Effie Darlene Barba

So, it was I awoke Monday morning with a bitter spirit.  At first, I didn’t really recognize it.  Afterall I had gotten up, studied my Bible, begun to think of the lesson for next week’s class, and prepare for a new week at work.  Lunch boxes and breakfast were ready. Then I got the grandchildren up to get ready for school and realized the trash needed taking out, there were clothes to fold, and the kitty litter needed cleaning. Suddenly, there it was!  I began to grumble, “Why am I the only one to clean the kitty litter, it isn’t even my cat?”  “No one else folds clothes, goes to the grocery store and now no one is taking out the trash and I have to!”  Have you ever done that?  But can a bitter spirit lead to devastating loss?

Of course, a bitter spirit only leads to loss ultimately.  Just like the lesson I was preparing for my next Sunday School class.  Then, it really it me.  So, far every week my own heart plummets into the area where I will be teaching.  Last week we talked about trusting God in the wilderness, just as suddenly a wilderness experience entered my own life.  While in that place of not knowing, when the future looks so uncertain you cannot imagine which direction is right; one must fully rely on God for provision and direction.  Any other option is gone.  Well, now this week, I awoke with a bitter spirit and I would need to employ the same tactics as I planned to teach.  What an amazing God of Grace I serve!  He knows how imperfect is my own heart; yet, gives the grace to allow me to learn and teach of Him all at the same time.

A BITTER SPIRIT

So, it was the Israeli nation while traveling through the wilderness were often plagued with a bitter spirit of discontent.  They murmured at the Red Sea right before God parted the sea for them to cross.  Then, they murmured as they marched toward Mount Sinai, where they worshipped God then turned their backs on Him, building a golden calf.  Along the path from Mount Sinai to the edges of the promised land, their bitter spirit continued.  They murmured about the food.  Then, they murmured about their leaders.  Anger and bitterness remained on their lips often, despite God’s just moments of punishment and His acts of saving grace.  No one seemed to learn a lesson.  Never did they consider the cost before them for their bitter spirit, for they were about to suffer devastating loss.  Yet, they were too blind to see.

Moses grew weary of these grumbling people and even asked God, why? He even said, “Did I conceive all these people? Did I give birth to them, that you would say to me, ‘Carry them at the breast, as a nurse carries an unweaned child,’ to the fertile land that you promised their ancestors? (Numbers 11:12)

          God sent Moses helpers to deal with the people.   Still, whenever God said, “enough!  I will destroy these people and start a new family with you, Moses”, Moses would instead pray on their behalf for God’s grace to cover them.  He was always willing to sacrifice himself for them.  What a picture of Christ!  Although Moses was not perfect as Christ, for Moses was not the Messiah.  But he did point the way to the Messiah.  God does that.  He takes our flailing, sin filled hearts and transforms them so others can see Jesus through our lives.

Devastating Loss

So, it was their bitter spirit blinded them to the truth of the promised land.  God had said, “⁹ When you go to war in your land against an enemy who is attacking you, you will blow short blasts with the trumpets so that you may be remembered by the Lord your God and be saved from your enemies.”

          God had promised them the land and the victory over all their enemies.  Yet, so filled with a bitter spirit, they murmured against God instead of accepting the truth.  He had performed miracle after miracle before them.  His Glory resided in their presence; yet they were so blinded by their bitter spirit they could not see.  Therefore, before them lay the promised land and all they obtained was devastating loss.  But didn’t even then God give them what they asked for?

Numbers 14: ¹The entire community raised their voice and the people wept that night. ² All the Israelites criticized Moses and Aaron. The entire community said to them, “If only we had died in the land of Egypt or if only, we had died in this desert! 

And so, that generation did just that.  All died, never seeing the promised except for Caleb and Joshua who “had a different spirit”.  Their spirit was one of praise, hope and faith.

LESSONS FOR US:

1. There are Consequence of faithless choices.  In this case, God brought them to the edge of magnificent things—a bitter spirit caused their devastating loss.
2. Their faithless choices led to Unnecessary detours where a group of people with an open door of opportunity and missed it

 

But isn’t that you and I?  Wasn’t that what I let into my heart last Monday? Thanks be to God for letting me see and deal with my own heart before I lost the most precious things I have—God and the family He graciously gave me.

