To praise and pray but not grumble!

 Please click this link for the video version of today's blog :

 https://youtu.be/siJbMpkyDMY?si=e2ecwPhhIv4N_MAt

 Key passages: 

      So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What are we to drink?” Then Moses cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the water, and the water became fit to drink.There the Lord issued a ruling and instruction for them and put them to the test. 26 He said, “If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.” Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there near the water.        Exodus 15: 24-27

      The Israelites ate manna forty years, until they came to a land that was settled; they ate manna until they reached the border of Canaan.           Exodus 16: 35

The topic I received today from Jesus is: To praise and pray but not grumble!

Now, after a big miracle for nearly two million Israelites, God gave them a small test whether they really trusted His servant Moses. And, the result was that they complained and grumbled against Moses.

It was not even like a "mid-term" examination, not even a test but a quiz! How merciful God is as He had a "fast fix" for the first quiz. Like a good coach, God knew the limits of His athletes so that bitter water became sweet and later they came to twelve springs and seventy palm trees in the middle of a desert! 

But wait, here in this chapter is recorded the "First grumble" of the Israelites. Then, starting from Chapter 16 we are going to read the word repeatedly "Grumbling"!  In Chapter 15, one time, then Chapter 16, 8 times! 

If you are the Israelites and what you could eat is only manna for 40 years, would you grumble? God says, "I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions." Could they come to the Promised Land and settled faster, say a year, two years...? I think yes, but they grumbled and grumbled and did not learn  to trust in the Lord, they needed forty years! 

We are always unsettled and insecure. That is why people like to grumble. We need to trust that only God can lead us to the "Promised Land" to settle. 

The more grumbling, the less chance for us to pass the test! Stop grumbling and praising daily! Stop grumbling to other people, especially to God's servants. As Moses said, you might be grumbling to God and you don't know! Start appreciating and encouraging others more!

Dear Lord Jesus,

You are worthy of our praise! Teach us to praise you whenever we can and never grumble.  In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Reflect on these questions:     

1. What inspiration have you received from today's catch and what have you heard from Jesus now?

      

    2.  What is your next step to be more closer to Jesus, to be holy - that is to do what Jesus wants you to do and not to do what Jesus wants you not to do?

    

    Family Corner:

   Find an opportunity to share with your family the importance of today's message. 

    

    Time with Abba (Psalm 18:37-50, Exodus 15:19-17:7; Matthew 22:1-33; Proverbs 6:20-26)

    Please click this link for today's Time with Abba one year Bible four passages: http://twa.pastoralcareschool.org/

     Let's have a time to be still and give the Holy Spirit space to speak through the passage we have just read. Offer this time to Jesus as you listen to Him.    

   For the Chinese version of this daily blog and video, please click this link (中文版請按此連結):

    https://timewithabbaprayinglisteningchinese.blogspot.com

     

     To know, learn and practice the method of Time with Abba, please click this link:http://twa.pastoralcareschool.org/

     If you would like to follow my "Subject shifting Devotion Method" from the "Time with Abba, Praising Singing", you are welcome to follow the direction below and then go back to the top of this blog to read today's key passage and my listening and sharing:

        Silence

1.   Put on your “brakes” and stop for a moment of silence

      2.   Wait for God. Breathe deep for God's peace and feel His presence. Exhale your worries.

     Praise and Thanksgiving

1.   Think through your day, all the times that made you smile

2.   Thank God for all those moments, and for all those people

3.   Sing a song to praise the Lord

      

Confession and Repentance (Subjective Shifting Devotion Method) 

https://bishopsilas.blogspot.com/2009/08/count-down-5-subject-shifting-devotion.html

1.  Pray for the Holy Spirit to shine on you that you are able to discover your sins and be willing to repent:

     “Dear Holy Spirit, shine your light into the places of darkness in my life. Show me my sins, everything that blocks me from encountering God and having Jesus as my Lord. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”

2.  Through the Holy Spirit, examine yourself for a short silence and then pray:

     "Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for dying on the cross for our sins and being victorious over death and sin. I confess my sins to you(pause, to tell Jesus what the Holy Spirit has shown you). Forgive my sins by your blood and help me follow you. Holy Spirit, fill me that I may be able to receive your gifts to love God and His people. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen."

3.  John Stott's daily prayer of Christlikeness (Christopher J.H. Wright, Cultivating the fruit of the Spirit. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2017, 13)

(Please click this link to see how God used John Stott to change my life:https://bishopsilas.blogspot.com/2009/07/

           "Heavenly Father, I pray that this day I may live in your presence and please you more and more.

             Lord Jesus, I pray that this day I may take up my cross and follow you.

             Holy Spirit, I pray that this day you will fill me with yourself and cause your fruit to ripen in my life: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."

 My first blog "Devotion on Fire"  was written in English only  (July 17, 2009年7月17日至November 22, 2012年11月22日). Each day one chapter of Bible, from New Testament and then Old Testament. Completed in four months and three years:

http://bishopsilas.blogspot.com/2009/07/blessings-from-rev-dr-john-stott.html

My second blog "Discipler 123"  was written in both Chinese and English (March 6,2011to December 31, 2016 ):

https://discipler123.blogspot.com/2011/02/day-1-choose-light-away-from-darkness.html

and "Time with Abba" blog and video (January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2024): 

https://discipler123.blogspot.com/2017/01/1-2017.html