MEANING OF CONTENTMENT

Freelance writer Lupie Riley

Thought:  Most of you would agree we live in troublesome times.  With the future filled with a barrage of uncertainties, how can we find peace and security in a world that is ready to implode?  It’s found in just two words; trust and obey.  Just like the old familiar hymn “trust and obey for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus.”  The Apostle Paul learned it through all his hard knocks in life and made the declaration “I can do all things in Christ who strengtheneth me.” Just when we come to the end of our rope we need to humble ourselves before the great ‘I AM’ and tell him “NOT MY WILL BUT THINE BE DONE.”

That wall that comes between you and contentment is pride.  I can do this myself.  Paul learned that through his weakness, he needed to depend upon the Lord for wisdom, strength, and peace to get him through whatever problem he was facing.  Should we not do the same?

Heb. 13:5 KJ “let your conversation be without covetousness; and be CONTENT with such things as ye have; for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”

II Cor. 12:9-10 LB “No, But I am with you; that is all you need.  My power shows up best in weak people” Now I am glad to boast how weak I am; I am glad to be a living demonstration of Christ’s power instead of showing off my own power and abilities.

II Cor. 9:8 LB “God is able to make it up to you by giving you everything you need and more, so that there will not only be enough for your own needs, but plenty left over to give joyfully to others.”

Luke 12:15 LB “Beware don’t always be wishing for what you don’t have.  For real life and real living are not related to how rich we are.”

Phill. 4:12-13 LB “I know how to live with almost nothing or with everything.  I have learned the secret of CONTENTMENT in every situation whether it be a full stomach or hunger, plenty or want;  for I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power.”

Psalms 37:4 LB “Be delighted with the Lord.  Then he will give you all your heart’s desires.  Commit everything you do to the Lord.  Trust him to help you do it and he will.”

Prayer:  Father God, help me to commit everything to you and follow that with trust.  I want the contentment that comes in depending on you in all things as I rest in your hope, peace and comfort.

Verse:  I Tim. 6:7,8 KJ “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.”

Married 58 years, four children, nine grandchildren and three greats.  I've been a freelance writer for over 40 years.  Working on a book at the present.  My priorities are God first, family, country. Look me up on Google search by my name Lupie Riley, click on first link. Faithwriters.com