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Post by pastor on May 28, 2023 1:02:27 GMT
May 27, 2023 Job 32-34
Elihu now comes into the picture, he is the young one in the group and so he has been uncertain to speak, but now he does. First he berates the 3 other friends of Job and then he rebukes Job also. There is not much new here. He also says God is greater than you so you have no right to question God, or ask God to answer you. God is just and will repay a man according to his works. Therefore Job you are just getting what you deserve.
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Post by Poet Maybe on May 28, 2023 19:51:53 GMT
Day 148 (Job 32-34)
Chapter 32:6-9 {“I am young in years, and you are old; that is why I was fearful, not daring to tell you what I know. 7 I thought, ‘Age should speak; advanced years should teach wisdom.’ 8 But it is the spirit in a person, the breath of the Almighty, that gives them understanding. 9 It is not only the old who are wise, not only the aged who understand what is right.} Elihu spoke his mind, but he spoke with human understanding. Elihu was eager to speak, thinking he could rebuke Job. 5/27/23
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Post by pastor on May 28, 2023 22:31:04 GMT
May 28, 2023 Job 35-37
Elihu continues – In once sense Elihu is closer to the truth than the others. He ask Job what right he has to question God. Elihu ask in verses 5-7 “Gaze at the heavens and see; consider the clouds, which are higher than you! If you sin, how does it affect God? If your transgressions are many, what does it do to him? If you are righteous, what do you give to God, or what does he receive from your hand?” This is true and something we need to understand. God does not hate when we sin because it hurts Him but rather because it hurts us. God does not love you less when you fall, and more when you get it right, He loves you completely all the time. Remember we walk in the light because we love Him not in order to get Him to love us.
Another line that struck me was in chapter 36:13 “The godless in heart cherish anger.” Have you known somebody that cherished anger, I do, they say that they do not but you can tell they harbor it, they feed it whenever possible going over and over the hurts they have been given whether real or perceived. We read in 1 Corinthians 13:5 “Love …. Keeps no records of wrong” (NIV which is the best translation of the Greek here). How about you do you keep a record of wrongs, do you cherish anger, or do you let them all go and love as God loved you.
Elihu continues speaking of the wonders of God that God is higher than we can comprehend, and greater than we can imagine. In this area he was right.
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Post by Poet Maybe on May 29, 2023 13:21:38 GMT
Day 149 (Job 35-37) Elihu, although young in years, speaks a lot of truth here. He basically asks Job, what does God owe you? “You ask what do you gain by not sinning?” I ask you how does it affect God if you sin? Or if you are so righteous, what do you bring to God?” Elihu was pointing out that our actions do not hurt God, but they do hurt us and our relationship with God. God’s love is constant, forever, endless. He does not take it away when we fall, He offers us His hand to lift us back up. It is because of His great love for us that we love, follow and obey Him.
5/28/23
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Post by Poet Maybe on May 29, 2023 13:49:52 GMT
Day 150 (Job 38-39) Chapter 38:1-4 {1 Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm. He said: 2 “Who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge? 3 Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me. 4 “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand.}
I wonder how many of us truly want to hear God? I mean we all say we do, but do we really? Or do we just want God to agree with us? What if, like Job, God spoke and started questioning us to reveal how small we truly are?
In chapter 38 and 39 God puts Job in his place. Letting him know that God is all knowing, all powerful, fully Holy. God tells Job, I have made the heavens and earth and all that is in them. What have you done that can compare?
5/29/23
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Post by pastor on May 29, 2023 20:44:31 GMT
May 29, 2023 Job 38-39
In an amazing twist God shows up, and confronts Job and from the moment God speaks you know who is in command here. He starts off saying Job has words but not knowledge, and says if you know so much about how I should run the universe then let me question you. And then the questions come, questions no man can answer. God is putting Job in his place, a place sometimes we need to be put into also. We think we know so much, we have so much information at our fingertips, yet we know nothing compared to God. He knows the ways of every animal on earth and He knows the ways of the stars and constellations. He takes care of all of creation and everything is held together because of Him. God is far greater than we can imagine or comprehend, and God is giving Job a lesson in just that.
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Post by Poet Maybe on May 30, 2023 15:36:04 GMT
Day 151 (Job 40-42) Chapter 40:2 {“Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? Let him who accuses God answer him!”}
How often do we disagree and argue with God? We may even say He is wrong. BUT… we are the ones who are in error. We would be better off if we would put our hand over our mouths. And say no more. Verses 4-5 {4 “I am unworthy—how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth. 5 I spoke once, but I have no answer— twice, but I will say no more.”}
I like how God spoke to Job next. Verses 7-8 {“Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me. 8 “Would you discredit my justice? Would you condemn me to justify yourself?}
He’s saying buckle up buttercup; I’m going to show you who you are and what you are doing. And you’re not going to like it. You just want to make me wrong so in your mind you can be right. How often do we try to justify our sin by saying “God didn’t really mean this or that?” Or “I’m a good person, God has to agree with me.”
But remember how the book of Job starts. Job 1:1 {In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. }
5/30/23
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Post by pastor on May 30, 2023 16:21:09 GMT
May 30, 2023 Job 40-42
God ask Job again if he should question God, and Job has enough sense to say no, he will not question God again. God again ask Job can you adorn yourself with majesty like mine, can you look upon every person of the world. Then God speaks about two great beast, and ask Job can you tame them, can you catch them with hook or spear, no you cannot so if you cannot even subdue the beast I have made how can you think you can understand me.
