THE SECRET OF CONTENTMENT.

I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

PHILIPPIANS 4:11-12.

MANY OF US have some mixed-up ideas about contentment. We think that if we can ever have this good thing, our life will be better. If we can avoid that bad thing, then we'll be really happy. If we thought about it more than a nanosecond, though, we'd realize that we know plenty of people who have this or who have successfully avoided that but still aren't any happier than we are. There must be a secret we haven't discovered yet.

There is. Somewhere along the way, Paul learned the secret of contentment. He realized that possessions, fame, beauty, and other earthly things can be pleasant for a while, but they can never produce genuine contentment. That comes from the inside. We experience true contentment when external things lose their grip on our hearts and don't matter much anymore. Some of us get bent out of shape when we realize our favorite shirt is still at the cleaners or when we can't find the perfect pair of shoes. Paul's well of contentment was so deep that he could enjoy life with or without the most basic needs. He was content being full or going hungry, having many possessions or little to speak of, living a life of ease or suffering at the hands of evil men.

A poster in a college professor's office reads, "Happiness isn't having what you want; it's wanting what you have." Jealousy, envy, and greed suck the life-and any sense of contentment-out of us. Replace those joy killers with grat.i.tude for what you have, and listen to your heart sing!

What does this statement mean to you: "Happiness isn't having what you want; it's wanting what you have"?

What are some steps you need to take to learn the secret of contentment?

"The only ultimate disaster that can befall us is to feel ourselves at home on this earth."-MALCOLM MUGGERIDGE

JANUARY 19.

PURE AND POWERFUL.

The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

PSALM 12:6.

WITH ALL THE TECHNOLOGY surrounding us, we hear thousands of messages every day. Linda Stone, formerly of Apple and Microsoft, coined the term continuous partial attention to describe the constant distractions of e-mail, instant messaging, cell phones, and other devices. She observes, "To pay continuous partial attention is to pay partial attention-continuously. . . . We want to connect and be connected. We want to effectively scan for opportunity and optimize for the best opportunities, activities, and contacts, in any given moment."

Too often, we value all received messages equally. G.o.d's Word, though, is more precious and valuable than any other message sent to us. The psalmist describes G.o.d's message as "pure words" that are like silver processed "seven times" in the furnace. The number seven signifies completion and perfection throughout the Scriptures. G.o.d's Word is absolutely perfect and in alignment with the character of G.o.d. It is the supreme measure of truth, and it imparts light and life to those who treasure it.

When we read and hear G.o.d's Word, we need to sit up and take notice. If we don't understand it, we need to dig deeper until we find out what it means. And when G.o.d uses His Word to redirect our steps, we are wise to say, "Yes, Lord. I'm listening." G.o.d's Word directs us along G.o.d's path, and that way is perfect for us each day.

How do you treat letters or e-mails that are especially meaningful to you?

What would it mean for you to truly treasure G.o.d's Word?

"To know the will of G.o.d is the greatest knowledge! To do the will of G.o.d is the greatest achievement."-GEORGE W. TRUETT

JANUARY 20.

SPIRITUAL ALIGNMENT.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.

PSALM 19:14.

JESUS SAID, "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matthew 12:34). We may try to hide what we really think of a person or a situation, but sooner or later, our words will reflect our beliefs. For most of us, aligning our hearts and our words is difficult, and sometimes (maybe often), we dance around what we really believe and say things we don't really mean.

But for those who are serious about following Christ, alignment doesn't stop with our hearts and our mouths. We need to align both with the character and purposes of G.o.d so that what we say and what we believe reflect His heart and His direction for our lives.

What, then, is "acceptable" in G.o.d's sight? G.o.d delights in our acts of kindness to those in need, our forgiveness of those who hurt us, and our refraining from blurting out venomous words. G.o.d loves it when we are brutally honest with Him about our faults and broken hearts because He knows He has our attention. Then He can reveal the secrets of His love to us.

Our words serve as a thermometer, reflecting the content of our hearts and indicating the desire for change. The more we value G.o.d's grace, His wisdom, and His strength, the more we'll long for every part of us-especially our words and our hearts-to be in alignment with Him.

What did your words reflect about your heart in the past twenty-four hours?

What are some things you can do to align your words and your heart with G.o.d's character and purposes?

"The heart of a fool is in his mouth, but the mouth of the wise man is in his heart."-BENJAMIN FRANKLIN

JANUARY 21.

WHAT'S IN A NAME?

