Gratification

     

      Galatians 5:16 "So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh."

     It is hard to steer away from the desires of the flesh, but Jesus did it.  Many may say that He was supernatural and above the desires of the flesh.  Yet, although He was God's Son, He was born like any other child.  "But, when the time had fully come God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law." He grew up like any other child.  He was human, yet He did not sin as proven by many of the scriptures. 

   1 Peter 2:21-22, "...Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: Who committed no sin."

   2 Corinthians 5:21, "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us..

Other ways we know Jesus was human and like us are:

     He wept when a friend of His died.  John 11:35, "He wept."

     He was tired and weary.  Luke 8:23, "But as they were sailing along, He fell asleep..."

     He was tempted.  Hebrews 2:18, "For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted."

     He  needed food.  Mark 11: 12, "Now the next day, when they had come out from Bethany, He was hungry."

     I am so glad I have a Savior who was stronger than me, who came to earth to live as a human, who knows what it is like to be tempted as I am; yet, who provided an example I can follow to try to avoid the desire of my flesh.  I am so glad I have a Savior who knows my needs and is willing to intercede on my behalf.  I end with the words of Paul and use them often to avoid fleshly gratification.  Philippians 4:11, "Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content."

Contentment

     Don't we all just love to stumble upon a secret?
     Paul didn't just stubble upon the secret to being content.  God revealed it to him, just as He reveals it to me if I seek to find it.  Paul has made it easy and shown me how to discover contentment through his writings in Philippians.  From my interpretation, true contentment cannot be found without full and complete faith in God. 
     I have found that when my faith is weak it leads to: 
            F  ear
            A nxiety
            I mpatience
            T hink negatively
            H arvest few Godly blessing

     These are all actions which do not lead to a life of contentment.  Rather than remaining in a weakened state of faithlessness and discontentment, I would do good to consider the words of Paul, while he was in prison, when he wrote in Philippians 4, "...I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content...I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

      When I think about doing all things through Christ, I have to remind myself what our Bible study director said today, "We can do all things as long as it is what God wants in our life."  God is the Navigator, not me. 
     Also, just what is this secret to contentment?  It is certainly not self-indulgence or the "I" factor but rather, to "always be full of joy in the Lord.  Be considerate in all you do. 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.  Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable.  Think about things that are excellent and worthy or praise.  Keep putting into practice all you and learned and received." 
     Paul had already stated, "For God's way of making us right with himself depends on faith." (NLT)  
      It appears that my actions, attitudes, and my FAITH in and LOVE for God is the key factor to contentment.   In summary:

  More desire for God's work over personal self-indulgence

   More love toward others over love of self                           
   More faith in God over fear and anxiety                              
   More reliance upon God's timing over impatience              
   More seeking what God wants over my wants             
   More thankfulness to God over personal credit    
   More pure thoughts over dishonorable negative ones
   More heartfelt joy over sadness and unhappiness
   More prayer over going it alone
     These added together =HEREIN TO BE CONTENT