Pre-Thanksgiving Service

On Wednesday, November 24th, MGBC fellowshipped with Cornerstone Baptist Church for a pre-Thanksgiving celebration. Our very own, Pastor Durham delivered a message that left the entire congregation with a spirit of thankfulness and a greater appreciation of our God-given blessings.

Pastor Durham's message came from Phillipians 4:11-13 and was entitled "Being content with your lot in life". The definition pastor gave of "lot" was the total accumulation of all parts of your life; the good and the bad. He also made sure that the definition of content was understood. being content doesn't mean being complacent, sitting on the stool of do-nothing. Rather, it means to be a person who doesn't spend time focusing on what they don't have. Content people are able to say thank you!

There are not very many people who are able to say they are okay with what they have and where they are in life. being thankful brings contentment. Paul was content, and if he could be content, we should be able to be content as well. Paul was beaten, drug, jailed, shipwrecked, snake bittten and even had a thorn in his flesh, which symbolized a physical affliction. Through all of this, Paul still did not waste time focusing on what he didn't have, instead he focused on Christ.

To be content is a learned discipline. We are not born with it. It takes time to develop. This discipline is also not found in worldly things. It is born out of our relationship with Christ. Typically with age, the things of this world tend to become less appealing to the Christian also. Hopefully, most of us would rather have Jesus tha "Silver and Gold". This world promises us a lot, but only delivers a little. Pastor Durham taught in a previous sermon that sin never satisfies. Sin causes us to have cravings that can never be fulfilled. Only Christ can fill the void that sin creates! to further illustrate this point, Pastor Durham also mentioned the story of the pordigal son, who thought the world could satisfy him too.

Lastly, we were taught that our lot in lifeis permitted by God. God's divine providence orders our steps. Our lives are pre-destined. Your life is no accident. Pastor reminded us of the story of Joseph. His brothers sold him into slavery, and as a result, his life took many turns while he lived in Potiphar's house. But out of that experience, Joseph ended up second in command and Pharaoh made him famous throughout Egypt. he was there by divine providence.

In summary, this teaching shows that we all need to learn to be content. Whatever your situation, no matter how unpleasant it may seem, consider it to be a part of your preparation for better Christian service.

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