Consistent Living
by Suzanne Benner
Why is consistent living hard for you? Talk to a mentor. http://christianwomentoday.com/chat/askus.html
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3)
“Do everything without complaining or arguing” (Philippians 2:14)
Do nothing. Do everything.
Paul is talking about our attitudes and our motives, as well as our actions. With all inclusive language, he calls us to consistent living.
As believers in Jesus, our attitudes and actions should not depend on the situation. We are not called to be kind in some circumstances and harsh in others. We are not urged to be humble with one group of people and proud with another.
There is an underlying principle that governs our behavior. It is found in the same chapter of Philippians and throughout the New Testament. “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5)
In another place Paul says, “Follow my example, as I follow that example of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1)
Our attitudes are to be the attitudes of Jesus. Our actions are to be the actions of Jesus.
Thus, with Jesus as our guide, we are called to live our lives thoughtfully and consistently.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Test your motives. Are you helping someone because it will make you look good? Is your desire for money, fame or power the guiding factor in your decision making?
Do everything without complaining or arguing. Test your actions. Did you do the job assigned, but complain about how you always get the dirty work? Did you argue with your spouse about who should do the chores, how you use money, what to do with your leisure time?
Do nothing. Do everything.
In our own strength it is impossible to live consistently, but by the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us we can begin live as Jesus did.
~Heavenly Father, I want to be like Jesus. Help me to test my motivation before I do anything, so that I will do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Give me the strength and patience to do everything without complaining or arguing.
Questions: When is it most challenging for you to do everything without complaining or arguing? How do we keep from being overwhelmed by the call to consistent living?
About the Author: http://thelife.com/experience/devotionalforwomen/authors/suzanne-benner/
32 Responses to “Consistent Living”
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Rosey, Please pray that I find my thinking brain as well. The spelling and word choice on last email was terrible. Because of bursitis in my hips, sometimes I take Tylenol PM so I can sleep better. But it takes me a long time to wake up in the morning. Thus, no exercise or Bible study.
Rosalie, I to long for my longer quiet time. I use to be so disciplined. First my bible study went to make time for more exercise in the morning before work and not I can find excused not to exercise.
I was so good for around 3 years. Pray for me that I find time for my exercise, and for my bible study in the morning. I will pray for you as well. I could do my Bible study in the afternoon after I get home from work. That will work.
LORD HELP TO TO ALWAYS PUT OTHERS FIRST
i thank God for the lives of every individual who reads or contributes in this block
this is a very touching and thought provoking message
it has humbled me. and i must say i agree with lots of u this morning. as much as i wish and desire to be consistent, i often fail. but i can’nt do it with my strenght but his. i pray oh Lord, that u grant me the grace to be consistent in my christian living. amen
i’m not able to recieve my devotions on a daily bases,so i’m not able to contribute timely
Pattie, I echo your thoughts. Thank you for them. Linda r. thank you for that beautiful song. Songs minister to me as well as do sermons and devitionals. This was a very thought provoking devotional today as Margaret said in her post. Rosey,welcome to this wonderful group. It is one that you can be your self and know you won’t be put down for anything. Everyone is so helpful and will pray for any need anyone has. The Holy Spirit is so faithful to listen to us and lift the ones up that we pray for.
Abba Father, I lift up anyone who has a need tonight and ask you to comfort them and let them feel your presence. You are so faithful and always on time, never late nor too early with your answer for us. I know sometimes , it is wait and we must be patient which is a hard trait that we humans have. Blessings on you and on all on this blog. Love In Christ our Savior, Amen
what a good prayer in this devotional. this world operates on a different system, where we have to prove ourselves, and it is a constant struggle for many Christians, to be aware of our own hearts. Lord, have mercy on me, and my sisters here. Help us to be aware of our hearts, and to make sure that our hearts are clean and pure before You. God, help us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Ladies, It is like opening a precious gift when I come back to the blog and find your responses. How I wish I could have you all over for supper and we could all sit and talk in my kitchen, how fun that would be. I have prayed for Romel today and I have missed her too.
