2 Corinthians 12:10

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

“I have learned, in whatever state I am, therewith to be content.”

—Philippians 4:11

These words show us that contentment is not a natural propensity of man. “Ill weeds grow apace.” Covetousness, discontent, and murmuring are as natural to man as thorns are to the soil. We need not sow thistles and brambles – they come up naturally enough. Because they are indigenous to earth, and so, we need not teach men to complain. They complain fast enough without any education.

But the precious things of the earth must be cultivated. If we would have wheat, we must plough and sow.

If we want flowers, there must be the garden, and all the gardener’s care. Now, contentment is one of the flowers of heaven;, and if we would have it, it must be cultivated. It will not grow in us by nature. It is the new nature alone that can produce it. And even then, we must be especially careful and watchful that we maintain and cultivate the grace which God has sown in us.

Paul says, “I have learned … to be content;” as much as to say, he did not know how at one time. It cost him some pains to attain to the mystery of that great truth. No doubt he sometimes thought he had learned, and then broke down. And when at last he had attained unto it, and could say, “I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” He was an old, grey-headed man, upon the borders of the grave—a poor prisoner shut up in Nero’s dungeon at Rome. We might well be willing to endure Paul’s infirmities, and share the cold dungeon with him, if we too might by any means attain unto his good degree.

Do not indulge the notion that you can be contented with learning, or learn without discipline. It is not a power that may be exercised naturally, but a science to be acquired gradually. We know this from experience. Brother, hush that murmur, natural though it be, and continue a diligent pupil in the College of Content.

C. H. Spurgeon

COVID-19 Crisis Prayer - Pastor Mike

Today's Prayer
Psalm 67

Crisis Prayer Topic:   Let Us Not Grow Weary 

The Apostle Paul, writing to the churches in the Galatia area ended his letter with one of the greatest encouragements/exhortations for believers and saints suffering with the tribulations of this world.  “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”  Galatians 6:9 

 As we begin another week in crisis, let us pray this passage for ourselves and for others…. 

Pray that our hearts would remain committed and our actions reflective of doing good for others and for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  That in our determination of doing good we would not despair and become frustrated and become weary.  That we would take those necessary moments and days to be refreshed in the Lord by the Holy Spirit and the truth of God’s Word.   

Pray for the hope and promise we have from the Lord that in due season His will shall prevail and it shall be done according to Him.  Pray we would look toward the harvest and what shall be reaped for what has been sown.  Pray that we would not lose heart.  That the temptation to quit from our enemy would be dismissed by the promise and the power of the Holy Spirit to press on. 

Pray that we would do good to all as we have opportunity, especially to those who are of the household of faith. 

 “God be merciful to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us, that Your Way may be known on earth, Your Salvation among the nations.  Let the peoples praise You, O God; Let all the peoples praise You” Psalm 67: 1-3