Grumbling and Complaining in Ministry

WEBVTT100:00:00.880 --> 00:00:06.080I Am Yours, I am yours, I am yours. S and me,200:00:06.440 --> 00:00:11.669Lord, I am yours, Iam yours. I'm welcome to the300:00:11.750 --> 00:00:17.629Gospel Center pre life podcast, apodcast designed to equip, encourage and challenge400:00:17.670 --> 00:00:21.660you in pro life ministry and alwayswere the focus on the Gospel. Stay500:00:21.739 --> 00:00:32.820tuned, I felt show Passish,touch your heart, use me love.600:00:35.140 --> 00:00:39.810Welcome back to the Gospel centered prolife podcast. Appreciate you guys listening and,700:00:39.929 --> 00:00:43.409as always, would appreciate if youguys would share this podcast episode and800:00:43.850 --> 00:00:48.810if you would give us a review. Leave US review on Itunes or however900:00:49.009 --> 00:00:54.240else you get podcast. We wouldlove to combat some of the negative reviews1000:00:54.280 --> 00:00:57.240that we've had from pro abortion people, although we see that as a badge1100:00:57.280 --> 00:01:03.000of honor we praise God for everytime we are persecuted or marginalized for the1200:01:03.039 --> 00:01:07.750name of Jesus, and we tryour best to have a good attitude and1300:01:07.909 --> 00:01:12.469not to grumble and complain about whatpeople say against us. Jesus said it1400:01:12.709 --> 00:01:17.030that people would if they hated me, Jesus said, then they're going to1500:01:17.109 --> 00:01:23.420hate you, and so us beinghated and maligned by people is just kind1600:01:23.459 --> 00:01:29.299of a natural outflow of our identificationwith Jesus, and we're going to talk1700:01:29.299 --> 00:01:33.370about that today. Actually, wedid a podcast, hopefully you guys listen1800:01:33.489 --> 00:01:38.209to last week that came out aboutjoy and US having joy on the sidewalk1900:01:38.290 --> 00:01:42.329and knowing the Lord is what bringsjoy to us and we can have joy2000:01:42.409 --> 00:01:46.170on our faces and enjoy in ourlives and joy in our hearts. That2100:01:46.370 --> 00:01:49.719is conveyed to the women going inthat don't have joy. They could help2200:01:49.760 --> 00:01:53.319us to really just be compelling forthem to come over and talk with us2300:01:53.359 --> 00:01:59.879and we need to have joy.We're going to kind of contrast this episode2400:01:59.959 --> 00:02:05.349with that episode in a little alittle bit or in some ways, because2500:02:05.390 --> 00:02:09.830we're going to talk about the titlethe article that you wrote here's the dangers2600:02:09.990 --> 00:02:15.219and antidote to grumbling in sidewalk ministry. And I think as a lot of2700:02:15.500 --> 00:02:20.780just like our joy topic, alot of our topics, you can you2800:02:20.819 --> 00:02:23.020can apply this to any any ministry. The ministry that we're involved in and2900:02:23.180 --> 00:02:28.539we're talking about in this podcast isthe sidewalk ministry at abortion centers. But3000:02:28.580 --> 00:02:35.250I think there's dangers and biblical antidotesto grumbling and complaining in any area of3100:02:35.409 --> 00:02:39.009ministry or any area. We're like, quite honestly, yeah, you know,3200:02:39.169 --> 00:02:45.039not just ministry. Yeah, sowe're going to talk about the dangers3300:02:45.120 --> 00:02:51.599of grumbling and the antidote to grumblingin light of sidewalk ministry. But again3400:02:51.680 --> 00:02:58.590we can apply this to many areasof life and warnings and rebukes throughout the3500:02:58.629 --> 00:03:07.710scriptures about grumbling or I mean cash, so, so many that we won't3600:03:07.710 --> 00:03:09.389be able to touch on all thescriptures where God rebukes. Even, of3700:03:09.430 --> 00:03:14.219course, the children is are aboutgrumbling. But even the New Testament,3800:03:14.699 --> 00:03:21.020the Bible warns us about grumbling andabout complaining. And so let's jump into3900:03:21.020 --> 00:03:25.099a Vikulous talk about grumbling and thedangers of grumbling and the antidote. Yeah,4000:03:25.180 --> 00:03:29.490the Bible gives us. Yeah.Well, I think a great place4100:03:29.610 --> 00:03:36.530to start as the the verse Philippiansto fourteen do all things without grumbling or4200:03:36.650 --> 00:03:42.599disputing, and that's a really importantverse. It says do all things without4300:03:42.639 --> 00:03:49.120grumbling or disputing. And we're ina difficult ministry. We've talked about that4400:03:49.199 --> 00:03:57.189a lot. It is a Ministryof rejection. Lot of unjust actions are4500:03:57.349 --> 00:04:04.030taken against us, a lot ofcruelty, even from the pro abortion crowd4600:04:04.550 --> 00:04:11.699and I think it is easy forus to justify our complaining. Yeah,4700:04:11.699 --> 00:04:15.939and I know until I wrote thisarticle, that was kind of where I4800:04:15.339 --> 00:04:21.540was. I hear it from everyone. I am guilty of it, very4900:04:21.660 --> 00:04:26.889guilty of it, not just onthe sidewalk, to be frank, but5000:04:28.129 --> 00:04:34.569but particularly on the sidewalk. Andas I was working on this article I5100:04:34.810 --> 00:04:42.000realized more and more, Wow,not only is this not godly behavior,5200:04:43.240 --> 00:04:51.480but it is damaging behavior and,in contrast to our podcast last time,5300:04:53.750 --> 00:05:00.750it detracts from the joy that wefeel out there and therefore is a danger5400:05:00.269 --> 00:05:04.949in taking us away from the sidewalk. And I think indeed we have lost5500:05:04.949 --> 00:05:14.779sidewalk counselors because they become so discouragedfor by the pro abortion group. Yeah,5600:05:14.899 --> 00:05:19.180so this this was born. Thispodcast, this article came out of5700:05:19.259 --> 00:05:27.970again, real life experiences on thesidewalk with fellow counselors and I was just5800:05:28.170 --> 00:05:34.689becoming very aware that a lot ofour time was spent complaining about the pro5900:05:34.720 --> 00:05:42.120abortion crowd. Everything that was saidwas true. They it, they really6000:05:42.160 --> 00:05:46.959are rough and and it really isuncalled for. It. It is childish6100:05:48.000 --> 00:05:55.550and sometimes very cruel, but itI realize more of our time was spent6200:05:55.750 --> 00:06:04.019discussing that, sometimes than praising Godor praying. While while we were out6300:06:04.060 --> 00:06:10.100there and I thought this is thisis probably worth discussing, because I can't6400:06:10.100 --> 00:06:16.860imagine our teams are different from anyoneelse, that anyone out on the sidewalk6500:06:16.939 --> 00:06:23.449in such a difficult ministry is,I think, likely to fall fall prey6600:06:23.529 --> 00:06:29.569about to this. Yeah, yeah, in some cities, and I know6700:06:29.769 --> 00:06:33.879here in southern California, we don'tyet have a lot of pro abortion presence.6800:06:34.079 --> 00:06:38.879So there's not yet a lot ofopposition. I say yet because I6900:06:39.000 --> 