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Post by pastor on May 16, 2023 1:46:38 GMT
May 15, 2023 Micah 5-7
Like needles in a haystack or dimonds in a field. There are some beautiful jewels among the reading today.
We first start with the wonderful promise of the king born in Bethlehem. Did you catch the phrase “whose coming forth is from old, from ancient of days”? Stop and read Daniel 7:9-14. Here we see that Jesus is the son of man who is from old. He is God, from eternity, and it is God who will be born in Bethlehem. Read verse 4-5 He is the good shepherd and he is the one who brings us peace.
Then in 6:6-8 here is God’s answer. What is enough to pay for my sin, there is nothing I can give nothing worth enough for my sin. Praise God for the savior born in Bethlehem. So what can I give simply do justice, love kindness and walk humbly before my God.
Micah closes with such a blessing and reminder that our God is one who loves to show mercy and love.
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Post by Poet Maybe on May 16, 2023 13:56:21 GMT
Day 135 (Micah 5-7) Chapter 6:6-8 {6 With what shall I come before the Lord and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? 7 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? 8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.} In these verses we are reminded that God does not need such sacrifices; He has shown us what He calls of us. To act justly and to love mercy and walk humbly in the ways of the Lord.
Chapter 7:7 {7 But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.}
Chapter 7:18-20 {18 Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. 19 You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea. 20 You will be faithful to Jacob, and show love to Abraham, as you pledged on oath to our ancestors in days long ago.} 5/15/23
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Post by pastor on May 16, 2023 20:06:10 GMT
May 16, 2023 Nahum 1-3
The video again does a great job of showing us what this book is about. God’s judgment is upon those who oppress the innocent, who do not seek truth or justice. The only comfort in this book comes from 1:7 The Lord is good a stronghold in the day of trouble, He knows those who take refuge in Him. What a comforting thought, when we are trouble. God know, and He will punish the ones who oppress us.
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Post by pastor on May 22, 2023 15:25:47 GMT
May 17, 2023 Habakkuk 1-3
Habakkuk is a powerful book for us today as we see evil rise all around us. It is Habakkuk’s cry to God as he sees the evil of the day he lives in, and God’s response to his cry. As I read through this I was amazed at how often this book is referred to in the New Testament.
Habakkuk cries out to God about the injustice and evil he sees, and God says I am bringing Babylon to be my judgement upon them. Think upon this God uses a more evil country to punish an evil country. How we see today how God uses one country to punish another, one conquers another only itself to be overtaken. Nations rise and fall, and another one takes it place. (Matthew 24:6-8). And it seems like God will never act, that injustice will go on forever. Yet God is waiting till the time He has appointed (verse 2:3) to act. See how Peter speaks about this also (1 Peter 3:1-9) , and in verse 4 we see the famous statement that brought light to Martin Luther, the righteous shall live by faith (Romans 1:17). God will bring His judgment at the appointed time and all will know that it is God. (Philippians 2:9-11). Their injustice, wealth, and comfort will mean nothing.
So we look forward to the coming of the Lord (chapter 3) for God will come and set things right, He will come in power and in might just as He did to Pharaoh, and we will see God’s hand and rejoice.
The conclusion of this book is something everyone of us should know by heart, though we suffer in life, even though we are surrounded by evil and it seems to be winning, we will rejoice in the Lord, for He is our strength and our refuge.
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Post by pastor on May 22, 2023 16:07:57 GMT
May 18, 2023 Zephaniah 1-3
Here again we see God’s wrath and judgement. The opening verses remind me of 2 Peter 3:10 which tells us that God will destroy all the earth with fire, everything will be destroyed and then he will create a new heaven and earth. This is a book that should bring fear into our hearts as we think about Judgment day. For those who follow Christ it is a joyous day, but what darkness, what pain, what suffering it will be for those who do not. No wonder people do not want to hear us talk about Jesus returning, their souls knows what that means for them.
