Shabbat Shalom! Peaceful Sabbath to you! I hope that your day of rest is blessed. I think our Father is telling us-Take a day off-enjoy it, and be content. Right? There are so many things we have to be thankful for-I mean just our life. I mean our life in Messiah. Our life and the truth He’s given us. I wonder if the only thing he’d ever done for us is to deliver us from the judgment we deserve-would that be enough? That’s an important question for us as we examine the topic of “BEING CONTENT”. Being thankful-being content means-I think I’ve got enough-I’m content with such things as I have, right?

Scripture says in Hebrew Chapter 13, verse 5: Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” What is that telling us? It’s telling us that what He has given us in that we have Him with us. We have the Messiah Yahushua with us. That should cause us to say, “You know what? – If I have Him, I have everything I need. Scripture says He supplies our every need through the Messiah Yahushua-that’s what scripture says. So, we can be thankful for the things that we do have and learn to be content or we can complain and whine and moan about the things that we don’t have.

Scripture says: Reverence with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain that we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. Boy, you wanna talk about a verse for this age. Just having food and clothing-with these we shall be content. Can we be content not having certain things we want? Can we be content just having food and clothing? Clothing, you might expand that into shelter as well as that’s part of our-what we need to stay warm. Clothing is necessary for us to stay warm-shelter is necessary for us to stay warm. So, just having food, clothing, shelter-with these things just be content. That is what our Heavenly Father expects from us. Be content with such things as we have.

Now if the Heavenly Father wants to give us more-Hallelujah! And all of us have far much more than just food and clothing. But if that’s all He wanted to give us-if that’s all He just chose to grant us was food and clothing-with these things He says be content because He says: “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” With Him, we have everything we need. We have life-eternal life abiding in us.

Contentment might be one of the most important words in all of Scripture because it is a lack of contentment that causes people to-cause their eyes to look on things that they shouldn’t look at. A man whose married-him and his wife are in covenant together-keep yourself only unto your wife as long as you shall live. And yet, is that content-or we content with the wife that our Heavenly Father has given us or do we expect and demand more? The root of lust is a lack of contentment-a lack of contentment as with such things as we have, right? And it is our tendency as human beings in the flesh-in the carnal ways-to always expect and demand more than what we have. But the problem is, it never ends. There’s never a place where we say – “okay that’s enough”. One scripture in Proverbs actually says the grave and destruction are never full, so is a man’s eyes never satisfied.

In First Corinthians, chapter 10, verse 1 and 2, it says: Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea-baptized into Moses-kind of a picture of our own life being baptized in the Spirit, in the water, right? all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Messiah. And that’s who we partake of daily.

But with most of them-most of them he says Elohim-that’s the Hebrew word translated God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell-Think about this-all this was rooted in a lack of contentment. They weren’t content with the good things our Heavenly Father gave them, and so the desired after evil things. They weren’t content with one deity-the one true Mighty One; they chose to go after others. They weren’t content with whomever it was that Yahweh would give them as a wife; they sought others.

First Corinthians 10:9: nor let us tempt Messiah, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents, nor complain-complaining is from a lack of contentment, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore, let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. In a lot of these areas, it is a lack of contentment that’s the root cause of all their sins. So, we have to be on guard against being discontent. And we have to be on guard and be willing to accept whatever it is our Father has given us, and be satisfied with it.

Can we do that? Can we say – “You know what-just having a relationship with Messiah and having Him a part of my life-Wow! That’s all I could ever need. How could I need more? How could I need – oh a boat, a car better than what I have, and always seeking after more and more things to the extent that we allow them things to take His place.

We will never be satisfied ultimately with things that are temporary because they’re temporary-they rot-they rust-they fail.

So, scripture says: No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but Elohim is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make a way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. Some people believe the things that tempt them in this world are too much for them to handle-not true. Scripture says Yahweh will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but He will make the way of escape that you may be able to bear it. There, my beloved, flee from idolatry. I speak as to wise men; judge for yourselves what I say.

And there are lots of things that people choose as idols- they don’t have to be-you know-some image that you bow down to and worship. It can be anything that we put ahead of our Heavenly Father, Yahweh. Whether it be ourselves-whether it be another person-people’s opinion of us-whatever it might be. All these things people pursue will never ultimately satisfy.

