Contentment – In Christ Alone (Episode 4)

Hello All,

The part of the poem that we will be emphasising on today is highlighted in blue. The black colour text in the poem is a recap of what we have already done last week.

Let us now continue with the fourth and final episode of this poem…

Contentment – In Christ Alone (Episode 4)

By Joanne Liaw Sook Ling (12^th December 2014)

Why are our hearts unsatisfied and not at rest?

What are they seeking in their neverending quests?

Where do they run to for fulfillment and meaning?

What are their unmet wants, desires and longings?

For the things we do not have, we yearn and desire

To procure and gain them at all costs, we aspire

Just when we thought we have secured them in our hands

They slip too easily through our fingers like sand

Our dreams are shattered with broken expectations

Disillusionment sets in with disappointments

Are we able to thank God in spite of failures?

Are we able to find joy in our Creator?

When was the last time we paused to count our blessings?

To rest by the meadow and delight in its springs?

Have we been too focused on our pursuit of dreams?

That we fail to notice the flowers by the stream?

Perhaps we have neglected the overflowing

Providence, loved ones, family, friends and blessings

That God has so graciously bestowed and given

Do we take the time to thank the God of heaven?

Some may too conveniently equate contentment

To one who seeks no progress and is complacent

This notion gives way to laziness - an excuse

The meaning of contentment is sorely abused

Contentment is not akin to complacency

She seeks to do her best with the abilities

And resources given by her God Almighty

She finds rest and thanks the Lord for His great mercy

Contentment finds its fulfillment in Christ alone

Who is our sturdy foundation and cornerstone

When we learn to surrender our desires to Him

Our joy from contentment will flow over the brim

Our quest for meaning ends at the foot of the Cross

Where Jesus died to redeem sinners who were lost

But through faith in His act of love, we are now found

Contented in the arms of our Lord, safe and sound

THE END.

Points for Reflection:

[13] Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again,

[14] but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

(John 4:13-14 ESV)

·         Has contentment felt like such a fleeting and transient attribute to you?

·         We are always grasping in vain for that something that will satisfy our deepest longings.

·         At the end of the day, we find that we have become thirstier than when we have first begun in our quest for life’s meaning.

·         That thirst is meant to lead us to the Fountain of eternal life – Jesus Christ.

·         The water that He gives will bring new life to our perishing souls and quench the deepest desires in our hearts.

·         It is through Christ that we are saved from the futility of this life and spiritual death.

·         Would you drink deeply from Jesus Christ, the Fountain of living water?

·         There is a song sung by Elvis Presley that I would like to share with you. This song, ‘Crying in the Chapel’, talks about finding contentment in God and it is a song that is close to my heart. 

Contentment – Equals Complacency? (Episode 3)

Hello All,

The part of the poem that we will be emphasising on today is highlighted in blue. The black colour text in the poem is a recap of what we have already done last week.

Let us now continue with the third episode of this poem…

Contentment – Equals Complacency? (Episode 3)

By Joanne Liaw Sook Ling (12^th December 2014)

Why are our hearts unsatisfied and not at rest?

What are they seeking in their neverending quests?

Where do they run to for fulfillment and meaning?

What are their unmet wants, desires and longings?

For the things we do not have, we yearn and desire

To procure and gain them at all costs, we aspire

Just when we thought we have secured them in our hands

They slip too easily through our fingers like sand

Our dreams are shattered with broken expectations

Disillusionment sets in with disappointments

Are we able to thank God in spite of failures?

Are we able to find joy in our Creator?

When was the last time we paused to count our blessings?

To rest by the meadow and delight in its springs?

Have we been too focused on our pursuit of dreams?

That we fail to notice the flowers by the stream?

Perhaps we have neglected the overflowing

Providence, loved ones, family, friends and blessings

That God has so graciously bestowed and given

Do we take the time to thank the God of heaven?

Some may too conveniently equate contentment

To one who seeks no progress and is complacent

This notion gives way to laziness - an excuse

The meaning of contentment is sorely abused

Contentment is not akin to complacency

She seeks to do her best with the abilities

And resources given by her God Almighty

She finds rest and thanks the Lord for His great mercy

TO BE CONTINUED...

Points for Reflection:

[32] For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them;

[33] but whoever listens to me [God] will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.”

(Proverbs 1:32-33 ESV)

·         No, contentment does not equal complacency.

