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.–Hebrews 13:5

Content makes poor man rich; discontent makes rich men poor.-Benjamin Franklin

In the early fifth century, a man named Arenius decided to abandon his wealthy lifestyle and view life from a different perspective, a poorer perspective. He sold all he had, left his home, and lived a wanderer’s life in the deserts outside Egypt. At first, going without even basic necessities was difficult for him. After all, he was accustomed to having whatever his heart desired. As time passed, though, he learned a new way of living and became quite content with his lifestyle.

However, every time he visited the town of Alexandria, his old hometown, he would spend much time roaming the bazaars and marketplaces. He would peruse the goods being sold, admire the advances of Egyptian society, and wonder at the many different possessions to be bought. After many instances of his perusal, someone stopped him and asked why he visited the markets yet never bought anything. Why did he continue to browse if he wanted to live so minimally? He answered, “My heart does rejoice each time I see all the things I do not need in life!”

Arenius had learned to make do with what he had in his desert lifestyle. He learned that what once he considered a necessity was no longer necessary to his survival. He had learned to be content.

Contentment isn’t a popular idea nowadays. Contentment at work could get you fired. Contentment in finances could get you ridiculed. Contentment in possessions could earn you a lower social status. While we should never be content in our spiritual growth, God does want us to learn to live a contented life.

Contentment is defined as “the state of being contented; satisfaction; ease of mind.” Discontentment leads to a very stressful, fast-paced, and often joy-less life. Always seeking newer possessions, better social status, or the newest craze is not how God desires we live. Why should we be content? “For he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”

Our contentedness does not rest on the amount of money in our bank account, but on the fact that Christ is always with us. No matter where we go, what we do, problems we face, trials we endure, temptations we fall into, sins we commit, storms we encounter, or transitions we make, Christ is with us. God promises that He will never leave us.

The fact you have God with you at all times should cause you to rejoice! He is never more than a prayer away. No amount of money can buy that and no possessions can bring you such joy. While the world enjoys their possessions, God desires that Christians would be content with knowing He is always with them.

Are you content with having Christ as your Saviour? Are you content knowing your eternal home is Heaven? The promises of God are greater than the possessions of the world. The next time you’re tempted to chase the things of this world, remember God’s promise of provision, protection, and nearness. Think of the promises of Heaven and glory in knowing you will spend eternity with God. Allow God’s presence to create contentment in your heart today.(Dr. Paul Chappell)

For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him,but also to suffer for his sake.–Phil. 1:29

God decreed from all eternity to display the greatness of the glory of his grace for the enjoyment of his creatures, and he revealed to us that this is the ultimate aim and explanation of why there is sin and why there is suffering, and why there is a great suffering Savior. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came in the flesh to suffer and die and by that suffering and death to save undeserving sinners like you and me. This coming to suffer and die is the supreme manifestation of the greatness of the glory of the grace of God. Or to say it a little differently, the death of Christ in supreme suffering is the highest, clearest, surest display of the glory of the grace of God. If that is true, then a stunning truth is revealed, namely, suffering is an essential part of the created universe in which the greatness of the glory of the grace of God can be most fully revealed. Suffering is an essential part of the tapestry of the universe so that the weaving of grace can be seen for what it really is.–By John Piper

It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. –Psalm 119:71

This story has been told many times and in many places, but it is too good to not repeat. There is a valuable lesson that we all need to remember.

Farmers in southern Alabama were accustomed to planting one crop every year—cotton. They would simply plow as much ground as they could and plant their crop. Year after year, they made their living by growing cotton.

Then one year, the dreaded boll weevil devastated the whole region. The next year, the farmers mortgaged their homes and planted cotton again, hoping for a better harvest. But as the cotton began to grow, the insects returned and completely destroyed the crop—wiping out most of the farms that grew cotton.

The next year, the few farmers who survived decided to plant a different crop in hopes of regaining their livelihoods—peanuts. The new crop proved to be so hardy and the market so ravenous that it enabled the farmers to pay off all their debts from the two previous years of failed crops.

