically ours wasn't a "cousin camp," but it was still a fun way to create sweet memories with our grandchildren. My husband, Doug Ferrell is a guest on today's episode, so come join us as we share all about our (as we called it) Camp Nana Papa week with our grandkids. HELPFUL LINKS: Head over to ThankfulHomemaker.com for full show notes. Cousin Camp: A Grandparent's Guide to Creating Fun, Faith, and Memories that Last by Susan Alexander Yates The Gospel Story Bible by Marty Machowski Cousin Camp Pinterest Board Trello Personalized Camp T-Shirts SOCIAL: Join Thankful Homemaker for access to the Free Library of Resources Follow ThankfulHomemaker on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram Join the Thankful Homemaker Facebook Group Subscribe to the Podcast on Your Favorite App

So many times as wives, we can focus more on what our husbands are doing wrong instead of focusing our hearts on what they are doing right. HELPFUL LINKS: Head over to ThankfulHomemaker.com for full show notes. SOCIAL: Join Thankful Homemaker for access to the Free Library of Resources Follow ThankfulHomemaker on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram Join the Thankful Homemaker Facebook Group Subscribe to the Podcast on Your Favorite App

HELPFUL LINKS: Head over to ThankfulHomemaker.com for full show notes. Logos Bible Software Training Webinar Keep a Quiet Heart by Elisabeth Elliot SOCIAL: Join Thankful Homemaker for access to the Free Library of Resources Follow ThankfulHomemaker on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram Join the Thankful Homemaker Facebook Group Subscribe to the Podcast on Your Favorite App

HELPFUL LINKS: Head over to ThankfulHomemaker.com for full show notes. Learning from Elisabeth Elliot: A List of Resources Keep a Quiet Heart by Elisabeth Elliot SOCIAL: Join Thankful Homemaker for access to the Free Library of Resources Follow ThankfulHomemaker on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram Join the Thankful Homemaker Facebook Group Subscribe to the Podcast on Your Favorite App

HELPFUL LINKS: Head over to ThankfulHomemaker.com for full show notes. Who Am I?: Identity in Christ by Jerry Bridges Spiritual Disciplines Series 20 Ways to Find Time with the Lord When Your Days are Crazy Busy - Free PDF SOCIAL: Join Thankful Homemaker for access to the Free Library of Resources Follow ThankfulHomemaker on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram Join the Thankful Homemaker Facebook Group Subscribe to the Podcast on Your Favorite App

HELPFUL LINKS: Head over to ThankfulHomemaker.com for full show notes. The Gospel Condensed - Sermon by Doug Ferrell The Bible Recap Learning to Read, Understand, and Love the Bible with Tara-Leigh Cobble @Alisa Childers Podcast SOCIAL: Join Thankful Homemaker for access to the Free Library of Resources Follow ThankfulHomemaker on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram Join the Thankful Homemaker Facebook Group Subscribe to the Podcast on Your Favorite App

HELPFUL LINKS: Head over to ThankfulHomemaker.com for full show notes. Menu Planning Made Easy Online Course Free Weekly Menu Planning PDF SOCIAL: Join Thankful Homemaker for access to the Free Library of Resources Follow ThankfulHomemaker on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram Join the Thankful Homemaker Facebook Group Subscribe to the Podcast on Your Favorite App

Helpful Links: Head over to ThankfulHomemaker.com for full show notes Join Thankful Homemaker for access to the Free Library of Resources Follow ThankfulHomemaker on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram Join the Thankful Homemaker Facebook Group Subscribe to the Podcast on Your Favorite App

Helpful Links: Head over to ThankfulHomemaker.com for full show notes Join Thankful Homemaker for access to the Free Library of Resources Follow ThankfulHomemaker on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram Join the Thankful Homemaker Facebook Group Subscribe to the Podcast on Your Favorite App

Helpful Links: Head over to ThankfulHomemaker.com for full show notes Join Thankful Homemaker for access to the Free Library of Resources Follow ThankfulHomemaker on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram Join the Thankful Homemaker Facebook Group Subscribe to the Podcast on Your Favorite App

EP 31: The Supremacy of God Ligonier Connect Contentment Study Thankful Homemaker Facebook Group The BAR Network Just Thinking Podcast The BAR Podcast Covenant Eyes More Helpful Links: Head over to ThankfulHomemaker.com for full show notes Join Thankful Homemaker for access to the Free Library of Resources Follow ThankfulHomemaker on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram Join the Thankful Homemaker Facebook Group Subscribe to the Podcast on Your Favorite App

To Seek and Save: Daily Reflections on the Road to the Cross by Sinclair Ferguson Thankful Homemaker Facebook Group Ligonier Connect Contentment Thankful Homemaker Group Study Ligonier Connect Free Group Study Info Podcast EP 71: Prepare and Not Panic Meal Planning Made Easy More Helpful Links: Head over to ThankfulHomemaker.com for full show notes Join Thankful Homemaker for access to the Free Library of Resources Follow ThankfulHomemaker on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram Join the Thankful Homemaker Facebook Group Subscribe to the Podcast on Your Favorite App

Thankful Homemaker Instagram Preparation is Not Panic and Confusion is Not Chaos @Tim Challies Ligonier Teaching Series Free to Stream Ken Ham Facebook Live Videos Andrew Peterson Wingfeather Series Book One Read Aloud G3 Conference App 10 Ways in Which this Coronavirus Pandemic Can Be for Our Good @Biblical Spirituality Press How Do We Make Sense of the Coronavirus? - @Ask Pastor John More Helpful Links: Head over to ThankfulHomemaker.com for full show notes Join Thankful Homemaker for access to the Free Library of Resources Follow ThankfulHomemaker on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram Join the Thankful Homemaker Facebook Group Subscribe to the Podcast on Your Favorite App

