It's been a trifle busy around here the past few days, but my precious books must always be read. As you may remember, I have quoted from the book JESUS CALLING by Sarah Young in the past, and will fill this blog today with her words from October 30. It kept me going yesterday and I hope it does the same for you today. Remember, her words are said as if it is Jesus speaking to you.
From JESUS CALLING:
"I AM WITH YOU, I am with you, I am with you. Heaven's bells continually peal with that promise of my Presence. Some people never hear those bells because their minds are earthbound and their hearts are closed to Me. Others hear the bells only once or twice in their lifetimes, in rare moments of seeking Me above all else. My desire is that My "sheep" hear My voice continually, for I am the ever present Shepherd.
"Quietness is the classroom where you learn to hear My voice. Beginners need a quiet place in order to still their minds. As you advance in this discipline, you gradually learn to carry the stillness with you wherever you go. When you step back into the mainstream of life, strain to hear those glorious bells: I am with you. I am with you. I am with you."
Lovely, huh? She used both Jeremiah 29:12-13 and John 10:14, 27-28 for the truth of Jesus words.
It isn't easy to learn how to be connected with Jesus at all times. It helps when I remember that the Holy Spirit lives within me and knows that I am in need, but I am the one that is responsible for his help by calling on Him. I' m sure there may have been times when God has seen fit to help me when I had not asked for help, but by calling on Him, I can know of His presence and His help. I think that God loves to be asked, for it must reveal to Him our love as well as our need. Think of yourself as a child...Didn't we always know that our mom would help us if we asked? yep! But, it was rare for her to offer help if we hadn't asked, as she would assume we wanted to do it all ourselves. I have a hunch God is much like our moms, at least in this regard.
I have a friend who prays while she vacuums her floors. I know another who prays while she is driving the car. As for me, I use the time to hunker down in a comfy chair. Actually, just recently, my dog took over my "prayer chair." I have been moved to the corner of the sofa. No problem. God is everywhere and anywhere I go.
He does not follow, however. He is always there, right where you are. Right where I am, too.
Keep hangin' in there.
JoINMN
Friday, October 31, 2014
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
PAUL'S LIFE, ACT II
We left Paul on the barracks steps where a crowd had gathered below shouting for his arrest. He was speaking to the crowd and telling them who he had been and what he was now wanting to do. He had just explained his history of being an upright Jew and went on to say, "I persecuted both men and women who followed the Way to their death, as the high priest can testify. I was on my way to Damascus to take some people prisoners and bring them back to Jerusalem."
"About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. I fell to the ground and heard a voice say, "Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?"
"Who are you?" I asked.
"I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting."
My companions saw the light, but heard no voice.
"What shall I do , Lord?" I asked. "Get up," the Lord said, 'and go to Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do.' My companions led me by the hand into Damascus, because the brilliance of the light had blinded me."
Paul continued, "A man named Ananias come to me. He was a devout observer of the law and highly respected by the Jews. He stood beside me and said, "Brother Saul, receive your sight!" And at that very moment I was able to see. Then he said, "The God of our fathers has chosen you to know his will and to see the righteous One and to hear words from his mouth. You will be his witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. And now, what are you waiting for? Get up! Be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on Jesus' name."
"And afterward, Paul said, "The Lord said to me, 'Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles.' "
The crowd had listened, but they were not satisfied with Paul's righteousness and demanded he be executed. The centurion who held him directed Paul be flogged, but stopped when he realized Paul was a Roman citizen who had not yet been found guilty. Therefore, it would be wrong to flog Paul. The centurion decided Paul should be brought before the Jewish Sanhedrin, the council of chief priests, to determine his guilt or innocence.
That meeting never was completed as the Jews sought to have Paul killed, and the young centurion, who had become impressed with Paul's story, had Paul spirited away to Caesarea in the night under guard. He was to have a trial before Felix, the Governor.
There, in Caesarea, Paul was a prisoner. And it was years before he got to Rome. But the Sanhedrin was unable to have him killed, so at least his life was saved for future letter writing.
Our Saul, met by our Lord, in spite of Saul's many crimes against Christians, became Paul, and he was not only forgiven, but called to serve Christ throughout his life-time.
