Grumble, Complain! B & M! (Whatever Else You Want To Call It)

Grumble & complain. B & M. I'm sure there are many other letters or words that you could use to say the same thing. If we are honest, most of us do this. A lot! I know that I sure do. Especially at work, when things do not go my way (or the way that I think that they should go).

Philippians 2:14 English Standard Version

14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing,

Anytime something happens at work that I don't agree with in my mind, I am the first to start complaining about it. I have been doing this so much lately that I fear that I am becoming known as the "complaining guy". I don't want to be known this way. I try to follow the above verse but darn it, it sure is hard. When things happen in my department, I keep thinking who do they think that they are doing this too? Don't they know how things work here? I almost take it personal, which of course is not true! It's just the way that things work out sometimes. Just because it is not the way that I like it, or do it, doesn't mean that it is wrong.

Colossians 3:23 Amplified Bible

23 Whatever you do [whatever your task may be], work from the soul [that is, put in your very best effort], as [something done] for the Lord and not for men,

I feel that every time I complain about something, it goes against God. I am not showing Jesus to people when I am complaining all the time. He has me at my job for a reason and complaining about it is not it.

Don't get me wrong. There are some things that you can complain about that are a real complaint. I just pray that God gives me discernment to tell the difference. If you complain about everything, nobody will take you serious when you have a actual real complaint.

James 1:19 Amplified Bible

19 Understand this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Let everyone be quick to hear [be a careful, thoughtful listener], slow to speak [a speaker of carefully chosen words and], slow to anger [patient, reflective, forgiving];

I work in the S&R dept. at my job. We have daily calendars with appointment times for the pick ups and deliveries. Some days I only have two or three trucks scheduled. Others I have eight to ten trucks. Those are the days that get my grumbling and complaining.

I have a day like that coming up next week. I decided that I am not going to say a word. Just take the day as it comes. Jesus always helps me out, why would He not on this day. Before I left for the day on Friday, one of the deliveries for that busy day had already been moved to a different day. See, Jesus is already at work. Before we even get to that day, He's intervening on my behalf. Love that about Him!!

So I urge you. If something is getting you annoyed and you start to grumble and complain about it. Give it Jesus. It has taken me awhile to get to this point (even though I knew to do so). He will help you out. Just be patient while waiting. He is never late. His timing is always right on!

Running The Race.

 Covid 19/Corona virus. Mask wearing. Social distancing. Hand washing. Wiping everything down with sanitizer wipes. No large social gatherings. Businesses closed. Churches & schools closed. Almost everything shut down. This is the course that we have been set on for the last year, plus. People are getting tired, fed up with it all. Ready to hang it up, drop back and punt if you will. This is not the way that we thought that the last year would go.

Isaiah 40:31 New Living Translation

31 But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

I think that is what The Lord has been doing during this last year. Wanting people to put more trust in Him. Place our trust where it matters most and He will renew our strength for the next obstacle of our race, which have been many this past year.

People keep saying "What about all the trouble that this pandemic caused?" I lost my job, business, etc. etc.

John 16:33 New International Version

33  In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Jesus never promised us a trouble free life. 2020 proved that. But we can take heart, Jesus has overcome the world. With His help we can overcome anything.

So it seems right now that we are on the right track. Vaccine seems to be working. More and more things are opening up and letting people in. Slowly, possibly getting back to normal....ish. So if we keep our eyes focused on Jesus and what He can do for us. Not what the government says that they can do. We will be much better off.

So I urge you today to keep pressing forward. It may seem bleak for some, but remember, Jesus overcame the world, so can we!

Mirrors!

I turned onto a street this morning on my way to work. I was headed West and the angle of my mirrors and the angle that the sun was shining, it reflected off of all three of them and light up the inside of the car. The reflection nearly blinded me as well. I actually had to flip my rear view mirror up like I was driving at night with a car behind me. That is how bright the sun was reflecting off of it. So naturally I started thinking, (I know it can be dangerous) about "wow, I want to shine this bright for Jesus!" I want people when they look at me, to see the love light that is Jesus reflecting off of me, just like these mirrors! Just like the mirrors made the sun shine very brightly in the car, I want The Son to shine very brightly on us! So much so that when people look at us, they notice something different about us. We have a light or a glow about us.