Abortion Resources Mentioned in the Episode: My Abortion Testimony at the Blog Haven Today Radio Program Article on Haven Today Facebook Live Video from Grace Community Church (my testimony comes in at approximately 32 minutes into the service) More Helpful Links: Head over to ThankfulHomemaker.com for full show notes Join Thankful Homemaker for access to the Free Library of Resources Follow ThankfulHomemaker on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram Join the Thankful Homemaker Facebook Group Subscribe to the Podcast on Your Favorite App

Preaching the gospel to yourself. It’s a phrase we’ve all heard and we all agree with but deep down we’re like, okay what does that really look like? Or how do I make that practical in my day-to-day life when my marriage is hard? Or the kids are out of control? Or there’s an illness in my family or I’m just stuck in a sinful pattern? Or the house is in chaos and I don’t know where to begin? The reality is we’re always saying something to ourselves in our minds. Especially in those moments of chaos or difficulty. Is what we're speaking to ourselves centered on the truths of God’s Word or are we buying into the lies of the world? "Have you realized that most of the unhappiness in life is due to the fact that you are listening to yourself instead of talking to yourself?" ~ Martyn Lloyd Jones We need to be talking to ourselves and not just listening to ourselves. But what do we need to be talking to ourselves about? This is what we're going to work through together in today's podcast. Related Posts: How to Preach the Gospel to Yourself God's Blessing Does Not Depend on Our Performance What is the Gospel? Resources Mentioned: G3 Conference Just Thinking Podcast The Gospel Condensed - My Husband's sermon on Romans 8:1 Head over to ThankfulHomemaker.com for full show notes Join Thankful Homemaker for access to the Free Library of Resources Follow ThankfulHomemaker on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram Join the Thankful Homemaker Facebook Group Subscribe to the Podcast on Your Favorite App

It's the start of a New Year, and many of us have goals and resolutions on our minds, and those are good things. One that has been on my list is to re-evaluate my morning routine We know routines and habits are super helpful when we stick with them. Our days run smoother, and we go about them pretty effortlessly in time. They just happen, and our brains don't have to think so hard about them anymore. Brushing our teeth is a good example. You don't think about it—you just do it. Menu Planning Made Easy Online Course Homemaker's Friend Daily Planner Head over to ThankfulHomemaker.com for full show notes Join Thankful Homemaker for access to the Free Library of Resources Follow ThankfulHomemaker on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram Subscribe to the Podcast on Your Favorite App

With the holiday season before us, many of us may find ourselves around people who can be a challenge to communicate without it turning into a heated discussion. We may be the ones challenging to communicate with. As I pondered the topic of speech seasoned with grace and truth, one area that came to my mind is when I've messed up, and someone overlooked it and offered me grace. They didn't feel the need to correct me or even bring it up at a later time. Have you ever had a person like that in your life? Or are you that person in someone else's life? The reality is, we know when we've messed up. When our speech is seasoned with grace and kindness it will overlook mistakes in the lives of others and encourage instead of discouraging. Head over to ThankfulHomemaker.com for full show notes Join Thankful Homemaker for access to the Free Library of Resources Follow ThankfulHomemaker on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram Subscribe to the Podcast on Your Favorite App

My heart doesn't tend to go towards giving thanks during the difficult circumstances in my life. Honestly, my heart doesn't automatically go to giving thanks even in the good times of my life. I’m reminded in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 that giving thanks in all things is God's will for us Ingratitude is a sin that fails to acknowledge God as the giver of all things. Gratitude is an attitude that honors God. It acknowledges that He is the giver of all things. In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 it states: Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. We're given three exhortations in those verses: Rejoice, pray, and be thankful. Why? Because this is God's will. Joyful, prayerful, and thankful Christians make the gospel attractive to a watching world. Head over to ThankfulHomemaker.com for full show notes Join Thankful Homemaker for access to the Free Library of Resources Follow ThankfulHomemaker on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram Subscribe to the Podcast on Your Favorite App

Have you ever been kind to someone outwardly, all the while you were harboring bitterness or anger towards them on the inside? What about thinking the best of others? I fight a critical spirit, and it's an area I continually pray for the Lord to work in my heart to not judge the motives of others. God's work of sanctification comes about by continuing to change us more into the image of Christ. Our motives need to be brought into obedience to God's Word if we desire to see real change in our lives. As we take this time to spend in the Sermon on the Mount and in 1 Corinthians 13 my hope is it will get us pondering and asking the Lord to search our hearts and more specifically our heart motives on why we do what we do and how we judge the motives of others Head over to ThankfulHomemaker.com for full show notes Join Thankful Homemaker for access to the Free Library of Resources Follow ThankfulHomemaker on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram Subscribe to the Podcast on Your Favorite App

How do we determine what is the best use of our time? We know amid the mundaneness of our days, the work the Lord has given us in our homes matters for eternity. God has a purpose in all things. There is no secular work in Christ; all is sacred. As homemakers, we desire to be productive and accomplish much in the time we’re given. It feels good when we check those tasks off our to-do lists and then the reality hits that most of them are back on it again tomorrow. It’s hard sometimes to determine how to prioritize our days and feel like we are getting things done. How do we determine what to do next? I’ve quoted Elisabeth Elliot’s words to you often of “Do the Next Thing,” but what is the next best thing to do? How do we determine we are using our time wisely? Head over to ThankfulHomemaker.com for full show notes Join Thankful Homemaker for access to the Free Library of Resources Follow ThankfulHomemaker on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram Subscribe to the Podcast on Your Favorite App

