The Enemy of Value
This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon:
“Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce.6 Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease… This is what the LORD says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:4-6,10-11 NIV
Make no mistake. . . . .
Discontentment is one of Satan’s best weapons!
5 Signs of discontentment that are spiritually draining:
1. _Envy_ The inability to rejoice at the success of others.
2. _Over Ambition_ Win at all cost. No matter what it takes or who gets in the way.
3. _Critical Spirit_
Cutting, hurtful, negative remarks or attitude.
4. _Complaining Spirit_
Blame others. Inability to be thankful.
5. _Wrongful Anger_
Angry words spoken because expectations were not met. All these signs of discontentment cry “I deserve something better than this!”
“Contentment makes a poor man rich, while discontentment makes a rich man poor.” Ben Franklin
How can you overcome the crippling condition of discontentment?
_GOOD_ _THEOLOGY_
Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed I Corinthians 15:51
Bad theology fills the pulpits but sows discontentment!
Bad theology. . . . .
• Comforts the saint but rarely convicts the sinner.
• Warms our emotions but rarely warns our conscience.
• Promises happiness but rarely promotes persecution.
• Builds self-assurance but balks at self-examination.
• Moves us in the moment but can not sustain us in the
storm. God will not always do what you _desire_. Rather, God will always do what He _decides_! Therefore, here’s the advice to the discontented.
Bloom_ _Where_ _You_ _Are_ _Planted_!!!
Some blooming advice:
1. You are where you are because God _wants_ you there.
Value God.
In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps. Proverbs 16:9
“Everything in the universe is either caused by God or allowed by God. Everything.” Dr. Tony Evans
Practical Advice:
Sometimes the most you can say, “I know I am here because God wants me here. I may not know why, but I’m not here by chance.
2. You are called to make the _most_ of your present circumstances.
Value opportunity. God is telling them. . . . .
You may not like it. This isn’t “your best life now.” But I put you here so don’t be discontent. Bloom where you are planted, today. The will of God is not just a _destination_. Rather, the will of God is a _journey_. You never really “arrive” in this life but you can really “thrive” in this life.
3. You must live in the _moment_.
Value Grace.
The key to a better future is stop trying to have a better _past_.
Do you believe, trust in God?
Honestly, by your discontentment, complaining, critical attitude, you are denying the real truth that you believe in God.
Bloom where you are planted. • Serve the Lord right where you are. • Stop moping and complaining. • Let God define your life, not earthly circumstances. • Don’t expect an outward change to make you inward complete.
Make no mistake. . . . .
Discontentment is one of Satan’s best weapons!
5 Signs of discontentment that are spiritually draining:
1. _Envy_ The inability to rejoice at the success of others.
2. _Over Ambition_ Win at all cost. No matter what it takes or who gets in the way.
3. _Critical Spirit_
Cutting, hurtful, negative remarks or attitude.
4. _Complaining Spirit_
Blame others. Inability to be thankful.
5. _Wrongful Anger_
Angry words spoken because expectations were not met. All these signs of discontentment cry “I deserve something better than this!”
“Contentment makes a poor man rich, while discontentment makes a rich man poor.” Ben Franklin
How can you overcome the crippling condition of discontentment?
_GOOD_ _THEOLOGY_
Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed I Corinthians 15:51
Bad theology fills the pulpits but sows discontentment!
Bad theology. . . . .
• Comforts the saint but rarely convicts the sinner.
• Warms our emotions but rarely warns our conscience.
• Promises happiness but rarely promotes persecution.
• Builds self-assurance but balks at self-examination.
• Moves us in the moment but can not sustain us in the
storm. God will not always do what you _desire_. Rather, God will always do what He _decides_! Therefore, here’s the advice to the discontented.
Bloom_ _Where_ _You_ _Are_ _Planted_!!!
Some blooming advice:
1. You are where you are because God _wants_ you there.
Value God.
In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps. Proverbs 16:9
“Everything in the universe is either caused by God or allowed by God. Everything.” Dr. Tony Evans
Practical Advice:
Sometimes the most you can say, “I know I am here because God wants me here. I may not know why, but I’m not here by chance.
2. You are called to make the _most_ of your present circumstances.
Value opportunity. God is telling them. . . . .
You may not like it. This isn’t “your best life now.” But I put you here so don’t be discontent. Bloom where you are planted, today. The will of God is not just a _destination_. Rather, the will of God is a _journey_. You never really “arrive” in this life but you can really “thrive” in this life.
3. You must live in the _moment_.
Value Grace.
The key to a better future is stop trying to have a better _past_.
Do you believe, trust in God?
Honestly, by your discontentment, complaining, critical attitude, you are denying the real truth that you believe in God.
Bloom where you are planted. • Serve the Lord right where you are. • Stop moping and complaining. • Let God define your life, not earthly circumstances. • Don’t expect an outward change to make you inward complete.