The Reality of Contentment

Note: The following was written as a follow-up to a sermon on contentment on July 21, 2019.

In our recent sermons series on the Lord’s Prayer we considered how Jesus taught His disciples to pray: “Give us this day our daily bread.”

We reflected on the way that God had fed Israel in the wilderness with manna (daily bread) and concluded that for us to sincerely pray for ’daily bread’ we must acknowledge...

• That God provides;
• That we are dependent on God; and
• Our contentment with God’s provision.

After being freed from Egyptian slavery the nation of Israel grumbled, a sign of discontentment, because they preferred the variety and quantity of food they enjoyed in Egypt. God then provided them manna to see if they would trust him. For forty years they had no variety and had enough, but only enough for each family member for each day. (Read Exodus 16.)

Contentment accepts the current circumstances without grumbling. However, contentment does not promote apathy or laziness. It is fine to set goals and strive for excellence. Competition and work hard are good. The question is, “What is your attitude with the outcome of each day?”

Do you remember Job’s reaction to the calamity in his life? After losing family, servants, and flocks and herds…

He said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.”
—Job 1:21

When Job was overcome with sores his wife encouraged him to “Curse God and die!” Yet Job responded:

“Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?” 
—Job 2:10

Job was in physical misery and devastated over the tremendous loss he had experienced. Yet, he accepted his circumstances: Contentment.

Israel was not in that kind of misery when they grumbled for a greater variety and quantity of food. In all likelihood, YOU are not experiencing circumstances like those of Job either.

What was Job’s secret to accepting his circumstances?
He didn’t think God or anyone else owed him anything. He embraced reality.
So, let me ask…
For all of who were born in the United States and enjoy the privileges and the rights afforded by the constitution...did you DESERVE to be born in the U.S.?

My simple point is this: Neither you nor your parents had any control over you being who you are. Yes, they shaped your character, as did your environment and other things. But the soul that exists in your skin with your consciousness, how did it end up in your home, in this country? The brutal reality is that you deserve nothing just because you were born in the U.S. or because you were born with the parents you have, or anything else.

Grumbling is just another way to mask a self-centered attitude. Discontentment is another face crying out for entitlement: “It’s not fair!”

Contentment is all about learning how to live without PRIDE in nationality, race, sex, wealth, education, athleticism, family pedigree, school colors, age or anything else. Contentment is about accepting where and when you were born and the place you now live; it’s accepting life in your own skin...right now.

Without contentment you will surely be consumed with self. Humble contentment is the gateway to love and service.

Choose contentment!

Mark Stinnett

Descent into Death

Solomon is quite vivid as he warns his son about the adulterous woman in Proverbs 7. 

He also refers to her as a 'foreign' woman and as a 'strange' woman. She is called a foreign woman, not because she is from a different country, but because she does not belong in the life of the young man. We use similar terminology to describe a substance that does not belong. Poison in a drink is a foreign substance; an infection is caused by a foreign matter.

The adulterous woman is already married. So to the young man, she is foreign; she does not belong with him. If the young man is to keep himself pure before God, the foreign woman must be avoided.

She is called a 'strange' woman in Proverbs 2:16. The same Hebrew word described the 'non-Levite' or layman (non-priest) in Leviticus 22:10, 12, 13). The layman is not odd, but strange with respect to the duties and privileges of the priests. God assigned the priesthood to the Levites. So, all others were strangers and forbidden.

The adulterous woman is a stranger with respect to the young man. She does not belong in his life. He is forbidden from having her.

Proverbs chapter seven paints a terrible picture of the young man who is captivated by the beauty and flattery of the married woman. We would prefer not to read the final verse. We want the young man to come to his senses like the Prodigal Son in Jesus’ parable (Luke 15). We want wisdom to triumph in the life of the young fool who has gone one step too far. We want to see insight; we expect redemption.

Reality is cruel and sobering!

