Bible in a Year Blog

Ecclesiastes 7:1-9:18 + 2 Corinthians 7:8-16 + Psalm 48:1-14 + Proverbs 22:17-19
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Old Testament – Our readings in Ecclesiastes today reminded me of Solomon’s writings in Proverbs!  (It was likely the same author of both books – well, most of the Proverbs – hence the connection) It seemed like a series of Proverbs in today’s readings – albeit with a more pessimistic view than the typical Proverbs we read…  but still, overall great teachings and great reminders of how empty and vain life is apart from God.  I love Chapter 7 verse 20, which is something we all probably need to be reminded of: “There is not a single person in all the earth who is always good and never sins.”  And certainly that was true back then and now.  Jesus was the only one ever to walk the earth who never sinned.  Now, to go along with verse 20 we later read verse 28, which I’m thinking probably did not make women too happy to read: “Just one out of every thousand men I interviewed can be said to be upright, but not one woman!”  Now, first and foremost, keep in mind this is the author of Ecclesiastes’ opinion or experience – not God saying this.  Scripture does not declare anywhere that women are morally inferior to men.  The bottom line of this verse is that basically no one is upright – men or women.  The next verse 29 then says: “I discovered that God created people to be upright, but they have each turned to follow their own downward path.” This verse again reminds us that though we were created for righteousness, we are broken.  We are sinners.  We are in need of a Savior.  How about you?  Do you know anyone who is always good and never sins?  Anyone who does not need a Savior to forgive and heal them of their brokenness?  Do you believe God created people to be upright?  Without God and Jesus in our lives, do you think we are in severe danger of following our own downward path…

Now, another verse that says “women” but that I think could just as well say “men” is chapter 7 verse 26 – “I discovered that a seductive woman is more bitter than death. Her passion is a trap, and her soft hands will bind you. Those who please God will escape from her, but sinners will be caught in her snare.”  This verse stood out to me as I read it, for one very modern and very dangerous reason:  internet pornography.  Now, I know I don’t need to tell anyone reading this that internet pornography is an incredibly serious problem affecting far too many people.  Many of whom are Christians.  The reason this verse stood out to me was the reminder that internet pornography is literally a snare that so many people are caught in.  They can’t escape it.  Well, they can, but it’s not easy on their own.  I have a hunch that someone reading this is addicted to internet pornography.  Or, maybe isn’t addicted – yet – but checks it out on occasion.  Let me warn anyone who ever goes to an internet pornography site – it is a snare!  A trap.  Like chapter 9 verse 12 in Ecclesiastes today says:  “Like fish in a net or birds in a snare, people are often caught by sudden tragedy.”  Visiting a pornography website even once is a sudden tragedy that has come to your doorstep.  You will then be like a fish in a net or a bird in a snare.  You will need much prayer and counseling to escape it’s lure.  I write this to warn folks too who have never visited an internet pornography site, but maybe someday in the future will be tempted to do so.  Don’t do it.  Ever.  Run from it.  Flee.  Actually, I’ve had to think about this because I know some of my friends (friends from many years ago – who I still try to witness to) watch pornographic movies on occasion.  I know it happens at bachelor parties, etc.  Honestly, I don’t go to bachelor parties at all these days – unless I know for sure there won’t be any of this nonsense.  But, I have a hunch someday I may be surprised at some gathering where a porn movie will be shown.  And guess what?  I will run.  Literally, I will flee that location of wherever that movie is being shown, and I won’t look back.  Why?  I won’t just sit there and let that stuff pollute my mind.  Pollute my very soul.  Pornography is exactly that – soul pollution.  It pollutes your soul!  I realize I’ve been typing way too long on this issue – but I do so because I know it’s a major issue for our society today.  It is a major issue for the church.  Please let me encourage you in that if you are ever in a situation with friends that pornography or strippers or anything like that appears that you literally run.  Flee.  And don’t look back.  And don’t fret about what your friends think.  Your soul is so much more important.  If anyone reading this is currently struggling with pornography, let me encourage you to talk to someone you trust about it immediately, and get help.  Today.  Go to counseling.  You cannot get out of the snare on your own.  You may succeed for short periods of time, but long-term you are going to need some help.  But, through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and his precious blood poured out on the Cross for our sins, yes, indeed you can be freed of the snare of pornography.  You quickly need to run toward your freedom in Christ now; connect with pastors, friends & counselors who can keep you accountable and give you tools to beat this; and then please don’t ever look back to that which pollutes your very soul.  In Christ, my brothers and sisters, we are forgiven.  And Forgiveness will heal us. If we will let Him.

If you are struggling with pornography or any other sexual sin, Bible.org has some good essays and Q&A related to temptation (scroll down to the bottom of the page for the Q&A) at this link.  If anyone else has helpful resources (books, websites, etc.) that will help others be free of pornography addictions or other sexual sin, please share in the Comments section below? Thanks. 

New Testament – Second Corinthians chapter 7 verses 9 & 10 teaches us a great lesson – “It was the kind of sorrow God wants his people to have, so you were not harmed by us in any way. For God can use sorrow in our lives to help us turn away from sin and seek salvation. We will never regret that kind of sorrow.”  Do you believe that God can use sorrow for redemptive purposes?  Do you believe there is such a thing as godly sorrow?  Can sorrow turn us away from sin and toward salvation?  Have you ever experienced such a sorrow?  I know that I have.  There have been times in my life in the past where I was pursuing the false glamour of sin.  And that pursuit of sin delivered great sorrow.  But, thanks be to God for that sorrow!  It was a godly sorrow that turned me away from sin and toward God’s salvation.  So, if you are experiencing sorrow in your life right now, or when you do, please seek God in the midst of the sorrow.  Perhaps the sorrow was not caused by your sin, as it was in my case.  But perhaps God can still use that sorrow ultimately for his redemptive purposes.

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s Second Corinthians readings titled “Good Grief” is at this link.

Psalms – Psalm 48 is a celebratory Psalm of Mount Zion in Jerusalem, as verse 8 reads:  “We had heard of the city’s glory, but now we have seen it ourselves- the city of the LORD Almighty. It is the city of our God; he will make it safe forever.”

I like verse 10 a lot in this Psalm: “As your name deserves, O God, you will be praised to the ends of the earth.”  I have had the good fortune to travel many places on this planet, and I will admit that it always encourages me to no end when I see God being praised and worshiped in other cultures.  I always try to visit churches wherever I travel on Sundays, and I love seeing how different cultures worship God.  One of the most memorable experiences was in the Dominican Republic in a very impoverished community.  I honestly don’t know that I have ever seen a congregation worship God so wholeheartedly than I did that day in the DR.  It was beautiful.  The other thing I am reminded of when traveling is that when we are in relationship with Jesus, God is always with us no matter where we go.  When we’re 35,000 feet above the ground in an airplane, God is with us.  When we’re in the middle of nowhere that has no church – God is with us.  So, no matter where we go, if God is with us, we have the opportunity to praise God’s name to the ends of the earth!  Even if you’re traveling to some far off locale where no one else around you would praise God, will you?

Proverbs – Proverbs 22 verses 17 through 19 today are a great reminder for why we read and study the Bible!  “Listen to the words of the wise; apply your heart to my instruction. For it is good to keep these sayings deep within yourself, always ready on your lips. I am teaching you today–yes, you–so you will trust in the LORD.”  Great stuff.  I love the part that says it is good to keep these saying deep within yourself – in your heart!  And to memorize these sayings with your mind so that they are always ready on your lips.  Are you listening to the words of the Bible?  Are you applying your heart to the Bible’s instruction?  Is studying the Bible enhancing your trust in God?  Actually – if anyone out there memorizes Scripture, please post up in the Comments section below?  I would love to know which verses you have found useful in your life?  And – if anyone has advice on how to best go about memorizing Scripture, please post that up too.  Are you memorizing Scripture on a regular basis?  Are you bringing Scripture to mind when faced with temptation or sadness or whatever ails you?

 

Worship Video:  Today’s readings remind me of Matt Redman’s song “The Heart of Worship:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4RUjGsTfks

Do you know the heart of worship?  Click here and worship Him!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “Who is like the wise? Who knows the explanation of things? Wisdom brightens the face and changes its hard appearance.” Ecclesiastes 8:1 TNIV

Prayer Point: Pray for godly wisdom in your life today and forevermore.

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )

======= Ramona:

Ecclesiastes 7:1-9:18
Reminder to myself: Written under the sun; not under the Son.
13 Notice the way God does things; then fall into line. Don’t fight the ways of God, for who can straighten out what he has made crooked? (7:13)
Mike this is a plug for the One-Year-Bible Blog. The way to find out how God does things is to read His Word because God and His Word are One (John 1:1)
26 I discovered that a seductive woman is more bitter than death. Her passion is a trap, and her soft hands will bind you. Those who please God will escape from her, but sinners will be caught in her snare. (7:26).
If our society had a revelation of the truth of this verse, the Pornography industry and the sexualization of women (and men) would dry up and die. This society glorifies the seductive woman with all her curves and make-up, which hides the reflection of the true face of disease, death and destruction.
II Corinthians 7:8-16
Godly sorrow: I’m truly sorry and repentant for what I’ve done and whatever the consequences of my actions, I am willing to face.
Worldly sorrow: I’m sorry that I got caught and why should I have to be punished or make restitution because after all I said I was sorry.
Godly sorrow leads to a changed life, worldly sorry recognizes the wrong done only because it was found out and they cannot talk their way out of it. Worldly sorry fails to accept responsibility for their wrong; it was Mr. or Ms Somebody’s fault. Godly sorrow says, I did it and I accept full responsibility for my actions whatever that may be.
Psalm 48:1-14
3 God himself is in Jerusalem’s towers.
He reveals himself as her defender.
The Lord will be my High Tower and my Defender just like He is, was Jerusalem defense.
Proverbs 22:17-19
The thirty sayings of the Wise, hmmm, I need to study these thirty sayings ‘cause I’m in bad need of Wisdom.
Grace and peace,
Ramona

======= Lisa:

A great way to remember scripture: Recipe: RWSSP (READ it. WRITE it, SING it, SAY it, PRAY it) Choose the desired memory scripture and practice each of these five techniques with it several times. It works!
Lisa

======= Gill:

I have found a good site for learning Bible verses, and enjoy it very much. I got to the actual verse-learning programme in a round-about way (hopeless on the computer!), try http://www.memoryverses.org, the Scripture Memory System (or Connection), and a man called Stephen Simpson runs it. You can choose provided verses, or put your own choices into it. There are various very helpful ways of learning by repetition, by testing yourself in stages, and good information on memorising Scripture.
Gill

======= Ramona:

Ecclesiastes 7:1-9:18
It’s nice to come across my motivation from going through the Bible this year in our readings, “Notice the way God does things; then fall into line. Don’t fight the ways of God, for who can straighten out what he has made crooked?” (7:13).
Being that we are reading from this book that looks at the world through man’s eyes and not God’s this is a good little wake-up call to keep me on track. What I think about God, what anyone else things about God and how He does things really does not matter as we found out in the Book of Job. It’s all about God.
Solomon looks at death outside of the knowledge of a resurrection. Although his father, David, had a revelation of a life other than what is lived upon the earth and resurrection (Psalm 69) it seems because Solomon couldn’t use the wisdom given to him to reason it out, he couldn’t see past the flesh. Revelation, not explanation, is the key to living a vibrant life of faith. You don’t come to Christ by explanation you come to Him by Revelation.
Grace and peace,
Ramona

======= Jan:

Bravo, Ramona – Bravo; I totally agree if it were not for the Holy Spirit’s revelation in us; the mystery(ies) of God would never be revealed.
AMEN & AMEN & SO BE IT!!! : )
AND, I think I just read somewhere in our daily reading that without the Holy Spirit we are not even
“saved!”
Jan

======= Jan:

Regarding the porn problem: We deal with soft porn every day & people don’t think twice about it. I deal with it a work with a woman that dresses so seductive & provocative that is sickening & grieves my spirit so. I don’t watch programs on TV anymore like I used to – got revelation as to what should go in my ear & eye gates also (Desperate Housewives & movies on Demand). I choose not to watch Basic Instincts 2 just the other day & also violent movies too – I’m getting more radical in my pursuit of holiness & keeping myself from defilement.
Here is an excerpt from a great book & explains why I feel the way I do about soft porn preceeding hard/hard core porn. You let a little yeast in & it will take over:
An excerpt from Sex and the Supremacy of Christ by John Piper/Justin Taylor:
Many varieties of flirtation, self-display, foreplay, & entertainment don’t necessarily “go all the way” to orgasm: dressing to attract & tease the lust of others, looking voyeuristically, suggestive remarks, crude humor, erotic kissing, petting, & the like. All these actions suggest an intention toward immoral sexual intercourse, whether the intention is consummated or not. Such behaviors (whether occurring in daily life or portrayed on film or page) cross the line of love. Whether or not our cultural context views such things as acceptable, or even as entertaining, they are evils. Love considers the true welfare of others in “the eyes of Him with whom we have to do” (Heb. 4:12 &13, NASB).
12For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
In reading almost half way through the book I bought for my son, “Every Single Man’s Battle,” I have read something men or women for that matter should be doing – bouncing our eyes/the way we look at others (men or women).
I’m going today to the Christian bookstore in town & getting “Every Young Man’s Battle” for my nephew so he can get a grip on it while he is young & in the throws of hormonal changes.
Jan

======= Luch:

Two suggestions:
The Navigators have produced a solid, biblically balanced scripture memory discipline called The New topical Memory system, available from Navpress
as well, the book When Good Men Are Tempted by Bil Perkins is a very useful book and gracious book in helping men out of ‘the snare of lustful temptation.’
Luch

======= Mary:

I have some memorized, but not their location, and I probably paraphrase most….having said that here is the one God gave me to remember lately: “For I have not given you a spirit of fear, but one of power, love and a sound mind.” AMEN! He always gives me a scripture to cope whenever I am battling something. I pray and woship you Lord, I am yours. Amen and Amen.

======== Samantha:

I am in a very serious relationship with the most wonderful man I’ve ever known, except my Lord and Savior Jesus Chist. He is struggling with a generational curse of porn addiction. He is a born again Christian and I feel that God wants me to help him with this. I found all of this very helpful and I sent it to him, with the prayers that he won’t get angry with me, for trying to help him. If any of you have any comments or advice, I would greatly appreciate it!
Thank You and God Bless
Samantha

======= Ann:

just wanted to say that the blog is a blessing to my life, and reading it refreshes my soul..and fills it with feeling God’s love and Gods grace.
you are very close to God in your life, and this draws the people who read your blog closer to God as well..thanks and wish you many many years of blog writing and bible reading
Ann

======= Susan:

My husband struggles in this area & both he & I have been helped by the Every Man’s Battle series. New Life can be googled & there are many resources there as well as Pure Life Ministries.
Susan

======= Sam:

Thanks for your reminders today. We all need it. I need to preach on such topics, knowing the struggles are immense.
Sam

======= Tabitha:

I make it a point to memorize scripture. Here are a few of the ways that I do that: 1) write it down on an index card or other convient to carry paper. 2) Pull that card out or paper everytime I eat, drink or after washing my hands. I look at it, read it and try to say it without looking. 3) I also have a big glass door in my kitchen that I go in and out of a lot. I use a dry erase maker and write the verse there. I read it when I go out and when I come in. When it is time for a new verse, I just wipe that one off and write a new one. It also works well on the bathroom mirror.
That’s how I do it. 
Tabitha

======= Ray:

I think Bible verse memorization is very important and many verses help live our life in a Godly manner. One of the most important verses I recite prayerfully when I am tempted by something that doesn’t honor God is: 1 Corinthians 10:13, No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
Ray

========= Karen:

Just a thought that came to mind. Maybe, because Solomon got so caught up with so many women he allowed himself to be entrapped by them in his weakness and then places the blame on the women???? Also, I have always had difficulty memorizing but have found that the more I read the bible the more I remember what I read. Many verses just come to mind in different situations without having had memorized them per se. Love & Hugs!
Karen

======== Meagan:

I have found View a Verse by Jerry Lucas very useful. You can find it on the Dr. Memory site.
Although, I must say I agree with Karen. Even though I practice memorizing the Bible, verses come to mind when I need them more so than when I purposely try to memorize them.
Meagan

======== Cristina:

An excellent online resource for those struggling with pornography addiction is the website http://www.illbehonest.com, created by a guy (James Jennings) who was set free by God from this horrible addiction. The website is basically a collection of videos, sermons and sermon jams on christian themes like salvation, church life or the battle with sin; there is a whole section titled “Sexual sin/pornography” with 11 videos – testimonies and teaching, including James testimony.
Grace to you all,
Cristina

========= Chris:

“Every Man’s Battle” by Arterburn helped me close my mind (with Our Father to of course) to internet sexual sin. It is an excellent “tool” and “tool” only to help close your mind and heart to lust. But definitely a excellent starting point because it uses “down to earth” methods and examples. All men can relate to the information in this book one way or another.
Chris

======= Jeff:

Thank you for the reading and your comments toady. Personally, I have found the Biblical approach encouraged by John Piper (desiring God) to be most helpful with Internet pornography or any sexual sin. He argues that ultimately, Christ needs to be your central desire and by enlarging our view of God and the central work of Christ (bring taken up more and more with Him) that we can see victory. No programme will work unless Christ and an encouragement to know Him more centrally in our walks will work. Accountability does help. Being honest and perhaps making yourself daily if necessary to a trusted fellow believer will help and I am sure that counselling if Christ focused will be a great benefit but ultimately we need a big view in our life of the completed work of Christ and a closer walk with God, even as we struggle.
The words of a well known hymn may help express this view:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace
Jeff

======== Duane:

Pornography polutes our minds. The first and most important step that a person must take, is to stop filling their mind with these images. However, the images that are already planted by this sin will take along time to get rid of. Thats why it is so important to renew our minds everyday in the Lord Jesus Christ.I have fought this battle and I still fight it, but thank God I have never viewed this kind of stuff on the internet.I like the words that MIke has put out, we need to encourage those that are struggleing everyday to stay strong and constantly beware of the temptation that Satan throws at us. I believe that the Lord has delivered me from this sin, however I cannot gloat or be vain enough to think that I can’t fall. This is where I am weak and this is where I know Satan can get me to fall, so I must constantly beware and realized that its not my strenght but God’s. Greater is he that is in me then he that is in the world. I can do all things throught him who gives me strenght.
Duane

======= LaRhonda:

Hello, I am the mother of seven adult children and as a single mother for many years I remember seeking God for wisdom in many areas. At one time before I was divorced, we had been evicted after 10 months of non-payment of the rent. I was raising babies and had no clue the rent was not being paid. I sought God as we moved into the back room of a friends home. I was pregnant with the fifth and already had 4 under 5yrs! I was devastated and began to pray as never before. As in 2Cors the sorrow caused me to seek God. then through the memorization of the word, God delivered my mind even before I was physically delivered from that back room! God gave me 1John 5:14 and 15 and Isiah 55:11 and Is 59:19. I read them to my children daily until l they memorized them, not knowing that the word was changing them and me!
LaRhonda

======= Ginny:

You stress pornography but I would submit that dirty jokes, using foul language and inuendoes are also things to avoid. Perhaps that is how “addiction” to porngraphy begins. As Tom Dooley states in todays reading of Ecclesiastes, “our death can either be fragrent or putrid” depending on how we live our lives.
Ginny

======= Will:

You stress pornography but I would submit that dirty jokes, using foul language and inuendoes are also things to avoid. Perhaps that is how “addiction” to porngraphy begins. As Tom Dooley states in todays reading of Ecclesiastes, “our death can either be fragrent or putrid” depending on how we live our lives.
Will

======= Patricia:

God has given me an amazing love for His word and Bible memory work has been my hobby for many years. I have had the joy of putting together a battle plan of passages based on the three steps in James 4:7, 8a and have used it to fight and win many spiritual battles.
There are many excellent reasons for making God’s word your very own through memorizing it. For one you are always armed with the “Sword of the Spirit” when a challenge presents. Then there is 1 Jn 2:14 which suggests that the very presence of God’s word in us causes the enemy to keep his distance. There is also the matter of controlling wandering thoughts. How better to experience 2 Cor 10:3-5 than to fill your mind with God’s word. I had radiation treatments a couple of years ago. The time of lying perfectly still just sped by as I simply lay there and “read” the pages of scripture I had memorized. Prior to that was the surgery. As the time for the surgery kept getting moved back, I simply lay in my cozy bed “reading” scripture and was so relaxed that I was dozing off as they administered the anaesthetic. One key, I believe is starting off slowly, maybe two verses a week and adding on in a way that you can connect the verses to help remember them in an order that works for you. I have found that very helpful.What may seem slow at first does get faster as you train your mind. To memorize a new passage I start with a single line or statement, then learn a second, then put them together, and so on until I have reached and included that last portion of the passage.
To add to the above I began with a Navigator’s memory plan that included cards with the passages on them, and I am sure such plans are still available.
Patricia

