Observations:
I asked myself what stood out to me in 4:11?
Two C's stood out to me: CONTENT and CIRCUMSTANCES

Interpretation:
I asked myself what does 'this' refer to?
It reminded me of Paul's exhortation to the Philippians in v.10.

Interpretation:
I asked myself the significance of Paul's statement in v.11 ?
Paul's contentment was not based on things always going well for him or him having his way. On the contrary, Paul was shackled in chains and imprisoned. Yet, he is has learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

Interpretation:
I asked myself how could Paul be content whatever the circumstances?
I am amazed how Paul had learned from walking with Jesus Christ and being in a personal relationship with Him to be content even though shackled in chains. His contentment was learned and not inherited. He chose to be content having his focus on Jesus Christ, which is evidenced by the verses 4:1-9, that I looked in the previous devotionals. Contentment to Paul was also related to thankfulness no matter what the circumstances.

Implications:
I asked myself what are the important implications for my own life?
Contentment is not something that will just come to me. I need to learn to be content whatever the circumstances as I look to Christ. For in Christ is the hope of glory. Contentment in life should not be based on my circumstances but having a personal relationship with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who will look after me. I need to use the situations the Lord Jesus has put me in to be content as my focus is turned to Christ, for apart from Christ, I cannot even be content. When I choose to be thankful to the Lord for things happening in my life, then contentment flows too. Previously, I shared how I instilled my daughter Esther (7) to think about atleast 5 things to be thankful for from the previous day as I walked her to school before the COVID-19. This was to instill in her the importance of being content who, what, and where the Lord has placed us as our dependence is on the Lord and Lord alone. A wonderful kids song has a powerful message for me and other adults too: A thankful heart is a grateful heart.

I have realized I have been the most discontent, when I don't count my blessings but compare myself to what others have. This is a dangerous place to be. I have also realized being content does not mean we can be lazy and not strive to give our best to the Lord wherever he has placed us. It would be wrong of me to be lazy and tell my precious wife  Chandraleela or our kids  Esther and Evangeline to be content where we are because of my laziness.  As I work hard and cheerfully as though I am working unto the Lord, I choose to be content counting our blessings.

I prayed, "Father God, please forgive me. It is so easy to focus on what others have but that is being envious or even jealous. That is not of you Oh Lord. At this time you know what I should have and should not have. Help me to always find my contentment in you even as I work hard cheerfully and do everything as though I am doing unto you Oh Lord. Thank you for your wonderful promises especially from Psalm 121 I read this morning. Thank you for the things you have given me. I praise you and thank you for that. You know what is best for me and whatever you place in my path, I choose to be content and ask you for your help to be joyful in you Lord as the Apostle Paul found contentment and joy in you no matter what the circumstances. Help me Jesus. Amen!"

I decided to combat discontentment in every circumstance by focusing on the things to be thankful for each day by telling the Lord at least 5 things I am thankful for from the previous day. There are still so many things to be thankful for. The point is I wanted to focus on the things the Lord Jesus has given us instead of what we wish we had and did not have. Thank you Jesus, you are in control!

Just as Paul focused on Jesus Christ of the Gospels, my mind has to be turned to Jesus Christ to be content realizing I should be thankful where the Lord Jesus has placed me for His honor and glory. I chose to be thankful and it is amazing how many different opportunities Jesus has let me come across by His favor. Thank you Lord Jesus.

What helped me the most to be content is a book Edwin read with me called 'Lord, change my attitude before it is too late': 'Replace a complaining attitude with a thankful attitude', 'replace a covetous attitude with an attitude of contentment', 'replace a critical attitude with an attitude of love', replace a doubting attitude with an attitude of faith', and a 'rebellious attitude with an attitude of submission'.

Chris Ansell, the campus minister for Cornerstone had said it best in his talk to over 200 students years ago which I will paraphrase from that day:

"If we think the Gospel is just about us being sinners saved by Jesus so we can be with Him in Heaven, we have missed so much else. The Gospel is not just to gain access to Heaven but the Gospel should address all facets of life. When we turn to Jesus and allow Him to work in us, every action we engage in has to have its answer in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Gospel is for Salvation but it is also to give us a joyful and abundant living here on earth."

I was so excited to hear Chris give that talk to the students because it reminded me of Pastor Ed who had impressed upon me that every facet of our life needs to be measured by the Gospel whether it is academia, relationships, career, character, etc.

Because I am JUSTIFIED BY HIS GRACE, I can be SANCTIFIED BY HIS GRACE. It is a daily process though but through my weaknesses and shortcomings this I know: "He who began a good work in me will finish it to completion" (Philippians 1:6)

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is where I have found the answer for contentment, the answer for joy, the answer for concerns, etc

I need the Lord's help to put it into practice so others can see the Gospel lived out in my life. All the devotionals I share with you all mean nothing if my actions do not match the words, Jesus teaches me.

