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New Year's Devotion

Resolve to Be Content this Year

By Jonathan Santiago

10 Comment(s)

Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 1 Tim 6:6 NKJV

January 1st is the day for many that self-improvement resolutions are made. Most will be financial, business, or personal fitness goals.

There is nothing wrong with any of that.

In fact, Proverbs 21:5 states that the plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty.

Yet as children of the King we should be cautious of the motivation behind any resolutions we might make. Are our goals generated from a state of discontentment?

To say "I won't be content until this happens" means God is not enough for us now. And if God is not enough now, it means we'll be striving to accomplish that resolution by our own strength.

Paul says, "Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content." Phil 4:11 NKJV

Paul knew who he was. Paul was aware of his identity as a child of the King. When we say to ourselves, "I'm lacking", or "I'm insufficient in my current state", then we are living below our privileges. The prodigal son left his father's estate to work by his own strength. That didn't turn out well. The other son stayed, but lived below his privileges because he was waiting on something he already had access to.

Remember, godliness with contentment is great gain. Unlike the riches of the world, the riches of God cannot be taken away from you. When we are content we put ourselves in a position for God to bless us.

Once we know who we are in Christ, every resolution we set should be in Him and for Him. There is nothing wrong with wanting to improve our situation for the Glory of the Kingdom. In fact, God commissioned us to go out and do the work of His Kingdom. And when he commissioned us, he also equipped us with everything we need.

Perhaps a good practice for the start of this New Year is simply deciding to be content.

Before setting any goals or resolutions, spend some quiet time with the Father thanking him for what He has done. Thank Him for who He is, who you are, and acknowledge that He is more than enough. Regardless of your state: in debt, deployed in the military, family health issues, homeless… God is enough for you. It's important to find that place. It may be difficult at first. It may only come through prayer and worship. But God would rather have you be complete in Him with zero resolutions than discontent in Him and hit every resolution you set.

Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Psalms 37:4

Another way to look at this scripture is that if we delight ourselves in the Lord, our desires will begin to align with his desires.

So find that special place of contentment where the Father can show you just how complete in Him you are. Delight yourself in His ways. When you do this, any goal or resolution you set will be one that God can bless!

Copyright © 2013, Jonathan Santiago, used by permission.

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Jonathan Santiago works with CBN and the Superbook team designing interactive user experiences. With a M.A. in Communications from Regent University, he enjoys writing and sharing from the Bible in his spare time. For more, visit www.quickenme.com. Send your comments to Jonathan.

10 Comment(s)

Most Recent · Earliest · Highest Rated

annette Jan 12, 2014 at 10:53 pm  
i am sooo grateful for this message and is a wonderful way to be reminded in the beginning of the year so we
can keep our focus on God and his grace and favor over
our lives.
Ken Jan 2, 2014 at 7:17 am  
Jonathan,

I enjoyed your devotional yesterday. I too am a contributor of a devotional to CBN reading plan (Aug 2). What blessed me was the blog I wrote yesterday and your devotional almost looked like we had shared notes. Godliness with contentment must be what God is saying. My ... View More..
ana Jan 1, 2014 at 1:26 pm  
thanks for this great message and uplifting for me GOD bless
Bobbie Jan 1, 2014 at 1:18 pm  
Praise God that "WE" have entered into a New Year ! For I know that many didn't see the New Year come in. I pray that they new Jesus Christ. I grateful for this message, and it is a good one. I pray that all who are God's children will walk real close with Him. For our time is near. Now is... View More..
Michael Jan 1, 2014 at 9:23 am  
In 2014 I will strive to build a deeper relationship with God. These devotions will help me do just that. These posts are helping me grow as a Christian. Thank you!
stonewall Jan 1, 2014 at 8:46 am  
Ever content in our position as children of the most high God, but ever seeking to be all we can be and the best we can be in his service and as a reflection of Him. I've learned that setting my eyes on the goal and resting my heart in Him to achieve it is a perpetual and challenging balance.&#1... View More..
Jay Rodd Jan 1, 2014 at 8:38 am  
Contentment, not complacency. Inertia is a concept that involves moving bodies, as well as motionless ones. A body in motion tends to stay in motion. Paul relates how he learned to be content. He also spoke of pressing on the a goal. And to all those who read my post, Happy New Year. It will be if l... View More..
Titus Chemazo Jan 1, 2014 at 8:24 am  
Thank you Jonathan for this msg and happy and blessed 2014,you are 100% right when you teach us to be content. Lack of contentment leads us to live outside the will of God for us.1Thessalonians5vs18 teaches us to be thankful in all circumstances because that is the will of God for us that belong to ... View More..
mamiadjoa Jan 1, 2014 at 6:30 am  
Thank you Jonathan. What a message to start our year. We certainly must know who we are in Him. We are priests and kings. We are joint heirs with Christ. He has given us the power. 
Thank you Lord Jesus.

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