Tag: contentment

Posted on

The Latter Rain: Celebrate Lent-Day8

17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 

Luke 15: 17-20 NIV

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that humanity is suffering greatly. In our modern western culture we seem to have everything we want, yet we want more. We can’t even say why we want more, we just do. We want the latest and greatest of everything. Whatever we have, it is not enough so we get more. There has to be a time when we wake up and realize that stuff will never buy happiness and contentment.

When billionaire philanthropist, John D. Rockefeller was asked how much money is enough, his answer was telling of our current society’s rampant consumerism – “Just one more dollar”, he said. In 1937, at the zenith of his wealth, Rockefeller’s net worth was about 1.6% of the total of he U.S. economy at the time. He also owned about 90% of all the oil and gas produced in his day. Using that standard today, his wealth would dwarf the billionaires of today.

In fairness to his memory, Rockefeller did an enormous amount of good with his fortunes. He was even quoted as saying,

“God gave me my money. I believe the power to make money is a gift from God, to be developed and used to the best of our ability for the good of mankind.” *

Today, humanity seems to be seeking meaning and purpose to life in the accumulation of things, yet we are a most unhappy people. Things such as emotional illness and suicide rates are higher than in half a century. With so much luxury and convenience in our lives, why are we so unfulfilled? The answer can be found in a fundamental truth of the historic Christian faith…this world is not our home. We were not made for such a temporary existence.

“Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.“

1 Peter 2:11

The Apostle Peter says we are ‘sojourners’ and ‘exiles’ in this world. The writer of Hebrews says that we are looking for another city that is not of this world, a city in the Heavens whose builder is God (Hebrews 11).

In Luke 15, Jesus tells how the prodigal son, after squandering everything he had with what could accurately be described as a wonton consumeristic lifestyle, finally “came to his senses.” What he finally realized was that in his Father’s house he had everything he really needed -a home filled with love.

On this Lenten journey of celebration, let us celebrate what we already have. We have the love of our Heavenly Father, just as we are. There is nothing we could do or buy that would bring us closer to God or make Him love us more. His love is complete in every human being; we need only awaken to the reality.

Take some time today and count your real blessings, not just your material ones. You know…your family, your health, your work, your home, and the fact that you are not going hungry as is so much of the world. And, if you sense you need something else, pray about it and ask your Heavenly Father if it is what you need. After all, He knows your real needs. Then, give Him the glory and realize that everything, even your material ones are gifts from God..they are his latter rain showering blessings on you.

Shalom,

Pastor Brad

Image credit: https://hungarytoday.hu/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/635926444221469047-1832658135_going-home.jpg

Posted on

All You’ll Ever Need

 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.

Philippians 4:17-18

How you see the world is everything. Take America for instance. We can look at the divisions that seem deep within the people, and we can say that if the nation doesn’t change, the divisions may become irreconcilable. But that’s looking at the glass half full. We could also look at the deep divisions that exist and say what a tremendous opportunity exists to come together and be stronger than before.

It’s a scientific fact that pressure can make things stronger. Humans for example, are stronger if they work out than if they’re lazy. Muscles and bones weaken if they aren’t exposed to pressure. Of course too much pressure can break not only bones and muscles but lives as well. St. Paul shows us the key to understanding how to handle the pressures of life. To be able to be of meager means and feel full, is truly a gift.

The great Apostle was certainly of meager means. He left his plush life as one of society’s elite to give his life for the gospel. He didn’t keep his home in Tarsus and return from his missionary journeys for relaxing weekends. He found everything he needed to feel full and satisfied in the meager means of a Roman jail cell. And, with the offering he received from the Philippians he was over-joyed and considered that he was “abounding”.

While we don’t know what was in the offering they sent to him, it couldn’t have been much. They didn’t have a lot in the fledgling Christian church filled with many of societies outcasts, as was common of the churches of the first century. But whatever it was, it was a sweet smelling sacrifice to God. Paul knew what they sacrificed in order to send it.

