Twisting God's Word 06.25.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Wednesday June 25, 2008 and today we are continuing our studies on the book of Job. Please read Chapters 34-37 in Your Bible or Click Here to read. Cut & Paste to your browser: biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job%2034-37&version=9

Today we will read and learn about the continuous accusations against Job by Elihu. Today's message focuses on the importance of realizing that Satan will twist the scriptures to try to mislead us. Just one more reason why we must read all of the Bible for ourselves.

Elihu did not speak until Job's three friends had ended their accusations. He condemned Job's three friends, but expressed even greater hostility toward Job. It appears that he proclaims God's justice and goodness, bringing out some real truths of God and His majesty, but he wrongly interprets Job's defense as hypocrisy and self-righteousness. Elihu's accusations against Job's testimony are, at best, half-truths and misinterpretations (33:8-13).

Elihu was so self-righteous himself that he failed to recgonize that he was the one sinning. One of Elihu's accusations was that Job had claimed to be sinlessly perfect, "For Job hath said, I am righteous: and God hath taken away my judgment. Should I lie against my right? my wound is incurable without transgression." (Job 34:5-6). The fact is Job acknowledged his imperfection as sin in 7:21 and 13:26. However, the Lord proclaimed Job as My servant a perfect and an upright man.

Elihu falsely stated that Job has said, It profits a man nothing that he should delight himself with God (34:9). But Job never said that. Elihu continued his vicious attack on this dear, godly man, saying: "Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words were without wisdom. My desire is that Job may be tried unto the end because of his answers for wicked men. For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his words against God." (Job 34:35-37). His desire that Job be tried was granted. Just think how opposite and differing in character his evaluation of Job was in contrast to God's.

Counselors may have all the degrees and qualifications the world can give, but unless their advice is in harmony with God's Word, it is "darkened counsel."
During times of personal afflications, heartbreaking bereavement, persecution, or financial struggles, we are often tempted to become depressed so that we even fail to pray. That is when we need someone's loving comfort and assurance that our Lord ultimately controls every situation that comes into our lives. Regardless of how bad it may seem, He wants to use it for our good and for His glory. "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:26-28).

In today's reading Jesus Christ is revealed through the One who watches how we live and all we do (Job 34:21). The Lord keeps His eyes on the righteous (I Peter 3:12).

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
We are confronted with deception on many fronts every day, so much so, that we can be deceived without even realizing it. Would You help us to watch out and be on our guard so that we are not deceived by man’s words, no matter how convincing they are, how charming their personality, or how cunning their craft. Help us not to fall for Satan’s deceptive tactics that have brought down believers throughout the church age. We seek You for strength and discipline. We search the Scriptures ourselves for discernment and the true revelation of the truth. In Jesus' name.....Amen.

Have a great and wonderful day!
God Bless,
Christina

Visit: A Spiritual Guide
aspiritualguide.net

Facing Criticism 06.24.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Tuesday June 24, 2008 and today we are continuing our studies on the book of Job. Please read Chapters 30-33 in your Bible or Click Here to read.
Cut & Paste to browser: biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job%2030-33&version=9

Today we will read and learn about Job's proclamation of his integrity and Elihu's accusations. Today's message focuses on the importance of realizing that our world today scorns truth and often criticizes those who live by it, but without truth it is impossible to make an impact.

As if the shocking death of his ten children, loss of all his property, his personal suffering from a most painful disease, his being made the object of contempt by his wife and of suspicion and reproach by his friends had not been enough, Job was subjected to the humiliation and insult by those who walked by and spit on him. "They abhor me, they flee far from me, and spare not to spit in my face. Because he hath loosed my cord, and afflicted me, they have also let loose the bridle before me. Upon my right hand rise the youth; they push away my feet, and they raise up against me the ways of their destruction." (Job 30:10-12). He probably was still sitting among the ashes, covered from head to foot with painful boils.

It would appear that Satan had instigated all the powers of wickedness against him. Job expressed his pitiful loneliness, "Terrors are turned upon me: they pursue my soul as the wind: and my welfare passeth away as a cloud. And now my soul is poured out upon me; the days of affliction have taken hold upon me......He hath cast me into the mire, and I am become like dust and ashes. I cry unto thee, and thou dost not hear me: I stand up, and thou regardest me not." (30:15-16, 19-20).

