Whiners or Workers?

“Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that you may become
blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved
generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out
the word of life” (Philippians 2:14-16).

J.B. Philipps translates this verse: “Do all you have to do without
grumbling or arguing.” Don’t be a whiner. Kim and I went to the library
years ago and found a video entitled “Wendy the Whiner.” We showed it to our
oldest and every time she felt like whining we would remind her of the cloud
that came from Wendy’s mouth when she whined.

It is not fair to ask others to do something that you and I would not do by
ourself. If it is leading a family, a Sunday School class, a youth group, a
group of deacons, a small group, or in any situation or group, the one who
leads will lead out front without grumbling. This is not to show off or to
pour on guilt, but it is to grow oneself for the glory of God personally and
socially.

It has been said that most of the significant things done in the world were
done by persons who were either too busy or too sick. There are few ideal
and leisurely settings for the disciplines of growth. Unity and harmony in
the home and the church home is paramount to the glory of God!

Similar Posts

  • Gallup-Poll Faith

    “Unless the LORD of hosts had left to us a very small remnant, we would have become like Sodom, we would have been made like Gomorrah” (Isaiah 1:9).

    God works with a remnant of people who believe. Isaiah speaks of a remnant of real believers among the many with a Gallup-Poll faith. A Gallup-poll faith is a faith that is wishy-washy. It’s the total amount of people who say but do not behave. Their living contradicts their position.

    It takes the grace of God to preserve a trusting remnant among those who identify outwardly with Him. The remnant is not a super-spiritual elite looking down on others, but they do dare to live by faith in God. The rest are careful not to risk too much on Him. The difference does show.

    Jonathan Edwards describes a true Christian:

    “As he has more holy boldness, so he has less self-confidence…As he is more sure than others of deliverance from hell, so he has a greater sense that he deserves it. He is less apt than others to be shaken in faith, but more apt than others to be moved by solemn warnings, God’s frowns and calamities of others. He has the firmest comfort, but the softest heart; richer than others, but poorest of all in spirit. He is the tallest and strongest saint, but the least and tenderest child among them.”

    That beauty marks God’s true people.

  • We Have a Message to Tell

    “And I looked and, lo, a Lamb stood on Mount Zion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads” (Revelation 14:1).

    In the previous verse the Bible speaks of a beast and his number is 666 — man pretending to be God.  Unless the people of that day (and I believe it to be soon) repent, they will take the seal of the beast which will enable them to settle down in the world to buy and to sale.  Therefore they will accept the seal of the beast which will be their doom.

    Though the man of sin will stand out in that future day he will not stand too long.  John sees the Lord Jesus Christ standing at the Temple Mount in the city of Jerusalem at a time in the future.  And alongside of the Lord Jesus and His return will stand those who have the mark of the Lord in their foreheads.  The Lord is saying, “These are Mine. Hands off!” These are My 144,000.”  Throughout these years of tribulation, they will be witnessing and testifying boldly about the Lord Jesus in the integrity of the Lord.

    You and I are not to take up the lifestyle of today.  These that are sealed are saved, sealed, and spotless men and women, those to whom lived for Christ in their generation.  These are those who will have an impact on their times.  You and I are to live with impact.  During these days of lies, deception, immorality, and violence we are to be truth-filled disciples; during our short days on earth we are to live the same.  If our mouths are filled with lies, if our lives are lacking in morality and integrity, then no one will listen to what we have to say about the gospel or the Lord Jesus.

    “Father, thank you for the seriousness of this chapter.  You have mapped out a plan that will ultimately bring glory to Your name, and we realize we must fit in Your plan.  May we bear the message and the fruits of repentance and godliness.  We commit our lives to You, in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.“

  • Silencing the Voice of God

    “And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea: for it is written by the prophet…” (Matthew 2:4-6).

     

    Religion and flesh silences the voice of God in the soul of man. The chief priests and the scribes knew of the prophecy, birth, and location of where it would all take place, the birth of Christ, but to them God’s Word made little impact, condemning them instead of commemorating them. The signs of the Sent One were all around but not within.

