These times, sort of perilous times? Ya think!?
Can I enjoy contentment in this chaos? Can I have Christ's perspective? Yes.
Q: Have you ever felt like there are way too many chaotic and negative things happening around you that are completely beyond your control?
Are you watching the collapse of a culture, or watching your nation crumble under the weight of corruption caused by corrupt leaders? Are you wondering when it was that you saw an election happen with integrity?
Things have gotten so divided and crazy in our world and this can leave you wondering if contentment is even possible for a Christian of our day.
God loves you and those are not mere empty words. Do you love him more than all other loves?
Can you experience real contentment here? The answer is, yes—contentment is still within reach and choices are important. Choose life, choose the Jesus Christ of the Bible as both your Savior and Lord (top Leader) for this life here.
Despite the dangers and challenges in society, there are some actions that you can take to make life better and safer for your family and for others. You can earnestly pray through it all and trust that God is not going to do the minimum, but the maximum (His very best) fitting your particular situation.
You can also participate in politics in a righteous way, yes, without sinning or compromising your faith at all.
Is your country beyond recovering? Bible Prophecy will continue to be fulfilled with 100% accuracy.
Think about it, there aren’t any more Americas to go discover. There aren't many places to escape to from corrupt Governments anymore. But what if you could find peace right where you are.. peace with God and the peace of God?
If you had the confidence to face any obstacle, wouldn’t it transform your perspective on life? You can prayerfully become a bold witness in Christ -- He will give you confidence to share His Gospel message.
“I preached as never sure to preach again, and as a dying man to dying men.” — Richard Baxter
It’s easy for any of us, even born-again Christians, to become discouraged when life has been trying to beat us down into the ground, when it's been tough (the economy still looks lame, think I'll focus on Jesus) ..and when our leaders could give a fip about the people. Have they been doing much to help flooded-out people in North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida? It's time to fully trust in the Lord not in government. Does it feels like you’re helpless to change things for the better here? There are some things we can in faith do to serve the Lord. All my friends here keep doing a whole lot! May the Lord reward them is my prayer!
Here’s some great news: God is totally sovereign and through Christ, you can have peace with God that passes all understanding -- you can experience God's peace in close companionship with God's Son.
Jesus Christ (the Bible Jesus), has actually died on the cross and rose from the dead on the third day so you could be more than blessed -- saved. He has offered you the priceless gifts of righteousness, joy and peace in believing. He fully paid for your redemption by His bloody sacrifice at Calvary for mankind's sins.
With this assurance of salvation inside, you can approach life with Him and with His contentment, knowing that your Heavenly Father is aware of all that you’re going through and He has a good plan to see you through it. He won't ever give you more than you with Him can handle.
Remember this truth: “Godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6). Paul the Apostle said this to his friend and helper, Timothy and this also encourages us to focus on walking in God's righteousness, not living for wealth or better external circumstances. True contentment comes from knowing, obeying and trusting the Lord (your Chief Shepherd) and finding full satisfaction with His provision. He hears your prayers. He sees your needs. He feels what you feel and knows your thoughts. His timing is perfect!
In an era marked by massive societal upheaval, by crazy political turmoil, by all this racial division and cultural decay, it's SO understandable to feel overwhelmed and powerless at times. Pray and obey for there is no other way.
The world seems to be spiraling out of control, leaving individuals questioning their ability to navigate such a more than chaotic landscape. For Christians, this can pose a particular challenge: how can one maintain contentment, closeness with Christ and biblical faith in a world seemingly teetering on the brink of collapse? Doesn't it seem more like the last of the last days, than it did before. We need the Father, Son and Holy Spirit more. We need to know the word well and act decisively, applying Scripture wisely. We need Christ and our Bibles daily, yes, here and now.
Regarding contentment in Him. The answer lies in a profound understanding of God's sovereignty and His unwavering love for His children. As the Psalmist declares, "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want" (Psalm 23:1). Even in the midst of chaos, God remains in complete control, and His care for His people is unwavering.
By trusting in His divine providence, we can find peace even amidst the storm. As Philippians 4:11-12 reminds us, "Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound."
While we cannot control the external circumstances of our lives, we can choose how we respond to them. A Christian's response should be rooted in faith, hope, and love. Faith in God and in His unchanging promises with hope in His ultimate victory, and with love for our fellow human beings is important. This can provide a steadfast foundation in the face of real adversity.
One practical way to respond to the chaos around us is through prayerful active engagement with sound churches in our communities. Do you have a healthy local Christian church with a saved, spiritual Pastor who teaches through the whole Bible? It's time to look for one and get involved.
Remember what Jesus taught in Matthew 25:35-40. He basically taught us how we are to care for the hungry like He did, to care for the thirsty like He did, for the stranger, the naked, the sick, and the imprisoned. By using our time, talents and treasure (resources) to make a positive difference in this world, we can find meaning and purpose in our lives, even in the midst of all this turmoil.
Furthermore, prayer is the ordained means by which God meets our needs, meets human needs around us. I put my faith in God, not faith in prayer. Not faith in any good works, but prayer is a powerful tool to connect with God for navigating these challenging times.
As the Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 4:6-7, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving
Through believing prayer with the right address attached (to the Father in the Name of the Son Jesus), we can really connect with God in an acceptable way, we can worship in a totally acceptable way, so seek His guidance therefore. Pursue, get after God earnestly, and find solace in His loving presence.
While the world may seem far more chaotic and uncertain than it did before, Christians can find contentment and hope by trusting in God's sovereignty, living a life of faith and love, and actively engaging in the communities. Through prayer and a deep connection with God, we can discover that true peace and joy are not found in external circumstances, but in a relationship with the divine.
“For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me.” Phil. 1:21–22
Jesus is a friend that sticks closer than a brother -- He's there for you. Come to Him now! The Bible is there, not to gain dust on it. Grab the Book of all books!
What has God said in the Bible regarding real contentment for Christians? This, here's a start...
Hebrews 13:5 - Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
1 Timothy 6:6-8 -Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.
Luke 12:15 - And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
Matthew 6:33 - But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Philippians 4:19 - And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
2 Corinthians 12:10 - For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Psalm 37:3-5 - Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.
Isaiah 26:3 - You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
1 Corinthians 7:17 - Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches.
Philippians 4:11-12 - Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.
Proverbs 30:8-9 - Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?” or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.
Matthew 6:25 - Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
Proverbs 16:8 - Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice.
Proverbs 28:25 - A greedy man stirs up strife, but the one who trusts in the Lord will be enriched.
1 Timothy 6:17-19 - As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.
1 Timothy 6:10-11- For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.
Psalm 23:1 - A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Psalm 37:16 - Better is the little that the righteous has than the abundance of many wicked.
- Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." It doesn't say through politics or money or though a perfect job. It says through Christ. This verse speaks to the empowering presence of Christ in the life of a believer--let Him be Lord of all. Not just in theory.
- Transition to the theme of 1 Timothy 6:6, "godliness with contentment is great gain." These verses both highlight the strength that comes from Christ and the peace found in contentment.
Prayerfully meditate upon the word of God daily. Get busier filling up your mind with truth so that there won't be time left over for this corrupt world or devils to do that for you.
- In a world filled with chaos and uncertainty, godliness, when paired with contentment, brings true fulfillment. The Christian is called to remain rooted in faith and contentment despite external circumstances.
I. Go through 1 Timothy 6:6 again.
Paul's Warning to Timothy:
- The apostle Paul writes to Timothy, encouraging him in his own leadership role and warning against the temptation of timidity and materialism.
- In 1 Timothy 6:5-6, Paul cautions Timothy about false teachers who distort the faith for financial gain (they are active in our day as well. Duh!). These teachers exploit godliness as a way to accumulate wealth.
True Godliness:
- Paul contrasts these corrupt teachers by defining true godliness. It is not about wealth or prosperity but about living a life in pursuit of righteousness.
- The core message: “godliness with contentment is great gain.”
II. Materialism verse Biblical Faith
Christianity and Wealth:
- Just as in Paul's time, there are those today who preach a gospel centered on wealth and success. These messages often distort biblical promises, focusing on material gain rather than spiritual growth.
- The “prosperity gospel” has spread, promoting the belief that God rewards faith with financial success. However, 1 Timothy 6:9 warns about the dangers of this pursuit: “Those who want to get rich fall into temptation.”
Pursuing Christ Primarily, His Good Will for You and Holiness, Not Wealth Primarily:
- Paul’s encouragement and guidance to Timothy remains relevant today: Christians are to flee from the desire for wealth and instead pursue “righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness” (1 Timothy 6:11).
- The Bible advises against the love of money (Hebrews 13:5) and teaches that contentment, not wealth, is the key to godliness.
III. Finding Contentment Amidst Uncertainty, It's possible With Jesus.
Dealing with Circumstances Beyond Control:
- Life often brings overwhelming, the situations feel uncontrollable because many of them are—whether personal trials or the societal challenges we are to remain faithful in Jesus as His witnesses. It's easy to feel powerless when seeing a nation falter or collapse -- so many dangerous trends arise.
- However, Christians can find peace through Christ. As Philippians 4:11-12 reminds us, Paul learned to be content whether he faced abundance or need. He saw the inside of prisons.
Prayer and Action in Difficult Times:
- Christians are not passive in the face of adversity. Prayer is a powerful tool to connect with the One who thought it up, and righteous involvement in societal or political issues is encouraged, provided it aligns with God's will. One can act to make things better without sin or compromise.
- Even when it seems like there are no safe places to retreat, trusting in God’s provision (Philippians 4:19) allows for peace in any situation.
IV. Godliness with Contentment: Obtain Christ's Biblical Perspective
Contentment Is a Heart Issue:
- Watch over your heart with all diligence. Both greed and contentment are matters of the heart. Not time for idols. Greed seeks more and more without any satisfaction, always craving, while contentment finds peace in what God has provided. Say no to your old fleshly nature telling you to do what it tells you to do.
- Proverbs 30:8-9 highlights this good balance, asking God to provide enough to meet the needs of those around you, so you're prevented from dishonoring Him out of desperation, and fear. God, can you please help us to avoid greed, lust, anger at people, covetousness and poverty today.
The Riches of Christ -- Incalculable!
- True contentment is found in Christ, not in material riches. The millennium will soon be here and until then this world will be whack. Colossians 1:27 speaks of the riches of the glory of Christ in believers—an eternal wealth that surpasses worldly possessions.
- As 1 Timothy 6:17 points out, wealth itself isn’t condemned, but the attitude towards it is crucial. The rich are reminded to place their hope in God, not in their uncertain wealth.
V. Lord, it's You I need. You are my Solution, no matter the question or need!
- A Call to Contentment in and to Jesus:
- In an uncertain world, the call to live a life of godliness with contentment is as relevant today as it was in Timothy’s time. Contentment does not mean complacency but rather a deep trust in God's provision.
- Whether facing abundance or hardship, Christians are equipped with the resources to handle anything through Christ, just as Philippians 4:13 assures us.
- Ultimately, the pursuit of holiness and contentment leads to great gain—an eternal reward that transcends temporary circumstances.
