Short and sweet today, Job 27:8 says
For what hope do the godless have when God cuts them off
and takes away their life?
As Christians hope is what we get from Christ. As you may have seen I speak of Jesus a lot in this blog and some may have said oh well this nut job has fallen off the deep end and may have never looked at another blog or perhaps hid me on facebook.( I'm sure that has happened) Perhaps you still have questions and are still not sure. When it comes to Jesus, repentance, Heaven, & Hell if I am wrong I have nothing to lose and everything to gain. For those who don't agree they have everything to lose and nothing to gain.
Any time you would get in a discussion with someone who disagrees with you perhaps the best way to leave the conversation is okay if your right and I'm wrong all I have done is wasted my time. But what if I am right?
They are gambling with Hell.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Speak Up I Can't Hear You
Some times in our lives we may not say it but in our minds we say to God, speak up I can't here you. A reality that all Christians must face is that some times God remains silent, and as usual He does so with a purpose.
Just because your prayers do not get answered in the way that you would like, you may think that he is not there, or perhaps that you have done something wrong, and that is the reason God is silent. That of course is not the case. Job keeps all of this in perspective here in chapter 23. Again we have to keep in mind what he has been through losing everything along with the fact that his so called friends are there telling him over and over again that the reason for his suffering is something that he must have done wrong in the past. But Job says starting in verse 8
8 I go east, but he is not there.
I go west, but I cannot find him.
9 I do not see him in the north, for he is hidden.
I look to the south, but he is concealed.
10 “But he knows where I am going.
And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold.
11 For I have stayed on God’s paths;
I have followed his ways and not turned aside.
12 I have not departed from his commands,
but have treasured his words more than daily food.
13 But once he has made his decision, who can change his mind?
Whatever he wants to do, he does.
14 So he will do to me whatever he has planned.
He controls my destiny.
Job has searched everywhere for God but has not found him. It's not that God is gone because God is everywhere. God for what ever reason up to this point in Job's life has chosen to not reveal himself to Job. Just goes to show that no one finds God. God chooses when to reveal himself to His people.
These verses show the tremendous amount of faith that Job has in God. Again by human standards Job has every right to lose faith in God but he knows that his faith in God is all that he has and he will be proven right in the end. I believe he knows because of what he says in verse 12. That he has not departed from his commands and that he treasures God's word more than his daily food.
These facts are key in the times when God is silent:
He is still there
You are not being punished
Don't depart from his commands
Treasuring his word more than your daily
Truly living by faith
Keep talking to Him. He will answer
Just because your prayers do not get answered in the way that you would like, you may think that he is not there, or perhaps that you have done something wrong, and that is the reason God is silent. That of course is not the case. Job keeps all of this in perspective here in chapter 23. Again we have to keep in mind what he has been through losing everything along with the fact that his so called friends are there telling him over and over again that the reason for his suffering is something that he must have done wrong in the past. But Job says starting in verse 8
8 I go east, but he is not there.
I go west, but I cannot find him.
9 I do not see him in the north, for he is hidden.
I look to the south, but he is concealed.
10 “But he knows where I am going.
And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold.
11 For I have stayed on God’s paths;
I have followed his ways and not turned aside.
12 I have not departed from his commands,
but have treasured his words more than daily food.
13 But once he has made his decision, who can change his mind?
Whatever he wants to do, he does.
14 So he will do to me whatever he has planned.
He controls my destiny.
Job has searched everywhere for God but has not found him. It's not that God is gone because God is everywhere. God for what ever reason up to this point in Job's life has chosen to not reveal himself to Job. Just goes to show that no one finds God. God chooses when to reveal himself to His people.
These verses show the tremendous amount of faith that Job has in God. Again by human standards Job has every right to lose faith in God but he knows that his faith in God is all that he has and he will be proven right in the end. I believe he knows because of what he says in verse 12. That he has not departed from his commands and that he treasures God's word more than his daily food.
These facts are key in the times when God is silent:
He is still there
You are not being punished
Don't depart from his commands
Treasuring his word more than your daily
Truly living by faith
Keep talking to Him. He will answer
Monday, April 11, 2011
Making Sense Out Of Senseless Deaths
Last week it seemed like the entire state of Iowa was moved by the senseless killing of a Keokuk county deputy. Over the weekend I was in Des Moines and people there were greatly affected by the murder of a real estate agent. I looked in the local paper here, and in a town of just 9,000 and the obituaries ranged from a 30 year old killed in a work accident to a 97 year old who died of natural causes.
None of this makes any sense to us. When someone is murdered or killed we tend to say it is senseless. But the truth is, it all makes sense to God. It says in Job 14:5 that our days are numbered.
5 You have decided the length of our lives. You know how many months we will live,
and we are not given a minute longer.
This verse explains the sayings. "When it's your time, it's your time." Or "I guess their number was up." We may not like it or understand it but God is in control of everything.