What does it look like to live a fruitful life in the empty nest years? What do I do now? What does my day to day life look like? Am I needed anymore? These are questions that raced through my mind as the empty nest season approached and was quickly upon me. I don't have all the answers, but I desire to share some thoughts with you on lessons the Lord has taught me and what He continues to teach me in this season that I've grown to cherish much more than I initially thought I would. Do you desire to flourish in your empty nest years? What about my younger readers? Please don't pass this one up because it will hopefully give you something to think about and to encourage you as you interact with the older women in your life. Head to ThankfulHomemaker.com for Full Show Notes Join Thankful Homemaker for access to the Free Library of Resources Follow ThankfulHomemaker on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram Subscribe to the Podcast on Your Favorite App

Most of us have been impacted by the writings of Charles Spurgeon, whether it’s through books, his sermons or even the many quotes we come across as we scroll through our social media feeds. Susannah Spurgeon is probably not as familiar to us except for the knowledge that we know she was married to Charles. My first introduction to Susannah’s writings was in a favored devotional of mine called Seasons of the Heart. Susannah’s writings are appealing as Ray Rhodes Jr. explained so beautifully: “for she brings her readers into her thoughts of her heart, as if she has poured a cup of tea for her guests, invited them to draw near to the fire, and engaged them in conversation. She respected her readers, treating them as friends.” Reading Susie: The Life and Legacy of Susannah Spurgeon, wife of Charles H. Spurgeon, has made me feel as if I just got to spend time with a dear friend and I didn’t want our time to come to an end. It is a well written, complete biography filled with historical records, personal writings from the Spurgeon’s and wonderful testimonies from family and friends. Head to ThankfulHomemaker.com for Full Show Notes Subscribe to ThankfulHomemaker Follow ThankfulHomemaker on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram Subscribe to the Podcast on Your Favorite App

Fasting is a way to show the Lord we enjoy Him more than His gifts. It turns our focus on Jesus because we know He is the only one who can satisfy our spiritual hunger. We desire to be filled with the Lord. You can find all podcasts on the Spiritual Disciplines in this series here. The two books I'm utilizing the most for the series are Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life and Habits of Grace. Head to ThankfulHomemaker.com for Full Show Notes Subscribe to ThankfulHomemaker Follow ThankfulHomemaker on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram Subscribe to the Podcast on Your Favorite App

We are called in Ephesians 4:29 to respond with words that give grace, encourage, and build up. This includes those hard moments when our kids are sinfully disobedient. If my motives to correct are focused on my pride or being inconvenienced, then it's not going to come out in a way that is going to be in the spirit of Ephesians 4:29. Head to ThankfulHomemaker.com for Full Show Notes Subscribe to ThankfulHomemaker Follow ThankfulHomemaker on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram Subscribe to the Podcast on Your Favorite App

What is evangelism? The dictionary definition defines it as the spreading of the Christian gospel by public preaching or personal witness. So evangelism is the announcement, proclamation, and preaching of the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-4), which is the good news of and about Jesus Christ. It is a verbal message. As Christians, we are all called to be God’s mouthpieces. Along with being salt and light to a lost world, we are called to open our mouths and share the good news—the best news we could ever share. Donald Whitney defines evangelism: "It is clearly presenting Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit to sinful people with the hope that they may see their sinfulness against a holy God and repent and put their faith and trust in Christ alone for salvation." You can find all podcasts on the Spiritual Disciplines in this series here. The two books I'm utilizing the most for the series are Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life and Habits of Grace. Head to ThankfulHomemaker.com for Full Show Notes Subscribe to ThankfulHomemaker Follow ThankfulHomemaker on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram Subscribe to the Podcast on Your Favorite App

As I am now over half a century old, I wanted to share some of the thoughts that go through my mind as I look back over the years of my marriage and raising our family. There are so many good memories and things I wouldn't change, but there are many things I wish I would have grasped at a younger age. If I could go back here are some of the most important things I would like to tell my younger self: Visit ThankfulHomemaker.com for the full show notes. Subscribe to ThankfulHomemaker Join the Thankful Homemaker Facebook Group Follow ThankfulHomemaker on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram Subscribe to the Podcast on Your Favorite App

Spiritual journaling is a way to slow our lives down and ponder deeply over the events of the day. In my life journaling has helped me to grow spiritually by discerning my thoughts and motives. It has shown me areas where I need to give thanks and praise to the Lord. My journaling time has reminded me of situations or people I need to be in prayer for. Journaling is an excellent time for me to see areas of weakness and set spiritual goals and not always just spiritual but other areas of my life that need some help too. Maybe I need to be better disciplined in my internet habits, or my homekeeping or some of my relationships may need time and attention. This is a good time to evaluate all areas of my life. God’s Word doesn’t specifically talk about journaling it is a spiritual discipline that many saints over the years have benefitted from and I think of how we have profited by the journals of the saints of the past. I think of the journals like the diary of David Brainerd by Jonathan Edwards, or George Mueller’s autobiography or Jim Elliot’s journal put together by Elisabeth Elliot. These are treasures we have of how the Lord worked in and through their lives. You can find all podcasts on the Spiritual Disciplines in this series here. The two books I'm utilizing the most for the series are Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life and Habits of Grace. Head to ThankfulHomemaker.com for Full Show Notes Subscribe to ThankfulHomemaker Follow ThankfulHomemaker on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram Subscribe to the Podcast on Your Favorite App

Prayer is simply talking to God. As believers, we have access to God the Father through our relationship with Jesus Christ. Prayer reminds us we are dependent on God for every aspect of our lives and we grow in that relationship by communing with Him in prayer. Donald Whitney reminds us in regards to the spiritual disciplines that prayer is second only to Bible intake in the order of importance. Prayer is not demanding but we are coming before the Lord with open hands to what He knows is best for us. You can find all podcasts on the Spiritual Disciplines in this series here. The two books I'm utilizing the most for the series are Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life and Habits of Grace. Head to ThankfulHomemaker.com for Full Show Notes Subscribe to ThankfulHomemaker Follow ThankfulHomemaker on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram Subscribe to the Podcast on Your Favorite App

