Acts 2.42-47 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, and to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Good Morning or Good Afternoon, and in case I don't see you, Good Night~

Well, the passage above describes a good time. . . a sweet time. . . a time unequalled in the life of the church. . . a time these new believers would need to ready them for what would come after. . . a time that spelled c-o-n-t-e-n-t-m-e-n-t, the sense that comes from a deep-seated sense of well being ~> joy!

Do you suppose that is even attainable today? Well, maybe. . . let's look at how they were living--

Luke says they DEVOTED themselves to several things--what a great word--'devoted'-- Not one that we use too much today, because it implies commitment, doesn't it? To what did they devote themselves?

?the apostles' TEACHING - which was the Word of God, specifically the Gospel message about Jesus

?PRAYER - remember, this was the first time they had prayed to God with the indwelling Holy Spirit, and full realization of Father and Son as well. They prayed together, lifting praise to God, as well as their requests~ While prayer is the greatest asset of the church and of individual believers as well, it is often our weakest link. Our connection to the Power Source grows dim and we wonder why God doesn't seem to be moving. Hmmm. . .

?FELLOWSHIP - spending time with other believers, sharing meals and The Lord's Supper, meeting the needs of those within their community--meeting together regularly, consistently

GOD'S WORD. . . PRAYER. . . FELLOWSHIP and it birthed within them: Joyful Contentment~

which spawned awe and signs and wonders. . .

God did miracles!

People were attracted to what they had. . . and the LORD blessed their behavior,

by adding to their numbers daily--they knew contentment. . . they knew joy.

Do you know anyone who typifies contentment? My dear, late mother was the most contented person I have ever known~ The reason? She knew her priorities and she lived by them--those that Jesus called the greatest commandments, 'Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, soul, mind, and strength; and love thy neighbor as thyself.' She loved the Lord by establishing these building blocks in her life, and she loved others by thinking more highly of them than she did herself. Philippians 2, verse 3. It was my mother's joy to serve others.

Churches hire specialists to advise them how to grow their churches. . . really, rather than adding programs and systems, I think we need to go back to the basic building blocks and concentrate on those. As for individuals, we often try to figure out how to grow our faith, or get peace in our lives, when these early folk really seemed to 'have it wired', didn't they? Let's take a page out of their book. . . let's get back to basics, and devote ourselves to God's Word, prayer, and participating in authentic community--meeting together, loving each other, serving each other. After all, that is what will last, and I can think of no greater vehicle to contentment... can you?

Grace. . .

Christine