7/1/97 Are You Content?
(If it is welcome and a blessing, send it on to others,Lee)
Yes, I know this is late. I asked my wife to write in my absence, but she felt that I should continue what I've started. Smile.
I took off with a friend of mine, to attend a meeting 3 hours from here, and we spent the night and loafed our way back through the beautiful countryside. It was one of those take a breath times. A little time away to recharge the batteries. A powerful meeting (one of those headlines-"Tulsa preacher meets Vermont"-personally after the first two hours and moving across through the mountains, my concern is he would turn and head to where you can see one end of the state from another. Truth
One of the questions that roamed through my head, was why is it some people never reach a place of contentment. Paul says, "I am content where ever I am." Are you content where you are???
There are only a few reasons I can think about that would stir discontentment in a persons in a believer. The first is when you think whining, mumbling and complaining will let others know how "spiritual" you are. The reality is that the Bible is very clear about the consequences of these characteristics. Its not focusing on the promises of God. This person is very difficult to be around, draining the listener.
Another reason; why am I in this circumstance? If you are in the place where you end up in similar circumstances that cause discomfort, perhaps it is time to investigate the reason. Maybe its no Bible or prayer time, possibly anger at God. What ever the reason, repentance needs to come. Turn away and walk away.
And then the one that seems to trip up so many believers in this day and age. Not being where God wants you. Did he call you to a particular church, a ministry a job? Why are you discontented? If He called you, He will give you the tools to fulfill it.
We don't need discontentment in the body of Christ. How many times have you witnessed to someone only to have them say, "I am doing great, I'm happy. I don't want to be a Christian and be sad." The church has often portrayed a poor image. We have painted it doom and gloom, or whitewashed it with unrealistic ideas. We need balance. Jesus, the most balanced man to walk the earth. Bringing joy to the unsaved. Excitement followed His ministry. Not sadness. He was bringing the GOOD NEWS. Why would you receive the GOOD NEWS and then look like your sad, discontented??? Discontentment is contagious. It spreads like wildfire.
Be content where you are. (Unless you are where you are not supposed to be, and get out of there!) Enjoy the salvation you have been given. Jesus died for your sadness, your discontentment, that you would be content in your walk. Yes we press on for the goal, for the perfection, the maturity. But if you are not content with where God has placed you, you will not be content when you move either.
My friend I travelled north with, when asked how he is, responds,"blessed, prosperous and much to be envied". He is blessed because Jesus is a blesser. He is prosperous, rich in all things, and he is to be envied, because he has what the world can not offer. He is content with what God has given him. And people look at him and see that.
When you are content, the world thinks you have something going for you. And you do. Remember that!
Selah.
Shalom.
We pray for you, each and every day. If this is an encouragement to you. Please tell us, and please email it to someone else. If you have a prayer request, please mail it to us. We want to stand with you, battling spiritual wickedness, seeing people made free. We want to serve our brother and sister.
In the Service of Christ for His Glory,
Lee Johndrow
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154 Paddock Road
Springfield, Vermont 05156
For those who support us in prayer and deed we appreciate it.
Thank you,
Lee & Tina Johndrow
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