Daily Devotions with Pastor John - The futility of complaining

0:00Faith shapes how we live, and it should shape how we steward our money. That's why 316 financial exists. We're a digital bank helping people align their finances with their faith and values. At 316 financial, 10% of our profits are given back to faith-based ministries, showing that everyday banking can be a way to live generously. With no monthly fees, free nationwide ATM access and competitive interest rates, you don't have to sacrifice quality to bank with purpose. Learn more at bank316.com, banking services provided by 316 Financial, a division of premise bank member FDIC. Life Audio For more resources to help you in your walk with Christ, please visit us at BibleStudyHeadquarters.com. Looking for a simple way to stay rooted in God's word every day, the Daily Bible Devotion app by Salem Media gives you morning and evening devotionals designed to encourage, inspire, and keep you connected with Scripture.

1:00Plus, you'll enjoy daily Bible trivia and humor, a fun way to learn and share a smile while growing in your faith. Get the Daily Bible Devotion app for free on both iOS and Android. Start and end your day with God's word. Search for the Daily Bible Devotion app in the App Store or Google Play Store and download it today. You're listening to Daily Devotions with Pastor John. I'm John Stongy and today's devotion is inspired by Isaiah chapter 25 verse 1 which says, O Lord, you are my God. I will exalt you. I will praise your name for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful, and sure. One of the easiest things in the world to do is complain. It seems like everyone does it. We tear things down with our words. We cut people down with our criticism. We may even be tempted at times to complain about the work God is doing,

2:02but there's a better way to use the words we speak. It has always been the plan of God to provide for the redemption of humanity. God the Son, Jesus Christ, came to this earth in the fullness of time to rescue us. He lived, died, rose again, ascended, and is returning to rule and reign. None of this is accidental or reactionary. It has always been God's intention. We can complain about momentary circumstances, or we can lift up our voices and praise God for all that He's doing for the good of humanity. He deserves our praise because He has done and continues to do wonderful things. The Lord's plans are sure, which means they aren't shaky or fickle. This also means your existence isn't an accident or a collection of misfortunes. God has a plan for your life, and you can praise Him for the wonderful things He's accomplishing

3:07on your behalf. Let's pray. Lord, we thank You for Your Word, and we thank You for the privilege that it is to be able to look at a portion of it together today. And, Lord, as we look at this portion of Your Word, we can see that we're encouraged to praise You. We're encouraged to exalt You because of who You are and what You do. You are Lord over all creation, and You have a plan for what You've created. You have wonderful things in store for Your creation, and we're grateful that we have the privilege to be part of what You're doing. Even before mankind was created, you planned for our redemption. Even before we were fashioned, you ordained the fact that we would have the privilege to know You through Your Son. We're grateful, Lord, that our lives are not an accident. We're grateful that this world is not an accident. We're grateful that You plan things out, and Your plan is perfect. Lord, we know that this is something we need to give You praise for as we think about this

4:10on a big scale, but we also need to be praising You and trusting You in the midst of thinking about how this applies to our day-to-day lives. Your Word makes it clear that You have a plan for Your children. You have a plan for us as a group and as individuals. And we want to give You praise for that today. Thank You, Lord, for Your love. Thank You for Your goodness, and thank You for Your presence with us right now. You've given us hope and a future through Your Son, Jesus Christ, and Your name deserves to be lifted up through the words that we speak and through the life that we live. By Your grace, we pray that it would all be for Your glory. We pray this all in Jesus' name. Amen. Our world can feel chaotic and uncertain, but we don't have to live enslaved to fear. Christ has promised me a new his peace, and throughout scripture has provided powerful tools and practical steps to help us experience greater freedom.

5:13I'm Jennifer Slattery, lead host of the Faith Over Fear Podcast. Inviting you to join me and my team as together we learn how to starve our fears and feed our faith. Subscribe at lifeaudio.com or wherever you access podcast content.