contentment

Humble and Content - Psalm 131

10:00 AM


Psalm 131, Hebrews 5:7-10, Revelation 21:1-4 

Psalm 131 is a little Psalm that packs a big punch. For in its few lines lies the secret to happiness, success and victory. A victory that I myself so desperately yearn for. Because like David, I too want to have a humble heart before the Lord. I too want to be content, happy, and thankful in all things, placing my complete trust in Him alone. For as Charles Spurgeon says, “It's not how much we have, but how much we enjoy that makes happiness.” 


God loves humility because it is a fundamental quality that reflects His own character. Humility is the opposite of pride, which is often the root of many sins and causes us to rely on ourselves rather than on God. Humility is also a key element of our relationship with the Lord. Because it’s only when we acknowledge our own weakness and limitations can we can truly trust in and rely completely on Him for strength and guidance. 


Walking hand in hand with humility is contentment. I love the picture David paints comparing Himself to a weaned child. Once demanding and constantly seeking nourishment from His mother, David learned to be calm and quiet in God's presence. To rest in the peace of knowing God will meet our every need. Contentment is a powerful state of mind. Because it allows us to appreciate and enjoy what God has blessed us with in life, rather than constantly striving for more. It keeps us grounded, focused, happy, and fulfilled.


David’s message of humility and contentment is a big contradiction to a world that says more is better, and to value ourselves above all others. But as Christians we don’t live like the world. We live like our Lord. And no one exampled humility greater than Jesus. For as it says in Philippians 2:8, "And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!" If our Lord could let go of any pride, be content in all things, and trust God completely, so can we.


Pause and Reflect -

What does it mean to be humble before God, and why is it important? How can we cultivate a spirit of humility in our own lives, and what benefits can we expect to see as a result?


Let’s Pray Together,

Our dearest Father in heaven above, Creator of all things, hallowed be Thy name. Father we ask that You help us to cultivate a spirit of humility in our hearts, so that we may truly rely on You for guidance and strength. Help us to quiet our minds and hearts before You, so that we may find contentment and peace in Your presence. Father may we let go of our pride and concerns about things beyond our understanding, and instead trust in You to provide for our needs. May our lives reflect Your love and grace, and may we be a shining example of Your goodness to those around us. Father we thank You for the gift of Your Word, and for the wisdom and guidance it provides. May we continue to learn and grow in our relationship with You each day, and may we always seek to honor and glorify You in all that we do. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.


Don't' forget to head over to our Facebook group at, https://www.facebook.com/groups/womenintheword2 to join in on the discussion. Also check out our public Facebook page at, https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083156569388 and give us a like!


I can’t wait to hear your thoughts, and I pray your day overflows with love and blessings.


💖 Lisa


2 Corinthians

Refelctions from Roxanna ~ Contentment

4:00 AM



Reading ~  2 Corinthians 1:4-11

My mother would start every phone call with, "I am content with Jesus and the life He has given me." Even when things were hard for her. She had osteoporosis and her bones would break easily when Dad would move her to wheelchair.

She had a very sweet spirit that could have an immediate audience with God. When she was in the nursing home people would come to her to ask her to pray for their needs.

I too, am content.

Life has many ups and downs but God has got this always. I lean on His mercy and trust in His faithfulness always. Still, I can’t wait for Him to break open the sky and take us home where we belong...but not my will, yours God. Your timing, The Lord is always faithful.

Their are still many who need to know and love Him. God loves us so much they need to know that He sent His son to die and rise again to wipe our sins away so we can live with Him in paradise. God planned this from the beginning, wanting our Alleluias and our great love and sweet savor to rise to Him and our tears to fill the golden bowl.

I remember when my oldest son was burned by a fire on over 40% of his body. I was crying and praying while Greg was driving fast to get to hospital. Suddenly a sweet, soft voice whispered, "It is going to take awhile."

God whispered and I heard and I knew then my son would live. God made me promise that I would help Chris get his joy back.

I called him today and in our conversation he said he had spent morning fishing with Jesus. He was well in his Soul.

What a great and faithful God we love!

