Godliness with Contentment

I Am What I Am

The podcast episode centers on Paul's reflections in 1 Corinthians 15:9-10. Most of the chapter is on the resurrection, but we look at grace. Paul reflects on grace amidst his acknowledgment of his past as a persecutor of the church. He expresses profound humility, recognizing the vast gap between his former self and his current role as an apostle, which he attributes entirely to God's grace.
Paul emphasizes that grace enabled him to transcend his past and fulfill his divine calling, challenging the notion of self-identity that limits potential. The call to action is for individuals to listen to God's call on their life and realize that through the grace that God offers, they can be what God calls them to be.
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Better Country - A Heavenly One

In the Bible Abraham is recognized as the father of many and a man of unwavering faith. He obeyed God's call without knowing his destination and believed in God's promises despite his advanced age, resulting in descendants as numerous as the stars. When tested to sacrifice his son Isaac, Abraham's faith led him to believe that God could raise the dead when this was a new/foreign understanding. He and other faithful individuals envisioned a better, heavenly country, longing for a true home beyond this temporary existence. Although Abraham lived in the promised land, he resided as a stranger in tents, prioritizing his heavenly destination over earthly wealth. This contrasts with most of what we hear today. None of us should settle for a fleeting life but aspire towards eternal fulfillment in heaven. Seek a heavenly homeland rather than being swallowed up by worldly pursuits.
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Please Forgive Me, I Don't Understand

In the Bible, many individuals are called by God, but often resist His call, as exemplified by Gideon from the tribe of Manasseh. Gideon regarded himself as the least among his clan, reflecting a profound sense of inadequacy in the face of Israel's current situation, which stemmed from disobedience to God and the worship of foreign gods. Despite his self-perception as the weakest man in Israel, God recognized him as a mighty warrior. This episode highlights the contrast between human self-view vs God's perspective, and allows us to ask questions about our own calling and resistance to God’s purpose. It becomes clear that God’s call invites us to fulfill a greater mission than we can can believe.
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Embrace The Journey Of The Middle

In the biblical narrative of Joseph found in Genesis, we observe a profound journey of struggle and faith. Joseph, favored by his father Jacob, faced intense hatred from his brothers after sharing dreams that foretold his future prominence. Their animosity led them to sell him into slavery. Despite enduring false accusations and imprisonment in Egypt, Joseph remained steadfast in his faith and integrity. His eventual rise to power enabled him to save his family during a famine, highlighting that the struggles in the middle of our journeys are crucial for growth and reliance on God. This account serves as a reminder to persevere through challenges and maintain our dreams, despite external doubts and internal struggles.
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If Not Now, Then When?

The text for this episode comes from the account of Elisha and Naaman and Gehazi from 2 Kings 5. After deceiving Naaman to get what he wanted, Gehazi was posed with a question from Elisha the prophet - 'Is this the time...?' It wasn't. It is never the time to deceive and lie to get what we want. It is never the time to say we will help the poor and needy when our plan is to get for ourselves.
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Where Would You Rather Be?

The truth is - some believers can feel dissatisfied despite being in God's kingdom, yearning for unmet desires such as relationships or material possessions. True contentment is rooted in our relationship with Jesus, and is of great value.
Psalm 84, illustrates the joy of serving God, emphasizing that the psalmist's affection lies not in the temple itself but in God's enduring presence. As believers traverse through challenges, their reliance on God leads to transformation from sorrow to joy. Emphasizing the importance of seeking God's favor, the psalmist prefers a humble position in God's house to worldly luxury. Moreover, the notion of God as a source of protection and growth is reinforced, with a reminder that trust in Him brings blessings, underscoring the blessedness found in faithfulness to God.
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Check out the new website here: https://godlinesswithcontentment.com
 

Work with Dignity, Joy, and Gratitude

This episode is drawn from Matthew 20:1-6. Jesus tells a parable about a land owner who agrees to pay a denarius to the very first workers presumably at 6am.  To the others throughout the day, no agreement was made to a specific amount, but 'whatever is right'.
A full days labor was about 12 hours. 
The land owner goes out at the 3rd, 6th, 9th and 11th hour and finds men in the marketplace in need of work.  About the 3rd hour he goes out and finds some in the marketplace doing nothing.  He gives them dignity.  In his compassion, the land owner gives them work to do.  Outside of his vineyard there is no work; men are standing around.  All is idle.  At the 11th hour, he found others standing around doing nothing.  They say that no one has hired them.  He bids them to go and work in his vineyard.
At the end, all workers are paid the same amount.
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Yes, Stupid is in the Bible!

Yes, the word "stupid" does appear in some English translations of the Bible. The use of the word depends on the version of the Bible you're reading. For example, in my NIV, it showed up five times either as "stupid" or "stupidly". Sometimes, we see down right stupid stuff in the world. Stupid is a valid word. But then, there is wickedness that transcends stupidity. Know when to call stupid, stupid and wickedness, wicked.
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Be Thankful For What You've Got

The essence of gratitude and the seriousness of coveting is captured in the context of the 10th commandment from Exodus 20:17, which warns against desiring what belongs to others. The term "covet" indicates an inordinate longing for another's possessions or relationships, which is in itself sin and can lead one to other sins, like theft or adultery. This inner desire may remain hidden, acknowledged only by the individual, yet it signifies a lack of appreciation for one's own blessings from God. To cultivate gratitude for what one has is crucial to avoiding the pitfalls of covetousness. Ultimately, it is emphasized that one should refrain from fixating on the blessings of others and instead cherish the gifts bestowed by God.
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Unlock the Miracles with Obedience!

In a recent Sunday sermon, a friend of mine reflected on the narrative of Elijah from 1 Kings 17, highlighting his confrontation with King Ahab regarding the stopping of rain for a few years until God said so due to the Israelites' idolatry, particularly the worship of Baal. Baal, often regarded as a weather deity, was rendered powerless by Elijah's proclamation, which stemmed from God’s authority. Following this declaration, Elijah was instructed by God to retreat to the Kerith ravine, where divine provision awaited him in the form of ravens delivering food and a brook supplying water. The text emphasizes Elijah's obedience to God amid uncertainties, illustrating that without such compliance, the miracles provided would not have occurred. It draws a parallel to modern life, suggesting that obedience to God can lead to miraculous outcomes, and encourages a deepening relationship with God as a foundation for trust and obedience, ultimately facilitating the experience of miracles in one’s life.
Connect with Keyno on Instagram: @godlinesswcontentment
Check out the website here: https://godlinesswithcontentment.com