Don’t ever allow yourself to view yourself through what other people say of you. Don’t place your price and your worth based on what others say. Allow your price and your worth to be based on what the Messiah has already done for you. In that while when we were yet sinners, He suffered and died for us, and purchased us with His own blood. There’s no question as to our worth-regardless of what people may say of us. But people pursue things that will never ultimately satisfy. Scripture tells us to look at the examples of the men before.

Scriptures says in Deuteronomy chapter 8, verse 3, it says: He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man, lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of Yahweh. So, He allowed them to hunger-He fed them with manna to teach them something. We don’t live by earthly bread alone; we live by every word proceeding out of His mouth. Wow! Every word-from Genesis to Revelation. Every word inspired-coming from His mouth-that’s what we live by. Every word-can we do that-can we do that? He will teach you one way or another that there’s only one way we can live, and that’s through His word.

John 6:58: “This is the bread which came down from heaven—not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever.” Talking about Messiah-talking about the Word. So, we need to be attentive to the Word. We need to pay attention to the Word, and be willing to feed on the Word and not allow trials and prunings we go through in this land that we’re in-this temporary land that we’re in cause us to fall out of grace in some way. Let’s receive the trials as part of life.

Let’s overcome in those trials and remember, many times the only thing the Heavenly Father is trying to teach us is-Live by My Words. Follow the cloud, follow where the Holy Spirit leads. And the truth is, we don’t have any right to complain about our circumstances. The children of Israel were brought out of Egypt-out of the land of bondage, right? And through the Red Sea and the cloud-we are also were in bondage to sin. And through the baptismal waters, we came, and now today, we are in a wilderness land. This land is not our own-this world is not our home, and we’re on a journey just as they were. They were on a journey to the promised land-so are we-on a journey to the promised land. And on this journey, our Heavenly Father will allow us to go through moments of testing and trials and tribulations.

But the last thing we ever want to do is complain. The first thing we want to do is be content. We don’t have any right to complain about anything. You know what we deserve? If our Heavenly Father gave us what we deserved, we’d be burning in a Lake of Fire right now-but He didn’t. So, anything above that point is a plus. Anything above burning in a Lake of Fire is an advantage, a plus-is a reason to be rejoicing-a reason to be thankful because we all deserve death-we all deserve judgment. Just as the children of Israel-they didn’t realize they were given grace, and to be thankful through that-so are we in this wilderness-we are given grace-so be thankful for that-and we can rejoice even in our trials.

So, be content, right? Messiah is the Word that became flesh and dwelt among us. And we feed off of Him. And He is the living Word. His example is what’s before us. And just as the children of Israel-as they were in the wilderness, and they were learning the commandments-they were learning the ways of righteousness-the ways of love-so are we in a wilderness-in a land that does not fear our Father in Heaven-does not reverence Him-does not follow Him. So, are we in this land as they were in that land, right?

Now, what happened was-one of the soldiers pierced the side of Messiah when He was hanging on the tree and blood and water came out.

There was a man named Moshe, Moses, who brought the children of Israel out of Egypt, and he struck the rock, and water came out. And because he struck the rock, the Father in Heaven would not allow him to enter the land of promise. But the lesson there is-we all don’t deserve to enter the land of promise, and Moses himself cannot ultimately lead us to the land of promise-he can only tell us the right way to live. It takes a man named Joshua or, in Hebrew pronounced Yahushua, to bring us into the promised land, right?

So, we’re warned: Don’t let us commit their sin-sexual immorality, complaining or tempting or-these are all examples for us to pay attention to, right? Be content.

Psalm 95 says: When your fathers tested Me; they tried Me, though they saw My work. For forty years I was grieved with that generation, and said, ‘It is a people who go astray in their hearts, and they do not know My ways.’ So, I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest.’” That generation did not make it into the promised land; He was grieved with them-they were continually going astray, and they were never satisfied-they were not content.

First Timothy 6:6 says: Reverence with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. That is such an important verse-so important. Yahweh knows we have need for food-we have need for clothing-be content. Concerns and worries of this life- you don’t have to be worried-you don’t have to be concerned. We have a Father who provides everything we need. We have the hands, willing to labor that He will provide our every need.

