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In the twelfth chapter of Numbers we read that “Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married, for he had married a Cushite woman. And they said, “Has the Lord indeed spoken only through Moses? Has he not spoken through us also?” And the Lord heard it”.

As the leader of the masses out of Egypt, Moses endured far more criticism than he deserved. In Numbers 14, we read how God sent a whole bunch of people to die in the desert because of their incessant complaining. When Moses’ own family picked up the sour song, God came to Moses’ defense. To Miriam and Aaron, He said, “Why then were you not afraid to speak against My servant, Moses? So the anger of the Lord burned against them.” (Numbers 12:8) In other words, “Just who do you think you are criticizing Moses like that?”

Notice God’s deep feelings. He didn’t wait for their explanations. And they didn’t wait long for the consequences. God just said, “Enough!” He hates it when we dwell on the perceived faults of another with no view to their good.

You don’t have to be a Bible scholar to feel God’s heat in this true account. He considers criticism a sin and He won’t tolerate it. Obviously, we want to soften that judgment and call criticism a weakness or a bad habit or poor people skills. While criticism is all that, it’s also a whole lot more.

If you have a critical attitude toward someone, you are hindering your fellowship with God!

He hears that bitter spirit come out in your words and wants nothing to do with it. Makes you wonder, if your spiritual life feels like a wilderness right now – dry, cheerless, and joyless – maybe it’s because you’ve allowed a critical attitude to creep in. It’s a choice that not only injures your horizontal relationship with others, but also your vertical relationship with God.

It’s your choice! When He says, “Don’t!” what He really means is, “Don’t hurt yourself!” When God says, “Don’t criticize,” it’s not because He wants to deprive us of some satisfactory experience. He is actually saying, “That goes against the nature of who I have made you to be.”

Fish were made to swim. Birds were made to fly. People were made to live in fellowship with God. When we criticize others, we break that fellowship with God. We hinder our own joy, and our life becomes like a wilderness.

Here is your copy of firstIMPRESSIONS, Volume 8.06. Live for God, on purpose, learning to live as an encourager to others!

Gotta Have It!

The society that we live in today is so very visually driven. We see ads on television, and we have to have the product. Our neighbor has it, and we need it! Everyone has it, so we want it! The “what” may change from one day to the next, but the urge to have whatever we see others have has been around for a long time. It’s called “covetousness.” And that is the subject of the tenth commandment, found in Exodus 20:17.

And really, when we covet what our neighbor has, it really comes down to a lack of satisfaction with what the Lord has provided us. God tells us in His word that He has promised to supply all our need according to His riches in glory. So, when we covet what we don’t have, and what others already have, we are really expressing our dissatisfaction with the provision of the Lord.

We need to take a lesson from the apostle Paul, who according to Philippians 4:11 had learned to be content in whatever state he was in. And this is the real lesson of the tenth commandment – our need to be contented.

As we conclude our series on the Ten Commandments, our message this week is “Seek to be Contented!” Don’t miss this most important conclusion to “The Ultimate Top Ten List – God’s Top Ten Important Principles for Living.”

The Magic 8-Ball

by Leslie Snyder

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” – 2 Timothy 2:15

Not long ago my daughter reminded me of a childhood toy that I absolutely loved, the Magic 8-Ball. In case you aren’t familiar with this iconic toy, allow me to refresh your memory. The ball itself looks like a large black 8-ball used in the game of billiards, except that this ball is larger and is filled with a dark liquid that gives cover to its contents: A small three-dimensional triangle that has phrases on each face such as “Signs Point to Yes,” “Don’t Count on It,” “You May Rely on It", “Yes,” or “Definitely.” The person holding the 8-ball gets to ask a question, shake the ball and then wait breathlessly for the answer to appear. Of course, if you were like me and the answer wasn’t one you liked, you would shake the ball again until a better answer appeared.

Some people mistakenly approach the Bible this way. They have a question, open the Bible, point their finger on a verse and claim that as an answer from God, that is, as long if they like the answer. The problem is, the Bible isn’t a Magic 8-Ball nor is God a “Genie in a Bottle” that seeks to serve us and grant our wishes.

