Good Morning!  Are you ready for the work week, or did you already complain in your heart (or out loud) that it is time to go back to work?

Thus far, in the first selection on murmuring, we have discussed how the Spirit leads us in dealing with complaining and its negative influences on our lives. Through faith we can use the positive plan, God promised us, to deal with dissention among our fellow brothers.  We also looked at how God intends us to lead others who engage in murmuring. The second selection showed us that we need consultation and leading from God to overcome Satan and his strategies.  The Lord leads us to what we shall and shall not do, according to His will.  In this third and final selection, we will complete the remaining Spirit-led requirements, leaving us with a better understanding of what He would have us do when encountered with murmuring, whether it is from others or within ourselves.

Let us begin with the fourth requirement from God; “Thou shall not focus on the murmurers.” As we continue to look at the Israelites in the wilderness, God states in Exodus 16:6, “…You shall know that the Lord hath brought you out from the land of Egypt.” Here, Moses and Aaron could have scorned against the Jews, however they would have been taking on the Israelites’ negative characteristics.  Leaders often become prey to the very issues that irritate them.  They start complaining about the complainers.  Moses never complained about the Jews, despite their continued grumbling.  Often times, we complain and lose out on the blessings, contentment, and peace, which God intends for us.

Next, we are instructed that, “Thou shall talk truth to the murmurers.” In Exodus 16:7-8, the scripture states, “…then you shall see the glory of the Lord.” This was a positive statement about the future.  Sometimes there is pressure to compromise the truth, due to the consequences, but we’ll never be good leaders if we fail to tell complainers the truth.  Instruction six says, “Thou shall not bear the murmurers alone.” Exodus 16:9 states, “…Come near before the Lord.” Moses used Aaron to speak to the congregation.  They were not only brothers, but a team.  Aaron challenged the Jews to come near before the Lord, “…for He hath heard your murmurings.” If we are dissatisfied, hungry, or hurt, we are to come near before the Lord.  This is where you can get real, lasting help.

We also see that, “Thou shall not point people to yourself.”  In Exodus 16:10, the Bible says, “…They looked toward the wilderness, and the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud.”  Moses told Aaron, “We are not their saviors.”  The ego drives people to look to others; however the Spirit always directs people to look towards the Lord and not draw the focus on themselves.  You’ll never be able to live up to the performance standard of God.

Finally, we see, “Thou shall persevere until death.” Dealing with those who complain, whether it is in ministry, family, or business, ranks high on the list of why leaders quit.  For instance, statements are uttered like, “I’ve had it; I’m not putting up with this anymore!” This was not an option for Moses.  Our success is not based on how many people we change from being negative, to being content.  If you take that as the standard, even Moses was a flop.  A leader is not here for the followers, but for Him.

In conclusion, throughout these selections on murmuring, we’ve seen how faith must be used to combat murmuring, both among others and within ourselves and how good leadership is a reliance on God.  Our success is measured by our willingness to remain faithful to the call of God, with a good spirit, regardless of the situation.  Every leader will be criticized.  God called us here to persevere.  It’s inevitable that people will perpetually murmur.  Get over it and move on. Love God, serve the Lord, persevere, and enjoy a wonderful week!

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2. Leading Those Who Complain Part 2 “There’s a Positive Plan, Promised by God!” In the first...
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“Owe no man anything, but to love one another…” (Romans 13:8.)

Recently in my travels, I realized that everyone is not an expert traveler like I have become! All joking aside, I began to notice people trying to get through the TSA lines that were unaware of the rules and regulations.  However, I also began to notice how these novice travelers were being treated by those who had a “job” to do. As I proceeded through the major international airport of Chicago, the Holy Spirit made me aware of others who could use a “helping hand.”

One such instance was a gate change, which caused over 200+ people to move from a C gate to an E gate. Since I spend almost every weekend at O’Hare International Airport, I know that this is a 25 minute walk or there is a bus that will take you there in just a couple of minutes. However, no one seemed to care to give this information, and many were just puzzled on how to get to where they needed to go.

Another such instance happened on the airplane, where I was sitting in “bulkhead” (the first seats behind first class.)  A traveler, who does not normally sit in bulkhead, was attempting to keep a large backpack on the floor in front of her.  I knew that once the airline attendant came through to check, this lady would be required to gate-check her bag, causing her much inconvenience, as the bins overhead were filling up fast.

During both of these situations, I had a decision.  I could selfishly enjoy my “typical Saturday morning commute” and keep to myself or I could heed the Holy Spirit and pay the “debt” in His power with the fruit He produces called love.

