MEMORISE: Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. Philippians 4:11
READ: Philippians 4:11 -13
11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
MESSAGE
The interesting thing about contentment is that it is something you can learn. Paul said he had learnt to be content whether he had plenty or little. You can learn contentment and you can start learning it right now. Everybody needs to learn to be content. When you look at Paul’s statement, you can understand his mindset. What he was actually saying when he said that he was content whether in plenty or in lack is that he knew that no situation is permanent. This is a very important mindset to help us learn contentment. When you know your present situation is not permanent and things will soon get better, then you will be content with what you have now. When you know that every day is not a feast, you won’t be expecting to eat every delicacy possible every day. In any case, all you need is to eat enough to give you strength for the day.
The moment you learn contentment, you begin to enjoy the peace of God that passes all understanding because you won’t worry about tomorrow. Once you are content, nobody can tempt you to steal or falsify records, you then suddenly discover that there is nothing any man can do to shake you.
It is when lack of contentment has led you to do something that you shouldn’t have done that you become afraid. Jesus Christ said
Hereafter l will not talk much with you for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. John 14:30
If you are content with whatever God gives you, then you will not go after what the devil is offering you. In Luke 4:2-8, the devil offered Jesus a lot of riches and influence even though Jesus was hungry and tired at the time the offer was made, He did not take the offer because He was content with what God had given to Him. If you know that the Lord has prosperity planned for you, then you will not spoil your chances of getting that prosperity by being covetous now. Not being content has made many people steal thousands and lost the billions that God was planning to give them.
PRAYER POINT
Lord, please teach me to be content
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Jeremiah 3- 5
AUTHOR: PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE
Hymn 29: WILL YOUR ANCHOR HOLD IN THE STORM OF LIFE
1 Will your anchor hold in the storms of life,
When the clouds unfold their wings of strife?
When the strong tides lift, and the cables strain,
Will your anchor drift or firm remain?
We have an anchor that keeps the soul
Stedfast and sure while the billows roll,
Fastened to the Rock which cannot move,
Grounded firm and deep in the Savior’s love.
2 It is safely moored, ’twill the storm withstand,
For ’tis well secured by the Savior’s hand;
And the cables passed from His heart to mine,
Can defy the blast, through strength divine.
3 It will firmly hold in the straits of fear,
When the breakers have told the reef is near;
Though the tempest rave and the wild winds blow,
Not an angry wave shall our bark o’erflow.
4 It will surely hold in the floods of death,
When the waters cold chill our latest breath;
On the rising tide it can never fail,
While our hopes abide within the veil.
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