Celia, when reading your note I am reminded of what my husband always quotes from the bible, I must decrease he must increase. YOu are a blessing to your 85 year old mother I am sure, keep on doing good to her and bless her with your time and care as you are doing now. Tape record her telling of her childhood, you will cherish that someday when she is in Heaven with her Savior. Look deep into her eyes and remember the color of her hair, rub her hands with lotion and sing old hymns to her, make her feel precious and loved as I’m sure you do, you will never regret the time spent in sacrifice to her. Thankyou everyone who has prayed for Bryan today and his job, I am believing he will get it,and I am eager to be able to tell you when he does, Jackie God is Faithful, we have had to eat bologna and tuna at times for supper and drink water but our peace has always been the best gift from God. It was during that bologna time that the Lord lovingly taught us the most. We would not be the counselors today and be able to deal with others pain if we had not experienced pain and loss ourselves.
Jerseygirl, I’m glad you laughed out loud, the real reason that we know we have God’s grace is that we don’t eat our young like some animals. My middle child tells me, Mom the nursing home you will be going to is not going to be fun if you keep nagging me. I’ve told him the Joy of the Lord will be with me wherever and If I ever have time to sow wild oats it will be then when I’m completely uncaring of what people think. I like getting older, my body has let go in certain areas and forgotten to hold on but other than that I am blessed.Love to everyone, Joy is our strength!!!!!!!!
without boasting, i can say i am consistent in my attitudes toward people, work, etc. i am used to doing household chores since i was young because my parents have raised me that way, hence, i never complain why i should do these things. to my mind, even if other people do not compliment or acknowledge my sense of industriousness, i am doing it for God and it pleases him. i also do not treat people according to their status, again because of the way i was raised. in fact, i easily befriend the lowly type of people i.e. janitors, security guards, messengers. in my family of eight siblings where i am the second eldest, the issue of caring or doing things for my 85-year old, now bedridden mother always surfaces, with a sibling complaining of another saying “i’ve done this or that and it should be the turn of this that this time”. this also the case when it comes to money matters. again, without boasting, i never complain that i gave a bigger contribution to my mother’s expenses or that i just did this or that so it’s now the turn of somebody else. i know God has blessed me in many ways and i do not mind if i give the biggest or i am the only one who spends for my mother or i am the most often who contributes, whether physically or financially. i am most happy when i make other people happy, especially my mother. i always tell my children that humility is the greatest virtue and whoever is humble is the one who is pleasing in the eyes of the Lord.
Dear Jackie…
That was a beautiful testimony and encouragement for all of us today!! And, thank you for the mention of Philippians 4:8…that helps sooo much when we are tempted to be “whiney bears” and ALL of us do at one time or another :) ..We are all humans!!!! But thinking on all the lovely things makes us start counting our blessings!!! Bless you for writing it and for sharing how the time of unemployment was turned into a great blessing in the Lord in relationship and many other ways. The employment WILL return, too! We are believing for Loreli and Andi’s husbands, too! Powerful bond of “agreement”! That beautiful verse you mentioned:
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable..if anything is excellent or praiseworthy..think about such things”…. And verse 9 tells the rewards of that kind of thinking!… “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me…put it into practice. And the God of Peace wll be with you”.
Pearls of Wisdom from our Father and His Peace the great gift in thinking that way!!!
Also, DonnaL You are a great blessing all the way from Australia..Bless you for your faithful prayers!
My husband has been laid off for 3 months.I have not worked outside of the home for an income for 5 years.But God has provided everything for us. our bills have not fallen behind. we have plenty of groceries and we’ve been able to enjoy each other and our children and the time together.God has provided for us, he has been true to all his promises to me. God has even restored our marrige and made it better than it was.He has put our family back together during this lay-off. but ya know I have still complained and grumbled at times about small things that doesn’t matter.. although I’ve had no right to do so.God is and has been so good to me and my family.God has even blessed me with all of you on this site.You ladies are such a blessing to me. God has used you to teach me and encourage me so much.
