The Peace of Contentment
Scripture: Numbers 11:1 (NASB) - Now the people became like those who complain of adversity in the hearing of the LORD; and when the LORD HEARD IT, His anger was kindled,…
We recently purchased some “Yellow Sticky Traps” for a no-see-ums infestation we experienced around our home toward the end of summer. Hung strategically in our basement and next to our kitchen window and waste basket, they have trapped about a thousand no-see-ums that used to flit all around when you least expected. One of them even flew up my nostril one day as I sat at the desk in our home office! That was the LAST straw! They had simply become intolerable! To halt them in their frenetic mobility, we bought the sticky sheets. Once their tiny gnat feet land on the sheet, their flittin’ days are over; they’re STUCK where they landed! Does God have to “arrest” us like that? I’m persuaded that God is not opposed to allowing some circumstances to arrest us, or plant our feet in some situation from which, try as we might, we cannot escape until we learn the principle that He desires to teach us. James 1:2, anyone??
As the title Scripture describes, the people had embraced an “Oh-for-the-good-ol’-days” mentality, and He who made the ear, heard them—just as He hears US when we express discontentment and forget to daily count our blessings! Whatever it is that we THINK we deserve, in God’s holy assessment, we do not! In the times in which we live, it is easy to forget the words found in Habakkuk 1:13—“You are of purer eyes than to behold evil, and cannot look on wickedness.” (Oh praise my Sin-bearer, Christ Jesus!!) [Matt. 27:46] Understand, dear reader, our holy God regards grumbling and complaining as wickedness! (Jude, v. 16) His greatest gift to us has already been bestowed—forgiveness of all our sins and the promise of heaven—if we are found in Christ at our life’s end, rather than in Adam! God expects His own to discipline themselves to resist the ever-present tide of discontentment and DAILY practice the virtue of genuine thankfulness!
Prayer: Dear Father, forgive us when we become so focused upon things, circumstances, or even previous life seasons that we may deem preferable to our present life situation. Rather, grant us the wisdom to be truly thankful for all of the bountiful blessings You have allowed us to enjoy each day upon wakin! Thank You, in Jesus’ name; Amen!
By Sis. Denise Diggs
We recently purchased some “Yellow Sticky Traps” for a no-see-ums infestation we experienced around our home toward the end of summer. Hung strategically in our basement and next to our kitchen window and waste basket, they have trapped about a thousand no-see-ums that used to flit all around when you least expected. One of them even flew up my nostril one day as I sat at the desk in our home office! That was the LAST straw! They had simply become intolerable! To halt them in their frenetic mobility, we bought the sticky sheets. Once their tiny gnat feet land on the sheet, their flittin’ days are over; they’re STUCK where they landed! Does God have to “arrest” us like that? I’m persuaded that God is not opposed to allowing some circumstances to arrest us, or plant our feet in some situation from which, try as we might, we cannot escape until we learn the principle that He desires to teach us. James 1:2, anyone??
As the title Scripture describes, the people had embraced an “Oh-for-the-good-ol’-days” mentality, and He who made the ear, heard them—just as He hears US when we express discontentment and forget to daily count our blessings! Whatever it is that we THINK we deserve, in God’s holy assessment, we do not! In the times in which we live, it is easy to forget the words found in Habakkuk 1:13—“You are of purer eyes than to behold evil, and cannot look on wickedness.” (Oh praise my Sin-bearer, Christ Jesus!!) [Matt. 27:46] Understand, dear reader, our holy God regards grumbling and complaining as wickedness! (Jude, v. 16) His greatest gift to us has already been bestowed—forgiveness of all our sins and the promise of heaven—if we are found in Christ at our life’s end, rather than in Adam! God expects His own to discipline themselves to resist the ever-present tide of discontentment and DAILY practice the virtue of genuine thankfulness!
Prayer: Dear Father, forgive us when we become so focused upon things, circumstances, or even previous life seasons that we may deem preferable to our present life situation. Rather, grant us the wisdom to be truly thankful for all of the bountiful blessings You have allowed us to enjoy each day upon wakin! Thank You, in Jesus’ name; Amen!