The study tells us: "Paul used his times of persecution as an opportunity to witness Christ. Even his enemies created a platform for him and he got opportunity to address some of the Jewish Council and Governor Felix and his guests. over the years. If we, too, are sensitive to the Holy spirit's leading, we will see increased opportunity to share our faith, even in the face of opposition."
Great story, huh? Great it is, and true! Saul became Paul. What might your new name be?
Or mine?
JO INMN
"About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. I fell to the ground and heard a voice say, "Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?"
"Who are you?" I asked.
"I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting."
My companions saw the light, but heard no voice.
"What shall I do , Lord?" I asked. "Get up," the Lord said, 'and go to Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do.' My companions led me by the hand into Damascus, because the brilliance of the light had blinded me."
Paul continued, "A man named Ananias come to me. He was a devout observer of the law and highly respected by the Jews. He stood beside me and said, "Brother Saul, receive your sight!" And at that very moment I was able to see. Then he said, "The God of our fathers has chosen you to know his will and to see the righteous One and to hear words from his mouth. You will be his witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. And now, what are you waiting for? Get up! Be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on Jesus' name."
"And afterward, Paul said, "The Lord said to me, 'Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles.' "
The crowd had listened, but they were not satisfied with Paul's righteousness and demanded he be executed. The centurion who held him directed Paul be flogged, but stopped when he realized Paul was a Roman citizen who had not yet been found guilty. Therefore, it would be wrong to flog Paul. The centurion decided Paul should be brought before the Jewish Sanhedrin, the council of chief priests, to determine his guilt or innocence.
That meeting never was completed as the Jews sought to have Paul killed, and the young centurion, who had become impressed with Paul's story, had Paul spirited away to Caesarea in the night under guard. He was to have a trial before Felix, the Governor.
There, in Caesarea, Paul was a prisoner. And it was years before he got to Rome. But the Sanhedrin was unable to have him killed, so at least his life was saved for future letter writing.
Our Saul, met by our Lord, in spite of Saul's many crimes against Christians, became Paul, and he was not only forgiven, but called to serve Christ throughout his life-time.
The study tells us: "Paul used his times of persecution as an opportunity to witness Christ. Even his enemies created a platform for him and he got opportunity to address some of the Jewish Council and Governor Felix and his guests. over the years. If we, too, are sensitive to the Holy spirit's leading, we will see increased opportunity to share our faith, even in the face of opposition."
Great story, huh? Great it is, and true! Saul became Paul. What might your new name be?
Or mine?
JO INMN
Saturday, October 25, 2014
PAUL'S LIFE IN CHRIST...PART 1
In the past few days we have been looking at Paul and the incredible work he and others did in their lives for Christ. So many times Paul had to come to his own defense. In Acts 22, but beginning at the end of Acts21, Paul was about to be arrested again.
"Paul stood on the steps of the barracks and motioned to the crowd. when they were all silent, he said to them in Aramaic: "Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense. I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in Jerusalem. Under Gamaliel (a very renowned teacher), I was thoroughly trained in the law of our fathers and was just as zealous for God as any of you are today."
Study notes: "By saying that at one time he was as zealous for God as any of his listeners, Paul acknowledged their sincere motives behind their desire to kill him and recognized that he would have done the same to Christian leaders a few years earlier. Paul always tried to establish a common point of contact with his audience before launching into a full-scale defense of Christianity." (end study)
When we witness for Christ, we must first identify ourselves with our audience. We are bonded to them by our own imperfections and our many life experiences. But most of all what binds us together is the love Christ has for each of us.
Today's blog is perhaps not a new thought. But, Paul's life can be a great inspiration for any one of us. He had been a known enemy of God's plan by rounding up Christians and jailing them. He was instrumental in the death of Stephen whose martyrdom also is a story waiting to be told. Come Monday, I hope to tell the tale of Paul's New Life and why he was led to partner with so many others in the changing of the world he knew.
He was a true hero, yet a man. But he was truly God's man.
Would that one day it could be said of each of us.
Jo INMN
"Paul stood on the steps of the barracks and motioned to the crowd. when they were all silent, he said to them in Aramaic: "Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense. I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in Jerusalem. Under Gamaliel (a very renowned teacher), I was thoroughly trained in the law of our fathers and was just as zealous for God as any of you are today."
