My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
Memory of the Month: 2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
Today's reading: EXODUS 1-3 MATTHEW 14:1-21
To Learn Through It
Philippians 4:11-12 11 I am telling you this, but not because I need something. I have learned to be satisfied with what I have and with whatever happens. 12 I know how to live when I am poor and when I have plenty. I have learned the secret of how to live through any kind of situation—when I have enough to eat or when I am hungry, when I have everything I need or when I have nothing.
The beginning of Exodus tells us of the conditions under which the children of Israel lived. The more their numbers increased, the more harshly they were treated by Pharoah. In their hardship, they cried out to God and He heard so began the Exodus from Egypt.
Out of Egypt, they complained at the first sign of hardship. They kept complaining over and over and showing weak faith.
It takes a lot of time and work to be in the place Paul wrote of-being content in every situation. Our country is going through a good economic time at this time but the sound of the complainers has never been louder.
So if you are not a complainer-here is a challenge for you. Pray for the complainers to see their blessings.
Choosing to complain is easy and to some, even enjoyable. That side of life is foreign to some who have seen some really tough times, but having an abundance leaves no 'calluses'. What does that mean?
95% of the world's people live below what we know here. This would make one think that our 'complainers' have not had hard times-times that teach-times that leaves 'calluses' or lessons for living that last.
Where are you? Why are you there? What do you really need?
All the children of Israel really needed was a great grasp on faith in God-He did deliver them-and He will deliver us.
When times are good we have such a hard time depending on God for everything. It is easy to pat ourselves on the back for our own sufficiency. Learning to be content and live by faith in good times and in hard times is a challenge to us all.
Praying for the complainers is a challenge-Loving them is a challenge. We must also pray for us-that we are lovable and forgiving and non-judgmental and that our contentment is based on the peace of God in our hearts and not the 'rouge on our lips and the money on our hips'.
If any feel guilt for your feelings right now, don't. Confess it and get on with it.
If you complain, stop. Life does not have to be as hard as we make it. If you judge either side, you must know that puts you in the middle of the mix you judge. We have no right to judge-only the right to love as Jesus loved.
The Lord's heart is cure for all. Get into God's heart with your 'all'.
...because He loves us...
Father in Heaven,
I confess my fight with wanting to judge and complain. Teach me to be content. Have mercy on me and forgive me.
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