00:06:41.879think it's probably coming up. toldthe folks here that it's a badge of7000:06:41.920 --> 00:06:45.680honor if pro abortion people show upbecause you know that you're being effective.7100:06:45.720 --> 00:06:48.750Now pro abortion people haven't yet showedup out here. Maybe a few random7200:06:48.750 --> 00:06:51.870people here and there. So Idon't mean to say that they're not effective.7300:06:51.870 --> 00:06:56.829There's certainly the teams here being veryeffective, but it's told them expect7400:06:56.949 --> 00:07:00.269this. These pro abortion people aregoing to come along. But I will7500:07:00.310 --> 00:07:04.420say that they're not the only reasonfor grumbling. There could be other things.7600:07:04.699 --> 00:07:10.100Laws that are passed that are hinderingwhat you're doing, or at least7700:07:10.100 --> 00:07:13.300seeking to hinder what you're doing.That's happening here in California. Laws that7800:07:13.339 --> 00:07:17.209are passed to really intimidate and makepeople feel like can we even be out7900:07:17.250 --> 00:07:23.889on the sidewalk? Also interactions withpolice officers. That can be a point8000:07:23.930 --> 00:07:29.970for grumbling and just being just havinga negative attitude. The lack of involvement8100:07:30.120 --> 00:07:32.120of the church. It's like where'sthe church at? And this is this8200:07:32.279 --> 00:07:35.319is a real problem here, andso I just want to kind of kind8300:07:35.360 --> 00:07:43.240of lump all these these points ofcontention or points of discouragement in together,8400:07:43.399 --> 00:07:46.350because they can all serve to getus in an attitude of grumbling. In8500:07:46.470 --> 00:07:51.149something I think that I've shared onthis podcast before that I kind of use8600:07:51.189 --> 00:07:55.269as a term around our house,and this will tie into this. This8700:07:55.430 --> 00:08:01.220this whole grumbling subject, grumbling andcomplaining, is your attitude determines your altitude.8800:08:01.220 --> 00:08:05.540Yeah, right, yeah, ifyou want to fly above the situations,8900:08:05.579 --> 00:08:07.660you want to soar above the situations, then have a good attitude,9000:08:09.259 --> 00:08:11.620but if you want to be underit and you want to be under oppression9100:08:11.660 --> 00:08:18.610and depression and discourage, then justhave a bad attitude. And really the9200:08:18.810 --> 00:08:24.810gateway to just a bad attitude isgrumbling right and complain. Yeah, yeah,9300:08:24.089 --> 00:08:30.800and it can quickly devolve into gossip. I think it sometimes starts off9400:08:30.920 --> 00:08:35.000as grumbling and you feel justified andthen they're starts to creep in, making9500:08:35.200 --> 00:08:46.429fun of whatever you're grumbling about orname calling whatever you're grumbling about or telling9600:08:46.669 --> 00:08:50.710stories about whomever you're grumbling about,and that that's clearly, clearly gossip.9700:08:52.190 --> 00:08:58.220I do want to say that whatI don't want to convey two people is9800:08:58.659 --> 00:09:05.259that there is not a legitimate placefor sharing one another's burdens and and you9900:09:05.340 --> 00:09:09.690know, I'll go back to theexample of the pro abortion crowd. There10000:09:09.769 --> 00:09:16.289are they've sometimes brought us to tearsand there there are times when we just10100:09:16.690 --> 00:09:24.639really do need to unload on anunderstanding friend or fellow counselor who's been through10200:09:24.720 --> 00:09:31.399it, yeah, in order tokind of brush that off and and move10300:09:31.559 --> 00:09:35.879on. So I think there isa legitimate place for that, but that's10400:09:35.960 --> 00:09:41.549not what really what we're talking about. It can be what we're talking about,10500:09:41.549 --> 00:09:48.950but I think, I think whenwe start just complaining about things that10600:09:50.350 --> 00:09:54.539honestly, we should expect these peopleare not saved, they don't know God.10700:09:54.500 --> 00:10:00.539We honestly should not be surprised thatthey're not acting in an honorable,10800:10:00.580 --> 00:10:05.940God fearing manner. Right. Thisis just what we would expect. And10900:10:05.139 --> 00:10:11.370and so when I was thinking aboutwhen is it okay to grumble, and11000:10:11.450 --> 00:10:16.210I grumble is probably not the correctword in that case, but when,11100:10:16.289 --> 00:10:22.720I think it's important to ask ourselvesbefore we start grumbling, will my complaining11200:10:22.879 --> 00:10:31.360or bringing up up this issue doanything to evoke change in a positive,11300:10:31.120 --> 00:10:37.230God honoring way? Yeah, andjust complaining about them being who they are11400:10:39.309 --> 00:10:43.990in terms of talking about the proabortion people. I don't see how that's11500:10:43.110 --> 00:10:48.269going to in any way honor Godor bring about change. And in fact,11600:10:48.309 --> 00:10:54.419what I do see is it ittakes our focus off of our mission11700:10:54.460 --> 00:10:58.299and it kind of brings everybody down. Everybody suppressed because this isn't going to11800:10:58.419 --> 00:11:05.370end. How, Oh, whatis me? Yeah, so, so11900:11:05.649 --> 00:11:09.529I would say grumbling is destructive.It's destructive and we were just talking about12000:11:09.529 --> 00:11:13.450before the podcast. I think it'sone of the most famous examples of grumbling12100:11:15.450 --> 00:11:24.200is poor Moses as he's leading theIsraelites across the Promised Land and they pretty12200:11:24.240 --> 00:11:28.679much right away start grumbling and complainingthey're being led to freedom, out of12300:11:28.879 --> 00:11:37.429slavery. And I guess what whatwe would expect is gratitude and joy and12400:11:37.750 --> 00:11:41.110praise, but that's not really whathappened at all. Know now, I12500:11:41.230 --> 00:11:45.909was actually reading that in my timewith the Lord this morning. In Exodus12600:11:46.750 --> 00:11:52.179and they are of course, Goddelivers them with miraculous signs. And does12700:11:52.220 --> 00:11:58.379all these things in Egypt really provethat the false gods of Egypt, or12800:11:58.460 --> 00:12:01.129just that false God's brings the childrento Israel, out, brings them to12900:12:01.169 --> 00:12:05.370the Red Sea, and then ofcourse the army of Pharaoh is coming,13000:12:05.370 --> 00:12:09.250because Pharaoh's heart's been hardened again andhe's going to come and bring the children13100:12:09.289 --> 00:12:15.090of Israel back into Egypt. Andyou know, one point they're grumbling and13200:12:15.169 --> 00:12:20.000they're complaining and they say it's kindof funny the way that it's worded in13300:12:20.039 --> 00:12:24.679the scripture. Are there no gravesin Egypt? You know, do you13400:12:24.759 --> 00:12:28.279bring us out here because there wereno graves, there was no grave plots,13500:12:28.279 --> 00:12:30.230less and need you. That's whyyou brought us out