We're continuing in a series on the Spiritual Disciplines and today's episode is on Bible Study. We're going to talk about the benefits, explain some basic Bible study methods, share some resources to help you get started digging into the Word. Jerry Bridges says in regard to God’s Word - "Reading gives us breadth, but study gives us depth." *I stated in the podcast the next episode in the Spiritual Disciplines series will be on prayer, and it will be up on Tuesday, April 23rd instead of April 22nd. Head to ThankfulHomemaker.com for Full Show Notes Subscribe to ThankfulHomemaker Follow ThankfulHomemaker on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram Subscribe to the Podcast on Your Favorite App

We all want to grow in our walk as Christians. We've talked about how often we read God’s Word close the book and forget what we’ve read. We can blame our memories or our intelligence or our age, but the reality is it has more to do with our method than our abilities. Today's podcast episode is going to address areas that are important to our growth as believers: Meditation on God's Word and Scripture Memory. God desires us all to grow in the grace and knowledge of His Word, so we are all capable and equipped as believers by the work of Spirit of God in us. We talked in our last episode on bible reading that we need to read the Word and hear the Word preached but just doing those two things doesn't always guarantee we will remember or be able to apply what we read. So then we briefly touched on meditating on the Word because this is where growth starts to come about. Donald Whitney described it as: “While hearing and reading plant the seed of Scripture into the soil of our souls, other disciplines are the water and sun God uses to bring the growth and fruit of Christlikeness in our lives.” When we talk about meditation, please don’t get the image of a yoga class or some other kind of New Age practice. What the world describes as meditation is not what Christian meditation is. Again we are not emptying our minds, but in Christian meditation, we are filling our mind with God and His truth. Donald Whitney gives us a good definition: "Let’s define meditation as deep thinking on the truths and spiritual realities revealed in Scripture, or upon life from a scriptural perspective, for the purposes of understanding, application, and prayer." Head to ThankfulHomemaker.com for Full Show Notes Subscribe to ThankfulHomemaker Follow ThankfulHomemaker on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram Subscribe to the Podcast on Your Favorite App

We are continuing in a series here at the podcast on the Spiritual Disciplines. On today's episode, we are going to discuss the importance of reading God's Word along with some practical helps to implement it into our days. We have a God that we can know and meet with and because of that, we should meet with God on a regular daily basis. My hope is by the end of the podcast today that we would all see and understand why we need to do this as those who are born again - first off if we’re in Christ God is our Father, and we are His children. I want to spend time with my Heavenly Father. I desire to know Him more because as I do that I get a clearer understanding of who I am in light of Him and it changes my perspective of the world as I begin to see all of life and the world through His perspective. This only comes about as I spend time with Him in worship, in fellowship and in the reading of His Word—which is the topic today. I can only come before God because of Jesus—He is the mediator between God and sinful man. If we’re in Christ, we have access to the Father, and we can meet with Him and know Him because of Jesus. Hebrews 4:16 tells us - Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. John 17:17 tells sanctify them in truth - your word is truth. Jesus is praying for our sanctification the process of being made more and more into Christlikeness. It’s to be like Jesus. He is asking the Father to do this by the truth. What is truth? God’s Word is truth. We are sanctified by truth - God’s Word is truth, so we are sanctified by the Word of God. I could just stop here because that’s a pretty good reason enough for us to be in the Word on a regular daily basis. If you haven't listened to the first one in this series you can do that here - EP 52 Introduction to the Spiritual Disciplines Show Notes: Philippians 4:8 Questions to Help You Meditate on the Word: -What is true about this, or what truth does it exemplify? -What is honorable about this? -What is just or right about this? -What is pure about this, or how does it exemplify purity? -What is lovely about this? -What is commendable about this? -What is excellent about this (that excels others of this kind)? -What is praiseworthy about this? ~ Above Questions taken from Spiritual Disciplines of the Christian Life Hebrews 4:16 John 17:17 2 Peter 1:20-21 2 Timothy 3:16 Galatians 1:12 2 Peter 3:15-16 Matthew 4:4 Nehemiah 8:1-4 1 Timothy 4:13 Luke 11:28 1 Timothy 4:7 Matthew 19:4 Mark 12:10 Philippians 4:8 Seeking Whatever is Good(Review of All That's Good by Hannah Anderson) EP 52: Introduction to the Spiritual Disciplines Habits of Grace: Enjoying Jesus through the Spiritual Disciplines by David Mathis Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald Whitney Women of the Word: How to Study the Bible with Both Our Hearts and Minds by Jen Wilkin What is a Healthy Church Member? by Thabiti M. Anyabwile Listen Up! A Practical Guide to Listening to Sermons by Christopher Ash The Daily Bible (NIV) Chronological by F. LaGard Smith ESV Daily Reading Bible by Crossway Reading Plan App Infographic: You Have More Time for Bible Reading than You Think Develop a Daily Bible Reading Habit - Find Bible Reading plan options in this post Robert Murray M'Cheyne Bible Reading Plan Elisabeth Elliot on Hints for a Quiet Time Podcast EP 15: Prioritizing God's Word When Life is Busy Women's Hope Podcast YouVersion Bible App Thankful Homemaker Facebook Group Find the full show notes at the blog here - ThankfulHomemaker.com Subscribe to ThankfulHomemaker Follow ThankfulHomemaker on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram Subscribe to the Podcast on Your Favorite App

