Fresh Bread 2007 # 010
GREAT GAIN
Texas and Where Else?
I awoke this morning with words from the Bible speaking into my spirit. “I have learned to be content whatsoever state I am in.”
My first response was to laugh with our Lord as I said, “Well, Lord, I know I am in the State of Texas.”
Please don’t take this as sacrilegious. Remember that our Lord has a sense of humor also. He created humor for a purpose. And some of the funniest jokes I’ve ever heard are the ones we call “corny”. Now, where did we get that word… “corny”? If you live in the same state I live in, you know what it means. If not, I’ll be glad to explain, if you ask.
So, the little joke, rather lightens the load of intense seriousness that many Christians have driven themselves into. Deeper and deeper; digging for more Truth in God’s Word. They begin to wonder why they are experiencing so much stress in their life.
This digging has produced pure gold. They have received knowledge they never knew existed.
However, for many, I believe the day has come for them to lay their shovels down…and LEARN how to use what they have gained so far.
A STEP UP
I don’t know who this message is for, but if it is for you, you will recognize it and be blessed. If not for you at this time…then, just keep on digging. Your treasures are found in the depth of His Word.
A REFRESHING
STEP UP
Godliness With Contentment is Great Gain.
(I Timothy 6:6)
The word “Godliness” has different meanings to different people, according to the state (natural and spiritual) they live in. To me it means, being more like our Heavenly Father, learning to know Him on a personal level, loving Him and His Word, and seeking to do the things that please Him and cause Him to smile on us, His children.
Many of these dedicated children have now become stressed-out. They have been faithful almost to the point of exhaustion.
I truly sense our Lord is telling them now, to LEARN…how to be content with the State they are In.
As Paul said in Philippians 4:11, “I have learned to be content in
whatsoever state I am in.”
WE ARE ALWAYS LEARNING
On this earth, we are constantly learning something of value to God’s kingdom and our personal lives. This lesson is truly a Step-Up on our path of maturity.
HOW
DO WE LEARN THIS LESSON?
The first thing I see, is to consider what STATE we are in…accept it, be grateful for it, and enjoy the many blessings that surround our present state. Praise is comely and refreshes our spirit. Think about the “good state” you are in today.
When I moved to New York City for awhile, I really enjoyed that state, yet I must admit, I longed for Texas because it was the state I called home. It was familiar.
But, wherever we are in the natural or spiritual, I pray our Lord will show us HOW to be CONTENT…because:
CONTENTMENT BRINGS GREAT GAIN!
CONTENTMENT IS NOT
LAZINESS
In this sense of contentment, we are not saying that we stop learning or growing, spending time with our Lord and His Word, laying down the assignments He has specifically given each of us. No! It just means that we find peace in the midst of any storm.
We take a closer look at where we are today (the state we are in), accept it, and learn how we can be content with it today.
RELIEVING STRESS
Our world is boiling over with stress at this time. It comes in as many forms as the different states we are in. Many of us feel we are at the bottom of an impossible flight of stairs instead of recognizing that we may be somewhere in-between. It affects or infects all of us if we will allow it.
I do believe this is God’s way of opening the gate…for us to release pent-up pressures as we all learn and practice…Being Content with where we are today.
STUDY BIBLE
My study Bible says: the Greek here suggests that contentment is a Lesson Learned neither in the classroom or overnight, but through many practical experiences in life.
If Paul could learn it…so can we. 
LET’S LEARN IT
Because
It is a precious blessing and STEP UP
In
MATURITY
With
GREAT GAIN
GO AHEAD…TAKE THAT STEP.
What ever state you are in today
GO FOR IT
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