SCRIPTURE
Job 29:2-6 How I long for the months gone by, for the days when God watched over me, when his lamp shone upon my head and by his light I walked through darkness! Oh, for the days when I was in my prime, when God's intimate friendship blessed my house, when the Almighty was still with me and my children were around me, when my path was drenched with cream and the rock poured out for me streams of olive oil.
OBSERVATION
Job has lost everything - family and servants, wealth and material possessions, his respect and credibility in the community. He feels deserted by God. He feels that God has taken away all of His blessings.
In these verses, Job cries and longs for the days when all of these things were still a part of his life. He acknowledges that all of these blessings were from God and since they have all been stripped from him, he assumes that God is no longer with him.
He indicates that those were the days of his prime. When everywhere he went, God's light lit his way. It would be easy to see how he felt that God was gone. Not only is everything gone, but he is also being falsely accused of wickedness as a result of all of these curses.
How confused Job must have been through all of these trials. Here was a man, living a righteous life suffering horror upon horror! But even in the midst of all of this, Job does not curse nor blame God. He does not reject nor deny God. He merely feels separated from Him.
How often we question God over much smaller things. The Bible tells us our righteousness is like filthy rags. Yet we cringe at the thought of trials and losses much smaller than what Job endured. We are always asking, "why?".
APPLICATION
I think I can use Job as a model for me in two ways. #1 - Don't take for granted the blessings God has given me - family, children, home, provision, credibility, respect, and #2 - when I am feeling cursed or separated from God, realize that He is always there; He is always in control; He loves me more than I can comprehend; He has my best interest at heart; and He will deliver me.
PRAYER
Lord, I offer up a prayer of thanksgiving for all that You have blessed me with! It is more than I deserve. I also ask forgiveness for the many times I have questioned You and pray that I will become totally blind in my faith and trust upon You - at all times and in all situations. AMEN.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
I Will Maintain
SCRIPTURE
Job 27:2-6 As surely as God lives, who has denied me justice, the Almighty, who has made me taste bitterness of soul, as long as I have life within me, the breath of God in my nostrils, my lips will not speak wickedness, and my tongue will utter no deceit. I will never admit you are in the right; till I die, I will not deny my integrity. I will maintain my righteousness and never let go of it; my conscience will not reproach me as long as I live.
OBSERVATION
Because Job is being persecuted, he has been accused of wickedness. Here he defends himself against these accusations and continues to stand up for righteousness. He states he will never admit to what he has being accused of and that until he dies, he will maintain his integrity. It sounds that he is not only defending himself but also reaffirming his Godly life - to others and to himself. It feels like he is encouraging himself to 'fight the good fight', despite the doubts of others.
APPLICATION
While reading these Scriptures, I was so moved by Job's stand. The entire chapter speaks to his determination even in the darkest of days. He's lost everything and nearly everyone he loves. His wife and his friends have mocked and accused him. And yet, he continues to stand firm for the Lord.
You know, I'd like to think and say that I would do the same thing if I were in Job's shoes. But, quite honestly, if all of these things had happened to me, I'm not sure how I would react. I often think about how I would conduct myself if I was persecuted for my faith and I imagine a strong stance. I think we all do. But we are weak in our humanness.
So, how to we combat the really BIG battles when and if they come? It has to start with mastering the small battles. It has to be on the foundation of a strong prayer life and relationship with Jesus. We certainly can't do it alone! As humans, we would fail. But, God can provide the supernatural everything that we need in the toughest of times.
I often think the main thing that separates believes from non-believers is that one fact. No matter what hardship we may encounter, we have a hope that is Jesus Christ.
PRAYER
Father, strengthen me daily so that I can stand firm when the storms come. I want to remain steadfast in my reliance upon you. Strengthen my faith and keep me in a daily pursuit of righteousness. Amen.
Job 27:2-6 As surely as God lives, who has denied me justice, the Almighty, who has made me taste bitterness of soul, as long as I have life within me, the breath of God in my nostrils, my lips will not speak wickedness, and my tongue will utter no deceit. I will never admit you are in the right; till I die, I will not deny my integrity. I will maintain my righteousness and never let go of it; my conscience will not reproach me as long as I live.
OBSERVATION
Because Job is being persecuted, he has been accused of wickedness. Here he defends himself against these accusations and continues to stand up for righteousness. He states he will never admit to what he has being accused of and that until he dies, he will maintain his integrity. It sounds that he is not only defending himself but also reaffirming his Godly life - to others and to himself. It feels like he is encouraging himself to 'fight the good fight', despite the doubts of others.
