From Complaining to Cooperation

Having a slight touch of autism means that I work hard to interpret the behavior of others. If someone is complaining, are they in trouble, or crying for help, or thinking they deserve better, or just having a bad day? However, the Word of God has been helping me understand many things, not from a human perspective (we tend to make excuses for everything) but seeing it from God’s perspective. This is what He says about complaining:

Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, (Philippians 2:14–15)

For a Christian, complaining is not a godly behavior but a blemish. It essentially is denying the wisdom of God in the affairs of my life and blatantly saying that He does not know what He is doing, or not doing the right thing, and He does not care about my comfort.

The Word of God is clear: that is not the right attitude to have. It is shutting my eyes and heart to God’s love and wisdom, and not understanding His will. He allows all things that He can use for good, meaning the ‘good’ of being transformed into the image of His Son. If I need correction, He gives it. If I complain about it instead of cooperating with it, I stay the same and miss the point.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. (Romans 8:28–29)

God’s priority is transformation. Complaining misses it. Cooperation brings me into a joyful place of “I get it” and changes my reaction to the stuff that I once belly-ached about. 

This is like the disciple of a parent with a far greater reason behind it than wanting me to learn how to grow up: “For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.” (Hebrews 12:10)

After seeing God’s purpose for me and how He can use even hardship and tough situations to change my life, then the following verses (and many more) become my focus and my joy:

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. (Psalm 84:11)
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (Psalm 23:6)
He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:32)
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:11)

As the reading for today says, grumbling is evidence of little faith in the gracious providence of God in all the affairs of my life. Complaining reveals that I do not believe in God’s promises. Complaining dishonors God. It belittles his sovereignty, wisdom and goodness. It also thinks I know more about what is good for me than He does.

In other words, if my faith is strong, I will not grumble. Instead, I will remember that God is always good, not just when life feels good. And if I want to shine as a light in this world, then I must not let complaining obscure God’s gracious, all-controlling providence. Instead, I am learning to be thankful and obey Him in all ways so that His glory shines rather than be marred by my selfish pride. A passion for the goodness and wisdom of God is a passion to grumble no more.

PRAY: Lord, thank You for opening my heart to this reality that You are my Lord. You are good to me and are saving me and transforming me. You actually rejoice over me with gladness as You quiet me by Your love. You even exult over me with loud singing (Zephaniah 3:17). Whatever can I complain about when I am given the wonder of Your goodness and love!

A Restoration Plan

 

If a church, or an individual believer’s life has fallen into disarray, the NT tells those who are walking faithfully with the Lord to call on Him and do their part to make things right:

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:1–2)

This is no easy task. Those who are spiritual cannot be judgmental or critical of those who are caught up in sin, not other persons and not even an entire church. All are tempted at times and all are vulnerable, but how can anyone restore them? Noticing the need is one thing; repairing it is the challenge, and sadly, it is easier to gossip rather than show mercy.

In reading Nehemiah today, I recall sermons where this man’s actions are similar to the battle to restore broken lives, even broken congregations. The Lord uses this to show steps that can be taken to repair small or large needs.

First, Nehemiah confessed his own sins and the sins of his people. This is vital. Then he asked God to hear his prayer and grant him success and mercy as he went for permission to do something about the damage that existed.

O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father’s house have sinned. We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments. . . . (You said) “but if you return to me. . . . I will gather them and bring them to the place that I have chosen. . . .” O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servants. . . . and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy. . . . (Nehemiah 1:5–11)

When he asked the king about doing this, he was granted not only to have a look but whatever he needed to do the job. But he didn’t tell anyone until he saw for himself the dire need. In other words, he didn’t listen to any talk or gossip until he had first-hand knowledge. A wise choice. Only after seeing it for himself did he speak to the leaders and others what the Lord had put on his heart. They responded and said, “Let us rise up and build.” So they strengthened their hands for the good work." (Nehemiah 2:18)

Enlisting support was only one step. Nehemiah explained what needed to be done and how to do it, encouraging them with, “Our God will fight for us.” He gave them the plan and they went to work, each taking care of the part of the task that related to who they were and where they lived. I look at that plan and see that this leader recognized their gifts and desires and put them to work where their hearts would give them the most desire to fix the problem.