The Bible is an amazing collection of God-inspired letters, writings, poems, songs, history, prophecy, judgment and more. It was written over hundreds of years by over forty different authors ranging in profession from king to shepherd, fisherman and recovering Pharisee. It is God’s love letter to the world. The Apostle Paul wrote of the comprehensive nature of the sacred Scriptures stating, “All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man or woman of God may be competent, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16). The early Christians in Berea were on the right track. They revered the Scriptures and were commended because they studied them daily. May Christians who come after us be able to look at our lives and similarly commend us for our commitment to God’s Word.

as seen in “Today’s HomeWord,” a daily devotional with Jim Burns. Visit them online at www.homeword.com

Learning from Jigsaw Puzzles

Everything I Needed to Know About Life I Learned From a Jigsaw Puzzle:

1. Don’t force a fit — if something is meant to be, it will come together naturally.

2. When things aren’t going so well, take a break. Everything will look different when you return.

3. Be sure to look at the big picture. Getting hung up on the little pieces only leads to frustration.

4. Perseverance pays off. Every important puzzle went together bit by bit, piece by piece.

5. When one spot stops working, move to another. But be sure to come back later (see #4).

6. The creator of the puzzle gave you the picture as a guidebook. Refer to the Creator’s guidebook often.

7. Variety is the spice of life. It’s the different colors and patterns that make the puzzle interesting.

8. Working together with friends and family makes any task fun.

9. Establish the border first. Boundaries give a sense of security and order.

10. Don’t be afraid to try different combinations. Some matches are surprising.

11. Take time often to celebrate your successes (even little ones).

12. Anything worth doing takes time and effort. A great puzzle can’t be rushed.

13. When you finally reach the last piece, don’t be sad. Rejoice in the masterpiece you’ve made and enjoy a well-deserved rest.

Close to the Brokenhearted

by Tom Norvell

These are comforting words from a man who understood difficult times.

“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:17-18, NIV)

The Contemporary English Version says it like this, “When his people pray for help, he listens and rescues them from their troubles. The Lord is there to rescue all who are discouraged and have given up hope.”

As I write these words I wonder how many people who will read them will say, “That’s me. I’m the brokenhearted...at least I’m one of them.” “That’s me. I’m discouraged and I have given up hope... or I am about to. Life has just been too hard. I’m not sure I can go on.”

You may be the husband who has worked hard all your adult life to provide for your family and give them the necessities of life, and then some. When you thought you were just beginning to see a little relief, your wife walks out the door vowing never to come back.

You may be Mom or a Dad who has done everything within your power to guide your child in the right direction. When it seemed that you had failed you then devoted all your energy to find the right resources to help turn then their life around. Just when you thought you were making good progress this child you love made one more poor choice that has changed their life, and yours forever. Now, you pray asking God to keep them safe.

You may be the woman who has been diagnosed with cancer. You’re in shock. Your family is in shock. After doing all the tests, battling through all the treatments, the doctors say, “We’ve done all we can do.”

You may be the teacher who has given your life to your students. You realize that most will never get it, most will never thank you, and you accept that because you are there to make a difference, not receive praise. But there was that one student who made it all worthwhile. The one who showed such promise! The one you would have nominated as “Most likely to be win a Nobel Prize.” Then, came the call that she had been killed in a car accident.

You may be the soldier who left your wife, your children, and all that was dear and valuable to you to serve your country for a cause you believed in. But when you came home everything had changed. Or, you had changed. Something had changed. You have images that you cannot get rid of.

You may be the child who has endured years of hearing your parents argue and fight and saying horrible things to one another. You prayed things would get better. You longed for a happy family. Then, you hear those words you hoped and prayed you’d never hear: “We’re getting a divorce.”

You may be the young adult who has finally gotten out on your own, you finished your degree, you landed a great job, and you feel really good about where you are. But, no matter how hard you try, and no matter how well you perform, no matter what you do it doesn’t quite measure up. It’s just never good enough. There’s always one more thing you could have done or one more thing that you should have done that would have been better.