APPLICATION
While reading these Scriptures, I was so moved by Job's stand. The entire chapter speaks to his determination even in the darkest of days. He's lost everything and nearly everyone he loves. His wife and his friends have mocked and accused him. And yet, he continues to stand firm for the Lord.
You know, I'd like to think and say that I would do the same thing if I were in Job's shoes. But, quite honestly, if all of these things had happened to me, I'm not sure how I would react. I often think about how I would conduct myself if I was persecuted for my faith and I imagine a strong stance. I think we all do. But we are weak in our humanness.
So, how to we combat the really BIG battles when and if they come? It has to start with mastering the small battles. It has to be on the foundation of a strong prayer life and relationship with Jesus. We certainly can't do it alone! As humans, we would fail. But, God can provide the supernatural everything that we need in the toughest of times.
I often think the main thing that separates believes from non-believers is that one fact. No matter what hardship we may encounter, we have a hope that is Jesus Christ.
PRAYER
Father, strengthen me daily so that I can stand firm when the storms come. I want to remain steadfast in my reliance upon you. Strengthen my faith and keep me in a daily pursuit of righteousness. Amen.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Did You Wash Your Hands?
SCRIPTURE
(Mark 7:5 & 15) "And the Pharisees and the scribes asked Him, 'Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with impure hands?'. . . there is nothing outside the man which going into him can defile him; but the things which proceed out of the man are what defile the man."
OBSERVATION
Tradition often becomes the norm by which people form their convictions. For many, during the time of Christ, external cleanliness was a sign of godliness. Jesus took the opportunity to challenge their shallow beliefs, and focused on the importance of the state of one's heart. A lot of people with clean hands will spend eternity seperated from a Holy God.
APPLICATION
How often today do we put a great emphasis on doing good things. Many people are convinced that if they lead a good life, helping others, they will receive God's favor and "go to heaven to be with Him." Good deeds and clean hands still won't gain you entrance into heaven. The Psalmist writes, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." The only soap that cleanses the heart and renews the spirit of a person is the blood of Jesus. Have you washed your heart today?
PRAYER
Father, I pray that my actions will be a reflection of my heart. Cleanse me from within and I will be able to serve You externally.
(Mark 7:5 & 15) "And the Pharisees and the scribes asked Him, 'Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with impure hands?'. . . there is nothing outside the man which going into him can defile him; but the things which proceed out of the man are what defile the man."
OBSERVATION
Tradition often becomes the norm by which people form their convictions. For many, during the time of Christ, external cleanliness was a sign of godliness. Jesus took the opportunity to challenge their shallow beliefs, and focused on the importance of the state of one's heart. A lot of people with clean hands will spend eternity seperated from a Holy God.
APPLICATION
How often today do we put a great emphasis on doing good things. Many people are convinced that if they lead a good life, helping others, they will receive God's favor and "go to heaven to be with Him." Good deeds and clean hands still won't gain you entrance into heaven. The Psalmist writes, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." The only soap that cleanses the heart and renews the spirit of a person is the blood of Jesus. Have you washed your heart today?
PRAYER
Father, I pray that my actions will be a reflection of my heart. Cleanse me from within and I will be able to serve You externally.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
I Don't Have Time to Rest
SCRIPTURE
(Mark 6:30&31) "And the apostles gathered together with Jesus; and they reported to Him all that they had done and taught. And He said to them,'Come away by yourselves to a lonely place and rest a while.' (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.)"
OBSERVATION
Jesus had sent his disciples out on their own to preach forgiveness of sins and to heal the afflicted and deliver the demon possessed. They returned having had great success. Jesus then took the opportunity to instruct them on the need for rest. When something exciting is happening we often deny ourselves to accomplish the task or ride out the wave of the annointing. Jesus instructs us to do His work but also to pace ourselves with regular times of rest.
APPLICATION
A sure way to "burn out" is to be at every church meeting, and be involved in multiple church ministries. We each have giftings given for the purpose of fulfilling our part of the ministry. We also must learn to pace ourselves and say "no" once in a while so that we can have times of rest. If you don't have time to rest, you are out of the will of God!
PRAYER
Lord, don't let my zealous desire to serve blind me of the need to rest. Help me to appropriate the words of Jesus, "Come away to a lonely place and rest a while."
(Mark 6:30&31) "And the apostles gathered together with Jesus; and they reported to Him all that they had done and taught. And He said to them,'Come away by yourselves to a lonely place and rest a while.' (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.)"
