Tag: God

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Job 14: Man’s Destiny

Death is our destiny

Job and Man’s Destiny

Recently a man placed himself in a frozen state upon his death so that his body might be “resurrected” when the science develops the way to thaw him. Guess what? He is still frozen and he is still dead and even Job realized that once man dies, he is dead, dead. “Since man’s days are determined, the number of his months is under your control; you have set his limit, and he cannot pass it.” So says God and Job. 

When men begin to think they can operate like God, they are doomed. Even Job realized that truth. Job also recognized that men are not like trees. If they are cut down the root remains and with water and proper nourishment, they are “resurrected” to live again. How stupid is man! Only one man has lived, died and was resurrected to new life and that man was Jesus! Job knew this principle: But man dies and is powerless; he expires—and where is he? And that is the question men must answer. Luke 16 tells the story of two men who lived and died. One went to Paradise and the other to Torments. One chose the way of eternity with God and the other an eternity of hell. Now is the day for men to decide which place they will enter upon death. Choose ye this day whom you will serve. Choose the Lord and obey Him so you will be blessed upon your departure. 

What is your decision about death? Where will you end up on your deathbed? 

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Freedom or Slavery?

In Debt or Free?

Gal 4 In several cultures there is a rite of passage by having ceremonies and lavish parties. I can remember our granddaughter had her quinceañera when she turned 15. It is both a religious and a social event and much went into the planning of this. For the Jewish boys it is the Bar Mitzvah and for girls the same is called Bat Mitzvah. How about you? Was it your baptism or joining the church?  Paul wants the Galatians to recall that they once were classified as merely slaves with no rights or privileges, but one day they would receive their inheritance when they reached the proper age.

Paul is recalling these events to remind the Galatians that they too were slaves of sin, but now they are free and have the rights of inheritance set aside for those who have chosen Christ and believed in Him. He thus asked them if would like to return to their former state or live now in the freedom given to sons and daughters?  That is a good question to us. Stay a minute in this chapter and review what God has given to you as His blessing and live as free men and women. 

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Living Victoriously

James 1 In times of testing, we can sit idly by or seek God’s comfort. We can seek understanding, and we can, through it all, be joyful. The fruit of our testing is endurance. It is also seen in how our heart has been touched and our motivations altered. We are no longer seeking just self-interests; we strive to assist the most vulnerable of citizens, the orphans and widows. James tells us: But be sure you live out the message and do not merely listen to it and deceive yourselves. In our quest to do that, we are often tempted to leave that behind and to seek that which benefits ourselves as opposed to that which the Lord modeled. So the first opportunity given to us is to reach beyond ourselves, without wavering, without doubting, and into the fray of the most needy of all that we might prove that our religion is true and without fault.

The question is, are we ready? Are we willing to see the test of our hearts first and foremost? Are we prepared to reap what we sow in the lives of those God brings to us?

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Our Crazy Mixed-Up World…

Psalm 40 Our world is a confusing place at times. There are those who call evil good and good evil. [Is 5:20] They substitute lies for the truth and expect us to accept it readily. If we challenge that thinking, they slander us. Yet, this is true: God is God, and there is none to compare to Him. He is a redeemer and savior. He is our helper and deliverer. Therefore we can pray with all boldness; do not delay, O my God! [Ps 40:17] Further, we can pray: “Give heed to my prayer.” [Ps 61:1] He is our refuge and our tower of strength against those who rail at us, saying, “there is no God.”  The psalmist wrote that only fools say such a thing.

But, because of those attributes and more, we can say He is my rock, salvation, and stronghold; therefore, I shall not be shaken. [Ps 62:1-2]

So today, as you wander about on the internet and see the articles written by God deniers, cling to what you know is true and let God handle their wickedness. The Lord be magnified!

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Where are you in this story?

God is God

Job 38-39 God Reveals His Majesty

Finally, Job hears from God but is it what he expected? Listen to God: Who is this who darkens counsel with words without knowledge? [Job 38:2] Get ready, Job, because I am going to question you. So now, God asks Job over 59 questions. Why the authors did not include vs. 1 of chapter 40 is a mystery, yet God is not finished yet and will continue in Job 40:6. So far, God has proven He is God and Job is a man. Job can question God, but when God comes back to question him, he is without words, unlike Elihu, who was full of words!

We have a saying: I wish I could be like a fly on the wall to hear and see what is taking place. That is where we are in this story. We want to hear and see, but the conversation is really one-sided, with God speaking. Job has wished to talk to God and even argue with him, but when confronted with God’s majesty, he is silent. How about us when we are faced with God? Do we say, as Job says: “Indeed, I am completely unworthy—how could I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth to silence myself.” [Job 40:4]

 Where are you in this story? Are you ready to listen to God?

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Parenting 101

Parenting 101

Prov 4-7 Parenting Responsibilities

Once a parent, always a parent. It begins before birth and ends only when you, the parent, pass on into eternity. [If you are a grandparent reading this, know that the next generation will also recall your counsel as good or evil.] Just as when Solomon wrote these words long ago, parenting is fraught with the world’s dangers and Satan’s deceptive ways. Therefore, parents must be attentive to the business of teaching discernment [good judgment and insight] and the rewards or consequences of heeding or rejecting a parent’s counsel.

