God Has Blessed You..Be Thankful!

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. (Colossians 3:15)

My friend, did you know that in our country, people are unhappy? There is a spirit of discontent permeating our society. Think about that for a moment. Did you know that the average poor household in America has more living space than the average individual living in Paris, London, Vienna, Athens and other cities throughout Europe? In our country, nearly 75% of the households considered poor own a car; 30% own two or more cars; 97% percent have a color television; and over 50% own two or more color televisions.

These are households described by our government as being “poor”, and yet the poor in this country are better off than the majority of people in the rest of the world. In spite of living in one of the most blessed nations in the world, there is a spirit of discontent in our land. How right the poet who said, “As a rule, man’s a fool. When it’s hot, he wants it cool. And when it’s cool, he wants it hot, always wanting what is not.” Philippians 4:11 says,

“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”

My friend, content means being satisfied, NOT just accepting! If you are content with being in the same situation you were in last year, maybe you don’t need a fresh word from the Lord; but if you are not about to accept your reality as the only reality for you, then it is time to move in faith action. Paul said he learned to be content. First my friend, I want you to know that contentment must be learned. It isn’t something you are born with. It is something that is learned.
Contentment is not something that comes naturally. Paul said that he had to "learn to be content". Naturally, we are prone to compare ourselves with others, to always want more than we have (remember Adam and Eve?), to interpret someone else’s good fortune as coming at our expense, and to complain.

Stop looking at your have-nots and thank God… for being God!

My friend, you must learn to trust the overruling providence of God. Read the story of Joseph. Nothing is an accident. These things happen according to the providence of God. “Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (Psalm 73:25-26) It really seems that contentment begins to grow when you come to understand that your greatest treasure is your relationship with the Savior.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face. And the things of the earth will grow strangely dim. In the light of His glory and grace, He has sent you seven angels to help you. This is your season to restore the faith in the buried treasure within you: your relationship with God.

Thank God with a seed of faith!