 

Keys to Overcoming a Bitter Spirit

1. First recognize the Sovereignty of God in our lives.  When I realize everything comes from Him, then I realize my bitter spirit is against Him.  My grumbling is against God.   When obedience to the will of God becomes conditional upon personal levels of comfort, we treat Him with contempt—our purpose is to enjoy the gifts; but not the Giver of the gifts.

So, remember all His promises and all that He has so graciously done over the years.

 

2. We must remain clear, remembering our calling:   We must recognize our call is unconditional obedience and surrender to His will where the personal price of surrender is unknown.  We must take up our cross and follow Him.
3. Then we must keep our eyes upon our destiny.

That is what I did and then I sat the grandchildren down the next morning and explained all of this and the story of the Israelites, using myself as an example as well.

Scriptures to Remember When Facing A Bitter Spirit.

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.  For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.  Hebrews 12: 1-3

 

⁸ Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.  Philippians 4:8

 

When we focus our eyes on all that is good and right.  If we keep our eyes on Jesus, then our hearts remain filled with joy, hope and faith.  No bitter spirit can survive God’s grace in our hearts. Instead of devastating loss we will face eternal joy, for in His presence is joy everlasting.

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link.  There is nothing more important than this; because,  He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

PREVIOUSLY

Obedience to the Plan of God Removes Chaos

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Or if you would like to share  your story or thoughts, you can  comment here

Books Available

If you want to know more about books I have written, click on this link to discover my Book Resources.

Another option is going to Amazon.com. There you can find my books by searching for Effie Darlene Barba.  Or click this link to be taken there

Furthermore  for inspirational photos or home decor click here.

Disclosures

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2019
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Credits

Photo by Karim MANJRA on Unsplash

The book of Numbers presents the plan of God for His people going forward.  A plan that removes all chaos.  Here we had over 1.5 million people traveling through the wilderness.  All around was nothingness, so they had to depend fully upon God to provide their needs.  It was essential to remain focused.  Any degree of chaos could bring total havoc to their progress.  There had to be order.  God’s design was perfect.  His grace overwhelming as he dealt with their failures, impatience and lack of faith.  He provided them with a humble, sacrificial leader who would sacrifice his life for their protection.  All God asked for was obedience to His plan for them.  Behind them lay slavery, sorrow and despair.  Ahead lay the promised land.

He provided from them Leviticus. A detailed plan of structuring their lives in such a manner as to remain safe socially and spiritually.  Therein, He provided a means for their redemption from sin through a sacrificial system that pointed the way to Christ.   Now in Numbers, God provides an organizational plan that provides efficiency and safety.  God within the tabernacle was central, as He must be today in the tabernacles of our hearts.  Surrounding the tabernacle were the priests, each group with their own unique orders of what they were responsible for when moving forward.  Each tribe remained together, having numbered the available fighting men within them.

God Removes Chaos

Continue reading “Obedience to the Plan of God Removes Chaos”

Before we move fully into the book of Numbers, I want to go back once more to Mount Sinai.  Although I mentioned briefly Moses’s intercessory prayer, I believe we must linger a little longer there to fully grasp our study in the book of Numbers.  How can we be certain that we are secure in God’s Grace?  Why is that so important to know when we walk through the wilderness of life?  We seem to get caught between grace and works, most often in the wilderness.  Knowing that my relationship with God should manifest itself in good works; I strive hard to put on my armor every morning.  Then, somewhere along the way, “I” get distracted.  My eyes get so focused on whatever is my next right step, that I take my eyes off Jesus and look at the storm around me.

Then, just like Peter when he took his eyes off Jesus, I begin to sink in despair. Hopelessness fills my heart and I become restless.  There in that wilderness of uncertainty, I cry out to God.

Matthew 14:22-33 (NET)[1]

Continue reading “Are You Secure in God’s Grace, How and Why?”

