So, this truly is a “Journal Entry;” so if you don’t care what I’m thinking, don’t worry about reading this. :o)

So, my pastor at Bible study was talking about Philippians 4 Monday night. Specifically we read this: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus…Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”

He was reminding us that we need to rejoice before we have our answer – that we need to be plugged in to Him so that we get His perception of the circumstance, and from that, we find contentment. He reminded us that we, as Christians, are so tempted to trust in Him on a circumstantial basis. We tend to fluctuate with Him depending on the circumstance.

I know that I have not yet mastered being content in every circumstance. Sometimes fear, worries, or insecurities keep me from being content. But God is showing me that He wants me to embrace every season that I am in. He wants me to be content with Him in every season. He wants me to feel His peace no matter what is going on around me. Though the earth give way, I need to be grounded in Him. Though blessings flow, I need to be grounded in Him. Nothing can separate me from Him; so why do I shift and sway as though He has not already taken ahold of what concerns me?

Today I got in from work and the hymn “Crown Him with Many Crowns” came into my head. These are the lyrics:

Crown him with many crowns,
the Lamb upon his throne,
Hark! how the heavenly anthem drowns
all music but its own.
Awake, my soul, and sing
of him who died for thee,
and hail him as thy matchless King
through all eternity.

Crown him the Lord of life,
who triumphed o’er the grave,
and rose victorious in the strife
for those he came to save.
His glories now we sing,
who died, and rose on high,
who died, eternal life to bring,
and lives that death may die.

Crown him the Lord of love;
behold his hands and side,
those wounds, yet visible above,
in beauty glorified.
All hail, Redeemer, hail!
For thou hast died for me;
thy praise and glory shall not fail
throughout eternity.

I am learning to praise God before, during, and after every circumstance – every moment of every day. Rejoicing ALWAYS. As we praise God for the victories, we trust Him for the days ahead. The days of sickness, tiredness, pain, and joy. He is crowned in glory. And we share His glory because of what He has done for us. He has crowned us as princes and princesses in His eternal Kingdom. Because He has worn the crown of thorns, we wear a crown of gold and jewels.

Mom, I’m praying for you, and I love you.
“I can do ALL things through CHRIST who strengthens me.”

~JID