Tag: contentment

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Exodus 16-18 Murmurings & Wise Counsel

What is our response when we face suffering?  Have you forgotten the work of God in the midst of a trial? Do you look back at what God did in the past for you? We are a part of the evil generation that forgets the blessings and only focuses on the present time. God has provided all that the Israelites have needed and yet their memories are short, so like us. They have witnessed the power of God to protect them from the hand of Pharaoh even in the time of suffering and yet they are focused on what will feed the body rather than what will feed the soul. 

One behavior we have honed is murmuring. We murmur when life has thrown us a challenge, a test if you may want to call it that, and it isn’t just us that murmur but our murmuring is caught and transferred to others. It is sort of like that yeast in the rising dough. It grows and fills the entire lump. 

Into this a visitor arrives; a man who has been seeking God and he finds it from the testimony of one. Now that he has seen the working of God, he believes. Where has your testimony of God spoken to the heart of another and you and he are blessed together? Moses’ father in law Jethro is wise for when he sees the predicament that is before Moses, he offers wisdom which is accepted. Learn from the aged! 

So many lessons here! Today rejoice and be glad for God has and is working. 

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10.16.24. For the sake of Christ

2 Cor 12 Contentment 

Our world is awash in trials and tribulations, persecutions and other traumas. Recently a pastor in Laos was murdered. Another church was burned as well as the church members’ crops destroyed. We read this from afar and our hearts hurt for these who lost so much. In our own country, a devastating hurricane has destroyed much, and many are without resources. Our own bodies are failing in so many ways. It seems that we are being bombarded front and back. Paul is telling the Corinthians and us to stand strong, be content. That is the hardest thing to do when you are feeling downhearted.  

Contentment is a choice we must make, and it is a 24/7 decision. Paul wisely tells us that it is for the sake of Christ that we choose to be content, and we can say we can be content when we face these challenges.  

So what challenges are you facing today? Are you weak? Has someone insulted your faith? Is your life full of troubles (family, finances etc.)? Are you being persecuted? No matter what can you step apart from these and say you are content and can face these for the sake of Christ?  

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True Contentment

1 Timothy 6 We live in a materialistic society. We are bombarded with ads for this and that supposedly because we need it to be contented. But, if you read history and the biographies of rich men, you will find that they were not contented. Rockefeller when asked what would make him contented, he answered, one more dime, one more dollar. Is that you my reader friend? Jesus reminded the people and his disciples that just one thing is not what God wants. He wants us to be contented in what He has given to us. In fact Paul reminds us “Command those who are rich in this world’s goods not to be haughty or to set their hope on riches, which are uncertain, but on God who richly provides us with all things for our enjoyment.”[1 Tim 6:17]

Many a man has acquired wealth only to see it disappear just as it did in the Great Depression. Or how about the wealthy who were on the Titanic and died having no gold or riches to save them?  Seek ye first the kingdom of God and He will provide all we need at the moment. That is true contentment. 

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Contentment is a Learned Exercise

contentment2I have struggled with what Paul wrote to the Philippians when he wrote: “I have learned to be content in any circumstance…I have learned the secret of contentment.” How does one “learn” contentment?

I think I found the clue here in 2Corinthians 12. The background: Some spiritually proud “super apostles” sought to lead the Corinthians astray. Paul knew what they were saying behind his back; he is not becoming in appearance and he isn’t eloquent. What they had not known, and up to this time Paul had not shared, was that 14 years prior to this he had (for lack of better words) an “out of body” experience. Consider this; these so-called super apostles often boasted about their so-called revelations, but, Paul did not. In fact it was not until he had heard enough that he shared what had transpired to keep him humble.

Paul is saying “fast forward” now 14 yrs later. Let me share with you what happened ‘after’ my experience. I was given a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to keep me from spiritual pride; unlike these who had infiltrated the church.  It was real; it was painful.  I sought at least 3 times to have it removed but Christ said emphatically “no;” I have given you my grace of supernatural enablement.

And now Paul explains the secret of his contentment. He learned that a no answer is not the end but the beginning. A no answer meant that Christ would be his sufficiency in times he would need it most. It meant that the grace he had received was not ‘just enough’ but ‘more than enough.’ It is like the miracle of the loaves and fish. When in need, Christ provided not just enough but abundantly and that is what Christ did for Paul. And that is what Christ will do for you and for me.

The lesson for me, and perhaps you, is that Christ will provide just what I need at just the right time. Contentment is not a one time exercise but an on-going step by step, daily exercise. His grace is truly sufficient. 

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