Whatever Happened to Contentment?

            Have you noticed that no one seems to be content anymore?  Nothing is ever right. No can ever please. The government is all messed up.  I didn’t like the way they cut my hair.  She never does the job right.  I don’t have enough time.  Why do I hit all the red lights?  My health is not good.

               The culture we are living in has us all living with our feelings on our sleeves, able to get wounded so easy – someone makes us angry; we live in loneliness; we are easily disappointed.  No one seems “content” anymore! 

This is even true for the follower of Jesus.  Whatever happened to the personal characteristic of contentment?  Contentment is that inner confidence that knows God is in charge; that God is with me; that I am in His hands – and because of this, my life life-experience is just as it should be.

The Apostle Paul wrote to the early followers of Jesus in the city of Philippi: I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do everything through him who gives me strength (Philippians 4:11f). 

Paul is writing from prison!   His ministry brought him incredible challenges and much suffering.  And yet, he writes about being content.  He writes: Five times I received from the Jewish leaders the forty lashes minus one.  Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spend a night and a day in the open sea.  I have been constantly on the move.  I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countryman, in danger from the Gentiles, in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea, and in danger from false brothers.  I have labored and toiled and often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst, and often gone without food.  I have been cold and naked.  Besides everything else, I have the daily pressure of my concern for all the churches (2 Corinthians 11:23f).  And yet, Paul writes about being content.

As modern day followers of Jesus Christ, we need to recover this characteristic of contentment in our lives.  Contentment brings peace.  Contentment brings harmony. Contentment brings spiritual power.  Contentment brings focus and clarity.  Contentment deepens one’s relationship with God.  But sadly, too many of gripe, complain, and are angry about our place in life or the things happening to us.   Am I suggesting we should not try to improve our situation or become better off or more healthy?  Absolutely not!  Contentment with who we are and where we are frees us to move forward in our lives in the fruit of the Holy Spirit and to live the abundant life God promises us in Jesus.  Contentment is the balm that keeps our perspective godly and righteousness as we navigate the difficulties of life. 

Ask God to help you bring this godly character attribute into your life. Godliness with contentment is great gain! (2 Timothy 6:6).

Prone to Wander

           As a pastor individuals will often come to me seeking how to get right with the Lord.  For whatever reason, they have drifted away from their relationship with God.  They feel distant from God; that their life is not going the way they believe it should; and that they keep giving in to the temptations which come their way.  Personally, it never ceases to amaze me how quickly I can walk away from the Lord reverting into my self-centered ways.  Even as a minister of the Gospel, I must be diligent to walk with Him moment by moment..

            Temptations come to all of us who are following the Lord and seeking to do His will in our lives.  These can serve to strengthen our walk with the Lord or they can serve to encourage our wandering from the ways of God in our lives.  Temptations usually appeal to our desires and addictions which are outside of the will of God for our lives.  The Apostle James says it this way: “When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’   For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone, but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.  Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death” (James 1:13, NIV).

            To battle the temptations in our lives, first use Scripture to face the issue you are dealing with.  Find verses which deal with your issue - read them, study them, memorize them, and then speak them to the temptation.  When Jesus faced temptations in his life, we are told by both Matthew and Luke, that he quoted Scriptures to the tempter and the temptations (See Matthew 4 or Luke 4). You will be amazed at the power this will unleash in your life.

            Secondly, when encountering temptation look for the ‘way of escape’ provided by the Lord. “No temptation has seized you except that which is common to man.  And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).  God will always provide a way out.  The question usually becomes:  “Do you want to take the way out?!!”

            Thirdly, have someone hold you accountable for staying on the path and saying ‘no’ to the temptations you are facing.  Find a prayer partner or accountability partner who with your permission, will ask you about the temptation and hold you lovingly accountable.

            In life anything of worth comes with a struggle.  The spiritual life is not immune to this principle.  Temptations and struggle should not to be feared.  Rather, rejoice in them for they lead to achievement in the spiritual life and give you strength from wandering from the ways of God.

It is NEVER too Late!

Tonight at a dinner during the meeting of Lausanne Consultation on Jewish Evangelism, I had the privilege of meeting an 80-year old Jewish woman.  She had come to faith in Jesus as her Messiah just three years before at age 77. Immediately she went into the hospital for surgery and something went wrong.  The doctors told her family she only had hours to live.  But Jesus met her in her hospital room and completely healed her.  This woman is fired-up!  She loves the Lord, participates in regular Bible Study, and attends every Sabbath service at her Messianic Congregation.  How refreshing and inspiring!!

Facing our Fears

We seem to be in a time with a heightened sense of fear. Just last night I was listening to a newscast and the commentators where terrified about where our nation’s economy is going.  They used words like “fiscal cliff,” “devastating,” “traumatic,” “life-changing,” “meltdown,” and “depression.”  Whether their analysis is correct or not, the tone of their comments could not help but bring fear and anxiety to those listening.

            All of us are constantly challenged by fear: financial crises, health issues, family concerns, local crime, the neighbor’s dog, and even driving in traffic.  Fear is one of our God-given emotions to cause us to be alert, to warn us that danger is lurking, and to prepare us to act.   But fear can paralyze us and can bring on anxiety, worry, and all kind of physical effects in our body.  Fear is to be a guide, not the controller of our being.  It calls us to pay attention, but it is not an emotion by which we are meant to live.

            The most often used words of Jesus in the New Testament are: “Do not fear.”  He did not mean that we should not be aware of our fear.  He meant that we should not live in our fear.  Fear can terrorize one’s life.  He wants us to know that God is with is in all our circumstances and will guide us and direct us regardless of what we face. 

