Cultivating ContentmentThe world we live in offers a myriad of situations which produce and even breed discontentment in the lives of most of us. Is it even possible to live a life of peace and contentment? What is it worth to you to have a life of joy, peace and love? Listen in to this important message from our teacher, Pastor Landis Fisher, which he has prepared to equip the body of Christ on how to live a life of this sort that he has titled: “Cultivating Contentment”
Old Testament Scripture Reading: Proverbs 30:1 – 9 (NASB)
Prov 30:1 The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, the oracle. The man declares to Ithiel, to Ithiel and Ucal:
Prov 30:2 Surely I am more stupid than any man, And I do not have the understanding of a man.
Prov 30:3 Neither have I learned wisdom, Nor do I have the knowledge of the Holy One.
Prov 30:4 Who has ascended into heaven and descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has wrapped the waters in His garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name or His son’s name? Surely you know!
Prov 30:5 Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.
Prov 30:6 Do not add to His words Lest He reprove you, and you be proved a liar.
Prov 30:7 Two things I asked of Thee, Do not refuse me before I die:
Prov 30:8 Keep deception and lies far from me, Give me neither poverty nor riches; Feed me with the food that is my portion,
Prov 30:9 Lest I be full and deny Thee and say, “Who is the LORD?” Or lest I be in want and steal, And profane the name of my God.
New Testament Scripture Reading: Philipians 4:1 – 9 (NASB)
Phil 4:1 Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, so stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.
Phil 4:2 I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord.
Phil 4:3 Indeed, true comrade, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Phil 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!
Phil 4:5 Let your forbearing spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.
Phil 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Phil 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Phil 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things.
Phil 4:9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things; and the God of peace shall be with you.
Transforming Power Statements:
1) There are a number of obstacles that militate against being content with our lives, therefore, we must devote ourselves to the study and application of the precepts of Scripture and learn to be more receptive to the leading of the Holy Spirit and less to the will of the flesh which is a principal source of opposition to Godly living.
2) A vibrant living Church life where the Word of God is taught and modeled by Godly leadership is the best environment for the cultivation of contentment, and it’s corporate fellowship must give way to the Word of God’s solutions, admonitions, and commandments in order to set all things in order.
3) A constant yielding to the goodness of God and the perfections of His Word must be intentionally chosen by each one who truly desires to live in the bliss of Godly contentment as we have seen in the lives of many in the Word such as Paul and Agur.