Roxanna

2 Corinthians 1:3-11; John 16:33

-A Content and Patient Heart – 2 Corinthians 1:3-11

9:00 PM



Read: 2 Corinthians 1:3-11
As we close this week we’ve learned that although life is not easy our true and only contentment comes from accepting Jesus Christ, and having faith that in Him we will have everything we need. Jesus is sufficient, and his promises are enough.

But there are times when our life can be obscured with troubles and hardship, how can we be content?  Paul reminds us that when suffering abounds, consolation also abound. Jesus is there to bring comfort (John 16:33), if we are willing to receive it. (vs.5)

“But if we are troubled and distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted and encouraged, it is for your comfort, which works [in you] when you patiently endure the same sufferings which we [b]experience” (vs.6)

In this verse we find the key to contentment: “when you patiently endure”.
Patience!! I humbly had to admit I definitely lack of patience. How do I react when unexpected circumstances come along? We tend to want everything to be perfect: just as we planned and we also want things to happen as fast as possible!
O how many times have I recited this verse from Psalm 27:14!

“Wait patiently for the Lord.
    Be brave and courageous.
    Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.” (NLT)

Our lack of patience brings discontentment, stress, grumbling – questioning God- and even rehearsing negative thoughts!

Paul also encouraged the Colossians with these words: “[we pray that you may be] strengthened and invigorated with all power, according to His glorious might, to attain every kind of endurance and patience with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints (God’s people) in the Light.” (Col. 1:11-12)

So here Paul is also telling us that something has to happen in our hearts: His Holy Spirit is able to strengthen and invigorate us, to attain every kind of endurance.

We need inward peace as well as outward control (Gal. 5:22-23) We need to become grateful. It is impossible to develop contentment without gratitude. We must also submit our schedules, our desires, our dreams to the greater plans of God. Having the conviction that He has a good reason for every delay that He allows to come our way!

God’s promise not to forsake us  (Hebrews 13:5) should give us the assurance and confidence we need to be content with who we are, what we have, and what our future holds.
I pray that we find freedom from discontentment as we learn to depend upon God and to be content in any and every circumstance (Phil 4:11-13).
Blessings,
Mari



2 Corinthians 12

My Weakness, His Strength (2 Corinthians 12)

9:22 PM


Paul was privileged to have an intense and personal encounter with the risen Christ. Through Paul, the ministry and mission work of Christ spread through large regions. Paul was known and talked about and sought after in those early days of the Church. He was also privileged with grand spiritual revelations.  He could have allowed that to be a source of personal glory and prestige, but He chose instead to find contentment in Christ alone. 
“And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.” (v7)
We don’t know exactly what Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” was but we do know that it was something Satan meant to discourage Paul and breed discontent with God and life. Paul, however, chose to embrace a unique perspective on his trial. He asked God multiple times to remove it from his life, but He was also willing to accept that God could use it for a positive purpose: to keep him humble and focused on His dependence on God. 
“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (9)
I think that Paul knew the danger of being too self-reliant, self-focused and self-confident. He realized that “weaknesses” were opportunities for Him to be reminded that His true source of strength and value was in Christ. 
No one welcomes difficulties or trials but they are part of life. As a Christian, we can learn to remain content and to find benefit in what we encounter in this life by keeping our focus on God’s Sovereign control. Satan may try to weigh us down and frustrate us but God can strengthen and empower us as we trust our circumstances to Him. 
Realize that there will be ups and downs in this life but endeavour to remain content in your circumstances by focusing on who you are “ in Christ”. Instead of grumbling and becoming bitter or angry about difficult circumstances, try to surrender those circumstances to God’s will, asking Him to use those circumstances for good and for spiritual growth. It is a great test of faith but it was the example of Paul to us who had learned to be content in “all circumstances”. May we, like Paul, become strong!

“Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”(10)

contentment

The Secret to Contentment {Ephesians 1}

10:00 PM


What kind of life do you think brings contentment? Is it one with few troubles and great successes? Perhaps it’s one that comes with good health, financial security, and a loving family. Interestingly, the Apostle Paul didn’t have any of these particular qualities in his life, yet he wrote to the Philippians that he had learned the secret of being content (Philippians 4:12).