Even Messiah Yahushua was homeless. He said foxes have holes, birds have nests-I have no place to lay My head, right? He was a homeless man-in fact all of the disciples were ultimately homeless men-they didn’t have anything except clothes on their back, shoes on their feet-a few extra items, and they were content. So, now we all have a home in the heavenlies. But, you know, here’s a group of homeless men, and they turned the world upside down.

The Israelites going through the wilderness ultimately, were essentially homeless, living in tents, and yet they complained. And Yahweh was not pleased. Numbers chapter 11 verse 1 says: When the people complained, it displeased Yahweh; for Yahweh heard it, and His anger was aroused. So, the fire of Yahweh burned among them, and consumed some in the outskirts of the camp. Think about that. How’s that get your attention.

I mean, how does He feel about complaining? He hates it-He hates it. Here He Is-He brought them out of Egypt-brought them out of a house of bondage-they’re being fed every single day of their life, and they’ve got reason to complain. They had food, they had warmth, they had shelter, they had clothing, and when they complained about what they didn’t have, He didn’t like it. I don’t think He changes His mind today. I mean, He’s a good Father-He knows what we need-it may not be everything we want, but we need to distinguish-what do we really need?

Now the children of Israel- and Moshe sent out spies into the land of promise. And the people came back, and they gave a bad report about the land, saying: “Oh, we can’t overtake them, they’re too big. They’re like giants, and we’re like grasshoppers in their sight”.

But Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession. But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we.” And they gave the children of Israel a bad report of the land which they had spied out, saying, “The land through which we have gone as spies is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great stature. “There we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so were we in their sight.”

Oh, c’mon, they were not like grasshoppers.

Numbers 14 says: So, all the congregation lifted up their voices and cried, and the people wept that night. And all the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron, and the whole congregation said to them, “If only we had died in the land of Egypt! Or if only we had died in the wilderness! “Why has Yahweh brought us to this land to fall by the sword, that our wives and children should become victims? Would it not be better for us to return to Egypt? So, they said to one another, “Let us select a leader and return to Egypt.” That’s what happens to people too. They come into a walk with our Heavenly Father-they may not have the abundant possessions they once had-they may have less possessions-they may have to give up things of this world, and live more simply.

And so, the people complain – “Oh I want more than what I have”. I remember the days-former days- had all the women I wanted-men might say-had whatever I wanted-things like that. They long for the ways of Egypt. They’d forgotten what bondage it truly was, how miserable they truly were. And so, don’t go back to Egypt. There’s nothing good there. It’s just more slavery.

Verse 26-29 says: Yahweh spoke to Moshe and Aaron, and said, “How long shall I bear with this evil congregation who complain against Me? – Look at this. What’s gonna happen because they complained? – I have heard the complaints which the children of Israel make against Me. “Say to them, ‘As I live,’ says Yahweh, ‘just as you have spoken in My hearing, so I will do to you: ‘The carcasses of you who have complained against Me shall fall in this wilderness, all of you who were numbered, according to your entire number, from twenty years old and above.

So, the men who complained against Him, and the women who complained against Him were not permitted to enter the promised land; they were forbidden. All they were doing was complaining about their circumstances-the things they were going through-the life the way it was. And they were complaining that – “Oh, we will not be able to go into the promised land because they are too big of people-they’re too large-we can’t overcome it.” And they’re complaining, and they’re wanting to go back to Egypt.

In other words, Yahweh isn’t strong enough to see me through all the things ahead of me-He cannot defeat these enemies ahead of me. And in a spiritual way, we also have enemies-we also have things that seek to devour us-sins that seek to overtake us.

Don’t ever say it’s too strong for me-I can’t overcome it-because the truth is with Yahweh, you can overcome it if you cleave to Him, you can overcome it. So, we need to learn from the examples of these men as First Corinthians chapter 10 tells us, and be content with the situation we’re in. There’s nothing wrong with-if you’re in an unpleasant situation-trying to find a way out of it, but don’t complain-don’t complain.

Romans chapter 9, verse 20 says: Indeed, O man, who are you to reply against Elohim? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, “Why have you made me like this?” Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor? Some of us were made for honor and some for dishonor. He is the potter, we’re the clay. When we go through circumstances in the end-many who are first will be last and last first.

