Paul's Secret

To those that struggle with contentment... there will never be enough.  It will always lie one arms length beyond their ability to sleep at night.   Those that live in this camp wonder when the next one will be and never cherish what is.  Their entire existence is based on what they might miss out on by not having more. 

Today’s verses help with this.  

“Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.”  1 Timothy 6:6

“Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have.”   Philippians 4:11 (Paul)

Godliness with contentment, Paul says, is of great value.  In fact, he goes on to tell the churches in Philipi that he has “learned how to be content with whatever I have.” [sic].  

What was Paul’s secret?  What helped him move from greedy to grateful?  It’s simple.  Perspective.  Paul saw that his needs were met and that was enough.  He probably had wants...things that he’d like to have in his life... but he realized that these were superfluous to his mission.   Paul was sent to spread the Gospel... and help those around him find Christ as Lord.  He knew that God would provide whatever he needed to fulfill his calling.  

What’s your calling?  To grow, learn, love, support, partner, develop, share Christ, and become the person God created you to be?  Great!  I promise you… to do all of those things.. God will give you exactly what you need exactly when you need it.  All the other stuff that ties up your heart in the bonds of dissatisfaction are unnecessary… and only lead to stress, sadness, and the false feeling that you are missing out on something.  

Ready to move from greedy to grateful?  From wanting to worshiping?   From pouting to praise?  Make the commitment today to do so.   It won’t take long before you realize that Paul had it right… It’s not about having stuff…it’s about knowing it’s enough.  And thanking God for his graciousness in allowing us to hold onto it for awhile.  

In Control

“In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”  Psalm 4:8

Peace is more than a concept...a symbol... or a state of mind.  

It is knowing that no matter how challenging life gets....

How heavy the burden feels...

How hard the winds blow...

How much it hurts...

How little money you have...

How deep the pit...

How unfair the decision...

No matter how long the road....

God is in control.   

He’s not surprised by anything and He is already at work (even if you don’t see it yet)

We may not always understand the “why” or the “when”

But we can be at peace because we know the “Who” that was, is, and always will be.  

God knows your pain... He knows your struggles... and He knows your situation.  We may be tempted to get mad at God... after all if He knows we hurt so bad, why isn’t He bringing us peace?

Because it is during the storms of life where we grow stronger.  When you’re stronger... you build perseverance...  with perseverance comes character... and with character you get hope.   (from Romans 5:3-5).   This hope in God’s salvation, provision, and protection is what allows us to rest when the world trembles... to be able to climb over the obstacles and enjoy the view from the other side.  

To have peace that nobody understands or can explain.  

Peace comes from realizing that you can’t and were never designed to know it all, do it all, understand it all, or carry it all.  It is a state of the heart that can be attained despite our circumstances, achieved regardless of wealth, or acquired without everything being perfect.  It isn’t an ignorant state of bliss... but an intentional recognition of God’s sovereignty.  

If you aren’t feeling peace in your life today, take a few minutes and commit today’s verse to memory.  The next time the enemy wants to steal your peace... remind him Who is in control.

What We Have

“Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said,

“I will never fail you.
    I will never abandon you.”  Hebrews 13:5 

How many of you like popcorn at the movies?  Most of us, right?  A study of moviegoers in Philadelphia found that people will eat more popcorn if it is in a bigger box.  We see it so we eat it... even when our stomachs tell us we’re full.      

This got me to thinking about contentment.  How many of us live our lives with our eyes instead of our stomachs. We see more so we want more... even when we know we have enough.  The Bible tells us in Hebrews 13:5 that we should be content with what we have... not spend our time trying to have all of our wants satisfied.  Look around you today... are all of your needs met?  Stop reaching into the box.  Instead, focus on giving thanks for the blessings!

Content

      What does it take for us to say we have enough?  Many who struggle with this answer the question of “enough?” with “just one more.”  But where does it stop?  

To those that struggle with contentment... there will never be enough.  It will always lie one arms length beyond their ability to sleep at night.   Those that live in this camp wonder when the next one will be and never cherish what is.  Their entire existence is based on what they might miss out on by not having more.  Today’s verse helps with this.  

“Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.”  1 Timothy 6:6

“Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have.”   Philippians 4:11 (Paul)

Godliness with contentment, Paul says, is of great value.  In fact, he goes on to tell the churches in Philipi that he has “learned how to be content with whatever I have.” [sic].  

What was Paul’s secret?  What helped him move from greedy to grateful?  It’s simple.  Perspective.  Paul saw that his needs were met and that was enough.  He probably had wants...things that he’d like to have in his life... but he realized that these were superfluous to his mission.   Paul was sent to spread the Gospel... and help those around him find Christ as Lord.  He knew that God would provide whatever he needed to fulfill his calling.  

Is that you today?  Are you focused on the things you want instead of giving thanks for the things you have?  I suggest taking the energy you might spend on trying to satisfy discontent and invest it in yourself in other areas:  read more, study the Bible more, take care of your body more, journal more, and serve others more.  

It was once said, “Be content with what you have, never with what you are.”  Interesting idea... Remember, the goal isn’t to acquire things, satisfy desires, or fill up square footage in your house... it’s to become a better you and draw closer to Christ.  How?  

1. Stop determining your value by things or opinions.  Only one evaluation matters...and that’s from God.  (Ephesians 2:10
2. Be content with what God provides... and don’t worry about what He doesn’t.  Your needs will be met.  (Philippians 4:19)
3. Keep walking down the road to your God potential.   Don’t let discontent shift your focus from gratitude to ungratefulness.  (Psalm 107:1)

Let’s take the journey together!

Where We Are

A pilot always looked down intently on a certain valley in the Appalachians. "What’s so interesting about that spot?" Asked a fellow pilot. "See that stream? Well, when I was a kid I used to sit down there on a log and fish. Every time an airplane flew over, I would look up and wish I were flying... Now I look down and wish I were fishing."

Why does it seem that no matter where we are... we want to be somewhere else?

Then when we get there... we either want to go back to where we just came from... or somewhere new.

Never satisfied.

Ever felt that way?  Ever wonder why you are where you are... Ever sit and think about how great it could be if you were in place A or with person B?   Ever have a longing to be someplace...get there...and wish you had never left the first place?  That feeling of dissatisfaction and regret can sting... and if we’re not careful... that simple question “what if” can derail us from a fulfilled life.

The Apostle Paul dealt with that... but he didn’t let it control him.   He figured out a way to be satisfied where he was...

“Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have.  I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”  Phil. 4:11-13

Paul’s “secret” to living in every situation?  Contentment through Christ.  Commitment not abandonment.   Pushing through not giving up.  Seeing adversity as an opportunity to trust God and not as an obstacle.    

Today you might be facing the giant of dissatisfaction.  You have the choice... sit in neutral, look out the window, and daydream about what it would be like to escape where you find yourself... Or pray and ask God to reveal to you how to make the most of where you currently are.  Contentment doesn’t mean that everything is perfect... it simply means that you realize three things:

1. God is in control. 
2. You won’t be where you are forever.  
3. There is something you will learn in your current situation that you couldn’t get any other way.

The grass isn’t greener on the other side of the fence.  It’s greener where it’s watered.    You have to make the intentional decision to carry the water with you.  The Living Water (John 7:37-39).   Not wait to see if things improve... not grumble when they don’t change right away... but make the best of the situation you’re in.  Learn from it.  Seek God in it.  Dare to rise above your circumstances and praise God in spite of how the world tells you to react.   God has given you an incredible life... don’t waste a second of it wondering “what if”.   Instead... focus on what’s in front of you and keep moving forward.  

Even baby steps will get you to where you need to be eventually.  

The Secret

What does it take for us to say we have enough?  Many who struggle with this answer the question of “enough?” with “just one more.”  But where does it stop?  When does thankfulness begin?

To those that struggle with contentment... there will never be enough.  It will always lie one arms length beyond their ability to sleep at night.   Those that live in this camp wonder when the next one will be and never cherish what is.  Their entire existence is based on what they might miss out on by not having more. 

Today’s verses help with this.  

“Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.”  1 Timothy 6:6

“Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have.”   Philippians 4:11 (Paul)

Godliness with contentment, Paul says, is of great value.  In fact, he goes on to tell the churches in Philipi that he has “learned how to be content with whatever I have.” [sic].  

