“Brunch with the Pilgrims and Indians” Sunday, November 20 th, the Spotsy YMCA Please bring a brunch dish to share if you can! All are welcome!

of Contentment

Part 2: The Apostle Paul’s Secret of Contentment of Contentment Some secrets are too good not to be shared

Review Definition Contentment - a feeling of satisfaction with one’s possessions, status or situation of Contentment

Review Contentment is not being lazy or satisfied with “good enough.” Contentment is striving for the best in yourself and trusting God with the results. It is more about effort and motive than outcome. of Contentment

Review In order to cultivate contentment, you must resist the temptation to compare your… Blouse, House or Spouse Making these and other comparisons will cause you to… GROUSE! of Contentment

Review God’s Contentment Index “Peace with the God” + “Peace with Others” + “Peace with your Lifestyle” = Contentment of Contentment

“The Apostle Paul’s Secret” of Contentment Phil. 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”

“The Apostle Paul’s Secret” of Contentment “Rejoice in the Lord always…” How is this even possible?! Rejoice in disappointment? Rejoice in want? Rejoice in loss?

“The Apostle Paul’s Secret” of Contentment “Rejoice in the Lord always…” Paul gives us 4 answers… 1. Power of Prayer – the great “Anxiety Neutralizer.” The more anxiety you feel, the more you need the power of prayer.

“The Apostle Paul’s Secret” of Contentment 1. Power of Prayer Phil. 4:6-7“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

“The Apostle Paul’s Secret” of Contentment Praye r

“The Apostle Paul’s Secret” of Contentment “Rejoice in the Lord always…” Paul gives us 4 answers: 2. Power of Directed Thought – PMA - Positive Mental Attitude “Your Attitude Determines Your Altitude”

“The Apostle Paul’s Secret” of Contentment 2. Power of Directed Thought – Phil. 4:8 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

“The Apostle Paul’s Secret” of Contentment 2. Power of Directed Thought – “It is very clear from research that's emerging that in general, a positive mental attitude is in fact a huge protector: against feeling unhappy when one is stressed out; but may also protect people from the physical damages that occur in the body as a result of stress. And this is probably because what a positive attitude does is it allows us to perceive stressful situations in ways that seem less threatening or less dangerous. And when that happens, our brain doesn't tell our body to activate all these stress and inflammatory pathways that damage health. So yes, there's a lot of evidence that a positive outlook is in fact good for health.” Charles Raison, M.D., Director, Behavioral Immunology Program, Emory University School of Medicine April 17, 2008 ABC News Interview

“The Apostle Paul’s Secret” of Contentment 2. Power of Directed Thought – Be “The Little Engine That Could”

“The Apostle Paul’s Secret” of Contentment Rejoice in the Lord always… Paul gives us 4 answers… 3. Power of Imitation – who do you look up to? Paul lived a life worthy of being imitated.

“The Apostle Paul’s Secret” of Contentment 3. Power of Imitation Phil 4:9 “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

“The Apostle Paul’s Secret” of Contentment 3. Power of Imitation

“The Apostle Paul’s Secret” of Contentment 3. Power of Imitation 1 Cor. 11:1 “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”

“The Apostle Paul’s Secret” of Contentment “Rejoice in the Lord always…” Paul gives us 4 answers… 4. Power of Christ Within

“The Apostle Paul’s Secret” of Contentment 4. Power of Christ Within Phil 4:12-13 “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”

“The Apostle Paul’s Secret” of Contentment “Nothing will happen today that you and Jesus can’t handle together.”