Ramesh C. Reddy
Editor in Chief
Hi everyone :)
May you be content knowing the Lord Jesus Christ offers you new things everyday treating you! Amen!
Quiet Times (Psalm 143:8-11 and Philippians 4:11)
“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Rescue me from my enemies, O LORD, for I hide myself in you. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground. For your name’s sake, O LORD, preserve my life; in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble.” (Psalm 143:8-11)
“I am not saying this because I am in need for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” (Philippians 4:11)
Two C’s stuck out to me: CONTENT & CIRCUMSTANCES!
Paul has learned to be content whatever the circumstances bringing to mind that being content is something that has to be worked on rather than automatically happening. It is that much more amazing that Paul could be content in prison. Once again that is awesome to know!
I saw important implications for my own life. No matter what the circumstances are in my life, I need to learn to be content. I may not feel like being content but I need to press toward that goal of being content for the glory of the Lord. This does not mean that I do not give my best to the Lord in the area I am in, for He deserves our best! For me being content is not an excuse to be lazy.
I ask you now dear friends, what makes you content?
Dear friends, in my own life I know what makes me content is what I like to do the most, what I like to read the most, what I like to hear the most, etc. You get the picture where it is all about ‘what I like’. Yet, that is not what I see in Paul. Paul is content where he is placed at. He makes the best of the opportunity he has where he is at. I learned even though I have lost what I have loved to do the most which is working with the EXECUTIVE TEAM of IVCF-PITT and LARGE GROUP, they are defunct now and there is nothing I can do about it. If I handled things differently in my own life, I know that would not have happened but it did. Even though I have lost on that front, I know the Lord can still use me in other areas.
I have had to forcefully make myself learn to be content depending on the Lord. It has not been easy and it still hurts when I think through those situations but with the Lord’s help, I know I can make it as I praise Him and thank Him for what He has given me.
Friend, I do not know what you want and what makes you content. Maybe where you are at right now is not making you content, maybe you are doing an upward comparison with others and it is not making you content, etc but this I know in our flesh and humanity, we will never be content with what we have for human tendency is to want cold when it is hot and want hot when it is cold. This carries on to other areas of our lives too!
But the encouragement I find is in Jesus Christ. As you and I focus on Jesus Christ wherever we are in our lives, we will have contentment. Not only that when we do things it won’t be because of selfish ambition but when we excel in an area it will be because we are choosing to give our best to the Lord for His glory. It is good to know that contentment is not an excuse for mediocrity but being thankful for where the Lord has placed us and working from there.
If we look for anything else other than Jesus Christ, we will not find contentment. Any worldly desires will not give us contentment in the long run because it will only be temporary and we will be trapped and possibly addicted. I am reminded that it is a lack of contentment that caused the first sin with Adam & Eve. They just could not be happy what God gave them and wanted what they could not have. The best addiction we can have is to Jesus Christ!
Wherever you are, may you know that Jesus loves you so much and wants to help you! He will give you the peace and joy when you find your first contentment in Him. Christ opens new things everyday nicely treating! This will help us to be content! It is exciting to know as we delight ourselves in the Lord, He will give us the desires of our heart. Yes, my friend He will fulfill your desires. I know He will as you seek Him. May you seek Him with all your heart and find your contentment from Him! Amen!
Christ Opens New Things Everyday Nicely Treating! (C.O.N.T.E.N.T)/"What makes you content?"
Prayer:
Jesus, today I learned about being content. Lord, your Word taught me about
contentment especially knowing where Paul was and his emphasis on contentment
regardless of the circumstances. Lord, it is not easy for me to be content when
I look around me or have flash backs of what used to be. You know the struggles
we face in our lives. Forgive us Lord for not being thankful where you placed us
and working from there. Help us please Jesus as this is still a serious matter
not being content. For lack of contentment is where sin started with Adam and
Eve. I want to learn to be content and need your help. Thank you for helping us,
answering us, and being there for us. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!
Love in Christ,
Ramesh
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