GODLY CONTENTMENT
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (YouTube: Wade Hughes)
Psalm 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Isaiah 26:3 (KJV) Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
Isaiah 26:3 (NLT2) You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
We live in a land of blessings. We have many conveniences, the best entertainment, and good transportation in the history of the world. Yet we tend to deeply struggle demanding more. Our heavenly Father ask us to practice contentment daily. We often walk by feelings not faith.
Contentment: peaceful happiness, satisfy, to feel peace, joy and satisfaction with circumstances.
WE TEND TO COMPARE OURSELVES WITH OURSELVES. THIS CAN KILL OUR CONFIDENCE IN OTHERS, IN SELF AND IN GOD.
2 Corinthians 10:12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
Why worry? Don’t worry; we wouldn’t dare are to compare ourselves with each other, using themselves as the standard of measurement. This is not smart.
Psalm 37:3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. 4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
Habakkuk 3:17 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: 18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. 19 The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.
We cannot allow our contentment to be defined by circumstances. Can we focus on eternal and not temporal? CONTENTMENT: THE BOTTOM LINE OF CONTENTMENT IS TRUSTING GOD’S PLAN. We can know the state of satisfaction and peace with one’s circumstances, develop inner peace not matter the situation, a learned virtue,
Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
Philippians 4:6 (MSG) Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. 7 Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.
PAUL’S WRITINGS in Philippians teaches us CONTENTMENT is a learned behavior. By faith we learn to rely on God.
Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Philippians 4:12 (MSG) I'm just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. 13 Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.
WE ARE BORN WITH NOTHING AND WE WILL DIE WITH NOTHING.
1 Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
WE MUST BE THANKFUL TO GAIN CONTENTMENT.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (MSG) thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.
WE STAND ON GOD’S PROMISES. SUFFICIENT, ENOUGH, ADEQUATE, TO PROVIDE FOR THE NEED.
2 Corinthians 12:9 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. 10 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.
Matthew 6:31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
CONCLUSION: CAN WE SEE THERE ARE PITFALLS BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF CONTENTMENT? We are dissatisfied with daily life. The love of money and greed thrive demanding more and more. Hot on the heels of the lack of contentment is the terrible feeling of greed and jealousy. Worry, growing weary, being anxious. Contentment is a discipline. Contentment is not always easy. Contentment requires thankfulness and patience. All around us seems to thrive in discontentment.
The more we know Jesus in a personal way and the more we know the Bible the more content we will be. We must learn that God is in control and he loves us. God knows how to give good gifts to his children. We must practice and learn to be content no matter the circumstance.
FOCUS ON GOD’S PROMISES: We must guard our hearts!
Proverbs 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
Psalm 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (YouTube: Wade Hughes)
