"Experienced"

 "When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years." (Hebrews 3:9 KJV)

  "John's two disciples found Jesus and said to him, "John the Baptist sent us to ask, 'Are you the Messiah we've been expecting, or should we be looking for someone else?'" At that very time, Jesus cured many people of their diseases, illnesses, and evil spirits, and he restored sight to many who were blind. Then he told John's disciples, "Go back to John and tell him what you have seen and heard - the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor. And tell him, 'God blesses those who do not turn away because of me.'"" (Luke 7:20-23 NLT)

 As I finished yesterday's post, I was reminded about the children of Israel's complaint to Moses, over and over, they kept saying the same thing, "Was there not enough graves for us in Egypt?" Even though they saw His great and awesome power, over and over, they still would complain whenever things looked as though there might be a challenge or a need. 

 A little challenge, and we think about needs and wants, as if there isn't a way for God to work things out! Having crossed that experience as often as I have, you would think by now I would stop the worry and try to just be thankful for waking up! God is so faithful, as soon as we have a little resistance, we should just relax and remember how faithful He has always been. 

 The crazy thing about the complaints the people had, is, they actually did end up dyeing in the wilderness! The thing that they tried to blame God for, actually became what they experienced! Wouldn't it be nice if we just kept praising God for all the good things, and maybe we wouldn't experience so many things that don't seem that good...

"God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, "God is tempting me." God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death." (James 1:12-15 NLT)