STOP COMPLAINING AND GO PRAY

Ten minutes' praying is better than a year's murmuring. –Spurgeon

Philippians 2:14, “Do all things without murmurings and disputings:”

I have a challenge for us today. See how long we can go without complaining about anything. Be thankful for the home we have, for the clothes we have, for the country we live in, for the freedoms we have, for the spouse we are married to, for the children God gave us, for the food we will eat today, and most especially for the salvation that has been provided for us in the Lord Jesus! The list goes on and on. If you have ever worked with someone that all they do is complain then it will become very evident how unthankful we can be.

In Romans 1:21, we see the beginning of the fall of a person that does not glorify and thank God. “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” Read the progression through verse 31 to see how a heart falls when we don’t glorify and thank God for whom He is and what He has done!

Stop complaining and go pray this morning! It will be the beginning of a wonderful habit you will not be able to live without!

STILL COMPLAINING

Constant complaint is the poorest sort of pay for all the comforts we enjoy. –Franklin  

Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. 1 Corinthians 10:10

            After the Children of Israel had fled the grips of Pharaoh in Egypt they started complaining about everything. They got to the Red Sea and said, “Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.?” Despite all the complaining the Lord provided safe dry passage across the Red Sea.

            Did they stay faithful to Him and follow His Word? Fast forward to when Moses sent the 12 spies to check out the Land God had given them. Ten of them came back complaining, they said “Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there.” When we get our eyes off of the God of the circumstances and on the circumstances themselves that is when we moan and complain. Not thanking the Lord for what He has done and what He is doing in our lives.

            I was wondering this morning, if God was to write a summary of my life would it be like that of the Children of Israel? Would it be a lot of complaining and not enough praising? Would it be a life of disobedience or obedience?

            Are we still complaining about things God has brought us to? Instead of complaining, shouldn’t we praise Him a little more today and a whole lot more tomorrow?

WHAT’S ALL THE COMPLAINING ABOUT?

            Constant complaint is the poorest sort of pay for all the comforts we enjoy. -Franklin

Proverbs 27:20, Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.

            What good does it do when we constantly complain about the things we cannot change? Why do we constantly complain about current events when we haven’t done anything to change the situation? Why do we complain when we could pray? Prayer changes things! Prayer changes you and I! Prayer is what is needed during these days. So, why not invest some time in your prayer closet, beside your old rock altar, getting alone with the One who can change the things you are going through today! Stop complaining and get to communing with the Lord!

WHAT’S TO COMPLAIN ABOUT?

The Christian life that is joyless is a discredit to God and a disgrace to itself. –Babcock

            But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:4-7

            There are so many that find fault in everything in life. Their long ride to work, the length of time in the drive thru, the car they drive, their own spouse, their spoiled children, even the church they worship at. Yet, they do nothing to improve any area they whine and complain about. They just complain and make it miserable for everyone.

            Get up this Sunday morning understanding, if you’re saved, your sins have been washed away, you’ve been redeemed by the precious blood of the lamb, and you’re on your way to Heaven. Understand that many, if not all, of your problems are your own fault and can be avoided! A little work will get you the money for a new car. A little love, compassion, and sacrifice can change your spouse’s heart. A little responsibility will not kill your child. A little sacrificial investment in your church will improve the whole church.

GET UP, GET READY, and GO TO CHURCH! Your own joy depends on it!

WHY DO YOU DOUBT?

The very word murmur, how simple it is, made up to two infantile sounds- mur mur. No sense in it, no wit in it, no thought in it.  It is the cry rather of a brute than of a man. Murmur-just a double groan. – Spurgeon

Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves. John 6:43

Jesus was explaining to the Jews who He was yet they didn’t believe. They went even further, they murmured amongst themselves against Him. They tried to explain Him away,

They said He was just another boy: “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph…”

They said He was not the Son of God: “… whose father and mother we know?”

They said he was not sent from Heaven: “… how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven?”

    When you hear about what the Bible says who Jesus is, what do you think? Do you doubt He is who He says He is? Do you doubt He is the Son of God? Do you doubt He was sent from Heaven? Your response will determine where you will spend eternity. Are you prepared to live or perish with your response?

EXCUSES, EXCUSES WE HEAR THEM EVERY DAY!

         Just suppose the Lord should take away the child whom the parents use as an excuse for staying away from church…

         A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. Luke 14:16-20

          What keeps you out of church? No, I’m not talking about the occasional miss for health, vacation, or work. I am talking about the one who claims to be a Christian yet they miss worshipping with their church family week after week. I am talking about the one that misses Sunday School and the mid-week services. I am talking about the one that misses fellowships and outings. What keeps you out of church?

            What if whatever that was, was taken from you? What if God took your property from you because you have placed it before Him? What if God took your wealth because you have made it your god? What if the Lord was to take one of your family members because you made them a god? Just for a simple reminder today consider with me the first commandment: Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Exodus 20:3