A Daily Devotional by Pastor Robert Lutz

Are you looking for something a little different in your daily quiet time?  For 2012, Pastor Robert Lutz is writing short devotionals to encourage you through your day.  The devotionals will be emailed to you Monday through Friday and are designed to give a simple reminder to live the day for Jesus Christ.  If you would like to receive these devotionals, you can email him at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and let him know you would like to receive the SOS Devotions.  

Below is a sample of a daily SOS Devotion:

Scripture:  Philippians 2:5, 14-15

Insights: Negativity.  Grumbling.  Complaining.  Griping.  Do these words give an image of a heart that is hardened or one that is open?  The answer is obvious.  It is a picture of a hardened heart.  Does anyone like to be around people who are negative or known for complaining?  No.  Companies are relieved when a person quits or is fired because of their negativity.  We never hear of Jesus complaining or grumbling.  The children of Israel were stuck in the wilderness for 40 years because of their negativity, not believing God could move among them despite the miracles He had done for them.  Things do not go exactly like we plan and we begin complaining and whining.  We make excuses.  Yet the Bible is clear in verse 14 that grumbling is a sin.  It is an attitude that displays ungratefulness and bitterness.  In 1 Corinthians 10:10, it demonstrates how negativity will tests God’s patience.  Psalm 106:25 says that grumbling can lead to disobedience because of the loss of faith in God.  So you have a choice.  You can spend your time complaining, taking your eyes off of God, and letting your heart harden; or you can find a way to make things better, keeping a positive attitude, keeping your eyes on Jesus and letting your heart be open to all God wants to do.

Questions:

1. On a scale of 1 to 5, where would you rank your grumbling or complaining?
2. Will you make the commitment today to not let one negative thought or complaint come out of your mouth for 24 or 48 hours?  Take note of how easy or hard this task is to do.

Prayer:  Lord help me to have a positive attitude today.  Let me not complain about a single thing that may happen to me today, but instead keep my eyes on You and have faith in all that You are doing.