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Got Life A newsletter about spiritual enrichment for the Body of Christ
A Monthly Newsletter God Is Faithful to the Faithful An address from the senior pastor.
The Word of God Page 2
What’s Going On The monthly calendar, birthdays and anniversaries, and Daniel’s Fast resource information. Page 3
February ‘10 Church Information NLTC ministry staff, service information and statement of faith. Page 6
Little Chocolate Boy Charles Ademolu’s monthly column Page 5
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I’ve never met a parent who enjoys watching their child 2 days after Christmas complain because they can’t have another new toy.
Can’t Appreciate If Complaining Exodus 15 and 16 tells an amazing account of the flawed human nature. We see the children of Israel singing and dancing because God has safely brought them across the Red Sea. Then three days later we “hear” them complaining because the water they had to drink was bitter. The Bible uses the word “murmured” to describe how the people dealt with the situation. In the following chapter once again the Bible said they “murmured” against Moses and Aaron. But later Jehovah tells Moses it’s not you they murmur against, but me. How we as people so quickly forget the victories that God gives and murmur against God. Most of the time, as Christians, we are too cowardly to complain directly to God...to tell Him how we feel about “our now situation” in
February
Yet, we do it all the time as Christians. How can we say that we appreciate the blessings when we spend more time complaining?
“How we as people so quickly forget the victories that God gives and murmur against God.” His face. Instead we speak against those who labor with us or who worship with us. Like the children of Israel, we often complain, murmur or backbite against one another because of our current feeling, neglecting the moment of gratitude for what God has done for us. Think about it, 3 days after they were delivered from their enemy, they began to “gnaw” on Moses and Aaron like ungrateful and unappreciative children.
How can I prepare myself for the next blessing if I have yet to appreciate the one that God has blessed me with. This year I want to learn how to thank God when it seems that my water is bitter. If I have a flat tire, I’ll thank God that it didn’t happen while I was going 60 miles an hour on a busy intersection with an 18 wheeler riding my tail. If we learn to thank God for the bitter water, He will make it sweet. After all, if He can make my Red Sea dry ground, then surely He can make my water sweet. Appreciate, not complain. -Mel A. Perry Mel A. Perry serves as Global Relations Director and Assistant Pastor of NLTC.
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