Scriptures: Philippians 2:14
New Century Version (NCV)
Do everything without complaining or arguing.
Amplified Bible (AMP)
Do all things without grumbling and faultfinding and complaining [against God] and questioning and doubting [among yourselves],
Exodus 16:8
Moses also said, "You will know that it was the LORD when he gives you meat to eat in the evening and all the bread you want in the morning, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we? You are not grumbling against us, but against the LORD."
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Even my heart is grieved for the times that we fall short in serving God because of our motivations and/or attitudes which are not pure, not Christ-like.
Philippians 2:1-16a Amplified Bible (AMP)
1SO BY whatever [appeal to you there is in our mutual dwelling in Christ, by whatever] strengthening and consoling and encouraging [our relationship] in Him [affords], by whatever persuasive incentive there is in love, by whatever participation in the [Holy] Spirit [we share], and by whatever depth of affection and compassionate sympathy,
2Fill up and complete my joy by living in harmony and being of the same mind and one in purpose, having the same love, being in full accord and of one harmonious mind and intention.
3Do nothing from factional motives [through contentiousness, strife, selfishness, or for unworthy ends] or prompted by conceit and empty arrogance. Instead, in the true spirit of humility (lowliness of mind) let each regard the others as better than and superior to himself [thinking more highly of one another than you do of yourselves].
4Let each of you esteem and look upon and be concerned for not [merely] his own interests, but also each for the interests of others.
5Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility:]
6Who, although being essentially one with God and in the form of God [possessing the fullness of the attributes which make God God], did not think this equality with God was a thing to be eagerly grasped or retained,
7But stripped Himself [of all privileges and rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that He became like men and was born a human being.
8And after He had appeared in human form, He abased and humbled Himself [still further] and carried His obedience to the extreme of death, even the death of the cross!
9Therefore [because He stooped so low] God has highly exalted Him and has freely bestowed on Him the name that is above every name,
10That in (at) the name of Jesus every knee should (must) bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11And every tongue [frankly and openly] confess and acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
12Therefore, my dear ones, as you have always obeyed [my suggestions], so now, not only [with the enthusiasm you would show] in my presence but much more because I am absent, work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling (self-distrust, with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ).
13[Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.
14Do all things without grumbling and faultfinding and complaining [against God] and questioning and doubting [among yourselves],
15That you may show yourselves to be blameless and guiltless, innocent and uncontaminated, children of God without blemish (faultless, unrebukable) in the midst of a crooked and wicked generation [spiritually perverted and perverse], among whom you are seen as bright lights (stars or beacons shining out clearly) in the [dark] world,
16Holding out [to it] and offering [to all men] the Word of Life…
1. In reading You Were Born for This” by Bruce Wilkinson, I thought of God’s heart when reading on page 74:
Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men…for you serve the Lord Christ. (footnote #6, Colossians 3:23-24).
2. In looking at the God Calling devotional for today online, I saw the verse at the end of yesterday’s entry (http://twolisteners.org/Nov%2016%20-%2030.htm#November 24):
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23-24
3. And then today, the Biblegateway.com home page Verse of the Day (for November 25, 2009) was:
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”- Colossians 3:17 (NIV)
O God, please forgive us for our grumbling, faultfinding and complaining. Please help us, through Your truth and the power of Your Spirit, so that whatever we do, whether in word or deed, we would do it all in the Name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to You, O God, our Father through Him. I know that it is You, Lord, working in us both to will and to do Your good pleasure. Help us, O God, to work out our own salvation with reverential fear and trembling as we do all things with the humility and love of Christ. Thank You, Lord, for the revelation and conviction of Your Holy Spirit - for opening our eyes to the areas where we miss the mark - such that we have opportunity to repent and be cleansed based upon Your mercy, Your grace, Your faithfulness, for Your glory. Lead us, guide us, show us the path of life, of righteousness for Your great Name’s sake. Increase our capacity to learn, to love, to carry the burdens of others and gently restore them from sin and so fulfill the law of Christ. Let our hearts be open to correction, and willing to be made willing to embrace Your will.
Now unto Him Who is able to keep us from falling, and to present us faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
To the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, before all time and now and forever (unto all the ages of eternity). Amen.
... and my journey with Him continues ...
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