The Secret to True Contentment

“Now godliness with contentment is great gain.” 1 Timothy 6:6 

Ponder This 

Covetousness is wrong. This doesn’t mean it’s wrong to have godly ambition or to have things. But covetousness is so deceptive, it is so debasing, and so destructive. Paul summed up our point in today’s text: “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” In 1 Timothy 6:7, he went on to say: “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” It has been said, “You never saw a hearse with a U-Haul behind it.” We all get caught up in having more and believe the lie that one more thing or one more achievement will bring us contentment. Yet, Jesus didn’t even have the most basic things. He said: “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head” (Matthew 8:20). But He wasn’t discontent. When we are found in Him, we can find true contentment that doesn’t exist anywhere else.

Why is covetousness opposed to godliness?

How can you find contentment in Jesus today, no matter what else is going on?

 

Practice This 

Make a list of the reasons you have contentment available in Jesus today.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

I Can Be Content in Every Circumstance

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. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:11–13)

God’s provision of day-by-day future grace enables Paul to be filled or to be hungry, to prosper or suffer, to have abundance or go wanting.

“I can do all things” really means “all things,” not just easy things. “All things” means, “Through Christ I can hunger and suffer and be in want.” This puts the stunning promise of Philippians 4:19 in its proper light: “My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

What does “every need of yours” mean in view of Philippians 4:11–12? It means “all that you need for God-glorifying contentment.” Which may include times of hunger and need. Paul’s love for the Philippians flowed from his contentment in God, and his contentment flowed from his faith in the future grace of God’s infallible provision to be all he needed in times of plenty and want.

It’s obvious then that covetousness is exactly the opposite of faith. It’s the loss of contentment in Christ so that we start to crave other things to satisfy the longings of our hearts which only the presence of God himself can satisfy. And there’s no mistaking that the battle against covetousness is a battle against unbelief in God’s promise to be all we need in every circumstance.

This is so clear in Hebrews 13:5. Watch how the author argues for our freedom from the love of money — freedom from covetousness — the freedom of contentment in God: “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.’” Faith in this promise — “I will never leave you” — breaks the power of all God-dishonoring desire — all covetousness.

Whenever we sense the slightest rise of covetousness in our hearts, we must turn on it and fight it with all our might using the weapons of this faith.

John Piper 

I Can Be Content in Every Circumstance

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. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:11–13)

God’s provision of day-by-day future grace enables Paul to be filled or to be hungry, to prosper or suffer, to have abundance or go wanting.

“I can do all things” really means “all things,” not just easy things. “All things” means, “Through Christ I can hunger and suffer and be in want.” This puts the stunning promise of Philippians 4:19 in its proper light: “My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

What does “every need of yours” mean in view of Philippians 4:11–12? It means “all that you need for God-glorifying contentment.” Which may include times of hunger and need. Paul’s love for the Philippians flowed from his contentment in God, and his contentment flowed from his faith in the future grace of God’s infallible provision to be all he needed in times of plenty and want.

It’s obvious then that covetousness is exactly the opposite of faith. It’s the loss of contentment in Christ so that we start to crave other things to satisfy the longings of our hearts which only the presence of God himself can satisfy. And there’s no mistaking that the battle against covetousness is a battle against unbelief in God’s promise to be all we need in every circumstance.

This is so clear in Hebrews 13:5. Watch how the author argues for our freedom from the love of money — freedom from covetousness — the freedom of contentment in God: “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.’” Faith in this promise — “I will never leave you” — breaks the power of all God-dishonoring desire — all covetousness.

Whenever we sense the slightest rise of covetousness in our hearts, we must turn on it and fight it with all our might using the weapons of this faith.

John Piper 

Good Stewards Enjoy Godly Contentment

Pray Over This

“Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”

1 Timothy 6:6-10

Ponder This

Many of us just think if we simply hold our financial position, we are being biblical, but we are not. We are stewards; we are to invest and see our investments grow. When you invest, you need to examine your motive for investment. If your motive is greed, or if your motive is pride, that is not from God. If you have Jesus, you are rich. And to whom little is not enough, nothing is enough. Godliness with contentment is great gain because we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain that we will carry nothing out.

 

In 1 Timothy 6:17, Paul told Timothy, here’s what you tell your church members: “Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.” Isn’t that good advice? We are stewards who are managing what God has given to us. As good stewards, we need to take what God has put in our hands and prayerfully ask, “How much of this shall I use? How much of this shall I give? And how much of this shall I invest for the glory of God?”

