Verse of the Day 1/29

Verse of the Day 1/29

Philippians 2:14-15  Do all things without grumbling or disputing, ¹⁵ that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,  English Standard Version (ESV)

I started my day yesterday with a devotional that was in Exodus 17 where the people of Israel were grumbling and complaining to Moses about the lack of water.  Another word for this grumbling is "murmur", saying the word reveals exactly what is sounds like.  You can hear murmering in a crowd and you may murmur to yourself under your breath, I know that I do it.  Elsewhere in the Old Testament the people  complained about the manna that God miraculously provided and then grumbled about the meat, the quail that He provided.

In today's society,  truly a "crooked and twisted generation" (ESV), we see it in action every day in the news as people complain, grumble and  murmur about our leaders.  We as Christians are to live differently, The Message paraphrases says that we are to "do everything readily and cheerfully—no bickering, no second-guessing allowed!".  What difference would it make in our homes, our churches and out in the community if we did not join others in the constant bickering?

Our conversation should be constructive, and as The Message states, be a "glimpse of good living and of the living God".  It is not easy, and doesn't mean that we simply ignore what is going on and burrying our heads in the  sand.  But we are to seek God's will, be a breath of fresh air and carry the "light giving Message" into this bickering, grumbling society, showing a better way.

--   In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV    

Philippians 2:14-16The Message (MSG)

^14-16 Do everything readily and cheerfully—no bickering, no second-guessing allowed! Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night so I'll have good cause to be proud of you on the day that Christ returns. You'll be living proof that I didn't go to all this work for nothing.