Matthew 5:16 The Message

14-16 “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

We are not to hide the Light that Jesus has placed in us. We are to be at the top of a hill, shining brightly for all to see. We are to be pointing people to Jesus, The Son. The ultimate light source!

So how exactly do we shine the light of Jesus to those around us? Glad that you asked.

Watch what you say: 

James 3:8 Amplified Bible

8 But no one can tame the human tongue; it is a restless evil [undisciplined, unstable], full of deadly poison.

What kind of entertainment are you letting enter your eyes and ears? My wife and I have a saying around here "garbage in, garbage out!" Be careful of what you consume, entertainment wise!

How are you using social media? Are you using it for good? Or are you starting arguments and strife? People are watching us. To see what and how we post. Are we honoring God with what we put out there??

Finally, think of others needs. Lift up and not tear down. Encourage each other.

Luke 6:31 New Living Translation

31 Do to others as you would like them to do to you

So let me encourage you today to let your light shine bright for all to see. Let The Son shine in you and through you. Let it be so bright that people will have to adjust their mirrors!

God bless!

You Are Not Alone.

 Let's be honest. How many of us feel lonely or alone these days? Stuck at home, unable to go places or see people. This virus is sure weighing on people. If you are able to go out, you have to wear a mask, so you still don't really see people like you used to. You feel like you are the only one going through this. You feel invisible. Nobody notices you anymore. With the mask and all the restrictions, you just kind of fade into the background!

Well have I got good news for you. You are not alone. Jesus is right there with you. Sitting beside you. Standing beside you. Holding your hand, comforting you.

Deuteronomy 31:8 Amplified Bible

8 It is the Lord who goes before you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or abandon you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”

The Lord will not leave you. That promise is true. People will abandon you all the time, The Lord never will. 

Matthew 28:20 Amplified Bible

20  I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually—regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age.”

Psalm 118:8-16 The Message

8 Far better to take refuge in God than trust in people; Far better to take refuge in God than trust in celebrities.

There is a song out by Zach Williams called "There Was Jesus" It's a song about Jesus always being there. No matter what happens.

Every time I tried to make it on my own, and instead fell flat on my face - there was Jesus.

When the life that I built comes crashing to the ground - there was Jesus.

No matter what kind of pain you have gone through. Loss of a loved one. Divorce, bankruptcy, anything - there was Jesus.

Through fires or floods - there was Jesus.

I think that you get the point. No matter what low point you have been at, or the highest point you have been. Jesus has been with you, every step of the way! Even when you didn't know it.

I pray that as we continue through our lives, that we feel Jesus warm embrace more than ever before. Telling us not to worry. He is with us.

Cost of Love.

Valentines day is just around the corner. Millions of people will spend millions of dollars on chocolate, flowers, cards, food just to show their significant other that they love them. Our human version of love and what we think that we need to spend to show it.

God has different ways to show us His love and the cost.

John 3:16 New Living Translation

16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

God loves us so much and cares for us so much. It only cost Him His Son. Can you imagine God calling you and saying "Keven, we need you to sacrifice your daughter for the greater good of the world." I would be like, "umm, I don't think so." I'm not willing to pay that price. That cost is too high. But that is what God did for us. He gave His only Son. For us. So that we could have eternal life.

John 15:13 Amplified Bible

13 No one has greater love [nor stronger commitment] than to lay down his own life for his friends.

How many of you are willing to lay down your life for your friends? I may not have died physically, but I have absorbed some of the punishment that was meant for my friends. Things that they really would have gotten in trouble for. I ran interference for them. Deflected some of the blame to myself. Even though I didn't really have anything to do with it. I loved my friends and didn't want to see them get in trouble. So by loving our friends, it may cost us our lives! Is that a price you are willing to pay?