Where do you struggle with contentment? How is that reflected in your finances?

How do you seek to discern between a want, a need, or a prompting from God?

Practice This

Ask a fellow Christian how he or she uses resources for God’s glory.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Only God Can Meet Our Deepest Needs

PRAY OVER THIS

“It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows; for so He gives His beloved sleep.” Psalm 127:2

 

PONDER THIS

Do you know what is wrong with so many American families today? We have succumbed to the myth, “They lived happily ever after.” Nobody’s supposed to live happily ever after. Nobody’s supposed to be happy all the time. You wouldn’t even want to be happy all the time. You’d get sick of being happy all the time. It would be like having ice cream for every meal. All of us have three basic needs. We have a need for security; we have a need for significance; and we have a need for satisfaction or sustenance. And so many times, we get married and expect our spouses to meet those needs.

But sufficiency, security, and significance are something no man or woman can give you. If you don’t find those things in Jesus, you won’t find them. You’re looking in the wrong place. Some people look on marriage like a tick looks on a dog. That tick is on that dog for what he can get out of that dog. But in marriage, there are two ticks and no dog. People come to marriage trying to get some level of satisfaction that God never really intended. I’m not saying that marriage doesn’t meet needs, but I’m saying there are the deepest needs that only God can meet. You’re not going to have real contentment unless you find it in Jesus.

Where have you sought contentment outside of Jesus?

How can you seek contentment in Him today?

PRACTICE THIS

List the current things you are pursuing in life. Consider where you focus your time and resources. Evaluate whether you are seeking contentment in Jesus or in something or someone else.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

I Can Be Content in Every Circumstance

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. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:11–13)

God’s provision of day-by-day future grace enables Paul to be filled or to be hungry, to prosper or suffer, to have abundance or go wanting.

“I can do all things” really means “all things,” not just easy things. “All things” means, “Through Christ I can hunger and suffer and be in want.” This puts the stunning promise of Philippians 4:19 in its proper light: “My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

What does “every need of yours” mean in view of Philippians 4:11–12? It means “all that you need for God-glorifying contentment.” Which may include times of hunger and need. Paul’s love for the Philippians flowed from his contentment in God, and his contentment flowed from his faith in the future grace of God’s infallible provision to be all he needed in times of plenty and want.

It’s obvious then that covetousness is exactly the opposite of faith. It’s the loss of contentment in Christ so that we start to crave other things to satisfy the longings of our hearts which only the presence of God himself can satisfy. And there’s no mistaking that the battle against covetousness is a battle against unbelief in God’s promise to be all we need in every circumstance.

This is so clear in Hebrews 13:5. Watch how the author argues for our freedom from the love of money — freedom from covetousness — the freedom of contentment in God: “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.’” Faith in this promise — “I will never leave you” — breaks the power of all God-dishonoring desire — all covetousness.

Whenever we sense the slightest rise of covetousness in our hearts, we must turn on it and fight it with all our might using the weapons of this faith.

John Piper 

Do You Act Like You Are Content?

PRAY OVER THIS

“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” Hebrews 13:5

 

PONDER THIS

The secret of satisfaction, of true contentment, is God Himself. If you told the man on the street that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and the secret of satisfaction, he would laugh at you. Hebrews 13:5 says, “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” The word “conduct” literally means behavior. The first secret of family contentment is God Himself. It is important to note we can’t just say we are content with God. We must also follow up with our behavior.

Does your behavior indicate you are content in God?

Where might you be seeking contentment outside of God? What might you need to change?

PRACTICE THIS

Make a list of the most frequent ways you spend your time. What does this say about where you seek contentment?

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Are You Jealous or Content?

PRAY OVER THIS

“Now godliness with contentment is great gain.” 1 Timothy 6:6

 

PONDER THIS

Covetousness is wrong. This doesn’t mean it’s wrong to have godly ambition or to have things. But covetousness is so deceptive, it is so debasing, and so destructive. Paul summed up our point in today’s text: “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” In 1 Timothy 6:7, he went on to say: “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” It has been said, “You never saw a hearse with a U-Haul behind it.” We all get caught up in having more and believe the lie that one more thing or one more achievement will bring us contentment. Yet, Jesus didn’t even have the most basic things. He said: “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head” (Matthew 8:20). But He wasn’t discontent. When we are found in Him, we can find true contentment that doesn’t exist anywhere else.

Why is covetousness opposed to godliness?

How can you find contentment in Jesus today, no matter what else is going on?

