297 Job 29 – 31; Matthew 20
Why? "My God, my God why hast thou forsaken me"--this is what Jesus cried out when on the cross. Why? We all ask this question at one time or another in our lives. Job was asking it of God and anyone who would listen--Why? Why has my life been turned upside down and inside out? Job wanted to go back to the good old days and who can blame him. The righteous shall live by faith. Faith is forsaking all; I'm trusting Him—f-a-i-t-h.! Not as easy as it may appear at times. What we can say is that when we are in the hard times it is not non-spiritual to ask God "why?" It is good to talk about it--let it out in order to give it up. I would have to say that when we are hurting it is hard to find community. Job felt very alone--people who used to come around were around no more. Those that came around were not a lot of help. Jesus tells us to weep with those who weep and to rejoice with those who rejoice.
The "Great Reversal" is throughout the Bible, but is really evident in the N.T.. Jesus says, "the first will be last and the last first." The worker story is a reminder to the Pharisees that the gentiles who are Johnny-come-late participators will end up in the kingdom. Is it fair? Yes, because the owner is in charge and has set it up this way. It is God's kingdom. In this kingdom the mother of the Zebedee wants to know if her two sons can have the highest places of honor. Jesus wants to know, can they drink of that cup? The place of honor will be preceded by suffering. Is this what you are looking for? Most want the crown without the thorns.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
296 Friday, October 23, 2009
296 Job 26 – 28; Matthew 19
So much of Job's conversation with his friends has to do with none of them understanding God's grace. People in the N.T. had the same problem and here is what God told Peter to say,
"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."
The Lord allows the wicked to go on living in hopes that they come to repentance. Jesus could come back right now and if He did many of our friends would wind up in hell. God's grace and mercy holds God to a different time line and a different way of bringing judgment upon the wicked. Something else that we can see as outsiders on this conversation is that they spend way too much time thinking about others lives instead of just focusing on themselves.
Who has a chance to get into heaven? Whoever obeys the Lord. Obedience always has to do with believing upon the Lord Jesus Christ with no reservations. The rich man could not fully commit to the Lord because he wanted to bring some things along with him. The disciples dropped theirs nets and followed Jesus. We as believers have to continue to monitor what we are picking up along the way. Is there anything that you wouldn’t give up to follow Christ?
So much of Job's conversation with his friends has to do with none of them understanding God's grace. People in the N.T. had the same problem and here is what God told Peter to say,
"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."
The Lord allows the wicked to go on living in hopes that they come to repentance. Jesus could come back right now and if He did many of our friends would wind up in hell. God's grace and mercy holds God to a different time line and a different way of bringing judgment upon the wicked. Something else that we can see as outsiders on this conversation is that they spend way too much time thinking about others lives instead of just focusing on themselves.
Who has a chance to get into heaven? Whoever obeys the Lord. Obedience always has to do with believing upon the Lord Jesus Christ with no reservations. The rich man could not fully commit to the Lord because he wanted to bring some things along with him. The disciples dropped theirs nets and followed Jesus. We as believers have to continue to monitor what we are picking up along the way. Is there anything that you wouldn’t give up to follow Christ?
Thursday, October 22, 2009
295 Thursday, October 22, 2009
295 Job 23 – 25; Matthew 18.21 – 18.35
My complaint is legitimate, so says Job. It sure looks that way to me. However, I'm not God. There are three conversations happening here in this story. We have what Job is saying and then what the three amigos are saying, but the one that matters is God's conversation that you don't always have on each page. God will chime in and then everyone is silenced. Job had bought in to the idea that if you live a righteous life then all will be well. A life blessed by God in all ways especially without pain. That idea was now destroyed and he was defending his position. Useless, but we all learn a lot from him. What have you bought into as to whether or not God is blessing your life? This is very important point. Really think it through.