Study notes: "By saying that at one time he was as zealous for God as any of his listeners, Paul acknowledged their sincere motives behind their desire to kill him and recognized that he would have done the same to Christian leaders a few years earlier. Paul always tried to establish a common point of contact with his audience before launching into a full-scale defense of Christianity." (end study)
When we witness for Christ, we must first identify ourselves with our audience. We are bonded to them by our own imperfections and our many life experiences. But most of all what binds us together is the love Christ has for each of us.
Today's blog is perhaps not a new thought. But, Paul's life can be a great inspiration for any one of us. He had been a known enemy of God's plan by rounding up Christians and jailing them. He was instrumental in the death of Stephen whose martyrdom also is a story waiting to be told. Come Monday, I hope to tell the tale of Paul's New Life and why he was led to partner with so many others in the changing of the world he knew.
He was a true hero, yet a man. But he was truly God's man.
Would that one day it could be said of each of us.
Jo INMN
Friday, October 24, 2014
FOR THE RENEWAL OF THE WORLD
Paul, in his missionary journeys, went to those countries which today we call the Middle East. Unsettled by war today, at that time many were Roman colonies and there were no restrictions against the missionaries. Paul had a variety of companions: sometimes Luke, a doctor, would accompany him, or Priscilla and Aquila, Timothy and Silas, or Barnabas and John Mark. Many of these people made their own journeys, so the church grew quickly.
Each city had its own synagogue as a rule. Paul preferred to speak first in the synagogues to the ruling Jews, using the Old Testament scriptures with which the Jews were familiar and sacred.Then, Paul would move on to the Old Testament scriptures which announced the coming of Christ, the Messiah. From there, Paul would explain that the Messiah had come, but he was not accepted, had suffered and died, had risen from the dead and is now sitting at the right hand of His Father, God.
The book of Isaiah, among others, speaks of how the nation of Israel was given a mission to serve God, but because of sin and rebellion, they failed. God, then sent his son, Christ, as Messiah to fulfill his mission on the earth.
Sometimes, the Jewish leaders would become jealous of the new order and remind Paul that God had given Israel the blessing of being called God's servant. Paul reminded them in return that Jesus was called God's Servant, with a capital S!
All of these men and some women, did their part to reach the multitudes with Christ's message that the world must be renewed. They went as far and as wide as their eras would allow them, and we see this very day that Christians are still to be counted in the Middle East. In the centuries that followed Paul and the others, we have seen much turmoil, wars and fears of war, but there will always be an element of Christ alive throughout the earth. Perhaps, it is not a popular element in the world today, but the fact still remains, "Christ still lives and has His Being" among those who know and love Him.
So count me in as one who knows Him and loves Him! I hope this includes you!
Jo inMN
Each city had its own synagogue as a rule. Paul preferred to speak first in the synagogues to the ruling Jews, using the Old Testament scriptures with which the Jews were familiar and sacred.Then, Paul would move on to the Old Testament scriptures which announced the coming of Christ, the Messiah. From there, Paul would explain that the Messiah had come, but he was not accepted, had suffered and died, had risen from the dead and is now sitting at the right hand of His Father, God.
The book of Isaiah, among others, speaks of how the nation of Israel was given a mission to serve God, but because of sin and rebellion, they failed. God, then sent his son, Christ, as Messiah to fulfill his mission on the earth.
Sometimes, the Jewish leaders would become jealous of the new order and remind Paul that God had given Israel the blessing of being called God's servant. Paul reminded them in return that Jesus was called God's Servant, with a capital S!
All of these men and some women, did their part to reach the multitudes with Christ's message that the world must be renewed. They went as far and as wide as their eras would allow them, and we see this very day that Christians are still to be counted in the Middle East. In the centuries that followed Paul and the others, we have seen much turmoil, wars and fears of war, but there will always be an element of Christ alive throughout the earth. Perhaps, it is not a popular element in the world today, but the fact still remains, "Christ still lives and has His Being" among those who know and love Him.
So count me in as one who knows Him and loves Him! I hope this includes you!
Jo inMN
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
THE EARLY CHURCH...O BOY!
The early church had some rough going. A story in Acts 15 tells us this truth. Acts 15:1 says, "Some men came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching, "Unless you are circumcised according to custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved."
From Acts 15:5,6...Paul and Barnabas went into "sharp dispute and debate" with the men. So, they went up to Jerusalem where they were welcomed by the church. They reported everything God had done through them throughout their travels. But when the subject of circumcision for all believers came up, Peter said, "Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles may hear the message of the Gospel and believe. God who knows our hearts, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke (circumcision)? No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are."
