Hello Brothers and Sisters of FBC,
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in My law or not.”
(Exodus 16:4)
It has been a daily occurrence this year that I have come across not only great and powerful truths from God’s Word in my daily reading, but also wonderful thoughts from my devotional Bible that have enhanced, explained, and applied the Scripture reading. Today was no different. Another lengthy excerpt I feel led to share:
“The spiritual geography of Israel’s exodus from Egypt can be mapped onto the experience of our own souls. Although there are times of refreshing, usually they do not last for long. Soon it is time to head back into the desert, which is a place of testing and spiritual growth…
Whining was Israel’s besetting sin… The grumbling continued more or less for 40 years, as they became a nation of malcontents.
Our own complaints are not caused by our outward circumstances; rather, they reveal the inward condition of our hearts. Really, the Israelites had nothing to complain about. They were
not running out of food, but were confusing what they wanted with what they needed
. This is often the source of our discontent: thinking that our ‘greeds’ are really our needs…
Israel’s attitude is a warning against the great sin of complaining. Although they complained to Moses, they were really grumbling against God. By saying that it would have been better for God to let them die back in Egypt, they were really saying that they wished they had never been saved.
We need to be honest about the fact that all of our dissatisfaction is discontent with God. Usually we take out our frustrations on someone else. But God knows that when we grumble, we are finding fault with Him. A complaining spirit indicates a problem in our relationship with God.
The irony, of course, is that God always gives us exactly what we need. For the Israelites, this meant manna in the wilderness. For us it means the true Bread of Life, Jesus Christ.” (Philip Ryken,
ESV Men’s Devotional Bible
)
That is obviously a challenging message. I’ve been guilty of being the grumbler and complainer. It’s so easy to do. There was some real soul-searching required after reading this. And I suspect that I’m not the only one for whom that is the case. One thing I am especially grateful for, in reference to Exo. 16:4, is that God rains down bread from heaven, every day. Every day. Every day. So thankful for Jesus, the Bread of Life, and the daily nourishment we can receive from His Word!
A few other reminders:
* Please remember to pray for Mike Kirk and Dave Ezell, as they have arrived in Haiti and are preparing for the tiring and reward work of the week!
* “Risen” the movie is out in theaters today!
* If my math is correct, I believe it is 37 days until Easter Sunday! Whom are you praying for and planning to invite? How are you preparing yourself for a blessed time of remembering the Lord’s death and celebrating His resurrection?
* TOMORROW at 7am is Men’s Breakfast! All men are invited to join us for a great meal and and a chance to fellowship with one another and learn together.
* Also tomorrow, at 9am at Jefferson Baptist Church, we have 5 Awana clubbers from FBC participating in regional Bible quizzing! Please pray for these young ones, that the Word of God will penetrate deep into their hearts as they are studying.
* Another reminder: Tuesday, March 1st, at 6pm, we are inviting ALL to come join in one hour of prayer, together, asking the Lord to guide us in the wise use of the large gift we recently received. Pray for His will to be done, for our Body to be one, and for Christ to receive all the glory! “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”
* This Sunday will be a blessing, as we will be baptizing 2 people in the worship service at 10:30! Praise the Lord for the work He is doing in people’s lives. And let’s ask Him for more of that!
* The message this Sunday is “The God Who Gave Himself” from Titus 2:11-15. I think this is the greatest passage in the book of Titus. In fact, it’s one of my favorite passages in all the Bible. Read it – I think you’ll see why it’s so powerful and meaningful! Be sure to be here Sunday!
Thanking God for you, and for the great blessing of the daily bread from heaven found in His Word, and in the person of the Bread of Life, Jesus Christ!
Love From Your Pastor,
Michael