Shows
Contentment MattersThe Kingdom of God & SurrenderThe Kingdom of God is different than the world we live in. So different! He asks us to surrender all we are to Him, yet are we willing to give it all to Him? In today's episode, we talk about the following topics: What's the difference between the Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of God? Kingdom of God - What is a mustard seed and how can big things happen from something so small? How does the world view of small things differ from God's view of them? An example from the pastor (listen and y...2024-04-1514 min
Contentment MattersSurrender and the Whisper Gathering: Interview with Dr. Leanna HollisSurrender and the Whisper Gathering is our topic for today. Our guest today is Dr. Leanna Hollis, Global Outreach missionary and the founder of the Whisper Gathering. The Whisper Gathering started as a local women’s retreat in Mississippi but is now a national retreat here in the U.S. Find out why surrender and repentance is a daily discipleship trait all of us need to live out. Here's what you will learn in today's episode. Why is Repentance important to Jesus and for us Surrender can be costly and God will ask us to do th...2024-04-0139 min
Contentment MattersSurrender Your WorriesSurrender your worries. Do you do that? It is a daily battle for me. However, God is the one we can surrender those worries to. His Word gives us guidance on what we need to live more peacefully and with health. These are the topics we will talk about today - with our focus on Matthew 6:25-34 Why do we need to surrender our worries? How life and is more than food and the body is more than clothing How anxiety affects our health The examples that Jesus focuses on in this passage What is the...2024-03-1823 min
Contentment MattersSurrender Your WordsSurrender your words. Sometimes inappropriate words come out of our mouths and should not be said. Unfortunately, once the words are said, there is no back button or deleting them. And once they have left our mouths, we need to deal with the consequences of our words. But God's plan is for us to surrender our words to Him. Here's what we cover in today's episode: Why do we need to surrender our words? How do we learn to Surrender our Words? How the Wicked responds How the Righteous responds What a Righteous person meditates on...2024-03-0411 min
Contentment MattersSurrender and Releasing the PastReleasing the past is key to our surrendering control to God. And letting go of the past goes along with repentance. Once we have repented for the past, we move forward with our lives. Yet the journey with God has just begun. In today's podcast, we talk about the following: Why do we hang onto our past? And how our past can be forgiven. Why is releasing the past to God important for us to do? How do you begin releasing the past and continue your God journey forward? Four Ways to Release the Past and...2024-02-1911 min
Contentment MattersSurrender and RepentanceSurrender and repentance are linked together. When we fully surrender to God, we repent of our wicked ways and come back to a right standing with God. Today we continue our series on surrender. We add on how this is linked to repentance. The topics for today are: Why Repentance is Linked to Surrender What is Repentance? Answering the question whether God repents or not. The answer may surprise you. Why is Surrender and Repentance needed? When is Repentance needed? Is it is once and done thing? Or does it need to be done...2024-02-0509 min
Contentment MattersSurrender Control to GodSurrender control to God is hard, especially when we take control of our lives all the time. In my devotional book, Rejoice in Your Work, I talk about being a control freak. This character trait needs to be given over to God daily. With God this is possible. For today's episode, we talk about the following: Why Surrender Control to God? Three reasons why we take control How do we Surrender Control to God? Connect with us! Website: https://godsplanguidedsteps.com Show Notes Other ways to connect with us...2024-01-2211 min
Contentment MattersNew Year Changes and ContentmentThe New Year changes to another year. There is excitement to leave the old year and its trials behind. And there is the possibility of making changes to have a 'happy' new year. But happiness is not all there is. Life is more about being content and having the peace of God in our lives. This first episode of Season 2, we talk about the New Year changes and the following items: Definitions and Emphasis in the Bible Happiness vs. Contentment: What's the difference? Why seeking Change is important Why Growth is Important Benefits of Spiritual Growth...2024-01-0815 min
Contentment MattersPeace is a Choice with OptionsPeace is a Choice with Options For the last podcast for Season 1, we are talking about peace being a choice that all of us can choose. That peace is everything to us! Here are the three reasons why peace is a choice that is everything to us: 1) God is Peace 2) We receive Peace by Faith in God 3) Continue the pursuit of Peace with God and Others A Benediction of Peace for the end of the year and season: May the God of hope fill y...2023-12-1813 min
Contentment MattersPeace at Christmas in Hard Times: Interview with Dawn WardDoes peace at Christmas in hard times seem like an impossible dream? It is possible! My guest today, Dawn Ward, has experienced difficult seasons during Christmas. She shares her tips on how to get through Christmas AND enjoy a peaceful time despite the hard circumstances. Dawn Ward is a writer, speaker, and certified Biblical Life and Mental Health Coach. In today's interview, we talked about: Why the ministry the Faith to Flourish was started Five Key Tips for having peace during difficult holiday seasons Whether these tips work for any hard situation And more 2023-12-0441 min