here to die.13600:12:31.029 --> 00:12:33.629And you know, in a senseit's like, and this is where13700:12:33.629 --> 00:12:37.029we have to check our hearts,when we're complaining about a sick situation,13800:12:37.070 --> 00:12:41.669when we're complaining about a circumstance thatwe're in, are we complaining against the13900:12:41.830 --> 00:12:48.100Lord? Are we accusing him ofnot not being wise and not caring about14000:12:48.139 --> 00:12:50.659us? and think about the childrenof Israel, right. I mean,14100:12:50.779 --> 00:12:54.980of course God cared about them.He heard their cry in Egypt and he14200:12:54.100 --> 00:13:01.049delivered them through these miraculous means.And yet so their accusation is not just14300:13:01.289 --> 00:13:05.129it's not against just Moses, butit's against the Lord himself and the Lord's14400:13:05.169 --> 00:13:09.769deliverance. And you know, Ithink this can apply to sidewalk ministry,14500:13:09.809 --> 00:13:13.559though I don't think that many ofyou that are listening, that are doing14600:13:13.639 --> 00:13:16.879sidewalk ministry, have that same mentalityas the children of Israel. Did you14700:13:16.919 --> 00:13:20.000have an attitude of gratitude toward theLord and all of that? Yet we14800:13:20.039 --> 00:13:24.159can slip into that mentality. It'slike we can almost have mentality of God.14900:13:24.240 --> 00:13:26.000Did you call me to this ministryjust so people can call me names15000:13:26.039 --> 00:13:31.909and Malay find me? Did youcall me this ministry just so women can15100:13:31.029 --> 00:13:35.590cuss it me as they're going ininstead of responding to me positively? And15200:13:35.789 --> 00:13:39.909that really kind of goes back tothe podcast we did some months ago about15300:13:39.909 --> 00:13:43.580the motivation for ministry and I encourageyou guys, if you haven't, please15400:13:43.700 --> 00:13:48.539listen to that, because that canreally, I can really squash a lot15500:13:48.580 --> 00:13:52.820of this stuff if you have awrong motivation for ministry. Of Your motivation15600:13:52.980 --> 00:13:56.570from ministry is that you're going tobe out there and be the savior of15700:13:56.649 --> 00:14:00.809all these babies and these MOMS andall this stuff. You're going to be15800:14:00.889 --> 00:14:03.090sadly disappointed when they're cussing at you. Now God will use you to say15900:14:03.169 --> 00:14:07.409babies. We do believe that.I can just trust that. The Lord's16000:14:07.450 --> 00:14:09.960going to use you for sure,but that can't be our primary motivation.16100:14:11.000 --> 00:14:13.320A primary motivation has to be alove for God. Is What we're doing.16200:14:13.559 --> 00:14:18.039We're doing it in obedience to him. The victory is in obedience and16300:14:18.159 --> 00:14:22.159when our motivation is right, thenit will guard our heart against grumbling.16400:14:22.320 --> 00:14:26.789But I'll tell you, there's alwaysthe potential that we're going to grumble in16500:14:26.909 --> 00:14:28.669complain and I think, as yousaid, Vicki, there can be a16600:14:28.789 --> 00:14:33.909fine line between us sharing our birdand sharing our concern sharing. I mean16700:14:35.509 --> 00:14:39.980I'm thinking about the police officers.We've got a knucklehead police officer in Charlotte.16800:14:39.460 --> 00:14:43.620That has caused us a lot ofproblems and seems like he goes out16900:14:43.620 --> 00:14:46.419of his way to cause US issues. Do we need to talk about that17000:14:46.460 --> 00:14:48.659as a group? Yeah, wedo. We need to talk about that.17100:14:48.820 --> 00:14:52.289We need to talk about you know, we we've had some fun sometimes17200:14:52.370 --> 00:14:58.289and and just you know, hekind of looks like a cartoon character a17300:14:58.370 --> 00:15:01.610little bit. So if people kindof use that analogy, close to the17400:15:01.769 --> 00:15:05.450line there, though, of arewe having I think we're coming close to17500:15:05.570 --> 00:15:09.679the line. Yeah, or arewe? Are we making fun of an17600:15:09.960 --> 00:15:15.000is that God honoring? So yeah, that was one of the things actually17700:15:15.080 --> 00:15:18.440that that a fellow counselor brought upto me, because you very what I17800:15:18.519 --> 00:15:26.269thought was good natured was actually mockingsomeone and and he pointed out that that's17900:15:26.350 --> 00:15:28.950kind of gossip that. Yeah,I love you and respect you, but18000:15:30.110 --> 00:15:33.750have you considered that? So,anyway, sorry, didn't mean to interrupt.18100:15:33.990 --> 00:15:37.259Interrupt you there. I mean Ithink that and again I think that18200:15:37.539 --> 00:15:43.179fact there goes back to a podcastwe did about the body of Christ working18300:15:43.220 --> 00:15:48.100together and about burying one another's burdensin the fact that we need each other.18400:15:48.379 --> 00:15:52.049We need each other to help whenwe cross over that line, somebody18500:15:52.129 --> 00:15:56.169that's going to call us out andsay hey, we getting into the realm18600:15:56.250 --> 00:15:58.730of grumbling and complaining and we're gettinginto the realm of gossip. Yeah,18700:16:00.090 --> 00:16:03.330and to help us will this thingback, because at the end of the18800:16:03.370 --> 00:16:06.039day, what we want to dois honor Jesus. Right, we want18900:16:06.039 --> 00:16:10.519to honor Jesus and what we're doing. Of course we we've got to share19000:16:10.720 --> 00:16:12.279our burdens. We've got a share, and sometimes we can do it in19100:16:12.360 --> 00:16:15.000a funny way, we can doit in a way that you know we19200:16:15.360 --> 00:16:21.590don't have any malicious intent behind it, because we've got to relate each other19300:16:21.750 --> 00:16:25.190and I think part of the Camaraderieand part of the connection that we have19400:16:25.629 --> 00:16:29.309with each other's they're sort of likethese in inside jokes that we can tell19500:16:29.309 --> 00:16:33.059about sidewalk ministry and all that stuff. But it can step over a line19600:16:33.100 --> 00:16:36.779and it can get into where we'rejust in a negative attitude, we're in19700:16:36.860 --> 00:16:41.580a grumbling and complaining attitude, andso we need to check our hearts before19800:16:41.620 --> 00:16:45.539the Lord and check each other rightso that we don't get into this attitude19900:16:47.139 --> 00:16:52.210of grumbling and we're ultimately accusing Godby grumbling against him, because at the20000:16:52.250 --> 00:16:55.409end of the day, we believethat he called us to this ministry and20100:16:55.649 --> 00:16:59.250the things that are happening in thisministry, though they're not within his perfect20200:16:59.289 --> 00:17:03.039will, he certainly knew those thingsare going to happen and those things can20300:17:03.120 --> 00:17:07.359serve. Actually, the opposition thatwe receive from pro abortion people, police20400:17:07.440 --> 00:17:12.039or whatever it might be, canbe things that God uses to help us20500:17:12.079 --> 00:17:17.029grow to be more like Jesus.Again, let's look at the example of20600:17:17.109 --> 00:17:21.269Jesus. Was He maligned? WasHe marginalized? Was He spoken against?20700:17:21.670 --> 00:17:25.470The people lie about him? Yes, yes, yes, and yes.20800:17:26.470 --> 00:17:29.630How did he respond? And hecertainly did call things what they were.20900:17:30.900 --> 00:17:33.980He called the Pharisees a brood ofsnakes. You'd know that he did it21000:17:34.180 --> 00:17:37.819not out of malicious intent, butout of speaking the truth and warning the21100:17:37.900 --> 00:17:42.660people about these snakes, these broodof snakes, and also to confront these21200:17:42.740 --> 00:17:48.809Pharisees with their sin and the rebellionagainst God. So yeah, again there21300:17:48.849 --> 00:17:51.890can be this, this fine line. We do need to guard our hearts,21400:17:51.930 --> 00:17:56.289we do need to make sure thatwhat we're saying, we're like before21500:17:56.329 --> 00:17:59.720the Lord. This this honors theLord and this doesn't get me into a21600:17:59.839 --> 00:18:03.359mindset of one of the brothers herelocally says, of stinking thinking. We21700:18:03.440 --> 00:18:07.720don't want to get in that mindsetof just stinking thinking right, constantly saturating21800:18:07.759 --> 00:18:11.480our minds and our hearts with grumbling, with complaining, with negative stuff,21900:18:11.640 --> 00:18:18.029with these people do this, thisperson did that. We've got to come22000:18:18.109 --> 00:18:21.670back around to the fact in ourminds and our hearts that Jesus Christ is22100:18:21.750 --> 00:18:23.789our Lord, like we talked aboutin the joy podcast. We belong to22200:18:23.910 --> 00:18:29.900him. He's our Lord. Weneed to have joy, not just not22300:18:30.180 --> 00:18:34.019grumbling and complaining. Yeah, yeah, thinking about Jesus that you brought up,22400:18:34.140 --> 00:18:37.660that he he calls things like theyare and sometimes he can even be22500:18:38.500 --> 00:18:42.849harsh in his choice of words.But I can't recall a single time that22600:18:42.970 --> 00:18:48.809I would characterize him as grumbling,not a single time. I don't recall22700:18:48.930 --> 00:18:52.930any statement like woe is me,you know, look at look at all22800:18:53.009 --> 00:18:57.880that I'm enduring. He just does. He just endures it, and and22900:18:59.079 --> 00:19:04.559usually with silence. He usually doesn'tspeak about what he's suffering at all.23000:19:07.240 --> 00:19:10.710The only thing even close to thatmight be when he says, father,23100:19:10.789 --> 00:19:15.990if it is your will, takethis Cup from me, but that's that's23200:19:15.430 --> 00:19:22.150really more just a plea of anguish, as supposed to you know, a23300:19:22.309 --> 00:19:30.019complaint, but in in terms ofsome of the legitimate grievances, like when23400:19:30.099 --> 00:19:33.740you brought up the police. Andwhile I do think there's a fine line23500:19:33.740 --> 00:19:37.660when we start to kind of pokefun at then we got to be careful,23600:19:37.609 --> 00:19:44.009yeah, that we're not, youknow, edging towards disrespect and and23700:19:44.170 --> 00:19:49.569flat out gossip. But when whenwe get together and talk about the police23800:19:49.849 --> 00:19:55.920and the things that we feel wereunfair, we're actually trying to bring about23900:19:55.920 --> 00:20:00.599a change. It's not just todiscuss poor, pitiful loss. It really24000:20:00.720 --> 00:20:03.200is this is not legal, isit? Can someone look up and find24100:20:03.200 --> 00:20:06.880out if this Lee is legal?And oftentimes that you do in that,24200:20:06.920 --> 00:20:11.829Daniel, or our what can wedo to alleviate this issue, and talking24300:20:11.950 --> 00:20:17.789to lawyers and finding out what ourrights are and how we confide it.24400:20:18.230 --> 00:20:22.980And I think that that is verydifferent from grumbling. That's trying to take24500:20:22.059 --> 00:20:29.619action to right or wrong, andtrue grumbling, I don't think is.24600:20:30.180 --> 00:20:34.259I think it's just feeling sorry foryourself and complaining about something that, honestly,24700:20:34.380 --> 00:20:38.170you probably have no control over.But some of the things we do24800:20:38.329 --> 00:20:45.130have control over that are not grumblingin terms of against sidewalk ministry. If24900:20:45.569 --> 00:20:52.079we see abusive or aggressive behavior bythe pro abortion crowd or by patients or25000:20:52.200 --> 00:20:57.839clients or workers, we definitely needto address that and we should tell each25100:20:57.880 --> 00:21:02.880other, we should film it,we and we should seek counsel regarding that,25200:21:03.039 --> 00:21:07.109because that can be dangerous and again, it's something that we can take25300:21:07.230 --> 00:21:14.549action against. If we see concernsof sex trafficking or domestic abuse in the25400:21:14.710 --> 00:21:18.940clients coming into the abortion center,you know we need to talk with each25500:21:18.980 --> 00:21:23.099other about that and maybe call thepolice and and discussed with each other what25600:21:23.259 --> 00:21:29.140do we do in this situation?Some sometimes there's situations we don't know what25700:21:29.420 --> 00:21:33.130to do and we have to talkto each other to try and figure it25800:21:33.250 --> 00:21:41.289out. So that's different and thatis not at all what what we're talking25900:21:41.329 --> 00:21:49.480about. I also have found thatthe more I grumble, besides getting discouraged,26000:21:51.160 --> 00:21:56.160the more negatively I feel about thatperson I'm grumbling against. It feeds26100:21:56.400 --> 00:22:03.910into a negative, destructive, hatefulattitude towards others and again that that that's26200:22:03.950 --> 00:22:11.549not good. Yeah, so,but the next section that I have in26300:22:11.670 --> 00:22:15.700our article, which you kind ofalready talked about, is what's the solution,26400:22:15.779 --> 00:22:21.220and I want to tell you astory that that actually happened this week26500:22:21.819 --> 00:22:25.859out on the sidewalk, which maybethat there were two things that really sparked26600:22:26.099 --> 00:22:30.529this are article. This was oneof the things. There was a very26700:22:30.970 --> 00:22:36.250difficult group of pro abortion people.I think there was something like fifteen of26800:22:36.329 --> 00:22:40.970them. They always have number ourteam, and they were inches of our26900:22:41.170 --> 00:22:47.720face, screaming at us, tauntingus, threatening us. They were blowing27000:22:47.799 --> 00:22:52.480whistles in our ears, all kindsof other musical instruments right in our ears,27100:22:53.039 --> 00:23:00.910which was painful, and we wereall feeling just weary at the end27200:23:00.950 --> 00:23:06.109of the of