======== Nancy:

In regards to scripture memorization I follow the Bible Project as an email at no cost. They have flash cards of verses that turn over. On the front is a bunch of letters in a row that are the first letter of each word of the verse. You can turn the card over by clicking on it to read the actual verse. I was amazed how much that little help cause me to remember the verse. I hope to use this idea with other scripture verses in the future. I heard many scriptures thru the years from sermons or teachings & can quote them. The only problem is that I never learned their addresses (reference). So I am a concordance cripple. Hopefully with this tool I will do better in the future. To be honest I do better with verses that mean more to me personally. My church used “The Purple Book” as a way to teach the basics of our faith. My pastor added scriptures to memorize. Needless to say I haven’t done that great about memorizing them. Maybe now I can. The other problem is which version you memorized them in when trying to find them in a Bible app. I sometimes used Goggle instead.
In the extra reading the phrase “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times was written by Charles Dickens. It is the first line of his book “The Tale of Two Cities”.
Nancy

======= Dee:

The Ecclesiastes section today was rather sad or seemed negative…but it was saying that instead of focusing the here and now..focus on things eternal and of our time when we go to be with Jesus in eternity.thay is worth praising the Lord about.
The sorrow in those life doesn’t compare to the life we have to look forward to with Jesus. Yes Godly sorrow can bring peace because when we are sad..sadness is but a moment because joy comes in the morning!!
Psalm: A psalm pf Praise! You will be praised to the ends of the earth!!
Proverbs: I’m so glad I study the bible. It keeps me grounded! Amen..what say you!? Does it do the same to you? Be blessed
Dee

======= Margaret:

2nd Cor 7:9&10
For God can use sorrow in our lives to help us turn away from sins and seek salvation.
Seek
god in the midst of sorrow as he sometimes uses sorrow ultimately for his redemptive purposes.
godly sorrow shows that when we do the wrong things we have to fully repent and this will redeem us from all our sins
Margaret

======= Jill:

This is the first time I have posted a comment, but wanted to share something with you. My husband has been a pastor for almost 45 years, & we’ve heard many different teachings in regard to “Where the Dinosaurs came from”. Recently we made a trip to the “Creation Museum” near Cinn. Oh. This museum is one of the best I have ever attended, and I am a museum advocate. Everything presented was scripturally based. It has just been open a short time, yet thousands of people have already gone thru’. One thing that impressed me was a simple statement. “We know that all life was created by God, it has also been proven that dinosaurs did exit, therefore God must have created them when He created all the other animals”. Job 41 refers to “leviathan”, could this be a dragon, or form of a
dinosaur? He’s scaled, fire comes from his mouth etc. It causes you to think and dig a little deeper in the word doesn’t it.
I can’t tell you how much I enjoy the Bible Study, especially all the extra info. that you send with it. May God continue to Bless Your Ministry.
Jill

======= John:

[A bit long – but perhaps there is some info that might help someone in the area of “Lust”]
People that know my testimony from earlier in the year know I have an addictive personality. Everything I did “pre-salvation” was done to excess and for my pleasure.
God has performed miracles in my life simply removing most of my addictions in life – before, during, and after my “salvation prayer”. Gambling, drinking, cursing, smoking, gorging on food, and others. I say it is a miracle because they were removed by Him – not by my choice. I simply have no desire to participate in these activities. I did not have to go thru counselling, withdrawls, relapses, etc. – the desire was simply removed in these areas.
I say this, because God did not remove my greatest weakness – Lust. It was primarily manifested in internet surfing – hardcore, softcore, chat rooms, etc. This weakness God left for me to work out through Him.
A year after accepting Jesus as my Lord and Savior, I still struggled with “Lust”. Still occasionally dropped back into the same old areas of internet. Oh, it was better, not as often, I could rationalize that I was “getting better” in this area – but it was just a rationalization.
After a conversation with a “brother” I became convicted and signed up for “covenanteyes.com”. This is not a filter – it just grades and reports every internet site I visit while on-line. The reports go to my accountability partner and my pastor. It worked for me – I have not visited a “bad” site in over 15 months. The biggest complaint I get now is: the covenant eyes report is VERY long – I do a lot of research along with some reading of the news:)
Yes, if you are computer savvy you can get around it. Yes, you can go to the library or office and get around it. Yes, it just eliminated one outlet of my lust. But the reason I think it works for me is – I repented, wanted to change, wanted to please God, and prayed about it. If you are just looking for something to keep you compliant, a report card, and not motivated by true repentance – it may not work for you.
As Jan said there are other areas all around us that are a concern, and it is not just a young man’s battle  I do not watch much TV and only been to a movie theater twice in last two years. satan is not stupid – he knows “Lust” is my greatest weakness. I eliminated internet as a problem, but I constantly get visual stimulation, sometimes offers from women, and constant memories of my past in the “lust” area.
Jan, bouncing eyes is something I learned early on. Also, for me bouncing my eyes and saying softly – “a child of God” under my breath when seeing a woman helps. Praying and saying memorized Scripture passages help – but it is really Andrew that I owe a debt of thanks to in this area.
When I got on my knees and presented (one time) myself to God as a living sacrifice,(Rom12:1-2), the change in me really kicked in. Now I simply lift my eyes when tested in the area of “Lust”, and yield myself to him asking for access and power of the Holy Spirit. It is amazing when I do this how the images, thoughts, or test(s) become laughable.
[NOTE: When I fail, and I do, it is because I forget to go to God, or it all happens so fast. But God forgives and I go on, and much of the problem is under control.]
As Paul said in Romans7:18, “For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.” (NIV) I have no power in this area of “Lust”, but through God “all things are possible”. The key is : “through God”. When we are pleasing to Him, believe in Him, taking Him at His word and acting on His word – God acts, He provides, and why not, as we are His children. What parent would not lovingly provide for his children if the above was the child’s attitude. How much more so God?
If Andrew had not asked that question back in Romans regarding the abundance of the Holy Spirit – perhaps I might have glossed over Rom12:1-2. I pray that if you are struggling in your life with serving the Lord (in any area), that you take a moment and go back and meditate on those verses.
John

======= John:

Ecclesiastes
Solomon examines life and death from all the lifestyles and disciplines of man in the first nine chapters:
Sciences, Hedonism, fatalism-existentialism-egotism, egotism-capitalism, religion, materialism, stoicism, common-sense view of life, and the value judgments of the world (ex. Ben Franklin)
And all is vanity, emptiness, purposeless. And IT IS when God is left out of the equation.
It is interesting though, that there are 32 references to God in the first nine chapters – not including the section on temple worship and vows. Yes, most of the references seem to indicate that God is there, but in the end – life under the sun is meaningless. But I wonder????
In Job, there were many spiritual truths dropped throughout the text of the speeches of Job and his friends. The dots were not connected, yet the “truths” were there.
Solomon may put a negative spin on these references – yet they are still there. Is this why the book is included in the Bible? That despite the foolishness of Solomon’s examinations – God is still there. God will always be there. God gives, God controls, God is in charge, God is eternal, God is in heaven, God will judge, etc.
Despite what any world view says about life – God is HERE and He is in control. In the midst of both believers and unbelievers. Even in a book that is from the human view – uninspired – there is inspiration. From a book that has a thesis statement – “Everything is Meaningless” there are nuggets of truth that indicate it is NOT meaningless. God cannot be shut out.
-What a heavy burden God has laid on men! (1:13)
-This too, I see, is from the hand of God (2:24)
-To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness,..(2:26)
-to hand it over to the one who pleases God.(2:26)
-the burden God has laid on men(3:10)
-He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; (3:11)
-what God has done from beginning to end.(3:11)
-this is the gift of God(3:13)
-everything God does will endure forever(3:14)
-God does it so that men will revere him.(3:14)
– God will call the past to account(3:15)
-God will bring to judgment
both the righteous and the wicked(3:17)
-God tests them so that they may see (3:18)
-God is in heaven and you are on earth (5:2)
-Therefore stand in awe of God.(5:7)
-days of life God has given him(5:18)
-this is a gift of God(5:19)
-God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart(5:20)
-God gives a man wealth, possessions and honor(6:2)
-God does not enable him to enjoy them(6:2)
-Consider what God has done(7:13)
-God has made the one as well as the other(7:14)
-The man who fears God will avoid all extremes (7:18)
-The man who pleases God will escape her(7:26)
-God made mankind upright(7:29)
-it will go better with God-fearing men, who are reverent before God (8:12)
-the wicked do not fear God, it will not go well with them(8:13)
-all the days of the life God has given him under the sun.(8:15)
– then I saw all that God has done(8:17)
– what they do are in God’s hands(9:1)
-for it is now that God favors what you do.(9:7)
-God has given you under the sun(9:9)
From the same guy that wrote: ECCLESIASTES: THE INSPIRED BOOK OF ERROR
http://www.pbc.org/library/files/html/0221.html
seven years later wrote a series of commentaries that included this thought regarding Ecc6:2
[The key to all of this is in the words, “God does not give him power to enjoy.” That lesson is pounded home to our hearts over and over again throughout this book. Enjoyment does not reside in increased possessions, it is a gift which God must give. If he withholds it, no amount of effort is going to extract enjoyment from things. That is a difficult lesson for some to learn. We are constantly bombarded with alluring pictures in catalogs and in commercials that shout at us the opposite message. Enjoyment, however, is a gift of God.
The question that immediately comes to mind is, Why would God withhold enjoyment? Why would he not give the power to enjoy if he gives the ability to have? The answer to that question is given in this book, and it is especially clearly stated in Chapter 2, Verses 25-26, where the Searcher says,
… for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment? For to the man who pleases him God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy; {Eccl 2:25-26a RSV}
“To the man who pleases him.” Again, I am afraid many people read that as though it means that some level of religious performance, some standard of morality, like joining a church or coming to meetings, is what pleases God. We must understand that the Scriptures never say that. Faith is what pleases God, believing him, taking him at his word and acting upon that word. This is what pleases God: obedience based upon faith. To such a man or woman God gives the gift of enjoying whatever he or she has. How little or how much it may be, is a gift poured out and taken from his hand. That is why gratitude, to be grateful for what you get, is the most important element of our lives.]
John

======= John:

[THIS COMMENT FROM ECCLESIASTES POST IS SO IMPORTANT – IT BEARS SEPARATING OUT – IF YOU READ NOTHING ELSE READ THIS SHORT POST AND THE ANSWER TO WHY WOULD GOD WITHHOLD ENJOYMENT?]
The question that immediately comes to mind is, Why would God withhold enjoyment? Why would he not give the power to enjoy if he gives the ability to have? The answer to that question is given in this book, and it is especially clearly stated in Chapter 2, Verses 25-26, where the Searcher says,
… for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment? For to the man who pleases him God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy; {Eccl 2:25-26a RSV}
“To the man who pleases him.” Again, I am afraid many people read that as though it means that some level of religious performance, some standard of morality, like joining a church or coming to meetings, is what pleases God. We must understand that the Scriptures never say that. Faith is what pleases God, believing him, taking him at his word and acting upon that word. This is what pleases God: obedience based upon faith. To such a man or woman God gives the gift of enjoying whatever he or she has. How little or how much it may be, is a gift poured out and taken from his hand. That is why gratitude, to be grateful for what you get, is the most important element of our lives.]
John

======= John:

2Cor7:10-11
Titus came to Paul with good news. The Corinthians had received Paul’s letter’s and had acted on them in a positive fashion.
Paul had been saddened, yet firm.
“Paul is willing to endure the personal pain of rebuking saints who are giving in to sin.” – Bob Deffingbaugh
And Paul rejoices and forgives when news of repentance is received.
“…he is ready and willing to receive them back into fellowship when they repent of their sin.” – ibid.
2Cor7:10-11 “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 11See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter.” NIV
There are three Greek words for repentance – Paul uses “metanoia”, is used of true repentance, a change of mind and purpose and life, to which remission of sin is promised. – see footnote 50 at Bob’s commentary.
http://www.bible.org/page.asp?page_id=1229#P1052_417915
Wordly sorry can lead to “wallowing in it” or striking out at the world (or people involved).
“Worldly sorrow does not regret having sinned, because it offends a holy and righteous God. The one who sorrows wrongly is not sorry because of their sin, but because of the suffering their sin causes them. Worldly sorrow regrets having to “pay the fiddler” for the wrong they have done.” – Bob Deffingbaugh
“godly sorrow” leads to a change of mind – repentance – and a desire to get right with God. To take steps, as the Corinthians did, to get back on the “sanctification” path returning to a pleasing state in God’s eyes.
It may not be perfect, there may be much more to work on, but the Corinthians are back on the right path. This brings Paul joy.
Here is a tough question posed by Chuck Missler (and others)to Christians: How spiritual are you? (Pause) How much do you “hate sin”?
John

Ecclesiastes 4:1-6:12 + 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:7 + Psalm 47:1-9 + Proverbs 22:16
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs ~

Old Testament – I heard a good chunk of today’s readings in the book of Ecclesiastes at a wedding a few years ago.  And really, these verses work out quite nicely for a wedding if you think about it.  Chapter 4 verses 9 through 12: “Two people can accomplish more than twice as much as one; they get a better return for their labor. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But people who are alone when they fall are in real trouble. And on a cold night, two under the same blanket can gain warmth from each other. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.”   Pretty good stuff for a wedding, eh?  The kicker is that last little bit about the triple-braided cord.  The pastor at the wedding I was at said that God is the third strand in the triple-braided cord in marriage.  I like that!  Two people come together in marriage, and it’s good.  But, throw God into the mix of the marriage, as I’m sure we would all want to do, and you’ve got a very strong triple braided cord!  Great stuff.  If you are married, is there a triple braided cord in your marriage?  Is God always part of your marriage?  Part of your every day life?

New Testament – Second Corinthians chapter 7 verse 1 today is powerful – “Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete purity because we fear God.” How does this verse speak to you?  What promises do we have as followers of Jesus Christ?  In light of these promises, should we cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body?  And cleanse ourselves of everything that can defile our spirit?  Are you living your life in such a way that you are moving toward complete purity?  Do you believe that the Cross of Jesus Christ purifies you?  What does the Cross of Jesus ultimately purify you for?

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Second Corinthians titled “Choosing Sides” is at this link.

Psalms – Psalm 47 is an awesome Psalm!  I can almost hear and feel music and a drum beat as I read this Psalm today!  This Psalm was used in later Jewish synagogue liturgies for Rosh Hashanah, the New Year Festival.  This Psalm has also been used by the Christian church in the Celebration of Jesus’ ascension, in particular with emphases on verse 5 – “God has ascended with a mighty shout. The LORD has ascended with trumpets blaring.”  Do you hear and feel the music as you read this Psalm?  Verse 1 sets the stage so very well for verse 2 in the image below – “Come, everyone, and clap your hands for joy! Shout to God with joyful praise!”

Proverbs – There is an interesting “or” statement in Proverbs chapter 22 verse 16 today – “A person who gets ahead by oppressing the poor or by showering gifts on the rich will end in poverty.”  I hadn’t really ever thought that showering gifts on the rich might put one in the same boat as oppressing the poor.  Oppressing the poor seems like the obvious no-no. But showering gifts on the rich… why do you suppose this is a no-no as well?  What’s wrong with showering the gifts on the rich?  I’m wondering if it is because our gifts would be better given elsewhere?  e.g. to the poor?

Worship Video: Today’s readings in Ecclesiastes and Second Corinthians reminded me of Santcus Real’s awesome song “Lead Me:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBdFn4YgxPY

Is God leading you? Click here to be led!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If they fall down, they can help each other up. But pity those who fall and have no one to help them up! “ Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 TNIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you have at least one great friend, and that you in turn are a great friend to someone else. Pray that you will help out your friend if they fall, and that they in turn will help you out if you fall.

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )

======= Ramona:

Ecclesiastes 4:1-6-12
Clearly, Solomon wrote this book because he was an observer of life and people so there is much meat in these words.
8 If you see a poor person being oppressed by the powerful and justice being miscarried throughout the land, don’t be surprised! For every official is under orders from higher up, and matters of justice only get lost in red tape and bureaucracy. 9 Even the king milks the land for his own profit!
10 Those who love money will never have enough. How absurd to think that wealth brings true happiness! 11 The more you have, the more people come to help you spend it. So what is the advantage of wealth–except perhaps to watch it run through your fingers! (5:8-11)
Verse eight is one I need to get way down in my spirit. I see so many people in leadership oppressing those they are either called to lead or who have been given supervisory positions yet despise, mistreat and totally abuse those they have been given charge over. I see leadership who fail to take responsibility for their departments; homes and businesses playing the Blame Game trying to pass their responsibilities unto those they are suppose to be leading. Justice fails when the attitude or understanding of the word justice is defined by a “just us” attitude, right behavior, actions and outcome are only just for us and not for them.
We were not placed on this earth to self-consume, we will not get a prize for gathering the most “toys.” God gives each and every person gifts, saved and unsaved, so that they will realize that what they have they did not get because they are so great are so talented, no one makes themselves. God’s gifts are given without repentance. (Romans 11:28-30; Acts 17:26-27
In reading this book, I must constantly remind myself that Solomon wrote this book under the sun and not under the Son or hopelessness will take over.
II Corinthians 6:14-7:7
14 Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can goodness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? 15What harmony can there be between Christ and the Devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? 16 And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said:
This admonishment by Paul can be applied to every area of life, not just marriage. Amos 3:3 states, Will two walk together, except they have agreed? (JPS)
I see this violated so many times by Christians single women who are so desirous of getting married at all cost that they marry an unbeliever, and an unbeliever can be someone who goes to church. They scope out a man they want then manipulate them onto their hook. Once they catch them, scale them and fry ‘um up they then complain about the taste.
What you see is what you get, you can’t change people unless they want to be changed and if they want to change they have to change we can’t make them or create them to be into the image we want. God does not even do that. If you can’t live with the man you see standing in front of you with all his flaws, leave it alone, don’t begin a construction project, you will fail. In fact what you really are doing is Practicing Witchcraft!! In reality witchcraft is the practice of trying to control someone else’s will, it aint ‘bout black cats and cauldrons folks it’s about manipulation.
Psalm 47:1-9
When I read the Psalms of Praise that encouragement that instruct people to clap, shout, praise God with tambourines and cymbals and the like, I think Heaven is not going to be a quite place and that sometimes at church we are to make a lot of heavenly noise so we won’t be shocked when we get there. Of course this “noise” should be in a manner that is deceit and in order.
Proverbs 22:16
This Proverb may be dealing with giving actual gifts but there is another Proverb, in the next chapter that warns of receiving gifts from the “rich,” the gift of a meal, or those who have power over you. Mike maybe this is because the writer understands the human nature of our “gift” giving. Are we giving a gift because we want to bless the person or are we giving a “gift” as a disguised bribe hoping we will find favor with the wealthy person who will give bigger gifts in return or at least get the crumbs from the ruler’s table.
WHEN YOU sit down to eat with a ruler, consider who and what are before you; For you will put a knife to your throat if you are a man given to desire. Be not desirous of his dainties, for it is deceitful food [offered with questionable motives]. Weary not yourself to be rich; cease from your own [human] wisdom. [Prov. 28:20; I Tim. 6:9, 10.] Will you set your eyes upon wealth, when [suddenly] it is gone? For riches certainly make themselves wings, like an eagle that flies toward the heavens. Eat not the bread of him who has a hard, grudging, and envious eye, neither desire his dainty foods; For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. As one who reckons, he says to you, eat and drink, yet his heart is not with you [but is grudging the cost]. The morsel which you have eaten you will vomit up, and your complimentary words will be wasted.
(Proverbs 23:1-8 AMP).
In fact this verse, 16 A person who gets ahead by oppressing the poor or by showering gifts on the rich will end in poverty, would not be out of place with today’s reading in Ecclesiastes dealing with the seeking of wealth (Ecc 5:8-20)
Grace and peace,
Ramona

======= Pat:

