Posted on 02/17/2024 4:33:36 AM PST by metmom
"I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am" (Phil. 4:11). Discontent and ingratitude will steal your joy.
True joy is God's gift to every believer, yet many Christians seem to lack it. How can that be? Did God fail them? No. As with peace, assurance, and other benefits of salvation, joy can be forfeited for many reasons: willful sin, prayerlessness, fear, self-centeredness, focusing on circumstances, and lack of forgiveness are the main culprits.
Two of the most common joy-thieves are dissatisfaction and ingratitude. Both are by-products of the health, wealth, and prosperity mentality of our day. It has produced a generation of Christians who are more dissatisfied than ever because their demands and expectations are higher than ever. They've lost their perspective on God's sovereignty and have therefore lost the ability to give thanks in all things.
In marked contrast, when Jesus taught about contentment and anxiety (Matt. 6:25-34), He spoke of food and clothing—the basic necessities of life. But preferences, not necessities, are the issue with us. We're into style, personal appearance, job satisfaction, earning power, bigger homes, and newer cars. In the name of greater faith we even demand that God supply more miracles, more wealth, and more power.
Amid all that, Paul's words sound a refreshing note of assurance and rebuke: "I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am" (Phil. 4:11). He made no demands on God but simply trusted in His gracious provision. Whether he received little or much made no difference to him. In either case he was satisfied and thankful.
Don't be victimized by the spirit of our age. See God's blessings for what they are and continually praise Him for His goodness. In doing so you will guard your heart from dissatisfaction and ingratitude. More important, you will bring joy to the One who is worthy of all praise.
Suggestions for Prayer
Pray that the Holy Spirit will produce in you a joy and contentment that transcends your circumstances.
Make it a daily practice to thank God for specific blessings and trials, knowing that He uses both to perfect His will in you.
For Further Study
Read 1 Kings 18:1—19:8.
How did Elijah deal with the false prophets of Baal? How did he deal with Jezebel's threat?
What caused Elijah's shift from a spiritual high to a spiritual low?
From Drawing Near by John MacArthur Copyright © 1993. Used by permission of Crossway Books, a division of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, www.crossway.com.
Studying God’s Word ping
Wow that was an excellent devotional this morning. Thank you for sharing!.....
It is.
I have heard the suggestion of keeping a thankfulness journal. A small notebook where you write down a few things every day that you were thankful for for that day.
Very good devotional. In my older years by now, I am continuing to learn the truths of this very important message. It makes a considerable difference in one’s life to be able to do this, although it’s taken a considerable time to get to this point. Keep up the good work. I always try to read & absorb these posts.
Good idea- I get all riled,up by the news- all the negativity day in and day out, and forget that i live in a country where I am free to speak and practice my religious beleifs at will almost (some places like supermarkets forbid witnessing- a Bible college student just ran into,that issue in our local store- got kicked out for iT. She had no idea they forbid it.)
Bu so many places Christians are truly persecuted, beaten, jailed unjustly, etc. Whilethere is alitle bit of that that happens from t8me to time here, it usually gets straightened out in favor of the Christian and free speech, but I suspect the time is coming when that may not be the case any longer- as the left are becoming more and more intolerant of Christians.
A.so very thankful for the massive Abundances and comforts we enjoy compared to life in the early days with no electricity, running water, refrigeration, etc. Lots,to,be tHankful,for each day
The Joy of Pleasing God - Protestant Caucus/Devotional
Link above this post. ☝️
✝️✝️ See God’s blessings for what they are and continually praise Him for His goodness. In doing so you will guard your heart from dissatisfaction and ingratitude.
More important, you will bring joy to the One who is worthy of all praise.✝️✝️
I wish to do that more.
Suggestions for Prayer
Pray that the Holy Spirit will produce in you a joy and contentment that transcends your circumstances. Yes , Jesus❗️
Make it a daily practice to thank God for specific blessings and trials, knowing that He uses both to perfect His will in you.
I need to remember that.
Daily.
Help me Jesus.
I want to draw nearer to You.
Because I want YOU to draw NEARER to me.
May it be that I take the initiative, because You are there knocking.
I love you because You loved me first.
What a great God You are!
I praise You for your goodness Father God in Jesus’ Name.
Unfortunately there’s no going back to check what happened with the titles as the link only goes to that day’s devotional. You cannot go back and find a different day’s devotional by date.
Not sure what happened. All I know is that I post them in the morning which is not my prime time ever.
I was just hooking the two of them together because they were kind of two sides of a coin so to speak.
Both very inspirational.
Thank you.
Yeah, when I wake up I fel like it’s time to go to bed...mornings linger...at bedtime I’m wise—oops—thypo—WIDE awake!
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