• Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

Thankful Homemaker

Gospel-Driven Encouragement for Homemakers

  • Home
    • The Gospel
    • Statement of Faith
    • My Church Home
    • Church Finder
  • Welcome
    • About Me
    • Start Here
    • Advertise & Sponsorship Info
    • The BAR Podcast Network
    • Privacy Policy
  • Blog
    • Homemaking
    • Menu Planning
      • Menu Planning Made Easy Course
    • Marriage
      • Marriage Series
    • Motherhood
    • Christian Living
      • Spiritual Disciplines Series
      • Sermon on the Mount
    • Bible Study
    • Time Management
    • Holidays
      • Christmas
      • Easter
      • Thanksgiving
      • Valentine’s Day
      • Summer Fun
      • Gift Guides
  • Podcast
  • Resources
    • Book Recommendations
    • Homemaking Courses
    • TH Gear – Mugs, T-shirts, Tote Bags & Sweatshirts
    • Journals & Notebooks
    • My Favorite Blogging & Podcast Tools
    • Free Library
  • Shop
    • TH Gear – Mugs, T-Shirts, Tote Bags & Sweatshirts
    • Books, Home Items & Other Favorites 🥰
  • Free Library
    • Sign-Up for Access
    • Enter Free Library (Password Required)
  • Connect
    • Advertise and Sponsorship Info
    • Patreon Support
    • Buy Marci a Cup of Coffee 🥰
  •  

Seeking Whatever is Good

by Marci Ferrell
Bible Study Biblical Womanhood Book Reviews Christian Living Theology

495 shares
  • Facebook399
  • Twitter

I’d love to help you simplify your meal planning. Check out my new menu planning course here.

If you're encouraged by the podcast & blog consider becoming a friend of Thankful Homemaker at Patreon

As believers, we all desire to be discerning and wise in our choices. As we mature and grow in our knowledge of the scriptures the hope is we will use that information to make choices in line with God's will. #discernment #allthatsgoodbookreview @mferrell

 

As believers, we all desire to be discerning and wise in our choices. As we mature and grow in our knowledge of the scriptures the hope is we will use that information to make choices in line with God's will.  #discernment @mferrell

What do you think of when you hear the word discernment? The dictionary defines it as making a distinction between good and evil and truth and falsehood. As believers, we all desire to be discerning and wise in our choices. As we mature and grow in our knowledge of the scriptures, the hope is we will use that information to make choices in line with God’s will. 

Hannah Anderson describes discernment in, All That’s Good: Recovering the Lost Art of Discernment, as “the ability to sort between a host of options and pick what is good.” She continues, “discernment does not change the challenges we face; it changes our ability to face them.”

We become discerning people by not just knowing what to think but how to think. Being spiritually discerning is an ability to see the world the way God does. This comes about as we grow and mature spiritually into the likeness of Christ. It is about seeing “All That’s Good.” 

Think About These Things:

In section two of her book, Hannah walks us through Philippians 4:8-9 where the apostle Paul has laid out a grid of virtues for us. Each chapter walks through the virtues listed in Philippians 4:8:

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

These are true of the character of God, and this is what we are to pursue as believers. I appreciated the layout of this section because it helped to work through each virtue listed in Philippians 4:8 and ask ourselves questions such as: Do we desire to pursue things that are of value and good? Is it true? Is it good? Is it lovely? When we seek truthfulness, we’re seeking God because He is truth. 

As we pursue these virtues laid out in Philippians 4:8, we will always find Christ. The hope is as we mature spiritually we will be changed and transformed and have the wisdom to see what in this world doesn’t measure up to that standard.

Hannah’s metaphors in each chapter bring to life truths that help us to begin to put discerning principles into practice practically. Chapter ten had a great reminder that “every good gift is from above.” We need to be people who can spot goodness and not miss it.

The example of thrift store shopping with her kids was a helpful analogy in helping us to see what is good or what is best. There are many items in a thrift store that are full of potential. The cost is low but do we consider the cost of bringing this item into our home. As you see that item at the thrift store, do you find yourself asking: Is this good? Is this worth the price they’re asking? Do I need it? Do I need to bring into my life and bring it home?

“In order to make good decisions, you must become a discerning person, a person skilled in wisdom and goodness itself. And to be these kinds of people, we must be humble enough to be willing to learn.” 

