Secrets of Contentment

Some people are not contented with their lot in life. Even though they have enough, they still want more. These people fall to the category mentioned in this ancient adage: "A mere lover of silver will not be satisfied with silver, neither any lover of wealth with income. This too is vanity." (Ecclesiastes 5:10)

A person constantly desiring for more always finds himself dissatisfied all the time, thus leaving him no room to enjoy what he has. In connection with this, Benjamin Franklin said, "Contentment makes poor men rich; discontent makes rich men poor." When a person is content with what he has, no matter how little it may be, he is rich in the sense that he is always happy with his lot. And happiness is a treasure that truly matters in our pursuit of our basic necessities.

The following are the secrets of contentment  found in God's Word, the Bible.

1) Love people, not money and possessions

1 Timothy 6:10

"The love of money is the root of all injurious things."

Acts 20:35

"There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving."

1 Timothy 6:7-9

"For we have brought nothing into the world, and neither can we carry anything out.  So, having sustenance and covering, we shall be content with these things. However, those who are determined to be rich fall into temptation and a snare and many senseless and hurtful desires, which plunge men into destruction and ruin."

2) Resist the urge to compare yourself with others

Galatians 6:4

"Do your own work well, and then you will have something to be proud of. But don't compare yourself with others."

Ecclesiastes 4:4

"And I myself have seen all the hard work and all the proficiency in work, that it means the rivalry of one toward another; this also is vanity and a striving after the wind."

1 Samuel 16:7

"For not the way man sees [is the way God sees], because mere man sees what appears to the eyes; but as for Jehovah, he sees what the heart is."

Proverbs 11:2

"Has presumptuousness come? Then dishonor will come; but wisdom is with the modest ones."

3) Maintain an appreciative attitude

1 Thessalonians 5:18

"In connection with everything give thanks."

Psalm 143:5

"I have remembered days of long ago;

I have meditated on all your activity;

I willingly kept myself concerned with the work of your own hands."

James 1:17

"Every good gift and every perfect present is from above, for it comes down from the Father of the [celestial] lights, and with him there is not a variation of the turning of the shadow." 

Philippians 4:6,7

"Do not be anxious over anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication along with thanksgiving let your petitions be made known to God;  and the peace of God that excels all thought will guard your hearts and your mental powers by means of Christ Jesus."

4) Choose you friends wisely

Proverbs 13:20:

"He that is walking with wise persons will become wise."

1 Corinthians 15:33

"Do not be misled. Bad associations spoil useful habits."

Jude 16

"These men are murmurers, complainers about their lot in life, proceeding according to their own desires, and their mouths speak swelling things, while they are admiring personalities for the sake of [their own] benefit."

Proverbs 17:17

"A true companion is loving all the time, and is a brother that is born for when there is distress."

Philippians 2:3,4

"Doing nothing out of contentiousness or out of egotism, but with lowliness of mind considering that the others are superior to you, keeping an eye, not in personal interest upon just your own matters, but also in personal interest upon those of the others."

5) Satisfy your spiritual need

Matthew 5:3

"Happy are those conscious of their spiritual need."

Romans 1:20 : Examine the evidence that God exists.

"For his invisible [qualities] are clearly seen from the world’s creation onward, because they are perceived by the things made, even his eternal power and Godship, so that they are inexcusable."

Romans 12:1,2

"Consequently I entreat you by the compassions of God, brothers, to present your bodies a sacrifice living, holy, acceptable to God, a sacred service with your power of reason.  And quit being fashioned after this system of things, but be transformed by making your mind over, that you may prove to yourselves the good and acceptable and perfect will of God."

1 Timothy 6:6

"To be sure, it is a means of great gain, [this] godly devotion along with self-sufficiency." 

(Based on Watchtower magazine, November 1, 2010)

A Light To Guide Us

"Your word is a lamp to my foot,

And a light to my roadway."

-Psalm 119:105

This world is in  dismal state where people grope about in  darkness, not knowing whether there are predators that lurk in some hidden corners and suddenly prance at them. Or there may be some boulders along the way that may cause them to stumble and get hurt.

On this account, we need a lamp to light our road way. According to the aforementioned Scripture, "Your word", referring to the Word of God, is the light that guides us. God's written word, the Bible, is filled with divine guidance and principles that  help us to evaluate our situation and offer us the right course to take. In order to have this light, we must spend some time each day to examine God's Word, meditate on what we read and apply the principles in our lives. If we do this, we can protect ourselves from dangers, and we can walk straight on to success. 

A Promise of Refreshment

"For he has satisfied 

the dried-out soul;

And the hungry soul he has filled 

with good things."

-Psalm 107:9

Our constant daily struggles can make us weary. Pressures and anxieties lie on our shoulders like heavy loads, gradually sapping us of energy. We want to do other things that we truly enjoy but it may not be possible because of the numerous responsibilities that we should primarily accomplish. 

