Grumbling, Complaining ... never a good thing!

Imagine living with the Israelites and being in Moses shoes having to lead them out of Egypt and slavery to the promised land. No wonder Moses was frustrated and literally wanted to die.  He was fed up with God's people.  God was also getting pretty angry with them too but kept His "cool - sort of) and we see Him disciplining His "kids" a number of times in their wanderings ... a journey that should have taken only a few short months to do.

Imagine having to put up with people grumbling, complaining and rebelling all the time.  This happened over and over again.  This type of "cancer" even spread to Aaron and Miriam as they began to question Moses' position and authority resulting in Miriam being punished and becoming leprous for 7 days and forced to live outside the camp.

Moses even grumbled (under his breath) when He didn't follow God's instruction for providing water and angrily stuck the rock.  This act of disobedience was punished by God not letting him enter the promised land!

Later when Moses sends out 12 spies to check out the land, 10 of them bring back a report saying that the people are too big and we could never beat them and take their land.  But Caleb and Joshua had a different report ... with God on our side there was no problem entering into the land of promise.  The people believed the majority and they grumbled and complained again about their situation and they end up paying for their mistake.  They get to wander around for 40 years until everyone under the age of 20 dies off and they never stepped foot into the promised land. Only Caleb and Joshua and the young folk would get to enter.

Grumbling and complaining do not allow you to receive God's blessing.  He hates this type of attitude from his children.  It shows that you don't trust Him and that you have a rebellious heart.

So what should we do and what characteristics or attitudes should we be incorporating into our lives to please God?  Paul could have been a grumbler and complainer based on the situations he found himself in but he wasn't because he wanted to be like Christ.  He gives the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi and us some great practical instruction.  If you have the time, I would encourage you to read the entire book of Philippians slowly.  Here are a just a few things that counteract grumbling, complaining, and a rebellious heart.

1. Rejoice in the Lord, be anxious for nothing, pray about everything with thanksgiving, ... Philippians 4: 4-9






2. Learn to be content  in whatever circumstances you are in (like Paul was)  Philippians 4:11



3. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus ... He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on the cross. Phillipians 2:2-13



4. Do all things without grumbling and disputing. Philippians 2:14


Paul says "practice these things" (Philippians 4:9).
This is excellent advice for shepherds who want to be good examples to their flocks who are watching and following and learning from them.

So ... don't be a grumbler and complainer as the consequences are terrible!  Be like Paul and Christ Jesus.  The reward is out of this world.

Lessons from Adam and Eve's Mistakes

I am hoping that as we do the The Story we can extract a few lessons and principles and truths that will help us all grow spiritually and become great leaders and disciple makers together. Here are few (of the potentially many) that I will share from this week's lesson.
Remember Who is in control.
In the beginning ...God.  He created everything.  He created you and I.  He loves us so much and knows the plans that He has for us.  He knows everything about You and knows the influence you will have on others. If we choose well and obey Him and trust Him he will direct our paths because He wants you to live a blessed life ... a life that others will want to have too.  If we sin there are consequences but we don't have to remain in sin.  We can be thankful that we know the end of the story and that we have a redeemer who is Jesus Christ, who is able to forgive all our sins and who cleanses us from all unrighteousness.

Remember to Walk and Talk with Him Before Adam and Eve committed the original sin in the garden, God came down to have fellowship with His kids daily.  He loved to talk with them, play with them, listen to them, teach them.  Everyday God would set aside time to have "quality" time with His kids.  Someday this kind of relationship with God will be perfectly restored.  In the meantime, we should still take time to spend time with Him each and every day.  By His Holy Spirit and as we read His Word, He speaks to us very plainly.  We can rest in Him and simply listen to His voice as His Holy Spirit speaks to our spirit.  As sheep of our Shepherd (Jesus), we will know His voice.  And of course we can talk to Him the same way that you and I can talk with one another.  We can be honest with Him and tell Him anything.  He hears our prayers.  He listens. He understands.  And as required and at just the right time He acts, He answers, He makes things happen on our behalf so that He can receive all the glory as He works things out.  Spend time daily with Him!
Remember we all mess up and make mistakes Some of you remember PBPGIFWMY (Please Be Patient God Isn't Finished With Me Yet). That is so true!  Don't be like Adam and Eve and Cain ... blaming someone else for their mistake or sin or bad attitude.  We need to be honest, be genuine, be humble, be willing to confess our sin, say we are sorry and make things right when necessary. Let's not hide and be ashamed and become hypocrites (pretending to be someone we are not).  We can be washed clean and continually seek to become like Him.  O To Be Like Thee!
Don't Take "Short Cuts"  As you lead make sure you take enough time to prepare for the weekly study and don't leave it to the last minute.  Spend time with Him.  Pray.  Study to show yourself approved.  And then let Him have control over what happens in your small group as you let Him take the lead..  You do your part and He will do His part in your life and the lives of others. Pray for those who are in your group, pray for one another (leaders) and if time permits, pray for me.