As we journey through our life on earth, we find ourselves often in the wilderness.  That place where the complexities of life don’t make sense.  The center between where we were and where we are going.  There, our hearts yearn for more.  Desiring love to battle against loneliness.  Fighting the darkness within our minds.  Reaching out, we grasp hold of what we might think brings happiness, only to discover a different pain as we lose ourselves into the unknown.  Reasoning and rationality fall apart.  The wilderness looms around us as we have no idea what is the next step we are to take.  The familiar past is gone, and we need direction. As our heart aches and fear enters, we tremble with anticipation but of what? So, here we begin, as an entire nation in the book of Numbers learns lessons from God in the wilderness.

Led by Moses, the children of Israel left Egypt where they had resided for 400 years.  What a spectacular Exodus it had been!  They were headed to the Promised Land.  Along the way, the people grew restless and murmured against God.  How quickly they forgot what God had done. Yet, God provided all they needed. When they came to Mount Sinai, Moses went up to the mountain top to meet with God.  There he received the covenant of God including the Ten Commandments and rules on how to live both as a family and a society.  The people saw God’s presence on the mountain as a cloud filled with thundering and lightening.  When Moses returned, they accept God’s covenant, promising to love God with all their heart, mind and strength.  Never to put another God before Him. Joyous for God’s presence they were happy.

In the Wilderness

Continue reading “Lessons from God in the Wilderness are”

 

Paul arrived into Rome where he was bound by chains, prisoner in a home.  Shackled to a guard, he was allowed visitors. Although he could not go out in the streets.  There it was, he called to himself the Jews of the area.  He so wanted them to know Jesus.  Yes, his ministry had been among the gentiles primarily.  However, his heart bled for the Jews.  Despite their attempts to kill him in Jerusalem, he fearlessly called the Jews of this area.  Then he said, “For the hope of Israel, I am bound with this chain”.  Bound by chains because he knew the one hope of the world, Jesus Christ.  Furthermore, he was bound by chains because his heart bled for Israel that they too might know the one hope.  Then, they would also know why the gospel message was for all people.

Am I bound by chains with passion to the one hope?  Do I truly love God with all my heart, my strength, and my mind?  What would my life look like if I did?  Paul never missed an opportunity to tell others about Jesus.  He marched straight into danger, driven by his passion for the lost.  Without Jesus Christ, all of humanity is lost with no hope of salvation.  Their eternity forever separated from God, tormented in hell.  The lifetime on earth that we live is a split second compared to eternity.  How can not be bound by chains of love to ministering to all we meet, regardless of the cost.  For Jesus Christ is the one hope, the only hope for the lost of the world.

Bound by Chains to the One Hope

So easily in the storms, my mind and heart lose focus of this one thing.  Why is it that I can be so easily distracted from this truth?  Ah, we are fighting a battle against our own flesh and against the demons, principalities and darkness of this world.  Satan wants to chain us to the cares and worries of this world, stealing from us the joy of our salvation.  Thusly we turn our hearts away from the one hope and fail to tell others of Jesus.  Truth is our hearts are either bound by chains to the world or to God.  So, once more I must ask the question—what would my life or yours look like if truly we loved God with all our hearts, our minds, and our strength?

[bctt tweet=”God, I ask you bind my heart With chains of love for you That I might never try to depart There bound! Your will alone I do pursue” username=”effiedarlene”]

[bctt tweet=”Oh, let my heart be bound by chains to the only hope Jesus Christ. So tightly bound heart to heart that my lips are compelled to always proclaim His name to everyone I meet.” username=”effiedarlene”]

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link.  There is nothing more important than this; because,  He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

PREVIOUSLY

5 Keys to Surviving the Relentless Storms of Life

Why Is “Almost” the Same Devastating Loss as “No Way”?

 

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Or if you would like to share  your story or thoughts, you can  comment here

Books Available

If you want to know more about books I have written, click on this link to discover my Book Resources.

Another option is going to Amazon.com. There you can find my books by searching for Effie Darlene Barba.  Or click this link to be taken there

Furthermore  for inspirational photos or home decor click here.

Disclosures

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2019
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Credits

Photo by Zulmaury Saavedra on Unsplash