PRACTICE THIS

Make a list of the reasons you have contentment available in Jesus today.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

What Does It Mean to Be Content?

PRAY OVER THIS

“Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.” Philippians 4:11

 

PONDER THIS

What is contentment? Contentment is an inner sufficiency that keeps us at peace despite outward circumstances. In the New Testament, the word contentment has the idea of being self-contained. While in the Philippian jail, Paul said: “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content” (Philippians 4:11). The idea means, “I’m self-contained; I don’t have to look at circumstances to find my peace.” When the space shuttle goes up, they put everything on board that people are going to need because there’s no 7-Eleven in the neighborhood up there. It is self-contained, it has everything on board. In the same way, Christians have this self-containment. To be clear, this is not at all because we can find what we need in ourselves, but because the Spirit of God has come to live within us. Our contentment is found in Him.

How have you experienced the “self-contained” contentment that is found in relationship with Jesus?

What does it look like to seek contentment in your circumstances instead of in something else that is passing away?

PRACTICE THIS

Take a walk today to prayerfully consider where you find your contentment. Ask God to lead you to seek contentment in Him alone.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

I Can Be Content in Every Circumstance

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. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:11–13)

God’s provision of day-by-day future grace enables Paul to be filled or to be hungry, to prosper or suffer, to have abundance or go wanting.

“I can do all things” really means “all things,” not just easy things. “All things” means, “Through Christ I can hunger and suffer and be in want.” This puts the stunning promise of Philippians 4:19 in its proper light: “My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

What does “every need of yours” mean in view of Philippians 4:11–12? It means “all that you need for God-glorifying contentment.” Which may include times of hunger and need. Paul’s love for the Philippians flowed from his contentment in God, and his contentment flowed from his faith in the future grace of God’s infallible provision to be all he needed in times of plenty and want.

It’s obvious then that covetousness is exactly the opposite of faith. It’s the loss of contentment in Christ so that we start to crave other things to satisfy the longings of our hearts which only the presence of God himself can satisfy. And there’s no mistaking that the battle against covetousness is a battle against unbelief in God’s promise to be all we need in every circumstance.

This is so clear in Hebrews 13:5. Watch how the author argues for our freedom from the love of money — freedom from covetousness — the freedom of contentment in God: “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.’” Faith in this promise — “I will never leave you” — breaks the power of all God-dishonoring desire — all covetousness.

Whenever we sense the slightest rise of covetousness in our hearts, we must turn on it and fight it with all our might using the weapons of this faith.

John Piper 

Are You Content in Jesus?

BIBLE MEDITATION

“…be content with such things as you have: for He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you, nor forsake you. So, we may boldly say: ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’”

Hebrews 13:5-6

 

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT

As you face the new year, find your contentment, companionship, and confidence in Jesus. Then, you’ll find your comfort and your courage in Jesus. When you are contented in Jesus and He is closer to you than anyone on earth could possibly be, and when you are confident in the midst of trials and testing that He will provide…then, and only then, will you know the courage that comes from His comforting presence.

ACTION POINT

Pray, “Lord, with all my heart, with all I am, I want to know you. I want our relationship to be close and my faith to grow. Cleanse me and make me new, that I may be all that You want me to be this year.”

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Teach Them to Be Content

BIBLE MEDITATION

“I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.” Philippians 4:11

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT

One of the most valuable things you can learn for yourself—and teach your children—is contentment. Let your home ring with love, laughter, conversation, fun, and be content with the simpler things of life.

You say, “Well, I want my kids to have things I never had, things my dad never gave me.” Okay. But are you giving them the things your dad did give you: the desire to work, honesty, decency, learning to get along with the basics, and contentment? Would to God we’d get this in our hearts.

What is contentment? It is an inner sufficiency that keeps us at peace, in spite of outward circumstances. Paul taught his son in the faith, Timothy, “Godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6).

In Philippians 4:11, Paul says contentment must be learned. Develop contentment within your children, and you will be strengthening their character. Teach them to trust the Lord and be humbly grateful. Families need to learn to thank God. God has been so good to you.

ACTION POINT

Is your family a God-centered family? It would be good for you to get a family diary and write in it the blessings of God. Sit down and rehearse with your children day after day after day the things that God has done for them.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

I Can Be Content in Every Circumstance

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. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:11–13)

God’s provision of day-by-day future grace enables Paul to be filled or to be hungry, to prosper or suffer, to have abundance or go wanting.

