6.8.8 "Hungry?"

"Hungry?"

I Kings 3:3-4:34
Acts 6:1-15
Psalm 126:1-6
Proverbs 16:26-27

"Hunger is good - if it makes you work to satisfy it!" (Proverbs 16:26)

There is so much truth in God's word. If you've been a part of this list for a while, you know what I'm talking about when I mention the "Preciousness of Frustration". There are many examples of this in today's readings. Using hunger as an example, hunger is great because it causes us to work. Work is important to God. He wants us to be good stewards.

God is also a God of order. In I Kings 4, we get a listing of the structure of King Solomon's cabinet members. It includes a list of those who are in charge of the food. it mentions in verse 19 that a general manager is over all of this.

What does this have to do with anything? Well look at Acts 6:1 "But with the believers multiplying rapidly, there were rumblings of discontent. Those who spoke only Greek complained that their widows were being discriminated against, that they were not being given as much food, in the daily distribution, as the widow who spoke Hebrew."

Uh oh... trouble... this is a bad thing, right? Well, yes, it's not good to have discontent, but look at what this frustration sets into motion: "so the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. 'We should spend our time preaching, not administering a feeding program,' they said. 'Now look around among yourselves, dear brothers, and select seven men, wise and full of the Holy Spirit, who are well thought of by everyone; and we will put them in charge of this business. Then we can spend our time in prayer, preaching, and teaching.' This sounded reasonable to the whole assembly, and they elected the following: Stephen (a man unusually full of faith and the Holy Spirit), Philip..." (Acts 6:2-5) and the list of names goes on.

It may not seem like a big deal, but look at the result: "God's message was preached in ever-widening circles, and the number of disciples increased vastly in Jerusalem; and many of the Jewish priests were converted too. Stephen, the man so full of faith and the Holy Spirit's power, did spectacular miracles among the people." (Acts 6:7-8)

The frustration spurred action which created order which brought about blessing. Sure, there may have been sparks along the way, but it is worth it. Look at Psalm 126:5-6: "Those who sow tears shall reap joy. Yes, they go out weeping, carrying seed for sowing, and return singing, carrying their sheaves." It takes work to receive blessing.

I will never forget one time several years ago when I was really frustrated. I walked into my Pastor's office and said, "On the freeway of life, I past the 'frustration exit' long ago. I'm way beyond that." He said to me, "you need to stop, turn around and take that exit. Find out what's causing the frustration and find a solution." That was some of the greatest advice i've ever heard.

We need to understand that when we are frustrated in life, something is out of order. When we are hungry, we need to work to satisfy that hunger. I'm not talking about feeding the flesh, I'm talking about living the disciplined life. The result of order is blessing.

Look at the result of the order King Solomon has in place. "Throughout the lifetime of Solomon, all of Judah and Israel lived in peace and safety; and each family had its own home and garden." (1 Kings 4:25)

Maybe your frustration is debt. You need to get some order into your life and be debt free. Maybe it's not hunger that's your problem, maybe you're fat. Get some order in your life and develop discipline to lose weight.

All of this works together. DREAM. We may be experiencing frustration with any one or more of these principles. When we aren't functioning properly, we are out of balance. We will experience the frustration. The frustration needs to be our signal to get things right. Don't run FROM frustration, run THROUGH it.

Romans 8:28 says, "ALL things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." God can use the pain and frustration that is in your life to complete his work in you. Allow him to do it.

Hungry?

Get to work!



Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!

P Greg


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