Zephaniah ends with a wonderful description of what it will be like when God has come, he will draw all people to Him, and they will have pure speech, they will be humble and rejoicing. Christ has come and God has fulfilled His promise, and though we still are on this side of heaven we see God drawing all men to Himself and all who call upon the name of the Lord will be saved. Amen
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Post by pastor on May 22, 2023 21:16:49 GMT
May 19, 2023 Job 1-3
Most all of us know the story of Job and his suffering. God included this book for us to understand that we really are not able to question God, we see things in such a small view, but God sees it all and orchestrates everything for His glory and our ultimate good, even though we cannot and may never see the reason for things.
To me the verse that stands out to me is chapter 2 verse 10, where Job ask his wife “shall we receive good from God and shall we not receive evil?” If we understand that as Christians our lives are totally in God’s hands and we can trust that God is good and wants only good for us, we can handle anything that comes because we trust God. To often we only want good from God and reject Him when things turn bad. Sadly for many Satan was right when he said ““Skin for skin!” Satan answered the LORD. “A man will give up everything he owns in exchange for his life. But stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face.” How many do turn away when trouble comes, they blame God, even hate God, yet never understand that God knows what He is always doing, and everything He does He does for a reason. How about you?
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Post by pastor on May 22, 2023 21:31:18 GMT
May 20 Job 4-7
Eliphaz speaks and in chapters 4-5 he sets out the case that God is just and rewards each for what he has done. The righteous are blessed and the evil and the fool are destroyed. (It fascinates me because we read in numerous Psalms how the psalmist lament that it seems the evil prosper and the good are the ones who suffer the exact opposite of Eliphaz. In 5:17 Eliphaz reminds Job that God does reprove and disciplines the ones He loves.(see Hebrews 12:7-11) If we accept God’s discipline we shall be restored and nothing can hurt us.
Job replies that he agrees with Eliphaz but that Job has done nothing wrong that deserves God’s discipline. He would gladly take that discipline if he deserved it but he does not. He challenges Eliphaz to show him where he has sinned and gone astray
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Post by pastor on May 23, 2023 16:27:06 GMT
May 21 Job 8-11
Bildad now attacks Job asking how could he say he was innocent when it was obvious that God was punishing him for something. Like Bildad so many today think that as soon as something bad happens it must be God punishing us. Bildad says so repent and God will take away all the suffering. Have you ever felt like you had repented and asked forgiveness and still it seems like God is punishing you?
Job response with saying he knows God is greater than all and no one is righteous compared to God, now he calls out to God to show Him his sin, and he will repent.
Zophar now responds and says to Job that the fact that he is suffering is proof of his wrongdoing, that God is never wrong, and God only causes the wicked to suffer so Job must be wrong. Again he calls on Job to repent.
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Post by pastor on May 23, 2023 17:10:50 GMT
May 22, 2023 Job 12-15
I love Job’s response to Zophar No doubt you are the people and wisdom will die with you, in other words you think you are smarter than everyone else, and when you die no body will know anything. Everybody even down to the bushes know that God has done this to me. Don’t speak for God as if you know everything, are you now His mouth? Job continues I know that I am right and I take my case to God, if only He would answer me.
Chapter 14 begins with the well known passage Man is born of a woman is few of days and full of trouble.” Then goes on to explain how short is life, time passes men die, only God is eternal.
Now Eliphaz starts again accusing Job of being conceited and arrogant and placing himself before God. We know that it is the unrighteous that suffer, it is the unrighteous that God punishes. Therefore you must be unrighteous.
Tomorrow Job replies…
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Post by pastor on May 23, 2023 17:34:49 GMT
May 23, 2023 Job 16-19
Yesterday ended with Eliphaz rebuking Job todays reading begins with Job saying “what a miserable comforters you are. Your words are nothing but wind. He continues even now though my witness is in heaven. You all accuse me of sin but God knows the truth. Job then goes on a pity party crying out about all that he has lost.
Bildad now speaks and says “you call us stupid but it is the unrighteous who suffer.” There fore you do not know God.
Job replies God has turned against me, in fact everyone has turned against me, my friends accuse me, my household has rejected me, everybody sees me as cursed. But even if God causes me to suffer, even if everyone rejects me, yet I know that I will see my Savior that I will be in the resurrection and will behold my God.