“I can do all things” really means “all things,” not just easy things. “All things” means, “Through Christ I can hunger and suffer and be in want.” This puts the stunning promise of Philippians 4:19 in its proper light: “My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

What does “every need of yours” mean in view of Philippians 4:11–12? It means “all that you need for God-glorifying contentment.” Which may include times of hunger and need. Paul’s love for the Philippians flowed from his contentment in God, and his contentment flowed from his faith in the future grace of God’s infallible provision to be all he needed in times of plenty and want.

It’s obvious then that covetousness is exactly the opposite of faith. It’s the loss of contentment in Christ so that we start to crave other things to satisfy the longings of our hearts which only the presence of God himself can satisfy. And there’s no mistaking that the battle against covetousness is a battle against unbelief in God’s promise to be all we need in every circumstance.

This is so clear in Hebrews 13:5. Watch how the author argues for our freedom from the love of money — freedom from covetousness — the freedom of contentment in God: “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.’” Faith in this promise — “I will never leave you” — breaks the power of all God-dishonoring desire — all covetousness.

Whenever we sense the slightest rise of covetousness in our hearts, we must turn on it and fight it with all our might using the weapons of this faith.

John Piper 

What Are You Satisfying?

BIBLE MEDITATION

“Now godliness with contentment is great gain” 1Timothy 6:6

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT

Dr. Vance Havner said, “I’m often amused and amazed at the way we equate Christianity with success, popularity, and prosperity. We may not admit it, but we use the same old gauge the world uses, except we employ religious language. It would appear that gain is godliness with us, in spite of Paul’s formula that godliness plus contentment equals prosperity.”

So often we say that money will not satisfy, but that all depends on what we’re trying to satisfy. The problem is not that money doesn’t satisfy. The greater danger is that it does—but only for a season. If you have it and you are satisfied with the things of this world, that’s a dangerous place to be spiritually.

ACTION POINT

The Apostle Paul had one of the best pedigrees any person could have. Yet he wrote in Philippians 3:7-8, “But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ.”

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Do you need security?

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have…” Hebrews 13:5

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

If you want to face a new year without fear, you need to know the contentment of His provision. Discontent is a disease that breeds fear. The secret of content is not wanting what we do not have but being grateful for what we do have. Contentment is not having what we want but wanting what we have.

You say, “That’s just preacher-talk.” Well, I'll tell you this much. I wouldn’t sell the contentment I have in Jesus Christ for any price you could name. I am content in the Lord Jesus. That doesn't mean I'm satisfied with myself, but that along with the Apostle Paul I can say it gladly and surely: “I can do all things through Christ who is pouring His life into me,” and “I have learned that whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”

ACTION POINT:

If you want the source of your satisfaction, your sufficiency, and your security to be steadfast, then you must find it in the Lord Jesus Christ. As the hymn “My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less” says, “All other ground is sinking sand.”

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

I Can Be Content in Every Circumstance

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. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:11–13)

God’s provision of day-by-day future grace enables Paul to be filled or to be hungry, to prosper or suffer, to have abundance or go wanting.

“I can do all things” really means “all things,” not just easy things. “All things” means, “Through Christ I can hunger and suffer and be in want.” This puts the stunning promise of Philippians 4:19 in its proper light: “My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

What does “every need of yours” mean in view of Philippians 4:11–12? It means “all that you need for God-glorifying contentment.” Which may include times of hunger and need. Paul’s love for the Philippians flowed from his contentment in God, and his contentment flowed from his faith in the future grace of God’s infallible provision to be all he needed in times of plenty and want.

It’s obvious then that covetousness is exactly the opposite of faith. It’s the loss of contentment in Christ so that we start to crave other things to satisfy the longings of our hearts which only the presence of God himself can satisfy. And there’s no mistaking that the battle against covetousness is a battle against unbelief in God’s promise to be all we need in every circumstance.

This is so clear in Hebrews 13:5. Watch how the author argues for our freedom from the love of money — freedom from covetousness — the freedom of contentment in God: “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.’” Faith in this promise — “I will never leave you” — breaks the power of all God-dishonoring desire — all covetousness.

Whenever we sense the slightest rise of covetousness in our hearts, we must turn on it and fight it with all our might using the weapons of this faith.

John Piper 

Can you be “happy” without Jesus Christ?

BIBLE MEDITATION:

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Matthew 5:6

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Jesus tells us that when we seek after righteousness, we will be filled. Sounds like we’ll be happy, don’t you think? But happiness is not something we find by hungering for it; it’s something we receive by serving the Lord.