I'll forgive but there has to be limit--come on! How about 70 times 7. We want to drink the poison of bitterness and pray that the other person gets sick. Forgiveness is as much or more for the forgiver as it is for the other person. Let it go--forgiveness is for giving away!
My complaint is legitimate, so says Job. It sure looks that way to me. However, I'm not God. There are three conversations happening here in this story. We have what Job is saying and then what the three amigos are saying, but the one that matters is God's conversation that you don't always have on each page. God will chime in and then everyone is silenced. Job had bought in to the idea that if you live a righteous life then all will be well. A life blessed by God in all ways especially without pain. That idea was now destroyed and he was defending his position. Useless, but we all learn a lot from him. What have you bought into as to whether or not God is blessing your life? This is very important point. Really think it through.
I'll forgive but there has to be limit--come on! How about 70 times 7. We want to drink the poison of bitterness and pray that the other person gets sick. Forgiveness is as much or more for the forgiver as it is for the other person. Let it go--forgiveness is for giving away!
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
293 Tuesday, October 20, 2009
293 Job 20 – 22; Matthew 18.1 – 18.20
Job's complaint is, "why do the wicked have it so good?" This complaint is also found in Psalm 73 which was written by David. This issue of the wicked not receiving their just desserts in this life can become a huge issue if focus is lost. Zophar has one perspective and that is; ‘don't worry their time is coming’ and for many it has come. However, he is not contemplating this while his body is racked with pain. Pain can change our perspective. This is where we lose focus. It is while we are in pain that we can begin to question the ways of God. In Isaiah we learned that God's ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts. We must live by faith.
Our greatness will be measured by our child like faith. Today, let it be simple. Today, let God truly lead your life. Today, have faith that your Father in heaven has your back.
Job's complaint is, "why do the wicked have it so good?" This complaint is also found in Psalm 73 which was written by David. This issue of the wicked not receiving their just desserts in this life can become a huge issue if focus is lost. Zophar has one perspective and that is; ‘don't worry their time is coming’ and for many it has come. However, he is not contemplating this while his body is racked with pain. Pain can change our perspective. This is where we lose focus. It is while we are in pain that we can begin to question the ways of God. In Isaiah we learned that God's ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts. We must live by faith.
Our greatness will be measured by our child like faith. Today, let it be simple. Today, let God truly lead your life. Today, have faith that your Father in heaven has your back.
Monday, October 19, 2009
292 Monday, October 19, 2009
292 Job 18 – 19; Matthew 17
Pray that you never have friends like Job's friends. In the middle of the second column on page 1354 you will find these words,
"Still, I know that God lives---the One who gives me back my life---and eventually he'll take his stand on earth. And I'll see him---even though I get skinned alive!---see God myself, with my very own eyes."
This is a Messianic reference to the day that Jesus Christ rules upon this earth. Job by faith makes this inspired statement about a day way in the future. Job needed hope and hope he had even though it was to come way down the line. I do not believe that Job knew all the implications of his statement, however it was his faith at work in a desperate situation.
‘That was a great service, retreat, or great prayer time--now if I could just have that bottled and drink it anytime I deem it necessary.’ Peter was seeing the glory of God in Christ revealed and he thought it would be great to box that puppy right up. To experience God is a moment to moment proposition that is unpredictable and mysterious. There is no formula, only principles to guide us. Come to Him with an open heart, humble spirit, and holy hands. Seek Him only and let the blessings fall where they may. Faith in God is not something we negotiate. Faith is putting everything on the line, all the time, and leave the results with God. Have a great faith day.
Pray that you never have friends like Job's friends. In the middle of the second column on page 1354 you will find these words,
"Still, I know that God lives---the One who gives me back my life---and eventually he'll take his stand on earth. And I'll see him---even though I get skinned alive!---see God myself, with my very own eyes."
This is a Messianic reference to the day that Jesus Christ rules upon this earth. Job by faith makes this inspired statement about a day way in the future. Job needed hope and hope he had even though it was to come way down the line. I do not believe that Job knew all the implications of his statement, however it was his faith at work in a desperate situation.
