"Do EVERYTHING without complaining or arguing..."

Complaining. We all do it. Whether it's your parents wanting you to take out the trash or having to do homework, you're most likely gonna complain either out loud or in your head when you have to do something you necessarily don't want to do.

"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe." Philippians 2:14-15

This verse for me is especially difficult to process in my mind, because I am such a complainer in my mind and in my actions. I can't argue worth anything, so I don't have a problem with not arguing, but the complaining part really hits home. I read this verse just the other day and immediately I thought, "Oops". Even today, I was complaining to myself about having to do stuff. I'm thinking I should plaster this verse all over my room, so I would pay attention to not complaining more often.

"In a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe." Like stars in the universe. Think about it, have you ever met somebody who was happy in dark times? Who had an unnaturally loving way about them? Who you never hear anything negative from? I have, and I can see this verse in her life, because she just has that way about her, that makes her stand out and you can see God in her. If you have met somebody like this, then you are not likely to forget them.

I think I'm probably the biggest complainer that I know...which needs to change.

Dear God, change me.

Sincerely,
Jo

Yes, I Have Deep Moments Every Once in A While

There's one decision that faces everybody when someone else does something wrong to them: To forgive or to not forgive? Now from the viewpoint of an unsaved person, it would feel fine to just harbor that unforgiveness. What that person doesn't realize is that unforgiveness can lead to so many other sins. If you hold that grudge, you are putting more weight on your shoulders to just carry around the unforgiveness.

"For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men of their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." Matt. 6:14-15

How easy does that sound? Forgive and you will be forgiven. That's one of my favorite verses, and yet one of the most convicting. I've held grudges before, and it is not easy. You just feel terrible every time you think about what happened. When you let go of that grudge and just forgive, it's truly worth it to know that God just released that burden off of your shoulders. Your heart just feels so much lighter. Harboring unforgiveness is a sin, but when you forgive the person who wronged you, you will be forgiven by the one who truly matters: God. That's worth it.

So there's one question left: Will you forgive?

Sincerely,
Jo