A comment on Psalms 47:7 = In my Bible study I am using and comparing the Scripture in two versions, the NIV and the NKJV. I realize that the NIV is today’s most commonly used version of the Bible but I feel in the case of this verse that it omits a very important part of 47:7 that is clearly stated in the KJV and NKJV versions.
NIV gives this verse as: “For God is the King of all the earth; sing to him a psalm of praise.”
NKJV gives this verse as: “For God is the King of all the earth; Sing praises with UNDERSTANDING.”
What the KJV and the NKJV says to me is when you sing praise to the Lord it should be done with meaning and not just lip service. It seems that “Praise the Lord” has become a common phrase today that is kicked about lightly. It’s raining today – PTL! Its sunny today – PTL! The store had my favorite kind of ice cream – PTL!
Before “Praise the Lord” comes from one’s lips, the praise should first be sung in the heart by truly recognizing the greatness of the Lord and His hand in the everyday events of our lives.
God does not take us lightly. He walked on earth and died on the cross for each separate one of us! Therefore, we should never take God lightly or be perceived by others as taking God lightly.
God Bless!
Pat

======= Ramona:

Mike, maybe “…showering gifts on the rich …’ flows from the same motivation as, “oppressing the poor,” the desire for wealth. If someone is rich then what gift can you really give them that they can’t get for themselves, and I’m using “gift” with a tone of sarcasm. If a gift is something you give with no strings attached to someone who supposedly has a need, then what can you really give someone who has more than you do?
The reason why people give a gift to the wealthy is that they want something. They are in reality not giving a “gift” but a bribe, something to smooth the way for a reverse exchange, they are priming the pump. They are looking to get ahead, jump the line a head of everyone else.
Why is the poor oppressed? To keep someone down in an attempt to devalue their self-worth and obscure their true value. If a person sees themselves as valueless, then whatever they have in their hands to do be it raw material, human labor, you can give them less than what their labor value is worth and reap a greater profit on the sale of the finished product.
To God, the one who made everything we value as being priceless and precious, we, the peeps (people) are his treasured possessions. So we worship the one’s who we think have the stuff and we oppress the ones who label is worthless so we can acquire more of the stuff from the profits
What happened was this: People knew God perfectly well, but when they didn’t treat him like God, refusing to worship him, they trivialized themselves into silliness and confusion so that there was neither sense nor direction left in their lives. They pretended to know it all, but were illiterate regarding life. They traded the glory of God who holds the whole world in his hands for cheap figurines you can buy at any roadside stand. (Romans 1:21-23 MSG)
Ramona

======= Jan:

In regard to this scripture: “Two people can accomplish more than twice as much as one; they get a better return for their labor. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But people who are alone when they fall are in real trouble. And on a cold night, two under the same blanket can gain warmth from each other. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.”
It sounds nothing like what Paul preaches about staying single & focused. I do understand the “theory” of this Proverb verse – but it also makes me feel left out at this time in my life cause I don’t have that second person (male or female). I wish I did!!!  : )
But I sure think I may start to remind God of His Word & perhaps He will remedy my situation.
Regarding purity: I just read “The Purity Principal” by Randy Alcorn, a very short little profound book (93 pages) for sure & also bought “Every Single Man’s Battle” guide for personal & group study for my 23 yo son (like to read a book before giving it away). I plan on buying “Every Young Man’s Battle” for my nephew – he is 15 & asking me questions today about sinning & asking forgivness – will he still go to heaven. He attends church regulary, but still has quesitons. I told him a little about the book & said I would get it tomorrow & mail it to him. He said he keeps doing the sin & I think I know what he is talking about – perfect book for him at his age.
Jan

======= Allan:

Mike I just want to tell you that I appreciate all you put into producing this oneyearbibleblog…..THANK YOU!
Allan

======= Dee:

True Ramona about listening the readings of Solomon of Ecclesiastes..I like how the commentary speaks about wanting what we don’t have or being aggravated when others get..we have to or need to be thankful for all we have ..not be considered in something we don’t have.
Eccleciastes 4-6..sounds a little like congress and government..everybody doing what is commanded of them and oppressing the poor and being rule followers instead of walking in peace and giving favor or relieving hardship..history repeats itself..rich get richer and poor get oppressed. God calls us to take care of widows and orphans..
2nd Cor 6:14..don’t be unequally yoked with an unbeliever.. I tell my sweet daughter who has yet to be thrusted into the man God created for her yet..I tell her be careful when she begins dating because being a believer or not believing in any is a big thing and not worth the obstacle to date a non believer.
Psalm 47..I could so be there! Singing loudly and band going..worshipping to the Lord..
Proverbs: taking from poor and giving to boost rich is wrong..our government does it ..politicians do it and corrupt tax offenders who don’t pay like should do it..but also when we see someone poor and we turn a blind eye..we too are being against the poor by our actions. Ouch!
Dee

======= John:

Ecclesiastes 4-6:12
God has purpose for everyone & everything?(3:1-15) – “It doesn’t seem like it,” thinks Solomon!
This is what Solomon sees from a man’s perspective (not God’s perspective):
1)THE OPPRESSED AREN’T COMFORTED!
2)COMPETITION BREEDS ENVY!
3)MAKE IT TO THE TOP AND LIKELY YOU WILL DEAL WITH LONELINESS!
4)POPULARITY IS PASSING!
=================================================================================
Get away from man’s perspective – go to the House of God.
But if you go there – do not go with the wrong heart. do not go there trying to “play” or con God.
Watch yourn step, your mouth, your promises, and keep your heart right and reverant:
Prov 9:10 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,”
=================================================================================
So what of Riches?
Does Wealth bring happiness, rest, security, solutions to every problem – or just more complex and bigger problems.
From Man’s viewpoint there is no gain from wealth – in the end you muct leave it behind.
“Enjoyment does not come from possessions, or from riches. Nor does it come from companionship, from popularity and fame, from the approval and the admiration of others. Enjoyment comes by knowing the Living God and taking everything from his hand with thanksgiving, whether it be pain or pleasure. That is the gift of God, and that is the lesson of this great book.” – Ray Stedman
=================================================================================
More Problems with life – from man’s perspective:
WEALTH WITHOUT ENJOYMENT!
“Enjoyment w/o God is merely entertainment, & it doesn’t satisfy!” – “Enjoyment w/God is Enrichment, & it brings true Joy & satisfaction!” -“Wiersbe”
WORK WITHOUT SATISFACTION!
It is neither wrong to work or eat, but when our life consists only in working or eating then we are controlled by our appetites, which puts us on par w/the animal’s on Discovery channel.
QUESTIONS WITHOUT EXPLANATION!
Ecc 6:12 For who knows what is good for a man in life, during the few and meaningless days he passes through like a shadow? Who can tell him what will happen under the sun after he is gone?
No man, but God can, and that is why one needs to seek God out – for God can make sense of it all.
John

======= John:

2Cor6:14a “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers…”
I wondered why Paul went to such great lengths up to this point in 2Cor to point out travails of his ministry and the reassurance of what God is doing (or should be doing) in all their lives, and what God will do in their lives. It seems to lead up to 2Cor6:14a.
OK. The yoking reference goes back to Deut22:10 and Deut14:1-8. The ox and the ass should not be yoked together because one is clean (oxen) and the other is unclean (ass). Also, as someone in here (Ramona?) pointed out back in Deut. – they are incongruent with each other – they do not walk in the same step (gait), unequal strength, etc.
The path cleared by the two animals will more than likely be a screwed up path – not the one intended. I think that is the underlying concern for Paul. If you are yoked together, you will walk the same path. Like the unmatched animal pair – it is likely to be a screwed up path. And it will necessitate the believer adopting some (or most/all) of the values and goals of the unbeliever. If for no other reason than to get along, as the unbeliever will see the Christian way as “foolishness”.
Upon initial reading I thought: Got it. Do not marry an unbeliever, do not become inextricably tied up with an unbeliever in fellowship and/or business and politics. Not isolationism from unbelievers, just NO close “bonding” or yoking with them.
[In John 17 Jesus prays: “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one” (Jn. 17:15). Paul also mentions relations with the world in 1Cor5:9-13. Neither is promoting isolationism.]
Then I read Bob Deffingbaugh’s commentary,and while the above is true,in this specific case Paul may very well be referring to unbelievers (false apostles) in the Corinthian “body of Christ”.
Paul goes to great lengths to re-establish the apostles authority and intent for spreading the Gospel. Re-establishing what God has done for the Corinthians and will do in the future. Perhaps it is not the influence of “Greek” love of man’s wisdom that caused Corinthians to screw up so much in 1COR, but man’s wisdom as taught by “false apostles” (using that strategy as a pinpointed weakness in the Greek culture) within the “assembly”.
Being yoked to or following the teachings of a “false teacher” within the church can have devastating effects – as it has in Corinth. Paul is saying to separate yourself from these people (teachers) – do not follow their (screwed up)path.
John

======= John:

2Cor6:14-18;7:1
This is another time – I think one is better off reading Bob Deffingbaugh’s commentary than my post 

http://www.bible.org/page.asp?page_id=1228
======================================================
2Cor6:14a “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers…”
I wondered why Paul went to such great lengths up to this point in 2Cor to point out travails of his ministry and the reassurance of what God is doing (or should be doing) in all their lives, and what God will do in their lives. It seems to lead up to 2Cor6:14a.
OK. The yoking reference goes back to Deut22:10 and Deut14:1-8. The ox and the ass should not be yoked together because one is clean (oxen) and the other is unclean (ass). Also, as someone in here (Ramona?) pointed out back in Deut. – they are incongruent with each other – they do not walk in the same step (gait), unequal strength, etc.
The path cleared by the two animals will more than likely be a screwed up path – not the one intended. I think that is the underlying concern for Paul. If you are yoked together, you will walk the same path. Like the unmatched animal pair – it is likely to be a screwed up path. And it will necessitate the believer adopting some (or most/all) of the values and goals of the unbeliever. If for no other reason than to get along, as the unbeliever will see the Christian way as “foolishness”.
Upon initial reading I thought: Got it. Do not marry an unbeliever, do not become inextricably tied up with an unbeliever in fellowship and/or business and politics. Not isolationism from unbelievers, just NO close “bonding” or yoking with them.
[In John 17 Jesus prays: “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one” (Jn. 17:15). Paul also mentions relations with the world in 1Cor5:9-13. Neither is promoting isolationism.]
Then I read Bob Deffingbaugh’s commentary,and while the above is true,in this specific case Paul may very well be referring to unbelievers (false apostles) in the Corinthian “body of Christ”.
Paul goes to great lengths to re-establish the apostles authority and intent for spreading the Gospel. Re-establishing what God has done for the Corinthians and will do in the future. Perhaps it is not the influence of “Greek” love of man’s wisdom that caused Corinthians to screw up so much in 1COR, but man’s wisdom as taught by “false apostles” (using that strategy as a pinpointed weakness in the Greek culture) within the “assembly”.
Being yoked to or following the teachings of a “false teacher” within the church can have devastating effects – as it has in Corinth. Paul is saying to separate yourself from these people (teachers) – do not follow their (screwed up)path.
[NOTE: Implications of this for today are in Bob’s commentary – and it may be a tough read for some.]
======================================================
WHY?
Paul lists five rhetorical questions to which the answer is “No” or “none”
Can the wicked and righteous be:
-Partners
-In Fellowship (deep bonding type)
-In Harmony
-Personal compatibility – “New creation” with the “flesh”
-In Worship*
[* NOTE: this last is what leads me to believe that Paul may very well be referring to False Apostles in Corinth.]
“For we are the temple of the living God.”
The “assembly” is the temple of God. Again the Gk. word “nous” is used for temple. Meaning the “Holy of Holies” – the innermost part of the temple where God once resided and now resides in you.
======================================================
Lastly I find it interesting how Paul used the OT to validate his point.
-Promise mixed with prophecy.
-Prophecy for end times
-Promise.
The promises Paul refers to in 1Cor7:1
“I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.”
“I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”
We will be a communal family with the Father and the Son as adopted children of God!
Therefore purify yourselves (*to do a completed act) then pursue (*in an on-going manner) holiness out of reverence for God.
* by the Gk. verb tenses
To those with an interest,
I would be interested to hear via email or a post here, what you think of the linked article.
Does it make sense, do you see a flaw, or do you disagree?
It is a one-pager, relatively short, and an “easy read” 

======================================================
What is “Agape” and How Did It Work?
http://www.tektonics.org/whatis/whatlove.html

John

======= Jan:

John, I read the article “BY ANY OTHER NAME?” & totally agree – matter of fact, I just purchased a book this week, “Jesus Mean & Wild/The Unexpected Love of an Untamable God” by Mark Galli & can hardly wait to sink my teeth in to it.
Here is a comment by Lauren F. Winner, author of “Girl Meets God” & “Real Sex:” “In this wonderfully provocative book, Galli recovers a more multifaceted portrait of Jesus, insisting that Jesus’ plan for our lives is demanding & difficult – & in that difficulty we find real love. This is not an easy book to read, because it promises to change you & your relationship with God. And I, for one, am very, very grateful that I read it. I know I will be reading it again.”
It is just what the article on “agape” is about.
Jan

Ecclesiastes 1:1-3:2 + 2 Corinthians 6:1-13 + Psalm 46:1-11 + Proverbs 22:15
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this lnk or The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs ~

Old Testament – Today we begin the book of Ecclesiastes!  We will be reading about the vanity of life apart from God in this book. I think some people may find this to be a depressing book. I find it hopeful!  Yes, indeed life is depressing apart from God. But life with God is an unending beautiful adventure. (certainly with some trials along the journey…)  I pray the book of Ecclesiastes draws you into thanksgiving for the amazing life we can indeed have in relationship with Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit!  Below is an image of King Solomon writing the words of the book of Ecclesiastes.

~ Ecclesiastes ~
Author: Probably Solomon, the son of David
Date: Probably tenth century B.C.
Content: This difficult book displays the dark philosophy of one who sought to find peace apart from God, but in the end realized that only futility is to be found there. The only possible solution to life’s puzzle concludes this book: “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13) Leading up to that positive statement is a series of pictures, each one portraying the futility of life without God. Wealth, wisdom, popularity, and pleasure are all put down as so much vanity. Only when a man turns from this world to God will he find true happiness.
Theme: There is a negative lesson to be learned from this book. It is a series of things not to do. It shows the emptiness of trying to live for oneself and to please oneself alone without considering the needs of others or considering God our Maker. There is a positive side, however. If one can see how not to live, perhaps then he will see what he ought to do and be spared the heartaches of living a wasted life. (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” p. 10) 

Fantastic commentary on the book of Ecclesiastes titled “On The Wings of Eternity” is at this link and commentary titled “The Theology of Ecclesiastes” is at this link.

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Ecclesiastes titled: “Life and Death in Biblical perspective: An Examination of Genesis 5, Ecclesiastes 1, and 1 Corinthians 15:50-58” is at this link.

Bible Project: Here is a terrific video overview of the book of Ecclesiastes!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrsQ1tc-2wk

New Testament – I love Paul’s opening words in Second Corinthians chapter 6 verses 1 and 2 today, as he quotes from the prophet Isaiah – “As God’s partners, we beg you not to reject this marvelous message of God’s great kindness. For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.” Indeed, God is ready to help you right now. Today is the day of salvation.”  How does this verse speak to you?  What does it mean to you?  Do you believe that God is ready to help you right now?  Do you believe that today is the day of salvation?

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Second Corinthians titled “Authentic Apostleship” is at this link.

Psalms – Today we read Psalm 46, which is an incredible Psalm! This Psalm represents a song of hope celebrating the certain triumph of God’s kingdom – even in the midst of times of severe trouble. This Psalm served as the inspiration for Martin Luther’s famous Hymn, “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.” Just after 9/11 I saw emails on the internet floating around with the entirety of Psalm 46. I would encourage you to keep this Psalm in your “back-pocket” as a Psalm to meditate upon whenever you personally might be going through times of severe trouble – or whenever our world might be going through times of severe trouble. Near the end of this Psalm in verse 10 we will read a tiny little verse that I think is the key to this Psalm – “Be still, and know that I am God.” If you are going through a time of trouble in your life right now, will you take some time to meditate upon Psalm 46 and in particular verse 10? What does it mean to you to “Be still, and know that I am God?” Do you believe that being still during times of trouble can draw you closer to God? Will you be still today before God? In this stillness will you seek to know that He is indeed God? Even in the midst of whatever might be troubling you, will you seek to know that I AM is your God?

Proverbs – Today Proverbs 22:15 teaches us: “A youngster’s heart is filled with foolishness, but discipline will drive it away.”  This is a great reminder that loving and godly discipline is of great benefit to a youngster whose heart is filled with foolishness.  Do you suppose that discipline is of great benefit to even us oldsters 🙂 who might have hearts filled with foolishness at times?  Do you appreciate loving and godly discipline in your life today? Do you practice discipline in your life today?  Are you disciplined?  Are you a Disciple?  Speaking of which, has anyone read Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s book “The Cost of Discipleship“?  It is a great book! If anyone has read this book, please post up reviews in the Comments section below.  Thanks!

Worship Video: Per the Psalm 46:10 notes above, here is Steven Curtis Chapman singing “Be Still:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jop65i0sZGw

Is God your mighty fortress? Click here and be fortified!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray that you recognize the seasons of your life that God calls you to. Pray that you recognize your times to plant and times to uproot. Pray you will recognize God’s perfect timing in all things in your life.

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )

======= Ramona:

Job 40:1-42:17 + 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 + Psalm 45:1-17 + Proverbs 22:14
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs ~

Old Testament – We finish up the book of Job today!  King Solomon’s book of Ecclesiastes begins tomorrow!  In our Job readings today, one very interesting thing that I really want to now study further is what exactly was the “behemoth” in Job Chapter 40 and what was the “leviathan” in Job Chapter 41? Were these dinosaurs?? 🙂 Currently my thinking is lined up with the New Living Translation saying that the behemoth is a hippopotamus and that the leviathan is a crocodile – and obviously you can view my blog entry below to see I have images up of a hippo and croc.  A few website links about the question of dinosaurs being mentioned in the Bible are at this link, this link, and this link. Below is artwork titled “Behemoth and Leviathan” by William Blake from the year 1825:

In our Job readings today, God talks all about Intelligent Design.  🙂  Seriously, when I read today’s chapters in Job 40 about the hippopotamus and 41 about the crocodile, I could not help but praise God for indeed being the Almighty Intelligent Designer!   Great stuff.  You cannot argue with Job chapter 40 verses 15 through 18 where God says to Job – “”Take a look at the mighty hippopotamus. I made it, just as I made you. It eats grass like an ox. See its powerful loins and the muscles of its belly. Its tail is as straight as a cedar. The sinews of its thighs are tightly knit together. Its bones are tubes of bronze. Its limbs are bars of iron. It is a prime example of God’s amazing handiwork.”  Amen.  Thank you hippopotamus for reminding us today that God intelligently designed you too!

And we can’t forget about your intelligent and powerful design either Mr. Crocodile!  🙂  God’s words about you in Job 41 verses 31 through 34 – “”The crocodile makes the water boil with its commotion. It churns the depths. The water glistens in its wake. One would think the sea had turned white. There is nothing else so fearless anywhere on earth. Of all the creatures, it is the proudest. It is the king of beasts.”  I thought the mighty Lion was the king of the beasts??  I guess not.  The title goes to you Mr. and Mrs. Crocodiles!

Today in Job chapter 42 verse 1 we read – “Then Job replied to the Lord: ‘I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted.’” This verse comes just after God speaks his mind to Job for the preceding 4 chapters. Job replies quite humbly and wisely in this verse above. This week as you read through God’s words to Job in chapters 38 through 41, please some time to meditate upon who God is and how great God is. Ask yourself, do you truly know that God can do all things? Do you know that no plan of God’s can be thwarted? In light of this knowledge, how then should you live your life? Will you align your entire life with God’s plans and purposes? Will you consciously choose each and every day to live your life in accordance with God’s will? Will you live in accordance with the will of the Creator of the universe and the very Creator of you? Or will you rebel against your Creator in some areas of your life? Will you dare to hold something back from God? Why? Why not let the rebellion toward God depart from your life? Why would you not live a fully holy and pleasing life for God?

New Testament – Today in Second Corinthians chapter 5 verses 17 and 18 we read – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone and the new has come. All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.” How do these 2 verses speak to you? I have a hunch that you have probably heard the first of these 2 verses before? (Michael W. Smith has a child reciting this verse at the beginning of one of his Worship albums.) I find it interesting to consider the first verse – being a new creation – along with the second verse – because God reconciled us through Jesus. I absolutely love the first verse. If we confess with our mouths and believe in our hearts that Jesus is our Lord and Savior, we are indeed a new creation. Our old self has gone and the new self has come. And why do we receive this amazing gift? Because the Creator of All has reconciled his Creation (us) to himself through Jesus and the ministry of reconciliation. We have been reconciled to God! This is a powerful thought to consider. It is a joyful thought! It is also a thought that should make us realize that there was a time in our life when we were not reconciled with God. And it should make us realize that there are people in this world right now whom we know who are hurting and are not reconciled with God. Are you reconciled with God through Jesus? Do you rejoice frequently in the Spirit and in prayers of thanksgiving that you are a new creation? Are you working and praying for reconciliation for your family and friends and others God has brought into your life? Do you believe that they want to leave their old self behind and become a new creation?

