The word for today is burdens.

“If I have sinned, what have I done to you, O watcher of men? Why have you made me your target? Have I become a burden to you?” (Job 7:20).

“But how can I bear your problems and your burdens and your disputes all by myself?” (Deut. 1:12).

“I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take of the Spirit that is on you and put the Spirit on them. They will help you carry the burden of the people so that you will not have to carry it alone” (Num. 11:17).

“And He was saying to them all, ‘If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me’” (Luke 9:23).

“Bear one another’s burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ. … For each one shall bear his own load” (Gal. 6:2, 5).

“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall” (Ps. 55:22).

“Casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you” (1 Pet. 5:7).

“For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed, but to be clothed, in order that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life” (2 Cor. 5:4).

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My load is light” (Matt. 11:28-30).

Let’s sing a couple of verses of “Burdens Are Lifted at Calvary”: “Days are filled with sorrow and care, Hearts are lonely and drear; Burdens are lifted at Calvary, Jesus is very near. Burdens are lifted at Calvary, Calvary, Calvary; Burdens are lifted at Calvary, Jesus is very near. Cast your care on Jesus today, Leave your worry and fear; Burdens are lifted at Calvary, Jesus is very near. Burdens are lifted at Calvary, Calvary, Calvary; Burdens are lifted at Calvary, Jesus is very near.”

Prayer: Lord, the words You spoke to Paul are a comfort to my heart this day: “My grace is sufficient for you for power is perfected in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me.”

The word for today is complaining.

“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. … Do all things without grumbling or disputing” (Phil. 2:3-4, 14).

“Why should any living man complain when punished for his sins?” (Lam. 3:39).

“Now the people complained about their hardships in the hearing of the Lord, and when he heard them his anger was aroused. Then fire from the Lord burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp” (Num. 11:1).

“Nor let us try the Lord, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the serpents. Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer” (1 Cor. 10:9-10).

“These are grumblers, finding fault, following after their own lusts; they speak arrogantly, flattering people for the sake of gaining an advantage” (Jude 16).

“Therefore I will not keep silent; I will speak out in the anguish of my spirit, I will complain in the bitterness of my soul” (Job 7:11).

“I pour out my complaint before him; before him I tell my trouble” (Ps. 142:2).

“Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear” (Eph. 4:29).

“Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each person” (Col. 4:6).

“Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. … They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness. The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made” (Ps. 145:3, 7-9).

Let’s sing the “Doxology”: “Priase God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host; Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.”

Prayer: Lord, by the power of Your Spirit, keep me positive, with an attitude of gratitude.