     

    Herod was ANGERED by the possibility of another King intruding into his kingdom (though he imagined it was his). The KingMakers traveled many months and miles, surrendering much money to greet Him, to ADORE Him, and to gift Him.

     

    The religious leaders were APATHETIC. They pointed but did not pursue. They spoke but did not seek. They fantasized but did not find. Speed-reading may be good for other books but not for God’s Word.

     

    Christmas should warn us that hearing and reading Scripture is not good enough! It’s in the doing of what we know which counts. It’s easy to know what is happening, to know what we should be doing, and then to shut down and say, “That’s good enough”. No, the blessing is in doing, not just in knowing.

     

    Families are lost, churches are powerless, and nations are defeated because of apathy. Head belief and heart trust can be lost in the transmission of Christmas like no other season of the year. If we seek Him with our hearts we shall find Him. Religion is bread for daily use, not cake for special occasions

  • It’s Coming

    “…that no place was found for them; and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth” (Daniel 2:35).

    The times of the Gentiles are filling up. Satan’s kingdom is coming to a halt and God’s kingdom is before us. Daniel interpreted the dream of the first worldwide King and all should stand notified. The crumbling foundation built on sinking sand is about to topple.

    Does it seem long to you that the coming of Christ’s kingdom is patiently awaiting the day of the King of kings? Friend be reminded that soon and very soon the downfall of Satan’s kingdom is coming down like a stack of playing cards blown in the win. All of the kingdoms of this world will become God’s kingdom through Christ.

    No pride will be found in Christ’s kingdom. There will be no carnality, no show offs, no arrogance, supremely, nor idolatry. There will be no irritations, no harsh thoughts, no disobedience, no more government ruled by men, for God will rule through His perfect Man the Lord Jesus Christ.

    Are we ready? Has the kingdom of God been ruling in our hearts? The whole earth is filling up with the reign and the rule of the King. Even so come Lord Jesus. In the hard time may You find us faithful.

  • Revival

    “Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence” (Isaiah 64:1).

    Too many people are tired and worn out. They are so tired, with all of the new gadgets and technology, one would think life would be easier, but the gadgets only add to our tiredness.

    How did some of our great-grandparents do it? How did they do so much with so little and we do so little with so much? How did they bring up their children in the things of God and we just watch our children grow up?

    Is it because we are trusting in our own lives rather than the One who gives it? I pray that all of us would examine our prayer lives. How are we doing? Are we truly praying? When you and I climb to the Summit it is costly business. The bitter cold, raging winds, rarified atmosphere, the blinding blizzards, engulfing avalanches of snow and rock will try to beat us down from the climb. But it is worth it!

    God said that He would look down and come down if we invite Him. The things that wear us out are the things that are keeping us from Him and Him from us. Life on the highest plane is found as we pray, for it is the Upward Way as we press onward and upward. “Comfyness” is a sign of desertion from God.

    Someone has said that “the kingdom of God will be brought in by Christians who, when last seen, were heading toward the summit.” How true! Yes, and how thrilling! Have we allowed “iniquities to separate between us and our God?” True obedience is staying in the upward direction in prayer. It is the sign of a soul that is climbing the Summit with God.

  • Our Sin and His Grace

    “My little children, these things write I unto you, that you sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (I John 2:1).

    If you and I walk in the light we have victory over sin. We are to be open, honest, sincere and the light of God shows us where we are and what we are. It is unfortunate today that churches and Bible classes have been invaded with insincere people.

    To walk in the light means to be honest with God, with ourselves, and with others. When we immediately sin we are to confess it to God and claim His forgiveness. And if our sin injures another person or persons, we need to ask forgiveness too.

    A congregation was singing, “For You I Am Praying” and one turned to a man and asked “For whom are you praying?” The man was stunned and answered, “Nobody, why do you ask?” The man answered and said, “Well I heard you singing ‘For You I am Praying’ and I thought you meant it.” “Oh, no, said the man. I’m just singing.”

    Pious words, pious talk! A religion of words! Instead of being doers of the Word we are more talkers of the Word. We must walk what we talk. Language and life must go together.