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Second Corinthians titled “Out With the Old, In With the New” is at this link.

Psalms – Psalm 45 is very likely a song of praise to King David on his wedding day.  Interestingly, after the Babylonian exile, this Psalm was applied to the Messiah, Jesus Christ, the promised Son of David.  I can see how some verses in this Psalm could apply to both the current king of the day and the true king yet to come.  Verse 7 is a good example: “You love what is right and hate what is wrong. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else.”  Below is Mary’s (Martha’s sister) anointing of Jesus from the Gospel of John chapter 12 verses 1-8.   

Proverbs – Proverbs 22 verse 14 teaches us today: “The mouth of an immoral woman is a deep pit; those living under the LORD’s displeasure will fall into it.” Let us all watch our mouths – though really it is our hearts we must guard, for what comes out of our mouths starts in our hearts.  And let us not fall into the trap of listening to anyone’s immoral talk.  Immoral talk is indeed a deep pit!  (or for you old-school Atari fans out there, perhaps a Pitfall?… 🙂

Worship Video: Today’s readings in Second Corinthians reminded me of Casting Crown’s song “Until the Whole World Hears:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7qi2KlUffs

Are you singing about Jesus until the whole world hears? Click here to Sing!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray that you are completely “in Christ” through a saving faith and relationship with Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Pray with rejoicing that you are a new creation! Pray that the old is truly gone from your life and your new life with Jesus has come!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )

======= Ramona:

Job 40-42:17

After the Lord had spoken the previous words to Job, the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of Me the thing that is right, as My servant Job has. … And the Lord turned the captivity of Job and restored his fortunes, when he prayed for his friends; also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. [Deut. 30:1-3; Ps. 126:1, 2.] (Job 42:7,10) AMP)

Jesus tells us to pray for our enemies, but here God rebukes Job’s friends, tells them to go to Job and offer a burnt offering and to humble themselves so Job could pray for them. They were forced to seek the prayers of a man they thought was sinful. God has this way of reversing man’s standards. It is the greater that always blesses the lesser. They thought they were above Job but God said, “Not So!”

In my times of reading through this book, I’ve always thought that young Elihu most have had more wisdom than the other three because nowhere in this text is there recorded a rebuke by God of Elihu’s speech. I think I have changed my mind and am considering another perspective, Elihu may have just been a fool/mocker/scoffer, as defined by the book of Proverbs, not worthy of being given a response or answer.

So don’t waste your time on a scoffer; all you’ll get for your pains is abuse. But if you correct those who care about life, that’s different–they’ll love you for it! (Proverbs 9:8 MSG)

Don’t bother talking sense to fools; they’ll only poke fun at your words. (Proverbs 23:9 MSG)

II Corinthians 5:11-21
I needed to be reminded of verse 15 and I love the way it has been translated in the NLT, 15 He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live to please themselves. Instead, they will live to please Christ, who died and was raised for them.

For all those “who receive” I believe is the key here to this verse catching my attention. Jesus’ work on the Cross-was a gift. It wasn’t a bribe or exhortation or enticement it was a gift. A gift by its very name means that there is “No Strings Attached,” no payment of an in-kind gift required. A gift is something given to someone, just because … On the other end there is the art of receiving a gift. A gift given does not mean the person who has received the gift will use it. They may even say thank you but then put the gift in the closet.

There are many reasons why people don’t use or value a gift given. They may not know the value, they may despise it, they may recognize the value but that knowledge causes them to lock it up and never take it out due to fear.

The gift that Jesus has given us can never be stolen and was given to us to be used. Is your salvation hiding out in a closet somewhere?

For whoever has will be given more, but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.” (Mark 4:25 NET.)

How can you take from someone who doesn’t have? Either they don’t know they have it or they don’t know it’s value and allow someone to take it away.

There is a Praise Chorus that has this line,

This Joy I have the World Didn’t Give it and the World Can’t take it Away, but if we don’t know its value we can give it away.

Psalm 45:1-17
The forth verse reminds me of two repeating refrains in the 24th Psalm,

Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah. (Psalms 24:8-10 KJVR)

Proverbs 22:14

Mike, this verse churns up another perspective for me. Yes, we need to watch our hearts for what ever is in our hearts will flow out of our mouths. However, the last half states another deep principle, our hearts, thus our mouths are controlled by our relationship with God. Those who are not walking in the Fear of the Lord, this verse states, will fall into the deep pit. It doesn’t say they might, it says they WILL.

But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me. So I gave them up unto their own hearts’ lust: and they walked in their own counsels. Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways! I should soon have subdued their enemies, and turned my hand against their adversaries.
(Psalms 81:11-14 KJVR)

Grace and peace and know that God is still on the Throne no matter what it “appears” to look like.

Ramona

======= Colin:

Job 37:1-39:30 + 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:10 + Psalm 44:9-26 + Proverbs 22:13
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs ~

Old Testament – Today we begin reading four amazing chapters in the book of Job when God speaks to Job! We’ve been reading a lot so far about what Job would like to say to God. Well, stay tuned for chapters 38 through 41 in Job starting today… it appears God was indeed listening to Job and has some things to say to him! (and to us!) I love the opening words of chapter 38 verses 1 through 3 – “Then the LORD answered Job from the whirlwind: “Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words? Brace yourself, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.”  Below is English poet and artist William Blake’s engraving below from the year 1825 titled “The Lord answering Job out of the whirlwind”:

Below is an amazing painting by modern day artist Rina Coetzee for God’s words in Job chapter 38 verses 4 through 6!  “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much. Do you know how its dimensions were determined and who did the surveying? What supports its foundations, and who laid its cornerstone as the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?”

And one more fantastic painting below from Rina for verses 8 through 11: “”Who defined the boundaries of the sea as it burst from the womb, and as I clothed it with clouds and thick darkness? For I locked it behind barred gates, limiting its shores. I said, `Thus far and no farther will you come. Here your proud waves must stop!'”

New Testament – Paul’s words in Second Corinthians chapter 4 verses 16 through 18 are incredible for each of us to take to heart: “That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are quite small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.”  I don’t know about you, but I confess that I all too often get caught up in the troubles we can see right now.  I forget about the joys to come that will last forever.  It’s sad when I forget about the joys to come.  There is so much hurt and disaster in our world that I am afraid all too often I focus only on these negative things and forget that this is a world where bad things happen.  Through our faith and relationship with Jesus we will one day be in heaven where there will be no more tears.  No more crying.  No more suffering.  But, this side of heaven, we will suffer.  Each of our bodies will deteriorate and these earthly bodies will die.  But, as Paul says in these verses above, though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day!  I pray this is the case for you.  I pray this is the case for me.  Are you experiencing renewal in your spirit every day?  Let us pray for renewal!

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s Second Corinthians readings titled “Death: No Longer a Foe, but a Friend” is at this link.

Psalms – Every time I read Psalm 44 verse 23 it reminds me of one of the amazing aspects of the Psalms – that the Psalms are people like us speaking to God – and in all sorts of emotional ways: “Wake up, O Lord! Why do you sleep? Get up! Do not reject us forever.” This type of verse reminds me that it’s okay for us to not always talk to God in our “church voice.”  It’s okay to get a little bit passionate in our prayers to God.  I think God would prefer us to be real with him – where we are right now or at any given moment – rather than try to put on any special facades for God.  If ever you feel like you are at a loss for words for what you might want to say to God – how you might be needing to pray to God – surf through the Psalms…  you’ll very likely find voice for what you are trying to say.

Proverbs – Today we read in Proverbs chapter 22 verse 13 – “The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside!” or, “I will be murdered in the streets!” How does this Proverb speak to you? To me it is a reminder of all of the excuses I can make for not participating in God’s will for my life. I strongly believe that God has an amazing purpose and an amazing plan for each of our lives. I also believe that we can often do a very good job of refusing to participate in God’s plan for our life. We either think that God’s plan really isn’t all that good, so we’ll do things our own way. Or we are simply lazy or afraid or cowardly or who knows what. We make a million excuses for why we won’t get on with God’s plan for our life! How about you? Do you believe that God has an amazing purpose and plan for your life? Do you know what it is? If not, will you seek it? In either case, are you actively working on Kingdom things in your life these days? Are you living out in your life the call of the Gospel to actively love and serve others each and every day? Or are you making excuses?

Worship Video: Today’s readings in Second Corinthians reminds me of Switchfoot’s song “Your Love is a Song:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmISCVDtow8

Is God’s Love a song in your life? Click here to Sing!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” 2 Corinthians 4:16 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you will never lose heart. Pray that you are being renewed day by day through your saving faith with Jesus Christ. Pray that your relationship with Christ encourages you and strengthens you, even while outwardly you may be wasting away.

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )

======= Ramona:

Job 37-39:30
I love the 7th verse (38) in the King James or Amplified Bible, “Gird up your loins now like a man; I will demand of you, and you answer Me” (AMP). God is serious and he means business. It’s like God is saying to Job, straighten up and fly right, take responsibility for yourself and stop gripping and complaining. The created can’t tell the Creator anything, especially since the Creator didn’t put “anything” on Job, though he allowed it.
When God first comes in to speak to Job He does not address anything Job’s friends have said nor does He address Elihu. This speaks personally to me letting me know that my primary concern is to answer God not man. Men can hold me accountable for what I believe, say and do, but whom I will really answer to is God.
God’s address to Job also shows that each and every created thing has a purpose and is uniquely designed to carry out that purpose despite our not having an understanding what it’s purpose is. Our lack of understanding does not void its purpose. If I fail to discover my purpose or reject that purpose that doesn’t change God’s purpose for me. I can use a screwdriver to drive in nails by banging the nail with the screwdriver. The nail my go in eventually, but that does not negate the usefulness of the tools ability to turn screws if I fail to use it properly.
Charles Dickens’s tale of the “Prince and the Pauper,” shows a great example of the Pauper using the Seal of England outside of its purpose, a tool to crack nuts. Its’ improper use did not negate the power of the Seal.
II Corinthians 4:13-5:10
This passage is one of my very favorites. When I first came across this passage I realized that who I am was more then my body, my flesh. Who I was as a person was who I was in spirit. I am a sprit, I have a soul and I live in a body.
1 For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down–when we die and leave these bodies–we will have a home in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. 2 We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long for the day when we will put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing. 3 For we will not be spirits without bodies, but we will put on new heavenly bodies.
The power of this verse hit me by happenstance. Someone I really liked at work had died and I was asked if I would read a scripture at his memorial service. I didn’t know what to read and suddenly this passage fell open. Now I do not subscribe to the I-have-a-problem-open-the-bible-and-whatever-page-it-falls-open-to-that’s-the-answear society, but these verses spoke to me mightily. I wanted to be able to speak something, read something that would leave people with hope, and I found it.
Psalm 44:9-26
I repeat from yesterday, this Psalm is an encapsulation of Job’s lament.
23 Wake up, O Lord! Why do you sleep?
Get up! Do not reject us forever.
24 Why do you look the other way?
Why do you ignore our suffering and oppression?
25 We collapse in the dust,
lying face down in the dirt.
26 Rise up! Come and help us!
Save us because of your unfailing love.
Proverbs 22:13
Mike I feel you in your comments about this particular verse. Reading this verse this morning while on the train going to work I jotted down this little note:
Is this speaking about a something other than true fear? Or is fear somehow rooted in laziness. In the Parable of the Talents, the man who buried his talent said he was afraid, the Master said he was lazy, as well as wicked. (Matthew 25:24-26)
The writer of the Book of First John states, There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
(1 John 4:18 KJV). So what is fear and what is its relationship to laziness? Is there really a relationship between fear and laziness, or are we calling laziness fear to make it more palatable? Hmm, a quandary.
Grace and peace,
Ramona

======= Arun:

Wonderful Scriptures from JOB.
God answers with a set of questions. Awesome. No one else can answer those questions except the One who made it.
Those scriptures shows How WISE, How Mighty … Man, Our God is AWESOME GOD.
2 Corin 4:16-22
The God’s advice on focus is the problems but on the problems producing fruits of immeasurably glory.
I guess I ll have to look at my problems in this light.
Psalms,
Mike, that is really good that you mentioned about reality in prayer.
People recite and say prayer by rote.
But Honestly from heart, That is real prayer
Proverbs,
Even in the best of days, We might say all excuses just to cover our laziness,
God make us to realise when we do that.
Bless us ALL,
Amen
Arun

======= Ramona:

Job 37:1-39:30
I have heard this, “God is in control,” probably hundreds of times. It is one of those pithy little sayings that I just repeat but have never really considered the words that make up the saying nor the true weight of the saying. Today, with this reading I kind of “get it.” God IS in control. No matter what it looks like, feels like, whether we call out, “Where was God when the World Trade Towers fell five years ago, God is in control.
“And have you ever ordered Morning, ‘Get up!’ told Dawn, ‘Get to work!’ So you could seize Earth like a blanket and shake out the wicked like cockroaches? As the sun brings everything to light, brings out all the colors and shapes, The cover of darkness is snatched from the wicked– they’re caught in the very act!
(Job 38:12-15 MSG)
God is surly in control despite what we may think, despite what it looks like. WOW
Grace and peace,
Ramona

======= Jan:

Ramona & isn’t there such comfort in finally coming to the Truth/Realization of your revelation that GOD TRULY IS IN CONTROL. Oh what a sweet deliverance from unbelief & doubt when we come to know our Savior truly is in control of all.
Jan

======= Jenny:

I loved reading God’s words in Job. This may sound weird, but i almost had to bow as i read the words directly from God, I just feel such reverence. Of course Jesus is God incarnate, but i dont know..it trips me out sometimes!
Oh, and Corinthians readings are amazing! i LOVE it!
Jenny

======= Terry:

I always like your
pictures.
Terry 

======= Eve:

“The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside!” Proverbs 22:13
A lazy person is someone that finds even the most impossible reason to excuse himself from doing something. Lion outside his house? Does he live in the jungle or his house’s in the zoo?
2 Thessalonians 3:10
“If a man will not work, he shall not eat.”
Eve

======= Judie:

Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. This verse from 4:16 in today’s reading is so comforting and true! I don’t like to be reminded that I am getting old, but some days my body sure tells me that it is. Thank you God for renewing my spirit everyday. When my body doesn’t want to move much, my spirit can fly!
Judie

======= Robert:

Job 38-41
Today’s readings were so good. Sometimes I need a reminder of the power and might God has. Using the wonders of weather, the natural world and immenseness of the Heavens God shows us the abstract of how things work and how He has the ability to control every element in the Universe.
I liked vs. 39:26: God says to Job: “Does the hawk take flight by your wisdom and spread his wings toward the south?” I watched a documentary last week about these little finch birds in the North-east USA that migrate every year 4000 miles to Brazil. Their timing has to be precise otherwise they will get caught in Hurricanes crossing the Gulf. No one knows how these birds sense their departure time.
Robert

======= Dee:

I think this is some serious dialogue today when the creator comes down and addresses the created. I feel for Job but like u said Ramona..man can help us in accountability but we answer essentially to God.
2 Cor..God is renewing our body..outwardly we will pass away..but praise God for the renewal
We don’t get to have a ringside seat too often where God is speaking to arguments thrown by us much. Job tried to reason himself and used complaints and grumbling along with his friends however God sets him straight. Was Job there when the world was created..did he survey the land or form the clouds and stars..
2nd Corinthians, this made me think of how we yearn for being with the Lord..this life is temporal but being with the Lord is eternal..what a day that will be.
Psalm 44 ..being able to talk to the Lord in big girl voice and be real with the Lord. God is good and he is a big boy and God knows that his children need to come to him with big issues and big prayers and He really listens.
Psalm 44..I think we have all felt this way before. Desperate..relentless..wanting God to hear us..are u there Lord? Do u care? We have all been there.
Proverbs..lazy bones..yes..makes me think of..when u have an idea from God. Act quickly. If not he will seek someone else. Amen. Don’t be lazy..making excuses instead of plans is always a bad idea. Be careful..
Dee

======= John:

2Cor4 and 5:1-10
2Cor4:18 “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
I believe praying for this kind of “focus” is in God’s Will, and the kind of prayer God answers.
======================================================
2Cor5
2Cor5:1 “Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.” NIV
How do we “know”? John 14:1-4, and more importantly the last part of verse 19.
“..Because I live, you also will live.”
Because Jesus is alive.
When our physical body dies, we will have a glorified body in heaven. “not built by human hands”, being “not of this creation” (Heb 9:11) but of God – an eternal body.
From tent to house or building – in software terms – we are due for an upgrade : )
======================================================
The problem here, and I did not see Bob Deffingbaugh pointing it out: We do not get glorified bodies until the resurrection of our earthly bodies. In the meantime, at death, we live in heaven as disembodied spirits (if I am wrong about this – please someone correct me.)
So while Paul has no problem with absent from the body – he is REALLY looking forward to the Resurrection. Paul wants his glorified body, as should the Corinthians. Maybe Paul is making this point here because of how Greeks view the spirit and the body. They think being a “spirit” in the afterlife is the be-all-end-all. That the body is just a hindrance and the spirit is what counts. Paul is saying, ‘You don’t know – the heavenly glorified body will be fabulous – it will be the completion of all God’s plans – we will be like Jesus. You want – you should really really want this glorified body.’
Because when we get the “glorified body” we will not be naked – our disembodied spirit will be clothed. I think this is also a reference to the completed work of God in regards to Adam and Eve. After sinning they realized they were naked, now in full circle we will be eternally clothed in our “glorified body”. Death and what it does to our mortal bodies will here be completely conquered.
2Cor5:5 “Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.”
Greek tense is aorist – completed action – and there is that word again – “deposit” in Gk. “arrhabon” meaning: money which in purchases is given as a pledge or downpayment that the full amount will subsequently be paid. We have God’s Word on the deal.
======================================================
There are only two places a “saved” person can be – on earth or in heaven – never in the “grave”.
Thus while on earth we make it our goal to please him, as we do in heaven (by what we have done on earth in his name.)
Why? Because “the “saved” person will stand before the Bema Seat of Christ for our rewards or lack of rewards. If we strive to please Him on earth, then He will be pleased with us in heaven.
The Bema Seat in Corinth is still there (I hear) and is on display. The athletes from the Isthmian games received their rewards at the Bema Seat. Punishment from trials was also administered from the Bema Seat.
Paul has already mentioned in 1Cor that our works will be tested by Christ, and only what is good will be left. That is what we will be judged on for our rewards. How many will you and I have left after Christ’s assessment of our Christian lives???????
======================================================
So the saved person will have a final exam before Christ. Paul would tell the Corinthians – when do you start prepearing for the “final”? – morning of, night before, or in advance. To do well, it should be in advance. So set your sights on the eternal, prepare for your exam now. Get cracking!
What will be judged? According to Chuck Missler: deeds according to Scripture, motivation of deeds (to bring honor/glory to God), and the words you speak (perhaps thoughts also – oops that is a biggie!)
John

======= Sue:

John,
You said: The problem here, and I did not see Bob Deffingbaugh pointing it out: We do not get glorified bodies until the resurrection of our earthly bodies. In the meantime, at death, we live in heaven as disembodied spirits (if I am wrong about this – please someone correct me.)
I don’t know that I want to go so far as to “correct” you, but I would offer something I read recently by J. Vernon McGee that may provide some additional light on this subject:
Thru-The-Bible Commenary Series, The Epistles, Ephesians, J. Vernon McGee,
pp. 118-119
“When he ascended up on high” refers to the ascension of Christ. At that time He did two things: (1) He led captivity captive, which refers, I believe, to the redeemed of the Old Testament who went up to paradise when they died. Christ took these believers with Him out of paradise into the very presence of God when He ascended. Today when a believer dies, we are not told that he goes to paradise, but rather he is absent from the body and present with the Lord (See 2 Cor. 5:8; Phil. 1:23). (2) When Christ ascended He also gave gifts to men. This means that He conferred gifts upon living believers in the church so that they might witness to the world. In His ascension, Christ not only brought the Old Testament saints into God’s presence, but he also, through the Holy Spirit, bestowed His gifts. At the Day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit baptized believers into the body of Christ and then endowed them with certain gifts, enabling them to function as members of the body. The Holy Spirit put each of them in a certain place in the body, and He has been doing the same with each new believer ever since.
“(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
“He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above the heavens, that he might fill all things.) [Eph. 4:9-10]
“The logical explanation of these verses is that since Christ ascended, He must have of necessity descended at some previous period. Some see only the Incarnation in this. The early church fathers saw in it the work of Christ in bringing the Old Testament saints out of paradise up to the throne of God. Although the Apostles’ Creed states that He descended into hell, it means hades, the place where the dead were, and it is not necessary to assume that He entered into some form of suffering after His death. His Incarnation and death were His humiliation and descent, and they were adequate to bring the redeemed of the Old Tstament into the presence of God. I recognize, however, that there are other interpretations.”
Sue