What was Paul’s secret?  What helped him move from greedy to grateful?  It’s simple.  Perspective.  Paul saw that his needs were met and that was enough.  He probably had wants...things that he’d like to have in his life... but he realized that these were superfluous to his mission.   Paul was sent to spread the Gospel... and help those around him find Christ as Lord.  He knew that God would provide whatever he needed to fulfill his calling.  

What’s your calling?  To grow, learn, love, support, partner, develop, share Christ, and become the person God created you to be?  Great!  I promise you… to do all of those things.. God will give you exactly what you need exactly when you need it.  All the other stuff that ties up your heart in the bonds of dissatisfaction are unnecessary… and only lead to stress, sadness, and the false feeling that you are missing out on something.  

Ready to move from greedy to grateful?  From wanting to worshiping?   From pouting to praise?  Make the commitment today to do so.   It won’t take long before you realize that Paul had it right… It’s not about having stuff…it’s about knowing it’s enough.  And thanking God for his graciousness in allowing us to hold onto it for awhile.  

Eventually

A pilot always looked down intently on a certain valley in the Appalachians. "What’s so interesting about that spot?" Asked a fellow pilot. "See that stream? Well, when I was a kid I used to sit down there on a log and fish. Every time an airplane flew over, I would look up and wish I were flying... Now I look down and wish I were fishing."

Why does it seem that no matter where we are... we want to be somewhere else?

Then when we get there... we either want to go back to where we just came from... or somewhere new.

Never satisfied.

Ever felt that way?  Ever wonder why you are where you are... Ever sit and think about how great it could be if you were in place A or with person B?   Ever have a longing to be someplace...get there...and wish you had never left the first place?  That feeling of dissatisfaction and regret can sting... and if we’re not careful... that simple question “what if” can derail us from a fulfilled life.

The Apostle Paul dealt with that... but he didn’t let it control him.   He figured out a way to be satisfied where he was...

“Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have.  I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”  Phil. 4:11-13

Paul’s “secret” to living in every situation?  Contentment through Christ.  Commitment not abandonment.   Pushing through not giving up.  Seeing adversity as an opportunity to trust God and not as an obstacle.    

Today you might be facing the giant of dissatisfaction.  You have the choice... sit in neutral, look out the window, and daydream about what it would be like to escape where you find yourself... Or pray and ask God to reveal to you how to make the most of where you currently are.  Contentment doesn’t mean that everything is perfect... it simply means that you realize three things:

 God is in control. 

 You won’t be where you are forever.  

There is something you will learn in your current situation that you couldn’t get any other way.

The grass isn’t greener on the other side of the fence.  It’s greener where it’s watered.    You have to make the intentional decision to carry the water with you.  The Living Water (John 7:37-39).   Not wait to see if things improve... not grumble when they don’t change right away... but make the best of the situation you’re in.  Learn from it.  Seek God in it.  Dare to rise above your circumstances and praise God in spite of how the world tells you to react.   God has given you an incredible life... don’t waste a second of it wondering “what if”.   Instead... focus on what’s in front of you and keep moving forward.  

Even baby steps will get you to where you need to be eventually.  

Paul's Secret

      What does it take for us to say we have enough?  Many who struggle with this answer the question of “enough?” with “just one more.”  But where does it stop?  

To those that struggle with contentment... there will never be enough.  It will always lie one arms length beyond their ability to sleep at night.   Those that live in this camp wonder when the next one will be and never cherish what is.  Their entire existence is based on what they might miss out on by not having more.  Today’s verse helps with this.  

“Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.”  1 Timothy 6:6

“Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have.”   Philippians 4:11 (Paul)

Godliness with contentment, Paul says, is of great value.  In fact, he goes on to tell the churches in Philipi that he has “learned how to be content with whatever I have.” [sic].  

What was Paul’s secret?  What helped him move from greedy to grateful?  It’s simple.  Perspective.  Paul saw that his needs were met and that was enough.  He probably had wants...things that he’d like to have in his life... but he realized that these were superfluous to his mission.   Paul was sent to spread the Gospel... and help those around him find Christ as Lord.  He knew that God would provide whatever he needed to fulfill his calling.  

Is that you today?  Are you focused on the things you want instead of giving thanks for the things you have?  I suggest taking the energy you might spend on trying to satisfy discontent and invest it in yourself in other areas:  read more, study the Bible more, take care of your body more, journal more, and serve others more.  

