Keys to Contentment
Part 2:  Practice Being Content
Philippians 4:11-13   February 4, 2018
Intro
Contentment is a learned response to our circumstances
 
How to practice contentment
1.  Trust God alone
-Matthew 6:33
 
-Be content “in” your circumstances
 -the Bible doesn’t command us to be content “with” where you
     Are
 -Paul gratefully received their gifts to help him in his affliction
-He made clear though that he depended on God, not them
   -next week:  how giving grows contentment
 
2.  Practice where I am
-1 Timothy 6:6-8
 
-Remember from last week:  God gives us all we have!
Myself                        Romans 12:1
Possessions             Luke 14:33
Time                           Ephesians 5:15-17
Abilities                      1 Peter 4:10
 
-How are you enjoying what you already have?
 
-Where are you discontent? 
   -An area where you are tempted to sin
            To break a commitment
            To feed your selfish desires and flesh
            To buy what you cannot afford (or refuse to budget)
            To spend your time foolishly
            To ignore good advice from friends, family, the Bible
            
3. Let God work through me
-vs 13  “I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens
              me”
 
-Like a power line:  I am the line and he is the power!
 
-Remember:  God is the owner; I am the manager
  -I must submit to how God wants me to live my life
            -how God wants me to handle what He gave me
 
-God is waiting to empower me to use the my time, talents, treasures that He gave me! 
 
-Contentment grows when I Practice surrendering myself to 
     God, so that He can empower me to wisely use the time,
       talents and treasures that He has already given to me!
  
Where will I start practicing contentment?
Where am I miserable?
 
 
Where do I keep disobeying God and hurting others?
 
 
Give up trying to fix your life!  You can’t!
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