The Secret of Contentment

Intro:
Drawing near to Jesus, setting time aside with Him whatever time of day or night, whatever country or place, being in His presence is so precious, isn’t it?!

Opening Prayer:
What an encouragement to know you are with me Jesus. I draw near to you. Thank you that when I do, you promise to draw near to me.

I set aside my worries and concerns and simply sit before you Father. Ready to listen to your voice. To hear your Spirit speak to me and touch my heart strengthening me for the day.

Thank you Lord

Amen

Bible verse –

“I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭10‬-‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Reflection –

What a powerful verse when applied to our finances! I don’t know about you, but Jayne and I have had times of need…we’re looking forward to the times of abundance (haha). Meanwhile, we’re so thankful for what I call ‘the secret of contentment’.

Wherever you are in your financial situation I’m guessing it’s not as bad as Paul at this point. History, exegesis and biblical scholars suggest to us that as Paul ‘wrote’ this, he was probably dictating it to someone to take as a letter for him to the church at Philippi. He was in chains. He had nothing. All had been taken from him. He was imprisoned likely with heavy iron chains with a guard or another prisoner either side of him.
He truly was without. But he’d learnt the ‘secret of contentment’.

He had assurance of God’s presence in every situation and he’d learnt to praise no matter what. It changed not only his perspective, but also his situation.

Remember the Philippi jailer and the transformation that came to him and his family as Paul and Silas praised and worshiped God, despite being imprisoned with nothing.

What about you? How is your situation? Your finances? Have you learnt the ‘secret of contentment’?

Prayer –

Thank you God, that no matter what, I can trust in you. Whether I have little or whether I have much. I can trust you for my today and my tomorrow, just as I’ve seen you providing for me in the past.

You are Jehovah Jireh, my provider. I depend on you Father God.

Yet, I also pray that you would indeed give me everything I need financially and in every way. Thank you Jesus that you do.

Amen

Additional things to add to this week’s email:

Sometimes with finances we can become desperate asking people around us for help.
That’s not wrong. But I do much prefer asking the Lord, the One who owns the ‘cattle on a thousand hills’. By now, I’ve been on a mission in Cambodia for a couple of weeks and will be travelling through Thailand encouraging Pastors for another week or so. Provision is needed, yet God always provides.