======= John:

Sue,
Thanks.
I also have McGee’s commentary. No problem with what you quote here in your post.
I am not sure what the “gifts” bestowed to Old testament saints were in McGee’s observation, but I am sure it can be reconciled.
When I say – “disembodied” I am not referring to not being in the body of Christ, just that we will be in “spirit” status until we receive our glorified bodies. We probably can receive gifts of the Holy Spirit without having a physical body in heaven. Perhaps we receive wisdom and knowledge (as gifts of the Spirit) in that we know the answers to all the questions we had here on earth. I can also see having fruits of the Spirit – joy, peace, love, etc as that would seem to be what heaven is all about. I don’t think it is necessary to have a “physical body” to receive the items mentioned above.
John

======= Sue:

Hi again, John.
Yes, I did perceive that was what you meant after I was about halfway through the exerpt from McGee, but honestly I hadn’t considered whether or not our bodies would be “spiritual” (Glorified?) or physical (such as Jesus portrayed on earth).
I wonder if it is a little of both, in that Jesus did not come through the door when he visited the apostles in the upper room; he was apparently able to pass through solid fixtures (like walls), and yet Thomas was able to place his hand into his wound in his side.
I have to think on this; it is a concept I had not onsidered.
Thanks.
Sue

======= Vance:

OB 38
VERSES 1 through 6
“Then the LORD answered Job from the whirlwind: “Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words? Brace yourself, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them. “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much. Do you know how its dimensions were determined and who did the surveying? What supports its foundations, and who laid its cornerstone as the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?”
This is exactly why, even if we are right in the truth we believe, we need to be humble before our Loving Lord and others. For the attitude of the heart is more important than the truth known. Of course, one cannot actually truly, sincerely believe the truth without the proper humility of heart—but pride is always a caution to guard against.
2 CORINTHIANS 4
VERSES 16 through 18
“That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are quite small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.”
I like the meditation from the website, hebrew4christians.com, which is a Messianic Jewish website enabling Christians to glean from the richness of our Jewish roots. It relates directly to this point, and its words are excellent:
*********
For I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as were all my fathers. (Psalm 39:12b)
In this verse, David confesses that he, like his forefathers, is ger v’toshav – a stranger and a sojourner in this world. This is a paradoxical phrase, since:
a) a ger is one who is just passing through, like a visitor or tourist
b) whereas a toshav is one who is a resident, like a settler or citizen.
How can someone be both a visitor and a resident of a place, or a stranger and a citizen at the same time? How can one “pass through” a place he is said to dwell?
Being ger v’toshav means understanding that the changes of life are the medium for that which is eternal and abiding.
We neither detach from life nor cling to it,
but live in the mediation of time and eternity.
Every moment of life is therefore made sacred, since it is the occasion to transform the temporal into the eternal.
Like a stranger, the ger v’toshav
a. holds on to things lightly,
b. yet at the same time is passionately committed to them as a gift from God.
He is both infinitely resigned in life and infinitely engaged in life,
since he understands that all of life is ordered to ultimately reveal the glory of God.
He dies to this present world and is resurrected in the undying life of God.
If we are given grace to answer the call of Jesus to “take up our cross,” we presently become ger v’toshav.
As gerim, we confess that we are strangers in this present world,
but as toshavim we believe that our labors are not in vain, and that our true citizenship is in heaven.
We must die in order to live.
***************
PSALM 44
There are times when we have reaped the consequences of our own foolishness and sin (thus dealing with a sense of our foolishness blocking us from God’s intimacy, and experiencing His discipline). Or there are times when, even when people have faithfully obeyed and yielded their hearts to the Lord through the Spirit in obedience, God has seemed distant just like what is expressed in verse 23:
verse 23
“Wake up, O Lord! Why do you sleep? Get up! Do not reject us forever.”
Yet, either way, God is always faithful to His covenant and His word—and that is what we can and must be rooted in… for OUR LIFE!
PSALM 44
4
You are my King and my God.
You command victories for your people.
5
Only by your power can we push back our enemies;
only in your name can we trample our foes.
Notice, God has commanded victory for His people. He will not fail His Word. Thank Him for that.
Let us continue to pray and give to those affected by the hurricane in Louisiana.
Vance

======= Vance:

In my reading of “With Christ In The School Of Prayer”, I ran across a reference to a Lutheran pastor named Johann Christoph Blumhardt (1805-1880).
I found the following information very enlightening and encouraging from a website with sermons by Richard M. Riss from Middlesex Presbyterian Church, Middlesex, N.J.
The name of this sermon is called, “THE ACTS OF GOD IN HISTORY”, given Feb. 22, 1998.
source: http://www.grmi.org/Richard_Riss/sermons/0002.html
“One of the most remarkable modern-day stories of revival concerns Johann Christoph Blumhardt (1805-1880), who began pastoring a Lutheran church in Moetlingen, Germany in 1838. Within a few years, a young girl in his church named Gottlieben Dittus was diagnosed by physicians as ‘demon-possessed.’ She had what people said was a strange nervous disorder, and many psychic phenomena were taking place in her home. Everyone in her family and in the village seemed to knew about these things, and finally, one of the doctors came to Blumhardt and asked him, ‘Is there no pastor in this village who can pray? I can do nothing here.’
Blumhardt wanted to have absolutely nothing to do with this, but because of pressure from his congregation, he felt compelled to pray after this doctor confronted him. The resulting spiritual battle lasted two years, and during this time, Blumhardt was neglecting his pastoral work. He was becoming tense and exhausted, and people began to think that he was about ready to collapse, mentally and physically.
But then, something happened unexpectedly. Gottlieben’s sister, who was in the room, gave a loud, long cry in a strange voice, ‘Jesus is Victor,’ and suddenly, this girl was delivered. On the
very same day, many people in the village reported hearing the whirring of wings and cries of despair, ‘Into the abyss, into the abyss, woe oh woe, we must go into the abyss!’
These events transformed the whole village. There was a tremendous revival in which lives were transformed, broken marriages were restored, enemies were reconciled, and people began to experience physical healings.
Blumhardt was more surprised by this than anyone. Prior to this time, as a matter of course, he had been laying his hands upon various members of his Lutheran church for absolution. But suddenly, people were experiencing healings when he was doing this.
His preaching began to take on a new depth, and people started to come from all over Germany to hear him preach. He had to conduct five services every Sunday, and his little church was filled to capacity each time, with people standing outside up to a radius of up to an entire kilometer.
At one point, the German emperor himself came to find out what was going on in this little town.”
Johann C. Blumhardt (1805-1880) is regarded by many as the father of German pietism. He had a son named Christoph F. Blumhardt (1842-1919) influenced a whole generation of Europeans, including Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Emil Brunner, Oscar Cullman, and Karl Barth.
Praise God for a godly legacy! What rich treasures are in the Body of Christ!
Job 37 (NKJV)
23
As for the Almighty, we cannot find Him; He is excellent in power, in judgment and abundant justice; He does not oppress.
24
Therefore men fear Him; He shows no partiality to any who are wise of heart.
NOTE:
Elihu really got this exactly correct! God is truly awesome! We can never ever hope to find God unless He had taken the first step and revealed Himself to us. THANK GOD THAT GOD TOOK THAT FIRST STEP—when we look at the Lord Jesus, we do see the Father!
John 14 (NKJV)
7
“If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.”
8
Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.”
9
Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
Job 38 (NKJV) – The LORD Reveals His Omnipotence to Job
1
Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said:
2
“Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge?
3
Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me.
NOTE:
We really have to be careful to speak “glibly” and “so casually” that we give the impression that we are on His level or that we know everything about God!
It has been said before and it bears repeating: Job’s “friends” were convinced they knew the mind of God and God’s will concerning Job—and they were completely wrong as God Himself says in the last chapter of the book of Job.
Yet, we CAN REALLY KNOW God, and we are CALLED TO REALLY KNOW God. But, it must be born out of spending time before the Lord in prayer, meditation on God’s Word, fasting, etc.
We do not do these things to EARN entrance to intimacy—it is just the way to intimately know God. We need to set aside distractions (sin, desires for pleasure that war in our members, TV, other good things, etc.) in order to know God.
It is easier to talk about it than to do it. Yet, IT IS WORTH IT!
The Lutheran pastor Johann C. Blumhardt (1805-1880) is one example of reaching deep into the treasures of the Presence of Christ.
2 Corinthians 4 (NKJV)
13
And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” [Psalm 116:10] we also believe and therefore speak,
14
knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you.
NOTE:
Now the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul speaks how we can reach into the treasures of the Presence of Christ.
Reading a portion of Psalm 116 (NKJV) is very helpful in understanding what the Holy Spirit is saying in 2 Corinthians 4:13
Psalm 116 (NKJV)
1
I love the LORD, because He has heard my voice and my supplications.
2
Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live.
3
The pains of death surrounded me, and the pangs of Sheol laid hold of me; I found trouble and sorrow.
4
Then I called upon the name of the LORD:
“O LORD, I implore You, deliver my soul!”
5
Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yes, our God is merciful.
6
The LORD preserves the simple; I was brought low, and He saved me.
7
Return to your rest, O my soul, for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.
9
I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.
10
I believed, therefore I spoke, “I am greatly afflicted.”
~~~
The Jewish translation and comment on Psalm 116 is extremely useful and helpful in helping me understanding what the Holy Spirit speaks through the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 4:13.
THEN I WOULD INVOKE THE NAME OF HASHEM: ‘PLEASE HASHEM, SAVE MY SOUL!’
This denotes fervent pleading.
GRACIOUS IS HASHEM AND RIGHTEOUS, OUR GOD IS MERCIFUL.
The Psalmist explains that BEFORE He invoked Hashem’s Name, these thoughts passed through his mind. That is, he meditated on God’s Word, in which his faith was planted, and out of which his faith grows. “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget NOT His benefits.”
RETURN TO YOUR REST, MY SOUL; FOR HASHEM HAS BEEN KIND TO YOU.
I said to my soul that it would find peace and comfort ONLY if it would return to Hashem.
I KEPT THE FAITH ALTHOUGH I WOULD SAY, ‘I SUFFER EXCEEDINGLY.’
I trust that which I have previously said – ‘Return my soul, unto your rest’ – for I believe that God can redeem me from my deep suffering and restore my tranquility.
That last comment is a TREMENDOUS blessing! It really unlocked a key for me.
In essence, this has been my meditation today:
David calls upon the Lord. Before he does so, however, he meditates on the CHARACTER of God as WRITTEN IN THE WORD of God in order to establish his prayers in the faith God can accept.
I call on the Lord. Before I do so, however, I meditate on the CHARACTER of God as WRITTEN IN THE WORD of God in order to establish his prayers in the faith God can accept.
As David meditates on the Lord, he speaks to his soul that it would find peace and comfort ONLY if it would return to Hashem. He casts all of his care, all of his being, onto the Lord, the ONLY Source of his total life!
As I meditate on the Lord, I speak to my soul that it would find peace and comfort ONLY if it would return to Hashem. I cast all of his care, all of his being, onto the Lord, the ONLY Source of his total supply!
Then, David verbally RE-AFFIRMS the positive confession he made earlier in the midst of a great trial: He trusts that which he had previously said – ‘Return my soul, unto your rest’ – for I believe that God can redeem me from my deep suffering and restore my tranquility.
Vance

Job 34:1-36:33 + 2 Corinthians 4:1-12 + Psalm 44:1-8 + Proverbs 22:10-12
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Old Testament – Elihu continues his strong discourse from yesterday! There is a lot of good stuff in his words today.  Chapter 34 verse 12 is awesome – “There is no truer statement than this: God will not do wrong. The Almighty cannot twist justice.”  I pray you believe this verse to be very true…?   In chapter 35 the beginning of verse 26 really stood out to me – “Look, God is exalted beyond what we can understand.” This is a powerful verse to meditate upon.  It is so true!  Certainly in this life we can know many things about God.  We can read God’s Words in the Bible.  We can surrender our lives to God’s perfect Son, Jesus.  We can allow God’s Holy Spirit to live in our hearts.  And yet, even after all of this, isn’t God still exalted beyond what we can understand?  This is beautiful to think about.  Beautiful to know.  We will not fully understand God this side of heaven.  But I do think we can certainly begin to know more and more about God and His holy love and righteousness and grace as we go through our lives.  God’s glory is so immense that we have a lifetime of adventure before us as we learn and experience more and more of God’s glory.  And then, as we pass on to the other side of this life, there is an eternity with God!  The God of all glory.  Who is exalted beyond what we can fully understand this side of heaven.  Preach it Elihu!

New Testament – I love Second Corinthians chapter 4 verse 1 today.  In fact, if there is nothing else you remember from today’s readings I hope you will remember the last 4 words of this verse always – “And so, since God in his mercy has given us this wonderful ministry, we never give up.”  We never give up.  That is powerful for each of us to remember.  Why?  Because we will have good and bad days.  Days when we are happy.  Days when we might be feeling sad.  And there will be days when we make mistakes.  When we will stumble.  When we will fall.  But you know what has often gotten me through days like those?  This simple prayer or statement or something that fortunately comes into my mind – “I’m not giving up!”  We shouldn’t say this as justification for our falling short of God’s plan for our life.  But, when we do fall short, I have found it helpful.  Or, if I haven’t fallen short, but bad stuff is happening to me, I say it.  And I don’t say it just to myself – as if my own will power will get me through the tough times.  I say it to God.  I say it really as a prayer.  I say it almost as a statement against the devil, who would love nothing more than for us to give up.  The devil would love it if we stumbled and stayed on the ground.  If we decided this Christianity thing was just not for us.  But you know what – don’t give up!  When times are tough.  When you stumble, pray it to God – “I’m not giving up.”  Tell it to yourself.  We’re not giving up!  We’re never giving up….  (go frog!)  🙂

Verse 7 today is indeed a wonderful reminder that we humans are but jars of clay – “But this precious treasure–this light and power that now shine within us–is held in perishable containers, that is, in our weak bodies. So everyone can see that our glorious power is from God and is not our own.'”  We really do have very fragile bodies.  They are wonderful!  But they are fragile.  They break.  They will die.  As one writer puts it, “our condition is terminal.”  And it’s true.  This side of heaven, our bodies will eventually wear out.  But – as Paul tells us in this verse – there is light and power that shines within us when we are in relationship with Jesus!  The Holy Spirit indwells our earthen vessels.  Our jars of clay.  And hopefully we and others recognize that the glory within us is not our own.  It is of God.  And it is a glory that is available to anyone.  Free of charge.  It is grace and it beckons us to receive God’s glory in our jars of clay so that we will live eternally in heavenly bodies.  But for now, we are simply in the hands of the Potter…

Psalms – Psalm 44 verse 3 is a wise statement about where the Israelites and our true strength and victory in life comes from – “They did not conquer the land with their swords; it was not their own strength that gave them victory. It was by your mighty power that they succeeded; it was because you favored them and smiled on them.” As you look back on your life and at the good things that have happened to you, do you think that these things occurred because of your own power or work alone?  Or, do you think it is possible that God’s hand was blessing your life through all of those good things – even if maybe you did not notice God was there at the time?

Proverbs – Proverbs 22 verse 12 is convicting – “The LORD preserves knowledge, but he ruins the plans of the deceitful.”  This Proverb reminds me that we truly need to examine our motives.  Why do we do what we do?  Why do we give?  Why do we love?  Why do we volunteer?  And this list goes on.  And I think we need to continually pray that we are doing what we do for pure motives.  Not for any hidden agendas.  Let us not let our left hand know what our right hand is doing.  Because, if we are acting with hidden agendas – selfish motives – it is deceitful.  Deceitful to others and deceitful to ourselves.  We may be tricking ourselves into thinking we are doing something for pure motives when truly there is a selfish agenda in the shadows.  God’s grace and love and knowledge can of course heal us of our impure motives.  And this indeed may be a process over the course of our lifetime.  I guess this Proverb jumped out at me because I am realizing that there are times when I do not act with pure motives – particularly when it comes to doing something that on the surface looks good.  I am unfortunately oftentimes subconsciously looking for some glory.  And ultimately, I know that selfish plans will fail.  They will be ruined. How about you?  Why do you do what you do?  Why do you give?  Why do you love?  Why do you volunteer?  Is it all for the glory of God?  Or is there any hint of wanting your own glory?

Worship Video: Today’s readings in Second Corinthians about “Jars of Clay” reminds me of this Jars of Clay 🙂 song called “Two Hands:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUBn1_A_XPU

How are you using your two hands? Click here to raise them High!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that though you may be hard pressed on every side that you will not be crushed, through your saving faith in Jesus. Pray that that though you may find times in your life that you are perplexed, that you will not despair. Pray that if you are ever persecuted, you will not feel abandoned, but know that Jesus holds you in His hands.

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

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BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )

======= Ramona:

Job 34:1-36:33
“Therefore, listen to me, you men of understanding. Far be it from God to do wickedness, from the Almighty to do evil.
(Job 34:10 NET.)
Elihu is absolutely correct in his assessment; however, he like Job and his friends assume that it was God that brought this turn of events upon Job. Like all tests given to people the test maker devises the test to measure how well the person has learned the lessons. However, in Job’s case, in our case, God is not the one who creates the tests, the devil and our own sins create the trials and temptations we encounter; however, God uses those trials as tests. He, God doesn’t have to tests us because he knows everything about us, the one who needs the information the test scores brings is US and possibly the devil.
If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small, (Proverbs 24:10 AMP) so the writer of Proverbs states. Crises do not come to take us out; they come to reveal the cracks. Growth comes by way of crises, plans come by way of crises and truth, the truth about ourselves come by way of crises. All truth is confrontational especially the truth about ourselves.
Now why did I go off on that tangent?
ELIHU PROCEEDED and said, Bear with me and wait a little longer, and I will show you, for I have something still to say on God’s behalf. (Job 36:1-2 AMP)
Are Elihu’s words presumptuous here, not forgetting that he is sort of a Blow-Hard, but does God really need us to speak, work on His behalf? Has God become senile, has He become weak? What we “do” for God I believe God alowss us to do, He always us to be Co-laborers with Him and in that we should be blessed and in awe of His graciousness and His mercy.
Hmmm, the process of evaporation was known back in the 10th century B.C., Just a little side note.
Behold, God is great, and we know Him not! The number of His years is unsearchable. [I Cor. 13:12.] For He draws up the drops of water, which distil as rain from His vapor, Which the skies pour down and drop abundantly upon [the multitudes of] mankind. (Job 36:26-28 AMP)
II Corinthians 4:1-12
I like this,
Since God has so generously let us in on what he is doing, we’re not about to throw up our hands and walk off the job just because we run into occasional hard times. We refuse to wear masks and play games. We don’t maneuver and manipulate behind the scenes. And we don’t twist God’s Word to suit ourselves. Rather, we keep everything we do and say out in the open, the whole truth on display, so that those who want to can see and judge for themselves in the presence of God. (2 Corinthians 4:1-2 MSG)
I love Paul’s integrity, his faith in God and His Word, his faith in the completed work of Jesus Christ on the cross can be clearly seen in the first two verses of this chapter. Jesus said, “And I, as I am lifted up from the earth, will attract everyone to me and gather them around me.” (John 12:32 MSG). Paul preached, “…nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. (1 Corinthians 2:2 NET.)
Today, we have chicken dinners, great singers, bands, flash, lights, smoke and mirrors to attract folks to church. Where is the “Jesus Christ and Him crucified” message?
Do many fall away because we present a Christ that is not true, do we subvert the message because we don’t really believe in it and its power to change the lives of people? As the Newsweek article that Mike linked stated, American’s are looking for the spiritual, they want an experience with God. But is the experience we Believers are giving them is it God? No every sprit is of God.
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to determine if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. (1 John 4:1 NET.)
Psalm 44:1-8
In the vernacular of the masses, this Psalm can be summed up in one sentence,
It Ain’t about you, or us, it’s all about God!
Proverbs 22:10-12
Hmmm, 10 Throw out the mocker, and fighting, quarrels, and insults will disappear. Sooo does that mean if you have fighting, quarreling and insulting behavior in the midst, which is an effect then there must be a mocker as the cause. What’s going on on your job, in your home?
Does this verse go along with what is written in the Book of James?
For wherever there is jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry and selfish ambition), there will also be confusion (unrest, disharmony, rebellion) and all sorts of evil and vile practices. (James 3:16 AMP)
Grace and peace,
Ramona

======= Mary:

my friend and i are going to green pastures and we found so much encouragement relevant to our own personal situations.may godbless you with a double portion so that you can continue to feed others.
Mary

======= Jill:

thanks for the encouragement. or thank God rather, about not giving up.
Jill

======= Jeff:

I noticed Ramona’s aside about the ancient people understanding the water cycle, too. Also, the 28th chapter points out that they were well versed in the technology of underground mining and smelting of ores, and had an idea of the underground rocks being “transformed as by fire.” These old timers were no dummies. They observed nature and interpreted it wisely.
But the little gem that really catches my eye in this passage is in 35:10.
“But no one says, ‘Where is God my Maker,
who gives songs in the night,’”
What musician hasn’t awakened in the morning with a glorious musical inspiration? Something new and exciting that hadn’t previously crossed their mind? Elihu tells us where they come from!  : )
Jeff

======== Art:

Psalm 44:3
This is a beautiful parable of the work of salvation. Man is not saved without prayer, repentance, etc., but none of these save man. Salvation is altogether of the Lord. Yes, its not about what we do, but rather about what the Lord does.
Art

======= Dee:

I love the stork and the frog in never giving up! Ever..and where Elihu spoke from his head instead of his heart.
All in all good story
Dee

======= John:

Job
What about Elihu?
After Job gives his last speech (ch. 31) which is basically self-vidication, he rests. Not only does Job recount the sins he did not commit, but in the last few verses claims to be environmetally and ecologically correct  : )
Who is this guy? He gets six chapters, so he must be important???? Is he the mediator Job wishes for in earlier chapters? Is he the false prophet as some claim? Or is Elihu analogous to John the Baptist in that he prepares the way for the Lord in this story?
Elihu means “My God is He” or another translation “in God’s stead”. Reading ahead Elihu is not mentioned by God, but the other four are addressed. Some feel he is loving and gentle – yet very critical of Job. It is also said Elihu does not reason (like the three friends) – but reveals.
Who is Elihu?
======================================================
ELIHU
Some think Elihu is a bit of a braggart. but consider the times, and he may be just laying the platform for a “right to speak”.
Elihu says the friends are wrong by saying suffering is in correlation to unrighteousness. They offer no remedy to Job’s condition – yet they condemn Job. This condemning (judgment – “krinos”) is the kind Jesus later said we are not to do.
Job is wrong – the root problem with Job is there’s a sediment of pride in the bottom of the beaker of his life and when he’s upset by the 3….the sediment stirs up with his life of righteousness……and thats a problem – john Piper
http://www.suffering.net/piper3.htm
In Job’s self-vindication – Job has gone too far.
God is not accountable to man, but it is the other way around. How often when disasters happen do we hear people want to know “Why did God allow this?” Interesting, that when good things happen in life – I am not so sure the same people are there to thank God.
God is not his enemy. There is another reason that God punishes. Elihu feels there is a residue of pride in the righteous. Chastisement is the correction.
‘Like a surgeons knife causes pain, but the purpose is to cure.’ (John Piper)
======================================================
Some revealing statements:
God is just
Job34:12 “It is unthinkable that God would do wrong,
that the Almighty would pervert justice.”
Should there be forgiveness with no repentance?
Job34:33 Should God then reward you on your terms,
when you refuse to repent?
Elihu believes Job has added rebellion to his sin of pride.
Man brings nothing to the table.
Job 35:7-8 If you are righteous, what do you give to him,
or what does he receive from your hand?
Your wickedness affects only a man like yourself,
and your righteousness only the sons of men.
[NOTE: We can do good or bad in this world. Good or bad can be recognized by mankind. But what has this to do with standing before God? We are not perfect – thus we have no standing before God on our own merit.]
God does not answer the cries (prayers) of the wicked.
Job 35:12 He does not answer when men cry out because of the arrogance of the wicked.
[Note: I believe this is also mentioned in Proverbs. It may sound harsh, but I believe the first prayer God will heed from man is – “I am lost – save me”. Think about it – Why should God heed (he hears, but will not heed) a request from one who rejects Him? And later rejects His Son and plan of salvation?]
Again repentance is the key to forgiveness.
Job 36:10-11 He makes them listen to correction
and commands them to repent of their evil.
If they obey and serve him,
they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity
and their years in contentment.
Man rejects or accepts.
Job 36:13,15 “The godless in heart harbor resentment;
even when he fetters them, they do not cry for help….But those who suffer he delivers in their suffering;
he speaks to them in their affliction.”
God is calling you Job. He is trying to get your attention. God is not a bellhop – who is at our beck and call. Quit trying to deal with God. Treat God with the respect He deserves. Know that His wonders are beyond our comprehension. Be in awe and revere God.
John

======= John:

Job 34:1-36:33
“Therefore, listen to me, you men of understanding. Far be it from God to do wickedness, from the Almighty to do evil.
(Job 34:10 NET.)
Elihu is absolutely correct in his assessment; however, he like Job and his friends assume that it was God that brought this turn of events upon Job. Like all tests given to people the test maker devises the test to measure how well the person has learned the lessons. However, in Job’s case, in our case, God is not the one who creates the tests, the devil and our own sins create the trials and temptations we encounter; however, God uses those trials as tests. He, God doesn’t have to tests us because he knows everything about us, the one who needs the information the test scores brings is US and possibly the devil.
If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small, (Proverbs 24:10 AMP) so the writer of Proverbs states. Crises do not come to take us out; they come to reveal the cracks. Growth comes by way of crises, plans come by way of crises and truth, the truth about ourselves come by way of crises. All truth is confrontational especially the truth about ourselves.
Now why did I go off on that tangent?
ELIHU PROCEEDED and said, Bear with me and wait a little longer, and I will show you, for I have something still to say on God’s behalf. (Job 36:1-2 AMP)
Are Elihu’s words presumptuous here, not forgetting that he is sort of a Blow-Hard, but does God really need us to speak, work on His behalf? Has God become senile, has He become weak? What we “do” for God I believe God alowss us to do, He always us to be Co-laborers with Him and in that we should be blessed and in awe of His graciousness and His mercy.
Hmmm, the process of evaporation was known back in the 10th century B.C., Just a little side note.
Behold, God is great, and we know Him not! The number of His years is unsearchable. [I Cor. 13:12.] For He draws up the drops of water, which distil as rain from His vapor, Which the skies pour down and drop abundantly upon [the multitudes of] mankind. (Job 36:26-28 AMP)
II Corinthians 4:1-12
I like this,
Since God has so generously let us in on what he is doing, we’re not about to throw up our hands and walk off the job just because we run into occasional hard times. We refuse to wear masks and play games. We don’t maneuver and manipulate behind the scenes. And we don’t twist God’s Word to suit ourselves. Rather, we keep everything we do and say out in the open, the whole truth on display, so that those who want to can see and judge for themselves in the presence of God. (2 Corinthians 4:1-2 MSG)
I love Paul’s integrity, his faith in God and His Word, his faith in the completed work of Jesus Christ on the cross can be clearly seen in the first two verses of this chapter. Jesus said, “And I, as I am lifted up from the earth, will attract everyone to me and gather them around me.” (John 12:32 MSG). Paul preached, “…nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. (1 Corinthians 2:2 NET.)
Today, we have chicken dinners, great singers, bands, flash, lights, smoke and mirrors to attract folks to church. Where is the “Jesus Christ and Him crucified” message?
Do many fall away because we present a Christ that is not true, do we subvert the message because we don’t really believe in it and its power to change the lives of people? As the Newsweek article that Mike linked stated, American’s are looking for the spiritual, they want an experience with God. But is the experience we Believers are giving them is it God? No every sprit is of God.
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to determine if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. (1 John 4:1 NET.)
Psalm 44:1-8
In the vernacular of the masses, this Psalm can be summed up in one sentence,
It Ain’t about you, or us, it’s all about God!
Proverbs 22:10-12
Hmmm, 10 Throw out the mocker, and fighting, quarrels, and insults will disappear. Sooo does that mean if you have fighting, quarreling and insulting behavior in the midst, which is an effect then there must be a mocker as the cause. What’s going on on your job, in your home?
Does this verse go along with what is written in the Book of James?
For wherever there is jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry and selfish ambition), there will also be confusion (unrest, disharmony, rebellion) and all sorts of evil and vile practices. (James 3:16 AMP)
John

======= John:

2Cor4:1-12
Review
Mercy–not getting what you do deserve / withheld punishment
Grace–getting what you don’t deserve / unmerited favor
======================================================
Paul realizes that he has been shown God’s mercy. Since he is divinely called, will he also not be divinely enabled? Thus Paul can have confidence in preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Paul preached boldly (with no fear), humbly (message of the cross/it is not about mankind), truthfully, and with integrity.
[NOTE: Paul did not complain of what he did not have, but rejoiced in what he was given. Can we say the same?]
======================================================
2Cor4:4a “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers…”
Age or world can be interchanged. But – Who is the “god of this age”? Satan, the concept of false idols, or something we concentrate (and hence worship) more than God? Or “all of the above”. Realize that Satan uses idols and outside interests to detract and diminish God – anything to keep people from seeking God.
Satan has no power to blind peoples minds. God does, but Satan does not. So how does he do this “blinding” of Gentiles? Through “lies and deceit”.
John 8:44 “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” NIV
It is all a big “con” job with satan. Think about how a “con man” operates. A con man does not steal your money – he gets you to give it to him. How? By creating a scenario that is very believable (but not true), in that scenario the “con man” appeals to the “victim’s” pride, intelligence, greed,etc. The victim falls for the story, and hands over some money. In the end – the victim is separated from his money, and left with nothing.
satan works the same way. A scenario is created that comes close to God’s plan, but does not include Jesus or concept of grace. The victim has his ego stroked. Your a smart guy. You can figure this out. Doesn’t this make sense to you? In the end, one is left not separated from money – but from God.
How many people do you know that have it all figured out? Have something that works for them. Makes sense to them. Gives them a participatory role in their going to heaven. The problem is they are self-centered – focusing on what they know, what they can figure out. As long as they are looking inward for the solution, they will always be blinded. Until they turn to God and quit looking inward – they will never find the “truth”.
In essence, Satan convinces one to blind himself from the truth. That is the ultimate “con job”.
======================================================
I like in verse 6 that Paul references Genesis:
“Let light shine out of darkness”
to give us the idea that we are a new creation”.
======================================================
JARS OF CLAY
Not ming dynasty valuable vases, but jars of clay. The treasure is not the jar – it is common everyday vessel – but in what is inside the jar. So that it would be evident to anyone who had eyes to see that the work was being done by the power of God, not the power of the vessel.
Paul keeps refering to the death of and life in Christ. If we did not have Christ’s death we would not be able to have the “life in Him”. The two are intertwined.
I need to keep an eye on this next year in readings, but a commentator mentioned – whenever Christ talked about his coming death in the Gospels – he also always refered to the resurrection. The two go hand in hand.
Missed this back in Matthew
Matt6:13
“And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.” NIV
I always thought a later scribe added “one” after evil – from the scribe’s own line of thought for clarification.
Turns out that “evil” in Greek is “poneros” and it is being used in the nominative case in this verse. Jesus is naming/giving a title to “evil”.
“The word is used in the nominative case in Mt. 6:13. This usually denotes a title in the Greek. Hence Christ is saying, deliver us from “The Evil”, and is probably referring to Satan.”
http://www.blueletterbible.org/tmp_dir/words/4/1156971793-3363.html
Guess the scribe was correct in adding “one” to the text : )
Just adding to my list for reality of entity known as – satan. Posting for others that might be doing the same.
John

======= Vance:

2 Corinthians 4 (NKJV)
6
For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.
8
We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9
persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—
10
always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.
Psalm 44 (NKJV)
4
You are my King, O God; command [or, Who commands] victories for Jacob.
5
Through You we will push down our enemies; through Your name we will trample those who rise up against us.
Psalm 44 (NIV)
4
You are my King and my God, Who decrees victories for Jacob. [or, King, O God; / command victories for Jacob]
5
Through you we push back our enemies; through Your Name we trample our foes.
NOTE:
May we pray, wait on the Lord, fast, do whatever the Spirit of God is prompting us to do so “the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body”.
It is true that Christ is in all believers—but are the Presence, Authority, and Love Christ being seen through us?
We may not always see or know how the Lord Jesus is using us.
If we are totally surrendered and consecrated to the Lord, we will “see and follow” the Holy Spirit very closely as did the Perfect Man, the Lord Jesus, and as did the apostles in the NT.
Galatians 2 (KJV)
20
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
21
I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
~~~
God has decreed victories for Jacob, i.e., has commanded victories for Jacob.
May we truly enter into the GLORY of Christ so we are a living letter, a living doorway to the Glorious Presence of Christ. May we always pray for the peace of Jacob (i.e., Israel) as a nation. Israel’s enemies, no matter who, will fail.
Psalm 44 (NKJV)
7
But You have saved us from our enemies, and have put to shame those who hated us.
8
In God we boast all day long, and praise Your name forever. Selah
May we pray for the spiritual Israel as well.
Galatians 6 (NKJV)
15
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.
16
And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.
May we pray for many Arabs, as well as other Gentiles, to come to truly know the Prince of Peace.
Vance

