How can we relate to Job?

Job God allows not only bad things to happen in our lives, but terrible things. Why? The difficult truth is that God is glorified through the suffering of his children and through that suffering, we develop an unwavering trust in God, because no matter what happens, we can focus on God’s love and eternity: heaven. Let's take a quick look at the book of Job. Jobs prosperity: (Job:1-3)There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil. There were born to him seven sons and three daughters. He possessed 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, and 500 female donkeys, and very many servants, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the east. God’s Odd Bet with Satan: (vs.1:9) Does Job fear God for no reason? (Job 1:11-12) 11 But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.” 12 And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD. Job’s response to catastrophe: (vs. 1:22) 22 In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong He still believes in God’s sovereignty amidst adversity.(Job 2:10) Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?”[a] In all this Job did not sin with his lips But Job doesn't understand his trouble.(Vs.3:1-26) Why is light given to him who is in misery, and life to the bitter in soul, 21 who long for death, but it comes not, and dig for it more than for hidden treasures, 22 who rejoice exceedingly and are glad when they find the grave? 23 Why is light given to a man whose way is hidden, whom God has hedged in? 24 For my sighing comes instead of[a] my bread, and my groanings are poured out like water. 25 For the thing that I fear comes upon me, and what I dread befalls me. 26 I am not at ease, nor am I quiet; I have no rest, but trouble comes.” Job’s friends think it was because he sinned against God. a. (vs. 4:1 Eliphaz speaks—only the innocent prosper) “Remember: who that was innocent ever perished? Or where were the upright cut off? 8 As I have seen, those who plow iniquity and sow trouble reap the same.” b. (Vs.8: Bildad thinks Job should repent) “If you will seek God and plead with the Almighty for mercy, 6 if you are pure and upright, surely then he will rouse himself for you and restore your rightful habitation.” c. (vs.11:20:Zopher thinks Job deserves worse) “But the eyes of the wicked will fail; all way of escape will be lost to them, and their hope is to breathe their last.” d. (vs. 33:12-13: Elihu rebukes Job) Behold, in this you are not right. I will answer you, for God is greater than man. 13 Why do you contend against him, saying, ‘He will answer none of man's words’? Through all this, Job maintains his innocence, but questions the Lord. The Lord answers Job: (Job 38-41) 38:1“Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? 3 Dress for action[a] like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me. 4 “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Job confesses and repents: (Job 42:1-3) 1. Then Job answered the LORD and said: 2 “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. 3 ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. Herein lies our dilemma with bad things happening to good people. We don't always know why, but it happens and it is beyond our understanding. We don't know God's reasons, but he has them. As Job, did, we must trust in the Lord.

The Holy Spirit

We often overlook the power of the Holy Spirit that God has personally placed within us. The Holy Spirit can do great work within us if we only recognize His presence. We actually have God’s spirit in us. It is an astounding concept. His spirit is infused in our being and can only work when we yield to His control and direction. You often hear a Christian say that they want “less of me and more of God” in their being. The Holy Spirit is there. He’s waiting for us to recognize Him as the third person of the Trinity, turn to His help, talk directly to Him, and yield to His guidance. We pray to God the Father, and always focus on Jesus, but too often we overlook calling on the Holy Spirit who is the third person of the Trinity who is IN us as our helper (And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—John 14:16).

WHY WE HAVE THE HOLY SPIRIT.

GALATIANS 3:22-29

²² But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. ²³ But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. ²⁴ Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. ²⁵ But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.

Sons and Heirs

²⁶ For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. ²⁷ For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. ²⁸ There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. ²⁹ And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Romans 7:21-25

²¹ I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. ²² For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. ²³ But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. ²⁴ O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? ²⁵ I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.

To the unbeliever or agnostic: "Will you condemn me that you may be in the right?" (Job 40:8)

These words were directed to Job by God. Although he believed in God, he questioned God's ways. For the unbeliever or agnostic who questions God's existence, these words also have resonance:

38 Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said:

2 “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?
3 Dress for action[a] like a man;
    I will question you, and you make it known to me.