We're starting a new series here at the podcast on the spiritual disciplines. Today's episode is introducing us to what they are and the vital role they play in our sanctification as believers. In this series, we’re going to talk about why we need to practice them and share practical biblical ways how we as followers of Jesus Christ can pursue Christlikeness through these means of grace. The means of grace or spiritual disciplines (Bible intake, prayer, and fellowship the three main areas and we’ll work through each of them more each episode) are ways the Holy Spirit conforms us more and more into the image of Christ. I have two primary resources in addition to scripture that I'm utilizing in this series, and they are Donald Whitney's book called, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life and Habits of Grace: Enjoying Jesus through the Spiritual Disciplines by David Mathis. I encourage you if you want to dig a bit deeper to grab a copy of both or one of these as we work through them together. Spiritual Disciplines we hope to cover in this series: Bible reading, Bible Study, Meditation, Prayer, Fasting, Evangelism, Journaling, Fellowship and Service. Show Notes: Romans 8:28 1 John 3:2 1 Peter 1:16 1 Timothy 4:7-8 John 14:6 Acts 2:42 Romans 8:29 Philippians 1:6 Philippians 3:8 John 17:3 Colossians 1:9-11 Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald Whitney Habits of Grace: Enjoying Jesus through the Spiritual Disciplines by David Mathis Simplify Your Spiritual Life: Spiritual Disciplines for the Overwhelmed by Donald Whitney The Disciplines of the Christian Life by Eric Liddell Holy Helps for a Godly Life by Richard Rogers Podcast EP 6: What Does Self-Discipline Look Like in Our Homes @Thankful Homemaker The Center for Biblical Spirituality- Donald Whitney's Website (tons of helpful resources to dig into) What are the Spiritual Disciplines @Desiring God What are the Spiritual Disciplines @Got Questions Thankful Homemaker Facebook Group Find the full show notes at the blog here - ThankfulHomemaker.com Subscribe to ThankfulHomemaker Follow ThankfulHomemaker on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram Subscribe to the Podcast on Your Favorite App

How many times do we give thanks to the Lord for the ministry He has given us at home. Are we thankful for the mundane everyday moments or are we are only thankful when we think we are doing “great” things for the Lord? We live in God's home. He owns it. He has gifted it to us and given us the job of stewardship over it. He's put us in charge, and we are responsible to Him. As believers, it should make us work harder, and we shouldn't desire to escape from work or difficult situations because we know they are all with a purpose and we also know we are equipped to meet these situations in Christ. Mundane tasks are what make up most of our days. Everything matters —all of life is sacred. Once we’re in Christ there is no separation of secular or sacred. Every moment is a holy moment that God has ordained. Do we think biblically about our time and what we see as these seemingly mundane tasks? We don’t see many photos on social media of people folding laundry or washing dishes—there’s no special medals or awards for these tasks. This is where we need to continually ask the Lord to gives us a mindset of remembering that the mundane matters. It's in these moments that He is growing us in holiness. Show Notes: Marriage Series at Thankful Homemaker G3 Conference Cultivating a Heart for Missions in Your Family Titus 2:3-5 Colossians 3:23 Colossians 3:17 1 Corinthians 10:31 Romans 12:1-2 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Susie: The Life and Legacy of Susannah Spurgeon, Wife of Charles H. Spurgeon by Ray Rhodes Jr. Glimpses of Grace: Treasuring the Gospel in Your Home by Gloria Furman Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands by Paul Tripp Feminine Appeal: Seven Virtues of a Godly Wife and Mother by Carolyn Mahaney Thankful Homemaker Facebook Group Find the full show notes at the blog here - ThankfulHomemaker.com Subscribe to ThankfulHomemaker Follow ThankfulHomemaker on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram Subscribe to the Podcast on Your Favorite App

I'm re-sharing a previous episode I need to re-listen to this time of year. I'm praying it will be an encouragement to you today. We are already nearing Christmas Eve and plans that I had to bake or buy or clean haven’t all been finished. There are gifts I wanted to purchase or send that didn’t happen. There are cookies I wanted to bake that I didn’t get too and areas I wanted to tidy at home that I didn’t even get close to doing. But I want to share with you today reminders that I’m talking to myself about what I am choosing. I’m hoping to help us keep our focus on the main thing this Christmas season. You can read the full podcast here, but my hope is you will sit with me for just a few minutes of your day and listen in to the podcast and let me pour into you a bit. Christmas Posts: Podcast EP 50: Lessons from the Life of Mary Christ-Focused Gift Guide for the Whole Family Christmas Love, 1 Corinthians Style Podcast EP 9: Christ-Focused Christmas Celebration Ideas Thoughts to Ponder as You Celebrate Christmas Find the full show notes at the blog here - ThankfulHomemaker.com Subscribe to ThankfulHomemaker Follow ThankfulHomemaker on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram Subscribe to the Podcast on Your Favorite App

Every Christmas season I look forward to reading the account of the birth of Christ in Luke together as a family on Christmas morning. I'm amazed at Mary's faith. What must have gone through her mind when Gabriel approached her? How did she process the news that she and Joseph were to raise the Son of God? What depths of sorrow did she endure while watching her Son die a horrific death on a cross? There are many lessons we can learn from Mary’s life, but I want to share just ten today. Show Notes: 1. Mary knew God's Word. (Luke 1:54-55) 2. Mary was filled with the Spirit. (Luke 1:35) 3. Mary said "yes" to God's plan for her life. (Luke 1:38) 4. Mary was quiet before the Lord and meditated on all He had done in her life. (Luke 2:19, Luke 2:51) 5. Mary turned to Jesus for help when she had a problem to be solved. (John 2:3-5) 6. Mary was a woman of worship.(Luke 1:46-47) 7. Mary trusted in the Lord and waited on the His timing. (Matthew 1:19-20) 8. Mary was a chosen vessel of the Lord. (Luke 1:30-31) 9. Mary was a faithful servant. (John 19:25) 10. Mary knew Jesus was dying on the cross for her sins. (Luke 2:34-35) Scripture & Resources: Luke 2:19 Matthew 7:21 Romans 8:9-10 John MacArthur Study Bible Mary of Nazareth@Revive Our Hearts Twelve Extraordinary Women by John MacArthur My Soul Magnifies the Lord: Meditations on the Meaning of Christmas by Martyn Lloyd-Jones Subscribe to ThankfulHomemaker Related Posts: 10 Lessons from the Life of Mary Christmas Love, 1 Corinthians 13 Style Podcast EP 9: Christ-Focused Christmas Celebration Ideas Our Simple Family Christmas Traditions Thoughts to Ponder as You Celebrate Christmas How to Avoid the Comparison Trap this Christmas Season Podcast EP 11: Serving with a Mary Heart in a Martha Season Find the full show notes at the blog here - ThankfulHomemaker.com Subscribe to ThankfulHomemaker Follow ThankfulHomemaker on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram Subscribe to the Podcast on Your Favorite App