Lord, oh please forgive me for not be content with the many blessings you’ve bestowed on me and my family. also forgive me for complaining and grumbling over things in my life that have no baring.Forgive me for not thinking in things that are not true and lovely.Thank you for reminding me to be thankful for your blessings on me and my family. Lord I know without you I’m nothing nor would I be able to provided for my family .Thank you for giving us this time together to put our marriage and family back together I so love you Lord.Thank you again Lord for using this site to touch my heart.In Jesus Name I pray, Amen
Sorry everyone…I meant to say “sanctifying”
Ahh, Consistant Living. A great challenge to us all, including me. I see it as a sancifying work of the Lord. He gives me a challange, promises to be with me thru it, and then allows me to respond in a way that pleases Him and helps me grow. Sometimes I fail. A lack of faith, self-centeredness, or just plain old rebellion. But I thank God that when I slip up He will forgive me. He is slowly chipping away that old nature and creating a new one, more pleasing to Him, one more focused on Him. I pray each one of us will view our challenges as a chance to grow in Him as we respond as Jesus would. Loving you all from far away, Donna
Linda and Patti, I, too, have been thinking about Romel. I kept thinking I would see her on the blog, but she hasn’t been there. I remember she was interested in being a mentor. Perhaps she is busy with that now. In any case, I, too, come along side the both of you and lift Romel up in prayer. Dear Lord, you know the needs of Romel, our dear sister in Christ. May you minister her and be with her. Thank you for her wisdom she brings to our blog. Bless her and encourage her this day. In Christ Name we pray. AMen
Linda, I come beside you and pray for Romel. What a ministry she has been to all of us. Thank you for the reminder to pray for her.
Ladies I was doing some baking and all of a sudden Romel H came to my mind and you know I got to thinking she hasn’t been on the blog for awhile. I keep the devotionals for a few weeks so I went back day by day and the last time she wrote on here was Monday May 19th. Does anyone know her personally and how she is?
Dear Heavenly Father I just Bring Romel H to You right now, Lord You see where she is and what is going on in her life. I just pray that You would Minister to her every need whatever they may be. Wrap Your loving arms around her and let her know You are with her and holding her close to You. I just Pray these things In Your Name,Amen. Hugs, Linda!!!
Today’s devotional really is one of those timely teaching.
I like others who have commented, have done my share of
compaining and arguing. One day my youngest son said to me,
“Mama all you do is argue and complaint”. I know I have heard these same words before from my sons,but I continue
to do it. This time the Holy Spirit agreed with my son, when
he said those words the Holy spirit said, “you sure do”. I
stopped and thought about it and realized how right they
were. Next I felted so bad about my actions and how I had
misrepresented the Lord. I confessed my fault and asked him
to forgive me. I also admitted to my son he was right that
I did complain and argue too much, but I will try to do better. I then wen into the word and I found a scripture
that deals with this(Phil.2:14-15) and wrote it out on a
piece of paper. This piece of paper with this scripture on
it is tape to my wall over my desk in my office, as I type
these words I am looking at it now. Putting/Keeping the
word before your eyes helps as a reminder. The Jews back in
bible time would write God’s laws on different places in their home that they could always view. I will be honest
with you I am not totally rid of this problem but Praise
God I have make some progress. I also try to obey what James
1:19 said, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry”. When somebody make a state-
ment to me that I feel can lead to and arguement/debate, then I keep silent for a few seconds longer than I normally
would before I answer. If that person is trying to get me to
argue with them I make a choice I won’t follow them down this path, so I just be quiet. A person usually won”t argue
by themselves. Lord we thank you for the helper, which is
your Holt Spirit that you have already sent/provided fo us.
We acknowledge him right now and ask him to continue to be
our guide and our helper as we journey to our heavenly home.
Forgive us Holy Spirit for sometime not listening to you and
asking you for help, guidance, and comfort when we need it.
We Holy Spirit desperately need you in our lives, we need
you to do what God had sent you to do for us. Father we love
you and we desire to please you with our lives, forgive us
of our short comings and strenghten us each day to live for
you. This prayer I pray for everyone that took part in today’s devotional and every member of the body of christ.
Sisters we are going through a process and that process will
continue to Jesus come or death. Have a joyful and peaceful
day in the Lord.
Rosey welcome to this site and everything you said is so true I think for most of us.