There are some people who are not getting much honor today, who will get a tremendous amount of honor in the age to come and there are people who are getting honor today, who will not be getting so much honor in the days to come. See, our goal is not to be “this world” minded. What we get in this age doesn’t really matter; it’s what we receive in the age to come. What is our life in this world? – just a little speck in the universe-just a little speck-our trials are just a part of it-part of walking with the Most-High-and Him teaching us His ways.

And so, Don’t think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice-don’t complain-instead rejoice-to the extent that you partake of Messiah’s sufferings, – when people put you down and cast your name as evil and don’t like you because of your faith-rejoice-that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Messiah, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of Elohim rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part, He is glorified.

How is that? How is the Messiah glorified when we suffer-when we go through difficulty? How is the Spirit of glory and of Elohim resting upon us when we’re bearing their reproach because we’re believers-how is that possible? When we undergo suffering, it’s in that suffering we choose not to bow to the pressure-we choose to be thankful for what we have-we choose to rejoice in our trials and by that we justify our Father in Heaven. He’s the one leading our life-He’s the one allowing us to go through things that we go through. It doesn’t mean if people are doing wrong to us that that’s okay. If we’re being abused in some way, there’s nothing wrong with seeking to escape from the abuse-nothing wrong with that.

Paul was let down over a wall to escape the abuse of men. But if they hate us because of our faith, we can rejoice with this-and that is-our Savior went through much trouble also because of His life and His love for Yahweh, the Father. He did not complain-not one time do you ever hear Him complaining about having to go and hang on a tree. He asked – Father if it’s possible, let this cup pass from me, but if it’s not Your will-let Your will be done-I’ll do it-whatever Your will is.

Yahweh’s ways are right, and our life in this world is not where it’s at. Don’t fear those who can kill the body, but can’t touch the soul. I mean, we need to fear the one who has the power to touch both body and soul. We don’t fear men-we fear our Father in Heaven.

So, if we get persecuted for doing something right or-like keeping Sabbath or doing something that our Heavenly Father has told us to do, consider that to be a glory to Him that you stand firm-because when you endure that persecution-a lot of people-they may not like what you do, but over time they may come to respect you because you make a stand for what you believe-and a lot of people will respect that, and it’s a part of our life. They’ll keep testing us, and pushing us, and poking us, and prodding us until they realize-you know what-this is the real deal this guy-what he’s got a hold of is something real. But if we’re too ashamed of Him, scripture says He’ll be ashamed of us in the day of judgment-and we don’t want that.

Acts 14:21: When they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of Elohim.”

So, Therefore, be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Master. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Master is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brethren, – follow that? Don’t grumble against one another-don’t complain about each other-why? – the Judge is standing at the door!

Wow! If you even complain about another person-be careful lest you be condemned. Because if you’re condemning a person for what they’re doing, and yet you have your own sins that you do, and you’re grumbling against somebody else, and you’re judging them-listen-the Judge is standing at the door-He can judge you just as quick. And that Judge is the Messiah Yahushua-He’s standing at the door.

And sometimes, we’ll get judged with same judgment we lay on others, and then when we find ourselves in trouble because we’ve judged other people, we complain all the more. It should not be so.

So, my brethren, it says take the prophets, who spoke in the name of Yahweh, as an example of suffering and patience. Indeed, we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Master—that the Master is very compassionate and merciful.

So, we have no right to speak evil of one another or to grumble about each other. I think a lot of us need to pay real close attention to that, especially when it comes to our families or home life we live -wives complaining about their husbands-husbands complaining about their wives -too much going on, speaking evil of one another. A house divided against itself is not going to stand. And we have to be careful about complaining about our brothers outside our family-we don’t complain about anyone, anything, any circumstance we are going through for any reason. Don’t complain. Pray.

There was a brother I knew was falsely accused-spent 15 years in prison-was it 15 years-I think 15 years. He was falsely accused-there he was-I call him up on the phone and I say – “How you doing?” He said “doing great-you know-thankful to be here-seeing what our Heavenly Father’s doing in my life-I’m learning”. And I was really impressed by that. You know, here’s a man who was falsely accused just like Joseph. Joseph was falsely accused, and yet he took it-he took it patiently.