What we see as very bad, God is using for good. The question remains if God is using it for good how can it be bad? God knew the deputy and the real estate agent were going to be shot and he allowed it . God knew the 30 year old was going to killed while at work, yet he allowed it. He allowed all of these things to happen because he has a purpose for them. Romans 8:28 tells us:
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
This tells us that God uses everything and everything does mean the bad things. He uses them for the good of those who love him. The question is do you love him? Do you love Jesus?
Keep in mind as we saw in Job that when something bad happens we can and should grieve. But we should also know that however senseless these things seem, that they do have a purpose. We should also be praying for the families of these people and for anyone else whom God may use these tragedies to call them to himself.
The only way that we can make sense out of what appears to us to be a senseless death is to know that God is in control. The closer you are to someone who passes the harder it is to understand. But the closer you are to Jesus the easier it becomes.
If you know someone who has been affected by a senseless death please feel free to share this with them.
None of this makes any sense to us. When someone is murdered or killed we tend to say it is senseless. But the truth is, it all makes sense to God. It says in Job 14:5 that our days are numbered.
5 You have decided the length of our lives. You know how many months we will live,
and we are not given a minute longer.
This verse explains the sayings. "When it's your time, it's your time." Or "I guess their number was up." We may not like it or understand it but God is in control of everything.
What we see as very bad, God is using for good. The question remains if God is using it for good how can it be bad? God knew the deputy and the real estate agent were going to be shot and he allowed it . God knew the 30 year old was going to killed while at work, yet he allowed it. He allowed all of these things to happen because he has a purpose for them. Romans 8:28 tells us:
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
This tells us that God uses everything and everything does mean the bad things. He uses them for the good of those who love him. The question is do you love him? Do you love Jesus?
Keep in mind as we saw in Job that when something bad happens we can and should grieve. But we should also know that however senseless these things seem, that they do have a purpose. We should also be praying for the families of these people and for anyone else whom God may use these tragedies to call them to himself.
The only way that we can make sense out of what appears to us to be a senseless death is to know that God is in control. The closer you are to someone who passes the harder it is to understand. But the closer you are to Jesus the easier it becomes.
If you know someone who has been affected by a senseless death please feel free to share this with them.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Those Boring Christians
Christians are portrayed as being boring and dull. Christians are in reality really funny. Just last week at our small group/ bible study we laughed until we had tears. That's right I said bible study. Just last night I went to see Tim Hawkins and laughed practically non-stop for an hour and a half. Best entertainment dollar I have ever spent. Check out this clip and then continue reading below.
There is plenty of humor in the Bible you just have to know where to look and keep your eyes opened for it. Even in a book as serious and tragic as Job. It's funny how in the very chapter I was reading this morning there is humor. I have been told that I tend to have a sarcastic sense of humor so I really appreciate these next two sets of scripture from Job. I detect some sarcasm towards his so called friends who are trying to give him advice.
Job 12
2 “You people really know everything, don’t you? And when you die, wisdom will die with you! 3 Well, I know a few things myself— and you’re no better than I am. Who doesn’t know these things you’ve been saying?
Job 13
1 “Look, I have seen all this with my own eyes and heard it with my own ears, and now I understand. 2 I know as much as you do. You are no better than I am. 3 As for me, I would speak directly to the Almighty. I want to argue my case with God himself.
4 As for you, you smear me with lies. As physicians, you are worthless quacks.
5 If only you could be silent! That’s the wisest thing you could do.
I've got to hand it to Job this is pretty funny stuff from a guy in his condition. How many people do you know who the wisest thing they could do would be to shut their mouth?
There is plenty of humor in the Bible you just have to know where to look and keep your eyes opened for it. Even in a book as serious and tragic as Job. It's funny how in the very chapter I was reading this morning there is humor. I have been told that I tend to have a sarcastic sense of humor so I really appreciate these next two sets of scripture from Job. I detect some sarcasm towards his so called friends who are trying to give him advice.
Job 12
2 “You people really know everything, don’t you? And when you die, wisdom will die with you! 3 Well, I know a few things myself— and you’re no better than I am. Who doesn’t know these things you’ve been saying?
Job 13
1 “Look, I have seen all this with my own eyes and heard it with my own ears, and now I understand. 2 I know as much as you do. You are no better than I am. 3 As for me, I would speak directly to the Almighty. I want to argue my case with God himself.
4 As for you, you smear me with lies. As physicians, you are worthless quacks.
5 If only you could be silent! That’s the wisest thing you could do.
I've got to hand it to Job this is pretty funny stuff from a guy in his condition. How many people do you know who the wisest thing they could do would be to shut their mouth?
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Bonus BBQ Blog
Smokey D’s Des Moines **
Limited service dining with a country feel. Very impressive trophy and award showcase.
Sauces: four to choose from I did not care for any of them.
Ribs: Very meaty , missed the smoke , a tad over cooked
Pulled pork : No bark, no smoke, no good.
Sides: good selection, mac and cheese fair, coleslaw was over dressed, the potato casserole was left on the table. The portions of the sides were a little skimpy.
