Here a Grumble - There a Grumble!

After listening to several messages this weekend about being thankful to God it was interesting the scriptures that were shared and how much they apply to us today. I'm so glad that scripture is TIMELESS!

After God had delivered the Israelites from Egyptian slavery - it took only three days later for them to begin grumbling and complaining all over again. We probably grumble and complain about many things much more than we'd like to admit. Perhaps if we spent more days praising and being THANKFUL to God for who He is and what He does - we would spend less days grumbling.

Exodus 14:29-31

29 But the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. 30 That day the LORD saved Israel from the hands of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the shore. 31 And when the Israelites saw the great power the LORD displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD and put their trust in Him and in Moses His servant.

Exodus 15:22-24

22 Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert of Shur. For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water. 23 When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. (That is why the place is called Marah.) 24 So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, "What are we to drink?" [emphasis mine]

How often in our lives do we stand in AWE of the miracles that God performs daily on our behalf - and then five minutes later we complain about a simple provision that we KNOW He can and will provide?

Perhaps we need to take a little advice from Paul as he wrote to the church of the Colossians all about being thankful:

• Colossians 1:3 [Thanksgiving through PRAYER]

3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you...

• Colossians 2:6 [the overflow of thankfulness]

6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

• Colossians 3:12-17

12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. [emphasis mine]

Thank you for your inspiration from scripture, Pastor Jeff Conley and Dr. David Anderson.

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie