CONTENTMENT & PERSECUTION
ALOHA FAMILY & FRIENDS, Beloved of God and me, John 3:16
CONTENTMENT & PERSECUTION “WORTH CONSIDERING” 8/18/20
Today’s Scripture (Across my desk this morning from a church Texas.)
“…I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound…” (Philippians 4:11–12, NKJV)
Learn Contentment
It’s good to have dreams and goals. We should be stretching our faith. But while we’re waiting for promises to come to pass, we shouldn’t be discontent where we are. When we’re unhappy, frustrated, and wondering if something is ever going to change, we’re dishonoring God. We’re so focused on what we want that we’re taking for granted and not being thankful for what God has given us.
The apostle Paul said he had to learn to be content. It doesn’t happen automatically. It’s a choice we have to make. Being content doesn’t mean that we don’t want change, that we give up on our dreams, or that we settle where we are. It means we don’t live our life always wanting something else. We see the gift in what we have right now, and we’re trusting God’s timing. We know He is working behind the scenes, and at the right time, He will get us to where we’re supposed to be.
A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You that no matter what my circumstances are, I don’t have to live stressed and frustrated and discontent. Thank You that You are teaching me to be content with where I am and with what I have. I am trusting Your timing with my wants. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
Ken’s Comments,
Wow!!! Gautama (Buddha) took a life time to figure that one out. And Paul got it from Jesus while still is Holy Spirit training. How many of us have learned how to do this.
Jesus said, “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.” And “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matt.6:33
So REALLY is come down to simple trusting God to know where you are and that when and if you learn what you need to learn at a given point in your life than you can take the next step. But not until you learn as needed at that step. The Holy Spirit will not allow you to skip a grade without the needed information. That is why so many Christians are really stupid about the Word of God. And this is the same for all of us in learning to walk with the Holy Spirit. My curser on my computer screen has been jumping all over the place today like some demon or something is somewhere moving my curser all over the monitor. Really causing me to be impatient. But finally I prayed and it seems to have calmed down. Now what was the reason for that? All things have cause and effect. My need to pray about things more and especially about being impatient with stuff and people. People often do the same thing. They are like a drop of water on a hot grill. But getting old does slow that down a bit. However, that steam harnessed can send a very long train clear across the United States with a load of oranges from San Diego to New York City. So those of you who tend to make a lot of steam would do well to learn Love, Faith, Humility and Obedience and learn to help take the Kings train to where HE wants it to go.
The big issue for most of us is our point of view. For most of us we are the center of our point of view and everything we think about has our comfort zone in mind. And Jesus relates to this in Matt.l3:20-21, “The one on whom seed was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and at once welcomes it with joy; 21 yet he has no [substantial] root in himself, but is only temporary, and when pressure or persecution comes because of the word, immediately he stumbles and falls away [abandoning the One who is the source of salvation]. 22 And the one on whom seed was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the worries and distractions of the world and the deceitfulness [the superficial pleasures and delight] of riches choke the word, and it yields no fruit. Note that Paul reminds us in 2 Tim 3:12 “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. So if there is no persecution, your Bible doctrine is messed up or you are just in simple rebellion to Jesus as LORD?
When we have the LORD’S point of view we are every day looking for those who are looking for Truth and Light to help them on there way in finding HIS Kingdom. Because HE loves them, we love them dirt, rags and all. Each person is a soul for whom Christ loves and died for and wants to find HIM and HIS Kingdom. We are asked of our LORD to even love our enemies for HIM and to do good to them for HIS sake. He even loved the honest thief on the Cross and took the time in HIS agony to help him into HIS KINGDOM in his last moments of life. Our World View in Christ Jesus will also be how to be joined to others to better see the world come to Jesus as LORD. There are no little boxes or denominational walls. There is but one Church of Christ Jesus and all who love, trust and cling to HIM are eternal members. So if no one is offended at you being a Christian, something is deeply wrong in your walk. There will always be a Cain somewhere who is offended at any light at all and will try to put it out. No light, no persecution. This morning I even had a disconnect on my blog due to the light from a family member. And of course, it could just be my approach to HIS love that I yet need to grow in and learn to do better..
Yours, in HIS great and wonderful loving grace and mercy, Ken<>< www.Trinity-Aloha.org
Worthy Brief <worthybrief@worthynetwork.com> A federal judge in Kentucky issued an order on Friday that allows a Christian wedding photographer to turn down services for same-sex weddings without being penalized. From Los Angeles to New York City, from Philadelphia to San Francisco, the movement to defund police departments across the country is growing. This, as at least 12 other cities also brace for severe budget cuts not seen in more than a decade. The result some say is a spike in violence nationwide. Japan’s economy has suffered its strongest contraction, shrinking an annualized 27.8% in April-June amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Reuters reported Monday. This was steeper than the worse decline suffered in the 2008 financial crisis.