three hours of that. We were worn out and we we27300:23:06.309 --> 00:23:10.710struggled to it. I think everyone of us was thinking, did anyone27400:23:10.950 --> 00:23:17.740hear anything of value that we calledout, because the noise and the persecution27500:23:17.900 --> 00:23:22.619was so strong that day. Andone of them, that was the worst27600:23:22.779 --> 00:23:29.569one of them, was just videotaping everything we were doing and getting in27700:23:29.650 --> 00:23:33.930our face and again mocking us.And it was time for us all to27800:23:33.009 --> 00:23:37.369go home. The time had endedand I said, I said should we27900:23:37.529 --> 00:23:42.200pray? And we knew yes,indeed we should pray and I volunteered to28000:23:42.279 --> 00:23:48.440be the one to pray. Andas soon as this worst of the offenders28100:23:48.559 --> 00:23:52.039of the pro abortion crowd heard thatwe were going to pray, said,28200:23:52.079 --> 00:23:53.559Oh, can I pray with you? Can I pray with you, very28300:23:53.680 --> 00:23:59.589mocking. So I did wrestle fora moment thinking should I have said sure,28400:23:59.829 --> 00:24:06.190but I didn't. I just ignoredher and I started praying and and28500:24:06.390 --> 00:24:11.980because I think I needed God andI knew my team needed God so desperately28600:24:11.019 --> 00:24:17.460at that moment I was really,really into that prayer. I was so28700:24:18.220 --> 00:24:22.019focused on God. Sometimes it isn'talways like that, but it was that28800:24:22.220 --> 00:24:27.289time and just really tapping in tothe holy spirit and really feeling that I28900:24:27.490 --> 00:24:34.329was in direct communion with with Godas I'm praying and she was saying things29000:24:34.410 --> 00:24:41.400and trying to distract and I justwas totally into my prayer, which,29100:24:41.440 --> 00:24:45.000by the way, is out loudfor the group before we disperse. And29200:24:45.079 --> 00:24:48.279then she started singing and I knewshe was singing, but I was not29300:24:49.000 --> 00:24:56.269conscious, at least conscious at allof the words of what she was singing.29400:24:56.349 --> 00:25:00.630And continued the prayer and somewhere throughthe middle of the prayer. She29500:25:00.910 --> 00:25:04.190I knew she had left, atleast I no longer registered that she was29600:25:04.309 --> 00:25:08.900there in the prayer ended and andwe all dispersed, went home and it29700:25:08.980 --> 00:25:15.740was later reading the team leads reportof the day and she mentioned that prayer29800:25:17.339 --> 00:25:22.970and mentioned that during that prayer thispro abortion person was singing hail Satan,29900:25:22.890 --> 00:25:29.089and at that everybody else was awareof it. Now I had no idea.30000:25:29.130 --> 00:25:33.769I had no idea. All Ifelt was peace and joy and comfort30100:25:33.049 --> 00:25:41.160in this prayer and to me thatspoke very specifically about our greatest anetote to30200:25:42.759 --> 00:25:49.549to grumbling is to keep our ourheart and mind so focused on God that30300:25:49.990 --> 00:25:56.710nothing else enters and it is asthough you're looking right through all those people30400:25:56.950 --> 00:26:02.309trying to discourage you, that youno longer see your hear them because you're30500:26:02.349 --> 00:26:06.940so focused on what God has calledyou to do and on his presence and30600:26:07.140 --> 00:26:12.180his holy spirit guiding and enabling youto do that. Yeah, I mean30700:26:12.259 --> 00:26:17.819it comes back to where our focusis. It comes back to what our30800:26:17.900 --> 00:26:22.369motivation is. We're not out theretoo we're not out there just to say30900:26:22.450 --> 00:26:26.250babies, we're not out there justto be heard. We're out there to31000:26:26.369 --> 00:26:30.730obey God and if it comes towhere our voices are being drowned out by31100:26:30.809 --> 00:26:36.079pro abortion people or whatever, youknow, opposition comes against us, we're31200:26:36.119 --> 00:26:40.839not out there for them. We'renot out there to feel good about ourselves31300:26:40.880 --> 00:26:45.400or out there to glorify Jesus.Yeah, and we've got to keep our31400:26:45.440 --> 00:26:52.509focus on him. I know wheneverthoughts and bad attitudes come kind of across31500:26:52.549 --> 00:26:55.670our radar, of course one ofthe ways that can bat that is to31600:26:55.750 --> 00:26:59.349pray. Yeah, when you're outthere on the sidewalk and there's there's this31700:26:59.549 --> 00:27:03.299ability and I think this this subjectgrumbling ties into the subject of discouragement and31800:27:03.420 --> 00:27:07.460dealing with discouragement, which we diddo a podcast about long time ago,31900:27:10.740 --> 00:27:14.700is bringing our petition to the Lord. That's one of the keys to overcoming32000:27:14.779 --> 00:27:18.809discouragement, overcoming not getting into becausediscouragement can lead into grumbling. That's kind32100:27:18.809 --> 00:27:22.930of the progression of things. Youget discourage, you start grumbling, you32200:27:22.970 --> 00:27:26.809start complaining, then you start accusingGod and then you start even question in32300:27:26.849 --> 00:27:32.039your calling and all that stuff.Before he gets to there. We need32400:27:32.079 --> 00:27:33.640to do, if you look atthe psalms, we need to do what32500:27:33.680 --> 00:27:37.559David did in the psalms where he'sbringing his can, his petition, and32600:27:38.200 --> 00:27:41.440it seems like in some of thepsalms like he's complaining to the Lord,32700:27:44.279 --> 00:27:45.789like, God, where are youin this situation? Like we can be32800:27:45.950 --> 00:27:51.430honest before the Lord, but weneed to come back around like David does32900:27:51.950 --> 00:27:55.990to your God, you're the Lordover it all. I belong to you.33000:27:56.029 --> 00:28:00.819You're not beholding to me and youknow, I think checking our attitude33100:28:00.900 --> 00:28:03.980between us and the Lord is itvery important then, of course, the33200:28:04.019 --> 00:28:07.380dynamic of other folks helping us tocheck our attitude. Yeah, so that33300:28:07.460 --> 00:28:11.099we're not getting this whole round ofjust being a grant. Yeah. Yeah,33400:28:12.170 --> 00:28:22.289act sixteen is a great example ofnot grumbling but doing replacing that with33500:28:23.170 --> 00:28:26.400turning our thoughts. Are Folk usin our heart on the Lord, and33600:28:26.519 --> 00:28:33.359I actually I think I copied youprobably all know that it's such a great33700:28:33.599 --> 00:28:37.119story in the book of acts,but I'll read or do you want to33800:28:37.160 --> 00:28:42.470read that? In in acts likesixteen, it's the full story, is33900:28:44.990 --> 00:28:48.789well, it goes through the wholechapter of acts, but the crux of34000:28:48.869 --> 00:28:53.349it is in verses twenty two,two to thirty. Yeah, yeah,34100:28:53.470 --> 00:28:57.619so to kind of condens it justa little