One of the most difficult trials for a Christian is to pray, and continue praying, without any apparent sign that God has heard. But the effectiveness of our prayers cannot be judged by immediate results. There are many reasons for delay. Sometimes God does not grant our request because He will provide something better. At other times, He withholds material benefits in order to impart spiritual understanding. The very fact that our requests are sometimes granted and sometimes denied is proof in itself that we are cared for by a God of love whose ways are governed by His wisdom and always for our best.

In chapter 31 he listed 12 common sins that no one could accuse him of committing. Yet, in his time of need, no one showed compassion or expressed a kind word to him. For Job, there seemed to be no end to the cruelty of the people who made his suffering even more painful and miserable. Not one of his friends showed him any comfort only criticizm and accusations.

At such times our faith is put to the test, for we are to walk by faith and are not to be dependent upon the things that are seen. We are to trust the Lord and the promises of His Word. Faith does not originate with us, but it is a gift from God. "Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord." (II Corinthians 5:6-8).

Job's three friends mistakenly judged his relationship to God, but he did not allow them to destroy his faith. As we consider Job, whom God declared the most perfect man on earth should we be surprised when we are falsely criticized? The most devoted Christian often suffers the worst indignities and humiliation from thoughtless, inconsiderate people, even from some who profess to be Christians. The Apostle Paul encouraged all of us when he was led to write, "We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:" (II Thessalonians 1:3-5).

In today's reading Jesus Christ is revealed through the ridicule and affliction which Job suffered (Job 30:10-11). Christ was afflicted and spat upon. After Pilate delivered Jesus to the Roman soldiers, they flogged Him, hit Him with a stick and spit on Him and then they crucified Him (Mark 15:15-20).

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
As we live in the Light of Your Word the devil’s venomous plots are exposed. We are not caught by surprise, but rather we are filled with Your Spirit which prepares us to be on the offense rather than the defense. We walk in truth and confidence as we stand strong on the day of evil. As we wear the full armor You have provided, for our protection, we can fight against the devil’s evil tricks. Our fight is not against flesh and blood but against the powers of this world’s darkness and the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly world. So we pray in the spirit continuously asking for Your discernment strength, and guidance. We also pray for our brothers and sisters that together we will stand firm against the enemy of our souls. In Jesus' name.....Amen

Have a wonderful day!
God Bless,
Christina

Visit: A Spiritual Guide
aspiritualguide.net

Choices 06.23.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Monday June 23, 2008 and today we are continuing our studies on the book of Job. Please read Chapters 25-29 in your Bible or Click Here to read. Cut & Paste to your browser: biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job%2025-29&version=9

Today we will read and learn about Bildad's answer; Job's reproof of Bildad; Job's praise to God; Job's truthfulness; the source of wisdom; and Job recalling his past wealth. Today's message focuses on the importance of realizing that we have a choice in our struggles, we can live depressed and without God and never see a change or we can seek God in the midst of our struggles and live peacefully knowing that we will see victory as we endure them.

Bildad speaks for the third time and insinuates that Job was an unclean worm who could not be justified with God. "How then can man be justified with God? or how can he be clean that is born of a woman? Behold even to the moon, and it shineth not; yea, the stars are not pure in his sight. How much less man, that is a worm? and the son of man, which is a worm?" (Job 25:4-6). In the midst of all the false insinuations, Job looked beyond the criticisms to the Source of all true wisdom. "But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding? Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living." (28:12-13).

Job was expressing his utmost confidence that God is the Author and Revealer of true wisdom. There is no substitute for reading all of His Word to understand His perfect plan for our lives. This means that it is important to read through every book of the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, with a sincere desire to apply its instruction to our own lives. We can be sure that Satan will attempt to distract us from the true source of wisdom and cause us to make decisions based on circumstances or contemporary standards.

However, Job was never as concerned about knowing the answer to his problems as he was about having a right relationship with God. "And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the LORD, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding." (28:28). The more we truly humble ourselves and die to pride, the less we will be affected by the criticism of others.