Nehemiah also realized that opposition would come, so had a plan for that too. He told the people that this would be hard work, just as Jesus tells me that serving Him in any capacity would involve sacrifice:

And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. (Mark 8:34)

At the same time, he also encouraged them, as Jesus encourages me, with:

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)

PRAY: Lord, You have put something on my heart too, a plan that could involve restoration of that which has fallen into disrepair. However, as with Nehemiah, the first step is prayer, including confession of sin (mine and others) and worship of all that You have done. This step includes keeping quiet until You grant the go-ahead, or perhaps say this is not for me. I wait on direction from You.

Glad to be a slave…

 

I’m troubled if a sermon or in conversation with other Christians I hear the idea that ‘I’m working for God’ or that ‘I need to please God' or earn His favor. Sometimes I don’t understand what troubles me about that kind of thinking, but today’s devotional reading makes it clear that I am not in a wage-earning relationship with God. I cannot do certain things to please Him for He has no need for anything. Piper quotes these verses then adds a chart to clarify (sorry if the chart doesn't line up well):

For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:20–23)

Sin’s slavery                                New “Slavery”
slave master is sin (20)                slave master is God (22)
free from righteousness (20)        free from sin (22)
benefit? none (21)                          fruit? sanctification (22)
the final end? death (21)               the final end? eternal life (22)
the master pays wages (23)        the master gives gifts (23)
the wage is death (23)                the gift is eternal life (23)

This clearly says that I am not supposed to relate to God as a wage earner, but as a gift receiver. My “slave role” is not about working for wages, or to gain something for myself, but walking submissively where the gifts are, which means walking by faith and receiving what God gives me. This is part of what this passage is saying:

(God) said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9–10)

Being powerless in my old life is the prerequisite to living in the power of Christ. Part of that powerless state is giving up self-effort which is sin and relying on God’s gift of the Holy Spirit and His power. 

Sin and self-effort do not bear spiritual fruit. Instead, sin demands works and pays wages, but the wages are self-glorifying, such as popularity, power, finances, prestige, even feeling good. However, a slave of God is gifted freely with eternal life, a new way of thinking, even the mind of Christ and communication with my Creator, answered prayer, assurance of His love… and a long list of undeserved, unearned blessings.

Piper says, “Beware of a wage relation to God. There is no such thing.” He is right, the master in a spiritual wage relations is always sin, and sin gives me nothing permanent. Even the selfish glory does not last. Besides, sin produces heartache and even disasters in the long run. Nothing of eternal value and mostly “I wish I hadn’t done it” sorrow in my heart. The ‘death’ is separation from God, never loving fellowship or a sense of purpose in life. No wonder God says:

Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. (Romans 6:13)

PRAY: Jesus, sometimes the reality of what You have done for me is like a gift wrapped in gold, a renewal of that initial joy that came as a startling wonder. My heart sings. I’m so glad that You gifted me to be your slave!

In all my need, Jesus

Yesterday was moving day. We are weary and face a mountain-sized to-do list to sort and settle. This morning, the Lord gave me a simple yet profound Word to start the day with great joy. It began with praise for all that Jesus has done:

“As we look at the life of Christ and listen to His words, we can hear God saying, “I am rest for the weary…” With that, the Spirit led me to verses that verify that truth, then the remaining italicized truths from the reading:

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28–30)

I am peace for the storm-tossed;

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. (John 14:27)

I am strength for the powerless;

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

I am wisdom for the foolish… righteousness for the sinful;

And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, (1 Corinthians 1:30)

I am all that the neediest soul on earth can want;

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)

I am exceeding abundantly beyond all you can ask or think,

But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”— (1 Corinthians 2:9)

of blessing and help and care.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 1:3)

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. (Romans 8:26)

For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. (Hebrews 2:18)

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:6–7)

PRAY: Jesus, what is left for me to say except praise to You and great gratitude. Your timing also, for this is what I need to remember this busy day!.

Whatever the need, God is enough…

The night before last, I slept nine hours and woke filled with energy. Even so, I prayed for the Lord’s strength for the day and finished well, praising Him. Last night, I didn’t sleep well. The tasks of moving and fitting furniture in new spaces kept running through my head. I woke tired and wanted to go back to sleep, but those tasks will not get done all by themselves.