OBSERVATION
Jesus had sent his disciples out on their own to preach forgiveness of sins and to heal the afflicted and deliver the demon possessed. They returned having had great success. Jesus then took the opportunity to instruct them on the need for rest. When something exciting is happening we often deny ourselves to accomplish the task or ride out the wave of the annointing. Jesus instructs us to do His work but also to pace ourselves with regular times of rest.
APPLICATION
A sure way to "burn out" is to be at every church meeting, and be involved in multiple church ministries. We each have giftings given for the purpose of fulfilling our part of the ministry. We also must learn to pace ourselves and say "no" once in a while so that we can have times of rest. If you don't have time to rest, you are out of the will of God!
PRAYER
Lord, don't let my zealous desire to serve blind me of the need to rest. Help me to appropriate the words of Jesus, "Come away to a lonely place and rest a while."
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Jesus Got Angry?
SCRIPTURE
(Mark 3:5) "And after looking around at them (Pharisees) with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, He said to the man, 'stretch out your hand.' and he stretched it out, and his hand was restored."
OBSERVATION
No matter what Jesus did there were people close by to accuse Him of evil motivations. On this occassion Jesus went in to a synagogue and noticed a man with a deformed hand. The Pharisees wanted to see if Jesus would heal on the sabbath so that they could accuse Him of breaking the law of Moses. Jesus got angry at their hard heartedness.
APPLICATION
Have you ever been around people with a warped selfish motivation? They are not hard to find in this election season. A big issue is made out of the clothes that one candidate wears and the fact that another candidate openly supports the ongoing holocaust of unborn children is not even mentioned. That's enough to stir up the anger of God. Just remember that James 1:20 says, "the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God." Make sure your anger is from God and not because you didn't get your way.
PRAYER
Lord, may all my emotions be subject to Your review. Do not let me act in a way that casts a negative light on Your righteousness.
(Mark 3:5) "And after looking around at them (Pharisees) with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, He said to the man, 'stretch out your hand.' and he stretched it out, and his hand was restored."
OBSERVATION
No matter what Jesus did there were people close by to accuse Him of evil motivations. On this occassion Jesus went in to a synagogue and noticed a man with a deformed hand. The Pharisees wanted to see if Jesus would heal on the sabbath so that they could accuse Him of breaking the law of Moses. Jesus got angry at their hard heartedness.
APPLICATION
Have you ever been around people with a warped selfish motivation? They are not hard to find in this election season. A big issue is made out of the clothes that one candidate wears and the fact that another candidate openly supports the ongoing holocaust of unborn children is not even mentioned. That's enough to stir up the anger of God. Just remember that James 1:20 says, "the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God." Make sure your anger is from God and not because you didn't get your way.
PRAYER
Lord, may all my emotions be subject to Your review. Do not let me act in a way that casts a negative light on Your righteousness.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Putting a Square Peg in a Round Hole
SCRIPTURE
(Mark 1:16&17) "And as He was going along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, 'Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.'"
OBSERVATION
Most Jewish men who were considered Rabbis, chose their followers or disciples from among the most learned. There were certain qualities of academia and self-discipline that the teacher was looking for in his students. Most of Jesus' disciples were common, uneducated laborers. In the acceptable norm of the culture, Jesus was putting square pegs, so to speak, in round holes. His disciples just didn't fit the norm.
APPLICATION
Jesus is still not a respector of persons. He is not looking for external verification of adequacy. Jesus is looking at the heart, and a willingness to be used to further His Kingdom. He still uses just common people to achieve the miraculous. This square peg fits in the round hole when it is placed in the Master's hand.
PRAYER
Lord, shape me into whatever You need me to be to achieve Your Kingdom's work. I am a willing peg!
(Mark 1:16&17) "And as He was going along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, 'Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.'"
OBSERVATION
Most Jewish men who were considered Rabbis, chose their followers or disciples from among the most learned. There were certain qualities of academia and self-discipline that the teacher was looking for in his students. Most of Jesus' disciples were common, uneducated laborers. In the acceptable norm of the culture, Jesus was putting square pegs, so to speak, in round holes. His disciples just didn't fit the norm.
APPLICATION
Jesus is still not a respector of persons. He is not looking for external verification of adequacy. Jesus is looking at the heart, and a willingness to be used to further His Kingdom. He still uses just common people to achieve the miraculous. This square peg fits in the round hole when it is placed in the Master's hand.
PRAYER
Lord, shape me into whatever You need me to be to achieve Your Kingdom's work. I am a willing peg!
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