STOP COMPLAINING, START PRAISING!

STOP COMPLAINING, TRY PRAISING!

1 Corinthians 10:10-......"nor let us complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come."

Philippians 2:14-15-"Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you."

In today's opening Scriptures, the Apostle Paul is warning the people (and US) by reminding them of what happened to the Israelites when they were grumbling and complaining against the Lord-and instructing us on how we should be living. We would be wise to take heed!

We as humans, have a tendency to whine and whimper over nearly everything! Someone cuts us off in traffic-or even in the middle of a sentence; we complain! The line is too long in the grocery store; we complain! We had a rough day at work or in school; we complain! Someone forgot our birthday; we complain! It's taking too long for God to answer our prayers; we complain!

We don't realize how much power our words contain! We don't realize that we can literally bring LIFE or DEATH upon us by the words we speak! (Proverbs 18:21) My friends, when we are speaking negatively (complaining) we are coming into agreement with Satan; thus choosing death! But when we are speaking positively (encouraging) we are coming into agreement with God; thus choosing life! What we think on is what we will start to believe-and what we believe, we will eventually speak! (Proverbs 23:7)  THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT, & BEWARE OF WHAT YOU ALLOW TO COME OUT OF YOUR MOUTH!

We have to learn that even when life isn't going our way, God is still God! He has a purpose for all things, we just have to trust Him.. And I mean TRULY TRUST HIM! We complain so much at times and don't even realize that God could be protecting us from harm! Think of all of those on 9/11 who were late for work because of a traffic jam, or being stopped by a ringing phone as they were on their way out the door, etc.! Their 'being late' saved their lives!

Instead of complaining when your plans don't go exactly as you planned, trying praising God instead! Yes, instead of complaining, try praising! Besides, allowing yourself to get all upset and frazzled, is not going to change a thing! Well.....that's not exactly true! It will change your bad situation......, into an even worse one! But praising God in the midst of your difficulties, will confuse the devil and bring honor and glory to the Lord! And while focusing on GOD, your problems will seem so much smaller in comparison!

(Deuteronomy 1:2-4)-"Normally it takes only ELEVEN DAYS to travel from Mount Sinai to Kadesh-barnea, going by way of Mount Seir. But FORTY YEARS after the Israelites left Egypt, on the first day of the eleventh month, Moses addressed the people of Israel, telling them everything the Lord had commanded him to say.

(Read also Deuteronomy 8:2-5 & the book of Numbers)

(Numbers 11:1-4)-"Soon the people began to complain about their hardship, and the Lord heard everything they said. Then the Lord’s anger blazed against them, and he sent a fire to rage among them, and he destroyed some of the people in the outskirts of the camp.

Did you get that?! An ELEVEN "DAYS" journey, took them FORTY "YEARS" because of their grumbling and complaining! The more the Lord proved Himself faithful, through many signs and miracles, the more they still doubted Him! They witnessed Him part the Red Sea to make a way for them to get through to safety, for goodness' sake! But before you judge them, check yourself! We are not much different! So let us praise Him NOW.... Not when the storm is over! We are going to praise Him BEFORE the storm arrives! We are going to trust Him and watch Him show Himself faithful yet again!

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