So, things can always be worse-I promise you that. Things can always be worse. Now if we believe our Heavenly Father is leading us, then we see this as Him taking us on a journey. If we complain about our circumstances, we’re ultimately complaining about Him. How about our Savior? He wasn’t on the tree saying – “Oh why am I going through this-this ain’t fair”. Never did-He took it patiently, knowing that Father allowed it. He allowed people to hate Him because of His love for the Father in Heaven. Now, there’s nothing wrong with seeking to be free of being harmed, like I said-nothing wrong with that. If you have a spouse who’s being violent toward you or your children, you should seek to be free of being physically harmed. If you have a difficult marriage-you’re just having a hard time-there’s not really abuse happening-don’t complain-don’t complain about your spouse.

There’s something dangerous about self-pity. Self-pity is rooted in pride – “Oh look, what I’ve had to go through-I went through this, and I went through that”. It’s rooted in pride. So, we have to be careful-we don’t want to complain against our Father in Heaven; we want to rejoice. Now, I’ve often thought that our Heavenly Father-whatever it was we’ve gone through as men and women, as believers, that Yahweh brought-whatever we went through in our childhood-here’s the way I look at things.

Whatever it was that I had to go through-whatever difficulties I had to go through-I shouldn’t complain because the end result is-I today, have eternal life abiding in me. I have eternal life abiding in me. And so, what if I had not gone through those things? I may never have seen my need for Him-I may never have recognized that I need a Savior-and so, whatever I went through-okay-so be it-I went through it-but the end result is-today-I’m a disciple of Yahushua Messiah. Today, I’m walking in the Spirit-today I have eternal life abiding in me. And for that reason, I can rejoice-I can rejoice in whatever I’m going through. Whatever I’ve been through-difficulties, challenges-trials, whatever it was-I can still rejoice because ultimately Yahweh’s in control-He is the one in control of my life.

Take an example here of Joseph- Genesis 37:28: Midianite traders passed by: his own brothers pulled Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sell him to Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. And they took Joseph to Egypt. I think it might be an opportunity to complain, right? No record of him ever complaining-what did he do? He made the best of it.

Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. And Potiphar, an officer of Pharoah, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him down there.

And it turned out, verse 4: Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority. So, Joseph made the best of whatever circumstance he was in. He was respectful, obedient to the authorities in the house, blessed the one who was ultimately in authority-Yahweh, and what happens? Potiphar makes him the overseer of his household. He took the right attitude and he was blessed. And then later, he was falsely accused and then thrown in the prison. What did Joseph do?

Genesis 39:21: Yahweh was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.

And after this, we know, Joseph made an interpretation two dreams the servants of Pharoah had shared, and it turns out that he became second in command over all of Egypt, right? So, just be content in whatever situation you’re in that’s beyond your control. Be content-if you can’t control the situation, there’s no way out it-you have no way of escape or whatever-you’re in the situation-try to find whatever our Heavenly Father is trying to teach you for your circumstance. Ask Him-show me-what are you trying to teach me? Don’t complain-say “Father Yahweh-please show me-what are you trying to teach me through this?” And then listen and pay attention to what’s going on.

Many a time when I did that, my trial came to an end because I learned the thing that He wanted to teach me. And I sought it-I wanted to know what it was, and I sought it out, and He showed me. So, you know, even if we are treated unfairly our entire lives, we can wait patiently for the salvation of Yahweh. The truth is, Yahushua’s coming soon, His rewards with Him, and we will be rulers in this land.

Scripture says-Revelation 5:9: And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to Elohim by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us kings and priests to our Elohim; and we shall reign on the earth.” Whatever you’re going through, take it patiently-one day, we will be kings and priests to our Father in Heaven. We have to submit to our circumstances-as submission to Yahweh Himself, and allow Him to mold us into what He’s trying to do.

Luke chapter 5, verse 30 says: Their scribes and the Pharisees complained against His disciples, saying, “Why do You eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” Yahushua answered and said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.

Luke 15:2: And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.”
Luke 19:7: But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, “He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner.”
John 6:41: The Jews then complained about Him, because He said, “I am the bread which came down from heaven.”

Always complaining about something, aren’t they? LOL! It doesn’t end! It’s amazing!

Be on guard against the attitude of complaints.

John 6:66 it says: From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. They went back to Egypt! They quit following the Savior. Why-because they’re complaining about what He had to say-they didn’t like it. He said “I’m the true bread that came down from heaven”, and they didn’t like that.

