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Posted by Pastor Randy Burbank for “Kingdom Pastor” @ https://kingdompastor.wordpress.com
Original post @ https://kingdompastor.wordpress.com/2023/11/13/cucumbers-melons-leeks-onions-and-garlic-kind-of-life/
CUCUMBERS, MELONS, LEEKS, ONIONS, AND GARLIC KIND OF LIFE!
Posted on November 13, 2023 by Pastor Randy
5 “We remember the fish we used to eat for free in Egypt. And we had all the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic we wanted. 6 But now our appetites are gone. All we ever see is this manna!”
Numbers Chapter 11, Verses 5 and 6 (from the New Living Translation)
News Flash: Life Ain’t Always Easy! Ever since The Fall, ever since we humans keep making the same mistake Adam and Eve made (choosing sin over God), life has challenges and even obstacles. All the whining about it doesn’t make it easy–if anything–it makes it harder! Consider today’s passage and what it says about our culture and the prevailing church culture.
These folks had been in slavery for a long time. And they longed for freedom–and some, more than freedom–they longed for The Promise God made to Abraham–that they would be free as a nation. Normal response to slavery. Am I right? Of course, I am! When the moment was ripe and right, God sent Moses to deliver them from slavery and lead them to God’s Promise! Hip-Hip-Hurray!
But then–Life Happened! (Don’t forget that life ain’t easy!) The Red Sea. Running out of water. Running out of food. Oh, and the wilderness! Difficult obstacles and challenges, wouldn’t you say? Absolutely. But not only did Life Happen–God Happened! In every challenge and every obstacle, God was also there. And if you follow the story–God took care of everyone. Am I right? Of course, I am!
And now, they are in the vicinity of The Promise! Not long to go. I’m sure Moses is getting tired of being asked, “Are we there yet?” You know how children are. Now don’t forget that they have God’s Promise–along with a very visible sign of God’s Presence. In the daytime, it was a column of clouds and at night, it was a column of fire. That Column Of God’s Presence was leading them–not Moses. Oh, every morning there was Divine Food provided and there was always water–even if it came out of a dry rock. Oh, and don’t forget The Miracle At The Red Sea!
Still, it’s not been an easy journey–because life ain’t easy! And in today’s passage this people who had been Divinely Led and Divinely Fed toward The Promise, now want to go back to Egypt. And why????? Well, it was all that FREE fish, cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic back in Egypt. At least, that’s how they remembered it. They forgot all the backbreaking work they had to do. They forgot the harsh treatment of the Egyptians. All they wanted was the FREE fish, cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic back in Egypt. But it wasn’t really free!
How does this relate to our days? Rather than submit and surrender to God, so many people are submitting and surrendering to the challenges of life. They want FREE fish, cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic. In other words, they want it easy! But life ain’t easy! And unfortunately, many folks–even good folks–believe and act as if life is not good. All because Life Ain’t Easy! The idea that good and easy are synonymous terms is incompatible and inconsistent.
Though life ain’t easy, still life is good—good when it is lived the way the Creator Of Life designed it. The way that life becomes and remains GOOD happens when we give up the nonsensical notion that WE know best–and embrace The One who set the example by giving up His Life for all us sinners. When we surrender completely and unconditionally to Him and His Way, HE comes along with us–inside us–to guide and help us every step of the way. Life still ain’t easy, but it becomes possible–more than possible–it becomes Good!
Listen again to Paul’s words in Philippians chapter 4, verse 13: “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Every day you whine that Life ain’t easy, you miss the beauty and wonder of God’s faithful presence around you–and his abiding power within you. When your mindset and perspective is Life Ain’t Easy–there are only a very few possibilities for you–and a limited life.
But when we set aside the cursed attitude of “life ain’t easy”–and embrace Jesus, living the way HE designed it to be lived–then there lies before us–that unlimited future of life that IS Good! Sure, there are problems and obstacles–some seem insurmountable. And they are insurmountable–when we try to tackle them on our own–or by the way the world says we should handle them. Uncomplicate your life–and enjoy the gift of life–as your life In Christ and as Christ Lives In you! Life IS good–more than good–Life Is Very Good–when we live it the way HE created it to be!
You can whine–whine all you want . . . OR. . . You Can Dine–and feast on the goodness of God!
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P.S. (from bruce) When there is no other place to turn…turn to God !! If you’re not a “born again” Christian, is the Holy Spirit urging you to open this link ?? Here is the truth about how God’s grace is received to become a Christian in God’s eyes; through understanding and obeying the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ… https://godsmanforever.com
To my brothers and sisters in Christ, please feel free to share this message of the cross with those in need…
You say you are a “born again” believer… BUT is your soul “ON FIRE” for the Lord ?? If not, open this link – https://godsmanforever.com/2020/08/01/are-you-a-christian-in-gods-eyes-and-on-fire-for-the-lord-or-not/
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