contentment

Encouragement and Rest – VOTD.04.30.18

Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following the same pattern of disobedience. Hebrews 4:11

Rest is the tangible expression of Jesus’s intangible presence in our lives. Being a storehouse of His encouragement is the definitive consequence of Jesus in our lives. It is from that storehouse that we share Jesus’ encouragement with the people and situations around us. So that instead of putting on a false cheer, we actually have a peace and encouragement that overcomes the discouragement (un-encouragement) in the world around us.

We’ve been talking for the past few weeks about being an encourager—which the Bible calls us to be. It’s part of walking in the fullness of all that is life in Jesus. It’s an important ingredient in abundant living. And for most of us it takes effort because this fight is not with a conventional enemy; it’s opposing the force of discouragement that hounds us from all directions.

This negative force shows up in our lives in all shapes and forms: Unconstructiveness, discouragement, and disapproval. So it’s a matter of the heart and from there comes our demeanor—our attitudes and the atmosphere around us. And our words—emotions and thoughts lead to words and actions. (more…)

Continue ReadingEncouragement and Rest – VOTD.04.30.18

In Search of a Hungry Heart pt 1 – VOTD.08.14.17

As the deer pants for streams of water, so pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. Psalms 42:1,2

It’s likely that all Christians struggle at times with their spiritual appetites. We know they aren’t what they once were, or what they might be, or we look at other believers who are hungering and thirsting for the presence of God and wonder what’s wrong with us.

Many have never experienced a hunger for God in any tangible way; some even teach that such a hunger doesn’t exist once we’re saved in the first place. “Once Jesus lives in you,” they teach, “you have all of Jesus there is to have.” While that is true in one sense, it doesn’t mean we live in an experience of all of Jesus that He wants to reveal to us.

Spiritual hunger is not something unusual that is reserved for only a few impassioned believers; the normal state of a Christian is to be thirsty and hungry for God. He “satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things” (Ps 107:9). All we need is to be thirsty and hungry.

Song of Songs presents a parable where Jesus lays a banquet of His presence before us. And if we’re not feasting out at that banquet it’s usually because either we’re sick—or we’ve been snacking on something else.

The most common spiritual “sicknesses” are unbelief and unforgiveness. “Without faith it is impossible to please (God), for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Heb. 11:6). Most of us believe that God exists, but if we don’t really believe that He will respond to our pursuit of Him with a greater experience of Himself, we are likely to be half-hearted seekers. (more…)

Continue ReadingIn Search of a Hungry Heart pt 1 – VOTD.08.14.17

In Search of a Thankful Heart pt 1 – VOTD.08.07.17

Since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.  Hebrews 12:28

According to today’s verse we are receiving the kingdom of God… the very presence of the King is being received by us… not just once, a long time ago at an altar, but continuously, right now… It’s not some day in the future in heaven, either. It’s continuously, right now…

Since we are receiving the presence and majesty of Jesus on a continual basis, “Let us be thankful”. What an understatement! You would think that since we’re receiving a Kingdom we’d be overwhelmed with gratitude, but apparently Hebrews has to remind us to be. I wonder why?

Why do we have so much trouble being thankful in the NOW? Today’s verse suggests it’s because we aren’t satisfied with the Kingdom we’re receiving. I suspect that’s because we have trouble being satisfied with Jesus in the now.

There are some seemingly innocent emotions that can be gratitude-breakers in our lives. Fore example, how can we be thankful and be Angry, Depressed, Discouraged, Jealous, or Full of self-pity? These things are incompatible with genuine gratitude. Here’s why: (more…)

Continue ReadingIn Search of a Thankful Heart pt 1 – VOTD.08.07.17

Fountain of Life – VOTD.07.11.17

“The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life” (Proverbs 10:11).

Our words will either be a fountain of life or a fountain of poison. Fountains of life are contented, people. Fountains of poison only come from uncontented hearts.

We conclude our brief look at some of the hundreds of verses related to our words as a “tongue-check”.

–Do We Try to Evade Responsibility for Our Words?
     “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks…. And I say unto you that every idle word that men shall speak they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment; for by your words you shall be justified and by your words you shall be condemned” (Matthew 12:34b, 36-37).
     “As a madman who casts firebrands and deadly arrows, so is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, ‘I was only kidding'” (Proverbs 26:18-19). (more…)

Continue ReadingFountain of Life – VOTD.07.11.17

Why did I say that? (pt 4) – VOTD.07.10.17

Prayerful answers come from God-loyal people; the wicked are sewers of abusive words. Proverbs 15:28

The words we speak are a peek hole into our entire being. It’s not so much that some people are better at controlling their words than others. It’s that some people are content with God (“God-loyal”), and some aren’t… and our words show us how much we’ve allowed the Holy Spirit to transform us.

–Do we Talk Too Much?
     “In the multitude of words there is no lack of transgression, ” (Proverbs 10:19).
     “He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter” (Proverbs 11:13).
     “The lips of a Righteous person know the kind thing to say, but the wicked are always saying things that hurt.” (Proverbs 10:32
     “The heart of the righteous studies how to answer” (Proverbs 15:28). Allow others time to answer. Beware of people who want you to give them a quick answer.

–Do We Choose Our Words Cautiously and Fairly?
When we oversimplify, generalize and lump together the righteous and unrighteous we curse them both.
     “He who … condemns the righteous, … is an abomination to the Lord” (Proverbs 17:15).