Job 31:1-33:33 + 2 Corinthians 3:1-18 + Psalm 43:1-5 + Proverbs 22:8-9
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Old Testament – Great readings in Job today!  In chapter 31 Job basically “rests his case.”  He gives his final plea.  This chapter is the last time we’ll read this many words from Job.  Late in the book we’ll get some brief words of repentance from Job after God speaks.  In chapter 31 I like how Job lays out his case – and lets everyone know what his retribution should be.  He basically gives a series of if / then statements.  If I did this, then that should happen to me.  This is similar to the book of Exodus’ concept of the “law of retaliation”, from Exodus chapter 21 verses 23-25:  “But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.”  Do you see how Job’s logic in chapter 31 is similar to this law of retaliation?  You’ll recall in our readings from Matthew chapter 5 that Jesus calls us beyond the law of retaliation (which was really a law of “limited-retribution” in its day, limiting people to retaliate only based on actual harm done – meaning, eye for an eye.  Not a life for an eye, etc.).  Jesus called us beyond this law of retaliation and beyond limited retribution to the highest law of love.  Bible.org has an in depth look at Jesus’ taking on the law of retaliation in Matthew 5:38-42 at this link.  I think at the end of chapter 31 as Job rests his case, the scene may have looked something like this image below… with Elihu chomping at the bit to speak (as we know in chapter 32) in the upper left hand corner of this image…

Before we move onto Elihu – today in Job chapter 31 we read what I think is one of Job’s most profound pleadings.  It is a 10th century B.C. pleading that is ultimately fulfilled by a little baby born in a manger in Bethlehem who is now seated at the right hand of the Father.  Here is Job’s prophetic plea in verse 35: “”If only I had someone who would listen to me and try to see my side!”  You and I are so very fortunate that we do not need to make such a plea as this.  Jesus is in heaven seated on his throne and will receive our prayers!  Jesus listens to us!  Jesus sees our side!  It is humbling to look back toward the time of Job, and realize that Jesus had not yet walked the earth as a man and taken on the sins of the world on the cross.  Jesus had not yet risen from the grave and ascended into heaven.  Job was looking for someone to listen to him and to see his side.  You and I are blessed immensely in this regard.  We do not need to look anywhere else other than to the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ.

In Job chapters 32 and 33, Elihu becomes angry at Job and his friends and presents his case!  Elihu was sitting on the sidelines up until this point and obviously was ready to say a few words!  It was amazing to read his words in chapter 32 – it was apparent to me that he was young and energetic and felt he had some very important things to say – and we will hear all that Elihu has to say between now and chapter 37!  🙂 Interestingly, as we get to God speaking to Job and his friends in chapter 38, you’ll note God does not condemn Elihu along w/ Job’s 3 other friends.  The English poet and artist William Blake made this wonderful engraving below in the year 1825 titled “The Wrath of Elihu”:

New Testament – I love Paul’s words in Second Corinthians verse 3: “Clearly, you are a letter from Christ prepared by us. It is written not with pen and ink, but with the Spirit of the living God. It is carved not on stone, but on human hearts.”  That is a great concept!  We are living letters from Jesus sent out to the world!  Have you ever thought of yourself as a letter from Jesus?  I have not, but I like it!  It’s also interesting to realize that the Spirit living within us as Christians professes and gives witness to the glory of God oftentimes without us even realizing it.  I heard a quote once that said something like, “Who you are is so strong that I cannot hear a word you are saying.”  Basically this quote means that the inherent nature of who we are overshadows our very words.  It’s more important than our words – people notice our inherent nature!  Be it good or be it not so good…  So, if the Spirit of Jesus is within us I do believe that the Holy Spirit gives witness and gives glory to God to others that we come in contact with – even if we don’t say a word!  This is the letter that we are from Christ to the world.  The letter that is written on our hearts.  And of course there is St. Francis of Assisi who said: “Preach the Gospel at all times – use words only when necessary.”  Again, the Spirit of Jesus within us preaches the Gospel to the world even without us consciously saying words.  Don’t get me wrong – sometimes words are exactly what are needed.  But oftentimes our very presence through the Spirit of Jesus living within us is more than enough.  So, let us go forth into our world this week as living letters from Jesus to a hurting and dying world that so needs the Good News of the Gospel!  Are you a letter from Jesus?!

Psalms – I think Psalm 43 verse 5 starts off with a couple of questions that then answer themselves by the end of the verse – “Why am I discouraged?  Why so sad? I will put my hope in God!  I will praise him again–my Savior and my God!” I would agree with what this verse is getting at.  If I find myself to be discouraged or sad, it comes as no great surprise to me that I have been putting my hope in things other than God.  I have been perhaps even praising false idols.  And the sure fire way to be freed from the discouragement or sadness?  To put my hope once again in God and God only.  And to praise him again!  I think this Psalm verse is a great reminder to make sure we are not placing our hope in anything other than God.  For anything other than God will only leave us empty in the end.

Proverbs – I love Proverbs 22 verse 9: “Blessed are those who are generous, because they feed the poor.”  It reads like an additional Beatitude from the book of Matthew / Sermon on the Mount.  And it’s so straightforward.  Blessed are those who are generous.  Why?  Because they feed the poor.  Doesn’t get more straightforward than that!  Although, I will say that we can be generous not only with our money, but in so many ways that we live our lives.  We can be generous in spirit – to feed the poor in spirit.  We can be generous with our time – to feed those who are time-starved.  We can be generous with our encouragement – to feed those who are feeling down.  We can be generous in our prayers – to feed those who may not yet know how to pray.  And yes, of course, we can be generous with our finances – to feed those who are physically hungry.  What are some ways that you are generous with the poor?

Worship Video:  Today’s readings reminds me of Matthew West’s song “Me on Your Mind:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hie9q5aOA6k

Do you believe you are on God’s mind? Click here and find out!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.” Proverbs 22:9 TNIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you are generous to the poor. Pray that you share your food with the poor. Pray that you yourself will be blessed, just as you are blessing the poor.

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless!
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )

======= Ramona:

Job 31-33:33

The last couple of days as I read through Job I keep thinking about his friends and their responses to Job and I have come to the conclusion, albeit a possibly wrong conclusion, that Job’s three friends were scared. They were afraid that what had happened to him might happen to them. In their need to understand something they found hard to grasp, they distanced the chance for calamity falling upon them, in their own minds, by detaching themselves from Job. The only way they could successfully delineate Job’s condition from their “wealth” was to rationalize in their own minds that Job had sinned and they had not.

Fear, a consequence of our sin nature, causes us to try to elevate ourselves too worthiness by pointing out and magnifying the flaws in others while we sugar coat the glaring sin in our own lives. All we are doing is whistling at the wind and hiding behind leaves we have sown together, trying to hide our nakedness from God. In our sense of inadequacy, we make our own laws then judge others by the laws we made as if we control the universe: In doing so we follow the sin of Satan who desired to be the Most High God. (Ezekiel 28:12-13)

II Corinthians 3:1-18

7 That old system of law etched in stone led to death, yet it began with such glory that the people of Israel could not bear to look at Moses’ face. For his face shone with the glory of God, even though the brightness was already fading away. 8Shouldn’t we expect far greater glory when the Holy Spirit is giving life?

