Contentment

Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content

We live in a world that promotes a lifestyle contrary to this passage of Scripture.  Advertisers tell us that newer cars and better clothes will make us happy. They tell us Pepsi is better than Coke, etc. If we listen to them we will believe that possessions and products are the secret to happiness. Paul had a different opinion. He said we need to learn what it means to be content.

If anyone knew the truth of this passage it was the author of it, the apostle Paul. He knew what it was to be in the presence of kings. He also knew what it meant to be locked in a jail cell. He knew what it was for people to sing his praises and hear others curse his name.  He knew things could not bring happiness and that friends are fickle. But through it all, he knew God would never leave him nor forsake him.

I have been in 49 of the 50 states, Montana is the only exception. I have lived in seven states.  If I were asked which is my favorite state I would have to say, the state of contentment. That is the place when I know I am where God wants me to be and doing what He has asked me to do.

If I am not content, it is because I want something that God does not want for my life. I need the faith that God loves me enough to provide what is best for me, wherever that might be.  Let us strive to be content with what God has given us.

Psalm 23

Psalm 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

David is writing this great Palm from firsthand experience. He spent many a day and night watching over his father’s sheep. He understood the deep relationship between a shepherd and his flock. He was responsible not only to feed the sheep but to protect them from their enemies. He told King Saul he had killed a lion and a bear that came after the sheep.

The word for shepherd and pastor in the Greek language is the same word. The pastor, like the shepherd, must feed the sheep. That is why he leads them into green pastures. While living in New Zealand for 18 years I learned quite a bit about sheep and their feeding habits. The shepherds regularly moved the sheep from one paddock (pasture) to another. This ensured that they never overgrazed any particular feeding spot. Some pastors have not learned that truth when it comes to feeding their sheep. They continually feed from one small pasture, in most cases their own hobby horse subjects. After a while this will cause sheep to either grow weak or start to look for greener pastures. The phrase “I shall not want” means to be completely content. A well fed sheep will be a content sheep. One final thought, no matter how good the pasture is the sheep still has the responsibility to eat. The best sermons and lessons produce no fruit if the sheep are not willing to take in what they have heard. Let us learn these truth from Psalm 23:1

Philippians 4:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. ⁴Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others

At the end of this month we begin our annual mission conference here at Friendship Baptist Church. From the very beginning of our church, missionary giving was made a priority. Now 20 years later, our missionary influence is felt worldwide. Missionaries love to come to Friendship. Our children get involved in a great way through their Vacation Bible School. They are learning early on the importance of missions.

One of the greatest truths about missions is that it places others above our self. This truth should spread beyond missions to every aspect of our lives. Many people are looking for a church for what they get. There has developed a consumer mentality among many believers. Missions helps us focus on others rather than ourselves. I am sure you have seen this before: Jesus Others You. That should be the order of our life. Let us heed the scripture that began this blog.

On the Horizon

On the Horizon: 2012

The beginning of a New Year is normally a time of reflection followed by anticipation. It’s always good to pause and think about what happened to us in the year we just finished. I have to be honest; I am not a great fan of New Year’s resolutions. However, I do believe it’s important to set goals in order to experience greater blessings in 2012. This applies to us as individuals, as families and as believers.

Every year as we reflect on the year just completed we recall both victories and defeats. Some years the good out weights the bad. Other years it is just the opposite. In either case we must realize that the year on our doorstep cannot survive on what happened last year.

Every day will brings it new challenges. Philippians 3:13-14 should be our passage for the New Year. ¹³Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, ¹⁴I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

We should evaluate our spiritual journey to our present position and then prayerfully consider how we can grow in 2012. We should look at our personal devotional time, our church attendance and our stewardship of time, talents and finances. We should remember there are people who know we are believers and they are watching our lives. Let us strive to make sure our walk and our talk agree as we face the future. In 2012 let our lives our lives to an audience of ONE, the Lord Himself.

The Greatest Christmas Gift

This year, just like every other year, millions of people, both children and adults, will open millions of gifts. Some won’t fit. Some will be the wrong color. Many will be returned or exchanged. But there’s one gift that meets everyone’s need, one gift that will never wear out, never break or need repairing. A gift that is appropriate for a small child, or a teenager, or an adult, or a senior adult. Boy or girl, man or woman, it makes no difference. The gift we all need, the most valuable gift of all, is that baby in the manger. On Christmas, we celebrate the fact that God gave us the gift of His own Son, Jesus Christ, so that through faith in Him we could be forgiven of our sins and have eternal life.

The greatest gift is Jesus Christ himself. The gift God offers us is to know Christ. To know Him as a friend, to have fellowship with Him, to have a relationship with Him. The gift God offers us is to be known and loved by Christ. Although there is truly nothing more desirable than knowing Christ, many people just can’t see it. Their spiritual eyes have not been opened. They look into the manger, and they don’t see a king. They don’t see anything special. All they can see is an ordinary human being. They don’t want the baby, they want the presents. Which do you value more, the toys and trinkets of this life that will all eventually crumble into dust, or a relationship with Jesus Christ that will last forever? Christmas is the best time of the year for each one of us to examine our priorities. Let us strive to focus on CHRISTmas this year.

Time for God?

Time for God?

Do you recall the story of the “Good Samaritan” in Luke chapter 10? It is focused on a man who was robbed, beaten by thieves and left by the roadside. A couple of religious leaders came by, took a look at the man and his condition and then continued on their journey.  The third passerby was a Samaritan. The Bible makes it clear in John 4 that the Jews had no dealings with their Samaritan neighbors. This man was different. He had compassion on the wounded man. He bound up his wounds, placed him on his donkey and took him to nearby inn where he could recuperate. He also paid the bill at the inn.

The truth of the story is those who were expected to help did not and the one who was thought to be of no help rescued the man.

Every day we come into contact with people in need. They may be family members, neighbors, workmates or strangers. It easy to say someone ought to help them. Maybe that someone is ME! As children of God we miss opportunities to be a blessing because we do not get involved.

As we examine the needy people with whom we have contact what is our response? God may ask us to interrupt our day long enough to join Him as He ministers to those in need. Let me conclude with a simple thought, “If you were the person in need would you like for someone to offer help”?  If you were the person whose heart God touched, how long would you have to wait for a response? Let us learn the lesson of the Good Samaritan.

Be Prepared

Be Prepared

1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

The Boy Scouts have a motto, “Be Prepared”. The Bible issues several warnings about trials that will come. If we are not prepared when they arrive we often end up on the losing side. There is no substitute for spiritual preparation. Spiritual preparation equips us before the trials come into our life.  If are not prepared we will be overtaken in life’s unexpected events. Jesus taught a parable that teaches this truth. Ten virgins were awaiting the arrival of the bridegroom so that they could celebrate with him and his bride. Five of them prepared in advance and brought an adequate supply of oil for their lamps. The other five were not prepared, so they rushed out to buy additional lamp oil. While they were gone, the bridegroom arrived. The five who had planned ahead entered into the house with him, but the door was closed against the five who were not ready, and they missed the celebration. How many times in our lives has a trial had a drastic negative impact in our lives because we thought that would never happen to us.

The best way to prepare for trials is to spend time in the Word of God followed by a time of soul searching prayer. The fellowship of God’s people both on a personal a corporate level also helps. As a wise man once said, “expect the unexpected”. With God’s help let us be prepared Christians.