Mining for Contentment

That elusive word contentment dances like a butterfly right in front of our eyes and then, just when we think we have it captured, the lovely creature escapes. So it seems with contentment. Am I right?

If asked, “What is contentment and how do we achieve it?”, what would be your response? Some say that it is an overall sense of wellbeing; others believe that it is a circumstantial condition which results when the relationships and realities of our lives fuel us with peace and happiness. And, the Bible tells us that contentment is a companion to godliness and the two result in great gain. (1 Timothy 6:6)

It is this picture of great gain that has me captivated.

Daily Strength for Daily Needs, a volume that sits on my nightstand, contains an entry which expands our horizon for this 11-letter word. So powerful is the presentation, I have chosen to commit the content to memory and, also, to share it with you. Please read.

If we wished to gain contentment, we might try such rules as these:

1. Allow thyself to complain of nothing, not even of the weather.

2. Never picture thyself to thyself under any circumstances in which thou art not.

3. Never compare thine own lot with that of another.

4. Never allow thyself to dwell on the wish that this or that had been, or were, otherwise than it was, or is. God Almighty loves thee better and more wisely than thou dost thyself.

5. Never dwell on the morrow. Remember that it is God’s, not thine. The heaviest part of sorrow often is to look forward to it. ‘The Lord will provide.’

Living With Eternal Intentionality®

“And this is eternal life, that they may know You the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” (John 17:3).

Try to articulate your working definition of contentment.

What is the greatest robber of your contentment?

Which of the five statements above do you want to commit to memory?

Along with the rules suggested, these verses are highlighted: Hebrews 13: 5, “Be content with such things as you have,” and Philippians 4:11, “I have learned in whatever state I am, therewith to be content.”

How do possessions and circumstances tend to hold sway over our contentment?

Daily Strength for Daily Needs by Mary W. Tileston, E. B. Pusey, contributor

Summer Series, Part 3

Do You Love Me? Part 1 Do You Love Me? Part 2

In our final 3-part Summer Series, you and I return to the shores of Lake Galilee to listen in on a conversation between our Lord Jesus and Peter.

Divine Instruction

The simplicity of wisdom shakes the earth. From a question of four words, “Do you love Me?”, Jesus gives instruction with two words: Feed and Follow.

Peter’s focus and future—his holy homework assignment from Jesus—fell within those two words. It was as if our Lord told him, “Peter, I want you to shepherd My people and to follow your Shepherd. Keep company with the sheep and keep company with Me.”

And later, in the Spirit anointed writings of First and Second Peter, we feel deeply the apostle living out of those Directives.

Divine Destiny

The Greatest Question pairs with the Greatest Commandment to guide us to The Greatest Discovery: LOVE. Like Peter, our soul’s destiny, and our daily satisfaction rest within our response to the Question of Jesus: “Do you love Me?”

Do you love Me? (with all your heart)

Do you love Me? (with all your soul)

Do you love Me? (with all your mind)

Do you love Me? (with all your strength)

“Yes Lord, you know that I love you.”

May it be so, OH MAY IT BE SO!

Living With Eternal Intentionality®

“And this is eternal life, that they may know You the only true God, and Jesus Christ

whom You have sent” (John 17:3).

Looking back on this 3-part series, what is one life application take away?

If Jesus asked you, “Do you love Me?”, how would you answer Him?

This content originated in Bob Tiede’s recent book, 340 Questions Jesus Asked, where it was my privilege to contribute Chapter 6.

Summer Series, Part 2

Do You Love Me gives Part 1 in our Summer Series.

Then, there was Jesus.

Divine Realities:

Failure, futility, and frustration permeated the setting. Peter’s three denials of Jesus made a return to fishing his default mechanism. Others joined him in the boat, but their all-night endeavor yielded no catch. Morning sun and shallow water brought a bitter end to their exasperating pursuit.

Then, there was Jesus.

Divine Intervention, Divine Invitation:

Seeing the group of fishermen, He stood, gave them instructions on how to successfully (miraculously) catch 153 fish, and then He extended an invitation: “Come and have breakfast.”

Without options of take out, drive through, Door Dash, or Uber Eats, our Lord Jesus served a dual role of Host and Chef. The bread and fish menu cooked with the culinary skills of The Master must have tasted delicious to the men who had worked through the night. (Did anyone have the courage to ask Him how and when He acquired the bread and fish that He had on hand?)

Divine Conversation:

When they finished eating, Jesus engaged Peter in dialog. And here in this closing scene in the Gospel of John, Jesus articulated His one final question: “Do you love Me?” Three times Jesus asked, Peter answered, Jesus instructed. (One notes the tenderness of correlation to the three denials of Peter.)

To be continued . . .

Living With Eternal Intentionality®

“And this is eternal life, that they may know You the only true God, and Jesus Christ

whom You have sent” (John 17:3).

How do you relate to Peter’s desire to go back to his former life?

When has Jesus stepped right into your failure and engaged you with His greater purposes for your future?