Complain or Trust

Have you followed instructions and experienced things going well? Have you experienced things going well for a while only to suddenly not go well? How did you react when things took an unexpected turn? Did you cry out to God and wonder if he cared for you?

There are times when it seems all is right with the world. We are accomplishing tasks in our daily jobs. Our family is well—no illnesses, no injuries, no diseases, and no drama. Our church is experiencing visitors, many of whom decide to return and become members.

When things are going very well, we enjoy it but also may be looking over our shoulder, waiting for something to go wrong. If we have lived a few decades, we have experienced things going well for a while and suddenly taking a nosedive into what seems to be a bottomless pit. That is where the Israelites found themselves as they were roaming the wilderness.

It can be difficult for us to understand their journey. The first thing we must remember is they had no automobiles and there were not many large cities. They were a people who were used to farming, raising animals, and living near sources of fresh water. They were a people of manual labor and walking long distances to get from one place to another. They knew they needed fresh water to survive. As they followed God into the wilderness, they suddenly found themselves without water. Of course, they didn’t complain to God but complained to Moses, their intermediary.

We sometimes do the same thing. Our church attendance and membership are in decline. We ask the pastor why. We look to the pastor to develop and implement an innovative program to draw people to the church. Just like the Israelites, we have lost our faith in God. We no longer believe he will provide. And we are no longer carrying out his work. Rather than complaining, we would be much better off to ask God to guide us in the work he would have us do and trust him to provide.

I pray we all trust God is in control when things are going well. I pray we trust God is in control when things are not going well. I pray each one of us will ask God for guidance and continue to work for him. Trust God at all times. Ask God for guidance. Follow God’s guidance. 

Exodus 17:1-2 From the wilderness of Sin the whole congregation of the Israelites journeyed by stages, as the Lord commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. The people quarreled with Moses, and said, “Give us water to drink.” Moses said to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord?”

Accept All Who Jesus Accepts

Do you like competition? Do you compete in virtually everything you do? Do you want to finish first? Are you continually striving to be better than others? What if I told you, it was all in vain?

Many of us are competitors, even if not in the traditional sports sense. We compete to get ahead in this world. We compete to better our physical lives. We even compete in the church, seeking praise from others for our humbleness, piety, and love of Christ.

Jesus tells us there is no competition. Everyone will receive the inheritance of eternity with Him if we accept Him as our Lord and Savior. Every one of us will receive the crown of life. Jesus gives it to all who accept Him.

But that is not all we learn from the parable that ends with the verse below. We learn that we must accept all those He accepts. That can be difficult for us to do. Those of us who have lived a Christian life all our lives can find it very challenging to accept someone who receives Christ just before death. We may think it unfair.

Yet Jesus tells us He has accepted them, and we should, too. In fact, they may be placed before us! Rather than being disgruntled or sad, we are to be joyous and sing the praises of Christ for welcoming them into the kingdom. After all, when one sinner repents the angels of heaven rejoice (Luke 15:10).

Jesus does not live by the world’s rules. He lives by God’s rules. We are counseled not to live by the world’s rules, but to live by God’s rules. God’s rules are perfect. They are unchanging. They are to be our guidance throughout our lives.

I pray we all learn to live by God’s rules. I pray we give up living by the world’s rules. I pray each one of us accepts every person Christ accepts into His kingdom. Rejoice when a sinner repents. Rejoice when a soul is added to the kingdom of heaven. Sing with the angels. Obey God’s rules. Accept everyone Jesus accepts.

Matthew 20:16 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

Be a Laborer

Are you a hired laborer? Do you consider yourself a hired laborer? Have you ever worked in a field? Have you labored in the hot sun hoeing a row of beans or corn? Do you enjoy physical labor or desk labor? Do you ever think about laboring for Christ?

Whether we like to think of ourselves this way or not, we are all hired laborers. Some of us work for an hourly wage. Others work for a salary. We have been hired by a business to perform specific tasks. We may like to think more highly of ourselves, but we are just hired laborers.

On the other hand, we are also hired laborers for God. God has offered the gift of eternal life. He sent His Son to pay the price for that gift. Yet, when we accept that gift, he also desires us to work in his vineyard. He wants us to work at planting seeds. He wants us to water those seeds. He wants us to cultivate relationships and draw people to him. He wants us to harvest those people­­—bring them into the kingdom when they are ready.

