“Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked generation, in which you shine like stars in a universe” - Phil 2:14-15 (NIV)
There was a church that was never short of bickering. It seemed complaining was its gifting. The members would complain of the way the Pastor dressed and his lack of getting deep into the word of God. Many times they ignored God’s simple message for their benefit as they worried and complained of things far removed from their lives. With this spirit the church hardly grew.
There was another church. Its members were always joyously given to praise. The doors of the church were always wide open looking for whom to witness. The church was not introverted dwelling on its problems. It was always looking out whom to bless and it grew leaps and bounds.
Sometimes we believers tend to miss out on God’s blessing when complaining instead of witnessing becomes a habit. Other than listening and learning from God we shrink into our little selves and become professional complainers. Yet to grow in faith we should move from being complainers to witnesses. The witnesses worry more of what God is doing in their lives and how they can reveal the true work of God in enabling them serve Him better. The complainers are concerned more about their pride. Where do you want to be!
Prayer for today: Lord Father in heaven, today I pray that I live my faith as a witness and not a complainer!
Related upcoming events
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28/04/2024 - 29/04/2024 All day"The Lord is my shepherd!" (Psalm 23:1)
Psalm 23 of David is perhaps one of the best prayers ever written, with nuggets and inspirations, of benefit to us since and
ever before. “The LORD is my shepherd, “David begins.” I lack nothing” (vv 1). What is it that you lack? In his life David had started out as a shepherd, and he knew very well, that a shepherd’s job is to watch over his sheep, feed and water them, and since the Lord is our shepherd, we his sheep shall lack nothing.Verse 2 -3 says, “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.” This exactly what a good shepherd does; he takes his sheep to the best fodder, ensuring that his sheep are well fed and rested. When the sheep are restless the good shepherd is troubled. Our God desires and is pleased when we are at peace.
Sometimes we may all find ourselves going through a storm. In Verse 4- 5, David says, "Even though I walk through the darkest valley I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” The Christian life is not without difficulties, but here David points us to God as our comforter and deliverer. We always have the staff of prayer to lean on.
In Verse 5, he writes, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” In his tumultuous life, David had to battle with many enemies, ranging from King Saul, to foreigners and members of his own family. He knew a lot about betrayal. And, we too, may face enemies no less, from those that oppose us in our workplace for their ambition’s sake, to those who are not pleased because of the Gospel we preach. Yet here, just as David, we are assured that victory is on our side- this is why our cup overflows.
“Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever” (vv 6). The one who walks with God has a fresh smile ever, for God is with him. The blessings of God are with him wherever he goes.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham,
maker of heaven and earth, as David prayed in Psalm 23, may I not be troubled, for you are my shepherd ever watching over me and your goodness goes ahead of me!