Again, I’m praying for God’s strength, yet realize I need an attitude fix. Does having His energy only happen when I’m well rested? Or is it more than that? Can being well rested mean I’m working in my own strength? This fatigue may be one of God’s teaching moments, and for me, a big lesson in how He works. First He invites me…

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28–30)

These speak of two words for burden or labor. One is about a heavy load — like boxes of books or dishes, and those big bins of fabric. The other is those light boxes — but they are few and still require a trip up a flight of stairs.

It would be nice if a few friends with muscles and time to spare dropped by to help. That would be a welcome illustration of His easy yoke. But is the application of this invitation not so much the ease in the physical stress of moving, but the feeling of being overwhelmed with so much to do?

I recall the story of the child who would not sit down in the back seat of the family car. After much effort, mom got the child to sit but he said, “I’m still standing up on the inside.” This opens my understanding. Could I go through the motions of not complaining with words, yet still be “whining on the inside” as I do what is difficult? These words from Jesus are an answer…

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:4–5)

The fruit He is talking about is fruit that only His Spirit can produce. Even if I am not verbal with my inner attitude, when I am not abiding in Christ I cannot be bearing His fruit either. It must come from the heart, the inner person of the Holy Spirit.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22–23)

While producing fruit drains energy from the tree, this fruit comes from a Source whose energy and power have no end. The branch may become fatigued, but again, rest is also promised. You provide rest for my soul — my mind, will, and emotions even as my body is tired.

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)

PRAY: Lord, again I pray for a Spirit-filled day, not based so much on this need for bodily or emotional energy, but more based on my desire to glorify You and to demonstrate, as You allow it, that You are always God — who is enough.

Later: As soon as these words were recorded and prayed over, that tiredness vanished. Again, God is always enough.

 

God is glorified when He takes care of needs

 

As today’s devotional says, praying for daily bread in my situation is not as necessary as praying for self-control so I don’t overeat. Yet I agree that when Jesus says to ask: “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11) He is not talking about food only. This prayer acknowledges that God provides all daily necessities. My husband sets a good example by thanking God for another day, air to breathe and many things easily taken for granted.

Some people treat God as a genie in a bottle, a power to meet their needs without thinking that the purpose of prayer is to glorify God. Jesus says:

Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. (John 14:13–14)

Jesus did speak of daily necessities as well. In the time and place He lived, this was a common concern, just as it is in various parts of the world today. He said,

Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:31–33)

For those who are not anxious about food and clothes, the promises of answered prayer still hold. Right after this one about necessities, Jesus said, “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:34)

This strikes home. This morning I’ve the following anxieties: a quilt for some special people but the design has me stumped. How can I fix it so it looks good and is the right size? Income tax time is looming and I cannot find the receipt for church donations; it seems to have vanished? An organization I belong to recently changed their policies and all their officials have no job descriptions — I have been given the responsibility to see that this happens. Then there are dozens of prayer requests plus the ones listed in a couple of prayer apps on my phone, plus the stuff from this morning’s newspaper. Future plans aside; today’s troubles are already enough!

Yet this morning’s time of worship included that song, “Count your blessings” so I did a short version and realize that this thankful part of prayer glorifies God; He has answered prayer in so many ways. In the past few weeks, we have not had any wants for anything, and to ice that cake, we’ve also seen growth in our church (it is bursting at the seams), healing for a man who was dying, baptisms, new believers, prodigals return to their faith in God, and a host of smaller things, like Him using mistakes for good and remarkable ‘coincidences’ that bring praise to our hearts and lips.

Lord Jesus, may trusting You for everything never become a selfish demand that You to do what I want, or me treating You as a “celestial vending machine” rather than Almighty God to whom I also pray, “Thy will be done.” As our son’s wife recently said, “God knows best” and Your decisions are not only wise, but loving. You take care of us so well. May I always pray in faith like the wise person who said:

Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?” or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God. (Proverbs 30:8–9)

You tell me that You will take care of me, but You also say not to lay up treasure on earth or pray for things that glorify myself and not You. Forgive all sinful selfishness in my prayers and enable me to instead pray so that You are glorified!

CHECK OUT: Matthew 6:19–34 and James 4:3.