That is not to say that there is no hope. Rather, Solomon takes our minds to the natural end of the foolish man who has no discretion. He wants us to see the terrible conclusion of someone who turns from God and scoffs at His wisdom. He wants us to come to terms with the reality of foolish sexual desires. The final verse:

Her house is the way to Sheol,
Descending to the chambers of death.
--Proverbs 7:27

Have you ever seen a woman who is physically attractive, yet something about her is distasteful? She really is beautiful, but something about her makes her seem ugly to you. For me it is the beautiful young lady dressed in inviting clothing...with a beer in one hand and the other hand holding a cigarette to her lips. Ugly! Perhaps for you it is excessive makeup; a certain kind of clothing; the way she carries herself when she walks; an odor that repulses you; use of profanity.

Any time an adulterous woman enters into your life superimpose your 'ugly' image onto her. She is foreign to you, strange; she is forbidden.

Whether she appears on the Internet, or catches your eye while on a business trip, alone at the park, on vacation, at the store, or at your work place, mark her with your repulsive image. The image YOU conceive in your mind is a more accurate picture of her than the seduction and flattery that you see on the outside.

Don't deceive yourself saying, “I can resist temptation.” "It's OK, no one will know." "I'm not developing a relationship, I'm only looking." You are only teasing yourself, drawing yourself into your own deception. Envision the strange woman as she really is.

Do not start down the path to death.

Don't be a fool.

Mark Stinnett

Are You a Treasure Seeker?

Have you ever hunted for treasure?

I’m not talking about fictitious pirate treasure or combing through the grass in the back yard looking for a lost coin or ring. I am talking about real treasure that you know has been hidden in some way, not necessarily buried, just hidden.

Have you ever gone in search for silver?

What would you do? How would you find a silver mine?

Silver does not generally occur in nature as a solid nugget. Rather, it is found in combination with other materials such as copper or lead. The silver be refined, or purified, through a process that removes the impurities.

In all likelihood you would not be searching for a silver mine, but perhaps antique silver at a flea market or garage sale. 

Without any other information, what would you say is the basic reason for the search for silver or a hidden treasure?

Before anyone ever begins a search for treasure or for silver, there is a very elementary fact that exists, but one that is easily overlooked: value. Silver is a precious metal with intrinsic value. A treasure likewise has significant value. They are both worth the effort of making a search because they are valuable.

Solomon writes about the pursuit of the ‘wisdom’ and ‘knowledge’ of God. He encourages us to search for God's wisdom and knowledge like we might search for silver or hidden treasure. The idea is that wisdom and knowledge have intrinsic value. In other words, they possess value in and of themselves.

Is the wisdom and knowledge of God of any value to you?

   If you seek her as silver, 
   And search for her as for hidden treasures...
   --Proverbs 2:4

Obviously, when silver is discovered you possess something of value; likewise, treasure. Yet, silver and treasure do not usually just fall into your lap. In general, there is an intentional search. It takes time; it takes effort; and it may come with intermediate disappointments. When a person searches for something of value he must press forward with courage and steadfastness knowing that the final result will be worth the time and effort and cost.

And what is the result? What do the silver and the treasure represent in Solomon's proverb? (The answer is in verses 5 & 6.)

• Discernment of the fear of the Lord and
• Discovery of the knowledge of God.

Some folks cannot see the tremendous value of wisdom and knowledge. Many will pass by with disinterest. They will never engage in the search. So, they will not find.

Do you see true value in God's wisdom and knowledge?
Do not take the quest lightly. Dig deeply into God’s word with courageous persistence and expectation.

Seek the treasure!
Discovery will come.
The reward is true.
There is great value!


Mark Stinnett

Who Sits on the Front Porch of the House of Anger?

I think it’s time we had a little chat. 

I want to talk with you about your attitude.

I am aware that things did not work out exactly as you had planned. I know that you had your hopes up but you were disappointed. I understand that it was really important to you, but that folks just don’t seem to care.

I am really sorry that things did not go your way. The frustration is real. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as ‘undo’ or ‘redo.’

You may not feel that it is a good time to say this, but I want you to know that I care enough to take the risk. 
You really need to work on your attitude.

When things go sideways and plans are frustrated, WE (humans) usually get frustrated. When life is going OK, but people interrupt our lives and mess things up, WE get frustrated.

Do you know what happens when most people get frustrated?

I’ll bet you do; you’ve seen it. I’ll bet you’ve felt it. Frustration sits on the front porch of the house of anger. The door is wide open and frustration waits (not too long) to see if things will take a quick turn for the better (i.e. the way you want things to go). More often than not, frustration bolts right through the door: Anger.

