rec0811-113030<\/a><\/p>\n \n <\/p>\n Frodo, in J.R.R. Tolkien\u201d\u2122s classic \u201cLord of the Rings\u201d series is that little hobbit on whom the One Ring falls. He and only he must bear this terrible possession to the fires of Mount Doom to save Middle Earth. He protests his assignment, having not asked for this awful burden that has fallen into his hands. He says to his mentor and guide, Gandalf, \u201cI wish the ring had never come to me. I wish none of this had happened.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n And how we wish our world was different, just like young Frodo.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n But Gandalf wisely responds, \u201cSo do all who see such times. But that is not for us to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that we are given.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n We ALL deal with circumstances or relationships that we don\u201d\u2122t like and that truly are heavy burdens in our lives.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n How will we handle the burden we carry?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n What attitude will we choose to have?<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Last Sunday we began a series based on our new Bible Study, \u201cLord, Change My Attitude\u201d by James MacDonald.\u00a0 The message was \u201cLord, Cure My Complaining\u201d.<\/p>\n Memory Verse:\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n Philippians 2:14-15 (NLT)<\/strong><\/p>\n 14\u00a0<\/sup>Do everything without complaining and arguing [that is, spoken, public murmuring\/talking\/whining\/griping to others<\/strong> about our circumstances\/situations\/relationships<\/em>], 15\u00a0<\/sup>so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This morning I want us to think together about Psalm 142 under the title\u201d\u00a6<\/p>\n Psalm 142<\/p>\n Taking our complaints to God in prayer will cure our grumbling about God. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Psalm 142 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n A maskil<\/em> of David. When he was in the cave. A prayer.<\/strong><\/p>\n Don\u201d\u2122t miss David\u201d\u2122s circumstances:\u00a0 he is running for his life from King Saul and is literally in hiding in a cave.<\/p>\n 1\u00a0<\/sup>I cry aloud to the Lord<\/em>; It is KEY to notice here\u201d\u00a6WHO is receiving David\u201d\u2122s complaint?<\/p>\n GOD is!\u00a0 And that is the difference between the complaining Scripture so often warns about\u201d\u201dand that God can\u201d\u2122t stand\u201d\u201dand the prayerful \u201ccomplaining\u201d that the psalmist does in conversation with God!<\/p>\n Spurgeon<\/strong><\/p>\n We may learn from this text that our complaint must never be of a kind that we dare not bring before God. We may complain to God, but not of God<\/em>. When we complain it should not be before men, but before God alone.\u00a0\u00a0 He exhibited his griefs to one who could assuage them: he did not fall into the mistaken plan of so many who publish their sorrows to those who cannot help them<\/em>.<\/p>\n Taking our complaints to God in prayer will cure our grumbling about God.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n 3\u00a0<\/sup>When my spirit grows faint within me, Spurgeon<\/strong><\/p>\n Human help fails most when most needed.<\/p>\n 5\u00a0<\/sup>I cry to you, Lord; THIS is how our complaints are transformed through prayer into faith!<\/em><\/p>\n We\u201d\u2122re talking to the One who rules over our lives with love like no other!<\/em><\/p>\n 6\u00a0<\/sup>Listen to my cry, Taking our complaints to God in prayer will cure our grumbling about God.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n 1\u00a0<\/sup>I cry out to the Lord; Abraham Wright<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n The committing of our cause to God is at once our duty, our safety, and our ease.<\/p>\n Taking our complaints to God in prayer will cure our grumbling about God.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Wherever I go, Spurgeon<\/strong><\/p>\n Note that we do not show our trouble before the Lord that he may see it, but that we may see him. Pour out your thoughts and you will see what they are; show your trouble and the extent of it will be known to you: let all be done before the Lord, for in comparison with his great majesty of love the trouble will seem to be as nothing.<\/p>\n Taking our complaints to God in prayer will cure our grumbling about God.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Charlotte Elliott<\/strong><\/p>\n From human eyes ’tis better to conceal God knows\/understands our burdens better than we do!<\/p>\n AND\u201d\u00a6He cares about us!\u00a0 He LOVES us!<\/p>\n 7\u00a0<\/sup>Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.<\/p>\n Taking our complaints to God in prayer will cure our grumbling about God.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Romans 8:31b-32 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n If God is for us, who can be against us? 32\u00a0<\/sup>He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all\u201d\u201dhow will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?<\/p>\n In prayer and through the Word, we end up back at the Cross, which is the proof that no matter what we face, God\u201d\u2122s love and gracious commitment to us is signed, sealed and delivered in Jesus\u201d\u00a6and He WILL see us through!<\/p>\n So, when things get crazy and tough, instead of opening your mouth to others, pray, \u201cLord, hear my complaint\u201d, as you pour out your heart to HIM!\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n Taking our complaints to God in prayer will cure our grumbling about God.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Message by Chad Kelly rec0811-113030 Frodo, in J.R.R. Tolkien\u201d\u2122s classic \u201cLord of the Rings\u201d series is that little hobbit on whom the One Ring falls. He and only he must bear this terrible possession to the fires of Mount … Continue reading Lord, Hear My Complaint<\/span><\/em><\/h3>\n
\nI lift up my voice to the Lord<\/em> for mercy<\/em>.
\n2\u00a0<\/sup>I pour out before him<\/em> my complaint;
\nbefore him<\/em> I tell my trouble.<\/p>\n
\nit is you who watch over my way.
\nIn the path where I walk
\npeople have hidden a snare for me.
\n4\u00a0<\/sup>Look and see, there is no one at my right hand;
\nno one is concerned for me.
\nI have no refuge<\/em>;
\nno one cares for my life.<\/p>\n
\nI say, \u201cYou are my refuge,
\nmy portion in the land of the living<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nfor I am in desperate need;
\nrescue me from those who pursue me,
\nfor they are too strong for me.
\n7\u00a0<\/sup>Set me free from my prison,
\nthat I may praise your name.
\nThen the righteous will gather about me
\nbecause of your goodness to me.<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
Psalm 142 (NLT)<\/h3>\n
A psalm of David, regarding his experience in the cave. A prayer.<\/h4>\n
\nI plead for the Lord\u201d\u2122s mercy.
\n2\u00a0<\/sup>I pour out my complaints before him
\nand tell him all my troubles.
\n3\u00a0<\/sup>When I am overwhelmed,
\nyou alone know the way I should turn.<\/p>\n
\nmy enemies have set traps for me.
\n4\u00a0<\/sup>I look for someone to come and help me,
\nbut no one gives me a passing thought!
\nNo one will help me;
\nno one cares a bit what happens to me.
\n5\u00a0<\/sup>Then I pray to you, O Lord.
\nI say, \u201cYou are my place of refuge.
\nYou are all I really want in life.
\n6\u00a0<\/sup>Hear my cry,
\nfor I am very low.
\nRescue me from my persecutors,
\nfor they are too strong for me.
\n7\u00a0<\/sup>Bring me out of prison
\nso I can thank you.
\nThe godly will crowd around me,
\nfor you are good to me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nMuch that I suffer, much I hourly feel;
\nBut, oh, this thought can tranquillize and heal,
\nAll, all is known to thee.
\nNay, all by thee is ordered, chosen, planned,
\nEach drop that fills my daily cup, thy hand
\nPrescribes for ills, none else can understand,
\nAll, all is known to thee.<\/p>\n1 Peter 5:7 (NLT)<\/h3>\n