Jesus tells us that as we seek the things of God and attempt to follow His ways, what we need will be provided as we obey and trust Him – food, clothing, health, time, guidance, etc.  (Matthew 6:21-33).  In our culture of abundance, it is easy to fear the loss of so many of our wants and greeds, and forget the important things in our lives.

            The biggest weapon we have against fear controlling us is our faith that God is with us.  Knowing that His Presence is with me - right now - empowers me to have the courage to face what is before me.  His Holy Spirit, who indwells us, empowers us to move forward with caution and wisdom.  Joshua 1:9 says:  “Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Together For Life in Atlanta

Today I was privileged today to say the closing prayer for the "Together for Life" gathering at the Georgia State Capital in Atlanta.  Thousands of people gathered to remember the 40th Anniversary of Roe v Wade and Doe v Bolton and the over 55 Million babies killed in the last 40 years.  Can you believe it??  We as a nation have killed over 55 Million innocent unborn children.  How can we take pride in who we are as a people when we continue to slaughter new life?  How can God turn away His anger when the blood of so many cry out to him?? 



Below is the prayer I prayed asking God to change our hearts as a people and nation.

Heavenly Father,

The Creator of the Universe,

The Creator of our World, and

The Creator of each one of us,

You formed us while we were in our mother’s womb,

You have known us before we knew ourselves.

You have told us in Psalm 139 that you knit us together in our mother’s womb, and that we have been fearfully and wonderfully made.

You have told us in the Gospel of John that we are your children, born of the Holy Sprit and given eternal life.

It is You, Lord, who brings forth life

It is You, Lord who breathes life into every living thing.

You are the creator and sustainer of all we know.

And Lord, you have warned us in Proverbs 6 that you hate and call an abomination the hands that shed innocent blood.

You have told us in Leviticus that the sacrifice of a child profanes your Name.

You have told us that You will not leave unpunished the sacrifice of children.

Have mercy on us, Lord, and forgive us for taking the lives of over 55 million precious babies.

Have mercy on us, Lord, and forgive us for snuffing out the beauty of your creation.

Have mercy on us, Lord, and forgive us for abandoning your Laws and Commandments.

Heavenly Father, I plead the blood of your Son over my sin and the sins of our Nation.  God end abortion and send revival to the United States of America.

Father, we come in Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ asking you to intervene in the affairs of our nation.

Change the hearts of our leaders,

bring them to repentance.

Change the hearts of our judges,

bring them to repentance.

Change the hearts of our government officials and policy makers,

bring them to repentance.

Change the hearts of those in the media,

bring them to repentance.

Change the hearts of our religious leaders,

bring them to repentance.

Change the hearts of our citizens, b

ring them to repentance.

Change our hearts, O God,

bring us to repentance.

Help us all to turn from our wicked and evil ways, thoughts, and actions – those things which violate your commandments – and help us to follow in the ways of true justice and right living.

Start with us – start with me!

Father, we come in the Name of Jesus, asking you to help us stop abortion in our nation.

We ask in the Name of Jesus that it be stopped.

Father, we ask that you pour out your Holy Spirit on this nation and blow the Spirit of life throughout the land.

And Father, we pray for all those young women who right now find themselves expecting a baby, guide them to one of your servants who will guide them toward life, and not death.

In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Roman Catholic Archbishop Wilton Gregory, me, Rev. Dr. Alvida King 

Facing our Fears

            We seem to be in a time with a heightened sense of fear. Just last night I was listening to a newscast and the commentators were terrified about where our nation’s economy is going.  They used words like “fiscal cliff,” “devastating,” “traumatic,” “life-changing,” “meltdown,” and “depression.”  Whether their analysis is correct or not, the tone of their comments could not help but bring fear and anxiety to those listening.

            All of us are constantly challenged by fear: financial crises, health issues, family concerns, local crime, the neighbor’s dog, and even driving in traffic.  Fear is one of our God-given emotions to cause us to be alert, to warn us that danger is lurking, and to prepare us to act.   But fear can paralyze us and can bring on anxiety, worry, and all kind of physical effects in our body.  Fear is to be a guide, not the controller of our being.  It calls us to pay attention, but it is not an emotion by which we are meant to live.

            The most often used words of Jesus in the New Testament are: “Do not fear.”  He did not mean that we should not be aware of our fear.  He meant that we should not live in our fear.  Fear can terrorize one’s life.  He wants us to know that God is with is in all our circumstances and will guide us and direct us regardless of what we face. 

Jesus tells us that as we seek the things of God and attempt to follow His ways, what we need will be provided as we obey and trust Him – food, clothing, health, time, guidance, etc.  (Matthew 6:21-33).  In our culture of abundance, it is easy to fear the loss of so many of our wants and greeds, and forget the important things in our lives.

            The biggest weapon we have against fear controlling us is our faith that God is with us.  Knowing that His Presence is with me - right now - empowers me to have the courage to face what is before me.  His Holy Spirit, who indwells us, empowers us to move forward with caution and wisdom.  Joshua 1:9 says:  “Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

2013 is Here!

Today is New Year's Day.  On the church's calendar, it is also the Feast of The Holy Name -- the day when we remember Joseph and Mary taking Jesus to the Temple to be circumcised.  See Luke 2:21-38.

Heavenly Father, you gave to your incarnate Son the holy name of Jesus to be the sign of our salvation:  Plant in every heart, we pray, the love of him who is Savior of the world, our Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting.  Amen.  -- Collect of the Holy Name