We have an audio of it today! I MIGHT try to do this more often if you guys like it 🙂

Respond:

These verses are pretty convicting… I pray that You remind me of them constantly. Holy Spirit come and conform me to Christ’s image. Use these verses to change my attitude when it does not match what You call us to do. I pray that I can listen when You remind me, no matter how grumbly I am!

Rejoice:

There’s two here today 🙂

Read:

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.”[c] 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.

Wow…. “everything.” That’s a lot of things… Let’s just act like these verses aren’t here. :p I feel these are pretty transparent (unfortunately) and are likely NOT how you (and me) are currently living. It is almost a social norm to complain about things, specifically weather. In Michigan the fact that it is snowing currently on April 17 is a standard conversation piece. We complain. That is a part of our conversations. However, Scripture calls us to be different. Scripture calls us to be a part of culture, but still carry Kingdom culture. Be thankful for the craziness, do not grumble!

For what benefit? Verse 15 says “so that you may become blameless and pure.” This is a part of the sanctification process, another area to be trusting God in. In this we are conformed to Christ’s image, seeking God’s way instead of our natural tendency.  Furthermore it says that we will “shine among them like stars in the sky.” It always goes back to the Gospel. Of course sanctification is important. Our experience of God and changing into Christ’s image is vital for a flourishing, fulfilling life. However, the main goal is to shine in darkness. To stand out in a way that draws others to our “peculiarity.”

I wonder, how inclined to change are you? Are you actually embracing the Truth that is shared with us in Scripture? Are you actually meditating on these Words and making adjustments where your life doesn’t reflect what is written? If not, you’re wasting precious moments. You could be experiencing incredible freedom and growth in Christ but instead have held tightly to what YOU think is better.  The song “Defender” says “Hallelujah You have saved me, it’s so much better Your way. Hallelujah Great Defender, it’s so much better Your way!” I wonder if you actually trust that, or if you’re still trusting the liar that is your flesh. You’ve been with him/her so long, you have to break it’s hold. Through the Spirit you can experience a life that is miraculously better than you could ever imagine/manufacture.  Strip yourself of the handicap that is trusting your flesh. Begin making active change to shift your actions and thoughts. Yield to the Word above your flesh. This is my plea: Trust God, not self.

Respond:

Lord break the trust I have in my flesh. Break me from yielding to myself rather than You. Break me from putting my own preferences/thoughts above what You have said is true. Help me make You my Lord, not just a friend. Help me to yield to You, hearing You speak and obeying!!

Relate:

Try to use situations where others are grumbling to bring out the positive aspects of the situation. Instead of complaining about the snow encourage others that it’s a blessing we have such beautiful weather and aren’t dealing with major tornadoes and other disasters. Use the situations that you would naturally respond negatively to lead someone to ask you why you’re different. Try it out, be different. 🙂