Contentment MattersThankfulness Mindset TipsThankfulness is a way of thinking that we need to have on a daily basis to keep us content. We can look to God's Holy Word and see how He shows us the best ways to give thanks. These ways are the tips that help us be thankful throughout the day, regardless of how the day has been. In today's episode, we will talk about: Focus on God & His Holy Name When and where do we prais His Name? How do we worship? Focus on God's Qualities A Thankfulness Mindset Gives Sacrificially Thankfulness for the Now...2023-11-2112 min
Contentment MattersContentment with a Thankfulness MindsetCan a thankfulness mindset be accomplished when there is so much negativity around us? Wars are happening worldwide and the political atmosphere is tense. Or there is drama at home or at work. You may be dealing with some hard things in your life - divorce, loss of a job or loved one, or kids who are not following the Lord. How does one remain content during these times of trials or difficulty? Some situations need more time to process or heal, but a thankful mindset will help bring you that peace to get through it all. ...2023-11-1308 min
Contentment MattersHow the Holy Spirit Can Help on Bad DaysHave you had one of those bad days, and you can't get over yourself? I had one recently, and man, I was so disappointed in myself that I kept crying. I kept repenting of my sin and finally was released after praying on my knees and a nice hot shower! But the cries of my heart to the Holy Spirit helped, and He delivered me. The Holy Spirit can correct us and redirect us to a better day. During today's podcast, we will talk about these topics: Why do we have bad days How did my...2023-10-3013 min
Contentment MattersDaily with the Holy Spirit: Interview with Dr. Leanna HollisIs daily with the Holy Spirit a reality in your life? How does one rely on the Holy Spirit? And how can one be led by the Spirit each day? Dr. Leanna Hollis is a missionary with Global Outreach International and owner of the ministry Faith Lived Out Loud and other ministries: The Whisper Gathering, and the International Day of Repentance. She shares her faith journey with us and answers these questions about the Holy Spirit. Why did you start "Faith Lived Out Loud?" How did you learn to rely on the Holy Spirit in your...2023-10-1624 min
Contentment MattersContentment and Holy Spirit-MindednessWhat is Holy Spirit-Mindedness? Who is the Holy Spirit? And how can we have contentment with Holy Spirit-Mindedness? Here are the topics that are addressed in today's episode. Who is the Holy Spirit? We will learn more about who He is and what He does for us. What does it mean to have Holy Spirit-Mindedness How to have contentment with Holy Spirit-mindedness. Check out the show notes for the full details and link for the 25 ways to contentment and satisfaction guide. Connect with us! Website: Gods Plan Guided Steps ...2023-10-0213 min
Contentment MattersContentment while Praying for God's WillContentment while praying for God's Will is possible. Why do we pray for God's Will to be done? When do we pray for God's purposes instead of our desires? We know that we can pray bold prayers. Yet there is a stuggle of praying boldly and for God's Will. Is it possible to pray for both and at the same time? During this episode, we will dig into these questions and see how Jesus handled them. Praying bold prayers What are the lessons we can learn in Jesus' example The impact of sin on...2023-09-1811 min
Contentment MattersPraying with Distractions: Interview with Jessie SynanDo you have trouble praying with distractions? How do you pray continually? Are there some easy prayer tools to help you? And how does prayer bring you contentment in this life? Praying with Distractions In this week's podcast, I talk with Jessie Synan from "Pray with Confidence." In this episode you will learn: Why Jessie named her website and ministry/business "Pray with Confidence" and the Bible verse that it is based on The number one question that people ask her about prayer and her tips on how to do it We...2023-09-0430 min
Contentment MattersHow Daily Prayer Affects ContentmentWhen should we pray? Isn't once a week at church enough? Or can I pray once a day and be done? Why do I need to do daily prayer? And how does daily prayer affect my contentment? This week's episode we tackle these questions and the following: do a deep dive into God's presence the Bread of Presence from the Old Testament daily prayers as a pleasing aroma to God the benefits of daily prayer three tips on how daily prayer helps us have contentment and peace Connect with us! Check out our...2023-08-2116 min
Contentment MattersQuestions about Bible StudyDo you have questions about Bible study? How to do it? What questions should I ask? Are there other resources out there to help simply my personal Bible study? Why is it good to join a Bible study with other believers? Join us as we talk about: What is an inductive Bible Study? The Three Focus Areas of an Inductive Study with examples/ An easy inductive Bible study format- our own R.E.A.D. Bible Study Method Another Bible study tool Included are Bible study resources and links to where you can download or...2023-08-0714 min
Contentment MattersThe Importance of Bible Study: Interview with Alonda TannerWhat does daily Bible study do for you? Have you thought about how studying the Bible can affect our satisfaction in this life? Or how it can change the tone of your whole day? Let's Talk Bible Study In this week's podcast, I talk with Alonda Tanner from "Let's Talk Bible Study." In this episode you will learn: What Alonda finds is the most rewarding part about "Let's Talk Bible study" & Bible study, in general Her favorite Bible study tool What you can learn from studying the Bible Biblical principles for living...2023-07-2424 min