So no matter how much we think that we need to spend to show our love to each other. Consider what God has done for us, in showing us His love.

John 13:34 New Living Translation

34 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.

So let's walk this out. Let's love each other just as Jesus has loved us. No better example of love to follow.

1 Corinthians 13:13 Amplified Bible

13 And now there remain: faith [abiding trust in God and His promises], hope [confident expectation of eternal salvation], love [unselfish love for others growing out of God’s love for me], these three [the choicest graces]; but the greatest of these is love.

Love and God Bless!

What Team Do You Choose??

 

It seems like everyday there is a new attack on Christianity. Keep putting us down for our belief in Jesus. Keep mocking us, knocking us for our faith. No matter how much they slander us or persecute us, I'll pick team Jesus! Every time! Why you may be asking yourself. Well, what better team to be on. He is my King, Savior, coach, manager. What ever you want to call Him, He is in charge. Best part is? I'm already in His lineup. I'm not penciled in, He has me written in the palm of His hand.

Isaiah 49:16 New Living Translation

16 See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands.

So what better team to be on than someone who knew you before you were even born?

Jeremiah 1:5 New Living Translation

5 “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb.

Every coach or manager that I have ever played for has taught me life lessons along with teaching me more about the game and how to play it. What can I say about Jesus and what what kind of life lessons He has taught me.

The pages of The Bible are full of His lessons for us. How to live our lives in such a way, that will please Him and bring glory to His name!

John 10:10 Amplified Bible

10 I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].

Jeremiah 29:11 New Living Translation

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

You see. This is the kind of team that I want to be a part of. Abundant life. Prosper, hope, future!

Unlike the other team, The Enemy. He has different plans for us. They are not good plans either! He wants to tear us down. Cause us to sin and distance ourselves from God.

John 10:10 New Living Translation

10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy.

John 8:44 New Living Translation

44 For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Murder, lies, evil. Not the kind of team that I want to be a part of.

Jesus is Life and Love. Satan is death and destruction.

Which team will you choose??

    

    

Faith Over Fear.

After unloading a truck at work the other day, I took the drivers paperwork out to him. He got out of the truck and greeted me. He  knows that I am a pastor, so he asked me if we could say a prayer for his brother who has stage 4 colon cancer. I told him I can absolutely do that for him and his brother. So we prayed right there beside his truck in the dock. When finished he said to me that I was not afraid to pray anywhere at anytime. He really appreciated the prayer for his brother and the told me that we need to have more faith over fear. His statement has resonated with me ever since that day. I see it on t-shirts, posters, bumper stickers and even on pop sockets. Faith over Fear.

I started thinking about what if we really lived it out instead of just having it printed on material things. How many times in the Bible does Jesus tell us to fear not? A lot of times.

Exodus 14:13 New Living Translation

13 But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. 

So  many people are afraid today. Afraid of what the future holds. What tomorrow brings. It's understandable. We want to know what is going to happen, what's coming next. Listen to what Moses is saying though. Stand still and watch. The Lord will rescue you. All we have to do is just stand still. How many of  us find that hard to do? This is where faith comes in. Believe in what The Lord will do. He is always acting on our behalf!

Hebrews 11:1 New Living Translation

11:1 Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.

So no matter what comes against us. What makes us worried or afraid, God is with us & for us! He is our protector. People may try to mock you and make fun of you for your faith. But stay strong in The Lord.

Isaiah 54:17 Amplified Bible

17 “No weapon that is formed against you will succeed;

And every tongue that rises against you in judgment you will condemn.

This [peace, righteousness, security, and triumph over opposition] is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And this is their vindication from Me,” says the Lord.

So lets put into practice having faith, not fear. God is in control. We just have to let Him do His thing. 

Romans 8:31 New Living Translation

31 What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?

Amen!