There were several times in my life when I battled with being content. In fact, I was far from being content! I was miserable! The problem was, I could justify my lack of contentment or longing for something I didn’t have at the moment. 

The first time I needed a larger house. Despite the fact that larger homes come with larger mortgages and the money would have to come from somewhere, in my mind it was a necessity! We had outgrown our current house even though it was adequate and in a nice neighborhood and the rest of the family was content to remain right where we were.
The second time, I wanted me children back. One was out of college and living on her own and the other was in college. Both, were thousands of miles away; much too far for me! I wanted them to at least be close, if not under my roof. And each time the spoiled brat became evident in me! (I know this may come as a shock to you, but I’ll always claim to be the bratty sister in the family, and often wonder how the Lord puts up with me at times.) 
The Lord did eventually fulfill both of these longing far better than my finite mind could have dreamed, but it wasn’t until He helped me to discover what Paul’s secret to contentment was! His secret, that He had been trying to tell me for years! Oh sure, I had read over it many times before until I finally saw it for myself and truly understood. Take a look,
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” (Eph 1:3)

Did you catch it? The secret Paul discovered was to focus on his position in the Lord, not on what this world offers us.
I know finding and holding onto contentment in our media-driven world can sometimes be hard! There will always be something bigger or better to buy and someone else who has all we desire.
But think about this a moment:
·        We were chosen (hand-picked by God) before the world began to be holy and blameless! (1:4)
·        Predestined to be adopted into His family. Given all the rights of son-ship. (1:5)
·        We’ve been accepted into the beloved by His grace that He lavishes upon us. (1:6)
·        And through Jesus we’ve been forgiven and redeemed (bought by His blood, so that nothing can change our standing in God’s family. (1;7)
·        We’ve received not only His grace, which He lavishes on us, but His wisdom and understanding as well! (1:8)
·        He has also made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure. (1:9)
·        AND when you believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,  who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance (1:13b-14a)

There is so much more if time would only allow me to tell it all! Suffice it to say, Ephesians chapter 1-3, are a wonderful place to sit when we’re dealing with a longing for more, for the truth is, we deserved hell and received mercy! Not because of anything we had done, but purely because of all Christ Jesus did for us, and because we never did anything to earn it, our position in God’s family can never be taken away!
Jesus took care of our greatest problem and drank the cup of condemnation so that we could drink of the cup of blessings! Blessings already bestowed to us! We don’t even have to earn all those blessings; they’re ours already. “Every spiritual blessing in Christ” is ours!
When I think of all this, I can’t help NOT feeling blessed beyond measure.

I also can not lie to you, there are still times when I catch myself longing for something more, but I’ve honestly, like Paul, have learned the secret that brings me back to being perfectly content in Christ Jesus and all He has already done for me.



Believe

Contentment {Romans 8:18-30}

11:30 PM


Tuesday, February 5, 2019


Please read:  Romans 8:18-30

I heard a story about a lumberjack who was going through a plot of woods to be cut.  He noticed a mother bird starting to build her nest.  He knew her chicks would hatch when the trees were cut down and they would probably die.  So he devised a plan…

Each day he went to that tree and shook it until she left to build her nest in another tree.  Each day the mother bird flew around wondering, “What’s up with this guy harassing me so much?”  He did this day after day… tree after tree… until finally she built her nest safely on the rocks of a cliff.

“Trouble” was the lumberjack’s way of keeping her and chicks safe.  What we think is trouble may very well be God’s way of ultimately protecting us. 

 Image result for Romans 8:28

God has a purpose for our lives and as much as we would like for our lives to be happy, God’s plan is to fulfill His purpose.  Jeremiah 29:11

When you are not a believer, and life is tough and it seems like you don’t ever get your way, you blame everyone else.  Even as a believer we struggle because we are living in this sin-filled world, we still want that “one break”.  We want this life to be or become easier.