These chapters encourage a parent seeking to raise a child in the way he should go, and Prov 22:6 will repeat that idea. Jesus told the disciples: I am sending you forth into the world, and it is full of wolves. Truth be known, the world has not changed but has gotten progressively worse! Therefore, we must be wise as serpents but also innocent as doves. [Matt 10:16] As the master deceiver, Satan is shrewd and a liar. He is always planning to thwart our children’s way from godliness to ungodliness and for them to reject their parent’s counsel. Therefore, in Prov 4:20-27, he reminds the child that the deceiver knows the way to enter is through the eye, ear, and heart gates. Teach them that they must be on guard, discerning, and make wise choices if they desire God’s blessing.

Pray for parents and grandparents as well for wisdom and discernment. Pray that we have the wisdom to help children to discern both good and evil. [Heb 5:14]Pray we seek wisdom and wise counsel for children because the master deceiver is busier today than ever.

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Sharing your life story

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Psalm 71 and 78 The psalmist is writing from his perspective of being “old and gray.” His words resonate with the aged, and he wants us to know that until one leaves this earth, God has work for us to do. Senior citizens have much to offer the younger generation about the lessons gleaned from trials to blessings. We must purposefully choose to take time to sit with them and share our life story.   How many years are there between you and the next generation–twenty or even fifty? Time is fleeting, and memories soon will be lost. We must begin to tell the next generation about the beauty of walking with God.

He has one request of the Lord. His prayer is that God allows him to remain until he tells the next generation about God’s strength and power. What is your prayer? Do we choose to tell about His praiseworthy acts, strength, and the amazing things He has done? Do we choose to teach and speak of His splendor and tell about His marvelous deeds, power, and majesty?

What is your prayer for this day? Don’t waste this opportunity! Prepare now to tell your story.

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Job and the Trials of Life

The faithfulness ofJob

Job 1-4 A Blameless Man             

God takes our worldview and our way of life seriously. Job is a central character that epitomizes his faith-filled life that not only lived by faith but was an example of that to the surrounding community and his family. Although his story is one of multiple tragedies, he excelled in how he faced them.

“Finally my brethren, be strong in the Lord.” That was Job’s life; his strength came from God as he faced each succeeding tragedy. Would that God speak into our lives the same way? William Gurnall continues to explain that although we face sudden alarm and other thoughts sent to dismay us, we are to march on and be strong with courage.

We can perform with excellence just as Job. First, we must choose to “be strong,” not just physically but by taking our direction from the Holy One, the Lord God Almighty. It is the power of His might that will sustain us. Job lived by that, which is a challenge to us.

Satan thought this would be a “slam-dunk” exercise, but Job’s character would pass the test just as God reminded him. Truth: God is faithful: He will not let you be tried beyond what you are able to bear, but with the trial will also provide a way out so that you may be able to endure it. [1Co 10:13]

How about us?

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Jeremiah’s Alexander Day

Jeremiahs' Day reflection

Jeremiah 20: Have you ever had one of “those” days when nothing goes right? There is a story about a boy named Alexander whose life seems like that. His day begins with gum getting stuck in his hair, and the rest of his day is all downhill. It really is one of those “Terrible, Horrible, No Good Days.” Jeremiah is having just such a day, to put it bluntly. God has called him to preach to a people who just will not listen. Like the men in the depression who wore storyboards to announce something and people walked by ignoring them or making remarks better left unsaid, Jeremiah takes his storyboard of God’s message to the passers-by and has the same reaction. Yes, it is one of Jeremiah’s “Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Days.” 

His day ended with sitting in the stocks in the city square, thanks to the Priest Pashur which he used to make Jeremiah a laughing stock. Jeremiah has come to the end and shouts to God: ‘I QUIT!” Can you relate? God listens but does not comment. Yes, God is silent just when we need to vent. But then, in the quiet, Jeremiah stops and begins to tell God:

Your message is like a fire burning within me. I am tired, God. I want to quit God. But, then a still quiet voice says; keep on keeping on. I hear, and I note, and I have a blessing for you—so “hangest thou in there.” 

So when you are having an Alexander Day, stop and talk to God, and like then just like Ezekiel, listen for His quiet voice.

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“Four Parables”

Parables are about real life and real decisions

Ezekiel  15 to 18 In the NT, Jesus told three parables about things or people. Ezekiel’s four parables, earthly stories with a heavenly purpose, mirrored these stories in many ways.

Parable: #1 In the branch parable, we see a branch full of life thrown into the fire. Life without God is like the fires of hell.  #2 In the unfaithful bride parable, we see a rags to riches story. God takes us from the gutter and bestows his blessings, yet the world’s lure is always at the doorstep of our heart.  Be on guard!  #3 In the parable about the eagle, we see that God raised up Nebuchadnezzar, who deported the people to Babylon, leaving a vassal king who swore to honor the king in charge. Yet the vassal grew impatient and soon rebelled against the king. Solomon wrote: when you make a vow, do not delay in paying it.  #4 In the parable of the two sons, we see a family whose lives mirrored the NT story. The younger was restless and disrespectful of his father. Seeking his inheritance, he left and walked the world.  The older son served his father but with an ungrateful heart. The younger returned and sought reconciliation, but the older remained unforgiving.

Israel had been blessed by God but was unfaithful and ungrateful. Yet, like the prodigal’s father, God was always waiting to restore the relationship. She would need to return to the father in confession and repentance. What would she do? What would you do?

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