I have seen people “glow” with what had to be the glow of the Holy Spirit. People who are in the Marine Corp can identify each other when out of uniform because they have something called l’esprit des corps. I believe Christians should be able to identify each other without pins, flags, Christian speak, but by the way we carry ourselves, by the glow that comes from being indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Unbelievers should be able to look at us and know that we have been with Jesus. They may not like it but they would sure have to respect it.

Psalm 43:1-5

Job could have written this Psalm, Job’s speeches could have been encapsulated in these five verses. There is nothing new or unique in the trials we experience and the pain we go through. What we experience, what Job went through is common to men and women living upon an earth beset with sin. What we have to remember and put our hope in is Jesus Christ that is the only way to survive intact the trials and tests that come our way.

Proverbs 22:8-9

8Those who plant seeds of injustice will harvest disaster, and their reign of terror will end.

We desire to get vengeance on our enemies but here it states the crop produced by evil deeds will devastate the one who sowed the seeds. Maybe in our cry of, “Lord, how long?” the plant is growing and the fruit is maturing. Maybe God is allowing the wicked to dig such deep pits in their attempt to entrap others that when they fall into it themselves, they will not be able to get out.

Grace and peace,
Ramona

======= Edie:

Job 28:1-30:31 + 2 Corinthians 2:12-17 + Psalm 42:1-11 + Proverbs 22:7
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs ~

Old Testament – Job chapter 28 is incredible!  It could be my favorite chapter of Job so far this year.  I kind of forgot about this chapter from my previous readings of this book.  It seems to me to a large degree this chapter builds up and gets at one of the most important points in the Old Testament Wisdom / Poetry Books (Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon) in the closing verse 28 of this chapter: “And this is what God says to all humanity: `The fear of the Lord is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding.'”  Beautiful!  We do hear this theme over and over again in the other Wisdom / Poetry books of the Old Testament.  It is a powerful and true point.  I love the way Job builds up to this point early on in this chapter 28.  Verses 12 through 14 I found to be particularly great: “”But do people know where to find wisdom? Where can they find understanding? No one knows where to find it, for it is not found among the living. `It is not here,’ says the ocean. `Nor is it here,’ says the sea.”  So, how about for you?  Where do you find wisdom?  Where do you find understanding?  What does it mean to you that the fear of the Lord is true wisdom?  Do you believe this is true?  Do you believe that forsaking evil is real understanding?

In Job chapter 29 today we read about his former blessings, including these in verses 7 through 10: “Those were the days when I went to the city gate and took my place among the honored leaders. The young stepped aside when they saw me, and even the aged rose in respect at my coming. The princes stood in silence and put their hands over their mouths. The highest officials of the city stood quietly, holding their tongues in respect.”

New Testament – I absolutely love and appreciate Paul’s words today in Second Corinthians chapter 2 verses 14 through 16: “But thanks be to God, who made us his captives and leads us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now wherever we go he uses us to tell others about the Lord and to spread the Good News like a sweet perfume. Our lives are a fragrance presented by Christ to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those being saved and by those perishing. To those who are perishing we are a fearful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved we are a life-giving perfume.”  What great imagery!  Our lives are a fragrance presented by Christ to God!  I love it.  It does get sad – but true – in verse 16 when Paul says that to those who are perishing we are a fearful smell of death and doom.  Why do you suppose this is?  I think it because when someone is living their life completely enslaved to sin and they encounter the light – the fragrance – of the Gospel, they either will embrace it or push it away.  Unfortunately I am afraid some folks – perhaps even us in our past – are so enslaved to sin that the sin literally makes us fear / flee from the light and fragrance of the Gospel.  Unfortunately sin can ensnare someone such that the Gospel is the fragrance of death and gloom because that is where the sin is leading someone who is enslaved to it – to death and gloom.   Sad… and this reminds us of how urgent it is for us to pray for others who are enslaved to sin.  Let us pray the fragrance of the Gospel and the grace of God will turn them back toward the Savior of the World who can free them forever – Jesus Christ.  Jesus – is there a name more fragrant?

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Second Corinthians titled “The Sufficiency of God Through his Spirit” is at this link.

Psalms – Today we read Psalm 42 verse 1, which is one of my favorite verses in the Bible! “As the deer pants for streams of water, so I long for you, O God.”  That is so right on.  Lately these days I have been longing for God more than ever – and I love that.  I am thankful for that.  There have been seasons in my life – which can certainly be called “dry” seasons – where I have not longed for God.  Where I have not longed for the true Living Water.  I just love the picture this Psalm verse paints in my mind – a deer in the wilderness is fleeing from hunters.  It is literally dying of thirst as it runs.  It is tired.  It is weary.  It is running from death.  And it needs water.  It pants for streams of water.  Like this deer, I pray that I long for God in the same way.  As I flee from sin.  As I am tired.  As I am weary.  As I run from death.  I need God.  I long for God.   How about you?  Do you long for God these days as a deer longs for water?  Are you consistently drinking from the true Living Water?

Proverbs – We read great wisdom in Proverbs 22 verse 7 today: “Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender.” This Proverb reminds me of some of the “Get Out of Debt” seminars and books that are out there.  I haven’t read any of the books, but I did attend a half day seminar a while back, and I found it to be really good.  It is true that we are so caught up in a cycle of debt here in the U.S. – and I imagine in other countries too.  The thing I remember from the half day seminar is that we will never get out of debt if we cannot control our “appetites.”  If we cannot stop buying and spending and consuming beyond what we really need, we’ll continue to be in debt.  And once we are in debt, we are indeed slaves to the lender.  Slaves to our credit card companies.  Pretty scary when you think about it.  I pray that if you are struggling with debt, you do check out a seminar or book – don’t buy the book if you can help it!  🙂  Get it from the library.  We need to stop our impulses to “BUY NOW” or “DON”T MISS OUT” on x, y or z.  Let’s get out of debt and get out of slavery to our lenders.  Literally cut up that credit card if that’s what you need to do to control your out-of-control spending…

Worship Video:  Our Second Corinthians readings today reminded me of the Delirious song “Majesty.”  I had the good fortune to worship to this song with Delirious many years ago just before it was released.  They were playing some of their “new stuff” and this was a great song to worship to live!  You’ll notice the crowd in this video is definitely worshiping.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNjH8QDpBFY

Do you know our Majestic Lord? Click here for your Majesty!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. “ Psalm 42:1 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray that your soul is panting for God today. Pray that your soul pants for God as a deer pants for streams of water. Pray that your soul is panting today for Living Water, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )

======= Laura:

Job 23:1-27:23 + 2 Corinthians 1:12-2:11 + Psalm 41:1-13 + Proverbs 22:5-6
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs ~

Old Testament – In chapter 23 verse 12 today Job makes such a powerful statement about his relationship with God!  “I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.” (NIV)  The first statement is of course powerful – Job has not departed from the commands of God’s.  But the second statement is the one that really stood out to me today – Job has treasured God’s words more than food!  This may sound like nice high holy talk from the Old Testament…  but I think each of us should stop and meditate on this one in our lives today.  Do we treasure God’s Word, The Bible, more or do we treasure the food we eat each day more?  I’m sure most of us would say the Bible…  But let me put this another way for us to really think about this.  How many minutes a day do you spend eating?   And how many minutes a day do you spend reading the Bible?  What might make this whole equation even a little bit more interesting to consider is how many minutes a day do you think about food?  Prepare food?  Talk about food?  And then how many minutes a day do you think about the Bible?  Prepare for reading the Bible?  Talk about the Bible?  I am afraid that we may be a people today who (when the rubber meets the road and we look at actual time spent in each activity) treasure our food more than we treasure God’s Word.  However, the first step in realizing we have a problem is admitting we have a problem!  🙂  When it comes to amount of time you spend with food when compared to the amount of time you spend with God’s Word, do you have a problem?  Can you learn something from Job’s word’s today in verse 12: “I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food.” (ESV)

New Testament – I love that Paul calls Jesus the “Divine Yes” in today’s readings in Second Corinthians chapter 1 verse 19 in the NLT!  Here are verses 18 through 20 in the NIV – “But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not “Yes” and “No.” For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by me and Silas and Timothy, was not “Yes” and “No,” but in him it has always been “Yes.” For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ.”  Amen!  Do you realize that Jesus is the fulfillment of all of God’s promises in the Old Testament?  The Law pointed to Jesus in the OT and the Law is fulfilled in Jesus.  The sacrificial system pointed to Jesus in the OT and the sacrificial is fulfilled in Jesus.  Jesus is indeed the Divine Yes!  In your life each and every day, is Jesus your Divine Yes?

Psalms – Today we read in Psalm 41 verse 1 – “Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the LORD delivers him in times of trouble.” For some reason this verse really opens up my heart. Something about the word “weak.” Maybe this verse really speaks to me because I myself feel weak at times. And yet, I am so blessed in so many ways. And I realize that there are so many others out there in this world who may not have the blessings that I have, and who are struggling through an extremely tough cycle of weakness. And I wonder – what am I doing to help those who are weak? Do I really have regard for the weak? Do you? What in our life really demonstrates that we have regard for the weak? Are we investing time or finances into the weak? Are we praying for the weak? Are we loving the weak?

Proverbs – Proverbs 22 verse 6 today teaches us: “Teach your children to choose the right path, and when they are older, they will remain upon it.”  You know, this verse actually reminds me of quite a bit of recent work I’ve had the good fortune to participate in or observe when it comes to early childhood education.  85% of a child’s brain develops in the first 3 years of their life.  Think this is a critical period of time to teach children?  Certainly after the age of 3 we still have so much opportunity to teach children to choose the right path.  I am becoming more and more convinced that education for children is so critical here in our own backyards and throughout the world.  And unfortunately, as we all know, quality education is not happening in many sectors of our society and our world.  Let me encourage you to please invest in childhood education in your own backyard and around the world.  Find a child to mentor.  Teach a Sunday school class.  Invest in nonprofits working on childhood education.  Sponsor a child through World Vision where they will get a fantastic Christian education.  Will you join me in personally getting involved with and investing in organizations that teach our children to choose the right path?

Worship Video:  Today’s readings in Second Corinthians reminds me of the Matt Redman song “10,000 Reasons:”:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtwIT8JjddM

How many reasons to you have to follow Jesus? Click here for 10,000 Reasons!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” Proverbs 22:6 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray that you train your children in a godly manner. Pray that you, as a child of God, are living in the way you know you should go. Pray that you and your children will not turn from living a godly life.

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )

======= Ramona:

Job 23:1-27:23

Now that I am reading Job using a different perspective, I see amongst his words and his “friend’s” words many things from a different view point. One of the things I see is this belief that when things are going badly for us, God must not be anywhere near.

If I knew where on earth to find him [God], I’d go straight to him. I’d lay my case before him face-to-face, give him all my arguments firsthand. I’d find out exactly what he’s thinking, discover what’s going on in his head. (Job 23:3-5 MSG)

This kind of thinking is not held exclusively by Job all of us do it, believers and unbelievers. Things not going our way or how we think they should go then either we begin making a list of everything we feel guilty of; or, if we have truly repented of our sin and we are not operating out of “false” guilt, we question God’s justice for beating us up adding, “God if you only knew!” We think God is hiding from us because we just don’t understand what is going on.

If we really stop and think and look at the process of refining silver and gold and or study how precious metals and minerals are formed in the earth, we would understand that everything valuable that God has created comes by way of seeking (Ask, Seek and Knock) pressure and/or heat. It takes heat to melt silver to skim off the dross; and even greater heat to purify gold. Diamonds are nothing but pieces of black dirty coal under a lot of pressure for a very long time. The value is increased; the beauty of the metal or mineral is enhanced by stress, lots of stress.

Mike I love your food analogy in today’s comment on Job. If we, those who are believers in Jesus Christ really examined your questions we would think about why so many of us, and in some areas, most of us, are so focused on physical food and have no relationship with the Words of God and His Christ, the Bible. Let’s just get real: Ask the question, at least pertaining to the Church in the United States, “Why are there so many obese folk filling the church pews across the country?” It could give the appearance that many of us are not getting our comfort from the Word of God but from the plate, and not the collection plate, the dinner plate. About 12-18 months ago my pastor, before he began his message, read a letter from the manager of the local Red Lobster that asked him to speak to the congregation about their behavior. You see, after Sunday services (three serves 8am; 10:30am; 1pm) folks were going over to the restaurant and demanding to be seated ahead of everyone else already on the waiting list because they were CCC members. How rude, crude and totally not Christ like. Obviously, their physical bellies were not being controlled by what they just had been given spiritually. Christ like behavior is manifested through the Fruit of the Spirit—so, show me the fruit!

Grace and peace,
Ramona

======= Luch:

It’s interesting today how Job 24:12 and Psalm 41:1 tie in together. On the one hand, Job says “the groans of the dying rise from the city, and the wounded cry for help, yet God does not respond to their moaning.” At this point that was Job’s reality. Although he did not abandon God, his experience seemed to indicate that God DOES NOT pay attention to people’s pain. But then in Psalm 41:1 it says, “Blessed is he who has regard for the weak…” Perhaps one of the primary ways that God does pay attention to humanity’s groaning is through followers of Jesus who do ‘have regard for the weak’. Philip Yancey once said, “the question is not ‘where is God when it hurts’ but rather, “where is the church when people hurt?” Worth thinking about, isn’t it??

Luch

======= Pat:

Job 23: 2 “Even today my complaint is bitter; his hand is heavy in spite of my groaning. 3 If only I knew where to find him; if only I could go to his dwelling! 4 I would state my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments.”

Every time I study the Book of Job these same verses stand out to me. If Job did have a kink in his relationship with God, this summarizes it. Job never lost his faith in God. He never lost his awe for God’s power. However, instead of wanting to seek out God to fall on his knees before Him and ask for release from his perils, Job wants to seek out God for sole the purpose of arguing with Him. I feel that we as Christians experience this same situation from time to time. We know that God is all-powerful. We know that only God can change the tides and deliver any and all things. It is because we recognize this that we at times tend to tell God what we want, how we want it done, and when to do it, instead of asking God to take over and do what He knows is best for us. When we do this, we are as Job and actually wanting to argue our case before God instead of submitting to God’s will. We want to be the puppet master and want God to be our puppet and deliver what we want for out life. Well, we are to be God’s puppet and let God be the puppet master, we are to be the clay and let God be the potter! Yes, we are to present our case before God but then we are to turn it over to God. We are to listen to the Holy Spirit and let God take control of the situation in His on way.

God Bless!
Pat

======= Carmen:

======= Vance:

Job 23 (NKJV)
10
But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.
11
My foot has held fast to His steps; I have kept His way and not turned aside.
12
I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.

NOTE:
Can I say I have truly followed the example of Job’s words? Honestly, I have to say I have not.

I am delighted by the following words by Andrew Murray from “With Christ In The School Of Prayer”:

“Faith is simply surrender: I yield myself to the impression the tidings I hear make on me. By faith I yield myself to the living God. His glory and love fill my heart, and have the mastery over my life.”

“Faith is fellowship; I give myself up to the influence of the friend who makes me a promise, and become linked to him by it. And it is when we enter into this living fellowship with God Himself, in a faith that always sees and hears Him, that it becomes easy and natural to believe His promise as to prayer.”

“Faith in the promise is the fruit of faith in the promiser: the prayer of faith is rooted in the life of faith. And in this way the faith that prays effectively is indeed a gift of God. Not as something that He bestows or infuses at once, but in a far deeper and truer sense, as the blessed disposition or habit of soul which is wrought [i.e., shaped, fashioned, formed] and grows up in us in a life of intercourse [i.e., intimate fellowship] with Him.”

“Though we have God’s promises in the Bible, with full liberty to take them, the spiritual power is wanting, except as God Himself speaks them to us. And He speaks to those who walk and live with Him. Therefore, HAVE FAITH IN GOD.”

WOW!

I read the verses which the Holy Spirit placed in Scripture from Job’s experience in Job 23:12—“I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.”

I believe Job is saying the same thing—using different words—as Andrew Murray said in his journey of faith.

May this be true for me, and for you: “His glory and love fill my heart, and have the mastery over my life.”

I am definitely not there. I allow other unnecessary distractions to keep me from deep fellowship with the Lord. But it doesn’t have to remain that way. We can grow, little by little, each day!

The Holy Spirit is using Job and Andrew Murray to show me that no trial or heartache is an excuse to turn away from God to other things—to turn away from seeking God as the comfort of life.

source: http://www.intouch.org/myintouch/mighty/portraits/andrew_murray_213652.html

“Murray’s life was not without testing. As a young man, an enduring sickness left him weak and exhausted. Later at the prime of his ministry, a severe illness resulted in his absence from the pulpit for two years. But God used each trial to remove all that hindered his devotion to Christ.”

”Murray wrote, ‘That awful pride and self complacency which have hither to ruled in my heart.’ He fought an insidious battle with pride, but God had the victory.”

“’What is the matter? Here I am, knowing that God has justified me in the blood of Christ, but I have no power for service. My thoughts, my words, my actions, my unfaithfulness – everything troubled me.’ “

“Murray’s daughter wrote of her father, ‘It was after the “time of silence” [in sickness] when God came so near to father and he saw more clearly the meaning of a life of full surrender and simple faith. He began to show in all relationships that constant tenderness and unruffled lovingkindness and unselfish thought for others which increasingly characterized his life from that point. At the same time he lost nothing of his strength and determination.’ “

May I—may we—be like that.

I know that Job was not perfect and that he regularly confessed his sins and the sins of his family (Job 1). In this context, Job’s persistent determination to love God and obey is remarkable:

Job 27 (NKJV)
6
My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go; my heart shall not reproach me as long as I live.

2 Corinthians 1 (NKJV)
20
For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.
21
Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God,
22
who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

NOTE:
Jesus specifically came, and the Holy Spirit is specifically given to us, that we might learn to be “established” and to walk in God’s very practical “anointing”. God has already “sealed us” and has given the Spirit in our hearts “as a guarantee”.

The only thing that is holding us back is US.

The devil is a liar and a loser, and he has no power against God. And, as we maintain vital and living fellowship with the Lord, the devil cannot keep us in his mindset of sin and confusion. “Greater is He Who is in you than what is in the world.” (I John 4:4)

Psalm 41 (NKJV)
9
Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.

NOTE:
This passage is interpreted and applied by the Holy Spirit to the Lord Jesus:

John 13 (NKJV):
21
When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.”
22
Then the disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom He spoke.
18
“I do not speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with Me [or, eats My bread] has lifted up his heel against Me.’ [Psalm 41:9]

Proverbs 22 (NKJV)
5
Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse; he who guards his soul will be far from them.

NOTE:
We can have real and great sorrow from living in this world. May we grieve in a way that draws us closer to the Lord.

May our souls be far from thorns and snares.

May our souls always be very close to the Presence and the Word of the Father, so we can have real strength and joy in all of the experiences of life on earth—and forever in heaven.

Vance

======= John:

2Cor1-2

When Paul got updated on Corinth, it appears the Christians had taken to heart what Paul had said on his visit and what Paul wrote in 1Cor. Yet, there were still some that were at odds with Paul – taking some pot shots at him for not returning to Corinth. Paul greets, updates, and addresses the concerns about his not returning during the time between visit and 2Cor.
======================================================
ONCE SAVED ALWAYS SAVED

Shortly after being saved, I had a social conversation with a Pastor of a local church. He asked me, if I believed in the “security” of my Salvation. I did and still do. At that point he ran to his house and returned giving me some books he had written. The minister did not believe in security, he felt a Christian could lose his/her salvation. We talked off and on for a while, but neither one of us budged from our position.

I thought it strange. To me, from a common sense standpoint, “assurance” frees you from that worry of waking up every morning thinking, “Am I saved or am I lost?” So we are free to go about growing in Christian maturity.

However, I do not base my belief in assurance on my “feelings”, there is plenty of evidence in Scripture. One set of verses is here:

1Cor1:1-22
“Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” NIV

God “makes” – in Greek tense is an ongoing action.

Anointed, sealed, deposit – are in aorist tense – completed action.

Anointed: God has identified us, chosen if you will, and consecrated us for lives as Christians.