Maybe you thought she wouldn’t die from that illness; or maybe you are following that financial plan and you thought it would lead you to not struggle to pay your bills; or perhaps you thought by now your wayward child would be sitting next to you in church.

Whatever your thoughts and plans are, God’s plan is to be glorified.  We need to turn our thoughts away from questioning why this hardship is happening, into accepting that God is allowing it because He is doing something in my life that will result in my good!  We are to trust in God and not life’s treasures.  We need to find security in heaven and not on earth. 

Things don’t work out better and for the good BECAUSE a person is a Christian; GOD MAKES things works out for the Christian’s good.  GOD is the one who is active in these events so that we are ultimately blessed.  So you see, God gets the glory.
 Image result for Romans 8:18

Our attitude reveals our heart every time something difficult arises.  When we are frustrated with our life, with what is happening and the circumstances we are in are difficult, it appears we don’t understand or believe God.  We just don’t grasp Romans 8:28.  Those who complain about their lot in life or play the martyr or find fault in others first, are not living by faith nor do they truly believe what God has said in Romans 8:28.  We truly need to think biblically.  And since we cannot think as God thinks, we must learn to trust Him in all things.  Proverbs 3:5

The story of the lumberjack and the birds reminds me that God knows exactly what I need and I don’t need to run around trying to find all the answers.  Matthew 6:32


True contentment is only found in a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Blessings ladies,

Lisa Thayer







contentment

Contentment-The Gain of Godliness {1 Timothy 6}

11:00 PM



Each day we are bombarded on social media with images of those who seem to have it all. Perfect lives filled with everything a person could want. And when we see such images we can’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy and wonder, “Why can’t that be me? Why can’t I have it all?” Such thinking is what the Bible calls coveting. Chip Ingram describes coveting as, “an inordinate, ungoverned, selfish and passionate desire that leads us away from God and corrupts our relationship with others.” That seems kind of harsh doesn’t it? I mean what harm can it do to want more then we all already have? What’s wrong with seeing the grass as greener on the other side? The truth is that when we covet, we are telling God that we are not satisfied with what He has already so generously given us. And as far as the harm it causes, all we have to do is look at Adam and Eve. Not content with the beautiful garden provided by God, they wanted more. And that more resulted in a broken relationship with the Lord, and a fallen world. 

Contentment, or lack there of, is actually a heart problem. When we base our value and self esteem on how we stack up against others or what the world considers successful, we will find ourselves always coming up short. As the pastor of the church at Ephesus, Timothy faced the challenge of members who too thought that contentment could be found in the material things of the world. The apostle Paul warned against such beliefs saying, “But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either.” (vs. 6:6) No amount of wealth or things can fill the hole inside of us. Fulfillment can only be found in a close personal relationship with the Lord. In fact Paul goes on to say that those who seek contentment in the worlds riches, “fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. The love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” (vs. 6:9-10)

So how can we be learn to be content? By having hearts filled with gratitude. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us, “In everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” No matter how great or how small, everything we have is due to the generosity of the Lord. Although He may not give us everything we want, He promises to give us everything we need.  “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:19) “God already has blessed us with so much. And Satan is the one who seeks to redirect our focus to what eludes us, fostering a malignant virus of discontent. Instead of falling for his lies, why not take inventory of all that He has blessed you with and thank Him for each and every blessing.”...Dr. Charles Stanley

Nothing this world has to offer can give us the contentment, peace, and joy that comes with knowing the Lord. When the world tells us that we aren’t enough, God calls us perfect and His cherished treasures. He loves us like no other. So much so that “He did not spare His own Son but delivered Him over for us all”. (Rom. 8:32) The writer of Hebrews tells us to be content with what we have. (Heb. 12:5). And what do we have? A Heavenly Father who promises to never leave or forsake us. So if in this world all you have is Jesus, you already have everything. And to me that brings more contentment than any earthly treasure every could!

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contentment

Scripture Saturday ~ Psalm 37:3-4~ Take delight! ~ Contentment

12:00 AM

Saturday, February 2, 2019


Welcome to Scripture Saturday!
This coming week's memory verse is Psalm 37:3-4... 

Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart. (NIV)

Trust is an active form of believing. When we actively trust in God it governs the decisions we make and the work we do. Our trust makes us confident that He alone is able to provide us with the greatest quality of life. God alone has the power to satisfy us. He has promised to supply everything that we truly need. When we take delight in Him it draws us closer to God. We can begin to see our lives from His perspective. Remember that God has promised you both a future and a hope. He desires to be a part of our lives everyday.

Have a blessed day and week everyone!






1 Corinthians

Bloom Where You Are Planted {1 Cor. 7:1-9:27}

12:00 AM


During the days of Paul, the city of Corinth was a metropolis of wealth and immorality; a place in desperate need of the church Paul founded. This early church struggled in the midst of a pagan culture, so in response to the confusion of its members Paul wrote letters of both encouragement and instruction. One of the many issues Paul addressed, were the feelings of discontentment that plagued  some of those who were still being influenced by a society who glorified the idea of “more”. He urged the people to be satisfied where God had placed them by saying, “Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches. Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision. For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God. Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise, he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men. So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.” (7:17-24)

Discontentment is nothing new. Even the Israelites, freed from bondage in Egypt, grumbled against God and the way He cared for them throughout their trek in the desert. Not content with what He provided, their desire for more caused them to think how returning to that same bondage would be better then what God had to offer. Sadly at times I have shared that same attitude. I too in my own discontent have grumbled against the Lord, wanting more and being unappreciative of all He has and continues to provide. I too have mistakenly thought that returning to the bondage of the world was better then the Lord’s offerings. But God’s way is always the best, and by reminding ourselves to trust, submit, and serve Him, we can find both contentment, and the joy and peace it brings. 

Trust-God knows us better then we know ourselves. He knows what we need and better yet, what we don’t. In verse 29:11 Jeremiah reminds us of God’s intentions writing, “I know the plans that I have for you”, declares the Lord, “plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.” Discontentment  creeps in when we try to impose our plans on God rather then trusting in His. Our Father loves us beyond measure and promises that when we trust Him to work in His perfect way and timing, He will fulfill every good plan He has for our lives. 

Submit-Submitting to God means surrendering our will to His. Often times we try to take matters into our own hands, playing the role intended for Him alone. Nothing happens without His say so, and many times God uses the circumstances in our lives to deeper our relationship with Him. Deciding how we think things should go and attempting to make them happen shows that we want to be the authority in our lives instead of God. Paul endured much. Yet he lived a life in submission to God and in return found peace saying, “I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.” “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” ( Phil. 4:11,13)

Serve-There is a Chinese saying that goes, “If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap. If you want happiness for a day, go fishing. If you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime, help somebody.” Serving God includes serving others. In 1 Peter 4:10 we are instructed, “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” Meeting the needs of others not only gives us the joy of pleasing God, it also shifts our focus. And when our focus is placed not on ourselves but instead on serving the Lord and others, we have little time to serve feelings of discontentment.

Being content with where we are and what we have is a choice each of us must make. Even if your circumstances may not be what you want, remember that they could always be worse and are always in God’s capable hands. Follow the advice of Paul and find contentment by pursuing those things which are good, aiming for godliness not gain. Strive to be satisfied with what God has given you and with where he has placed you in life. You can’t go wrong when you trust in Him, His love, and His plans for you. So wherever you are make the most of the calling God has given you, and bloom where you are planted!

“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” (1 Tim. 6:6-12)


contentment

The Choice of Contentment {1 Timothy 6}

12:00 AM

The Choice of Contentment {1 Timothy 6}


An old Indian proverb says, "a harvest of peace grows from seeds of contentment"  A wonderful but difficult sentiment in a world that constantly bombards us with images of how we should look and what we should have in order to be happy and successful. Discontentment is one of Satan's most powerful tools of the trade. He loves for our focus to be on what we don't have instead of all that we do. And although contentment isn't something that just happens, we can make the choice to be just like Paul to be satisfied and grateful in any and every situation. So what's the secret of being content? One of my favorite teachers, Dr. Michael Rydelnik gives us five ways to overcome always wanting more. These include perspective, comparison, rejoicing, remembrance, and release.