bit and you guys probably again34200:28:57.700 --> 00:29:03.940we'll know the story where Paul andSilas were thrown into prison because Paul cast34300:29:03.019 --> 00:29:06.579a demon out of this girl whowas possessed by a demon. Right.34400:29:07.460 --> 00:29:10.970And they're there in prison now,and we've talked about this passage, I34500:29:11.009 --> 00:29:12.890think, before as well, orat least we've talked about acts chapter four,34600:29:12.970 --> 00:29:17.769when Peter and John were thrown intoprison for preaching the name of Jesus.34700:29:17.809 --> 00:29:21.769This is a similar scenario where Pauland Silas were thrown into prison for34800:29:21.890 --> 00:29:26.880casting out the demon proclaiming the nameof Jesus. Anyway, they're there in34900:29:26.160 --> 00:29:30.319a not so nice scenario. WhoMean? We think about jail, we35000:29:30.400 --> 00:29:33.160think about prison in this day andage. You didn't have TV's, you35100:29:33.200 --> 00:29:37.519didn't have a library. There you'rein a nasty, filthy place, probably35200:29:37.559 --> 00:29:41.710rats and all this, which theydidn't belong to. They did they they35300:29:41.750 --> 00:29:45.470didn't deserve to be in it.Would they were false charged, false accusations35400:29:45.509 --> 00:29:48.470and they thrown in prison. Theyhad every right to grumble, if someone35500:29:48.549 --> 00:29:51.549has a right to grumble, right, yeah, right, yeah, they35600:29:51.670 --> 00:29:53.980certainly would have. But order theybegin to do they began to worship,35700:29:55.660 --> 00:30:00.819they began to sing. Yeah,singing praise to the Lord in the midst35800:30:00.819 --> 00:30:03.940of that filthy, rotten place thatthey didn't deserve to be in. And35900:30:04.019 --> 00:30:07.769the Bible says that the place thatthey were was shaking. The prison house36000:30:07.849 --> 00:30:12.650was shaken and immediately all the doorswere open and everyone's chains were unfastened.36100:30:12.650 --> 00:30:15.930So they were released. They werepraising God, they were singing hymns of36200:30:17.009 --> 00:30:21.049praise, the Bible says, toGod, and the prisoners were hearing this36300:30:21.130 --> 00:30:23.359stuff. So that's a testimony.When we praise the Lord in the midst36400:30:23.359 --> 00:30:26.720of persecution, in the midst ofopposition, and we can worship and we36500:30:26.759 --> 00:30:30.640can praise the Lord, it's awitness to those around us, for sure,36600:30:32.720 --> 00:30:37.390and in this situation it calls anearthquake from the Lord that shook the36700:30:37.430 --> 00:30:41.589foundations of the prison and release theirchains, not just their chains, but36800:30:41.670 --> 00:30:44.150other people's chains. And there's listen. This will preach, let me tell36900:30:44.150 --> 00:30:48.109you, because you praising God inthe midst of opposition rather than grumbling and37000:30:48.309 --> 00:30:52.980complaining, can also bring freedom toother people. Right it can help other37100:30:53.019 --> 00:30:57.220people get free, and this isapplicable to on the sidewalk. Whenever you37200:30:57.420 --> 00:31:02.660decide in the midst of opposition,to be thankful, to have gratitude toward37300:31:02.740 --> 00:31:06.930God, to going back to thatacts chapter for or I think it's it's37400:31:06.930 --> 00:31:11.890later on in acts chapter six,I believe, when Peter and the apostles,37500:31:11.930 --> 00:31:14.609I think it was Peter and JohnAgain, were beaten for the name37600:31:14.650 --> 00:31:18.490of Jesus and they left rejoicing thatthey had been found worthy to suffer for37700:31:18.569 --> 00:31:22.240his namesake. So if we cantake that kind of attitude, man,37800:31:22.720 --> 00:31:27.240that is contagious and in this situation, the analogy would be the not only37900:31:27.279 --> 00:31:32.799were their chains released, but thechains of everyone else. Yeah, that38000:31:32.950 --> 00:31:36.509was there people who weren't worshiping andpraising God, but people who are overhearing38100:31:36.549 --> 00:31:38.710this thing. So you this canbring freedom to other people in the sidewalk38200:31:38.829 --> 00:31:42.190is you're worshiping and praising God inthe midst of persecution, your other sidewalk38300:31:42.269 --> 00:31:47.579counselors, people who are probably fillingthe same temptation to grumble into be like38400:31:47.779 --> 00:31:52.220why are we even here? Whatevercan actually that fire can actually spread to38500:31:52.259 --> 00:31:56.900them. It can also spread.As you were speaking, I realized what38600:31:56.019 --> 00:32:02.009an incredible example and picture that is. When we do that, when we38700:32:02.210 --> 00:32:07.769turn the persecution and prays to theMOMS themselves, because what we are asking38800:32:07.890 --> 00:32:10.930of them oftentimes, I'll directly saythis, don't put your eyes on your38900:32:10.970 --> 00:32:15.759struggles, don't put your eyes onyour circumstances. Put Your eyes on Jesus.39000:32:15.240 --> 00:32:19.839Don't give into the to your fearsand your struggles in your troubles,39100:32:20.880 --> 00:32:24.680but keep bringing your eyes back tothe Lord. And that is what that's39200:32:24.720 --> 00:32:28.839what we're asking them to do,and they see that, if they see39300:32:29.000 --> 00:32:34.109us doing that in the midst ofthe persecution that we are receiving, not39400:32:34.309 --> 00:32:38.390on the side bucket. That isa powerful statement, a powerful word.39500:32:38.509 --> 00:32:44.339Picture will not word, picture,powerful visual of what we're telling them.39600:32:45.099 --> 00:32:50.180And if, instead, what theysee is as grumbling, fighting, returning39700:32:50.660 --> 00:32:55.819the Machrian and the insults, withfurther in salt, smocking or whatever from39800:32:57.019 --> 00:33:04.890us, all we've shown them isjust go and do whatever you want and39900:33:05.049 --> 00:33:08.130ignore what God has has called youto do, because that's basically what we're40000:33:08.210 --> 00:33:13.519doing. We are not called tocredible or to persecute. Those who persecute40100:33:13.599 --> 00:33:16.799us. Know we're called a magnifiedJesus, and that's what they were doing40200:33:17.400 --> 00:33:22.000ultimately, and you guys know thestory this, this jailer who was going40300:33:22.079 --> 00:33:25.160to take his own life because ifa prisoner got loose, his life was40400:33:25.200 --> 00:33:29.910going to be taken anyway. Right, he's responsible for them staying in prison.40500:33:30.750 --> 00:33:34.430Ultimately, Paul says don't harm yourself, leads him to the Lord,40600:33:34.470 --> 00:33:39.150baptizes him and his whole family.So this attitude, in the midst of40700:33:39.269 --> 00:33:45.180persecution and opposition, of praise andThanksgiving to the Lord, rather than grumbling,40800:33:45.180 --> 00:33:46.859rather than saying all, we're inthis filthy prison, we don't