The Philippians were living in the power of the resurrection to put Paul’s needs above their own. Paul was living in the power of the resurrection to be able to exist in such meager means and still feel he was abounding in all things. So what about you? Are you feeling full or empty? It really has nothing to do with what you have, that is as long as you’re not talking about having the power of the resurrection. When you have that power, you have all you’ll ever need. So remember, Christ is risen…and so are you!

Grace & Peace,

+Pastor Brad

Prayer

God of all grace and glory, thank you for reminding me that with your Holy Spirit, I have all I’ll ever need! Amen. Alleluia!

 

Image credit:http://www.truefruit.com/2012/06/21/technology-tools-or-toys/

Posted on

Real Joy – Part 2

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13

Yesterday we asked the question of why we struggle with being content. While there is a plethora of possible answers, there is one answer that over-shadows all – we fail to realize the power of the resurrection in our lives. I’m sure St. Paul didn’t enjoy being in jail, or beaten, or shipwrecked, but he knew a secret that brought joy even in such dire circumstances.

Few of us are jailed, beaten or shipwrecked, but we can’t even find contentment when our biggest problems are thinking, “Why can’t I have what they have?” Or perhaps, “Why did this situation happen to me? I’m a good person!” What’s wrong with these scenarios is they fail to recognize the blessing God has given to be who we are, where we are, and with what we have. For most of history, most of humanity has lived poor and with great suffering. Compared to those, even the poor of today are rich, and in the Western modern world we hardly know what real suffering is all about.

However, into all our doubt and pity, the Word of God comes to us with the secret to being content. Paul said the secret is to know that Christ and the power of His resurrection is our strength in any and all situations. Only His power can deliver us from our selfish desires, and self-pity. The good news today is that that power is available to all who believe, to all who will reach out and call upon His name. We can do ALL things through the resurrection power of Jesus Christ.

So, how do we live in this power every day? By living lives full of gratitude for the life we’ve been given – it could always be worse. When we are grateful for the life we have, and we call upon the name of Jesus when things get tough, then we live in the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy:

“…no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD and their vindication from me, declares the LORD.”

Are you there yet? Have you found real joy in all circumstances? Many days I’m not either, but I want to be, and I bet you do too. So today, forgetting what’s behind us, and thankful for the breath we have and the life we live, let’s move forward calling on the name of the Lord, and remember, Christ is risen…and so are we!

Grace & Peace,

+Pastor Brad

Prayer

Almighty God, forgive me for my times of doubt and selfishness. Help me to live in the power and name of Jesus Christ my savior, and the power of His resurrection. Amen. Alleluia!

Image credit: http://citychapeloc.com/real-joy/

 

Posted on

Real Joy – Part 1

Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

Philippians 4:10-11

Just what does contentment look like anyway? The idea of being content is central to the Christian faith, or at least it’s supposed to be according to scripture. We’re called to be content with who we are, where we are, and what we have. But how many of us really are content in any of those areas? Why is all this so important? Because when we find the secret of being content, then we find real joy.

St. Paul apparently was content with all his circumstances by the time of the writing of the Philippian letter, which is amazing considering he was writing from a jail cell having been wrongly accused. In today’s devotional we need to take a long look in the mirror and ask ourselves just how content we really are. Our culture, by all indicators, suggests very few of us are actually content. Consumerism is rampant! We seem to always want something newer, bigger, and better than what we have.

About now some of you are asking the question we all do from time to time; “What’s wrong with wanting something new and better”. Well, the real answer is nothing is ‘wrong’ with it, but when our desire to have something newer, bigger, and better impedes our joy and contentment in what we have and who we are, then something is wrong – we’re really not thankful for what we have. We could always have something less, and believe me many people do.

For today, perhaps it’s enough for us to contemplate our level of contentment, or lack thereof? Tomorrow we will discuss the secret of being St. Paul learned of how to be content, and how we can learn it as well. So, as you contemplate how thankful you are for who you are and what you have, remember Christ is risen…and so are you!

Grace & Peace,

+Pastor Brad

Prayer

Father God, show me who I am to you, and reveal to me who it is you want me to be as your child. Convict me of any thanklessness I am showing in my life. Teach me how to be content in you. Amen. Alleluia!

Image Credit: http://citychapeloc.com/real-joy/