Jesus tells the parable of the laborers in the vineyard so we can better understand what the kingdom of heaven is like. The kingdom is now. We are to be laborers in the kingdom now. We have been created to love him and to obey him. We are to labor out of love and obedience.

Jesus sent us into the vineyard to work when he said we are to go into the world and make disciples (Matthew 28:19). He said we are to cultivate them when he said we are to teach them what we know about Him (Matthew 28:20). No, we are not to be stagnant, lazy, nor sit around and wait for someone else to do it. We are to be a laborer for Jesus.

I pray we all realize we are to labor for Jesus. I pray we choose to go into the field before us. I pray each one of us will build relationships, speak of Jesus, and bring others into the kingdom of heaven. Be a laborer for Christ. Go make disciples. Go teach others about Jesus. Go out of love. Go out of obedience.

Matthew 20:1-2 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard.”

Privilege to Believe

What do you consider a privilege in your life? Do you consider it a privilege to be able to choose your job? Do you consider it a privilege to be able to travel? Do you consider it a privilege to vote in elections? Do you consider it a privilege to believe in Jesus Christ?

We live in a privileged society. Far too often, what is a privilege has been interpreted to be an entitlement. We are not entitled to a job but are given the privilege of seeking a job we desire. We are not entitled to vote in elections but are granted the privilege to vote.

Traveling to see wondrous sights across our country or foreign lands has become so common that some have turned them into entitlements. Sure, they know they must pay for those trips, but they still see them as entitlements. They feel they are entitled to make the money to afford to make those trips. There are places in this world where travel is restricted.

Paul tells the Philippian church they are privileged to believe in Christ. I’m willing to bet that most of us have never considered it a privilege. In fact, I suspect most of us took it to be a right of ours to believe in Him. Our country’s constitution and laws have provided it as a right to us. However, it is not the same in other countries of this world. In many, it is a crime to be a Christian rather than the national religion.

We live privileged lives. Far too often we do not recognize it as such. We complain when what was a privilege is taken away. Perhaps we should take advantage of the privilege we have to believe in Jesus. It just might be in our own best interest to share that belief with others and convince them to believe. It would certainly be in the best interest of the person who doesn’t currently believe to come to belief.

I pray we all realize that believing in Jesus is a privilege. I pray we share that privilege with others. I pray each one of us will seek to convince others to believe in Jesus. Know the difference between privilege and entitlement. Take advantage of the privilege to believe in Jesus. Seek to share that privilege with others.

Philippians 1:29-30 For he has graciously granted you the privilege not only of believing in Christ, but of suffering for him as well—since you are having the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

Worthy of the Gospel

In what manner do you live your life? Do you live to be worthy of something? Do you live to be honored by someone else or an organization? Do you live to find your ten minutes of fame? Do you work well with others or are you a lone ranger? Do you know how you should live?

Sometimes it seems we live with no real aim nor goal. Not that we are going around aimlessly. We simply seem to live to get through another day. We focus on the task in front of us and nothing else. We don’t take time to think about how we live the life we have been given.

Living in the moment is not always bad. It can be very beneficial when we are celebrating a joyous achievement. It can be good when we are focused on the birth of our child. But living in the moment should not be an everyday occurrence. If we allow that to be, we will never become the person we want to be nor who God wants us to be.

The good news of Jesus Christ is the most honorable thing we can live for. Having His story ingrained in us, both heart and mind, can be and is rewarding. Standing strong in the Spirit of Christ brings us peace. Working side by side with other Christians to spread His message is wonderful.

We may think it is too hard for us to do. We may experience fear of reprisal. But Jesus has given us a Spirit of strength and courage. As we tap into the Holy Spirit and the words of Jesus, we can spread His message. We can stand strong, without fear of reprisal. We can be courageous in the face of opposition. It simply requires us to lean on Jesus’ promises.

I pray we all trust in Jesus’ promises. I pray we stand strong in the Spirit. I pray each one of us are willing to work side by side with other Christians to spread the message of Jesus Christ. Live for Christ. Live a life worthy of Christ. Be strong in the Spirit. Work with other Christians. Spread the message of Jesus.