deserve40900:33:46.980 --> 00:33:50.700to be here. God, weren'tyou protecting us? Weren't you watching out41000:33:50.700 --> 00:33:53.460for us? Like what's going onhere? Lord? Instead of that attitude,41100:33:53.460 --> 00:33:58.569they praise God, prison doors areopen, people are set free.41200:33:58.690 --> 00:34:02.930This guy comes into the Lord andsole family. So this is like really41300:34:02.970 --> 00:34:08.369a strong motivation for us to havean attitude of worship and praise to the41400:34:08.449 --> 00:34:14.239Lord, and an attitude of worshipand praise can combat an attitude of grumbling41500:34:14.320 --> 00:34:19.960and complaining. So we have tomake this, this this conscious, volitional41600:34:20.280 --> 00:34:28.030decision, because when we are experiencingwish back and we are experiencing persecution or41700:34:28.070 --> 00:34:30.150whatever it might be, there isalways going to be that temptation to grumble,41800:34:30.230 --> 00:34:35.230complain, to make it about us. We have to make that conscious41900:34:35.230 --> 00:34:38.820decision to say, Nope, I'mgoing to I'm going to shun those feelings42000:34:39.500 --> 00:34:44.139and I'm going to embrace an attitudeof worship and praise. And sometimes we42100:34:44.260 --> 00:34:46.460have to do it even if wedon't feel it right. And sometimes it42200:34:46.659 --> 00:34:51.619means you getting out your smartphone,even out there on the sidewalk, and42300:34:52.059 --> 00:34:54.650pulling up a song on Youtube ofworship and just begin to worship Jesus,42400:34:55.130 --> 00:34:59.929just begin to pray. Sometimes itmaybe it's let's gather the whole group together,42500:34:59.929 --> 00:35:01.170the whole sidewalk team in together,and let's just pray. Let's just42600:35:01.210 --> 00:35:06.210have a time of prayer before theLord. Let's give the situation to God.42700:35:06.329 --> 00:35:10.719We have to make conscious decisions toto not grumble but to magnify Jesus,42800:35:10.800 --> 00:35:15.519to worship him and to thank him. And we can even do what42900:35:15.719 --> 00:35:17.880they did here, thank him,praise him, even the midst of prison,43000:35:17.920 --> 00:35:22.670or like the apostles there in theearly part of acts, where they43100:35:22.789 --> 00:35:25.869praise him that they were accounted worthyto suffer for his namesake. Yeah,43200:35:27.030 --> 00:35:30.269yeah, and so and and wecan use each other to help bring about43300:35:30.630 --> 00:35:35.739that transformation and how we're thinking abouttrials and persecution. And so I've got43400:35:35.780 --> 00:35:37.460to tell you another story. Andthe second thing. I told you there43500:35:37.500 --> 00:35:40.940were two things that sparked this article. The one was when it happened to43600:35:40.980 --> 00:35:47.579me and out on that sidewalk.The second was I was meeting for a43700:35:47.699 --> 00:35:54.730podcast with Daniel and he said howis your day and I I I think,43800:35:54.969 --> 00:36:00.050grumbled and said it was really roughand and told them you would not43900:36:00.170 --> 00:36:07.199have believed the pro abortion group todayand I was describing what we had endured44000:36:07.920 --> 00:36:15.840and and his response to me,your response was I'm glad you got to44100:36:15.039 --> 00:36:21.110have that experience. And I remember, I still remember those works and I'm44200:36:21.190 --> 00:36:23.909like it just took totally took thewind out of my sales. I'm like44300:36:24.630 --> 00:36:34.780what Boa and I realized immediately youwere right and I said, I think44400:36:34.780 --> 00:36:37.099I said it with a little bitof tongue in cheek, but I said44500:36:38.139 --> 00:36:46.210you're right. I counted a privilegethat today I was able to suffer for44600:36:46.809 --> 00:36:52.449Jesus. But what became just inhonestly tongue and cheek at the moment,44700:36:53.210 --> 00:37:00.210became my reality. I realize itchanged me. That changed me I just44800:37:00.409 --> 00:37:04.320thought it was so unexpected. Ithought you're using such a nice guy,44900:37:04.400 --> 00:37:07.960Daniel. I thought you, Ithought you would start telling me, you45000:37:08.079 --> 00:37:14.400know. Oh, poor Vicky,I'm so sorry. That must have been45100:37:14.480 --> 00:37:17.909really rough. But but your responsewas the perfect response, because what it45200:37:17.989 --> 00:37:24.630did was snapped me out of anattitude of grumbling and complaining into an attitude45300:37:24.750 --> 00:37:30.820of you know, it is.Got Surprised by that persecution. Does God45400:37:30.900 --> 00:37:35.099not know about that? Did hethink I was worth you know, did45500:37:35.139 --> 00:37:37.300he want me to suffer? Youknow? No, God has a purpose45600:37:37.420 --> 00:37:43.380and a plan. And when weremember that, that includes I mean we45700:37:43.460 --> 00:37:46.969are in a fallen world, buthe could remove us at any moment from45800:37:47.010 --> 00:37:52.849that persecution. He could remove thepersecutors at any moment. Yeah, but45900:37:52.010 --> 00:37:58.289he doesn't. And if he doesn't, there is something greater going on.46000:37:59.320 --> 00:38:04.239And and I do think a lotof it probably has to do with are46100:38:04.360 --> 00:38:09.039we going to trust him no matterwhat? And and the no matter what,46200:38:09.760 --> 00:38:15.030if you're in sidewalk ministry, thatis going to include opposition. And46300:38:15.230 --> 00:38:20.030just no matter what, be preparedto praise and follow and keep your focus46400:38:20.150 --> 00:38:24.510on God. And I will sayanother thing is grumbling is a huge time46500:38:24.630 --> 00:38:29.219drain on all of us. Iwas training someone yesterday and I don't think46600:38:29.260 --> 00:38:34.579she was truly grumbling. I thinkshe was just overwhelmed, overwhelmed by what46700:38:34.739 --> 00:38:37.699she was seeing. She had neverseen the opposition like that. But so46800:38:38.380 --> 00:38:44.329much of the time was spent saying, yeah, that's who they are,46900:38:44.969 --> 00:38:49.409that's what they are. Can weget back to who we are and what47000:38:49.530 --> 00:38:53.369we're called to be doing? Yeah, yeah, I think we have to47100:38:53.409 --> 00:39:00.599remember that God doesn't have a vestedinterest in keeping US comfortable. Right.47200:39:01.159 --> 00:39:07.119God has a vested interest in makingus more like his son Jesus, and47300:39:07.400 --> 00:39:13.389he will use things like persecution andhe will use opposition and he will use47400:39:13.550 --> 00:39:17.389false accusations and all those things,because all those things were experienced by Jesus.47500:39:19.349 --> 00:39:21.989God will use those things to growus to be more like Jesus.47600:39:22.750 --> 00:39:28.980The question is, will we?Will we respond appropriately? And going back47700:39:29.099 --> 00:39:31.059to the example, and if youwant to look at examples of what