Then He turned to the twelve disciples and He said: Verse 67, He said to them: “Do you also want to go away?” But Simon Peter said, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. If only the generation that died in the wilderness would’ve seen that-Moshe, you are sharing the words of eternal life-we want to follow you. So, they were focused on trusting and believing.

It was a food that Yahushua gave that compelled them to follow-spiritual food. And we’re called to enjoy and partake of Yahweh’s spiritual food and part of our life on the earth does involve suffering from time to time. It says: to this you are called, because Messiah also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: – it’s part of our walk-His suffering and going through unpleasant circumstances-it’s just part of it.

So-Do all things – all things-without complaining and disputing, – be content that you may become blameless and harmless, children of Elohim without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world. Beautiful words-beautiful, beautiful words. All things, he says-do all things without complaining-without disputing.

Let’s not allow our journey toward the promised land to end-that horrible end we see the children of Israel facing. Instead, let’s do all things without complaining and without disputing, so that we can become blameless and harmless-blameless and harmless- blameless and harmless.

The key to becoming blameless and harmless is to be content-to be without fault in the midst of a very crooked and very perverse generation. And when we choose not to complain about our circumstances, we will shine a light into the world. And say- “You know what? – My Father in Heaven is the one leading my life, and I’m thankful for His leadership, and I accept His leadership in my life, and if this is what He’s allowing in my life, then I’m gonna learn what I can from it”, and what we’ll do is we will shine as lights of the world because almost all the world complains. And we’ll be blameless and harmless and stand out and shine like a lamp.

Unlike the children of Israel who: despised the pleasant land; didn’t believe His word, but complained in their tents, and didn’t heed the voice of Yahweh. Let’s not be a city of murmurers and complainers. Let’s be a city of houses filled with light- shining as lights in this world. Let’s not allow our end to be like this: when the people complained-it says here, and the fire of Yahweh burned among them. We don’t want our end to be in the Lake of Fire. We want our end to be in eternity-eternal life with Him.

If you’re complaining about being with Him- then He’ll just say – “Okay-I’ll let you go away then. You don’t like following My leadership-you don’t accept My leadership; you just want to complain about it-then you just follow your own way then.” And that’s what happened with them.

and Yahweh says: “because all these men who have seen My glory and the signs which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have put Me to the test now these ten times, and have not heeded My voice, “they certainly shall not see the land of which I swore to their fathers, nor shall any of those who rejected Me see it. Don’t let it end like that.

It came to pass, as he finished speaking all these words, – it’s talking about the sons of Korah who complained against Moses-it says-the ground split apart underneath them, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households and all the men with Korah, and with all their goods. Proverbs 29 says: He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck, will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. So, these were sons of Korah here in Numbers 16, but they were complaining about the leaders in their life.

So, these things are for our examples-for our admonition. Sometimes our circumstances are actually negative because we’re reaping the consequences of our own mistakes-our own failures-our own sins in our life, and here we’re complaining about the punishment-the consequences of what we’ve gone through, and we’re complaining about it. The worst thing you can do is complain about the very thing that you brought on yourself, and act like you deserve better because the truth is we don’t deserve better.

So, Psalm 106:26 says: Therefore, He raised up His hand in an oath against them, to overthrow them in the wilderness, to overthrow their descendants among the nations, and to scatter them in the lands. Why? – they weren’t content.

Lamentation 3:37: Who is he who speaks and it comes to pass, when Yahweh has not commanded it? Is it not from the mouth of the Most-High that both woe and well-being proceed? Why should a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins? Let us search out and examine our ways, and turn back to Yahweh. Interesting verse here. Why should a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins? Because many times, things we’re going through, we really brought on ourselves, and we’re just reaping consequences for it.

Call upon Me in the day of trouble; – Psalm 50 verse 15- I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.” Psalm 34 verse 19 says: Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but Yahweh delivers him out of them all. Hallelujah! He wants to deliver us.

So- rather than complaining-be content, and look for something in your life that Yahweh is trying to show you. Look for something He’s trying to perfect, and repent of the thing which you are not yet like our Savior. Because you might just be suffering something because of something you’re doing wrong. Seek council. Maybe you’re not really doing what Yahushua did, and you’re not even getting persecuted for righteousness, but your just being chastened by Yahweh because of your own righteousness. Look at both possible avenues.