You may be the follower of Jesus. You’ve given Him your whole life. You died to self and surrendered your will to His. You feel good about where You are with the Lord. For the first time in your life you know real joy and peace. Yet, you can’t seem to find that same peace with your spiritual community. You are feeling more and more disenchanted, disconnected and disheartened. You cannot figure out what’s wrong.

If you identify with any these people, please know that the words from David are words from God to you. These promises are for you as much as they were for David: “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

Though your heart may be broken and your spirit may be crushed, please don’t give up. Hold on to these promises. Hold on to the One who made these promises to David, and still makes these promises to you and to me.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Church Sniglets

The Living Lexicon: Church Terms that Oughta Be

• Biblidue: The build-up of bookmarks, bulletins, notes, and other miscellanea that collects in one’s Bible.

• Clivaholic: One who can no longer control the compulsion to quote C.S. Lewis in every sermon, lesson, or conversation.

• Hymnastics: The entertaining body language of the song leader.

• Narthexegesis: Unsolicited post-sermon commentary given the preacher by armchair biblical theologians.

• Pewtrify: To occupy a precise spot in the sanctuary for more than 15 years without once showing signs of sentient life.

• Ministereotype: A common myth or misconception about any ordained person.

• Deaconscript: An unwilling church officer cajoled into a position of leadership.

• Hi-litaholic: One who cannot resist highlighting Bible verses until the entire volume is a multihued mass of Day-Glo vibrancy.

• Hymnprovisation: The abrupt and unannounced transition from one song to another, usually a chorus unfamiliar to most present.

• Proliferation: An abundance of anti-abortion activists.

• Pulpituitary: That phenomenon familiar to those seated on the front pew, during which a preacher produces hazardous conditions with alliterative P’s.

as seen in Leadership, Vol. 10, no. 2. From Rob Suggs

Christian One Liners

• Don’t let your worries get the best of you; remember, Moses started out as a basket case.

• Some people are kind, polite, and sweet-spirited until you try to sit in their pews.

• Many folks want to serve God, but only as advisors.

• It is easier to preach ten sermons than it is to live one.

• The good Lord didn’t create anything without a purpose, but mosquitoes come close.

• When you get to your wit’s end, you’ll find God lives there.

• People are funny; they want the front of the bus, the middle of the road, and the back of the church.

• Opportunity may knock once, but temptation bangs on your front door forever.

• Quit griping about your church; if it was perfect, you couldn’t belong.

• If the church wants a better pastor, it only needs to pray for the one it has.

• God Himself does not propose to judge a man until he is dead. So why should you?

• Some minds are like concrete thoroughly mixed up and permanently set.

• Peace starts with a smile.

• I don’t know why some people change churches; what difference does it make which one you stay home from?

• A lot of church members who are singing “Standing on the Promises” are just sitting on the premises.

• We were called to be witnesses, not lawyers or judges.

• Be ye fishers of men. You catch them – He’ll clean them.

• Coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous.

• Don’t put a question mark where God put a period.

• Don’t wait for 6 strong men to take you to church.

• Forbidden fruits create many jams.

• God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called.

• God grades on the cross, not the curve.

• God loves everyone, but probably prefers “fruits of the spirit” over “religious nuts!”

• God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.

• He who angers you, controls you!

• If God is your Co-pilot – swap seats!

• Prayer: Don’t give God instructions — just report for duty!

• The task ahead of us is never as great as the Power behind us.

• The Will of God never takes you to where the Grace of God will not protect you.

• We don’t change the message, the message changes us.

• You can tell how big a person is by what it takes to discourage him.

• The best mathematical equation I have ever seen: 1 cross + 3 nails = 4 given.

The Last Impression

The preacher’s 5 year-old daughter noticed that her father always paused and bowed his head for a moment before starting his sermon. One day, she asked him why.

“Well, Honey,” he began, proud that his daughter was so observant of his messages, “I’m asking the Lord to help me preach a good sermon.”

“How come God doesn’t do it?” she asked.

I am certainly praying that the Lord will indeed help me preach a good sermon this Sunday here at WFA! We have just concluded a phenomenal Missions Convention, and this week, we will share in communion and also conclude our ten part preaching series on the Ten Commandments. I am anticipating a tremendous time together in the Lord! See you this Lord’s Day here at WFA!