The word “happy” comes from the same root as “happening” or “happenstance.” In other words, it depends on what “happens” to you, or on your circumstances, rather than on your relationship with God or upon who you are in Christ. Happiness can be superficial if it comes from external circumstances. Joy, in contrast, comes from deep within.

God doesn’t want us to be “happy” without Christ. God allows us to experience unhappiness in our lives in the same way we experience pain when we step on a nail. The pain tells us something is wrong.

Now, for us to seek happiness without seeking righteousness would be like breaking our arm and then not taking a pain killer and getting it set. Blessing comes when we find the Deliverer.

ACTION POINT:

When you hunger for Him, you will have Him. How much of God do you want today?

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

I Can Be Content in Every Circumstance

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. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:11–13)

God’s provision of day-by-day future grace enables Paul to be filled or to be hungry, to prosper or suffer, to have abundance or go wanting.

“I can do all things” really means “all things,” not just easy things. “All things” means, “Through Christ I can hunger and suffer and be in want.” This puts the stunning promise of Philippians 4:19 in its proper light: “My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

What does “every need of yours” mean in view of Philippians 4:11–12? It means “all that you need for God-glorifying contentment.” Which may include times of hunger and need. Paul’s love for the Philippians flowed from his contentment in God, and his contentment flowed from his faith in the future grace of God’s infallible provision to be all he needed in times of plenty and want.

It’s obvious then that covetousness is exactly the opposite of faith. It’s the loss of contentment in Christ so that we start to crave other things to satisfy the longings of our hearts which only the presence of God himself can satisfy. And there’s no mistaking that the battle against covetousness is a battle against unbelief in God’s promise to be all we need in every circumstance.

This is so clear in Hebrews 13:5. Watch how the author argues for our freedom from the love of money — freedom from covetousness — the freedom of contentment in God: “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.’” Faith in this promise — “I will never leave you” — breaks the power of all God-dishonoring desire — all covetousness.

Whenever we sense the slightest rise of covetousness in our hearts, we must turn on it and fight it with all our might using the weapons of this faith.

John Piper 

The next time someone criticizes you...here's how to handle it

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

God loves you so much that Jesus Christ hung in agony and blood for you.

You are precious to God. You are the object of God’s love. The blood of Jesus Christ was poured out on Calvary for you. Friend, if you know all that, then you can stand up against any criticism. It won’t bother you what others say about you because the cross sets you free. He who died for you now lives in you. He gave Himself for you that He might give Himself to you. When Jesus Christ died for you, He didn’t just take away your sins, He took away your self. You—the old self, the old sin nature—are crucified. So who can harm a dead man?

ACTION POINT:

Have you felt the sting of criticism this week? Remove the stinger and bathe the wound with the balm of Jesus’ love. Give your critic to the Lord. Then ask God to teach you from what happened.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Abundant Completeness

My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

by the God of your father who will help you, by the Almighty who will bless you with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that crouches beneath, blessings of the breasts and of the womb.  - Genesis 49:25

In Him who we trust, the Stone of Israel.

yet his bow remained unmoved; his arms were made agile by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob (from there is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel),  - Genesis 49:24

therefore thus says the Lord GOD, "Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: 'Whoever believes will not be in haste.'  - Isaiah 28:16

20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,

21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. - Ephesians 2:20-21

4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious,

5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

6 For it stands in Scripture: "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame."  - 1 Peter 2:4-6

The nations:

27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. 

28 For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations.  - Psalm 22:27-28

And the LORD will be king over all the earth. On that day the LORD will be one and his name one. - Zechariah 14:9

8 God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne. 

9 The princes of the peoples gather as the people of the God of Abraham. For the shields of the earth belong to God; he is highly exalted!  - Psalm 47:8-9

The Cornerstone:

A Servant:

Master:

20 This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous shall enter through it. 

21 I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation. 

22 The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. 

23 This is the LORD's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. 

24 This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.  - Psalm 118:20-24

18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,

20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,

21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.

22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. - Ephesians 2:18-22

35 And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction.

36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

37 Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few;

38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest." - Matthew 9:35-38

The Laborers:

8 Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked.

9 He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well,

10 said in a loud voice, "Stand upright on your feet." And he sprang up and began walking.

11 And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, "The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!"

12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.

13 And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds.

14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out,

15 "Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.

16 In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways.

17 Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness."

18 Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them. - Acts 14:8-18

Do you reject the Stone?

Are you a laborer?

Are you resting in abundant completeness?