Every season thereafter, the farmers planted peanuts…and they prospered greatly. And eventually, the farmers spent some of their new wealth to erect a monument to the boll weevil in the town square! They figured if it hadn’t been for the pesky insect, then they never would have planted the prosperous peanut crops.

As believers, we have the assurance of knowing that God can use the “boll weevils” in our lives for something good. In fact, Romans 8:28 says, “..all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.”

No matter what trials may come knocking on your door unexpectedly, know God is in control and working behind the scenes for your ultimate good!

Thank God for being in control of all the situations in your life—good and bad. And ask Him for the patience you need to wait for the light after the darkness of your trials.(Senior Living)

From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord’s name is to be praised– Psalm 113:3

We hear it all the time–expressing surprise or delight in something, people often say, “Well, praise the Lord!”. But do we really “praise the Lord”? The devotional “A Good Thing” gives us this food for thought:

No matter where you come from, where you live, or where your life may take you, your purpose is the same — to praise the Lord in all you do, say, and think. From the place of the sunrise, to the horizon where it sets, God is worthy of adoration.

And he deserves our honor no matter the time of day or night. When we are commuting to work in the morning, changing diapers during the day, or doing homework at night we are to do all to the glory of our Savior. May never a day pass that we have not done something to consciously advance the name of Jesus Christ.

But his name is also to be praised at every stage of life. If you are young and energetic, in the “morning” of your life, God is due your obedience and worship. If you are nearing the sunset of your life, then you have an increasingly powerful witness, as God more and more shows his strength in your weakness.

There is no place, no time, no stage in life in which our great concern should not be to bring glory to our Maker and Savior. Will you praise him right now, right here, in this time of your life and in the place that God has uniquely positioned you for his glory?

Give ear, O LORD,unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications! In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee, for thou wilt answer me–Psalm 86:6-7

R. A. Torrey, a former president of Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, once wrote ten powerful reasons why believers should pray:

1. There is a devil and prayer is the God-appointed means of resisting him.
2. Prayer is God’s way for us to obtain what we need from Him.
3. The apostles, whom God set forth to be a pattern for us, considered prayer to be the most important business of their lives.
4. Prayer occupied a prominent place and played a very important part in the earthly life of our Lord.
5. Prayer is the most important part of the present ministry of our Lord, since He is now interceding for us.
6. Prayer is the means God has appointed for our receiving mercy from Him and obtaining grace to help in time of need.
7. Prayer is the means of obtaining the fullness of God’s joy.
8. Prayer with thanksgiving is the means of obtaining freedom from anxiety, and in anxiety’s place is peace which passes understanding.
9. Prayer is the means by which we are to keep watchful and be alert at Christ’s return.
10. Prayer is used by God to promote our spiritual growth, bring power into our work, lead others to faith in Christ, and bring all other blessings to Christ’s church.

 

In other words, the question should not be why should we pray, but how can we afford not to pray?

Just look at that list! It is not exhaustive, by the way. All one needs to do is look into a few of the Psalms to find that prayer should be the most vital part of a believer’s life. Just as a wife cannot have a good relationship with her husband without speaking, so also a believer cannot have a good relationship with God if there is no communication. Prayer is how we talk to God, and His Word is how He speaks to us.

 

It baffles me how shallow our view of prayer has become in the church today. Think about our own perspective: when there is a crisis with a family member—a child is rushed to ICU; your father has a heart attack; your sibling is experiencing depression—what is the first thing that believers often say in these circumstances? “Well, I guess all I can do now is pray.”

 

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard that in these past few years; I’ve said it myself.  I don’t know where this “last-resort” idea comes from, but it is terribly wrong.

 

Prayer isn’t the last thing—it’s the best thing that you and I could ever do for anyone.

 

He’s listening . . . are you praying? (From “A Wisdom Retreat”)