Philippians 1:27-28a Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or am absent and hear about you, I will know that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel, and are in no way intimidated by your opponents.

Win-Win

Have you ever been in a win-win situation? Have you had an opportunity to choose one thing or another and either one was a good choice? Did it make it hard for you to choose one over the other? Were you happy with your choice? Do you know we live in a win-win situation?

It is not often we have an opportunity to choose between two options and both are good choices. It seems like we often must choose between two not-so-good choices. We even say we are choosing the lesser of two evils. We make choices every day.

We don’t necessarily get to choose whether we live or die. We do get to choose how we live, which impacts what happens when we die. When we live for Christ, we have no doubts about what happens when we die. This is the point the Apostle Paul is making to the church in Philippi.

Whether we know it or not, acknowledge it or not, we live in eternity. Paul is implying that point in today’s passage. As we live in Christ, we are living in eternity because Christ is eternal. Sure, this physical life is not the perfect life we will experience when we pass from this world. But it can be much better and is much better when we live in Him rather than for ourselves.

Paul goes on to say that dying is gain. Why? It means moving on to the perfect life where there is no more sin, no more tears, no more sadness, no more dealing with the ugliness of this world. Therefore, though our lives can be much better living in Christ, we can look forward to the perfect life when we pass from this one.

Having this mindset on life can change our attitude, disposition, and the way we live this life. It also eliminates the fear of death. Knowing we already live in eternity; we also know dying is merely passing from an imperfect world into a perfect one. It puts us in the mindset of looking forward to the perfect life while also desiring to stay in this one for others sake, not ours.

I pray we all come to understand we live in eternity. I pray we take on the mindset of Paul. I pray each one of us look forward to the perfect life while desiring to stay in this one for others. Know you are eternal. Know this life will end. Do not fear death. Know the perfect life is in your future. Live for Christ.

Philippians 1:21 For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain.

Mysterious Ways

Have you ever experienced God providing what you needed in an unexpected way? Were you surprised when God provided exactly what you needed? Have you ever been used by God to provide for someone else in an unexpected way?

God does some amazing things in some amazing ways! I have been witness to a few of those and perhaps you have been, too. Think about a time when you saw God do something amazing. Think about a time he used you to do something extraordinary for someone else.

I remember a time when God did something amazing through the church membership several years ago. A lady came into the church one Sunday morning and told the elders she needed help paying her mortgage. Her husband had been sick and unable to work for a few months. Her job was not enough to pay the bills and they had used up their savings.

At the end of the worship service, one of the elders went before the congregation. He simply stated a member in our midst needed help. He asked the congregation to contribute what was on their hearts. He prayed. The baskets were passed. The money was counted. The collection was exactly twenty dollars more than her mortgage.

God did something amazing through his church. The members had no idea who was in need. They had no idea what the need was. They trusted God. They gave as the Holy Spirit led them. God did the accounting and computation for them. He certainly works in mysterious ways.

God also provided for the Israelites while they roamed the desert. He sent quail to them in the evening after they complained of being hungry. He sent bread to them the following morning. They continued to receive the bread for forty years. God worked in a mystery way for them and continues to work on our behalf in mysterious ways today.

I pray we all learn to trust God. I pray we go to him with our needs and stop worrying about them. I pray each one of us also take our needs to the church, the body of Christ. Trust God. Take your needs to him. Leave them with him. Stop worrying. Know that God works in mysterious ways.

Exodus 16:13 In the evening quails came up and covered the camp; and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp.

Impossible Situations

Have you been so down in the dumps you just wanted to give up? Have you faced a situation that seemed to be impossible, and you wished you could go far away? Are you in a situation like that now? Are you blaming someone else? Are you blaming God?

There may be times in our lives we feel like we are in a hopeless situation. We may be facing bills we cannot pay. We may be facing a list of overwhelming tasks with a looming deadline. A relationship may be breaking apart. Fill in the blank for a situation you have faced or are facing.

The ultimate question we face when we are in those impossible situations is, where do we turn for help? Far too often we feel as though there is nowhere to turn. That is why the situation appears to be impossible. But for us as Christians, that is not true. We can always turn to God. We may turn to him in desperation. We may turn to him in faith. We may turn to him in anguish. We may ask him why. We may ask him where he is.

