August 20, 2010

  • Christian, don't waste your life whining

    Christian, today is the first day of the rest of your life . . .

    are you going to spend it . . .

    in complaining or celebrating?

    in fretfulness of thankfulness?

    in annoyance or exuberance?

    in anxiousness or adoration?

    in murmuring or magnifying?

    in grumbling or gladness?

    in bellyaching or elation?

    in agitation or jubilation?

    in irritation or exaltation?

    in discontent or delight?

    in griping or glorifying?

    in ranting or rejoicing?

    in whining or worship?


    Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
    Philippians 4:4 

    Do all things without murmurings and disputings.
    Philippians 2:14 

    In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
    Quench not the Spirit.
    I Thessalonians 5:18-19


    Have you thought such a rejoicing and thankful spirit was impossible for     you?

    Well, yes, it is impossible for you, for me, for any of us, and yet . . .

    With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26b).

    Have you considered that the Lord Jesus Christ was sent into the world for our joy?

    Luke 2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

    Isaiah 61:1  The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; 2  To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; 3  To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.


    Have you considered that the Holy Spirit was sent into your soul for your joy?

    Colossians 1:9  For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10  That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11  Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness...

    Philippians 2:12  Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13  For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. 14  Do all things without murmurings and disputings...

    Have you ever considered that part of the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to work in you a rejoicing and thankful spirit?
    Have you ever considered that it is God's will to work in you a rejoicing and thankful spirit?
    Have you ever considered that it is God's good pleasure to work in you a rejoicing and thankful spirit?

    Have you ever asked the Lord to work in you a rejoicing and thankful spirit through His Holy Spirit?

    Psalm 86:4 Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.

    Have you ever considered that the gift of joy in Jesus Christ is given to us for God's glorification?

    Isaiah 61:1  The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; 2  To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; 3  To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.


    Have you ever considered that the Holy Spirit was sent into your soul not only for your joy but also for the joy of the nations?

    Have you ever considered that the gift of joy in Jesus Christ is given to us so we might be a witness to the nations of the world for the glory of God?

    Philippians 2:12  Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13  For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. 14  Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 15  That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; 16  Holding forth the word of life...

    Have you ever considered that the gift of joy in Jesus Christ is a stewardship?

    Have you ever considered that when we fail to exhibit a rejoicing and thankful spirit we are no longer holding forth the word of life?
    Have you ever considered that when we fail to exhibit a rejoicing and thankful spirit we are at cross purposes with God's plan for His glory?
    Have you ever considered that when we fail to exhibit a rejoicing and thankful spirit we are quenching God's Holy Spirit?

    Christian, don't waste your life whining!
    Christian, don't waste His life whining!

    * * *

    Lord God, we confess by our first birth in Adam we are all prone to be a grumbling and murmuring people. But we are now in Jesus Christ through the second birth. We are new creations through Your Holy Spirit. Help us to be resting, resting in the joy of what Thou art. Lead us so we might find out the greatness of Thy loving heart! May we know the breadth and length and depth and height of Your love for us in Jesus Christ which surpasses knowledge. O, Lord God, You are our exceeding Joy, there is no one like You. You are our perfect and all-sufficient portion. Forgive us when we try to find our joy in created things rather than You, our Creator. There is no joy greater than You. You are our Joy. Our exceeding Joy! You are good! You are so good to us! To You alone we lift up our souls. Sanctify us by Your Word and Your Holy Spirit so we may not waste our lives whining! Work in us so we might be the worshipful, rejoicing and thankful people You desire. Rejoice and gladden our souls today and always for Your glory, for the sake of Your Name and for the joy of the nations.

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naphtali_deer

About me...

Christian hedonist in training. Pressing on to know more and more of the joy of the LORD. Pleading with God to rend the heavens and revive and refresh my own soul, as well as His Church, to His praise, honor and glory.

Thank God. He can make men and women in middle life sing again with a joy that has been chastened by a memory of their past failures. ~ Alan Redpath

My other websites

tent of meeting: Prayer for reformation & revival

(See also Zechariah821. Zechariah821 is a mirror site of tent of meeting, found on WordPress)

deerlifetrumpet: Encouragement for those seeking reformation & revival in the Church

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