4 “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
    Tell me, if you have understanding.
5 Who determined its measurements—surely you know!
    Or who stretched the line upon it?
6 On what were its bases sunk,
    or who laid its cornerstone,
7 when the morning stars sang together
    and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

8 “Or who shut in the sea with doors
    when it burst out from the womb,
9 when I made clouds its garment
    and thick darkness its swaddling band,
10 and prescribed limits for it
    and set bars and doors,
11 and said, ‘Thus far shall you come, and no farther,
    and here shall your proud waves be stayed’?

For those who doubt, Read Job in the Old Testament particularly Chapter 38 through 41.   

"I am the resurrection and the life."

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live," (John 11:25). 

Easter is soon upon us and this is a time for reflection of Jesus' great work for us on the Cross. For Christians, it is a time for humble thanksgiving. Jesus' took on our sins so that we would be right with God. It is only by faith in believing the work of Jesus do we find eternal life. Jesus was raised from the grave, so, too will we. We will either go to heaven or to hell. Which direction will you take?

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16.

Take the time to read Matthew chapters 26 through 28. If you are a non-believer, read it anyway. It might touch your heart. 

A Lesson from Ginger...How God Reveals Himself to Us

God reveals knowledge of Himself through:

·         His created universe

Psalm 19:1—The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.

Romans 1:19-20—God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.

·         His inspired Scriptures

Psalm 19:7-11—The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether. They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them Thy servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

2 Peter 1:20-21—But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

·         Lord Jesus Christ

John 14:7-11—‘If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.’

Philip said to Him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.’

Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how do you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works. Believe Me that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me; otherwise believe on account of the works themselves.’

Hebrews 1:1-2—God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.

Happy Valentine's Day

From Ginger Cox: 

Sent with Love

For the last few weeks, John 3:16 has circled through my mind.

John 3:16 – For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish,but have eternal life.

Then yesterday I read a different 3:16, and the message was amplified!

1 John 3:16 – We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us.

To me, these are the ultimate Valentines—the perfect love notes from our Father and His Son.

Yet Jesus left one more message for us—‘A new commandment I give to you...even as I have loved you, that you also love one another’ (John 13:34).

The perfect love triangle is: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit actively working in you.

Let's pass along His love message this Valentine season.

  

 Happy Valentine's Day!

   

Ginger Cox
www.CoxWorks.com 

This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad today! 
Psalm 118:24

Are You Sharing the Good News?

My Sunday School teacher, who has been invaluable to our group,  has put together a lesson I would like to share with you. Read carefully. Give this some deep thought.

All People Are Without Excuse

(Romans 1:16-25)

Let us consider these three groups of people: #1. Believers who have put their faith in Jesus Christ. #2. People who have rejected Jesus as Christ. 3. People who have never heard about Christ. The Bible is clear about the destiny of the first two.

This week’s lesson question was “What about the people who’ve never heard about Jesus?” yet maybe the more relevant question is “What am I doing to share the good news of salvation given by God through Jesus Christ?”

            All People Are Without Excuse Before God (18-25) – general or natural revelation

·         God created all people to worship and serve Him alone. We are accountable.

·         They choose to suppress evident truth—God’s attributes as shown in creation but also an inner consciousness of God because we are created in His image.

·         God’s wrath is a reasonable abhorrence to godlessness and unrighteousness.

·         Godlessness—choosing to reject Him—not worshiping or thanking God.

·         Unrighteousness—not acting right toward other people.

·         God lets people choose their destiny and suffer consequences of their choices.

·         God’s wrath is now and later—but if sinners respond, He will save them.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ Brings Salvation to All Who Believe (16-17) – Theme

·         Even those who honor God due to natural revelation need to hear the gospel.

·         Culture was (and is) antagonistic to gospel—we must not be intimidated.

·         Read Mark 8:38 and 2 Timothy 1:12 regarding not being ashamed.

·         Gospel is the dynamic, life-changing message leading to a divine relationship.

·         Everyone who believes in Christ and repents will receive eternal life.

·         Righteousness is only by God’s grace—activated and sustained by faith.

Prayer – Dear Lord, thank you for making Yourself known, foremost in Jesus Christ. May I be so awed in knowing You that I will be diligent in making You known to others. Amen.