Those who leave Christ, the Living Word, out of their lives will never discover true wisdom and understanding. They will miss the greatest discovery of life,Christ, who is the source of all truth. To neglect and disregard Him and His Word is to remain in ignorance of the true purpose for life and remain in spiritual darkness.

The worldly-minded find fault with God, just as the Israelites did as they journeyed through the wilderness. They complained about their circumstances instead of acknowledging that God was in control. We too can make unwise decisions when we allow ourselves to become frustrated. To illustrate, we may say to someone: "You make me angry." But the fact is, we choose to be angry Or we may say: "I am depressed today." However, the sad truth is that we have refused to see God in the circumstances He has allowed to take place in our lives.

We can be sure that our Lord is far more concerned with our best interests than we are. "For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator." (I Peter 4: 17-19). We always have the choice to move above and beyond anger and disappointments by permitting the indwelling Christ to rule our lives.

In today's reading Jesus Christ is revealed through Job's compassion for others (Job 29:15-17,21-25). Jesus was moved with compassion when He saw great crowds in need of healing and feeding (Matthew 15:30-39).

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
The cares of this world often press in on us and weigh our hearts down. It’s not your desire that we carry a heavy load because You are the Burden Bearer. You use the difficult circumstances of our lives to bring glory to Yourself as You bring spiritual maturity into our relationship with You. Our faith is strengthened and our understanding deepened as You take the evil that Satan hurls at us and turn it into glorious occasion for Your power to be released and deliverance to take place. You are the same God who led us into battle that will also lead us to victory! In Jesus' name.....Amen.

Have a great Monday and week.
God Bless,
Christina

Visit: A Spiritual Guide
aspiritualguide.net

Trials of Faith 06.22.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Sunday June 22, 2008 and today we are continuing our studies on the book of Job. Please read Chapters 21-24 in your Bible or Click Here to read.
Cut & Paste to browser: biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job%2021-24&version=9

Today we will read and learn about Job declaring that wicked men sometimes prosper; Eliphaz accusing Job of sin; and Job's desire to plead his case before God. Today's message focuses on the importance of realizing that we can either allow trials to bring us closer to God or to drive us away from Him. Being faithful to God and His Word will bring us through with victory.

It is shocking to read how wrong Job's friends could be with their blunt, critical, and cruel condemnation of him. They mistakenly supposed that all his problems were the result of his secret sins. They assumed that wicked men are miserable and, since Job was exceedingly miserable, he must be very wicked! As Job responds, the question arises: Why do the wicked prosper and go unpunished? "Suffer me that I may speak; and after that I have spoken, mock on. As for me, is my complaint to man? and if it were so, why should not my spirit be troubled? Mark me, and be astonished, and lay your hand upon your mouth. Even when I remember I am afraid, and trembling taketh hold on my flesh. Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power?" (Job 21:3-7).

Eliphaz speaks for the 3rd time, making Job sound like a liar, "Therefore snares are round about thee, and sudden fear troubleth thee; Or darkness, that thou canst not see; and abundance of waters cover thee. Is not God in the height of heaven? and behold the height of the stars, how high they are! And thou sayest, How doth God know? can he judge through the dark cloud? Thick clouds are a covering to him, that he seeth not; and he walketh in the circuit of heaven." (22:10-14). There are still self-righteous, overbearing, opinionated people like Eliphaz, who are quick to pass judgment on anyone who doesn't believe as they do or who experience difficulties or sickness.

Job's faith was unshakable because he could truthfully say, "On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him: But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined. Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food." (23:9-12). He believed that, since God was faithful to His Word, He also would be faithful to His obedient servant. It is as if Job had said: "In the midst of my suffering and sorrows, in faith I turned to and trust whatever God chooses for me. So great was my need for assurance, I seized upon it as a starving man for a meal. I devoured it and indeed my soul was comforted and I was strengthened. I turned from the husks of comfort that my friends offered and can testify that only faith in God and His Word will satisfy."

We often do not understand why we face disappointments, sufferings, or being misunderstood. But, we can believe and trust in God, since He always gives His best to all who desire to do His will.

