Weekly Devo: A Grateful Heart Is Peace-filled & Contentment.

I find it hard to sit still. I am always processing ideas and my mind is often racing. I have my list of things that need done. You do too! We can find ourselves rushing through life. Why are we in such a hurry? 

I notice that even when someone rushes past me on the road, they end up stuck at the same stop light as me. I laugh inside, as do you. Hurry doesn't always win the race! 

 

Today we are dealing with a couple of related topics, but it brings us closer to understanding how we can have a grateful heart. Gratitude is the key to a happy and fulfilling Christian life. As you know, it’s not about the stuff we have that makes us successful but only whaybis done in Christ. 

 

Over the last several weeks, we have walked through the book of Philippians. It is here that we find Paul speaking of joy, even though he is in chains and in prison. Last week I shared with you the number of days that he was in prison. (It was over 2,100 days.) This week I’m going to give you another number that will hopefully help us to understand more deeply the power of God‘s Word applied in our lives.

 

The apostle Paul tells us that we should not worry. That’s easy for him to say. Worry as often what leads as a major theme in our lives. How can you say that? Well, he gives us the answer.  He says pray about everything.

 

In this world, we will suffer. I hope that’s not bad news for you. In reality, it should be bring us joy to know that in our suffering God walks with us. We don’t live under our circumstances, but we live holding the hand of our savior through every trial.

 

As Christians, we understand this. Non-Christians don’t. This is why we are called upon to live virtuous. That is to be kind and generous. We should let the fruit of the spirit rule our lives through the Holy Spirit. As you know, virtue doesn’t save us, but God uses it to bring people to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

 

This is why we are collecting food. We want to help others who are in-need! 

Our world is mixed up and upside down. It’s a terrible thing to seek success by climbing up that corporate ladder only to discover that you are leaning against the wrong wall. Equally, it is not the one with the most toys who wins in the end. It is often the one who sacrificed and gave up for the sake of others that true happiness and joy originate. 

We are but only a few days away from Black Friday – you know. It is when Christmas officially begins because of commercialization. People rush to get their things and they forget the most important of all priorities can only be found in Jesus.

 

In life we are encouraged to be successful. We are rewarded for being first. When we rush we can risk crashing. This last week I drove to Wisconsin by way of Chicago. It is ironic to think that people fly past you at 80 or 90 miles an hour only to end up at the same place as me. They risk their lives to get ahead, but, to what benefit? Today we’re learning about the benefits of a grateful heart. The final chapter in Philippians teaches us a few various essential values that we take to heart.

 

We all like the idea of Philippians 4:13. It tells us that we can do all things. That’s not exactly true. Put simply, in the context of which it is written, Paul is in chains. He could do all things. So we must start the message by helping us to understand the context to which this is written.

• It is written in a time of limitation – Paul is in chains.
• It is written in a time of suffering in hardship.
• It is written during circumstances that are less than ideal and especially for the apostle Paul clearly demonstrated a zeal in a passion in his ministry.

How should we understand this passage related to the rest of Philippians? We must understand that it is through peace and contentment that we can truly understand the joy of a living faith because of the work of the Holy Spirit.

 

This verse is often interpreted in the context of contentment, resilience, and divine empowerment.

 

Although we don’t have time to study yet, we have to remember that the Book of Acts is titled the Acts of the Apostles, but I tell you this, it is the Acts of the Holy Spirit through the Apostles & during the wonderful beginning of the church.

 

The gratitude funnel helps us to envision what it means to have a grateful heart. Each of these elements we have discussed through the writings of Paul. We now come to a couple that we will talk about that are related to one another. The idea that Paul wants us to know is that we can have a peace filled and contented life.

 

Max Lucado:

   - "It is not just that Christ empowers us; it’s that His strength is made perfect in our weaknesses. This verse reminds us that our limitations can become opportunities when we lean on His strength."

 

Yet, we are instructed to find peace even in our midst of broken pieces. We should race for the right things. For the approval of God and not the applause of mankind. We are told by Paul to stay true to God and resolve conflict. 

 

We must not worry about anything. (Philippians 4:6-7) Paul found peace when he understood that God will supply all his needs because God is generous and knows what we need. 

 

This is my testimony! I came from difficult times, but God used those experiences to shape me into who I am today. Though I’m not who I’m yet to be I praise the Lord that I’m not who I once was.

 

Life was not easy. There seemed to always be conflict. I had never felt like I measured up. I dealt with abuse – forms of injustice that occurred to me when I was vulnerable. Some find my story unbelievable but, God brought me through.

 

I found peace that passes all understanding.

 

Last week we learned that there is an eternal perspective that we must have about circumstances that we are dealing with. Though we cannot control the world or the things that happened to us, yet we can control – through the power of the Holy Spirit the effect that could have in our lives.

 

We don’t have to hold to resentment or pain or bitterness or hatefulness or anger or be frustrated in life. If we could see that God is writing his story in our lives – for his glory – it changes our perspective.

Also related to Philippians 4:13. It actually reads, “…all things through Christ.”