Dear Heavenly Father I just bring Rosey and all of us ladies who have difficulty spending Quality Time with You First Thing Each Day that You would please help us to reorganize our time schedule so You do come first & that we spend time In Your Presence in Prayer and reading Your word. Help us not to let other things get in the way and seem more important because You are the most important thing in our lives. Jesus I just ask that you would be with Rosey as she has such a hectic life. Help the people around her to be more patient and understanding. Just encourage her I pray and help her to remember You are right there with her every minute of the day. Jesus just Bless Her and Use Her for Your Glory in Your Name I pray. Amen!
Hugs, Linda!!!
Loreli, Thanks for making me laugh out loud. I do pray for your husband that he gets the job working with high school children. IT is wonderful working with teenagers, other’s that is. LOL. I am giving each child more responsibility. I will have to reactivate the chore list, especially now that summer is here. I am trying to keep the oldest busy with extra chores so that he doesn’t just lie around all day.
Thank you Linda R for your song and prayer. It is so helpful to know that others are praying for me and my kids as well. Rosey, you are right. It is nice when we give more time to the Lord and not just the crumbs. I do not always get to have the long quality time with the Lord in the morning like I would like to. So I try to be with him where ever I am throughout the day. Being present with him in the moment consistantly really helps me to be more focused. I try to have reminders. For example, walking up the steps reminds me to be present with him. Washing dishes I talk to him. Taking a walk, I try and pray, but usually just enjoy being outside and in nautre. Just ordinary moments but being present with the Lord through out the day. Good Luck and will be praying for you.
Thanks to all for your kind acknowledgements. Many blessings today!!!
God Bless U All…
Oh how i grasp what u r feeling! I have not been able to find that BALANCE! This frustrates me deeply. I feel as though i’m in a whirlwind many times, & feel so overwhelmed. I get so mentally/physically tired & exhausted. When that occurs, i tend to shut down & go into my “protective” shell, which is not a good thing but it feels so necessary & safe there. I don’t want to be selfish but i find that at times i just have to STOP & take a break, i feel i’m at my human limit & if i don’t take time out, i’m going to end up mentally/physically sick. (i actually do get sick from neglecting my overall health) While i’m trying to take a short break–a day or 2 from all the madness, things don’t stop of course, just adds up while waiting for me to return from my little break, which is not motivating. I then feel like i’m only going back into the jungle of lions to be devoured over & over again! I know that i simply need more time with the LORD each day, how do i squeeze Him in thru out each day along with tons of other high priority tasks each day though…& all the interruptions as well!!! I want/need Quality Time with the Lord each not, not to give him mere crumbs, which is what i’ve been doing for too long & i feel it has resulted in me being in this beat down, overwhelmed person thati’ve become. I don’t like complaining but like the rest of us, i do my share at times. I’m organized most of the time, which is helpful. I try sticking to my daily schedule and am pretty focused but there’s always stuff popping up that must be dealt with, which throws my schedule/me off track. I think of others often & try to help them all which really takes up more time than i feel i have for that purpose when there are so many other tasks that need my daily attention & i feel are higher priorities. I don’t want to put people off or be rude or anything but something has to give! Being consistent daily is hard for me when things around me aren’t consistent, situations aren’t consistent, people we love aren’t consistent! After reading today’s devotional, I think that the only way to ward off or prevent being overwhelmed by it all is through the Holy Spirit, because we are not supernatural in our human form so we NEED the Holy Spirit to guide & get us through it all. I’ve been so caught up in the madness that I haven’t slowed down & cleared my head long enough to focus on our Lord & ask Him to send forth His Holy Spirit to help me with this until reading today’s devotional. This tells me that the LORD simply must come 1st each day & that i’ll have to let some other things be last or late! I’m seeking the Lord for better (less stressful) ways of doing/handling things & people (people are just as draining/demanding at times & i don’t know how to handle them without hurting feelings but they need