Content In Christ
Wednesday's Devotion (6-25-08)
"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content." 1 Timothy 6:6-8 (KJV)
Boy, I'll tell you these verses speak volumes to me as of late. For someone who usually is really content... When I start feeling uncontent, I REALLY feel uncontent. I get restless, and frustrated about things that I really can't change. Instead of being happy with what I DO have, I start looking at what I don't. Sound familiar? It's easy to cry and complain about all the things we don't have, but how many of us have the gift to just stand back and thank God everyday for the things we do have? That IS a gift of the Holy Spirit (Being content that is.) One of the many gifts of the Holy Spirit. Peace is also a gift, but if we're not content then we won't have peace. It kind of goes hand in hand. Trust me on that one! When you're not content you start trying to figure out ways to get what you "need." You don't trust God, and you worry about where or how you're going to get what you want. Some uncontent people might plan a bank robbery to get some extra money. Now, that's certainly not content and that's not trusting in the Lord. So, being content, being at peace, and trusting in the Lord all three go hand in hand.
Is it easy to be content? Certainly not. We can't just turn it on! We have to pray for it, and we have to work at it. We have to stay in a thankful mindset. Instead of saying and thinking things like, "I wish I had a million dollars!" We should be saying and thinking, "Lord, thank you for my job, for my family, for the food on our table, and the clothes on our backs!" Stop looking for more, and start appreciating what you have more. Why does it feel like I'm talking to myself? The Lord set me up on this one! There are countless devotions on our website that I wrote seemingly to myself, but I know others needed to hear them too. There was a time where if I wasn't following certain scriptures, I wouldn't write on them. But instead of doing that, I actually try and write on them anyway because it helps me to change in that area when I open up about it. Something about preaching it, makes me more determined to follow it. Again, I could use your prayers as always! And if you need mine then just let me know!
Let's take a look at Psalm 34:10 "The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good [thing]."
Up until now, I used to think that this meant that we would have every good thing we wanted. It doesn't really, it just means that we'll be content in and with the Lord. At least that's what it means to me. We don't need a lot of the things that we want, but the things that we really need the Lord provides for us. If we're content then we won't be in "want." We'll be happy and at peace with what we do have now.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for this message and for all things. Please forgive us of all our sins as we forgive all those who've sinned against us. Please help us to trust in you, and to be content and at peace. Don't let us worry about things or be wanting more. Help us to appreciate what we have. In Jesus name. A-men!
God bless!