Job now truly confesses his ignorance, and realized he has no room to speak to God to question His acts, or His righteousness. Notice “I despise myself and I repent in dust and ashes” Here is repentance when we despise what we have done, our pride, our arrogance, our sin, and humble ourselves completely before God. God is so gracious and forgiving. He immediately is done with Job, there will be no more questioning, or reminding him of how little we are. Job is forgiven and now God tells Job’s friends that they had better have Job pray for them (the one they have ridiculed, and mocked) or else they will not be accepted.
The rest of the story we know God restores to Job double of all he had, and I am sure Job live as a very very humble man.
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Post by Poet Maybe on May 31, 2023 16:32:05 GMT
Day 152 (Psalm 1-2)
These two Psalms are beautiful and informative. Psalm 1:1-2 {1 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, 2 But whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.} I understand how rough it is to speak out against those who mock or to avoid getting caught up in their ways. It is natural to want to be accepted. But that is not what we are called to do. We are called to be different to stand on the word of God. Verse 6 holds something to remember. {6 For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.}
All of Psalm 2 is a treasure, a gem among jewells.
Verses 4-6 make me smile thinking about them. {4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. 5 He rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, 6 “I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain.”} Even though men plot and scheme trying to be like God, God laughs at their efforts, for His King, Christ, rules forever. 5/31/23
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Post by pastor on Jun 1, 2023 14:28:48 GMT
May 31, 2023 Psalms 1-2
These are two of my favorite Psalms. I have Psalm one pretty well memorized because I read it so often. It is a great Psalm to read and pray through. It reminds us of God’s blessing for those who walk with Him. It also reminds us that sin and unbelief has consequences. We may not see them now but on the day of Judgement they will be all too terrifying.
Psalm 2 gives me comfort in todays world. While it seems like everything and everyone (an exaggeration I know) is out to destroy what God has done, to deny who God is, and try to take the future into their own hands. Yet God sits and laugh. “Kiss the Son” – turn to Jesus now while it is today, for there day is coming when He will judge.
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Post by pastor on Jun 1, 2023 15:10:01 GMT
June 1, 2023 Proverbs 1-3
The first three chapters of Proverbs set the stage for the rest. It begins by warning us of walking in the wrong paths, of living in evil and seeks to call us to wisdom, which is the way of God. We are to seek that wisdom with everything we have, it should be more precious to us that silver or gold, we are to hunt for it like treasure. Then when we seek God we will have peace, discretion, and understanding in life. Chapter three sums up how we are to live with that famous passage, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight. How true that is when we acknowledge that our lives our God’s, He is our king and we live by His word alone, life becomes clear.
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Post by Poet Maybe on Jun 1, 2023 17:16:47 GMT
Carl’s Post
Right off the bat in Proverbs 1:2-7 it lets us know what it is all about. And we should listen to the wise words.
{2 for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; 3 for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair; 4 for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young— 5 let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance— 6 for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise. 7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools] despise wisdom and instruction.}
Verses 20-22 {20 Out in the open wisdom calls aloud, she raises her voice in the public square; 21 on top of the wall she cries out, at the city gate she makes her speech: 22 “How long will you who are simple love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge?} This is a warning we should heed well.
6/01/23
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Post by Poet Maybe on Jun 2, 2023 15:46:44 GMT
Day 154 (Proverbs 4-6)
As Soloman speaks to his son, I hear a good father teaching wisdom for us all. Proverbs 4:1-4 {Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. 2 I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching. 3 For I too was a son to my father, still tender, and cherished by my mother. 4 Then he taught me, and he said to me, “Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live.} In verses 11-12 Soloman tells his son why he is telling him this. {11 I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. 12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.} He is telling him to stay focused on the truth and wisdom of his words and God’s word. Verses 25-27 {25 Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. 26 Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. 27 Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.}
Proverbs 5 & 6 deals with a warning against adultery and the folly of following the desires of the flesh. Something that is very hard in today's world. Today’s world is filled with sexual snares. We fined them in commercials, on television shows, in music and ad’s of all kinds. Our government condones and upholds the spreading of sexual abominations that go directly against the word of God.
6/02/23
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Post by pastor on Jun 2, 2023 21:54:03 GMT
June 2 Solomon is instructing his son and us but the ways of wisdom instruction. I love the line keep instruction for it will guard your heart Do not let go. Those are words that we need to remember every day. God's word guides us God's word instructs us and when we follow it we will find out that he will clear our path just as it says in Proverbs 3. Verse 26 is it important one. Ponder the path of your feet then your ways will be sure. What good advice this is for us how often do we step into things without taking time to think it through. How I wish people would read these warnings against adultery in our sexualized world we have seen so many lives destroyed because of lack of discipline. What can you take from this reading today?
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Post by pastor on Jun 3, 2023 14:16:27 GMT
une 3, 2023 Proverbs 7-9
We start out again with being addressed as sons. God speaking to us, loving us enough to warn us, to teach us. There are two paths in life, the way of wisdom which begins with fear of the Lord and the way of foolishness which begins with rejection of the Lord. How many times have we seen people who have rejected God, doing and saying foolish things. To say I can make my own gender, I can make my own reality, I can make my own right and wrong is foolish. You can believe all you want that you can do those things, but you cannot change your chromosomes (even with surgery), You cannot make your own reality, (pour boiling water on your head and see if it still hurts), You cannot make your own right or wrong (murder is murder). The truth as our world rejects God and the Holy Spirit more and more, the more foolish it becomes. It does not take a genius to figure this out, just watch the news.
But wisdom is still calling out, God is still reaching out to the world, calling come home, come home, return and you will find wisdom, joy, and peace. For what I give is better than gold or silver, more lasting than pleasure, and more solid and real than anything else. Search for me and you will find what you have wanted from the beginning.
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