A lot of times when people do not get their way, they skip the moment of frustration and pitch a fit. That’s the way we talked about it when I was a kid: Pitching a fit or throwing a fit. More accurately it is displaying a fit of anger.

If anger were not so serious, it would be amusing to see how many different words or phrases people use to mask the reality of anger.

• “I’m really upset.”
• “I can’t tell you how frustrating that is.”
• “You are really aggravating me.”

We like our slang terms too:

• “He’s hot under the collar.”
• “She was on fire when she found out.”
• “That really ticked him off.”

We even mask anger when we advise:

• “You just need to blow off some steam.”
• “Why don’t you vent your frustration.”

You may be thinking: "The Bible says, 'Be angry and do not sin.' Doesn’t that mean that it is possible for a person to become angry and yet not sin?"

“Yes, it does,” and “yes, that is correct.”

Why is it that so many people quote that verse to say that it is not wrong to be angry; to justify anger? Take a look at the entire verse:

Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity.
—Ephesians 4:26-27 (NASB95)

Perhaps another verse will help to put things into perspective:

But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.
 —James 1:19-20 (NASB95)

Anger does not possess the quality of being good. An angry person is never confused with a good person. Paul did not write to Christians in order to justify their anger. Jesus came to deal with sin, not justify anger and give the devil opportunity.

God does not want you to be angry. 

It is really that simple.

When you are angry, even when you deal with it properly, you are still not achieving the righteousness of God.

Frustration sits on the front porch of the house of anger. Don't let your emotions rule over you. Don’t allow your frustration to walk in the door; get off the porch. 

Place value on God’s righteousness, not your way.

Mark Stinnett

What King David Saw in the Law

Some Christians have reasoned that the Old Testament contains the law for Israel and the Jews; the New Testament is law for Christians. As a result the Old Testament is not given high regard, and in many churches seldom studied.

Is that all the Bible is, an ancient law code with an update for Christians?
I think NOT!

The Apostle Paul said that the earlier writings were written for our instruction. Yet the Old Testament is still largely ignored by many Christians. Let me show you something that King David saw that just might change the way you look at the Law of Moses.

The Book of Psalms is sometimes described as Israel’s song book. The songs range from praises to prayer-cries for deliverance. They deal with physical discomfort, distress in many forms, depression, abandonment, and many other human issues. Over and over the Psalmists encourage humble faithfulness to the God who created, who knows, who provides, who delivers, who shepherds, who saves, who also destroys....

The Book of Psalms is not a law book; nor is it the Christian's ’go to’ book for doctrine. Not surprisingly, of the 150 psalms, only a few refer to the Law of Moses. However, one psalm is completely devoted to the Law. For that reason it stands out as quite unique.

Perhaps better known for its length, 176 verses, Psalm 119 is more important for its attention to the Law. In this psalm King David (the assumed author) saw something quite amazing in the Law.

In general, law is considered to be burdensome and restrictive, and that includes the Law of Moses. Law is composed of rules; it can be difficult to read and it is impossible to follow perfectly. Even so, the kings of ancient Israel were instructed to make a personal hand-written copy of the Law of Moses, the first five books of the Old Testament, and read and meditate on the Law daily.

Psalm 119 records what David saw in the Law. Yes, he saw the rules and ordinances, but in them he found refreshment, joy, freedom, peace, and deliverance. He recognized that God had not saddled His people with arbitrary rules. God had actually revealed His divine character within the Law of Moses.

King David saw the heart of God in the Law. He saw love and mercy and holiness and justice.

God's desire was to have fellowship with his chosen people. However, there was such a difference between Him, deity, and his people, humanity, that he needed to communicate to them how they could draw near to Him in fellowship.

Who is this God that opened Himself to the scrutiny of his created beings? 
Who is this God that revealed his thoughts to mankind? 
Who is this God that directed His people with instruction that would move them into a fellowship relationship with their Creator?

What King David saw in the Law? God himself!

When you pick up your Bible and read the Law, the historical narratives, the poetry, the prophets; as well as the parables and the doctrine and instruction of the New Testament...do you see only rules and restraints? 
Look closer...!

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
--Proverbs 9:10

Mark Stinnett