No Grumbling Or Arguing!

Philippians 2:14-16; No grumbling; nor arguing so that you might shine like stars on the day of Jesus the Christ.

Shine Like A Star

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.  (Philippians 2:14-16 NIV)

Most people (maybe all) end up grumbling about something or arguing with someone at one time or another. But, as children of God we are to make every attempt to stay away from these things. They will drag us down and into situations that are detrimental to our spiritual and physical health. 

When we find ourselves being pulled into these warped and crooked lifestyles we ought to do all that we can to turn away from them and to the way that Jesus would have us go. Turn to the Word for wisdom and strength. We are to immerse ourselves in the word of God found in the Holy Scriptures so that we might have guidance and peace. We will shine like stars among the darkness brought into this world by grumbling and  arguing as we hold firmly to the word of life.

May God keep us in the Word so that we might be recognized as His children on the day of Jesus the Christ. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Strangers Welcome At Your Table?

 

And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Luke 15:2

I grew up in an area steeped in the Finnish-American culture. Finns like to feed people. One never went for coffee anywhere without having the table heaped with goodies, if not a full meal. My mother was an awesome hostess. She was a great cook. She often invited friends and strangers into our home. She and my dad would meet strangers as they wandered the countryside. She would invite them to come and visit. When they came, she would welcome them like they were royalty.

Whenever I travel, I try to find a place to worship; a house of God where my brothers and sisters in Christ will welcome me as well as all strangers. There is usually a multitude of choices. Maybe because of the culture I grew up in, I am acutely aware of whether or not I am really welcome to eat at the Lord's Table. Many congregations do not provide this meal to nourish the traveler or stranger. Others make it painfully obvious that strangers are not welcome at "their" Lord's table. They appear to be afraid that our sins are too great to allow us to partake of the food which will nourish our souls. They would keep us from the very Body of Christ that was given for the forgiveness of our sins and for our salvation.

May God help us to welcome both neighbor and stranger to receive the good gifts that God has provided us in His Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Fake News

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. Philippians 2:24-26 NIV

I read and sometimes even watch a little news every morning. Lately, the amount I subject myself to has become very, very little. The grumbling and arguing of the pundits and the people has become more than a bit much. Fake news has hit an all time high. Fake news being fabricated stories; lies and slander. Do we really have time for all of the dissension and division that goes with it?

We live in a warped and crooked generation. I suppose there are many reasons for this negativity. Mainly; though, I believe, it comes from one's desire to advance their own personal agendas.

It is not just the media who advances the grumbling and negativity for the benefit of their personal self-serving agendas.  Many others, politicians, movie stars, athletes, even Christians, participate in this negativity. But, it does not have to be. It can change. The world does not have to so terribly steeped in dissension. There are an awful lot of Christians in the world (including politicians, movie stars, professional athletes) and if we would but hold firmly to the word of life and share that word; the light of Christ will shine throughout the world. The light will shine and the darkness will disappear from around us. The "stars" of this world are not the shining lights that can guide anyone on the path of life. Only the light of Christ can do that.

Do not get caught in the trap of grumbling or arguing or gossiping about everything little thing according to your own will. Focus on God's word and His will. Hold firmly to the word of life that his light might shine forth through you, so that the world may see the truth, who is Jesus the Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. I first published this blog on January 17, 2017 on this "Live Life" blog site. I believe it is worth considering once again. The "fake news" hasn't seemed to slow down. And, please, please, please, be a little discerning as to how much information from  conspiracy theorists you ought to believe!