FINDING CONTENTMENT THROUGH GOD'S LOVE AND POWER

8/9/2020

Have you ever found yourself wishing that things were different in your life ? Perhaps it wasn’t a totally different existence, but only the need for a few things to change. Maybe you just needed that “ONE THING” that would truly fulfill your needs and your dreams….and yet, it was so elusive. Perhaps you had, or have reached a place where you just needed, or need “everything to change!” If only I could reach the pinnacle of being “Content”. The question is, is contentment actually real ? Can contentment truly last ?

We live in a world that revolves around the need to be constantly satisfied. Instant gratification and feeling happy and safe continue to move more and more to the forefront of what defines a life of contentment and fulfillment. Our every desire and circumstance needs to meet our wishes and our demands. Once we get what we want and deserve, then we will become complete and perfect…at least in the eyes of the world. The world deems contentment to be based on a lot of things and circumstances that require a focus and effort on ME, Myself, and I. “Self Focus” is an essential part of the process to reach the completed outcome one desires. So, why is it that Jesus put His focus on teaching, helping, healing, and ultimately giving His life for us? How did the apostle Paul find happiness and contentment sitting in a jail cell in chains, beaten and wondering if it might be his last day of life? Are we missing what contentment is really all about ?

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. Philippians 4: 11-12

BUT GODLINESS WITH CONTENTMENT IS GREAT GAIN. FOR WE BROUGHT NOTHING INTO THE WORLD, AND WE TAKE NOTHING OUT OF IT. Timothy 6:6-7

BETTER A LITTLE WITH RIGHTEOUSNESS THAN MUCH GAIN WITH INJUSTICE. Proverbs 16:8

Perhaps our biggest struggle with contentment is that we fail to realize that it is provided in the place we find ourselves and in the time we are encompassed by if we simply open our eyes and hearts and embrace where God has us right now ! In the midst of a storm or struggle, find contentment that you are being sharpened. In the midst of hard times, find contentment in the voice of a friend or even a stranger who is offering encouragement or a hand in help. Be grateful and content when in your misery and pain, God is with you, and has provided someone to serve you. The friend praying for you. The neighbor who dropped off food. A stranger who just donated clothing, paid a utility bill, or simply said “ Be blessed and have a good day.”

Our pastor laid it out like this: BE GRATEFUL WHEN GOD’S PEOPLE SERVE YOU

BE APPRECIATIVE IN ALL OF YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES

BE STRONG IN THE “STRENGTH” OF GOD

BE GENEROUS TO THE NEEDS OF OTHERS

BE WORSHIPFUL TO GOD WITH ALL OF GOD’S PEOPLE

The true gift of God for all of us is knowing how much He loves us ! He knows every hair on your head. He promises us that all His creatures will be provided for, and even more so, us. He provides us with His Word to gain understanding, wisdom, and comfort from. He has given us a Kingdom full of like minded and like hearted bothers and sisters to fellowship with. He has made us in His image, diverse and unique in who we are, yet bonded together in Him, despite our colors, our cultures, our languages, and our weaknesses. He gave His Son for our Salvation and a promise of Eternal Life with Him. It is His burning desire that we are His people, content in knowing He is our God, and our hearts and spirits find restoration, joy and completeness in giving our lives to Him as our Lord. We are content because HE IS OUR IDENTITY. WE ABIDE IN HIM AND HE IN US ! Believe it ! Savor it ! Most importantly LIVE IT !

FINALLY BROTHERS, REJOICE. AIM FOR RESTORATION, COMFORT ONE ANOTHER, LIVE IN PEACE, AND THE GOD OF LOVE AND PEACE WILL BE WITH YOU. “FOR HE HIMSELF IS OUR PEACE WHO HAS MADE US BOTH ONE AND HAS BROKEN DOWN IN HIS FLESH THE DIVIDING WALL OF HOSTILITY.”

Can you rejoice ? Can you find contentment ? Can you be generous to others even while you struggle ? I truly believe that we all can ! It comes from knowing Jesus and giving your life to Him. Recognize you are a sinner; ask Him to be your Lord; believe He died for you and was resurrected; repent and be Born Again. Be born into a life of contentment no matter the struggle, for CHRIST IS IN YOU< AND YOU ARE IN HIM :) Believe it !/JAA

THE LORD GIVES STRENGTH TO HIS PEOPLE; THE LORD BLESSES HIS PEOPLE WITH PEACE. Psalm 29:11