Added to our endeavors to make a living, we also encounter problems with our fellows which can be discouraging and can drain us of what strength is left in us. Our soul becomes "hungry" and "dried-out", as the Scripture says.

Nevertheless, our loving Father has this promise of saturating or fully satisfying us. He sees to it that we can maintain good spiritual and emotional health which are vital for us to keep our joy amid difficulties. Such godly joy prevents us from losing our power to go on living and succeed in whatever we do.

Again, we can see from this passage that God is interested in our feelings as individuals, and he assures us that he will refresh and satisfy us. But for us to benefit from this loving assurance, we must have full trust in him and run to him for assistance. Only then can we truly feel and understand the import of this promise.

Wearing our Suit of Armor

In this world filled with wickedness,  it's not easy for one who strives to live a virtuous life to fight his way out of this jungle of a world that has turned dismal. Everywhere there are attacks of wicked forces in different forms, whether outright or subtle. The master enemy, Satan the Devil, is preoccupied with setting up schemes to get the virtuous ones veer from their godly course. Because he knows that his time is short, that soon he will be wiped out of existence, he's doing all he can, employing all means that he can think of, to drag all the righteous ones with him to destruction. He is especially aiming his assaults to those who keep their stand in God's side. He never stops until he succeeds in his evil intent.

Nevertheless, no matter how powerful he is and all his machinations, he can never get us if we wear a special suit of armor designed to fight against him and his destructively wicked missiles. Figuratively wearing this all the time can protect us from all his weapons of destruction. We can keep our ground and come out victorious.

The following is the suit of armor that we should put on:

"Stand firm, therefore, with YOUR loins girded about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness,  and with YOUR feet shod with the equipment of the good news of peace.  Above all things, take up the large shield of faith, with which YOU will be able to quench all the wicked one’s burning missiles.  Also, accept the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, that is, God’s word,  while with every form of prayer and supplication YOU carry on prayer on every occasion in spirit." - Ephesians 6:14-18

He Will Surely Provide for Our Needs

For those who put God first in their lives,  that is, who make the doing of God's will their priority, there's no cause for worry at all concerning their material needs. The Almighty Father knows all their needs, and He will surely provide for them as long as they keep the Father foremost in their lives. Here is the promise:

“Keep on, then, seeking first the kingdom and his righteousness, and all these [other] things will be added to YOU. So, never be anxious about the next day, for the next day will have its own anxieties. Sufficient for each day is its own badness." 
- Matthew 6:33,34

The message is clear: If we put spiritual things first, then all our material needs will be added to us. Millions worldwide have experienced the fulfillment of this promise. They are the ones who strive to serve God first, trusting in His promises, and they have never found themselves lacking in their material provisions. 

This doesn't mean, however, that they don't work at all, and just wait for these material things to drop from heaven. They do work hard, and God blesses their efforts so that they can have what they need materially. That's how God adds to their material necessities. So they don't need to worry about the following day, knowing that God will keep providing for them.

A Good Name Is Better Than Riches

"A name is better than good oil, and the day of death than the day of one’s being born." - Eccl. 7:1.

One who lives a truly worthwhile life is making a name or a good reputation for himself. To live a worthwhile life means spending one's life in pursuit of the more important things that are essential for survival and for personal spiritual well-being. This also involves the doing of God's will, helping our fellowmen to live a truly meaningful and satisfying life, and giving hope to the less fortunate ones through the good news that our loving Father wants all of us to know, and through practical help.

Doing such things can enrich a person's life and can make a good reputation in God's eyes, which is more valuable than riches. (Matthew 6:19-21) Even when one dies, he keeps living in the hearts of those who know him. Most of all, he lives in the mind of the Almighty Father who promised to reward him with wonderful blessings in the future for maintaining a good name.

There Won't Be Any Beggars If...

....Everyone would live a righteous life.

Well, I'm not referring to those who have become rich because they have worked hard or received some inheritance or the likes.

This is about those who may not have the advantage of having a job due to some complicated situations, those who may not have guts and impetus enough to live a better life, or those who have lost hope, feeling that the world conditions are too much for them.

The following quote shows us that the righteous ones will never be left entirely, even their offspring. This is the observation of an ancient king, which is also confirmed by my personal observation and experiences.

"A young man I used to be, I have also grown old,
And yet I have not seen anyone righteous left entirely,
Nor his offspring looking for bread." - Psalm 37:25

Being righteous here means keeping the laws and guidance of our heavenly Father, who is ever loyal to those who completely trust in Him. We can develop such trust by carefully examining His Word and exerting efforts to apply in our lives the righteous principles that we have learned from it. Then our loving Father will always be there to guide us and provide for our spiritual and material needs in different ways.

Wholesome Reflections

Tired? Why not sit down for a while and relax? Let the beauty of nature soothe your weary mind and body. Then meditate on some wholesome things that can be of great benefit to you, such as those metioned in the following quote.

