Good Morning Saints! How content/satisfied are you in the LORD? How content are you with the people in your life? How content are you with your position in life? Do you live fully in the moment or are you always straining for more of something that eludes you? Perhaps many of you are like me. I grew up always striving but never feeling like I reached the place of being good enough. My life was filled with frustration which turned to anger. Nothing ever satisfied me. It always amazes me that on any given week the LORD allows me ears to hear with a knowing heart. All week long I have heard the word contentment/satisfaction (or lack of it). Where there is a lack of contentment/satisfaction there is a lack of other things as well. True satisfaction and contentment can only be found in one person: The Christ. It is in this Contentment that we can find rest for our souls. 1 Timothy 6:1-6 1 All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that Gods name and our teaching may not be slandered. 2 Those who have believing masters are not to show less respect for them because they are brothers. Instead, they are to serve them even better, because those who benefit from their service are believers, and dear to them. These are the things you are to teach and urge on them. 3 If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our LORD Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4 he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5 and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. (NIV) The peace that comes with the godly pursuit of the Gospel is easy to see. These don’t get wrapped up in controversies, quarrels about words, strife, and malicious talk. They stay focused on all God has given and they are content no matter what their circumstance for they know God is enough. They are not focused on being godly to achieve financial gain or position. They continually look to love and to serve those God has placed around them and a prayer of thanksgiving is continually on their lips. They aren’t looking for positions of authority but rather they look to see who God has already placed around them to comfort and strengthen. These are the ones who have the peace that passes all understanding. 1 Timothy 6:7-8 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. (NIV) If you are have your salvation this morning…if you have breakfast this morning…if you are taking a warm shower…if you have clothes to put on…stop for a moment and give praise. The reality is that we came into the world with nothing and we will leave taking nothing with us but the love we have acquired along the way. Love never dies. Striving for position, wealth, importance, is all a waste of time and energy. None of these things will bring the deep satisfaction we seek. 1 Timothy 6:9 9 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. 10 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. 11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. (NIV) Leave behind the pursuit of riches of the world and pursue the right things of God. These are the things that bring satisfaction and testify that God is enough. The Godly are kind, humble, compassionate and gentle. They follow the way of their Master… Matthew 11:28-30 28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. (NIV) In HIS Heart & Hand, mary b (P.S. No devotions next week -- Spring Break)
Posted on: Thu, 27 Mar 2014 13:01:17 +0000