(To add/delete: ken@trinity-aloha.org – Past Issues: link to “Worth Considering” on HomePage )
CONTENTMENT & PERSECUTION “WORTH CONSIDERING” 8/18/20
Today’s Scripture (Across my desk this morning from a church Texas.)
“…I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound…” (Philippians 4:11–12, NKJV)
Learn Contentment
It’s good to have dreams and goals. We should be stretching our faith. But while we’re waiting for promises to come to pass, we shouldn’t be discontent where we are. When we’re unhappy, frustrated, and wondering if something is ever going to change, we’re dishonoring God. We’re so focused on what we want that we’re taking for granted and not being thankful for what God has given us.
The apostle Paul said he had to learn to be content. It doesn’t happen automatically. It’s a choice we have to make. Being content doesn’t mean that we don’t want change, that we give up on our dreams, or that we settle where we are. It means we don’t live our life always wanting something else. We see the gift in what we have right now, and we’re trusting God’s timing. We know He is working behind the scenes, and at the right time, He will get us to where we’re supposed to be.
A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You that no matter what my circumstances are, I don’t have to live stressed and frustrated and discontent. Thank You that You are teaching me to be content with where I am and with what I have. I am trusting Your timing with my wants. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
Ken’s Comments,
Wow!!! Gautama (Buddha) took a life time to figure that one out. And Paul got it from Jesus while still is Holy Spirit training. How many of us have learned how to do this.
Jesus said, “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.” And “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matt.6:33
So REALLY is come down to simple trusting God to know where you are and that when and if you learn what you need to learn at a given point in your life than you can take the next step. But not until you learn as needed at that step. The Holy Spirit will not allow you to skip a grade without the needed information. That is why so many Christians are really stupid about the Word of God. And this is the same for all of us in learning to walk with the Holy Spirit. My curser on my computer screen has been jumping all over the place today like some demon or something is somewhere moving my curser all over the monitor. Really causing me to be impatient. But finally I prayed and it seems to have calmed down. Now what was the reason for that? All things have cause and effect. My need to pray about things more and especially about being impatient with stuff and people. People often do the same thing. They are like a drop of water on a hot grill. But getting old does slow that down a bit. However, that steam harnessed can send a very long train clear across the United States with a load of oranges from San Diego to New York City. So those of you who tend to make a lot of steam would do well to learn Love, Faith, Humility and Obedience and learn to help take the Kings train to where HE wants it to go.
The big issue for most of us is our point of view. For most of us we are the center of our point of view and everything we think about has our comfort zone in mind. And Jesus relates to this in Matt.l3:20-21, “The one on whom seed was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and at once welcomes it with joy; 21 yet he has no [substantial] root in himself, but is only temporary, and when pressure or persecution comes because of the word, immediately he stumbles and falls away [abandoning the One who is the source of salvation]. 22 And the one on whom seed was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the worries and distractions of the world and the deceitfulness [the superficial pleasures and delight] of riches choke the word, and it yields no fruit. Note that Paul reminds us in 2 Tim 3:12 “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. So if there is no persecution, your Bible doctrine is messed up or you are just in simple rebellion to Jesus as LORD?
When we have the LORD’S point of view we are every day looking for those who are looking for Truth and Light to help them on there way in finding HIS Kingdom. Because HE loves them, we love them dirt, rags and all. Each person is a soul for whom Christ loves and died for and wants to find HIM and HIS Kingdom. We are asked of our LORD to even love our enemies for HIM and to do good to them for HIS sake. He even loved the honest thief on the Cross and took the time in HIS agony to help him into HIS KINGDOM in his last moments of life. Our World View in Christ Jesus will also be how to be joined to others to better see the world come to Jesus as LORD. There are no little boxes or denominational walls. There is but one Church of Christ Jesus and all who love, trust and cling to HIM are eternal members. So if no one is offended at you being a Christian, something is deeply wrong in your walk. There will always be a Cain somewhere who is offended at any light at all and will try to put it out. No light, no persecution. This morning I even had a disconnect on my blog due to the light from a family member. And of course, it could just be my approach to HIS love that I yet need to grow in and learn to do better..
Yours, in HIS great and wonderful loving grace and mercy, Ken<>< www.Trinity-Aloha.org
Worthy Brief <worthybrief@worthynetwork.com> A federal judge in Kentucky issued an order on Friday that allows a Christian wedding photographer to turn down services for same-sex weddings without being penalized. From Los Angeles to New York City, from Philadelphia to San Francisco, the movement to defund police departments across the country is growing. This, as at least 12 other cities also brace for severe budget cuts not seen in more than a decade. The result some say is a spike in violence nationwide. Japan’s economy has suffered its strongest contraction, shrinking an annualized 27.8% in April-June amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Reuters reported Monday. This was steeper than the worse decline suffered in the 2008 financial crisis.
(To add/delete: ken@trinity-aloha.org – Past Issues: link to “Worth Considering” on HomePage )
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