Many times in my walk as a believer I have heard and read the term "abide in Christ" and didn't have a full understanding of what that meant. I know abide means to remain in, and I pictured it as a state of resting in Christ. Studying through John 15 has been a help to me in grasping fully what our Lord meant as he walked and talked with His disciples on the way to the Garden of Gethsemane. Picture this; our Lord had just left the Upper Room in John 13 & 14 where He and the disciples shared a Passover meal together. During their time together in the Upper Room Jesus washed the disciple's feet and He dismissed Judas who would betray him (John 13). Now in John 15, they are headed in the darkness of the night to the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus's timing in giving this teaching to his disciples was needed as they were going to face hard times ahead and this lesson is relevant to us today as we meet difficult days. So let's learn together what it looks like to abide in Christ, be a real disciple and bear fruit for our Lord. I'm working through John 15:1-11 today. Scripture & Resources: John 13 John 14 John 15:1-11 Galatians 5:22-23 Isaiah 53:3 1 Peter 1:8 Abiding in Christ: Becoming Like Christ through an Abiding Relationship with Him by Paul Chappell John 15 Study Doorposts Blog What Does it Mean to Abide in Christ? Christmas Posts: Christ-Focused Gift Guide for the Whole Family Christmas Love, 1 Corinthians Style Podcast EP 9: Christ-Focused Christmas Celebration Ideas Thoughts to Ponder as You Celebrate Christmas Podcast EP 11: Serving with a Mary Heart in a Martha Season Find the full show notes at the blog here - ThankfulHomemaker.com Subscribe to ThankfulHomemaker Follow ThankfulHomemaker on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram Subscribe to the Podcast on Your Favorite App

It’s not the gingerbread houses or cookies or special meals that will have the most impact on your family. It is the attitude of your heart. It is them seeing the Gospel lived out in your day to day life – even in the midst of busy seasons. As the busy Christmas season is upon us we can find ourselves all wrapped up (literally wrapping too) in planning, cooking, cleaning, shopping, decorating, ministry activities and a multitude of other tasks that seem to come about during the Christmas season in addition to just the normal activities of life that we are dealing with. I can lose focus and need to continue to pray to the Lord to remind me to have the heart of Mary and not get caught up with the attitude of Martha in all that needs to be done. I’m a very task focused person, and it’s how my mind works so I need to be intentional and prayerful to not miss the wonder of the Christmas season. The Christmas season can be a time – a reminder to us to refocus - to again to think deeply about the realities of who Jesus is and what He has done for us. Scripture & Resources: Luke 1:28-29 Luke 2:19 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Philippians 2:14 Matthew 1 Luke 2 Isaiah 7 Isaiah 9 Micah 5 Matthew 25:40 Come Let Us Adore Him by Paul Tripp Good News of Great Joy at Desiring God Ever Thine Home 10 Questions to Ask at a Christmas Gathering Jesus Unmasked by Todd Friel Wretched.org Answers in Genesis Christmas Cards 14 Simple Outreach Ideas with an Eternal Focus Remember When Tractat Living Waters Treasuring God in Our Traditions by Noel Piper ESV Giveaway Bibles Related Resources: Celebrating Advent: Looking Back and Looking Forward 10 Simple & Practical Hostess Gifts Christ-Focused Gift Guide for the Whole Family Christ-Focused Christmas Gift Guide 2017 Podcast Ep 11: Serving with a Mary Heart in a Martha Season 14 Simple Outreach Ideas with an Eternal Focus Find the Show Notes for this episode at ThankfulHomemaker.com Follow ThankfulHomemaker on Instagram, Facebook & Pinterest Subscribe to the Podcast on Your Favorite App Subscribe to ThankfulHomemaker.com

We live in a world where it can be quick to pass judgments instead of seeing the best in others. We can find ourselves expressing our opinions harshly when we differ from one another. Watching debates between Christians online when there is a disagreement makes me cringe a bit when I see the responses towards one another not gentle and kind. Disagreement is inevitable, but there is a way as believers that God’s Word lays out for us what that should look like. There is the reality of being hurt by the words of others and instead of taking the way of meekness, we take the route of defending our rights. Bringing it closer to home, how are your responses to those you are closest? What does a gentle spirit look like in the context of your marriage or with your children? Scriptures & References: 1 Peter 3:4 Matthew 5:5 Romans 8:28 Isaiah 41:17 Matthew 21:5 Matthew 11:29 Ephesians 4:29 Philippians 4:5 1 Peter 3:15 James 1:5 James 3:17 Cultivating a Gentle Spirit @Thankful Homemaker What Does it Mean to Be Poor in Spirit? @Got Questions Studies in the Sermon on the Mount by D. Martin Lloyd Jones For the complete Show Notes head to ThankfulHomemaker.com Follow ThankfulHomemaker on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest Subscribe to the Podcast on Your Favorite App Subscribe to ThankfulHomemaker

