September 25 2016 Learning To Be Content

LEARNING TO BE CONTENT

Memory Verse: Exodus 20:17 "You shall not covet...anything that belongs to your neighbor."

"COVET": the uncontrolleddesire to acquire

I. What Happens When I Always Want More

1. Fatigue

Proverbs 23:4" Do not wear yourself out to be rich; have the wisdom to show restraint."

2. Debt

Ecclesiastes 5:11 (LB) "The more money you have, the more money you spend..."

3. Worry

Ecclesiastes 5:12 (GN)"A working man ... can get a good night's sleep. But the rich man has so much that he stays awake worrying."

4. Conflict

James 4:1"What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from the desires that battle with you?"

5. Dissatisfaction

Ecclesiastes 5:10 (GN)"You will never be satisfied if you long to be rich. You will never get all you want."

Philippians 4:12(Paul) "I have learned the secret of being content... whether living in plenty or in want."

II. How To Learn To Be Content

1. RESIST COMPARING MYSELF TO OTHERS.

2 Corinthians 10:12 "We do not dare classify or compare ourselves ... it is not wise."

I Timothy 6:9 (JB) "When we long to be rich, we are a prey to temptation; We get trapped into all sorts of foolish and dangerous ambitions which eventually plunge us into ruin."

2. REJOICE IN WHAT I DO HAVE.

Ecclesiastes 5:19 (GN)"If God gives a man wealth and property .. he should be grateful and enjoy what he has...it is a gift from God."

Ecclesiastes 6:9 (GN)"It is better to be satisfied with what you have than to be always wanting something else."

3. RELEASE WHAT I HAVE TO HELP OTHERS.

I Timothy 6:17-19 (LB)"Tell those who are rich, not to be proud and not to trust in their money which will soon be gone. Tell them to use their money to do good ... to give happily to those in need, always with others whatever God has given them. By doing this they will be storing up real treasure for themselves in heaven -- it is the only safe investment for eternity!"

Acts 20:35 (GN)"There is more happiness in giving than in receiving."

4. REFOCUS ON WHAT'S GOING TO LAST.

2 Corinthians 4:18 "We fix our attention, not on the things that are seen, but on things that are unseen. What can be seen lasts only for a time, but what cannot be seen lasts forever."

Luke 12:15 "A man's true life is not made up of the things he owns, no matter how rich he may be."

June 14 2015 Freedom From Depression

FREEDOM FROM DEPRESSION

1 Kings 19:1-18 

Verse 4 – I have had enough, Lord.  Take my life.  I am no better than my ancestors.

A Prime Candidate For Depression Is: Physically tired & emotionally exhausted.

I. First, notice what causes or increases depression.

A) One – You focus on feelings instead of facts.

Verse 3-4 – Elijah was afraid and ran for his life.  He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said.

B) Secondly, you can increase depression by comparing yourselves with others.

Verse 4 – “I’m no better than my ancestors.”

2 Corinthians 10:12 – We do not dare to compare ourselves with some.

C) Thirdly, depression is increased when we take false blame.

Verse 10 – “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty.  The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword.”

You can sometimes influence people but you can’t control them.

D) A fourth mistake we make about depression is exaggerate the negative.

Verse 10 – “Everybody’s against me.”

II. Secondly, notice God’s cure for depression

A) First take care of physical needs.

Verses 5-6 – Then he lay down under the tree and fell asleep, and then the angel said, “Get up and eat,” and he looked and saw bread and a jar of water.

B) Secondly give your frustrations to God.

Verses 9-10 – Israel rejected the covenant, broke down the altars, put the prophets to death, the only one left.

Many emotions:

Verse 3:  He was afraid.

Verse 4:  He talks about resentment.

Verse 10:  Worked hard for nothing. Thought they would kill him.

C) Thirdly get a fresh awareness of God.

Verse 11 – “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord for I am to pass by.”

HOW TO GET A FRESH AWARENESS

Get alone with God.

D) Fourthly get a new direction for life.

Verse 15 –“Go back the way you came and go to the Desert of Damascus.  When you get there here’s what I want you to do.”

Matthew 16:25 – Whoever loses his life will find it.

YOU CAN CHANGE!