~ Hannah Anderson

Wisdom:

If we need wisdom to make a purchase at a thrift store, how much more do we need wisdom, God’s wisdom, in the decisions we face daily that have eternal value. The virtues in Philippians 4:8 that Paul lays out help us to develop a taste for goodness. All of scripture is valuable but another area to help train us in recognizing goodness is the wisdom literature of God’s Word—Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon. Wisdom literature helps us to learn to see the goodness of God in the world as we navigate through it. 

Humility: 

Wisdom is important in discernment but so is humility. When we find ourselves responding to situations with “I know,” it can be a hindrance in learning true wisdom thinking we have nothing to learn. We don’t always have a clear vision and may not be seeing the world through clear glasses. The first step in learning remembers “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” and when we recognize we’re not God and we don’t know everything we find ourselves in a place of dependency. This is where true wisdom begins because we begin to ask God and seek His Word. Humility will also extend to learning from others who know more than we do.

“you develop discernment by becoming a person who knows how, not simply what, to think.”

~ Hannah Anderson

Final Thoughts:

All That’s Good: Recovering the Lost Art of Discernment reminded me that discernment is a skill that’s learned over time. There are no shortcuts, and when we look for them, we can find ourselves undermining the growth process. Discernment isn’t just a mindless checklist of do’s and don’ts. It is seeing what isn’t good but doing it without a critical spirit. As we work through Philippians 4:8 for the various decisions we have to make in our lives, the hope is we would check our motives, pause, and evaluate all our choices in light of those virtues.

God is a God who gives good gifts. The Scriptures are more concerned we become wise people, and wise people make good decisions. Discerning people make discerning decisions. Spiritual growth is growing in our ability to see the world the way God does. As we continue to grow in maturity and Christlikeness, we will continue to gain the eyes and perspective of Christ and through that process become more discerning people.

 Spiritual growth is growing in our ability to see the world the way God does. Click to Tweet

Our hope is, by the grace of God, that we cultivate hearts that long to be like God in this world. 

“When we pursue whatever things are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and commendable, we are actually pursuing the character of God. When we seek these ‘treasures of heaven,’ He will make a way for us to find Him.”

~ Hannah Anderson

 

*I was provided with a copy of the book All That’s Good: Recovering the Lost Art of Discernment through Moody Publishing for an honest review. 

Become a patron at Patreon!

Related posts:

  1. EP 53: Daily Bible Reading (Spiritual Disciplines Series)
  2. What is Spiritual Maturity?
  3. Podcast EP 78: Where is My Hope?
  4. EP 106: The Salt of the Earth (Sermon on the Mount Series – Matthew 5:13)


Free Resource Library

Get more posts like this in your inbox!

And while you’re at it, you’ll receive access to our FREE library of resources to help you in your homemaking!.

(I will not spam you. Read my privacy policy.)

« EP 52: Introduction to the Spiritual Disciplines
EP 53: Daily Bible Reading (Spiritual Disciplines Series) »
WEEKLY HOME CLEANING SCHEDULE SIDEBAR AD

Welcome to Thankful Homemaker

So thankful you’ve stopped by for a visit. Please grab a cup of coffee or tea and sit a bit. I hope to remind you that contentment in our role as homemakers begins with finding our satisfaction in Christ.

read more…

Ultimate Homemaking Binder Side Bar Ad

Categories

  • Bible Study
  • Christian Living
  • Holidays
  • Homemaking
  • Marriage
  • Menu Planning
  • Motherhood
  • Podcast
  • Time Management