‘That was a great service, retreat, or great prayer time--now if I could just have that bottled and drink it anytime I deem it necessary.’ Peter was seeing the glory of God in Christ revealed and he thought it would be great to box that puppy right up. To experience God is a moment to moment proposition that is unpredictable and mysterious. There is no formula, only principles to guide us. Come to Him with an open heart, humble spirit, and holy hands. Seek Him only and let the blessings fall where they may. Faith in God is not something we negotiate. Faith is putting everything on the line, all the time, and leave the results with God. Have a great faith day.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
291 Sunday, October 18, 2009
291 Job 15 – 17; Matthew 16
“How rarely we weigh our neighbor in the same balance in which we weigh ourselves.”
Thomas à Kempis
The three amigos are really working themselves up into a lather over Job. They are not suffering, so why the big dispute? They have to prove Job wrong because if Job is not suffering because of sin in his life then their view of God is wrong. They are attacking Job out of insecurity about their theology instead of trying to help Job who is about to die. They are only interested in themselves. Let’s make it even more personal. If their formula for having wealth and health (obeying God) is not the way to guarantee a life free of suffering then what is happening to Job could happen to them. Wow! What did Job have to say for himself this time around? Let Job speak for himself.
Job 16:1-4 (NIV)
1 Then Job replied:
2 "I have heard many things like these; miserable comforters are you all!
3 Will your long-winded speeches never end? What ails you that you keep on arguing?
4 I also could speak like you, if you were in my place; I could make fine speeches against you and shake my head at you.
Job is right. We can all speak a different language when we are not suffering. Let us choose our words carefully when confronted by a person who is hurting.
There are two items that I want to take up in Matthew 16. The first has to do with yeast. Jesus is trying to get his disciples to understand that just as it is with a little yeast in the bread dough that makes the whole loaf rise so it is with sin. Here are His words,
Matthew 16:11-12 (NIV)
11 How is it you don't understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees."
12 Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
The point for us is the same. We must be careful even with a "little" sin for it can destroy us.
The second item is who do you say Jesus is?
Matthew 16:15-16 (NIV)
15 "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"
16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
Is that your confession today?
Do you truly believe that Jesus is the Son of the living God? Then go and follow Him!
“How rarely we weigh our neighbor in the same balance in which we weigh ourselves.”
Thomas à Kempis
The three amigos are really working themselves up into a lather over Job. They are not suffering, so why the big dispute? They have to prove Job wrong because if Job is not suffering because of sin in his life then their view of God is wrong. They are attacking Job out of insecurity about their theology instead of trying to help Job who is about to die. They are only interested in themselves. Let’s make it even more personal. If their formula for having wealth and health (obeying God) is not the way to guarantee a life free of suffering then what is happening to Job could happen to them. Wow! What did Job have to say for himself this time around? Let Job speak for himself.
Job 16:1-4 (NIV)
1 Then Job replied:
2 "I have heard many things like these; miserable comforters are you all!
3 Will your long-winded speeches never end? What ails you that you keep on arguing?
4 I also could speak like you, if you were in my place; I could make fine speeches against you and shake my head at you.
Job is right. We can all speak a different language when we are not suffering. Let us choose our words carefully when confronted by a person who is hurting.
There are two items that I want to take up in Matthew 16. The first has to do with yeast. Jesus is trying to get his disciples to understand that just as it is with a little yeast in the bread dough that makes the whole loaf rise so it is with sin. Here are His words,
Matthew 16:11-12 (NIV)
11 How is it you don't understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees."
12 Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
The point for us is the same. We must be careful even with a "little" sin for it can destroy us.
The second item is who do you say Jesus is?
Matthew 16:15-16 (NIV)
15 "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"
16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
Is that your confession today?
Do you truly believe that Jesus is the Son of the living God? Then go and follow Him!
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