Sealed: Authenticated us, “In the ancient world, a seal was used to identify and to protect. If something was sealed, everyone knew who it belonged to (the seal had an insignia), and the seal prevented anyone else from tampering with the item. The Holy Spirit is upon us to identify us and to protect us.” – David Guzik

Deposit – “earnest” in KJV (the idea of giving earnest money to someone).GK. word “arrhabon” meaning – “money which in purchases is given as a pledge or downpayment that the full amount will subsequently be paid.”
http://www.blueletterbible.org/tmp_dir/words/7/1156685302-7592.html

How comforting are these words. God has identified us, authenticated us, and put a down payment on us that will be fulfilled in Heaven.

This is why I think the idea from the OT that God keeps His Word is so important. God in OT over and over showed He was not a fickle God – He did what He said He would do. God’s promise of salvation and our status as “co-heirs” to heaven is as rock solid as the entity standing behind those promises. Personally, I have no doubts 🙂
======================================================
FORGIVENESS FOR THE SINNER

Much speculation about who the “sinner” was that Paul referred to in this text. It could be the man who acted immorally with his stepmother in 1Cor5.

Whoever the “sinner was”, although it bothered Paul – his point was the sinner’s actions grieved the “assembly”. By majority he was sent away from the “assembly. Apparently, the sinner repented, but was not allowed back.

The Corinthians were of two extremes. In 1COr5 the brethren winked and nodded at the sin – they were loathe to condemn the man. Now they were loathe to forgive the sinner even though he repented of his sin.

“Paul told them to do more than forgive, he also told them to comfort. “There may be a judicial forgiveness which is hard, and leaves the soul always conscious of the past. Comfort takes the soul to heart, and forgets. That is how God forgives, and so should we who are His children.” (Morgan)

“If discipline is largely lacking in the Church of today, so also is the grace of forgiving and comforting those who, having done wrong, are truly repentant. How often, alas! souls have been indeed swallowed up with overmuch sorrow because of the harshness and suspicion of Christian people toward them in view of some wrong which they have done . . . Love never slights holiness; but holiness never slays love.” (Morgan)

2Cor2:11
“in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.” NIV

“outwit” (the Greek word pleonekteo) is used in four other verses in the New Testament (2 Corinthians 7:2, 12:17-18, 1 Thessalonians 4:6). It has the idea of cheating someone out of something that belongs to them. When we are ignorant of Satan’s strategies, he is able to take things from us that belong to us in Jesus, things like peace, joy, fellowship, a sense of forgiveness, and victory.” – David Guzik

Satan’s schemes were recognizable to Paul:

“Satan’s strategy against the man was first of lust, then of hopelessness and despair. Satan’s strategy against the church was first the toleration of evil, then of undue severity in punishment. Satan’s strategy against Paul was to simply make him so stressed and upset over the Corinthian Christians that he lost peace and was less effective in ministry!” – David Guzik

[NOTE: Once again the idea of a “nebulous evil force” does not jive with Paul’s talk of “outwitting” and “schemes”. Paul is talking about a “real” entity.]

John

Job 20:1-22:30 + 2 Corinthians 1:1-11 + Psalm 40:11-17 + Proverbs 22:2-4
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs ~

Old Testament – Today in Job chapter 21 verses 7 through 13 we read these words of Job: “”The truth is that the wicked live to a good old age. They grow old and wealthy. They live to see their children grow to maturity, and they enjoy their grandchildren. Their homes are safe from every fear, and God does not punish them. Their bulls never fail to breed. Their cows bear calves without miscarriage. Their children skip about like lambs in a flock of sheep. They sing with tambourine and harp. They make merry to the sound of the flute. They spend their days in prosperity; then they go down to the grave in peace.”   How do these words of Job speak to you?  Is there truth in these words?   If the wicked go to the grave in peace, what happens to them after the grave?  Honestly, I’m not so sure about the wicked living to a good old age and going to the grave in peace…  I personally would not take this chance.  I think living a wicked life leads to inner conflict and an unhealthy life and potentially an early grave.  I understand why Job said these words in his circumstances (he was experiencing suffering without committing the great sins his friends accused him of), but I personally would not bet on a wicked life delivering a long lifetime of wealth or peace…

New Testament – Today we begin Paul’s Second Letter to the church in Corinth!  Corinth was a city known in the 1st century for its wealth and lust.  It was a trade center with thousands of sailors who disembarked there.  Its pagan temples encouraged the practice of sexual immorality along with idol worship.  Thus, this was not an easy place for the early church!  But clearly a place where the church was so needed!  Below is a map of where Corinth is in Greece – it is about 48 miles west of Athens.  And below that is a modern day photo of ancient remains of the pagan temple to Apollo from ancient Corinth:

~ Second Corinthians ~
Author: Paul the apostle
Place: Ephesus
Date: A.D. 57
Content: Paul’s earlier letter to the Corinthians had not settled all of the problems. It had some good effect upon them but much more remained to be done. In particular, Paul had to settle the problem concerning his own authority. Deep suspicions had been aroused concerning him, for what reasons we do not fully understand. But in great anguish Paul writes to reestablish his own apostolic authority. He also attempts to deal with some more practical matters, like supporting the poor believers elsewhere.
Theme: Triumph over adversity is seen throughout this letter. It is a very personal one, written by one who loved his people but had been deeply wronged by them. As Paul catalogs the experiences of his life and the nature of the Christian ministry, it is possible to see the grace of God at work bringing good from evil. Satan is active, seeking to destroy God’s work, but God is greater still, establishing those who trust in him. (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” p. 25) More commentary on Second Corinthians is at this link. Below is “The Apostle Paul”, by the artist Rembrandt from the year 1657:

Bible Project:  Here is a terrific video overview of 2nd Corinthians!:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lfPK2vfC54

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Second Corinthians chapter 1 titled “Why Bad things happen to God’s people” is at this link.  Below is a great image for 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 from today’s readings from what looks to be Guatemala to me.  (though maybe this picture is more South America/Andes region?)  I had the good fortune to travel to Guatemala two years ago – and I miss it!  It is a beautiful country with beautiful people!

Psalms – Today Psalm 40 verse 16 stood out to me for it’s pure joy and praise: “But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, “The LORD is great!””  Does this verse resonate with you today?  Have you searched for God in your life?  Are you filled with joy and gladness because of that search?  Do you love God’s salvation?  Do you shout praises to God for all he has done for you?

Maybe if verse 16 does not resonate for you today, hopefully verse 17 can encourage you: “As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord is thinking about me right now. You are my helper and my savior. Do not delay, O my God.”  Do you believe that Jesus is thinking about you right now?  Do you believe that Jesus is your helper and your savior?

Proverbs – Proverbs 22 verse 2 is a great reminder that our wealth or status does not affect who we are in God’s eyes or in God’s very hands: “The rich and the poor have this in common: The LORD made them both.”  As we are all created by God, we should not ever consider ourselves better than anyone – nor lesser than anyone – because someone else has a different set of finances than we do.  If you think about it, every single person you meet has a different set of finances than you do.  Some are richer, some are poorer.  And yet we all have this in common – God made us.  How might this affect how you view others in this world?  Do you literally and consciously realize that God made each and every one of us?  Below is Michelangelo’s “Creation” from the Sistine Chapel in Rome, circa 1505-1513:

Worship Video:  Today’s readings in Psalm 40 reminded me of The After’s wonderful song called “Light Up the Sky.” Here’s a great live version of this song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UpWVQbbKVo

Has God lit up the sky for you? Click here for Light!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray a prayer of praise to God, our Father of compassion and comfort! Pray that you will comfort those in your life who are in any trouble, with the comfort you yourself have received from God through a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )

======= Ramona:

Job 20-22:30
Mike I will attempt to give a brief answer to your question about Job’s perspective on the wicked. The problem with Job’s observation is just that, it is his observation and his own conclusion. Since we look at things with our own eyes, we have our perspective not God’s. People can witness the same accident, and depending on where they are standing, whether their view is obstructed, and throw into this mix, partiality, we will testify on a stack of bibles that what we have seen is true, but each saw things differently.
Job is experiencing internally the pain of what happened to him, his three friends are observing from the outside and making their own conclusion of the cause, all four are wrong because none has God’s point of view and none understands that it was not God that brought Job down, albeit, temporarily but it was Satan, though God allowed it.
Several things have crossed my mind as I read this, Job’s three “friends” are judging him by what they see and judge themselves by their intentions. That is something we do. They have set themselves “higher” then Job, thus they believe they have the “right” to make judgments against Job by saying he must have sinned because of his state, so they are unable to hear Job’s rebuke of them. They consider themselves wiser than Job because Job is destitute and they are not. There are those who believe their wealth, multiple degrees, etc. make them smarter, wiser and above reproach, so they can give advice, ungodly advice, to everyone they deem beneath them.
Job and his friends see the same things, yet hold differing views because each has a different perspective; however, seeing “effects” and then judging what they think is the “cause,” sin, is dangerous business
What I also find in this by all four men are a lot of truth in their speech with a little bit of untruth mixed in. So trying to ascertain which part of their speech is true and/or false, with some assumptions thrown in is kind of like trying to remove the cup of saltwater that has been mixed in with a barrel full of fresh water, impossible. The whole barrel must be emptied and then filled with fresh water again, sans the seawater.
II Corinthians 1:1-11
Interesting how the trial Job is experiencing is dealt with by Paul. If Paul’s words had been available to Job while he was experiencing this “test”, Job might have had a brighter disposition. However, we today are able to read Paul’s words so we need to stop murmuring and complaining every time something doesn’t go our way.
3 All praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the source of every mercy and the God who comforts us. 4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 5 You can be sure that the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. 6 So when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your benefit and salvation! For when God comforts us, it is so that we, in turn, can be an encouragement to you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. 7 We are confident that as you share in suffering, you will also share God’s comfort.
Psalm 40:11-17
The 16th verse is the one that caught my attention just like it did to Mike and Vance.
But may all who search for you
be filled with joy and gladness.
May those who love your salvation
repeatedly shout, “The LORD is great!”
Usually we shout Amen, Hallelujah and the Lord is great when something wonderful happens but even if something bad happens the Lord is Still Great! When a natural disaster comes upon the earth and tens of thousands die, the Lord is Great. When we lose our job, the Lord is Great. God’s greatness doesn’t depend on us having a great day, God is great because He IS Great! Great is part of His Character.
Proverbs 22:2-4
2 The rich and the poor have this in common: The LORD made them both.
Another verse in God’s Word that proves no one’s wealth seats them in a higher position or place in life as far as God is concerned. Man is the one who operates in a “class” system. We all want to think we are better than someone else is. Even the poorest of the poor, the lowest on man’s social scale, will observe someone’s behavior and say, “Even I don’t do that,” as if they, me, I, we, set the High Mark for righteousness and social decorum. God have mercy.
Grace and peace,
Ramona

======= Ramona:

Job 20:1-22:30
Something else came to me while reading Job this year, Job, though loved and studied for his trials and how he came out, could not stand up to the pressure of the enemies nor his “friends.” Jesus did. Job had wealth on the earth; Jesus’ wealth was in heaven with His Father. Job involuntarily lost his wealth; Jesus gladly gave us His (Heb. 12:2) to become flesh and live amongst us. Job delivered widows, orphans and the oppressed from their poverty and subjugation, which is temporary state; Jesus delivered us from sin and death, which is eternal. Job became accusatory under his temporary loss and pain; Jesus said, “… Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt. (Mark 14:36 KJV)
There are many more opposite comparisons between Job and Jesus; however, my purpose is not to vilify Job or even to point out his faults. Throughout the Old Testament, we find men and woman who acted heroically and operated in faith as stated in the 11th chapter of Hebrews; however, all they could do was provide a temporary deliverance from difficult situations. Jesus is the only one who could and would deliver permanently.
Job is a case study in how to stand. By looking out the rebuke and correction God eventually gives his friends and Job, we have a case study showing how to persevere, but first we must recognize that our enemy is not God but the devil, and more than likely ourselves for blaming the wrong guy for our problems and coming to wrong conclusions.
Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: (Ephesians 6:11-17 KJV)
Ramona

======= Sharlena:

Romona & Mike,
Thank you so much helping me better understand why
Job would have to suffer as he was. Reading your comments helps me to see it from a very different perspective.
Thank you both for your part in my journey to become closer to God. Each day I look forward to all that is offered on this website.
Blessings to all.
Sharlena

======= Art:

God speaks to me through Rembrandt’s painting “The Apostle Paul”. Thank you, Mike, for always including such inspiring visual arts to the readings, commentary, and music.
A prayer of deliverance from pressing trouble:
Psalm 40:13
Please Lord, rescue me!
Come quickly, Lord, and help me.
The language of believing prayer– deliver me, help me. looking for deliverance and help from God only.
Of earnest prayer– make haste to help me.
Of submissive prayer– be pleased, O Lord, if according to your good pleasure.
Of consistent prayer– “Help me” which implies efforts for his own deliverence, putting his own shoulder to the wheel.
Oh, the far-reaching beauty and wisdom of the Psalms. Study, sing, pray them daily!
Art

======= Janice:

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO POST HERE AND HELP IN SHARING THEIR VIEWS…I COME HERE EACH DAY TO REFLECT AND TRY TO OBTAIN SOME PEACE..TAHNK YOU ALL…GOD BLESSINGS TO ALL
JANICE

======== Dee:

I love this song! Yes u do light up the sky and let us know u are with me..
Job! Bless his heart. Jobs perception was all over the place..he was correct. He had not sinned. He was doing the right thing..however..saying people are loving longer in peace while sinning..I can’t get on that bandwagon.
2nd Corinthians today!!so God is with us when we are weighted down..
Psalms 40 even when disaster hits God is still great!!
Proverbs the rich and poor..God made them all! Amen!
Dee

======= Vance:

JOB 21
12
They sing with tambourine and harp. They make merry to the sound of the flute.
13
They spend their days in prosperity; then they go down to the grave in peace.
14
All this, even though they say to God, `Go away. We want no part of you and your ways.
15
Who is the Almighty, and why should we obey him? What good will it do us if we pray?’
16
But their prosperity is not of their own doing, so I will have nothing to do with that kind of thinking.
29
But I tell you to ask those who have been around, and they can tell you the truth. 30Evil people are spared in times of calamity and are allowed to escape.
31
No one rebukes them openly. No one repays them for what they have done.
32
When they are carried to the grave, an honor guard keeps watch at their tomb.
33
A great funeral procession goes to the cemetery. Many pay their respects as the body is laid to rest and the earth gives sweet repose.
34
“How can you comfort me? All your explanations are wrong!”
I notice what Job said in verse 16:
But their prosperity is not of their own doing, so I will have nothing to do with that kind of thinking.
Sometimes the wicked do prosper and do very well. The answer is, even if those who reject God and reject Christ seem to do exceedingly well and seem to have a “good” life, there is accountability in the next life.
Hell is not a tool to use to “scare” people or “hit people over the head with”. It is the reality that nothing goes unnoticed or unaccounted for…even if it may seem that way.
Luke 16 (NKJV)
25
But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented.
26
And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’
27
“Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house,
28
for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’
29
Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’
30
And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’
31
But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’”
2 CORINTHIANS 1
3
All praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the source[b] of every mercy and the God who comforts us.
4
He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.
5
You can be sure that the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ.
THANK GOD FOR THE NEARNESS OF THE PRESENCE AND REALITY OF CHRIST!
PSALM 40
16
But may all who search for you
be filled with joy and gladness.
May those who love your salvation
repeatedly shout, “The LORD is great!”
Do we— do I —experience the reality of Jesus, His Presence, and His joy? The “Joy of the Lord is my strength” (Nehemiah 8:10)
The world does not care how much we know.
People want to know how much we care… and how much we having a living, vital faith.
John 15
7
If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will[b] ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
8
By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
9
“As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.
10
If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.
11
“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.
Vance

======= Vance:

I found the name of “Job” interesting in Hebrew:
“Iyov (ee-YOHV) n. Job. Book of the Ketuvim [i.e., God’s writings] dealing with ultimate mysteries regarding evil and God’s existence. Iyov means ‘persecuted’ or ‘hated.’”
Source – Messianic Jewish website:
http://hebrew4christians.com/Glossary/Hebrew_Glossary_-_I/hebrew_glossary_-_i.html
~~~
This is interesting, especially since Job’s “friends” strongly mocked and accused him.
Job 21 (NKJV):
1
Then Job answered and said:
2
“Listen carefully to my speech, and let this be your consolation.
3
Bear with me that I may speak, and after I have spoken, keep mocking.
~~~
There is no truly satisfactory answer we can give to anyone to explain good and evil.
We must come to the place where we believe there is a God, that He exists, and is ultimately a rewarder of those who seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).
We must come to know that creation is not, and that people do not always act, as God intended— that something went wrong. The “something that went wrong” is sin.
Thus, we can and must come to the place where we see that so called “acts of God” (when nature destroys) and that the acts of people do not reflect the Good, Powerful and Loving character of God.
And we can and must see God—not just in the New Testament—but all through Scripture reaching out to man in Love and Mercy in the midst of questions which perplex us people.
~~~
Job 21 (NKJV)
7
Why do the wicked live and become old, yes, become mighty in power?
8
Their descendants are established with them in their sight, and their offspring before their eyes.
9
Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them.
NOTE:
This question leads me to the very excellent verses in Psalm 37 (NKJV):
1
Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.
2
For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.
Note that these verses simply state the OBJECTIVE fact of reality of God’s view: “For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.”
If you invert the numbers of Psalm 37 to Psalm 73, we find the SUBJECTIVE, human view of the same question:
Psalm 73 (NKJV)
1
Truly God is good to Israel, to such as are pure in heart.
2
But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped.
3
For I was envious of the boastful, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
16
When I thought how to understand this, it was too painful for me—
17
Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I understood their end.
18
Surely You set them in slippery places; You cast them down to destruction.
19
Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors.
20
As a dream when one awakes, so, Lord, when You awake, You shall despise their image.
21
Thus my heart was grieved, and I was vexed in my mind.
22
I was so foolish and ignorant; I was like a beast before You.
23
Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand.
~~~
This is why it is SO NECESSARY AND GOOD to be in regular fellowship with God’s people.
God’s plan is teach us and establish us personally while we are in the community of God with others who know and seek God.
Matthew 18 (NKJV)
20
For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”
2 Timothy 2 (NKJV)
22
Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
~~~
Job 22 (NKJV) – Eliphaz Accuses Job of Wickedness
25
Yes, the Almighty will be your gold [The ancient versions suggest defense] and your precious silver;
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For then you will have your delight in the Almighty, and lift up your face to God.
NOTE:
It is interesting that the Holy Spirit chose to keep all of the words of Job’s “friends” who constantly accuse and mock Job wrongly.
Even though Eliphaz is accusing Job of wickedness in this chapter, yet these particular words of the Holy Spirit in the Bible really impressed me.
They touched on a deep longing not just to know about God from Scripture and reading, but to spend time with God.
This makes me think of a quote by Andrew Murray. He is often called “The Apostle Of Abiding Love”. Note this brief sketch of the ministry of Andrew Murray according to In Touch Ministries:
“Even at this early stage of ministry, he already showed signs of becoming a noted author. The ‘deeper Christian life’ was a favorite subject for Murray. He told how God was committed to revealing more of Himself to those who would seek Him.”
”As a preacher, he consistently drew large crowds and led many to trust Christ as their Savior.”
(source: http://www.intouch.org/myintouch/mighty/portraits/andrew_murray_213652.html)
I like this quote by Andrew Murray in “With Christ In The School of Prayer”:
“Count it one of the chief blessings of prayer to exercise faith in God, as the Living Mighty God who waits to fulfil in us all the good pleasure of His will, and the work of faith with power.”
“See in Him the God of Love, whose delight it is to bless and impart Himself.”
Amen.
2 Corinthians 1 (NKJV)
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Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
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who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
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For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.
NOTE:
As we really know the true joy in fellowship with the Lord, even our sorrow becomes a means of receiving God’s comfort.
Then, in our lives and words, we can be a living witness to the true and living God, and to the Lord Jesus.
Psalm 40 (NKJV)
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Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; let such as love Your salvation say continually,
“The LORD be magnified!”
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But I am poor and needy; yet the LORD thinks upon me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God.
NOTE:
Our words we speak and the thoughts we repeat to ourselves either produce life or death. May we follow the wise advice and will of the Holy Spirit: “let such as love Your salvation say continually, ‘The LORD be magnified!’ ”
This is a spiritual discipline of worship before the Lord.
The next verse is amazing: “But I am poor and needy; yet the LORD thinks upon me.”
May we really come to know this loving God and receive His thoughts about us. Isn’t it amazing that the Lord sets His thoughts upon us?
In the fog and confusion of the questions as we live our lives on this “desert” called earth, may we receive the Living Water of God’s Thoughts and Presence!
Vance