to know that i am only ONE person, can’t be there for everyone all the time) as i don’t know what else to do to break the madness. It’s such a crazy circle, i need a different direction! To all of u i say…STAY/BE encouraged, for this devotional is awesome today & I KNOW that it’s the GOOD LORD’s way of helping us with this…being consistent without being overwhelmed/complaining! Now we have our answers, we must simply put the Lord 1st each day so that He can send His Holy Spirit to guide us through all of the madness. We need & shall have Divine Intervention if we put Him 1st each day & know that it’s ok to put something else off or last, time to change directions as a new one is needed & will be so refreshing. Let’s take time out for Him, so that we can hear what He has to say regarding how we’re doing things from day to day. Let’s let HIM give us the Supernatural strength, wisdom that we need to stay afloat JOYFULLY, & in a HEALTHY manner! God Bless You All, I pray that this Divine Devotional has blessed each of you as I believe it’s our answer. I’m going to print it & read it each day (APPLY IT)as a constant reminder that it is VITAL to seek the Lord, DAILY & let HIs Holy Spirit fix us up!!! Have a Blessed Day! ;-)
*Rosey*
Great devotional! And, only what we do for HIM truly survives. As we grow in Him? We become less self absorbed, and more other involved! We become aware that our inconsistencies “are” noticed..but as we are able to say “sorry about that…I blew that” and start all over..He uses that, too! We are all …and will always be “Cracked Clay Pots” for we are in the human condition and every last one of us “arriving” not “arrived”..But He will use our “contrite” hearts and even our flaws when we can recognize them and reveal our human errors …He will bless those around us in these circumstances . They “see” the difference in us..and our “desire” to be more consistent. Our “motives” will change, too! It isn’t about us anymore, but about representing our Heavenly Father… The Holy Spirit is our gift and our “helper” and “quickens” us each day to stay on course! Thank YOU, Lord, for that amazing gift!
Admire you ladies with teenagers. I’m the Senior Citizen here…Mine are grownups and one has a teenager and one in the wings fast approaching that…and a younger one “observing” her interactions with them… As you seek His Wisdom in their upbringing…You will be sooo rewarded. Sometimes you’ll think “I’ve failed”..but stay true to your course and His teachings..and when they are grown raising their own. You will be rewarded. They come back and thank you for the strong stands you had to take sometimes. And even for saying “NO” when you had to! They’ll thank you for times you spoke up..and times you stayed silent and just prayed at the Lord’s leading… It’s hard sometimes and we have to be a parent and not a buddy. But they later thank you for your “conisistency” in this special part of life, too! There are no perfect parents, either. But our Lord helps those who seek Him and listen for His Counsel!!! They are His first! And HE “will” guide!!! PTL for that!!!!! We are now rewarded, also, with amazing grandchildren who adore us and don’t see our “flaws” as much!!! That is a tremendous ministry, too, when He sends them…
My heart goes out to those that Loreli counsels and let’s pray for those around us that we see struggling and having family issues..our prayers make a difference! The Lord may show you a way to help without intruding, too! When am in a store and hear a frustrated parent..I pray and ask the Lord to help both in the store and at home! IF HE leads me to? Will share when ours were little and how hard outings could be,sometimes! They see or white crowns of hair and know “we’ve been there” :) ! But, the Holy Spirit leads and shows! And I tell our grandchildren today that am still not sure “what I’ll be when I grow up”!!! That’s the whole key…We are ALL still “growing up in HIM”!!! And? We will be learning until our last earthen breaths, too!…And? “teaching” while we grow! Amen and Amen!!!
Dear Heavenly Father I just come to You right now asking that You will be with Loreli’s husband as he is being interviewed for this new job. Lord you see how much he desires to have it and how much his heart’s desire is to work with teenagers so I just pray that You would just speak to the hearts of those that are interviewing him and just impress upon them that this is the man for this job and they will hire him. Lord Jesus I just pray this In Your Holy Name Amen! Hugs, Linda!!!
WOW.. what a devotional today. Living consistently and without complaining or arguing. I have to agree with all og you here that it is not easy. I feel like I am on a rollercoaster ride must of the time.
Patti.. Your words are exactly how I feel at times.I was in aha as I read them.