grumbling47800:39:31.139 --> 00:39:37.059and complaining will do and how itwill shipwreck your walk with God and your47900:39:37.139 --> 00:39:40.170entrance into the Promised Land and tothe rest of God, look no further48000:39:40.329 --> 00:39:44.449than the book of Exodus. Asthe children of Israel or brought through the48100:39:44.489 --> 00:39:46.530Wilderness and they're brought, and evenat the very beginning to the Red Sea.48200:39:46.849 --> 00:39:52.090I mean they're grumbling actually even beforethat, whenever Moses initially he is48300:39:52.130 --> 00:39:58.280coming to deliver them and Pharaoh putsthe task on them to make bricks without48400:39:58.320 --> 00:40:00.719Straw. You're going to get yourown Straw. And you know that they48500:40:00.760 --> 00:40:05.880were grumbling. And they're at theRed Sea right and got it already.48600:40:05.880 --> 00:40:08.949showed them his power, and yetthey're grumbling against God there all the all48700:40:08.989 --> 00:40:13.269through the Wilderness. So you knowwhen they grumbling complain because they don't have48800:40:13.349 --> 00:40:17.070meet God, gives him quail upto their eyeballs and they grumbled complain about48900:40:17.070 --> 00:40:21.500that. It's every every area andeverything that God does, they grumble and49000:40:21.539 --> 00:40:24.780they complain. But you will seethat there were at least two men,49100:40:27.500 --> 00:40:30.380Jonathan, or, I'm sorry,Joshua and Caleb, who didn't grumbling complain49200:40:30.460 --> 00:40:35.260against God, and they entered intothe promised land. They made a conscious49300:40:35.260 --> 00:40:37.769decision to look at what God haddone, the good things the Lord had49400:40:37.849 --> 00:40:42.449done for them, and that fueledthe fire in their hearts to believe that49500:40:42.610 --> 00:40:45.730this God is good. We're notgoing to grumble complain. The stuff that49600:40:45.809 --> 00:40:50.960happens to us. It's not God'sfault. And even if it was God's49700:40:51.000 --> 00:40:53.320fault, he's still good. Heputs breath in our lungs and we're going49800:40:53.320 --> 00:40:58.440to worship and we're going to praisehim. And those men entered the Promised49900:40:58.440 --> 00:41:00.800Land Right. Those who did not, those who grumble, those who died50000:41:00.840 --> 00:41:05.030in the wilderness, where those whogrumbled and complained. And this is a50100:41:05.110 --> 00:41:09.590conscious decision and there may be foryou guys that are listening, a time50200:41:09.750 --> 00:41:15.590that you just need to, afterthis podcast, repent before God and just50300:41:15.710 --> 00:41:17.510tell God you're sorry. And itmay not have anything to do a cybwalk50400:41:17.579 --> 00:41:21.380ministry. It might have to dowith your family. You might have been50500:41:21.420 --> 00:41:25.420grumbling and complained against God because yourkids are doing this or that your husband's50600:41:25.500 --> 00:41:30.460doing this or that your wife isdoing this or that your financial situation is50700:41:30.539 --> 00:41:32.889like this or like that, andyou've just had an attitude of grumbling and50800:41:34.010 --> 00:41:37.050complaining and ultimately, if you're honest, you're grumbling, you're complaining, is50900:41:37.130 --> 00:41:40.730not just against your circumstances, againstyour family member, but it's against God51000:41:42.610 --> 00:41:46.400and you need to repent and justsay God, I'm sorry. If of51100:41:46.519 --> 00:41:52.400accusing you, I'm sorry, ofa bad attitude. In God answers.51200:41:52.440 --> 00:41:55.159When we repent, listen, Godcomes in, he brings forgiveness, he51300:41:55.280 --> 00:42:01.309washes, he cleanses and he cangive you a good attitude. He can51400:42:01.510 --> 00:42:07.190give you a different perspective where youcan see that maybe the Lord was using51500:42:07.269 --> 00:42:10.550that stuff to make you more likeJesus and you didn't respond appropriately. Soho51600:42:10.550 --> 00:42:15.780ask God for grace to respond appropriatelyin the future and he'll give you grace51700:42:15.900 --> 00:42:17.619to do it. Man, itreally has to do with our attitude.51800:42:17.659 --> 00:42:22.099It really has to do with ourresponse to the Lord and when we respond51900:42:22.179 --> 00:42:25.099we're not always. No one isgoing to respond a hundred percent appropriately every52000:42:25.179 --> 00:42:29.820time. When we don't, wejust repent and ask God for grace to52100:42:29.900 --> 00:42:31.329do right in the future, andwho give us grace to do it.52200:42:31.530 --> 00:42:37.250Yeah, so hope this was anencouragement to you guys and a challenge to52300:42:37.289 --> 00:42:40.809you guys. We don't want todiscourage you, want to encourage you,52400:42:42.010 --> 00:42:44.920just like my response to Vicky.I'm glad you got to experience that.52500:42:46.880 --> 00:42:52.960I know Vicky could handle that andmaybe people that are brand news. If52600:42:53.000 --> 00:42:57.920your leaders, if you're a leader, maybe that's not always the appropriate response.52700:42:58.039 --> 00:43:00.909You probably want to if you dorespond that way when they're sharing their52800:43:01.030 --> 00:43:05.469grumbling and complaining, that you mightwant to spell it out a little more52900:43:05.550 --> 00:43:08.510and identify with her with their paina little more. We certainly want to53000:43:08.510 --> 00:43:14.340do that with each other. Pointthem towards Jesus always right. That's what53100:43:14.460 --> 00:43:16.900we need to do. But Iknew again. I knew, Vicky,53200:43:17.019 --> 00:43:21.739you can handle it and you needto be spurred on encourage in that way.53300:43:21.900 --> 00:43:25.619It's sparked any podcast, in myopinion. Yeah, yeah, yeah,53400:43:25.619 --> 00:43:29.809and at least drew you closer tothe Lord and drew drew me closer53500:43:29.849 --> 00:43:34.210to the Lord. Just reading throughthis and covering the subject is really encouraging,53600:43:35.369 --> 00:43:37.889and so, anyway, with that, I think we'll wrap this thing53700:43:37.969 --> 00:43:42.960up. We appreciate you, guys, listening and please reach out to me,53800:43:43.159 --> 00:43:45.440Daniel Love Life Dot Org. Reachout to Vicky, Vicky at Love53900:43:45.519 --> 00:43:51.039Life Dot Org. It maybe you'vegot some struggles and things we would certainly54000:43:51.199 --> 00:43:53.760love to pray for you and praywith you about those things. Maybe you've54100:43:53.760 --> 00:43:59.150got questions that we can answer.Will do our best answer whatever questions that54200:43:59.269 --> 00:44:05.030come our way about sidewalk ministry andso with that we'll talk to you guys54300:44:05.030 --> 00:44:13.099later. God bless God, blessyou all. Give me our love for54400:44:13.340 --> 00:44:24.530love. Give me our love forgratitude. I know it will cost me54500:44:24.730 --> 00:44:32.449my love. Nothing's too precious,and some that you