We must remember that God is always there. He may not miraculously wipe away the situation. He may allow us to go through a trial by fire. He may simply give us just enough of his strength to get through it. It may be a trial to increase our faith, increase our strength, and increase our dependence on him.

God may send someone to our aid. He may remove us from the situation. Or he may perform a miracle. What we must remember is, God knows what he has planned and what comes next. Our task is to continue to trust him no matter the situation.

The Israelites complained about being hungry while wandering through the desert. God sent them bread from heaven. He didn’t miraculously transport them to the land he was going to give them. He gave them what they needed to survive the winding route they would take to it.

I pray we all trust God in all situations. I pray we turn to God when we face trials in our lives. I pray each one of us know that God is always with us, and he will provide for us. Turn to God. Trust God. Know he is always with you. Face the trial with God. Trust he will provide.

Exodus 16:13 The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the fleshpots and ate our fill of bread; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.”

Forgiveness Ultimatum

How are you at forgiveness? How easy is it for you to forgive someone who has sinned against you? Do you forgive from your heart, or is it simply lip service? Do you continue to hold a grudge long after you said or thought you had forgiven them?

Forgiving someone of a sin they committed against us is not easy. It requires us to take on the character of Jesus Christ. Many of us are unsure how to even begin. Others have no inclination to forgive. They desire to hold on to the grudge, allow it to burn them up from the inside out.

Jesus teaches us a hard truth. One that we often don’t want to hear. One that is very hard to execute in real life in some circumstances or situations. But Jesus doesn’t give us an easy out. He doesn’t say to do this unless in a certain situation. That’s what makes it so tough to comprehend and do.

Jesus gives us an ultimatum. He tells the parable of a king who wanted to settle accounts with his slaves. One of his slaves owed him a lot of money. The slave asked to be given more time. The king, in his graciousness, forgave the entire debt. Yet the slave went to a fellow slave who owed him a pittance and demanded he pay or be thrown in jail. His behavior was reported to the king who then had him tortured. Jesus says if we do not forgive as He has forgiven us, we will be in the same boat as the slave in the parable. That is no place I want to be. How about you?

I pray we all are willing to forgive as Jesus has forgiven us. I pray we graciously accept His forgiveness. I pray we pass along forgiveness to those who sin against us. Forgive to be forgiven. Forgive others. Accept forgiveness. Jesus will forgive you. Follow Jesus’ example.

Matthew 18:34-35 “And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt. So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

Unlimited Forgiveness

How often are you willing to forgive someone who does something wrong? Are you willing to forgive them over and over? Is there a point at which you will no longer forgive? How often do you need to be forgiven for doing the same wrong again and again?

Forgiving someone who does something wrong over and over is an extreme challenge. We want to say to them, “Hey, grow up! Stop doing that!” However, we know that won’t really work. It doesn’t work with us either. Just because we are told to stop doesn’t mean we will.

Forgiving the same thing multiple times just doesn’t sit well with us. If someone borrows money and continues to fail to repay is hard to forgive. Someone who borrows a shirt and never returns it, then borrows another one is difficult to forgive. Someone who borrows tools and never returns them or returns them months later is hard to forgive.

Peter asked Jesus how many times he was to forgive. He thought he was being generous by offering to forgive seven times. Jesus point blank told Peter that was not enough. Depending on the translation you read or how the Greek is translated, Jesus either says seventy-seven times or seventy times seven. In either case, Jesus meant it to have no defined number. He meant we are to forgive each and every time.

Forgiving someone every time they sin against us is extremely challenging. How can we do that? The first thing we must understand, not just intellectually but deep in our heart, is that nothing in this world is eternal. We are the only ones who are eternal beings. Everything else will go away. It is temporary. In relation to the eternal, all of this world is meaningless. When we understand that, we can truly forgive each and every time.

I pray we all learn to forgive all wrongs. I pray we realize nothing in this world is eternal. I pray each one of us will forgive our brother and sister as many times as needed for our own sakes. Forgive as Jesus forgives. Forgive every time. Forgive all wrongs. Be like Jesus. Know you have eternity.

Matthew 18:21-22 Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.”