Jerseygirl..I also have a wonderful husband that helps out and a granddaughter that is 13 that lives with me. Trying to get anything done by her is alful. This is were I have the problem with arguing and complaining. I do work full time and as most of you know it is hard to keep up with every thing. I do think I am going to try some of the suggestions from Lorie. One think I am starting today is her doing her own laundy, (she dose have to keep her own roon clean and help with dishes) but I feel that she is old enough to help out a bit more.
have a great and blessed day Ladies. MaryAnn
Oh how I wish I could say I never complained about anything but I am human just like everyone else. I complain about having to do my housework sometimes as I am in chronic pain and I find it so hard just sweeping & washing the floors, but then I am reminded PTL I have floors to wash. My husband helps me a lot but there are times when I wish he would and he is busy watching TV or something and once again I want to complain & once again I am reminded PTL I have a wonderful Christian Husband. Jesus my desire is to be more like You, to get to know You more each day, to spend more time in Your presence in prayer & in Your word. Yes I will never be perfect but I strive towards that goal of being more like Jesus which reminds me of the Old Hymn:
1. Oh! to be like Thee, blessed Redeemer,
This is my constant longing and prayer;
Gladly I’ll forfeit all of earth’s treasures,
Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear.
* Refrain:
Oh! to be like Thee, oh! to be like Thee,
Blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art;
Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness;
Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.
2. Oh! to be like Thee, full of compassion,
Loving, forgiving, tender and kind,
Helping the helpless, cheering the fainting,
Seeking the wand’ring sinner to find.
3. Oh! to be like Thee, lowly in spirit,
Holy and harmless, patient and brave;
Meekly enduring cruel reproaches,
Willing to suffer, others to save.
4. Oh! to be like Thee, Lord, I am coming,
Now to receive th’ anointing divine;
All that I am and have I am bringing,
Lord, from this moment all shall be Thine.
5. Oh! to be like Thee, while I am pleading,
Pour out Thy Spirit, fill with Thy love,
Make me a temple meet for Thy dwelling,
Fit me for life and Heaven above.
Jerseygirl I totally understand your situation as I have been there and I will be praying that your son will be motivated to go and look for work & get a well paying job. May The Lord Bless All You Wonderful Ladies Today! Hugs, Linda!!!
JerseyGirl, May I share with you how we handle our teenagers in our home. If they do not follow their regular chore list which is not alot, laundry, vacuuming, cleaning rooms and bathrooms, emptying dishwasher they do not get any privileges such as me paying for their cell phones or going out with friends. If they argue or after I say NO to something keep on then they gain extra chores, like cleaning the floor with a toothbrush, that has only happened once. Or dusting all the lampshades and going over each pleat or baseboards or gutters or something they hate. There is no yelling they automatically know when I say you are making a choice now, they usually stop and realize the next step is a punishment. If however they do abide by the rules they get to have friends over, extra computer time, we go places that we do not normally go or something to bring family time unity. It’s not perfect but after a while they usually get back in line. I do not put up with alot of backtalk I usually make them read Psalms and then we discuss what they Holy Spirit has taught them. It’s so hard being a parent,they come out so cute, that’s why God gives them to us as babies. If they came as teenagers we wouldn’t have any people in the world, just kidding. Grace and Peace to you today.
Oh my goodness, how this hits home. There are days when I do not begin with the Holy Spirit, I begin with what I must do -where I must go, who needs this and so on. Then I get into the middle of my day and say a half hearted prayer, expect God to run to me and fix everything and then I start running again. It’s when I run out of steam, energy, hope that I fall at the feet of JESUS and say, Help me God and he with his loving kindness picks me up and says, I’ve been waiting for you to come to me, I’ve been here all the time, you didn’t have to do it alone, Trust me to handle everyday stuff. Please understand, I do pray everyday, I just sometimes do the drive through prayers. Please pray today as right now my husband is interviewing for a job he really desires and will fit his degrees. He may be a little overqualified but his desire is to teach teenagers in HIgh School. We need this job to make it. Love to you all, Loreli
Margaret, that was a good story. Like Georgia, I agree that this is a tough devotional. I do like to complain at times. I do have a wonderful husband and young adult or teen children living at home. While I am grateful for their company, I wish they would help out more. I do ask them for help and they do help. But I do find myself wining and complaining at times that I have to do everything. I know there must be a balance. I want so much to be Christ like, but I don’t think that means doormat or martyr. There must be a fine balance between getting the help you need and doing things out of love and service to others.
