I
just returned from Mexico and spending four days there handing out Samaritan’s
Purse Christmas boxes. Jan and I, like many of you, have for years packed shoe
boxes. It as an awesome experience to actually be part of giving shoe boxes to
the kids.
While
we were there, God spoke to me about my attitude.
I
don’t mind God dealing with me about my language or my behavior because those
are seen by others and I want them to see truly see Jesus in what I say and how
I act. But I really want my attitudes and thoughts to be mine. God however,
purchased all of me on the cross. He has a right to correct my words, actions,
attitudes, and thoughts.
We
went to three different communities in Mexico. The third one was a very small
village. The streets were all dirt. There was water in the streets from
bathrooms because there is no sewer system. The building we did the outreach in
was dark and dirty. This was a village where most of us as Americans would not
have lived.
I
saw on the faces and heard in the words of these people joy.
I
ask myself how these people can be joyful living in these conditions. Some
would say it is all they know, so since they have only known this, it is ok to
them. I believe in Greek there is a word for that: “baloney!”
I
believe God showed me a huge spiritual truth as I watched these children get so
excited about the shoe boxes.
In
Exodus and Numbers, it says that the people of Israel grumbled about things
they thought were bad. They grumbled against God.
Now
here were people who God had delivered out of slavery. He had provided for them
by giving them manna every day. He had provided water out of a rock. He had
protected them from more powerful people groups.
And
their response was gratitude? No, their response was grumbling and whining.
God
wants gratitude from His people.
God
used two passages to show me some truths that I want to incorporate into my
life and into the life of my faith family.
Philippians
2:14-16
Do
all these without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and
innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted
generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the
word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in
vain or labor in vain.
1
Peter 4:9-10
Show
hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use
it to serve one another; as good stewards of God’s grace.
The
truths are:
●Gratitude,
Not Grumbling
Gratitude
shows our submission to God.
Grumbling
shows that we still want to be in control.
●
Righteousness, Not Perversion
Righteousness
shows that we are looking more and more like Jesus.
Perversion
shows that we are looking more and more like the people we complain about.
●
Light, Not Darkness
Light
shows that we are walking with God.
Darkness
shows that we are walking away from God.
●
Based on God’s Word, Not the Values of This World
Living
based on God’s Word shows that we are a supernatural creation of God.
Living
based on the values of this world shows that we are just part of this natural
temporary world.
●
Purpose, Not Purposelessness
Purpose
shows I exist for something bigger than me.
Purposelessness
shows I exist for only me.
●
Hospitality, Not Selfishness
Hospitality
shows love for others.
Selfishness
shows only love for myself.
●
Grace, Not Condemnation
Grace
shows Jesus.
Condemnation
shows everything that is not Jesus.
One
of the things I saw in the people of Mexico and in the followers of Jesus in
Mexico was true humility. They did not feel entitled. That humility is allowing
God to use them to impact their country.
We
as Jesus’ followers need an attitude of gratitude and a spirit of humility. We
have to get rid of the entitlement attitude.
One
last note: The people of Mexico are pictured by some to all be drug running
criminals. The people I encountered were people who were truly seeking God.
Without
Grumbling, Raising the Roof and Removing the Walls,
Joe
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