Some have assumed they were a Christian because they were a member of a church, but they have not experienced the transforming power of God's Word. Like Judas, they may talk like a Christian and yet they do not desire Christ as Lord of their lives. To have a Bible but no desire to know how God would have them live is useless. Until they repent of their sins and accept Christ as both Savior and Lord, the Bible has little value.

The faith of Job should be an inspiration to all of us who are not as concerned about knowing the "reason" for our suffering as with knowing God, who will see us through it, and His Word, the only true source of guidance.

In today's reading Jesus Christ is revealed through Job's faithfulness to God during all his suffering (Job 23:10-12). Christ's faithfulness to the Father is seen as He prayed for the Father's will to be done (Luke 22:42).

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
We’re so thankful that we don’t have to step out on our own and rely on our connections, wisdom, giftings, or experience to receive Your blessings. Whatever challenge we face can be met by remembering Your promise that You will never leave us nor forsake us. Lord, help us to remain faithful to You no matter what trial we are faced with. Remind us that it is through these trials that we will prevail and see victory and many blessings by putting our complete trust and faith in You. In Jesus' name......Amen.

Enjoy the rest of your day.
God Bless,
Christina

Visit: A Spiritual Guide
aspiritualguide.net

Our Redeemer 06.22.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Sunday June 22, 2008 and today we are continuing our studies on teh book of Job. Please read Chapters 17-20 in your Bible or Click Here to read.
Cut & Paste to browser: biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job%2017-20&version=9

Today we will read and learn about Job's appeal to God; Bildad's cruel accusation; Job's reaffirmation of his faith; and Zophar refering to Job as a wicked man. Today's message focuses on the importace of realizing that all possessions are transient, and God wants us to see that we cannot hold a tight grip on material or physical things, or even people, that are dear to us. We need to hold tight on Jesus, our Redeemer and all things will be added unto you.

Job assumed all hope of recovery was gone, "My breath is corrupt, my days are extinct, the graves are ready for me." (Job 17:1). Bildad interrupted and his second speech was the most hostile of all. He assumed that Job's sufferings exposed him as a sinful hypocrite who was hopelessly condemned. "For he is cast into a net by his own feet, and he walketh upon a snare.....Surely such are the dwellings of the wicked, and this is the place of him that knoweth not God." (18:8,21). With every lash of condemnation came a greater depth to Job's confidence in his life beyond the grave.

Job could bear the unjust reproach of his friends for he was living in the expectation of the glorious appearance of his coming King. His faith soared like an eagle above the clouds and beyond the heavens to view eternal truths which were never before revealed. With great spiritual discernment and assurance Job replied, "For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me." (19:25-27).

According to the Law, a redeemer was the next of kin who was responsible for redeeming (buying back) an enslaved kinsman or his lost inheritance (See Leviticus 25:25). The same word is used spiritually for Christ since he is our Redeemer who paid the price for our sins to purchase our freedom from sin (I Peter 1:18-19). This is one of the most remarkable and magnificent prophecies in the Bible.

This revelation of life after death is one of the greatest in the Old Testament. God leads us to see, through Job, that we have no valid excuse for complaining about our suffering, material loss, or being misunderstood by others, for all of this life will pass and we will have an eternity of joy and hapiness waiting for us. "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." (I Corinthians 10:31). Today would be the best time to take a spiritual inventory of what things are most important in our life. How do the things of God measure up?

In today's reading Jesus Christ is revealed through the Redeemer (Job 19:25). Christ, our Redeemer, has bought us with His own blood on the cross. By His death, Jesus provided the required sacrifice to purchase salvation for mankind.

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
Jesus, I am full of gratitude today as I consider Your abiding presence in my life. You planned my existence in my mother's womb before I even drew my first breath. When so many people have come into my life and exited it throughout the years You have taken up residence and You forever rule my heart. When the path before me was unclear You have always gone before me sustaining me in my wilderness journey. Though all forsake me You remain faithful, and remarkable as it seems, even if we are faithless, You will remain faithful, for You cannot deny Yourself. Thank You for being my Saviour and my Redeemer. In Jesus' name.....Amen.

Have a great and wonderful Sunday.
God Bless,
Christina

P.S. I apologize for not getting a lesson out yesterday, there will be another later on today.

Visit A Spiritual Guide
aspiritualguide.net