That morning, I had read the verses Romans 13:8-14, which includes the verse in the heading. I began to contemplate how much the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit loved Ben Burks – me! I believe every morning we ought to wake up and “take a bath in God’s love.” I think everyday we ought to try and feel loved by the Father. Every one of us needs a Resourcing of love. You can find this through God’s Word. From Genesis to Revelation is one enormous Book on the love of God. You can also be reminded of God’s love in a good song and hymn book from your church. One such song goes “Oh, the love that drew salvation’s plan; oh, the grace that brought it down to man.” Or maybe even the little song, “I am so glad that Jesus loves me, Jesus loves even me.” Not only did I take a bath in God’s love that day, but I began to notice others to whom that love needed to be demonstrated.  Praise the Lord I heeded His leading and paid “love” to others in need of help.

It has been my observation that the biggest problem we have is the fact that love is lacking in the places where it is needed the most with the people who deserve it the least. There are many selfish reasons why we withhold love to those who need it the most and deserve it the least….but the truth is every one of us fall into this category as one of those people!

True love begins when nothing is looked for in return. To give and not expect anything in return is what lies at the heart of love. Love has nothing to do with what you are expecting to get…only what you’re expecting to give – which is everything. It’s easy in our world today to look around and see the appearance of chaos, difficulty, and strife; yet when we our hearts are open to His love, we can always see our opportunity to pay a debt of love.

P.S. Before you travel anywhere today – whether across the nation or across town or across your living room – take a bath in God’s love and share it along the way!

Have a wonderful day IN the Lord!

Benjamin R. Burks

Check out Bro. Burks’ great new book, “Recovery without Relapse“, available on ON SALE at the RU E-Store for $6.30, Normally $9.00

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In the last post we discovered how the world at large failed to find Grace in God’s eyes leading to the destruction of the earth by a worldwide flood. In this post I would like to show what it was about Noah that caused him to find grace in God’s eyes. The Bible shows us three unique attributes of Noah that set him apart, Genesis 6:8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. 9 These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.

Noah was a Tsaddiq-
The word just in verse 9 is the Hebrew word tsaddîq (Strong’s #6662), meaning “just,” “righteous,” “lawful” (in accord with a standard), “correct.” In the Hebrew thought being a tsaddiq was like a title, it was like saying not that today such and so was righteous, but that their life long character was righteous. If we were to give an expanded translation of “just man” we might say a man who’s lifelong character was that he found God’s will and did it.

Noah was definitely such a man who lived in accordance with God’s revealed will, unlike all others of his time. It did not matter to Him if what God said was popular he was going to obey at all cost.

Noah Completed God’s Will for His Generation
In verse 9 the Bible says, These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations. The word perfect does not mean that Noah never sinned, rather this word has a completely different meaning. In the Hebrew text, this is tamîm (Strong’s #8549), and its basic meaning is “complete” or “entire.” It does not mean “perfect” as we would think of it today, as “without fault, flaw, or defect.” Other English words that translate tamîm are “perfect” “whole,” “full,” “finished,” “well-rounded,” “balanced,” “sound,” “healthful,” “sincere,” “innocent,” or “wholehearted.” So this word shows us that Noah had completed something, or was fulfilling something. What Noah was completing had to do with his generations, the KJV translates two different Hebrew words as “generations” in this verse. The first occurrence—”These are the generations“—is rendered from toledoth (Strong’s #8435; note that it is plural), meaning “descent,” “history,” or “genealogy.” The second occurrence of “generations”—in the phrase “perfect in his generations”—is from the Hebrew word dôr (Strong’s #1755), which means “properly, a revolution of time, i.e., an age or generation.”

So what was it that Noah was completing in his generation, the will of God. You see as a Tsaddiq he was genuinely interested in finding God’s will, and doing it , but he also didn’t just start it he completed everything God had for him to do in his lifetime. Can you imagine on your tombstone the phrase he, or she completed everything God wanted them to accomplish in their lifetime. Wow I want that to be said of me, He completed everything God ever intended for him to do in a lifetime.

Noah Walked With God-
The church has written volumes on the concept of walking with God, but it is amazing how little we do it. In this age it seems that walking with God has become synonymous with doing our devotions in a morning, or prayer. These things are part of walking with God, but a walk with encompasses our whole life style it is something we do 24/7/365 for our whole life. It wasn’t just that he was spending time with God in the morning his entire consuming passion was to follow God wholeheartedly.

You see you may had devotions this morning, but do you meditate and talk with God throughout the day? When God tells you do do things, or stop doing things do you obey? Because surely you don’t think you are still walking with God when you have said no to Him. He has a prescribed path, and we head down another path, and still think we are walking with God I think not.

For Noah this wasn’t just a little devotional in the morning He passionately sought the will of God for his life, and brought it to completion as he walked with God throughout his whole life. That is how to find God’s grace in our lives today.

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