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the LORD our G.o.d.

PSALM 20:7.

IN MANY CULTURES, and especially in the ancient world, a name has represented the character or another significant aspect of a person. Throughout the Bible, the names of G.o.d give us insights into His greatness. For instance, Elohim tells us He is the Creator, El Roi says that He sees everything all the time, Jehovah-jireh promises that He will provide, and Adonai indicates that He is the sovereign Lord who rules over all. All these names (and many more) are like facets of a diamond, shimmering with the light of G.o.d's power, majesty, and goodness. They reinforce our awe of G.o.d and reenergize our faith in Him through the good times and the bad.

We tend to trust tangible things that are inherently strong, such as chariots and horses-or possessions and bank accounts. In fact, we often trust in our abilities, our status, our parents' money, our spouse's reputation, or a hundred other things before we trust in G.o.d. It's almost as if we try everything else and then realize, "Oh, I could have trusted G.o.d!" Precisely.

The psalmist recognized our tendency to trust in powerful things we can see instead of in a G.o.d we can't see. Those things have value, but they also have limitations. On the other hand, G.o.d's infinite love and awesome power-represented by His names in Scripture-make Him our first resort, not our last.

What are some visible things in your life that are easy for you to trust in?

What would it mean for G.o.d to be your first resort instead of your last?

"Who steals my purse steals trash . . . but he that filches from me my good name, robs me of that which not enriches him, and makes me poor indeed."-WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, OTh.e.l.lO

JANUARY 22.

FIRST THINGS FIRST.

Seek first the kingdom of G.o.d and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

MATTHEW 6:33.

SOME WELL-MEANING BELIEVERS misunderstand Jesus' message in the verse above. They think He's telling us to focus exclusively on Him and not be concerned at all about anything else in our lives. While that interpretation is close to the truth, it's a bit off the mark. Jesus is telling us to pursue Him primarily. We still have to eat, sleep, raise our kids, pay our mortgages, and keep our cars running, but these things will flow far more easily if we make our relationship with Christ our first priority.

Many of us try to manage our lives as if we're trying to put a jigsaw puzzle together. All the pieces are there, but we are bewildered about where they go. We make attempt after attempt to make things work, but no matter how hard we try, all the pieces just don't fit together. We're frustrated and exhausted!

In our exasperation, Jesus calls to us and says, "Hold on a minute. I know you're trying hard, but your way is not working. There's a better way. Put Me in the center of your life, and then you'll see how the pieces fit together."

We may think, How can I add one more thing to my schedule? Seek Christ first? No way! But if we take His advice, He promises to lead us, bless us, and give us more meaning than ever before. Will we take the risk?

What do you think it means to put Jesus first in your life?

Will you take the risk? Why or why not?

"Build today, then, strong and sure with a firm and ample base; and ascending and secure shall tomorrow find its place."-HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW "G.o.d showed me that He could and would replace everything that was missing in my life, but that nothing could replace Him in my life."-ZIG ZIGLAR

JANUARY 23.

EVERYBODY NEEDS A SHEPHERD.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.

PSALM 23:1-2.

NATIVE TEXANS ARE PROUD of their heritage. They talk (for hours!) about the rugged individualism of their people and cite numerous examples of wildcatters in the oil business and trail drivers who led tens of thousands of cattle across the prairie. But independence isn't just a Texas trait; in all parts of the country, we admire people who go it alone.

Christians, however, are never alone. We have a Shepherd who guides us, and He has the authority to give us directions because He bought us out of slavery to our sins. His authority over us, though, is shaped by affection and attention.

David, who wrote today's Scripture, knew all about shepherding because he had tended sheep for years. As the king of Israel, he reflected on his experience in the fields and compared his work as an attentive shepherd to G.o.d's ownership and care for His people. As David did countless times with his sheep through every season of the year, G.o.d leads His people to food, water, and shelter. Sheep are notoriously panic p.r.o.ne, and they sometimes forget to trust their shepherd. We're just like them. But if we trust our Shepherd, He will lead us to plenty and peace.

As our Shepherd, what is G.o.d's authority over us?

As our Shepherd, what has G.o.d promised to do for us?

"This is wise, sane Christian faith: that a man commits himself, his life and his hopes to G.o.d. That G.o.d undertakes the special protection of that man; that therefore that man ought not to be afraid of anything!"-GEORGE MACDONALD

JANUARY 24.

OPEN EYES, OPEN HANDS.