How can we as believers "put on" an attitude of love in our homes? What does it look like to "put off" sinful responses and attitudes and "put on" God-honoring attitudes? I'm hoping today to encourage you that as believers we can "put on" attitudes and behaviors that are God-honoring. If we are in Christ, He has equipped us to do so through His presence within us and through our intake of God's truth. We're working through Ephesians 4:22-24 together today: 22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. We have a new nature when we receive Christ and are born again – we become a totally different individual – we’re now a citizen of heaven Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation the old has gone the new has come. ~ 2 Corinthians 5:17 The apostle Paul reminds us throughout his epistles that we have a new nature. It affects our mind, heart, knowledge, wisdom, love, desires and every aspect of our being. According to God’s Word, we are new – transformed. As believers, we now have a new nature. Our behavior is now able to match our new nature because Christ is in us. We are risen with Christ, and we should now behave in accordance with who we are. Scripture & Resources: Ephesians 4:22-24 Acts 7:58 Romans 3:12 1 Peter 2:1 Acts 12:21 Colossians 3:9-11 Philippians 2:12 2 Corinthians 5:17 Ephesians 4:1 Philippians 4:8 Galatians 5:22-23 Ephesians 5:2 1 Timothy 4:7-8 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 1 John 5:3 Martha Peace's "Put On, Put Off" Study The Holiness of God by R.C. Sproul The Excellent Wife by Martha Peace Putting on an Attitude of Love in Your Home Podcast Ep. 15: Prioritizing God's Word When Life is Busy For the full Show Notes visit ThankfulHomemaker.com Follow ThankfulHomemaker on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite app Subscribe to ThankfulHomemaker

On this podcast episode of Thankful Homemaker, we're talking about how our tongues can get us into so much trouble. We tend to have many words. Many times we're not careful with our words and say things that are slanderous, or gossip or sadly at times even malicious. This should not be for women who love the Lord and are loved and known by Him. Let's encourage each other today to speak words that glorify and honor the Lord. Scripture References & Other Resources Mentioned: Colossians 4:6 Proverbs 141:3 James 3:2 James 3:8 James 3:9-10 Ephesians 4:31 Matthew 18:15 Galatians 6:1 Ephesians 4:32 Proverbs 10:19 Proverbs 31:26 Ephesians 4:29 Matthew 12:34 Colossians 3:15-17 James Online Bible Study by Jen Wilkin For the full Show Notes visit ThankfulHomemaker.com Follow ThankfulHomemaker on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite app Subscribe to ThankfulHomemaker

I know as women we can get caught in our to-do lists and forget to give thanks in and through all things – even in the gift of preparing to serve others with the hope of pointing them to the One who we truly have all things to be thankful for! give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:18 My hope today is to simplify your holiday planning a bit. So you’re getting this two weeks before Thanksgiving with the hopes it will be a help with maybe getting a bit more organized than you have in past years and also starting to think about how you can focus your day on the Lord. I want you to be able to keep your family's and your focus on Christ and not get caught up in all the things on your seemingly long to do list. Thanksgiving should be a time of feasting on the abundant grace of God. I'm sharing below my simple planning for one of my favorite family traditions to celebrate together along with some bits of help at the end to keep the focus of the meal on Christ and Who we are truly giving thanks to. My hope always is to spark ideas in ways you can make much of Christ during your time together. “Take a little time to make ordinary things extraordinary.” ~ Emilie Barnes For Complete Show Notes visit ThankfulHomemaker.com Scripture & Resources: Colossians 3:15 Psalm 100 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Simple Planning Guide for a Stress-Free and Christ-Focused Thanksgiving Dinner-@Thankful Homemaker Our Simple Thanksgiving Traditions- @Thankful Homemaker Weekend Coffee Break {Thanksgiving Edition}- Some helpful links & resources - @Thankful Homemaker Chocolate Pie Recipe- in this post Pioneer Woman's Mashed Potatoes For Other Recipes Mentioned check out this post. Getting Ready for Company Fast- @Thankful Homemaker Podcast Episode 7: Getting Ready for Company Fast Valley of Vision Prayer History of Thanksgiving- @Got Questions Conversation Starters Ever Thine Home - What are you thankful for? Printable The Valley of Vision: Book of Puritan Prayers by Arthur Bennett Thanksgiving: A Time to Remember by Barbara Rainey Squanto and the Miracle of Thanksgiving by Eric Metaxas Choosing Gratitude: Your Journey to Joy by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth Revive Our Hearts 30 Day Gratitude Challenge Thanksgiving Pinterest Board - many more ideas, recipes, and coloring sheet links for kids Thankfulness to God is a recognition that God in His goodness and faithfulness has provided for us and cared for us, both physically and spiritually. It is a recognition that we are totally dependent upon Him; that all that we are and have comes from God. ~ Jerry Bridges Subscribe to the Podcast on Your Favorite App Find All Podcast Episodes Here with Show Notes Follow Thankful Homemaker on Facebook, Instagram & Pinterest Subscribe to the blog here and not miss a post or podcast episode.

Self Discipline is essential to spiritual growth and it is useful in our lives in so many ways. Living lives that are disciplined means saying, “yes” to God in every area of our lives. Jesus is our ultimate example of what it looks like to live a disciplined life. He chose both dependence and obedience to His Father. As Christians, we too are called to dependence and obedience to our Father. Self-discipline is primary to our spiritual growth. In 1 Timothy 4:7 We are called to discipline ourselves for the purpose of godliness. It means to exercise control over one’s self. It’s the ability to keep ourselves under control. My Practical List: Spend time with the Lord daily Take care of the tasks that are most difficult early in the day. Make sure you finish what you start. Take the time to get organized - one room at a time. Learn to deny yourself. Scripture References & Other Resources Mentioned: 1 Timothy 4:7 Galatians 5:22-23 John 15 1 Peter 1:13 Ephesians 4:14 1 Corinthians 7:22 Matthew 6:24 Matthew 11:30 Romans 6:22 Ephesians 2:8-10 Ephesians 5:15-16 Ecclesiastes 3 1 Corinthians 10:31 Discipline: The Glad Surrender by Elisabeth Elliot Find all the Show Notes & Resources mentioned at ThankfulHomemaker.com Follow ThankfulHomemaker on: Facebook Instagram Pinterest Subscribe to the Podcast on Your Favorite App Subscribe to the Blog

