Hungry for God: Don't Be a Grumbling Hebrew

Whenever her children would whine or complain, my friend Karen would call them grumbling Hebrews. She was referring, of course, to the Israelites who griped and bellyached all the way to the Promised Land.

God parted the Red Sea so they could cross and delivered them from Pharaoh’s army. He kept their clothes and shoes from wearing out and provided an ample supply of food every single day. Best of all, he promised to bring them into a land “of milk and honey.” Yet they grumbled and complained the whole way.

Many times I’m just like these ungrateful wretches. Evidences of God’s love and care surround me, yet I murmur and whine. God has guided my life for many years. He’s delivered me from sin and eternal punishment. He’s provided a home in which to live and food to eat every day, and, if that’s not enough, he promises to take me to heaven when I die.

Yet I am, so often, a grumbling Hebrew. I look at the 98 percent God has given me, and instead of being thankful, I yearn for the two percent he's withheld.

What about you? If you are similarly guilty, will you join me in choosing thanksgiving instead of grumbling?

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations." (Psalm 100:4-5).

Have you ever wanted to try your hand at writing a Christian devotion? Well here's your chance.

My friend Marilyn Nutter sends out an invitation once a year to submit devotions for the one-year devotional she edits, Penned from the Heart. A lovely book, PFTH is a compilation of 366 short devotions from writers all over the world.

I always sigh when I receive Marilyn's invitation. Those of you who have been readers for any length of time know short seldom describes my devotions. And there's the catch -- each devotion is 225 words or less. Oh my. I can barely write an introduction in 225 words, let along craft an entire coherent and spiritual thought.

But every year, for the sheer discipline, I challenge myself to see if I can do it. The devotion you just read is this year's attempt. I pray it blesses you and the sweet PFTH readers who will purchase next year's volume.You can read last year's submission to Penned from the Heart, "When Someone You Love Has No Faith," HERE.

Now how about you? Would you like to give it a try? Scroll to the bottom of this post to read the writers' guidelines (they're simple), and then ask the Lord what he'd have YOU share. And if you submit, let me know so I can be praying for you and those who will read your devotion.

You want to connect with God, but in the craziness of life, it’s just not happening. You want practical, biblical answers to situations you face every day, but you don’t have hours to pore over Scripture.

You need a resource that answers the questions you’re afraid to ask out loud. Questions like:

• Is my situation hopeless?
• If God already knows what he’s going to do, why bother to pray?
• Why have you allowed this to happen to me?
• No one appreciates what I do. Why shouldn’t I quit?

Each devotion begins with a Facetime question and ends with a biblical answer wrapped in a modern day parable. Like a spiritual power bar, Hungry for God … Starving for Time is packed with enough scriptural nutrition to get you through the day. Wherever you are—in break rooms, carpool lines, or wherever you can snatch five minutes of quiet reflection—Hungry for God … Starving for Time, 5-Minute Devotions for Busy Women is for you.

Hungry for God is on Facebook! Will you take a moment and LIKE my page? CLICK HERE to help HFG share 5-minute devotions.

Writer’s Guidelines for Penned from the Heart – for 2016

Penned from the Heart, published around Thanksgiving by Son-Rise Publications, New Wilmington, PA is a non-denominational, Christian book of 366 devotions and poems which can be started at any time during the year and used in any year. Cut-off date for receiving submissions is July 1^st.

Submissions from novice and professional writers are welcomed. Devotions should be 225 words or less. Poems (verse or free-verse) should be no more than 20 lines, counting spaces between stanzas. Devotions should be more than a Bible study or personal experience. Insights, prayers, and anecdotes that proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ or build the body of Christ through encouragement, inspiration, or teaching are encouraged. Readers should find a Take-Away, something to apply to their lives.

Formal format of opening scripture and closing prayer is not required, but scripture relating to the devotion or poem, should be included in each submission. Please include a title for your devotion or poem. When quoting scripture, please be accurate and indicate the version in this way: NIV, KJV, NASB, MSG (The Message), etc. Do not rely on your memory—please verify accuracy. Include a brief bio of no more than 40 words; include email and website if you want to readers to contact you. It will be helpful to submit your devotion in Arial 10 (Arial 9 bold & italic for scripture passages).

Son-Rise Publications asks for one-time rights for the volume in which your work appears. Previously published devotions, as well as original works, are accepted if you own the copyright. Reprint rights are given when supplied by the author. Payment for the inclusion of your work in PFTH is a free copy of the volume in which your work appears, and the opportunity to buy other copies at a discounted rate. International contributors and contributors who do not order additional books will receive a complimentary copy but pay mailing cost. PFTH gives authors an opportunity to see their work in print. Most importantly, it is intended to bring glory to Jesus and encouragement to readers, as writers share His love. Son-Rise is a small publishing house, so distribution for this book is done primarily by its contributors in their home churches, venues in which they serve as speakers, work places, and friends and family. The books make wonderful gifts and witnessing tools at any time of the year.

For an example of a devotion visit writers’ guidelines at www.marilynnutter.com

Penned from the Heart is compiled/edited by Marilyn Nutter. Electronic submissions (only) may be sent to nutter4penned@gmail.com in the body of your email, with the title of your devotion in the subject line. Do not send attachments. Snail mail/hard copy submissions will not be considered. Include your bio, website, name (as you want it to appear in a published devotion), email, phone number and mailing address with each submission. Only one submission per email. Indicate if this is a simultaneous submission.

Thank you,

Marilyn Nutter

Editor, Penned from the Heart

nutter4penned@gmail.com