–Do Our Words Abuse, Brow-beat, Amount to Humiliation or Mockery?
     “With his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbor” (Proverbs 11:9). Note: I have seen Christians destroy their neighbor by their SILENCE when they could have corrected a story they KNEW to be untrue.
     “But if you bite and devour one another, take heed that you not be consumed of one another” (Galatians 5:15). (more…)

Continue ReadingWhy did I say that? (pt 4) – VOTD.07.10.17

Why did I say that? (pt 3) – VOTD.07.04.17

“She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the law of kindness is on her tongue”  Proverbs 31:26

In the proverb describing an excellent wife, her character is summed up in what proceeds from her mouth. How do we open our mouths? With wisdom and kindness or with foolishness and unkindness?

We continue our checklist for our tongues.

–Do We Criticize People Before First Speaking with Them and Seeking Their Restoration?
     “And if your brother sins against you, go, show him his fault between you and him alone ” (Matthew 18:15). Going to anyone else with our criticism before going to the person we are criticizing directly is condemned here.
     “He who gives an answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him…. The first to present his case seems right, till another comes forward and questions him” (Proverbs 18:13, 17). Believing one who criticizes without going and getting the story from the other side is condemned here.
     “Debate your cause with your neighbor himself, and disclose not the secret of another, lest he who hears it correct thee and your shame will not turn away” (Proverbs 25:8-10). (more…)

Continue ReadingWhy did I say that? (pt 3) – VOTD.07.04.17

Why did I say that? (pt 2) – VOTD.07.03.17

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14

Our words reveal our hearts. We can often put up a good front in the realm of behavior, but our words will sooner or later give away exactly what is happening in our hearts. That is why we need to invite the Holy Spirit, like the psalmist did. “Create in me a clean heart, O Lord”.

We are looking briefly at some of the hundreds of verses related to our words…asking some tough questions about our hearts, as revealed by our mouths:

–Are We Always Careful to Tell the Truth When We Speak?
     “A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow” (Proverbs 25:18).
     “For out of the heart come forth evil thoughts…false witness, railings: these are the things which defile the man” (Matthew 15:19-20).
     “There are six things which the Almighty hates, yes seven which are an abomination to Him: … a lying tongue…a false witness who utters lies” (Proverbs 6:16-19). (more…)

Continue ReadingWhy did I say that? (pt 2) – VOTD.07.03.17

Why did I say that? (pt 1) – VOTD.06.27.17

If anyone is never at fault in what he says, then he is mature, able to control his whole body. James 3:2

Each of us is known by how we behave, and our behavior is based on what is happening in our hearts. One particular aspect of our behavior, that flows from our hearts is our words.

Face it. It is every Christian’s desire to be content. Many believe they don’t deserve to be (because they have problems accepting God’s forgiveness), others believe it is outside the realm of possibility given their circumstances, yet others are too busy to think about it. Yet for all, contentment is desired.

The reason our tongues are so important to our being content is that our words give us a vivid picture of the state of our hearts… and they show us how much we’ve allowed the Holy Spirit to transform us.

If we holler and rant and rave… it’s because there is a heart problem. If we are cynical and sarcastic, it’s because there is a heart problem. If we are gossips and back stabbers, it’s because there’s a heart problem. Augmentative? Abusive? Accusers? Bullies …Heart problem… (more…)

Continue ReadingWhy did I say that? (pt 1) – VOTD.06.27.17

The Heart – VOTD.06.26.17

Out of your heart come evil thoughts, murder, unfaithfulness, offensive deeds, stealing, telling lies, and insulting others. These are what make you unclean. Matthew 15:20

Out of the heart… One of the reasons that Christians have so much difficulty being content is that we focus on behavior management instead of heart surrender. And since we fail to get our behavior where we want it to be, we feel defeated, rather than contented.

We think if we can just get our behavior in line with the Bible, we’ll be holy. But holiness is a matter of the heart and if we want our behavior to exemplify Christ, our hearts must exemplify Christ first and foremost. How often we focus on terms like “integrity” (acting out certain behaviors) and good deeds, instead of purity of heart.

Yet the Holy Spirit has placed the desire in each believer to live a holy life… one that glorifies God and displays His love. Our desire to be content will never be really fulfilled without becoming more like the men and women God wants for us to be. (more…)

Continue ReadingThe Heart – VOTD.06.26.17

Blameless and Pure – VOTD.06.20.17

Do everything without complaining… so that you may become blameless and pure children of God. Philippians 2:14,15

When we speak of Biblical Contentment, we’re not talking about stoic, “grin and bear it” resignation. Nor are we speaking of sticking our heads in the sand and pretending all is well when it’s not. We are talking about TRUST in a good God who wants the best for His children.

But what can we do to be more contented believers?

TRUST: Discontentment often manifests itself in the form of complaining. Often when we find ourselves complaining (either verbally or in our hearts) we are really showing a lack of trust in God. A better use of our emotional energy would be to pray, “Lord, give me a trusting spirit that believes that You are Lord of this situation.” We may need to pray that prayer a whole lot. But God is faithful to answer it!

THANK: Thankfulness is the result of contentment. You and I simply can’t be thankful and discontent. Intentionally, ponder what it is that we have to be thankful for. Write out a list if that would be helpful. Become obsessed with thanking God. Pray for God to fill us with an attitude of gratitude.

MODEL: Consider and/or write down some ways that we can model contentment to those around us…To our workmates, our family, our churchmates… and then act upon them. The world and even the Body of Christ is full of people who are not content. Talk about the meaning of contentment. Ask those complainers (ask ourselves!) what it is that would make them happy. (A lot of times, they don’t know; or when they stop to think about it, what would make them happy is so far outside of reality that they recognize it’s silly.)  Brainstorm ways to show contentment. (more…)

Continue ReadingBlameless and Pure – VOTD.06.20.17