James, leader of the Jerusalem church and brother of Jesus, through Mary and Joseph, judged, "We should not make it difficult for Gentiles turning to God. Instead, abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood. You will be well to avoid these things."
All of the teachings of Moses were important to the Jews, but they agreed at least these four things to be important for the new Christians. And the letter containing the news was delivered to Antioch.
Study/ "This letter answered the questions and brought great joy to the Gentile Christians in Antioch. It appeals to the Holy Spirit's guidance and explains what is to be helpful when believers learn to be careful not only in what they say, but also in how they say it. We may be correct in our content. but we can lose our audience by our tone of voice or by our attitude."
So, what I learned from this is this......No church is without disputes. But this one may have destroyed the new church if these men had not met.
It makes me think of the importance of getting wise counsel and following the advice given. However, we must never discount the Holy Spirit who may have an opinion or two, Himself!
Here's to the Church, and to all those who toughed it out to make it a truth. And here's to us, that we may not be frivolous by what it offers to us, or in any way, take the church for granted. Leave it to the people throughout the ages who kept wanting something different. For good or bad, there are lots of churches to choose from out there.
I hope you find one where you feel at home. I have, and I love worshipping with them.
Jo inMN
From Acts 15:5,6...Paul and Barnabas went into "sharp dispute and debate" with the men. So, they went up to Jerusalem where they were welcomed by the church. They reported everything God had done through them throughout their travels. But when the subject of circumcision for all believers came up, Peter said, "Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles may hear the message of the Gospel and believe. God who knows our hearts, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke (circumcision)? No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are."
James, leader of the Jerusalem church and brother of Jesus, through Mary and Joseph, judged, "We should not make it difficult for Gentiles turning to God. Instead, abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood. You will be well to avoid these things."
All of the teachings of Moses were important to the Jews, but they agreed at least these four things to be important for the new Christians. And the letter containing the news was delivered to Antioch.
Study/ "This letter answered the questions and brought great joy to the Gentile Christians in Antioch. It appeals to the Holy Spirit's guidance and explains what is to be helpful when believers learn to be careful not only in what they say, but also in how they say it. We may be correct in our content. but we can lose our audience by our tone of voice or by our attitude."
So, what I learned from this is this......No church is without disputes. But this one may have destroyed the new church if these men had not met.
It makes me think of the importance of getting wise counsel and following the advice given. However, we must never discount the Holy Spirit who may have an opinion or two, Himself!
Here's to the Church, and to all those who toughed it out to make it a truth. And here's to us, that we may not be frivolous by what it offers to us, or in any way, take the church for granted. Leave it to the people throughout the ages who kept wanting something different. For good or bad, there are lots of churches to choose from out there.
I hope you find one where you feel at home. I have, and I love worshipping with them.
Jo inMN
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
DON'T WAVE AT THE CROWD TOO ......!
Paul and Barnabas were disciples of Jesus, later called Apostles, those who teach and encourage men and women to trust the Lord and to be obedient to Him. While in the city of Lystra, the two apostles called out to a man with crippled feet who immediately jumped up and began to walk. The people were amazed and wanted to honor Paul and Barnabas by bringing bulls for sacrifice and green wreathes to hang upon their necks, calling them Zeus and Hermes, the names of Roman gods. Paul and Barnabas assured the people they were not gods, but men who have been given the gift of healing by the One and Only God, whose name of earth was Jesus.
Study/ "Only days after the people thought Paul and Barnabas were gods, they stoned Paul and left him for dead. That is human nature. Jesus understood how fickle humans can be. (John 2:24,25) The Son of God knows all about human nature. Jesus was discerning, and he knew the faith of some followers was superficial. But keep your faith firm even when it isn't popular to follow Christ.
After they stoned Paul, he got back up and went into the city to, once again, preach the Good News. That's true commitment! Being a disciple of Christ calls for total commitment. As Christians, we no longer belong to ourselves but to our Lord, for whom we are called to suffer, if asked." (end study)
It is very difficult for me to relate to these apostles. I do not have a gift of healing, although I have prayed for others' healings. I doubt that I could bounce up and go back to the same place where I was stoned to speak to my torturers! I hate unfairness to people, injustice, cruelty and do nothing except get mad! It's a good thing God did not choose me as an apostle! I must learn to listen more to the Holy Spirit within me so that I might know if there is something that I can do.