·         Contentment means being thankful to God for situations or things that you cannot change after having done your best.

·         Complacency is turning a blind eye to the efforts required to improve yourself or your circumstances.

·         A person who listens to God and obeys His Word will give no way to complacency in every area of his life.

·         He will strive to live his life for God’s glory and the good of others.

·         Are you ever tempted to equate contentment with complacency?

·         In what areas of your life do you tend to be complacent with? Your duties at work? Your responsibilities to your family? Your friendship with others? Your accountability to the church? Your lack of enthusiasm in evangelism? Your quiet time of prayer and reading God’s Word? Your walk with God? Your love for Jesus Christ?

Contentment – With What We Have (Episode 2)

Hello All,

The part of the poem that we will be emphasising on today is highlighted in blue. The black colour text in the poem is a recap of what we have already done last week.

Let us now continue with the second episode of this poem…

Contentment – With What We Have (Episode 2)

By Joanne Liaw Sook Ling (12^th December 2014)

Why are our hearts unsatisfied and not at rest?

What are they seeking in their neverending quests?

Where do they run to for fulfillment and meaning?

What are their unmet wants, desires and longings?

For the things we do not have, we yearn and desire

To procure and gain them at all costs, we aspire

Just when we thought we have secured them in our hands

They slip too easily through our fingers like sand

Our dreams are shattered with broken expectations

Disillusionment sets in with disappointments

Are we able to thank God in spite of failures?

Are we able to find joy in our Creator?

When was the last time we paused to count our blessings?

To rest by the meadow and delight in its springs?

Have we been too focused on our pursuit of dreams?

That we fail to notice the flowers by the stream?

Perhaps we have neglected the overflowing

Providence, loved ones, family, friends and blessings

That God has so graciously bestowed and given

Do we take the time to thank the God of heaven?

TO BE CONTINUED...

Points for Reflection:

[6] But godliness with contentment is great gain,

[7] for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.

[8] But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.          

(1 Timothy 6:6-8 ESV)

·         We are often so distracted by the things we do not have that we fail to be grateful to God for the many undeserved blessings which He has showered upon our lives.

·         So immersed are we in our search for greener pastures that we do not take the time to enjoy the beauty of the flowers by the stream.

·         What are things and who are the people you should be grateful for?

·         In the midst of all the gifts that God has bestowed to us, the most precious gift is found in His saving grace lavished lovingly on undeserving sinners like us.

·         Have you come to trust in the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ?

·         Is your heart overflowing with joy and thankfulness for God’s gift of salvation? Or has familiarity with this wonderful gift bred contempt in your heart?

·         Why don’t you take some time thanking the God of heaven for those wonderful gifts?

Contentment – With What We Do Not Have (Episode 1)

Hello All,

With the New Year in place, there are some of us who would have written a list of resolutions.

However, I suspect that ‘contentment’ is not a common item on a New Year’s resolutions list.

People would seldom write: ‘I hope to be a more contented person’ on their list.

Today and for the next few weeks, we are going to explore the meaning of contentment.

Contentment – With What We Do Not Have (Episode 1)

By Joanne Liaw Sook Ling (12^th December 2014)

Why are our hearts unsatisfied and not at rest?

What are they seeking in their neverending quests?

Where do they run to for fulfillment and meaning?

What are their unmet wants, desires and longings?

For the things we do not have, we yearn and desire

To procure and gain them at all costs, we aspire

Just when we thought we have secured them in our hands

They slip too easily through our fingers like sand

Our dreams are shattered with broken expectations

Disillusionment sets in with disappointments

Are we able to thank God in spite of failures?

Are we able to find joy in our Creator?

TO BE CONTINUED...

Points for Reflection:

[11] Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.

[12] I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.

[13] I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

(Philippians 4:11-13 ESV)

·         Why is your heart unsatisfied and not at rest?

·         What are you seeking for life’s meaning?

·         What are your unmet wants, desires and longings?

·         In the Bible, Paul, who was an Apostle and Christian missionary, faced innumerable hardships, trials and persecution in his efforts to share the gospel. In the Bible verses above, he told the Philippians that in whatever situation he was in, he learned to be content. He was able to be content for Christ strengthened him in the hardest and most lonely periods of his life.

·         Like Paul, are you able to find contentment in God in the midst of unmet longings and desires?