Archive for Study Notes

Contentment

(quotes from Matthew Henry’s commentary)

2Co 12:10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

“This is a Christian paradox: when we are weak in ourselves, then we are strong in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ; when we see ourselves weak in ourselves, then we go out of ourselves to Christ, and are qualified to receive strength from him, and experience most of the supplies of divine strength and grace.”

Php 4:11-13 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

“He had learnt to be content; and that was the lesson he had as much need to learn as most men, considering the hardships and sufferings with which he was exercised. He was in bonds, and imprisonments, and necessities, often; but in all he had learnt to be content, that is, to bring his mind to his condition, and make the best of it.”

Heb 13:5-6 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”

Hebrews 2

Are you paying close attention to the Word of God?  Do you simply read it or do you meditate on it day and night?  Do you study the words carefully to examine what they are saying?  If you read something that doesn’t make sense, do you just skip over it, or do you search out an answer?  If what you read doesn’t appear to line up with what you believe, what do you do?

Hebrews 2:1

Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.

Psalm 73

Outside of Christ you will find nothing of worth.  Apart from Christ, we have no worth.

Psalm 73:25-26

Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.  My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.