"Whatever things are true, whatever things are of serious concern, whatever things are righteous, whatever things are chaste, whatever things are lovable, whatever things are well spoken of, whatever virtue there is and whatever praiseworthy thing there is, continue considering these things." - Philippians 4:8

God's Wondrous Works

Someone reads our hearts and minds; He sees everything we do; He can follow us wherever we go. He cares so much about us, and He wants to keep us away from harm.

This music video tells us who He is and how we should feel about Him.

Finding Refuge In These Calamitous Days

Recently, calamities have been striking the whole world, leaving thousands of dead and injured people in their wake. Bible prophecies show us that world condition will become worse in these last days. Calamities and wickedness keep on escalating  and battering mankind. Many people are now living in fear. They become hopeless and unsure of the future. Hence, we all need to find refuge somewhere.

This video will help us to see where to find refuge, comfort and hope.

Worship That God Approves

Are all religions pleasing to God?

How can we identify the true religion?

Who are God’s true worshipers on earth today?

The way we worship God means either life or death for us. Read more by following the link below.

http://www.watchtower.org/e/bh/article_15.htm

The Book That Answers Life's Big Questions

"READ any newspaper. Look at television, or listen to the radio. There are so many stories of crime, war, and terrorism! Think about your own troubles. Perhaps illness or the death of a loved one is causing you great distress. You may feel like the good man Job, who said that he was “drenched with misery.”—Job 10:15, The Holy Bible in the Language of Today.

Ask yourself:

• Is this what God purposed for me and for the rest of mankind?
• Where can I find help to cope with my problems?
• Is there any hope that we will ever see peace on the earth?

 The statements above comprise the introduction of this book that's well distributed and read throughout the world. This book, entitled What Does the Bible Really Teach?, has benefited millions of honest-hearted ones searching for answers to life's perplexing questions. Their lives have undergone big changes as they took to heart the message and made efforts to apply what they have learned. They have found true happiness and satisfaction, peace of mind, solutions to their problems, and the hope of a wonderful future.

This book explores the following questions and gives accurate answers based on the Book of all books - God's Word, The Bible.

• Why do we suffer?
• How can we cope with life‘s anxieties?
• How can we make our family life happier?
• What happens to us when we die?
• Will we ever see our dead loved ones again?
• How can we be sure that God will fulfill his promises for the future?

This link directs us to this book, and we can read its content without purchasing it at all. 
http://www.watchtower.org/e/bh/article_00.htm

To Succeed in Everything

I have found this Scripture greatly practical and beneficial  even in these days. By putting it to practice, millions of people worldwide have also been helped to succeed in their efforts to do the right thing. 

"Happy is the man that has not walked in the counsel of the wicked ones,

And in the way of sinners has not stood,

And in the seat of ridiculers has not sat.

But his delight is in the law of Jehovah,

And in his law he reads in an undertone day and night.

And he will certainly become like a tree planted by streams of water,

That gives its own fruit in its season

And the foliage of which does not wither,

And everything he does will succeed." - Psalms 1:1-3

How refreshing and rejuvenating it must be for a tree that is growing by streams of water! It gets the perfect amount of nourishment it needs. Wouldn't it be wonderful too if we become like that tree? Our well-being is perfectly nourished, making us fit to live a happy and satisfying life amid all the troubles in this world.

We only need to delight in the law of our Creator found in the greatest book ever written, the Bible.  It's definitely worth our time and effort to examine it, for it will mean so much for us now and in the future.

World Peace and Security Will Prevail

Read the text and imagine the scenario. It is the kind of life that most of us long to have. No hatred, no wars, no armaments. People throughout the earth live in harmony and true security. Does it sound like an unrealized  dream? Or do you hear the ring of truth here? 

"And it must occur in the final part of the days [that] the mountain of the house of Jehovah will become firmly established above the top of the mountains, and it will certainly be lifted up above the hills; and to it peoples must stream. And many nations will certainly go and say: “Come, YOU people, and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will instruct us about his ways, and we will walk in his paths.” For out of Zion law will go forth, and the word of Jehovah out of Jerusalem. And he will certainly render judgment among many peoples, and set matters straight respecting mighty nations far away. And they will have to beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning shears. They will not lift up sword, nation against nation, neither will they learn war anymore. And they will actually sit, each one under his vine and under his fig tree, and there will be no one making [them] tremble; for the very mouth of Jehovah of armies has spoken [it]." - Micah 4:1-4

This is a prophecy written hundreds of years ago, and is undergoing fulfillment right now among people who seriously examine God's Word and live by it. Wherever they are in the world, they live as one united family who love and care for one another.

In the near future, there will be a grander fulfillment of this prophecy, where wars, hatred and all sorts of wickedness will be completely eliminated. All the peoples will be free from problems, sickness and even death. To find out more about this future and why we should be confident about its fulfillment, visit this link below.

http://www.watchtower.org/e/bh/article_03.htm

A music video about living in wisdom

 "Be wise, my son, and make my heart rejoice, that I may make a reply to him that is taunting me." -Proverbs 27:11