I need the help of Jesus Christ, the Author and Finisher of my faith and He is the perfect candidate to give me help because the Gospel belongs to Him and therefore is called the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Without Jesus Christ, there is no Gospel. That means I cannot follow the Gospel if I do not ask Jesus to help me follow it by His grace. I need His grace to change and transform me. And I need His grace to be content.

I am so thankful even in my sin and shortcomings, Jesus does not leave me but reminds me of characters in His Word who had so many flaws but yet how God chose to use them and that He can use me too. Thank you Jesus. I know in Christ I can be content and so can you. Help me Jesus!

I ask you now dear friends, how can you have C.O.N.T.E.N.T.M.E.N.T in life?
Dear friends, in my own life I know what makes me content is what I like to do the most, what I like to read the most, what I like to hear the most, etc. You get the picture where it is all about ‘what I like’. Yet, that is not what I see in Paul. Paul is content where he is placed at. He makes the best of the opportunity he has where he is at.

Friend, I do not know what you want and what makes you content. Maybe where you are at right now is not making you content, maybe you are doing an upward comparison with others and it is not making you content, etc but this I know in our flesh and humanity, we will never be content with what we have for human tendency is to want cold when it is hot and want hot when it is cold. This carries on to other areas of our lives too!

Being content is a choice we have to make remembering there will always be someone more handsome than who we are with, someone more beautiful than who we are with, someone with more education, someone with more talents, someone with more prestige, whatever it maybe. When we focus too much on the peripherals and not the essentials we have forgotten Christ.

I am so glad even though I have messed up and have not been content so many times, I can find my encouragement in Jesus Christ. You too can! As you and I focus on Jesus Christ wherever we are in our lives, we will have contentment. Not only that when we do things it won’t be because of selfish ambition but when we excel in an area it will be because we are choosing to give our best to the Lord for His glory. It is good to know that contentment is not an excuse for mediocrity but being thankful for where the Lord has placed us and working from there.

I was so blessed by Psalm 121 this morning which says, "Shall I look to the mountain gods for help? No! My help is from Jehovah who made the mountains! And the heavens too! He will never let me stumble, slip, or fall. For he is always watching, never sleeping.  Jehovah himself is caring for you! He is your defender. He protects you day and night. He keeps you from all evil and preserves your life. He keeps his eye upon you as you come and go and always guards you."

If we look for anything else other than Jesus Christ, we will not find contentment. Any worldly desires will not give us contentment in the long run because it will only be temporary and we will be trapped and possibly addicted.  I am reminded that it is a lack of contentment that caused the first sin with Adam & Eve. They just could not be happy with what God gave them and wanted what they could not have. The best addiction we can have is to Jesus Christ!

When you or I are not content with what the Lord Jesus has given us or made us to be, we will not be content with the Creator either because we will continue to find fault, etc thinking we know what is best when we really do not.

How can a book tell what should be in a book other than the Author of the Book. In the same way, the Author of our Lives created you and me and we are His perfect Creation who He loves with all His heart, mind, soul, and strength. You and I are precious and special in His sight and we should never forget that.

Yes, friend, you are so special and precious in the Lord's sight and are called by Name. That is how much Jesus loves you. Isaiah 43:1-3 describes how much the Lord loves you. As you and I depend on the Lord alone, you and I will find contentment in Him. I know we will because in Christ is where true contentment, joy, and peace are found.

It starts with being thankful to the Lord for the things that have happened each day in our lives. "Be joyful always, giving thanks in all circumstances for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:4)

Wherever you are, may you know that Jesus loves you so much and wants to help you! He will give you the peace and joy when you find your first contentment in Him. Christ opens new things everyday nicely treating! This will help us to be content! It is exciting to know as we delight ourselves in the Lord, He will give us the desires of our heart (Psalm 37:4). Yes, my friend He will fulfill your desires. I know He will as you seek Him. May you seek Him with all your heart and find your contentment from Him! Amen!

"Contentment Occurs Naturally Trusting Emmanuel Now, Taking Messiah's Everyday Nurture Thankfully!" (C.O.N.T.E.N.T.M.E.N.T)/"How can you have C.O.N.T.E.N.T.M.E.N.T in life?"

PRAYER:
Jesus, today I learned about being content! Lord, your Word taught me about contentment especially knowing where Paul was and his emphasis on contentment regardless of the circumstances because He focused on you and found His joy in you. I want that too Jesus. Lord, it is not easy for me to be content when I look around me or have flash backs of what used to be. You know the struggles I  face in my life. Forgive me Lord for not always being thankful where you placed me and working from there. I thank you for where you placed me and want to use me there. You are a God of second chances and things may not always come as I expect but I am in the loving arms of You, who love me dearly. Thank you Jesus.  Help me please Jesus to be content and find my joy always in you. I don't want discontentment to rule me. For lack of contentment is where sin started with Adam and Eve and I don't want to go that path. It is lack of contentment that made me lose multiple ministry opportunities. Forgive me Lord. I want to learn to be content and need your help. Please fill me with the Holy Spirit and help me. Thank you so much Jesus! Thank you for helping me, answering me, and being there for me. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!

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