Tuesday, March 08, 2005
TODAY'S WHISPER: Stop the complaining game forever
TODAY'S VERSE: Philippians 2:14-15
[New International Version]: "Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe."
[The Message Bible]: "Do everything readily and cheerfully--no bickering, no second-guessing allowed! Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night."
[New Living Translation]: "In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing, so that no one can speak a word of blame against you. You are to live clean, innocent lives as children of God in a dark world full of crooked and perverse people. Let your lives shine brightly before them."
TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Exodus 16:1-8
Before we even realize it, there we are... complaining. It is so easy to complain about the ugly winter we're going through (for those of us in Northern USA), not being paid enough, too many cars on the road, too little time to relax, etc., etc., etc. When will we ever have a "perfect" day without all this mess around us??
The truth about complaining is simple: it demonstrates a lack of trust in the God's integrity and sovereignty. When our minds are fooled to believe that God doesn't really care about us, that our circumstances will never change, that everyone out there is against us, that we're destined to have a "bad" day every day, then we have more than enough reasons to complain. But when we believe God DOES care for you and me, when we understand the principle of sowing and reaping and continue planting good seeds despite our present circumstances, then complaining becomes an unnecessary and unfruitful evil that can very easily hinder our lives and steal our joy and blessings.
Do you believe God is just and faithful in all He does? Do you truly believe God has a purpose for your life, and that everything will always work for the good of those who trust Him? If you do, then, why complain? Doing so will only show that we don't really trust Him, that we are not sure He will remain faithful as He has proved throughout history.
As a new year resolution, I encourage you to stop complaining and start praising! Only then will you start experiencing all that God has in store for you this year.
-- A.Rodriguez-C.
TODAY'S PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for being my True Source of everything I am and everything I have. I ask forgiveness for the times I have complained and questioned Your love and faithfullness toward me. I commit to stop complaining and instead fill my days with praise. In Jesus' precious name I pray and rejoice, amen.
[New International Version]: "Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe."
[The Message Bible]: "Do everything readily and cheerfully--no bickering, no second-guessing allowed! Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night."
[New Living Translation]: "In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing, so that no one can speak a word of blame against you. You are to live clean, innocent lives as children of God in a dark world full of crooked and perverse people. Let your lives shine brightly before them."
TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Exodus 16:1-8
Before we even realize it, there we are... complaining. It is so easy to complain about the ugly winter we're going through (for those of us in Northern USA), not being paid enough, too many cars on the road, too little time to relax, etc., etc., etc. When will we ever have a "perfect" day without all this mess around us??
The truth about complaining is simple: it demonstrates a lack of trust in the God's integrity and sovereignty. When our minds are fooled to believe that God doesn't really care about us, that our circumstances will never change, that everyone out there is against us, that we're destined to have a "bad" day every day, then we have more than enough reasons to complain. But when we believe God DOES care for you and me, when we understand the principle of sowing and reaping and continue planting good seeds despite our present circumstances, then complaining becomes an unnecessary and unfruitful evil that can very easily hinder our lives and steal our joy and blessings.
Do you believe God is just and faithful in all He does? Do you truly believe God has a purpose for your life, and that everything will always work for the good of those who trust Him? If you do, then, why complain? Doing so will only show that we don't really trust Him, that we are not sure He will remain faithful as He has proved throughout history.
As a new year resolution, I encourage you to stop complaining and start praising! Only then will you start experiencing all that God has in store for you this year.
-- A.Rodriguez-C.
TODAY'S PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for being my True Source of everything I am and everything I have. I ask forgiveness for the times I have complained and questioned Your love and faithfullness toward me. I commit to stop complaining and instead fill my days with praise. In Jesus' precious name I pray and rejoice, amen.
On 8:28 pm, Cheryl lays it all at the feet of Jesus.
