Reading:
1 Peter 5

What the devil is up to today:

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (8).

What I am up to today?

“Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world” (9).

What God is up to today!

“But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you” (10).

Unless I remember — continually, consciously — life consists of far more than I can see, I frequently will be lunchmeat for the roaring lion. And not only I, but also those for whom I am responsible — primarily my wife and children and, as patriarch, grandchildren.

Let me also remember — continually, consciously — to live by God’s grace. May I put behind me my careless, self-sufficient, ego-centric ways of dealing with life.

[The Scriptures say in 1 Peter 5:1 -- A partaker of the glory that shall be revealed]
from 1 Peter 5:1

Reading:
Numbers 11:1-15

Complaining has shown up on the menu for Sunday School this coming Sunday.

The ancient Israelites provide the historical point of reference here in Numbers 11.

“And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and his anger was kindled…” (1).

What a complaining bunch God’s people proved themselves to be way back then!

And God wants me to learn from their example. So I’ve come up with five questions to personalize the matter of complaining:

  1. Is my discouragement any different before God than their complaining?
  2. “And the LORD heard it” — to what extent does that matter to me?
  3. How have I grown weary and dissatisfied with any of God’s provision for me?
  4. “I am not able to bear all this…alone” — what’s the solution?
  5. What did I do this past week to overcome my complaining spirit?

Will murmuring and complaining show up on my life menu today?

May I be delivered from chronic complaining. In fact, may I turn away from all complaining!

[The Scriptures say in Numbers 11:6 -- There is nothing at all, beside this manna]
from Numbers 11:6