Contentment MattersDaily Bible StudyDaily Bible Study is an important contentment principle as it allows us to be in God's presence. While reading God's Word, the Bible, we learn more about Him. And we can obtain instructions about how to live this life. If needed, we can receive discipline to correct our mistakes. God wants us to stay on the path He designed for us. To stay on His path, we need to be reading, studying, and memorizing the Bible. Questions discussed in this week's podcast What does it mean to be in God's presence? Benefits of His Presence How...2023-07-1018 min
Contentment MattersImplementing God's Plans with Christa HutchinsImplementing God's Plans is the topic for today's podcast at Contentment Matters. Christa Hutchins from Do a New Thing is my guest. Christa tells her story of how she found women struggling to implement their dreams from God and how that led her to start her business and podcast. She works full-time as an engineering project manager. Then she uses those skills to help lead and coach women with practical tips to get their dreams done. Christa has a website with over 300,000 views. And a podcast that has reached 25K downloads and over 200 episodes. Each episode provides...2023-06-2635 min
Contentment MattersTrusting God's Plan, Not YoursWhat does it mean to be trusting God's plan? Why shouldn't I trust in my plans? How do I know it is God's plan for me? These questions are the focus of today's podcast. If you have other questions about God's Plans I didn't answer today, please email me. Questions will be answered in two episodes from now regarding God's Plan Q&A. Thanks for listening! I am so grateful for all of you who show up by downloading the episodes and spending time listening to them. Feel free to share an episode with a f...2023-06-1214 min
Contentment MattersDelight in God & His Plans for YouDo you delight in God and His plans for you? What does it mean to delight in God? How can we delight in the plans He has for us? Let's dig into today's topic and find answers to these questions. You will find out what it means to delight in God and how to do that. Then you will know that God has GOOD plans for us and what to do while you wait on His timing for these plans. Lastly, I will share the three steps to daily trusting God for His plans. Bible...2023-05-2912 min
Contentment MattersQuestions about God's WillToday's topic is about questions about God's Will. We will touch on the following: Can God's Will change? How can this specific will of God change? What can dishonor His name? Why does God let us know only parts of His specific will for us, and we must wait for the rest of it to unfold? Verses from this Episode: Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Genesis 2:24 Therefore a man shall leave his father...2023-05-1511 min
Contentment MattersBeing Content with God's Will with Jessie SynanBeing content with God's Will is the topic for today's podcast at Contentment Matters. Jessie Synan from Pray With Confidence is my guest. Jessie tells her story of how she was discontented with the job she was at and how she surrendered to doing God's Will. She shares the amazing story of how that led to a worldwide ministry she started in 2020 and the blog, Pray With Confidence was born. It is a thriving ministry with 150,000 visitors a month 😮, an engaging email list, and a busy Facebook group. By following God's lead for this ministry, Jessie is content with God...2023-05-0137 min
Contentment MattersWhat is God's Will for You?Today we will talk about God’s Will, what it means, and what this has to do with our contentment. So, what does God's will mean? It means that God has a plan for the world and for all of us. Yet God has a specific will for you as well. What are the three types of God’s Will, and which one applies to you? Let’s dig into today’s topic and find out. Understanding God's Will I don’t know about you, but Understanding God’s Will is a concept tha...2023-04-1713 min
Contentment MattersContentment with a Growth Mindset, Not Laziness2023-04-0310 min
Contentment MattersHow is Contentment affected by Others' expectations? with Anita Peluso Our "lot" is marital status, employment status, and whether we have children or not. However, our contentment can be affected by what others think or expect. And yet, we can be satisfied and content even when others think or treat us differently. Join me and my friend, Anita Peluso, who shares her thoughts on this subject and Biblical references of examples of others who struggled with lots that were different than others around them. Key Verses for Today's Show notes: Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 "Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in...2023-03-2037 min
Contentment MattersWhy Do We Desire Contentment?Today, I will share more about what contentment is, why I believe contentment is essential to all of us, and why it matters. Then I will give the insider scoop on what topics we will explore in the weeks and months ahead. Key verses for today's topic: Genesis 1:26-27, "Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that cr...2023-03-0607 min
Contentment MattersMy Contentment Journey & the Podcast Name MeaningToday, Cindy shares about her path to contentment and what the name of the podcast, Contentment Matters, means. A key scripture verse to this journey is: Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 - “Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment[a] in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in...2023-02-2006 min
Contentment MattersTrailer: Contentment MattersHi, I am Cindy Schwerdtfeger and I excited to introduce the Contentment Matters podcast. This podcast is for stressed working women who are looking for contentment in life. You may work in a corporate office, a factory, a small business, or working from home for your job or pouring into the lives of your children. Whatever the case, the goal of this podcast is to encourage you with the contentment and satisfaction found in God alone and the principles that we need to incorporate in our busy and stressed lives to live the contented life of God's plan for us...2023-01-2902 min