Philippians 2:14-16
14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.
Moan
Some days I find myself feeling like a complete failure. I easily slip into an old pattern of moan, groan, gripe, and complain. MGGC is the acronym. This is oh so evident in the world today. My mamma always said, “You don’t like in others what you don’t like in yourself!” Lord, have mercy!
Groan
What consequences have I and those I love endured as a direct result of my own moan, groan, gripe, and complain? This condition often has been the precursor to what I call Garden Syndrome: “nobody loves me everybody hates me, going to the garden to eat worms.” To be clear, all this MGGC leads to depression and self destructive behaviors!
Gripe
I have been participating in a Community Bible Study on the journey to the Promised Land (Red Sea to the Jordan River). This is a year long study of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. As I read these books over and over I see myself as an Israelite and not in a good way! These “stiff necked” people (Exodus 32:9, 33:3,5, 34:9, Deuteronomy 9:6,13) cannot remember God’s goodness or correction even twenty four hours!!! (Numbers 16:41) God blesses, answers prayers, hears their cries, comes to the rescue and the very next verse they have a huge case of moan, groan, gripe, and complain. The result? God is furious!!! The consequences are swift and thorough. He annihilates the complainers. In forty years he removes EVERYONE under the age of 20! At times, He swallows up the complainers and tells everyone else, “don’t even mourn their loss.” (Numbers 16). Actually, complaining is considered an abomination……ugh!!!!! (
Complain
God the Father cannot abide thanklessness or the fruit of it: MGGC. His patience has a limit. The limit is my lack of appreciation for the gift that bought my salvation and adoption. I wonder if I am limiting my Promised Land (a return to the Garden and fellowship with God and man) experience by what is proceeding out of my mouth that finds its origin in my own heart? (Matthew 12:34, 15:18, Luke 6:45) Would He treat me differently from the Israelites? Questions like these require an honest assessment of myself in light of Scripture.
Today, I know I am an adopted member of the Jewish race: the chosen people. (Ephesians 1:5) My adoption paid for by the sacrifice of Christ and I am a full fledged member of the body of Christ, the church. (I Corinthians 12:27) This behavior, when I moan, groan, gripe, and complain regardless of the reason, brings dishonor to both my nation and my family. It slanders the name of Christ and it is a thankless heart on full display before God’s creation. And the enemy smiles………… No wonder God is angry.
Mercy Please
God the Father desires to dwell with us! But we limit His Presence by what is coming out of our mouths. I cannot judge others for this when I am oh so guilty myself: I have modeled it for years! Father, forgive me, I pray. As an individual and as a nation may we become ever mindful of this grievous sin. This is not innocuous! It is poison from the pit of hell: discontent, a thankless heart, selfishness on display, and a repeat of Eden’s sin that cast us out into the wilderness. Only thou art God and only YOU know our hearts for what they truly are: desperately wicked. (Jeremiah 17:9-10) Only ONE can sit on the throne of our hearts. May we choose wisely. Lord, I choose YOU! May the rest of my life be characterized by gratitude and trust in Your divine Sovereignty. Father, I want my prayers be more like King David’s and less of a Christmas want list of healing, health, prosperity, and bless MY plan. May my prayers honor You, Lord.
Jewish Daily Prayer
“Blessed are You, Lord my God, King of the universe
Whose strength and power fill the world
Who clothes my nakedness
Who gives pleasant fruit to smell
Who is mindful of me a mere grasshopper
Who knew me before I was even in my mother’s womb
Who guides me in each decision I bring to Him
Who made everything in my sight and out of my range of vision
Who gives water to drink and food to eat both physically and spiritually
Who brought godly people into my life wherever I have gone
Who provides safety by placing angels before me behind me, beside me, above me
Who fights my battles for me if only I will be still, be quiet and see the salvation of the Lord
Who weeps when I weep and laughs when I laugh
Whose spirit lives within me to teach me, pray for me, and show me the way
Who wrote His Word for me to read over and over again
Who provides a BODY to be a part of so I have His entire body to carry me.”
(from excerpts in Sitting at the feet of Jesus by Ann Spangler and Lois Tverberg
This is how Jesus prayed.
Hear Us from Heaven (VEVO)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-GTJ3i2xtw
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