thankfulhomemaker

Marci Ferrell
It is better to get wisdom than gold. Gold is anot It is better to get wisdom than gold. Gold is another’s, wisdom is our own; gold is for the body and time, wisdom for the soul and eternity.⁣
~ Matthew Henry⁣
⁣
Read Seeking Whatever is Good at the link in my profile @thankfulhomemaker (click on the link under the blue arrows and then this image)
Whether you're running errands, doing household ch Whether you're running errands, doing household chores, or sipping your coffee, you can do it in style, reminding yourself and others you are a Thankful Homemaker 🥰⁣
⁣
Shop TH Gear at the link in my profile @thankfulhomemaker (click on the link under the blue arrows and then this image).
What do you think of when you hear the word discer What do you think of when you hear the word discernment? The dictionary defines it as making a distinction between good and evil and truth and falsehood. As believers, we all desire to be discerning and wise in our choices. As we mature and grow in our knowledge of the scriptures, the hope is we will use that information to make choices in line with God's will.⁣
⁣
We become discerning people by not just knowing what to think but how to think. Being spiritually discerning is an ability to see the world the way God does. This comes about as we grow and mature spiritually into the likeness of Christ. It is about seeing “All That's Good.”⁣
⁣
Read Seeking Whatever is Good at the link in my profile @thankfulhomemaker (click on the link under the blue arrows and then this image)
“Waiting exposes our idols and throws a wrench i “Waiting exposes our idols and throws a wrench into our coping mechanisms. It brings us to the end of what we can control and forces us to cry out to God. God doesn’t waste our waiting. He uses it to conform us to the image of his Son.”⁣
~ Betsy Childs Howard⁣
⁣
Listen in to EP 23: Seasons of Waiting at the link in my profile @thankfulhomemaker (click on the link under the blue arrows and then this image)
As I’m sharing this episode, I’m finding mysel As I’m sharing this episode, I’m finding myself in a waiting room on the Lord, and it’s been a long one, and I don’t see an end near.  It has reminded me that when I gave myself to Him, I gave up my “right” to be in charge. The reality is we never were in charge anyway; we just came to that understanding when the Lord opened our eyes to His sovereign control over our lives.⁣
⁣
Even though it is a truth I know or we know, how many times do we want to think that somehow we can effect change in our life situations?⁣
⁣
Waiting is hard because there is no guarantee that my waiting will end in this lifetime. One thing I have learned – my waiting has deepened my trust in the Lord and has helped me to develop patience, perseverance, and endurance.⁣
⁣
It’s also given me different eyes to see with compassion others who are in a season of waiting.⁣
⁣
Listen in to EP 23 Seasons of Waiting at the link in my profile @thankfulhomemaker (click on the link under the blue arrows and then this image)
Six questions I have written in my Bible that have Six questions I have written in my Bible that have been a help to me over the years may be a help to you, too, to be prayerful and slow to speak. These are helpful questions not just in our friendships but in our marriages and with our children, and truly any of our relationships:⁣
⁣
1. Is this the time to say this?⁣
2. Am I the person to say this?⁣
3. Is it necessary?⁣
4. Is it true?⁣
5. Is it kind?⁣
6. Do I need to say this?⁣
⁣
Listen in to EP 140: Threats to Biblical Friendship at the link in my profile @thankfulhomemaker (click on the link under the blue arrows and then this image)
We all know that fostering true biblical friendshi We all know that fostering true biblical friendship isn’t easy – it takes work. Jesus told us in John 16:33 that we’re going to have trouble in this world, and trouble does touch all our lives in various areas, but this includes our friendships too.⁣
⁣
We’ll be hurt; we’ll be the ones hurting others; selfishness is a battle; jealousy and envy raise their ugly heads; we have our fears and insecurities, failed expectations, the damage our tongues do to one another, not appropriating the gospel and these all come from hearts that are still battling sin. ⁣
⁣
So when these threats to our friendship with one another in Christ come up, it shouldn’t surprise us that we have these issues, but what we need to keep at the forefront of our minds is how we respond and deal with them when they do come up. ⁣
⁣
I want to walk us through some of these threats, and this list I’m working with isn’t exhaustive – there are many more threats than what I am addressing today – but these are areas that stood out to me that have been a battle within some of my friendships over the years. Sadly, it is often the sin I’m battling in my heart, and I need to get my thinking, attitudes, and actions lined up with God’s Word.⁣
⁣
Listen to EP 140 Threats to Biblical Friendship at the link in my profile @thankfulhomemaker (click on the link under the blue arrows and then this image)
May we be women who are willing to return to the a May we be women who are willing to return to the authority of God’s Word, embrace God’s priorities for our lives and homes, and live out the beauty and wonder of womanhood as God created it to be.⁣
⁣
Read more at The History of Modern Feminism at the link in my profile @thankfulhomemaker (click on the link under the blue arrows and then this image)
Women will never find fulfillment and satisfaction Women will never find fulfillment and satisfaction by trying to be "like" men and shedding their uniqueness as a female.  They will only find satisfaction in Christ.⁣
⁣
Come read The History of Modern Feminism at the link in my profile @thankfulhomemaker (click on the link under the blue arrows and then this image)
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Access the FREE Library!

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 Thankful Homemaker · All Rights Reserved · Privacy Policy & Disclosure

Copyright © 2023 · Divine Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Email