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Post by Poet Maybe on May 24, 2023 16:03:51 GMT
Day 145 (Job 20-23)
Job’s “friends” continue to rebuke him and say surely you have angered God, you must have sinned to bring all this on yourself. Chapter 20:4-7 {“Surely you know how it has been from of old, ever since mankind was placed on the earth, 5 that the mirth of the wicked is brief, the joy of the godless lasts but a moment. 6 Though the pride of the godless person reaches to the heavens and his head touches the clouds, 7 he will perish forever, like his own dung; those who have seen him will say, ‘Where is he?’}
In reply Job says in chapter 21: 2 “Listen carefully to my words; Let this be the consolation you give me. 3 Bear with me while I speak, and after I have spoken, mock on. 4 “Is my complaint directed to a human being? Why should I not be impatient? 5 Look at me and be appalled; clap your hand over your mouth. 6 When I think about this, I am terrified; trembling seizes my body.}
Job basically tells them look , I know what you are saying and you think you are consoling me, but your words are empty. You are just mocking my feelings. 5/24/23
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Post by pastor on May 24, 2023 21:07:04 GMT
May 24, 2023 Job 20-23
Zophar speaks and once again repeats the lines that God punishes the wicked, but Job responded when have you really seen that. The wicked prosper and grow old and die full, there children continue in their way.
Now Eliphaz speaks for the third time and you can tell he is mad he just accuses Job of being a terrible person who has no end to his iniquities. He accused Job of sinning saying God cannot see, and depart from me God what can you do to me? Then he tells Job to repent agree with God and good things will happen, remove your sin and you will be blesses.
Job replies where is God, I want to state my case before Him. God would agree with me I have not sinned, I have treasured his word, I have kept His ways. But I am fearful of God.
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Post by pastor on May 25, 2023 12:59:12 GMT
May 25, 2023 Job 24-28
Job replies that Judgment is in the hands of God. That the wicked often thrive and prosper, and the poor and needy are treated badly, that on earth there is no justice. Yet they will die and face the judgement of God.
Bildad then says but man cannot be righteous, no one can. (see Romans 3;23)
Job says God is above all no man can understand Him. Then he goes on to say he will continue to maintain his integrity for what hope does he have if he does not. He also will die and stand before God. For ultimately the evil will pay for their sin.
Chapter 28 is a wonderful passage much like Proverbs chapter 2. Wisdom is not found in man, it is not found in all the works that man can do. It is not found in the gold or silver than man mines from the earth. Man cannot find wisdom in all his works. Therefore wisdom is more valuable than gold or silver or precious stones. For wisdom is only from God, and it is in the fear of the Lord that we find wisdom (Proverbs 9:10)
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Post by Poet Maybe on May 25, 2023 16:11:42 GMT
Day 146 (Job 24-28) Chapter 24 opens with a question that we often ask. {“Why does the Almighty not set times for judgment? Why must those who know him look in vain for such days?} We sometimes wonder why it is that the bad people seem to get away with their evil deeds, while the good suffer loss. But Job answers this very well in verses 22-24. {22 But God drags away the mighty by his power; though they become established, they have no assurance of life. 23 He may let them rest in a feeling of security, but his eyes are on their ways. 24 For a little while they are exalted, and then they are gone; they are brought low and gathered up like all others; they are cut off like heads of grain.}
Chapter 28:20-21 {20 Where then does wisdom come from? Where does understanding dwell? 21 It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing, concealed even from the birds in the sky.} Verses 27-28 {27 then he looked at wisdom and appraised it; he confirmed it and tested it. 28 And he said to the human race, “The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.”}
5/25/23
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Post by pastor on May 26, 2023 18:59:12 GMT
May 26, 2023 Job 29-31
In chapter 29 Job remembers when he was blessed by God, how people showed him respect, and how he cared for the needy, and those taken advantage of. How people hung on ever word. Now in chapter 30 they laugh at him and deride him. He cries out to God but God does not answer. Job says did I not care for those who had disaster, those who needed help did I not help, did I not take care of the needy and the poor, yet now I am ruins, I cry for help but I get no answer.
In chapter 31 Job list all the things that he as done. He has not lusted, or be false, or committed adultery, or not listen when there was a complaint against him, and more. If had done any of these things, but I have not. This is my defense before the Almighty.
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