 

Wesleyan Anthology:

   - "Paul’s assertion in Philippians 4:13 speaks not to the triumph of human effort but to the divine support that enables believers to overcome all trials. The assurance of strength in Christ fosters a spirit of perseverance and faithful living."

 

Peace in the midst of broken pieces – this is how God does his best work in our lives – if we let him.

• We also must understand true contentment comes from God.

• Paul understood this and he tells us to put first things first. 

• We need to prioritize Jesus above all things.

 

It’s easy to have our list of problems about anything because if we do not find contentment, we will find complaints.

 

What is your deepest need? God knows! In fact, He is trying to work that out within us if we would let him. Think about what you struggle to achieve the most… Success? Money? Reputation? Better things? To be number one? These are things that are filled with vanity and none of them will we take with us.

 

Prayerbis surrendering unto God into in alignment to our priorities, according to the things of God, the scripture says that all other things will be added unto us, but first we must seek Hum! 

 

We need to depend upon Jesus in all things.

 

Paul’s circumstances were less than ideal yet he learned to be content whether he had plenty or was in need – whether he was full or empty. In either case he sought to depend upon God.

 

That, my friends is not easy. Life‘s filled with frustrations at all different levels: some of our own making and others because of somebody else’s doing.

 

I have to tell you that I would love to put a dummy thermostat in the Church sanctuary. Why? Because it doesn’t regulate your temperature yet we constantly adjust it to suit ourselves. It is intended to regulate the environment for which we occupy. If our internal thermostat is working, that is 98.5°, which makes us human and not lizards or fish, we will find true contentment no matter the environment we are in. Of course, she may have to grab a sweater or a jacket or a hat and maybe even find some mittens to help regulate your internal thermostat. Nevertheless, it’s easy to want to control the condition for everyone else.

 

I believe that there is a spiritual conditioning or a discipline that we learn as we grow in the Lord, and it is up to us as individuals to adjust to God‘s plan and in His environment.

 

Can I suggest that contentment is a learned response?

 

Look at the first couple of verses and you will see the conflict is inevitable within the church. The two ladies that are in conflict with one another are being encouraged to find harmony. How would you like to be recorded in the Bible for all eternity as having conflict with each other? They certainly had a reputation that Paul was trying to solve.

 

True peace and true contentment can only come through the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

 

In just a couple weeks, we will be studying the Christmas story. Within that story is an understanding that Jesus is the prince of peace, but at no time in history in the past present, nor in the future, will there be lasting peace. Only by coming to Jesus as individuals, humbled, and submitting to his will can peace and contentment exist.

 

Every peace accord or treaty or United Nations agreement have all been broken. It will happen again. Why? Because we are imperfect, and apart from God through the Holy Spirit work in our lives, it remains in probable and impossible for there to be lasting peace and contentment.

 

Yet we can have gratitude!

 

It starts with being thankful and then quickly moves to having the right attitude – knowing that we are blessed by God, and having the fruit of the spirit as a harvest of the heart and gaining a true knowledge of an eternal perspective. It is only then can we find peace and contentment in our own heart.

 

What is this number? Looking at the King James version of the translation of the book of Philippians, this is the number of words that are found here through a Greek translation. Paul uses over 2100 words to describe a single idea. He is Going on and on through illustration and principle, based on his own life and his relationship with God through Christ, that he resolves that joy is the main topic.

 

There’s a funny sketch that Bob Newhart does in a video you may have seen. He is sitting at his counselor‘s desk when a woman comes in and says that she needs help. He tells her that for 5 bucks he can solve her problem with just two words. It is simple! The punch line? He would tell them to, “STOP IT!”

 

I don’t want to simplify or minimize the circumstances for which we live. It is natural for us to worry and have fear. But, God will walk with us, no matter the circumstances. While I want us to understand that it is simple, we need to understand also that it is not easy. The things that we are dealing with in the concerns that we are confronted with are real. It is not practical to assume that we are to be removed from the world. However, God walks with us in and through every circumstance. We are being perfected, but it’s the work of the Holy Spirit.

 

As we consider our conclusion by summarizing those four or five things that Paul teaches us, we must begin with a heart of thankfulness. We then quickly move on to have the attitude of Christ who was humble and meek. We can have a life that is fruitful through the work of the Holy Spirit. And finally, we can receive peace that passes all understanding and contentment no matter how much or how little we have.

 

Paul certainly is grateful for the help that he received. Yet, Paul gives praise to God as well.

 Joy unspeakable and full of glory, this is what God has for us. It is at work from within through the power of the Holy Spirit at work in our lives.

 

Every good work of God must have a beginning. Today is your new beginning. As I ask these final questions I want to encourage each of us to come to God with open hands to receive what he wants to give to us.

 

Closing questions:

When was the last time you felt at peace? How did God supply what you needed? What is keeping you from finding contentment in Christ alone? 

 

Perhaps a summary verse that we can close our service with today would be the following: 

 

Philippians 4:6 reads:
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all He has done.