Don’t think life’s always just this “bed of roses”; it’s not. We didn’t sign up for “easy street” – we didn’t sign up for “life on Broadway” – we signed up for the “narrow way”. We enlisted in an army that we are way outnumbered. But the truth is-greater is He who is in us than who is in the world.

It’s okay to pray for Yahweh’s deliverance- it’s okay to do that. We pray-deliver us out of our circumstances, but don’t complain-don’t be anxious. You make your requests known-you pray-make requests known-be thankful for what you have, and let His peace rule over your hearts.

How about instead of complaining, let’s be content. And we choose to sing praises to Him for all the good things we receive in our lives. Because there is always something we can look at and say – “You know what? – it could be worse-you know what? – I’m blessed in many, many ways-you know what? – if the only thing I ever got was eternal life, that should be enough”.

So, Psalm 27 verse 6: And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; Therefore, I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to YAHWEH. Romans 8:28: We know that all things work together for good to those that love Elohim, to those who are called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed into the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn of many brethren. Everything works together for good, if we love Elohim-we must love Him.

Deuteronomy 8 verse 2: “And you shall remember that Yahweh your Mighty One led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. So, He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of Yahweh. What a lesson for us to learn. Be content.

Psalm 3 verse 5: I lay down and slept; I awoke, for Yahweh sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around. Arise, O YAHWEH; save me, O my Mighty One! For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone; You have broken the teeth of the unrighteous.

So, we’re gonna walk as Yahushua walked. We’re gonna say we abide in Him-let’s walk as He walked. Trust in Yahweh with all our heart- not leaning into our own understanding, and be content with what we have.

Luke 19:26: ‘For I say to you, that to everyone who has will be given; and from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. – So, be aware of that.

Rejoice in Yahweh always. Again, I will say, rejoice! – Philippians 4:4. James 1 verse 2: My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. – If you can find no other reason to rejoice, rejoice that your being taught patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. Beautiful words.

Can we find glory in our- difficulties? We have this treasure abiding in us-we have this treasure abiding in our earthen vessels-that the excellence of the power may be of Elohim and not of us. We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—always carrying about in the body the dying of the Master Yahushua, that the life of Yahushua may be manifested in our body. We’re not alone. The life of Yahushua-Yahweh wants to manifest His life through us. We’re not out in this wilderness by ourselves-we’re actually all together-maybe not always physically together, but in spirit. We’re in this wilderness journey together as brothers and sisters.

And we can draw strength from one another if we’re willing to wash each other’s feet and be our brother’s keeper-and build each other up. How many times Yahweh would say – “Oh, I’m the one that brought you out of the land of Egypt”. You know He also brought us out of Egypt too, and you can say – “Yahweh’s the one who brought me out of this world, and called me out of darkness and into His marvelous light.

I don’t every wanna go back to Egypt-I don’t ever want to go back”. Lots of captains wanna take you back-lots of false prophets that wanna tell you to forsake learning His commandments and go back to Egypt-to leave that wilderness land, where you learn His Word as they learned the Word-they wanna take you back to Egypt. Don’t listen. We’re gonna allow our Savior to reign through us-over us, and look to see the great work that He will do from there. Every part-let’s walk as He walked. The enemy is after us, but we cannot fear-we have Yahweh’s Word before us and Egypt behind us. We’re gonna press on-we’re gonna press on to the Promised Land where righteousness will reign-where Yahweh will be King, and we will reign with Him. Let’s seek diligently His ways, and allow Him to lead us through difficulties, trials, tribulations-ultimately justifying the King of Kings, and letting Him reign in our hearts and in our minds.

Let’s pray-

Father Yahweh-thank you for your love-thank you for even the trials we go through. Father, I pray for each person who’s listening to this broadcast today. Give them understanding of what You desire to teach them. Reveal to them what You are trying to show them through the things that they’re going through. Let them learn the lessons that You desire to teach them, and rejoice-rejoice to the extent that they are learning patience-rejoice that they have eternal life abiding in them-rejoice that they have so many things to be thankful for and to count as blessings in their life. Help us to be content-content with whatever earthly things we have-food and clothing-be content with that. And focus instead on obtaining spiritual treasures that rust will never cause to waste away, that no thief can steal-that you might be glorified through it all. For truly Yours is the kingdom and power and glory and majesty forever and ever. In Yahushua’s great name we pray. Amein.