By Sis. Denise Diggs
Archive
2024
January
Gratitude Mixed with Faith Should Equal ObedienceGrace Comes In God’s TimingGOD USES WHOM HE CHOOSESSeeing What God Sees to Get What God HasA Life Verse That Is Good for Every YearSeeing Things as God Sees ThemThree QuestionsDon’t Worry About the FutureForgiveness Is Our Daily CelebrationPeace When We Do RightGod’s True Children Certainly Should KnowRegret In Missed OpportunitiesThe Attitude of Delight Is RightMeditation Deprivation Is EvidentARE YOU A DISCIPLE OR JUST A CONVERT?An Anchored Soul Won’t QuitGod Wants to Be BelievedFinding God in Our PainI Must Be About God’s WordWhat the Wondrous Word of God Can Do in a Willing ServantSeeing Things God’s WayGetting Along for Jesus SakeMeditating Brings Us Success In The Christian LifeThe State of Mind That Pleases GodPraised By the RaisedHaving the Right Knowledge for Real FaithWhose Mind Do You Think With?All My Heart & All My WaysWise with the Lord’s TimeNo Shame About What God Has SaidPrayer Is A Conversation
February
DEEP ARMOR FOR THE STEEP CLIMBDressed in the Whole Armor of God for Spiritual WarfareGRAB THAT ARMORSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER WITH PASTOR WAYNE COCKRELLIn My Dressing Room (Putting on the Armor of God)Armored for Any WeatherTruth is Foundation for Our FaithA Work in Progress and A Mouth in TrainingREJECTION OF GOSSIP, SLANDER, LIES, AND DISCORD: THE PERFECTING OF 'FEBRUARY'THE DETESTABLESSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER WITH PASTOR WAYNE COCKRELLIf the Lord Hates It, We Should TooThe Offense Ward of the Sin HospitalSpilling the TeaWe are in ChristLet us Do BetterSpread Love, Not GossipSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER WITH PASTOR WAYNE COCKRELLThe GREATEST THRILL: Being SPIRIT - FilledTHE HOLY SPIRIT'S CONTROLA Drunken SpiritLookin’ Like Our DaddyFermented or Fresh; How is Your Fruit?We Have it AllSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER WITH PASTOR WAYNE COCKRELLJESUS’ LOVE MANDATEHIS Walk, Our Hopethe greatest gift of allTo Love Like Christ
March
LOVE x LOVELove is CommitmentSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER with Pastor CockrellTHE HIGHEST DEBT OF LOVEPREVAILING IN LOVE, AND IN THE LIGHT OF THE PROMISEReturn Your Love to METhe Loveless ChurchWhat Do You Want First: the Good News or the Bad News?POSITIVE FRICTION THAT MAKES US BETTERSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER with Pastor Wayne CockrellHis Love Versus My FearsJESUS LOVES YOUBe Surrendered to 'Love'Victory Over Fear: Life’s Small LessonsJesus, Our VictoryTRUST CHRIST, BANISH FEARSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER with Pastor Wayne CockrellHarmony and Discord Aren’t FriendsHOLY PARAMETERSBlinded by HateACT or REACTRESISTING ANGER AND HATE IN CONFLICTPeculiar PeopleSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER with Pastor Wayne CockrellONWARD & UPWARDHow To Fall ForwardThe Front Windshield is Much Bigger than the Rearview MirrorONE THING TO DOLooking Back Will Have You SaltyGreat Cloud of WitnessesSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER with Pastor Wayne Cockrell
7 Comments
Amen and Amen! Thank you Jesus
Amen sister Denise!
Amen! Thank you Denise for this encouraging devotional!!!
Amen!
Amen!
Amen. Don't be a no-see-ums, but bless and be blessed by the power in gratefulness. Exceed the gnat-ural and walk in the Spirit.
Amen, Sister Diggs.