It was once said, “Be content with what you have, never with what you are.”  Interesting idea... Remember, the goal isn’t to acquire things, satisfy desires, or fill up square footage in your house... it’s to become a better you and draw closer to Christ.  How?  

 Stop determining your value by things or opinions.  Only one evaluation matters...and that’s from God.  (Ephesians 2:10)

 Be content with what God provides... and don’t worry about what He doesn’t.  Your needs will be met.  (Philippians 4:19)

 Keep walking down the road to your God potential.   Don’t let discontent shift your focus from gratitude to ungratefulness.  (Psalm 107:1)

Let’s take the journey together!

No Magical Potion

An Ethiopian folk tale tells of a wife’s determination to save her marriage.  The story goes that a couple was having relationship trouble... so the wife goes to a judge and says she needs help.  The judge tells her that he has a magic medicine that will solve her problem.  However, the main ingredient is a hair from a lion’s tail.  Loving her husband, the desperate woman agrees and goes out to acquire the hair.  Day after day she stalks a lion waiting for her opportunity.  Finally, one day she snatches the hair and races back to the judge...eager for the tonic that will save her marriage.  The judge tells her... “that was a very brave thing you did... it took determination, patience, resolve, and courage.  There is no magical potion.  Instead of looking for the quick fix... demonstrate those same things in your relationship... and I promise it will get better.”

Marriage is wonderful.  But I have yet to see one that hasn’t required hard work, compromise, understanding, forgiveness, and honesty to thrive.  If you’re having trouble... don’t scour the bookstore or the internet for a shortcut.  Reinvest your time in what built your bond from the start.  As 1st Corinthians 13 tells us, love isn’t just a feeling... it’s a commitment.  And when energy is spent on reinforcing that commitment rather than regretting it... great things can happen.  

Just One More

What does it take for us to say we have enough?  Many who struggle with this answer the question of “enough?” with “just one more.”  But where does it stop?  When does thankfulness begin?

To those that struggle with contentment... there will never be enough.  It will always lie one arms length beyond their ability to sleep at night.   Those that live in this camp wonder when the next one will be and never cherish what is.  Their entire existence is based on what they might miss out on by not having more. 

Today’s verses help with this.  

“Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.”  1 Timothy 6:6

“Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have.”   Philippians 4:11 (Paul)

Godliness with contentment, Paul says, is of great value.  In fact, he goes on to tell the churches in Philipi that he has “learned how to be content with whatever I have.” [sic].  

What was Paul’s secret?  What helped him move from greedy to grateful?  It’s simple.  Perspective.  Paul saw that his needs were met and that was enough.  He probably had wants...things that he’d like to have in his life... but he realized that these were superfluous to his mission.   Paul was sent to spread the Gospel... and help those around him find Christ as Lord.  He knew that God would provide whatever he needed to fulfill his calling.  

What’s your calling?  To grow, learn, love, support, partner, develop, share Christ, and become the person God created you to be?  Great!  I promise you… to do all of those things.. God will give you exactly what you need exactly when you need it.  All the other stuff that ties up your heart in the bonds of dissatisfaction are unnecessary… and only lead to stress, sadness, and the false feeling that you are missing out on something.  

Ready to move from greedy to grateful?  From wanting to worshiping?   From pouting to praise?  Make the commitment today to do so.   It won’t take long before you realize that Paul had it right… It’s not about having stuff…it’s about knowing it’s enough.  And thanking God for his graciousness in allowing us to hold onto it for awhile.  

More?

“Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said,

“I will never fail you.
    I will never abandon you.”  Hebrews 13:5 

How many of you like popcorn at the movies?  Most of us, right?  A study of moviegoers in Philadelphia found that people will eat more popcorn if it is in a bigger box.  We see it so we eat it... even when our stomachs tell us we’re full.      

This got me to thinking about contentment.  How many of us live our lives with our eyes instead of our stomachs. We see more so we want more... even when we know we have enough.  The Bible tells us in Hebrews 13:5 that we should be content with what we have... not spend our time trying to have all of our wants satisfied.  Look around you today... are all of your needs met?  Stop reaching into the box.  Instead, focus on giving thanks for the blessings!