It seems to me, in much of the New Testament especially in the Acts of the Apostles that the Apostles' biggest enemy was the jealousy which persisted among the Temple Jews toward Jesus' apostles and their healing power. Jealousy can be a horrible thing for a church or community. I have seen it nearly tear apart a small, budding church. It is heart-breaking. We must watch ourselves if that old green monster comes into our thinking, and ask God to take over...right now, please!!
If we help someone, thank God for the idea. If we call someone; thank God for the telephone and the idea. We must be careful to not have a "swollen" idea of our worth.
"God isn't measuring our worth; He is only interested in revealing His worth!" (I can't give an author credit for this statement. Sorry. I have neglected years ago to write down its author. But I like it, so will pass it on to you.)
I promise that I will be glad when someone does a better job at something than I did. And that I will give thanks to God for a person who is chosen for something good, and I have not been chosen. I will not be hurt if I don't win; I will be glad for the winner. An old friend used to say, "Don't wave at the crowd too early!" Because..... It's possible that whatever you've done wasn't done right, anyway!
Counting on you to love our Jesus and to do your best in revealing His worth.
Jo inMN
Study/ "Only days after the people thought Paul and Barnabas were gods, they stoned Paul and left him for dead. That is human nature. Jesus understood how fickle humans can be. (John 2:24,25) The Son of God knows all about human nature. Jesus was discerning, and he knew the faith of some followers was superficial. But keep your faith firm even when it isn't popular to follow Christ.
After they stoned Paul, he got back up and went into the city to, once again, preach the Good News. That's true commitment! Being a disciple of Christ calls for total commitment. As Christians, we no longer belong to ourselves but to our Lord, for whom we are called to suffer, if asked." (end study)
It is very difficult for me to relate to these apostles. I do not have a gift of healing, although I have prayed for others' healings. I doubt that I could bounce up and go back to the same place where I was stoned to speak to my torturers! I hate unfairness to people, injustice, cruelty and do nothing except get mad! It's a good thing God did not choose me as an apostle! I must learn to listen more to the Holy Spirit within me so that I might know if there is something that I can do.
It seems to me, in much of the New Testament especially in the Acts of the Apostles that the Apostles' biggest enemy was the jealousy which persisted among the Temple Jews toward Jesus' apostles and their healing power. Jealousy can be a horrible thing for a church or community. I have seen it nearly tear apart a small, budding church. It is heart-breaking. We must watch ourselves if that old green monster comes into our thinking, and ask God to take over...right now, please!!
If we help someone, thank God for the idea. If we call someone; thank God for the telephone and the idea. We must be careful to not have a "swollen" idea of our worth.
"God isn't measuring our worth; He is only interested in revealing His worth!" (I can't give an author credit for this statement. Sorry. I have neglected years ago to write down its author. But I like it, so will pass it on to you.)
I promise that I will be glad when someone does a better job at something than I did. And that I will give thanks to God for a person who is chosen for something good, and I have not been chosen. I will not be hurt if I don't win; I will be glad for the winner. An old friend used to say, "Don't wave at the crowd too early!" Because..... It's possible that whatever you've done wasn't done right, anyway!
Counting on you to love our Jesus and to do your best in revealing His worth.
Jo inMN
Monday, October 20, 2014
GOING THROUGH A TOUGH TIME?
There are lots of days when I think I have really got it tough. And, I guess that almost everyone I know goes through the same thoughts. But no one has ever had it as bad as Job, the guy who lost everything! His story is in the Old Testament, and is meant to tell us the truth about ourselves and about God.
As Job's story goes, he was a very rich man who had an abundance of land, livestock, and family. But, most telling about Job was his love for God. So much goodness had come his way, yet Job was always thankful and he thanked God for it
The story finds God in Heaven with the angel, Satan. God is pleased with Job because Job is so grateful and tells Satan that Job is the greatest man in the world, and one who loves God the most.
Well, Satan says, "He wouldn't be so grateful if he had a little pain in his life, I'll bet!" God decided to take Satan's bet and began to take things away from Job. First he took his flocks, then his fields, then his wife and children, and Job was penniless with none of his loved ones to support him. On top of all of this, he became very, very ill, until almost dying.
