By Pastora Monique Lopez Ong
What does the word “satisfied” mean? It is an act of fulfilling a need, desire or appetite or the feeling gained from such fulfillment. It means “sufficient” or “enough.” It is a state of being content. Psalms 16:11 says, “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” This is true satisfaction. It is to know that you are on the right path with joy in your heart - joy that cannot be bought; joy in the presence of the Lord. Even Christians want to fill a void in their life. When asked why they want to finish their studies? Their answer is always to fill a need - to help their parents, to find a good job, or to earn money in order to elevate their lifestyle. But sometimes, that is where they get stuck. They are not contented because there are so many needs that they want to fulfill. They ant a high paying job, a house and car, a trip outside the country, a relationship, and more money. Everybody looks in all places but there is always something missing. All of these things will not complete you.
Everybody has a God shaped hole in their heart. That cannot be filled by money, position, accolades and accomplishments. All those are temporary things. After achieving them, you will feel empty again after some time. There is a bottomless pit of discontent. If you buy a new phone today, there will be a new one tomorrow and you will not be happy with it again because your phone is already “old.” You become trapped. In Luke 12:15, Jesus,Himself said, “Be alert and guard our heart from greed and from always wishing for what you do not have. For your life can never be measured by the amount of things you possess.” Discontent begins when you start looking at the things that you do not have instead of looking at the things that you do have. Paul says in Hebrews 13:5, Keep your life free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for He has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Envy does not come from the Lord and discontent shows God’s position in your heart. You are happy about the answered prayer - not the one who answered the prayer. You do not want God - you want a genie because you do not see God for who He is.
God is your Jehovah Jireh, your provider.
He is your Jehovah Nissi, He reigns in victory.
He is Jehovah Shalom, the Prince of Peace.
He is the promise keeper, miracle working God.
You need to be set free. As long as there is a lack in your life, it is possible that you received Jesus with your mouth but not with your heart.
The secret to contentment is found in a true relationship with Jesus. Contentment cannot be found in material things. Only Jesus can complete you. Ephesians 3:19 says, “May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” Only Jesus can satisfy. Paul once said in Philippians 3:7-8, “I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ.” Did you really receive Jesus? Do not waste what Jesus did on the cross for you. Philippians 4:12-13 says, “I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” You cannot do anything without Jesus. You will not be fulfilled if He is not by your side. Your trust should be in the Lord; not in how much you have and no matter what circumstance. He love you so much even if you do not deserve it.
The more content you are, the less desire you have for “more of this world,” and you get an increased appetite for Jesus and His kingdom. More of the world means less of the world. But when you are content in the Lord, the increase of your worldly appetite will decrease and what you will long for is how to please Him. Contentment is an indicator of the real state of your life and where God is in it. A content person will have more of Jesus. 1 Timothy 6:6-7 says, “Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it.” That is what true riches really are. What should you do then? Matthew 6:33 tells you, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”
Look for Jesus first and all the blessings will come. When our seek Him first and His righteousness, the blessings will flow and you will not be blinded by it. Seek Jesus first. That is true contentment. Then the blessings will run after you.
David was 15 years old when God said that He has found the man after His own heart. How? Why? What was David doing at 15 years of age? He was worshipping God. He was faithful in shepherding his sheep. Some people might think that is a shallow thing to do. But God saw His heart and he was called a king at that age. He did not sit on the throne until he was 30 years old but inn the eyes of God, he was already a king. David always put God first. He was seeking God first and His righteousness and everything was added to him. He is looking at your heart. Is God really the first?
Psalm 27:4 says, “The one thing I ask of the Lord— the thing I seek most— is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple.” The more content you are, the less desire you have for more of this world. When this happens, you will get an increased appetite for Jesus.
Contentment makes you selfless and grateful. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, “Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” That is the will of God for you. If you belong to Jesus, you will always be joyful. Always. No matter what. The happiest person is the most contented one. Philippians 2:3-4 says, “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.” They are not selfish and have nothing to prove. They do not have to prove anything of themselves. Philippians 2:14-15 says, “Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.” Cancel your problems in Jesus’ name. And do not be the cause of anybody else’s problem too. Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” You have a living God. There is no need to worry.
Contentment leads to generosity. The less you need, the more you can give away. Generous people are the healthier people. If you know how to give, it boosts even your immune system. Acts 20:35 says, “And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”” A contented person has everything because he has Jesus. He can give all he has.
Live a life of generosity because you have Jesus. Generous people never lack. Do not think twice. Give everything to the Lord and they will all multiply. Philippians 4:18-20 says, “At the moment I have all I need—and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God. And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. Now all glory to God our Father forever and ever! Amen.”
God will take care of all of your needs. Generosity begins with contentment. Contentment begins with Jesus.
Grow your relationship with Jesus. Pursue God and His kingdom. Be generous - be Jesus’ hands and feet.
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