Dear Friends,
I talked briefly on Sunday about how much more likely it is for any of us to grumble instead of being grateful. We take so much goodness for granted while at the same time being so easily provoked about things that in the long run are so inconsequential. It’s true for me and I’m sure it’s true for you as well.
A day later, I received a text from Faithann Glidden. She probably won’t like me saying this, but Faithann is one of those people who I see regularly deciding to choose gratitude in the face of circumstances that would prompt many of us to throw a perpetual pity party.
“When I walked into the church yesterday” Faithann wrote, “you were talking about ‘grumbling’ as though it’s something that we all do.
“It is not acceptable.”
She went on, offering this helpful, practical list of questions.
“Let’s talk about grumbling from a personal perspective…as if I were counseling someone...
1. You know it’s wrong. So ask yourself why are you grumbling? Is it because things aren’t going your way?
2. Which of God’s promises might help in this situation?
3. Do you really believe that God is in control now?
4. Did you surrender yourself to the Lord this morning for Him to work in you for His good pleasure?
5. Have you prayed and asked for His help to see the situation from His perspective?
6. Can you honestly say that you want to do His will?
7. Can you humble yourself and leave it in God’s hands?
8. You have died with Christ. And you have died to your old nature.
9. Repent and believe.
In his book The Practice of Godliness, Jerry Bridges reminds us that just as grumbling against God is sinful, so is failing to be grateful for His goodness and His providence.
“Thanksgiving is taught in the Bible by both precept and example.
- In 1 Chronicles, the Levites who took part in the temple worship were to stand every morning to thank and praise the Lord.
- The Psalms contain some thirty-five references to giving thanks to God.
- In eighteen instances in his letters, Paul expresses thanksgiving to God, and there are ten other instances in which he instructs us to give thanks.
- In all, there are approximately 140 references in the Bible to giving thanks to God.
"Thankfulness is no minor principle in God’s sight. It is absolutely necessary to the practice of godliness.
“One incident from the life of Daniel shows us the importance that this man of God put on giving thanks. We all know the story of Daniel in the lions’ den, but do we remember how he got there? King Darius was persuaded by certain officials who were jealous of Daniel’s position to issue a decree that for thirty days, anyone who prayed to any god or man other than King Darius would be thrown into the lions’ den. When Daniel knew that the decree had been published, he went to his room and three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.
“Now if you and I prayed at all under those circumstances, we’d be pleading with God for His deliverance. No doubt Daniel did pray for deliverance; but he also gave thanks.
“Our situation is never so desperate that it is not fitting to give thanks to God.”
I imagine cultivating a heart that is inclined toward gratitude will be a long term, maybe even lifetime pursuit for most of us. I also look forward to the day when, in the presence of Jesus, my impulse to grumble will be gone and my desire to give thanks will be so overwhelmingly powerful that I won’t have any other choice but to open my mouth and express my undying, eternal gratitude for God’s steadfast love and His amazing grace.
Until then, I’ll keep Faithann’s list of questions handy for the next time I’m tempted to grumble.
If you have selected one or more of the names from the tree to provide a Christmas gift for the kids in the Brinkley Heights neighborhood in Memphis, please remember to be praying for those kids and to bring your Christmas card for your student with you to church this Sunday. Leave it at the display desk, and we’ll pair your card with the gift we’ll be delivering to your student.
And if you haven’t done so already, don’t forget to write a check, bring cash or make an online donation to support this project. We’re asking for $40 per student.
Thanks again for praying for and loving these kids!
Guys: Tomorrow night, the Redeemer Men’s Institute meets at 7:00. We’ll be talking about how to keep spiritual disciplines from becoming empty rituals or routines and how God uses our disciplines as a means of grace in our lives.
Whether you’ve attended any of these events this fall or not, every man is welcome (that includes young men who are interested).
This Saturday is the annual Women’s Christmas Tea. Have you signed up yet?
We need to know you’re planning to attend. Click here (https://redeemerlr.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=df57aea0670b59c32464d5bab&id=b20f0bdf92&e=fbb0a4052b) to add your name to the list of attendees.
Next Saturday, on December 14, it’s our Family Pajama Christmas Party.
Click here (https://redeemerlr.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=df57aea0670b59c32464d5bab&id=e3a16b8060&e=fbb0a4052b) to let us know you’re coming.
As you’re making plans for Christmas Eve, keep in mind our annual Christmas Candlelight and Carols Service at 5:00 pm. It’s the perfect way to tune your heart for the celebration of the birth of Jesus the next day.
If you’ve wondered about what’s involved in becoming a member at Redeemer, we have a New Member Class coming up in January. Here are the details. And you can talk with Pastor Matt if you have questions or would like more info.
Here is the catechism question and answer we’ll be reciting this Sunday from the Heidelberg Catechism:
Q 124. What is the third petition?
A. “Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” That is, grant that we and all men may renounce our own will, and obey, without murmuring, Your will which alone is good; that so every one may fulfill his office and calling, as willingly and truly as the angels do in heaven.
Here’s the report of our donations and expenses for the month of November:
November General Fund Giving: $44,555.45
November Expenses: $45,128.34
Year to Date General Fund Giving: $404,206
Year to Date Expenses: $504,122
Year to Date Building Fund Giving $171,806
Balance on Hand on 10/31/24 $110,542
Balance invested in interest bearing account $203,072
Two things to note this month.
First, in past years a number of you have chosen to make special year end contributions to support the work of the church. We are grateful for these special gifts that often come in December. If you are thinking about making a year end gift, remember that your gift needs to be received (or if you’re mailing it, it must be postmarked) on or before December 31 in order for it to qualify as a 2024 tax deduction.
Second, after much work with architects, engineers and the city, we’re about to break ground on 30 new paved parking spaces. Thanks to your generosity, we have the funds to move forward with this project. It’s going to cost more than we originally expected – somewhere around $125,000. But the spaces will be permanent and will fit into the long term plans for our campus.
Thanks for your prayers and your faithful giving!
When God delivered His people from their bondage in Egypt, they responded by singing the Song of Moses in Exodus 15. In Revelation 15, we see God’s people in heaven reprising that hymn of deliverance – this time, with the Song of Moses and The Lamb. We’ll look at that song this week, and see how it fits with the vision of the seven bowls of God’s judgment.
See you in church.
Soli Deo Gloria!
Pastor Bob
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