Content But Not Satisfied (How to Go from Being Content to Satisfied)

1) Content: Desiring no more than what one has; Ready to accept; willing

v It is okay to be content as long as we still have an expectation that great things are going to happen.

(Philippians 4:11) Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

(Philippians 4:12) I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

(Philippians 4:13) I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

(Philippians 3:13) Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

(Philippians 3:14) I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

v It is important not to confuse being content with being fearful. Sometimes we can say we are content because we are afraid of failure or getting hurt.

(Hebrews 10:35) Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.

(Hebrews 10:38) Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

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2) Satisfied: to gratify a need, desire or expectation; to fulfill a need or desire; to free from doubt or question; assure

v It is God's will and desire that we should have good things in life, not only that we need, but that we should also have the things that we want.

(Psalms 103:5) Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.

v We have to have to expect great things from God; He does not give us what will just satisfy us; He will give us things so wonderful that we will be overjoyed.

(Ephesians 3:20) Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

v In order to progress from contentment to satisfaction we can't have an "onion" mentality. When Israel first went into the wilderness & could not immediately see the Promised Land; they began to desire the onions they had in slavery over the promise of milk and honey. We can't resort to desiring what we have already possessed or been through because it is easier than expecting something more wonderful which may not be visible yet.

(Numbers 11:4) And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?

(Numbers 11:5) We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick:

(Numbers 11:6) But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes.

v We can't be satisfied by just sitting and waiting for something to happen. If we want things to change we have to: 1) Believe 2) Speak and 3) Act

(Mark 11:23) For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.

(Mark 11:24) Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

(James 2:17) Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

(James 2:18) Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.