What do you do when someone does not seem to be doing what he is suppose to do. My adult son will not go look for a summer job. He has had sometimes bad experiences with jobs. I try not to complain, but when I see this young man sitting all day and playing on the computer, I find myself eventually reacting in a negative way. I tell myself I will be patient. I pray about it, but then I end up getting upset. It seems like I live in a dual personality, one that wants to please and live for the Lord and the other who wants to get their own way. So I echo the prayer in Suzanne’s prayer that God gives me the strength to do everything without complaining today.
This really hit home for me today. Sometimes, I can go and not complain and it seems like when I am extremely tired is when I start complaining ( and crying) . It makes me mad at myself to get like this. Yes, God is our strength and our joy and without Him we can not do anything. I pray that I can be more like Him. Thank you for this devotion. Sometimes it really helps to know that others are going through this also.
Thank You Lord that Your mercies are new each day. Sometimes I feel like a continuous failure as I struggle to walk with You. Help me to weed out of my life of those things that make me stumble….for many times, I am my own stumbling block. Help me to let go of the things of this world that keep me weak. I despise compromise, yet find myself doing it. I thank you that You forgive me..over and over again.
This day, Lord, I come to Your Throne….bow down…worship You..for You and only You are Worthy. I ask for forgiveness where I have compromised and been unfaithful. My desire is to be consistent……that my life be pleasing to You and that I might be used. I thank You that You are taking away my pride…for it has no purpose in or toward Your Kingdom. Thank You for saving me……In Jesus Name…Amen.
May we lift each other up today..as we strive to be like Jesus.
Georgia, bless you for your precious honesty. We all have our own struggles. Beth Moore’s Studty: Believing God was life changing for me. Hope thaqt suggestion helps.
Oh, to be more like Jesus! That is the goal. That is what we aim for, but unfortunately we. . . I . . . fail. However, I do not want to quit . . . to stop there. It’s like getting back up that horse after you get bucked off. I pray forgiveness and ask the Holy Spirit to guide me and that I will hear and be obedient. I want to do God’s Will, but I know at times I fail. However, that is want I strive for . . . to be consistent. Dear Father, forgive me I pray when I am not consistent. I pray for your guidance each day and that I will hear and be obedient. That I may serve you and praise you in a worthy fashion. Thank you, Lord, for forgiveness and for second (and third and fourth and fifth . . . and more) chances. In Christ I pray, Amen
A very thought provoking devotional this morning.
To be perfectly honest when I don’t want to do a task. I think at volunteer when they give me a list of people to phone for the centre. I hate making phone calls. Or when I am about ready to leave the centre and they give me another task. Once when my husband had hip surgery over a year ago now I had to do more chores. My body ached and I was just plain weary. One Friday was particulary snowy and the road were extremley snowy I was to deliver papers! I complained big time. I was about aready to cry. I got to the car and the Lord said you don’t have an audience it’s just you and me. I am with you and I will help you. Remember the Joy of the Lord is your strength. I quit complaining and started to say out loud The Joy of the Lord is my strength. I started the papers and the snow drifts on the side street was horrendous. I went out and started up. After I did 5 papers I phoned for a bit of encouragement. I was a bit ticked off that the phone was busy at home. I tried again. Much to my embarrassment my husband had phone someone to go and help me with the route. My husband had phoned our Bible Study leader from church and she and her husband helped me with the papers. All the had to do was drive the car.
At Bible study where I am going we are learning how to hear from God. I’m learned that Complaining quenches the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
I am learning that I am a representative of Jesus and when
I don’t want to do something at volunteer that I had just better dig my heels in and do it and soon it will be done~!
This is one of my weak points. For a long time I will not complain or argue, but after a year or two (sometimes more) without resolution I can’t seem to stop doing both. Can you recommend a more in depth study of this? Or point me in a direction that will lead me to a more Godly path?