Three friends came along finding Job without a penny or a person who loved him. And so, they began to tell Job what he had done wrong to cause all of this to happen. Their names were Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. Each one said their piece and Job tried his best to straighten them out. Of course, each one claimed that he must have done something wrong for God to torture him so, but Job began to tire of them telling him what to do. He only wanted God to hear his pleas, and wondered why God did not answer them. Finally, he just wanted to die.
There is a happy ending to this story of Job's life, but you will have to read the book to hear about it. However, there is much in the story to teach us about living today...and tomorrow. This is something of what the study on the book of Job tells us: "In verse Job 6:7, Job said that Eliphaz's advice was like eating the white of an egg. When people are going through severe trials, ill-advised counsel is distasteful. They may listen politely, but inside they are upset. Be slow to give advice to those who are hurting. They often need compassion more than they need advice."
In Chapter 5,verse17, we also see a view of discipline that has been almost forgotten: "Pain can help us grow. These are good words to remember when we face hardship and loss. Because Job did not understand why he suffered, his faith in God had a chance to grow. Also, God does not eliminate all hardship when we are following him closely, and good behavior is not always rewarded by prosperity. Satan's ploy is to get us to doubt God's goodwill toward us."
God is good. He truly is Good. When I was a young woman, and not knowledgeable about God, I did believe one thing about him that proved true. God allows us a lot of room to make mistakes, but He also sends His Spirit to train and lead us to better ways. Perhaps, our life on earth is like a "finishing school." I don't know if they even have these anymore. Perhaps they call them "charm schools". But, Heaven is the real world, the one in which I want to live. Here on earth we are being trained to live, really live, in the heavenly realm with our Lord and Savior, Jesus.
Just sayin'.........God is really good, and Job? Well, he has been good to us by this teaching! Eh?
Jo inMN
As Job's story goes, he was a very rich man who had an abundance of land, livestock, and family. But, most telling about Job was his love for God. So much goodness had come his way, yet Job was always thankful and he thanked God for it
The story finds God in Heaven with the angel, Satan. God is pleased with Job because Job is so grateful and tells Satan that Job is the greatest man in the world, and one who loves God the most.
Well, Satan says, "He wouldn't be so grateful if he had a little pain in his life, I'll bet!" God decided to take Satan's bet and began to take things away from Job. First he took his flocks, then his fields, then his wife and children, and Job was penniless with none of his loved ones to support him. On top of all of this, he became very, very ill, until almost dying.
Three friends came along finding Job without a penny or a person who loved him. And so, they began to tell Job what he had done wrong to cause all of this to happen. Their names were Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. Each one said their piece and Job tried his best to straighten them out. Of course, each one claimed that he must have done something wrong for God to torture him so, but Job began to tire of them telling him what to do. He only wanted God to hear his pleas, and wondered why God did not answer them. Finally, he just wanted to die.
There is a happy ending to this story of Job's life, but you will have to read the book to hear about it. However, there is much in the story to teach us about living today...and tomorrow. This is something of what the study on the book of Job tells us: "In verse Job 6:7, Job said that Eliphaz's advice was like eating the white of an egg. When people are going through severe trials, ill-advised counsel is distasteful. They may listen politely, but inside they are upset. Be slow to give advice to those who are hurting. They often need compassion more than they need advice."
In Chapter 5,verse17, we also see a view of discipline that has been almost forgotten: "Pain can help us grow. These are good words to remember when we face hardship and loss. Because Job did not understand why he suffered, his faith in God had a chance to grow. Also, God does not eliminate all hardship when we are following him closely, and good behavior is not always rewarded by prosperity. Satan's ploy is to get us to doubt God's goodwill toward us."
God is good. He truly is Good. When I was a young woman, and not knowledgeable about God, I did believe one thing about him that proved true. God allows us a lot of room to make mistakes, but He also sends His Spirit to train and lead us to better ways. Perhaps, our life on earth is like a "finishing school." I don't know if they even have these anymore. Perhaps they call them "charm schools". But, Heaven is the real world, the one in which I want to live. Here on earth we are being trained to live, really live, in the heavenly realm with our Lord and Savior, Jesus.
Just sayin'.........God is really good, and Job? Well, he has been good to us by this teaching! Eh?
Jo inMN
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