On today’s Encore Episode, we’re going to talk about our cell phone use and discuss whether we master our cell phones or do they master us. This podcast was on my mind because of two recent posts at Tim Challies blog on the use of our phones. I recently read the book, 12 Ways Your Phone is Changing Youby Tony Reinke and it was a challenging read. I’m going to share with you some of what I took from that book to get us started, some thoughts on Tim Challies posting about him going back to a “dumb phone” and as we close today some questions for us to ponder from a quiz Tim Challies posted online called Are You Addicted to Your Phone? At the close, I share some ways I desire to make changes with the use of my phone in my life. "We check our smartphones about 81,500 times each year, or once every 4.3 minutes of our waking lives." ~ Tony Reinke I'm working on a series on marriage for the podcast in the future, and I hope to get my husband on the podcast with me so we can do a few together.I’d love you all to “meet” him. I love listening to him and learning from him. The Lord has given him much wisdom and truly being around him makes me want to be more like Jesus, so I’m thankful to get to have him share here with you all. Scripture & Resources: 2 Corinthians 3:18 12 Ways Your Phone is Changing Youby Tony Reinke Are You Addicted to Your Phone? (Take a Quiz to Find Out)- @Challies I Want to Buy Your Cheapest Phone- @Challies 12 Steps to Living Smartphone Smart- @Tony Reinke at Lifeway Don't Waste Your Mornings- @Thankful Homemaker Podcast Ep. 6: What Does Self-Discipline Look Like in Our Homes More Resources from Tony Reinke: 12 Tips for Parenting in the Digital Age- @Desiring God Why We Should Escape Social Media (And Why We Don't)- @Desiring God Know When to Walk Away (A Twelve-Step Digital Detox)- @Desiring God Going Deep on Our Smartphone and Social Media Habits- @Desiring God For the Full Show Notes and Resources visit ThankfulHomemaker.com Follow Thankful Homemaker on: Facebook Pinterest Instagram Subscribe to the Podcast on Your Favorite App Subscribe to the Blog

The hope on today's episode of contentment is to remind us today how rich we are in Christ and that we will find our satisfaction in Him and Him alone. I want to open with the words of the apostle Paul in Philippians: Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. ~ Philippians 4:11-12 As I've been meditating on Philippians 4:11-12 on contentment I'm reminded that there isn't a program where we can automatically be contented people. No 5 Steps to Contentment or Learn to be Content Retreat Weekend. Contentment in our walk as believers is learned, just as Paul learned it, so do we as we walk this walk with the Lord. It does not come naturally to us. We know deep down the secret to contentment is to keep our eyes on the Lord in every situation. It's when we take our eyes off Him is when we fall into this sin. “So what does contentment mean? It is an inner sense of rest or peace that comes from being right with God and knowing that He is in control of all that happens to us.” ~ Steven J. Cole I've noticed there aren't many books on Christian contentment and a classic is one by Jeremiah Burroughs called The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment. The title made me pause and think how well he defined contentment as a rarity even in our life as believers. It is a rarity, and usually, we walk in a spirit of discontentedness. “Christian contentment is that sweet, inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit, which freely submits to and delights in God's wise and fatherly disposal in every condition.” ~ Jeremiah Burroughs, The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment Show Notes: “We have here an account of Paul's learning, not that which he got at the feet of Gamaliel, but that which he got at the feet of Christ.” ~ Matthew Henry “These are both hard lessons to learn; I do not know which is the more difficult of the two. Probably it is easier to know how to go down than to know how to go up. How many Christians have I seen grandly glorifying God in sickness and poverty when they have come down in the world; and ah! How often have I seen other Christians dishonoring God when they have grown rich, or when they have risen to a position of influence among their fellow-men! These two lessons grace alone can fully teach us.” ~ Charles Spurgeon The excerpt below from Lydia Brownback's book, Contentment: A Godly Woman's Adornment: “Contentment won't be found in changing the things we don't like about our lives, which is what the author of Hebrews is telling us. In his words, we find why contentment is possible, even when we lack our heart's desires. We can be content with our lives exactly as they are today because God has promised he is always with us. Our problem really isn't that we need something we don't have; our problem is that we don't find God to be enough for us. Many of us can't even comprehend how God can meet us in our empty places and satisfy us fully. We are open to the idea, but we just don't see how it's possible. Sometimes we get a wrong idea about how God satisfies us. He doesn't come to us on our terms, taking the role of a surrogate for the things or relationships we lack. He comes in place of those things, giving us something even better. The whole reason we can't resonate with the words of Hebrews 13:5 is that we are bound up in the things of this life and our desires for them. If we would just look away from those, we would find that God delights to fill up our empty places with joy, peace, guidance, love security and communion with him through his Spirit. Once we get a taste of that we find that it is no second-best consolation prize. We will find it to be better, richer, fuller than any earthy relationship or material blessing. We can find this for ourselves by guarding against focusing overly much on what this world offers. We can–and should–certainly enjoy the material things God gives us, but only if we hold them loosely. It is the love of this world's blessings, the focus on getting them, that is the problem, not the blessings themselves. We don't need anything more than what we have right now, today, in order to be content. The Bible says so; therefore it must be true. The choice is ours.” Scripture & Resources: Philippians 4:11-12 Philippians 4:13 1 Corinthians 15:10 Hebrews 13:5 Matthew 6:33 Learning Contentment Practical Steps to Overcome Self-Pity The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment by Jeremiah Burroughs Contentment: A Godly Woman's Adornment by Lydia Brownback A Surprising Ingredient in Christian Contentment- @Desiring God Subscribe to Thankful Homemaker blog Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite app Follow Thankful Homemaker on Facebook, Instagram & Pinterest