1. "Refocus our perspective"- I have a terrible habit of being an impulse shopper. If something catches my eye the immediate thought of, "Oh, I need that!" pops into my head. But do I really? If I'm honest with my self, more often than not the answer is no. Even though a cute pair of shoes might give me immediate joy, the joy fades when I see them sitting in my closet still not worn and wondering why I bought them in the first place. Although every purchase we make doesn't always have to be a necessity, our greatest focus shouldn't be on our wants. Paul reiterates this by saying, "For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content." (vs. 7-8)

2. "Resist comparison to others"- Comparison is a dangerous trap to fall into, and one that I myself am often guilty of. When I begin comparing myself to others, (who they are or what they have), I find myself feeling less than, defeated, and envious. Envy is a destructive emotion. It turns into a pity party for one and makes us prideful and covetous. It keeps us from being thankful for all that God has blessed us with, and leads to competing with others to be the best. But that's not God wants. He wants us to complete each other, not compete with each other. And James 3:16 warns us, "Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing."

3. "Rejoice in God's Gifts"- I love baking and crafting. Often the gifts I give are homemade and from the heart. Nothing is more disappointing than excitedly waiting for someone to open a gift that I put my time, energy, and love into just to see it tossed to the side and unappreciated. That kind of disappointment is what God feels when we fail to rejoice in all that He gives us. Every gift He gives comes from His love for us, and His promise to supply all of our needs. In return our hearts should be overflowing with gratitude and appreciation. Eccles. 5:19 reminds us, "Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work; this is a gift of God."

4. "Remember what we deserve"- Humility is stressed throughout the Bible, and a quality I try to impress upon my son. But often, as children have a tendency to do, he becomes a beacon of truth, reminding me that I don't always practice what I preach. And he's right. If I'm not paying attention, I find my ego getting in the way. I think I deserve more and better than what I have. But the truth is, what I really deserve is God's judgement. Yet because of His amazing grace, "He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him." (Psalm 103:10-11)

5. "Releasing our money and possessions to others"- God blesses us financially and spiritually not only for our benefit, but so that we can in turn use those gifts to bless others. Paul writes of the rich in verse 18, "Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share." Generous giving allows us to be content with what we have and strengthens us against falling into the sin of greed. For we are warned in verse 9 that, "Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction." 

God calls His people to lead lives of contentment. Although not easy, it is possible. And when you choose to be content, you gain a peace and freedom that allows you to enjoy all that God has given you more than you miss what He hasn't.

1 Timothy

Real Contentment!

12:00 AM



Welcome to Scripture Saturday!

Today we are memorizing 1Timothy 6:6,7…

But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.

I love reading verses in the Amplified version as well…

But godliness actually is a source of great gain when accompanied by contentment [that contentment which comes from a sense of inner confidence based on the sufficiency of God]. For we have brought nothing into the world, so [it is clear that] we cannot take anything out of it, either.

As followers of Christ our lives need to be focused on pursuing holiness in behavior, attitude, and thought.  Easy to do in this world?  - no - but we should continue to choose to be content in whatever circumstances God has placed us, placing our trust in a Sovereign God, as Paul himself writes while in prison…

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. (Phil 4:11,12)

Paul’s secret? “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (Phil 4:13)

Contentment, as Paul is describing, is a mindset, a heart set, and a work set…knowing/believing/behaving that our real home is in heaven. "It requires but little of this world's goods to satisfy a man who feels himself to be a citizen of another country, and knows that this is not his rest." (Clarke)

Father, thank you for all of the blessings that you have bestowed upon us, for the spiritual wealth that You have given us through Your Son and the gift of the Holy Spirit. Help us to keep our eyes and thoughts upon the riches we have in You and in the eternal wealth that has been given us.  Help us to see through this world’s constant reminder of what will make us “happy” - to see it as the work of satan and a testing given by him. We desire to place our hearts solely on the true treasure - You!


Have a blessed and precious day everyone!