We readily, and easily demonstrate discontent, displeasure, discord, and other negatives, as if they serve us in any beneficial capacity! Our behaviours, our moods, our inclinations seem to lean towards the absolute opposites of what gladden us, sustain us, and build us up. Astoundingly weird, but, so true; think about it...
Too, endless are the number of people who look around them, and measure their existence against that of others; it IS a trap, and it IS debilitating: as individual as we are, so is what we have, might have, or can get! Contentment, gratitude, thankfulness, and appreciation REMOVE this snare, and keep us growing, and BLESSED...
PHILIPPIANS 4: 11-13...
11+++Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.
12+++I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.
13+++I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
The apostle was often in bonds, imprisonments, and necessities; but in all, he learned to be content, to bring his mind to his condition, and make the best of it. Pride, unbelief, vain hankering after something we have not got, and fickle disrelish of present things, make men discontented even under favourable circumstances. Let us pray for patient submission and hope when we are abased; for humility and a heavenly mind when exalted. It is a special grace to have an equal temper of mind always. And in a low state not to lose our comfort in God, nor distrust his providence, nor take any wrong course for our own supply. In a prosperous condition not to be proud, or secure, or worldly. This is a harder lesson than the other; for the temptations of fullness and prosperity are more than those of affliction and want.
PROVERBS 15: 15-16...
15+++All the days of the oppressed are bad, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.
16+++Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure with turmoil.
Some are much in affliction, and of a sorrowful spirit. Such are to be pitied, prayed for, and comforted. And others serve God with gladness of heart, and it prompts their obedience, yet they should rejoice with trembling. Believers often have enough when worldly eyes see little; the Lord is with them, without the cares, troubles, and temptations which are with the wealth of the wicked.
"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
There is scarcely any sin against which our Lord Jesus more warns his disciples, than disquieting, distracting, distrustful cares about the things of this life. This often ensnares the poor as much as the love of wealth does the rich. But there is a carefulness about temporal things which is a duty, though we must not carry these lawful cares too far. Take no thought for your life. Not about the length of it; but refer it to God to lengthen or shorten it as he pleases; our times are in his hand, and they are in a good hand. Not about the comforts of this life; but leave it to God to make it bitter or sweet as he pleases. Food and raiment God has promised, therefore we may expect them. Take no thought for the morrow, for the time to come. Be not anxious for the future, how you shall live next year, or when you are old, or what you shall leave behind you. As we must not boast of tomorrow, so we must not care for to-morrow, or the events of it.
God has given us life, and has given us the body. And what can he not do for us, who did that? If we take care about our souls and for eternity, which are more than the body and its life, we may leave it to God to provide for us food and raiment, which are less. Improve this as an encouragement to trust in God. We must reconcile ourselves to our worldly estate, as we do to our stature. We cannot alter the disposals of Providence, therefore we must submit and resign ourselves to them. Thoughtfulness for our souls is the best cure of thoughtfulness for the world.
Seek first the kingdom of God, and make religion your business: say not that this is the way to starve; no, it is the way to be well provided for, even in this world. The conclusion of the whole matter is, that it is the will and command of the Lord Jesus, that by daily prayers we may get strength to bear us up under our daily troubles, and to arm us against the temptations that attend them, and then let none of these things move us. Happy are those who take the Lord for their God, and make full proof of it by trusting themselves wholly to his wise disposal. Let thy Spirit convince us of sin in the want of this disposition, and take away the worldliness of our hearts.
1 TIMOTHY 6: 6-8...
6+++But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment.
7+++For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either.
8+++But if we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.
Those that make a trade of Christianity to serve their turn for this world, will be disappointed; but those who mind it as their calling, will find it has the promise of the life that now is, as well as of that which is to come. He that is godly, is sure to be happy in another world; and if contented with his condition in this world, he has enough; and all truly godly people are content.
If nature should be content with a little, grace should be content with less. AMEN!!!
Contentment is NOT only about being grateful for what you have, but also, grateful FOR THE LORD *GOD*, CHRIST JESUS, and HIS GIFT OF LIFE! Contentment KEEPS us ON THE PATH, and diminishes those pesky temptations which the evil one uses against when we are not! WHEN we are grateful, we appreciate the MIGHTY things which THE LORD *GOD* HAS DONE for us, IS DOING, and WILL ACCOMPLISH for us, and we know HE says,“My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” 2 CORINTHIANS 12: 9, which means, When God does not take away our troubles and temptations, yet, if he gives grace enough for us, we have no reason to complain. Grace signifies the good-will of God towards us, and that is enough to enlighten and enliven us, sufficient to strengthen and comfort in all afflictions and distresses. His strength is made perfect in our weakness. Thus his grace is manifested and magnified. When we are weak in ourselves, then we are strong in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ; when we feel that we are weak in ourselves, then we go to Christ, receive strength from him, and enjoy most the supplies of Divine strength and grace.
Since it is Thanksgiving week, let us be reminded of the manifold POWERS of gratitude, contentment, and appreciation IN HIS NAME, FOR HIS LOVING KINDNESS, and CARE for us, THAT we receive more OF HIM, and GIVE to others what we have gathered, FOR HIS GLORY, and the good of all!!!
BLESS THE LORD *GOD* ALMIGHTY, PRAISE HIM ALWAYS; WORSHIP HIS HOLINESS, and HIS GLORY! REJOICE IN HIS LOVING CARE for us! LOVE as HE LOVES us! HONOUR HIM in ALL your ways, ALL of your days! DO GOOD, and BE GOOD! GIVE THANKS, BE GRATEFUL, and APPRECIATIVE! AMEN, and HALLELUJAH, in CHRIST JESUS let us SHINE!!!
LWINSOR © 2019
BIBLICAL, and/or other references marked BOLDLY IN COLOURS
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