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Listen while you read: "Glory Be To God The Father"1 (Lyrics) |
1 Peter 4:7-9 – The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. (NIV)
My dog, Sophie, has always been a grumbler. She was born that way. She grumbles with low rumbling sounds if she feels that the other dogs are infringing on her territory or are having a good time playing in the yard while she is lying on the porch. Sometimes, she just walks around grumbling to herself. In light of this, the other dogs avoid her space and often tiptoe around her quietly. Her grumbling repels the others rather than drawing them to her.
Some people seem to be born grumblers, too. It just seems to be part of their nature. Others are not so much. They may have moments of grumbling, but for the most part, their natures are of a sunnier variety. Whatever the case, grumbling is something which we need to allow the Holy Spirit to address within our lives, especially during these trying times in our world.
Grumbling is self-centred. Grumbling takes our eyes off Jesus. Our own emotions and feelings are at the forefront of our thoughts, clouding our minds and impairing our self-control. This, in turn, affects our ability to pray as the Spirit leads.
We do not need, though, to be grumblers. Experience has taught me that, for the asking, the Holy Spirit is able not only to help me to recognize when I am in a grumbling mood, but also to transform my attitude from grumbling to glorifying God.
The Holy Spirit is to be our teacher and guide, reminding us of the truths that we have learned and are learning about Jesus, Who never grumbled. Jesus was always clear-minded and self-controlled. He freely offered Himself and the hospitality of His loving presence to everyone who needed Him, just as He offered Himself totally to God, His Father, on a daily basis.
Therefore, let us strive to do likewise. Each and every day, let us remember to offer who we are, faults and all, including our tendency to grumble, back to our heavenly Father and the guidance of His Holy Spirit. By so doing, any grumbling will soon be turned into glorifying the King in our hearts, souls, and minds, so that we might draw others to Jesus, rather than have them avoid us and tiptoe around us, causing us to lose our chance to shine for Him.
Prayer: Father God, help us to be diligent in offering ourselves up daily to You and to the guidance of Your Holy Spirit, so that we may be known as a glorifying people rather as a grumbling one. In Christ's name, we pray. Amen.
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Good morning Lynne. Funny when I saw the title, I thought it would be by you. I have no idea why because I don’t imagine you as a grumbler. Funny how our brains work. A really good message reminding us that with the help of the Holy Spirit we can change from grumblers to glorifiers. My granddaughter as she walked to work was grumbling in my ear because their air conditioner broke and the repairman couldn’t fix it when he came yesterday. It was raining and making it more humid. I told her she should be glad that she works in air conditioning. She laughed. It is so true that some of us like Sophie grumble and it is in our nature. However, we don’t have to stay that way. Thanks for sharing and a great reminder that we can be beacons of love and hope. Blessings.
Some are born that way – yes – we can help by loving them the way they are.
Hi Lynne. You have hit the nail on the head with this devotional. Blessings.
Lynne, your message today sure hits home with me. At 81 I am still dealing with a critical spirit that gets me in trouble occasionally. Grumblers have a critical spirit that is hard to change. Their daily challenge is to seek the Holy Spirit’s leading. Thank you for your many helpful contributions to this site for many years.
Morning, Lynne. There are a couple of people in our church community to whom I would like to send this! What do you think? Our pastor retired, and it is a time of searching for our congregation and sometimes being without a leader shows up in the most interesting ways! Thanks for writing…wish I knew Sophie.
Good morning Lynne. Many thanks for another of your special devotionals. You do such a great comparison of interacting actions of one of your pets with an encouraging way we can connect with God’s word. Your writing today is one of great encouragement. Many blessings to you for these interesting and very meaningful writings you prepare.
Good morning Lynne, it is hard to not grumble at times, but I do get the strength to cope. I was wondering how your niece is doing and making out. May the Lord’s blessings be with you and yours.
Wonderful, Lynne. Thanks.
Thank you for the encouragement to allow the Holy Spirit to overcome the tendency to grumble. God bless you.
Amen and amen! Thanks for sharing this encouraging devotional with us. Blessings.