ARE YOU CONTENT?

 

Wednesday, July 15, 2026

 

ARE YOU CONTENT?

 

Phil 4:11-19

 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.

18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.

19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

 

          Paul wrote to thank the Philippian church for their financial contributions to his ministry. In that letter he explains that he had learned [by experience] how to enjoy plenty and he had also learned [by experience] how to suffer want. He was at peace with both situations.

 

          The Greek word for “content” is autarkes which literally means self-complacent.  Dr. Charles Stanley says that contentment is “Accepting God's sovereign control over all of life's circumstances.” Ah, there it is! God’s control.

 

          Contentment, for the believer, comes when we yield control of our circumstances to a higher, benevolent, force. When we worry, scheme, and grapple with the situation contentment flees but when we rest in the Lord contentment is the product.

 

          Heat and cold, pain and pleasure, or plenty and want are all the same to the one who has relinquished control to Jesus.

 

Dear Lord, Today I yield my control to you. I yield to your wisdom, your power, and your provision. Now I can rest in my circumstances. AMEN

 

YOUR LIFE SPEAKS!

 

Tuesday, July 14, 2026

 

YOUR LIFE SPEAKS!

 

John 9:26-27

26 Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes?

27 He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples?

 

          A man who was blind from birth was healed by Jesus, the Jews immediately tried to discount his story. Some suggested he was an imposter but his mother said “we know this is our son who was born blind but we don’t know by what means he now sees. This marvelous story and can be found in John chapter 9.

 

          A personal witness is very powerful! The blind man was not a politician nor a theologian. He simply and truthfully told his story. Finally, in exasperation, he asks the Temple leaders “I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples? (John 9:27)

 

          Religion kicked him out of the Temple! Big deal! He had met Jesus and now he could see.

 

Dear Lord, let my life display such change that others will ask me how it happened. Let me tell the wonderful story of redemption simply and clearly. AMEN

 

MAKING RESTITUTION!

 

Monday, July 13, 2026

 

MAKING RESTITUTION!

 

Titus 2:9-10

9 Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;

10 Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

Luke 19:8

8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.

 

          Restitution is the restoration of something that was stolen, lost, or damaged while under my care or responsibility. When Paul wrote to Titus, he uses the word purloining which simply means “taking something for personal use or stealing.” Exodus chapter 22 outlines some strict rules regarding “paying back” that which was taken.

 

          Liability insurance exists to counter the cost of paying back! It acknowledges liability, culpability, and guilt. The concept is drummed into our moral fiber from the first time our mother shouts “give that back. That doesn’t belong to you!”

 

          Some things we have taken can’t be restored because we have consumed them, lost them, or broken them beyond repair. Zacchaeus understood this and felt the pain of guilt when he met Jesus. He quite literally agrees to the terms outlined in Exodus 22.

 

          You can't be right with God while something is wrong between you and another person, and you are to blame for the conflict.

 

Matt 5:23-24

23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;

24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

 

Dear Lord, Thank you for paying my terrible sin debt. AMEN