Why it is so Easy to Complain?

Warriors Arise: September 27, 2020

John 21:7-10 (NKJV) Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea. 8 But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from land, but about two hundred cubits), dragging the net with fish. 9 Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.”

Jesus had enough fish for He and the disciples to eat breakfast, yet He still invites them to bring the fish they have just caught. God already has what we need but invites us to bring what we have. Ultimately, what we have came from Him. Your spiritual gifts, talents, personality, finances, children, grandchildren, all of these are God's gifts to you with the addition of Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

John 21:11 (NKJV) Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not broken.

Jesus tells them to bring some of the fish and they go get all of the fish. They even open the net and count all of them. John makes a note to tell us that the net was not broken. The disciples must have been marveling over the abundance of fish caught in the net they used. It must have been a big deal for John to let us know the net was not broken, lest we think it was a little a gift from the Lord.

The disciples were given a gift, one they couldn't get on their own. They tried all night and would have tried all day but Jesus intervened. Jesus gave them a miracle. They had exhausted their abilities, but then Jesus provided for their need, their desire.

What if they had complained about all the fish they had to drag to shore? What if they spurned the multitude of fish because their net "could have been" broken with so large number of fish? Complaining reveals a ungrateful heart.

Thankfully the disciples did not complain about the number of fish; they were ecstatic! But I wonder about us. Has the Lord brought increase to your life? Were you, are you ecstatic about it? The disciples were going to have clean and prepare the fish they would take with them in their travels or take the time to sell the fish. Either way, there was work to be done.

Recently many Americans received a relief check. Some were extastic to get the check. It would cover some bills that would be coming for which they did not have the funds to pay, because of their place of employment being closed down due to COVID-19. Others were going to use the money to do home improvements, this would require work, just like cleaning the fish or selling the fish. There were some grumbles because of the long list of home improvements to be done. The reprieve from work was not a vacation; it was going from one type of work in which they received a paycheck to another type of work, in which they spent their own money. Some would use the money to start a new business, again the money being the fish, the starting of the new business being the work they were going to have to do like the disciples would have to clean and prepare the fish. The difficulties of starting a new job or opening a new buisness creates many opportunities for grumbling. Others complained, "I bet we will have to pay taxes on this." So, we will complain about what we get, even if we have to give a small portion of it back? I wonder if these three groups of people realize there were some who didn't receive a check from the government, yet they are paying the taxes from which the check others received came. It would be best if we were grateful for what we have been given. We could be in the group that were the givers and didn't receive a relief check. The point is, God gives us gifts, not everyone gets a gift at the same time. However, when you receive a gift from God how do you respond and what do you do with it?

When God gives you a gift, He intends for it to benefit you, for it to be a blessing.

Father, as I dwell on this lesson, I think of many different times You have blessed me. There were several times I was not so enthused about the gift You gave me. I seek Your forgiveness for my unwilling heart. I knew it would take a great deal of time, resources, and sacrifice to fully appreciate Your gift. I remember when the Holy Spirit gave me the gift of faith. It was easy for me to speak in faith, knowing my God could strengthen the weak, set the captives free, and provide where provision as needed. But it was difficult to see people reject my words of encouragement and faith, as they chose to reject Your strength, remain in their captivity, and complain about Your provision. At times it caused me to stop speaking the works of faith-filled encouragement. I have had to work through my thinking and get it to line up with Your blessings. I had to stop focusing on what I was going to have to do with such an abundance and rejoice in the work I had to do because of the abundance. A year ago there was so much sweet corn available. We put up more than what was needed. I was pressured to feel like I was hoarding but I didn't turn down the blessing even though we had enough for the year. Then when the rain stopped coming and the winds came there was no sweet corn to harvest for our family. I look in the freezer and see You already had us taken care of. We put up enough in the year of plenty to take us through this year. I am thankful for Your provision and for my family being willing to continue to work the blessing, a year ago. I am tremendously thankful for all You have given me and my family. I pray for people all across America to look to You as they receive their blessing, their new job, their new business, their new neighborhood, another relief check. I pray wisdom to come along with the blessing. I pray each one would be grateful even if they have to do some work to bring the fullness of the blessing. I pray for an increase in their relationship with You, for each one to see You have provided for them. I pray people would be willing to embrace the gift of their new job. I pray people would embrace responsibility that comes with the gifts they have been given. I pray each one would come ashore and show You the gift, the miracle, the multitude of "fish." I ask they would be open to embrace the opportunity before them. I ask for each one to see You so they know the spiritual gifts they have been given. I pray each one will use their spiritual gifts to advance Your kingdom here on earth, affecting the lives of those around them in Jesus' name amen.

A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,

Veridee Joy

My hope is for Believers in Jesus Christ to join together each day to pray, to push back the enemy as we release God’s power here on earth against the coronavirus, riots, and lies. The prayers will be listed each day as Warriors Arise. I will put a date with it so we can keep them straight. If you have any questions please feel free to make a comment or private message me. If you would like this to come to your email directly please go to verideehand.com and subscribe.