Greetings, brothers and sisters of Christ and children of God,”In this world you will have trouble…”

 Jesus said that in John 16:33. Are you surrounded by negativity or a negative person most, if not all, the time? Do you encounter many negative people? Do you become negative from time to time or most of the time? With the birth of sin came also the birth of negativity.

One of the most remembered scenes in the bible is that of God delivering the Israelites out of Egypt, where they had suffered persecution and a life filled with negativity and troubles. Just as they had crossed the Red Sea and God smote the Egyptians with a crashing wave, the Israelites celebrated with Miriam’s song (Exodus 15:1-21). However, it would not be long before the Israelites would begin to complain about their situation in the desert. God was displeased with this grumbling from the people whom He had blessed and saved. He even referred to them as a wicked community (Numbers 14:27). Because of their grumbling and complaining, which filled the community with negativity, God declared that they would wander the desert for 40 years until a new generation would inherit the land they were to possess (Numbers 14:28-24).

It is understandable why those who do not have Christ in their lives are miserable, complain, and spew negativity. They are filled with negativity because they are not truly filled with the Spirit of Christ. They might say they are, but a Christ-filled person knows the truth. The full verse of John 16:33 says, “In this world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world.”

 Jesus came and died, and then rose again. He came and defeated death and overcame the world. It is through Christ that we find our strength when we are faced with troubles or negative thoughts.

If we complain, we need to ask God to forgive us for our complaining and thank Him for the blessings. We are not to complain about being in the desert after He has blessed us, but rejoice even in the desert, for God will always provide in His time. God will always protect and never lead us astray if we just trust Him.

We may find ourselves surrounded by negative people, but ask God to shine more of His light through you so that you may share the Light of His love with them and speak to them about the Son of God who brings hope in a dark world. Be patient with them and show them love. Show them how you overcome a world that is filled with negativity. Be their light when all they can see is darkness, and pray that they will find the Light.

Last week, the little lambs learned about Phillip the evangelist, who God used to spread the gospel of Christ. This week, we are going to learn about Simon the Sorcerer and how he came to believe in Jesus and began to follow Phillip.

I look forward to worshipping with you tomorrow before our Lord with songs of praise and joyful dancing before the one who gives us Light in a dark world. If, for whatever reason, I do not see you tomorrow, may the Lord bless you with joy, peace, and love, and may He guide, comfort you, and heal you when you need it.

God bless you,

Your brother in Christ,

Michael (aka Mr. Michael)