Overall: Had such high hopes after reading about all of the awards and seeing them win the Kingsford Cup on the Learning Channel. Those hopes fell far short. The staff was not too friendly almost on the verge of being annoying.
Wise Words From A Wise Man
Today's blog is going to be much different than normal in reading Job 9 I decided there was no way to even comment on the words of Job so I'm just putting them here for you to read. Job speaks so very wisely about God.
If someone wanted to take God to court, would it be possible to answer him even once in a thousand times?
For God is so wise and so mighty. Who has ever challenged him successfully?
Without warning, he moves the mountains, overturning them in his anger. He shakes the earth from its place, and its foundations tremble.
He does great things too marvelous to understand. He performs countless miracles.
Yet when he comes near, I cannot see him. When he moves by, I do not see him go.
If he snatches someone in death, who can stop him? Who dares to ask, ‘What are you doing?’
So who am I, that I should try to answer God or even reason with him? Even if I were right, I would have no defense. I could only plead for mercy. And even if I summoned him and he responded, I’m not sure he would listen to me.
If it’s a question of strength, he’s the strong one. If it’s a matter of justice, who dares to summon him to court?
Though I am innocent, my own mouth would pronounce me guilty. Though I am blameless, it would prove me wicked.
I will comment on verses 32- 35
32 “God is not a mortal like me,
so I cannot argue with him or take him to trial.
33 If only there were a mediator between us,
someone who could bring us together.
34 The mediator could make God stop beating me,
and I would no longer live in terror of his punishment.
35 Then I could speak to him without fear,
but I cannot do that in my own strength.
This is where my hope comes from because this has been done. It's Jesus!!
If someone wanted to take God to court, would it be possible to answer him even once in a thousand times?
For God is so wise and so mighty. Who has ever challenged him successfully?
Without warning, he moves the mountains, overturning them in his anger. He shakes the earth from its place, and its foundations tremble.
He does great things too marvelous to understand. He performs countless miracles.
Yet when he comes near, I cannot see him. When he moves by, I do not see him go.
If he snatches someone in death, who can stop him? Who dares to ask, ‘What are you doing?’
So who am I, that I should try to answer God or even reason with him? Even if I were right, I would have no defense. I could only plead for mercy. And even if I summoned him and he responded, I’m not sure he would listen to me.
If it’s a question of strength, he’s the strong one. If it’s a matter of justice, who dares to summon him to court?
Though I am innocent, my own mouth would pronounce me guilty. Though I am blameless, it would prove me wicked.
I will comment on verses 32- 35
32 “God is not a mortal like me,
so I cannot argue with him or take him to trial.
33 If only there were a mediator between us,
someone who could bring us together.
34 The mediator could make God stop beating me,
and I would no longer live in terror of his punishment.
35 Then I could speak to him without fear,
but I cannot do that in my own strength.
This is where my hope comes from because this has been done. It's Jesus!!
Friday, April 8, 2011
Honesty Is The Best Policy
Today I have posted more scripture than usual. As I was reading in Job 7 today I was struck by the words of Job's prayer to God. Read verses 16-21 and remember that God himself said that Job was the most righteous man in all the earth.
16 I hate my life and don’t want to go on living.
Oh, leave me alone for my few remaining days.
17 “What are people, that you should make so much of us,
that you should think of us so often?
18 For you examine us every morning
and test us every moment.
19 Why won’t you leave me alone,
at least long enough for me to swallow!
20 If I have sinned, what have I done to you,
O watcher of all humanity?
Why make me your target?
Am I a burden to you?
21 Why not just forgive my sin
and take away my guilt?
For soon I will lie down in the dust and die.
When you look for me, I will be gone.”
What stood out to me is that in his prayer to God Job's words were all completely honest. We have perhaps all heard people pray and use all the big words and throw in all of the Thy's, Thee's and Thou's. Their words make us think we could never pray aloud, that we just don't know how to pray right. But when you look here at the words Job used it's not that hard. When you talk to God just be honest like Job was and tell him what is on your heart. He already knows anyway. Just be honest with him.
16 I hate my life and don’t want to go on living.
Oh, leave me alone for my few remaining days.
17 “What are people, that you should make so much of us,
that you should think of us so often?
18 For you examine us every morning
and test us every moment.
19 Why won’t you leave me alone,
at least long enough for me to swallow!
20 If I have sinned, what have I done to you,
O watcher of all humanity?
Why make me your target?
Am I a burden to you?
21 Why not just forgive my sin
and take away my guilt?
For soon I will lie down in the dust and die.
When you look for me, I will be gone.”
What stood out to me is that in his prayer to God Job's words were all completely honest. We have perhaps all heard people pray and use all the big words and throw in all of the Thy's, Thee's and Thou's. Their words make us think we could never pray aloud, that we just don't know how to pray right. But when you look here at the words Job used it's not that hard. When you talk to God just be honest like Job was and tell him what is on your heart. He already knows anyway. Just be honest with him.
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