“And when the people complained, it displeased the Lord: and the Lord heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the Lord burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp" (Num 11:1; NKJ).

Do you ever get the impression that God doesn’t like complaining? When we complain it is like telling God that we are not happy with what he is doing in our lives. Don’t worry you are not alone, we are all guilty of complaining. I wonder how many times I have complained about the weather. Well, God’s word has some instructions for us in Philippians 2:14: "Do all things without murmurings and disputings". That’s pretty straight forward.

Complaining is making a negative confession, so next time you are tempted to complain remember to count your blessings instead and thank God for all the good things that are going on in your life. “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thess 5:18). We need to determine to have thankful hearts and bring our concerns to God and let his peace fill our minds (Phil 4: 6-7), instead of the grumbling.

None of us have got this perfect yet; we are all works in progress and fortunately God is very patient with us.

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We are commanded to praise God (Ps 150). We praise him for what he does for us but more especially, for who he is: God above all gods, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, mighty God and our creator. His love never fails and his mercy endures forever.

If you look at the Greek and Hebrew words for praise, we are told to praise him with our voices (Ps 149) and uplifted hands (Ps 63:4), to rejoice with exuberance and to make a very loud noise (Ezra 3:11). In Psalm 150 we read that: "everything that hath breath" should praise the Lord (Psalm 150:6; KJV). We should praise God using all kinds of musical instruments and also with the dance (Ps 149). God says he takes pleasure in his people of praise (Ps 149).

Our praise should perhaps take a cue from God's expression of joy over us as given in Zephaniah 3:17. Here it says he rejoices over us with joy, love and singing; He dances and spins for joy with an indescribable intensity. Praise comes from the heart (John 4:23). We should praise God at all times and in all circumstances (Ps 34:1). There is power in praise because God is enthroned in the praises of his people (Ps 22:3). There is power to break every bondage that holds us, power to lift us up and open doors to set us free (Acts 16:25-26).

If you are down today, then praise God and he will lift you up.

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 “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matt. 28:18; KJV). In Luke 10:19 the apostle records that Jesus gave us power over all the power of the enemy (satan). Again, in Matthew 10:1,8, we read that Jesus gave us power to cast out evil spirits and to heal the sick. The Greek word for power, used in our examples above, is exousia, which means authority. Jesus has given us authority over all the works of darkness; let that sink in!   

Because of his death and resurrection Jesus has all authority in heaven and earth. Jesus utterly defeated satan and all his minions; he stripped them of all power and authority (Col 2:15). As Christians, Christ dwells in us (John 17:23) and we share in his authority.

The Bible also tells us that the devil is beneath the feet of Jesus (Eph. 1:20-23) and again, because of our relationship with Christ, the devil is under our feet too.  No wonder the Bible says: “greater is he that is in you, then he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4).

Make sure you go and use the power that God has given you today to share the gospel and undo the works of the devil; at work, at school, at home, or wherever you find yourself. If God has given you power, he will show you how and when to use it.

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"For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love" (Gal. 5:6; KJV) The Greek word for faith is pistis which means trusting totally in God and all that he says. The Greek word for love is agape which refers to unselfish, unconditional, love that doesn’t look for any reward and in fact, tries to do everything it can for the object of that love.

Agape is the result of a decision. In other words, in the verse above, the apostle Paul was writing that we cannot expect our faith to work if we are not developing our love walk. A good way to check up on your love level is to read 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 and see if there are any areas where you might be missing it.

Here is our quick summary: Love is never jealous but is patient and kind. Love doesn’t show off and is never rude, disrespectful or selfish. Love shuns evil but revels in the truth. Love doesn’t have a short fuse but believes the best of people, stands fast in trying situations, hoping and believing for God’s best for people and in all situations.  

Spending time studying the subject of love in God's word will also bring us more revelation on the subject and facilitate our faith.  But remember that after the study we must use our faith to demonstrate our love. Love must be put it into practice. If you are like us, I am sure you have lots of opportunities to do that every day.  

“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me?” (Ps 43:5; KJV) We all have times of despondency and depression when the weights of life bear down on us. Isaiah (Is 61:3) told us Jesus would bring us the: “the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness”.

Depressive thoughts are fearful thoughts and they don’t come from God; God has given us a sound mind free from troubling worries (2 Tim 1:7). God does not bring confusion but peace (1 Cor 14:33). We need to cast our cares on Jesus and he will strengthen and guard us (Ps 55:22). Paul told us not to be anxious but to bring our concerns in prayer to God, to have a thankful heart, and then we would experience God’s peace (Phil 4:6-7).

Paul also said we should train our minds to dwell upon the things of God; think, speak and meditate them. “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” (Phil 4:8). This is the true antidote for worry and depression.

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