" COMPLAINING / MUTTERING "

Greetings To You All,

It's me again how are you doing this fine day in the Lord? This weeks
message touches on something that we all have been caught up in from one time
or another. " COMPLAIN " (1) to express grief, pain, or discontent (2)
to make a formal accusation.

Consider this, if all that people know about the church is that it's members constantly
argue, complain, and gossip, they get a false impression of Christ and the gospel. Belief in
Christ should unite all those who trust in him. Now, if the local body (Church you attend)
is always complaining and arguing, it lacks the unifying power of Jesus Christ. Stop arguing
with other Christians or complaining about people and conditions within the church and let
the world see Christ.

Why can't we be like David and resolve to keep our tongue's from sin; he decided not to
complain to other people but take his complaints directly to God. We all have complaints
about our work, money, or situations, but complaining to others may make them think that
God cannot take care of us. It may also look as if we blame God for our troubles. Instead,
we should take our complaints directly to God. When pressure (stress) comes your way,
resist the temptation to make a quick escape. Instead, focus on God's power and wisdom
to help you deal with the cause of your stress. Some of our problems can be solved by
careful thought or by rearranging our priorities. Some can be solved by discussion and wise
counsel. But some problems can be solved only by prayer. We should make a determined effort to pray when we feel like complaining, because complaining only raises our
level of stress. " PRAYER QUIETS OUR THOUGHTS AND EMOTIONS AND PREPARES US TO LISTEN ".

A negative attitude can only cause us to rebel even more and will bring about even greater trouble. Complaining brings nothing positive to a situation.
How many times have you gotten through a circumstance in your life unscathed, but you
continue to complain? Are you aware that complaining can cause the normal to deteriorate?
When we are continuously complaining we are on the path of letting go of God and making our
own way through life. After watching how God has moved in your lives are you still complaining when found in a very stressful predicament. Are you still making yourself and
others crazy with your complaining? Why is it that we don't take the time to reflect on our
last dilemma? You know what I'm referring to, the one when you made all sorts of promises
to God...Lord if you get me out of this or that, then I'll______.
After watching God's powerful hand deliver us from whatever situation we were in, why do we
complain. Listen, by focusing on God's faithfulness in the past we can face any crisis in the future with confidence rather than with fear and complaining.

Until Next Time...

Jim