Daily Bread – November 25, 2023 (The Seventh Day – Genesis 2:1-3) Philippians 2:14-15 – Do all things without complaining and arguing, so that you may be without blemish and pure, God’s perfect children in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation among whom you shine as lights in the world. What a simple assignment God has given us in order to remain blameless and innocent. All we must do is to maintain a good attitude about the things we encounter and not allow ourselves to become involved in strife. When we consider the fact that all holiness and righteousness is summed up in walking in love, we discover how God has simplified for us all the He desires us to do (John 13:34-35, 15:12,17; Ephesians 5:2; Romans 13:8,10; Galatians 5:14). As we are willing to keep ourselves in the love of God, we remain in a place that is yielded to the supply of the divine ability God has given so we can do all He has requested (Jude 21). What the Lord has required of us is that we discover a wonderful and joyful fellowship of goodness and trust between ourselves and God (Jude 21; 1 John 4:12, 16; Ephesians 3:19, 4:15). Of course, we all know how upset we all become when things do not go our way. The fact is, however, we volunteered to allow the Lord Jesus to have His way in our lives. Our job assignment in the relationship is to trust Him and to give thanks in all things (1 Thessalonians 5:18). If we will walk in love, rejoice in the Lord always, and give thanks in all things, we will not only stand out as the children of God, but we will walk in the place of being well pleasing in His sight. Our Heavenly Father has purposed that we be like a city set upon a hill radiating with the light and life of His glory, a beacon of His love causing all men to recognize we are His children (Philippians 3:1, 4:4; Matthew 5:14; Ephesians 5:8-13). We may be certain of one thing, the Lord cannot tolerate murmuring and complaining. He had to listen to so much of it from the nation of Israel that He finally said, “Enough! It is over!” Their murmuring and complaining all boiled down to their lack of love and trust for Him (1 Corinthians 10:10; Hebrews 3:8-19; Jude 16; and Exodus 15:24, 16:2,7-12; Numbers 14:27-29, 36, 17:5,10; Deuteronomy 1:27). If you want to fellowship with the Lord and have His blessings in your life, then you are going to have to keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking guile. If you have a habit of blaming other people or grumbling and complaining about the way things go, you need to recognize it for the evil it is and reach out to God for wisdom and strength to bring it to an end. Now, the Lord strengthen your hearts in holiness so you may be without blemish before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints (1 Thessalonians 3:13). Blessings, Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
Daily Bread 11/25/2023
