QUESTIONS
Today’s Reading: Job 7-8
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Pictured here is one of the Majestic entrances to Jerash Jordan. Recent excavations show that Jerash was already inhabited during the Bronze Age (3200 BC – 1200 BC). After the Roman conquest in 63 BC, Jerash and the land surrounding it was annexed by the Roman province of Syria and later joined the Decapolis cities (mentioned in Matthew 4:25 and Mark 5:20). In AD 90, Jerash was absorbed into the Roman province of Arabia, which included the city of Philadelphia (modern day Amman, the capital city of the Kingdom of Jordan).
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Job 7:17, 8:21
What is man, that You should exalt him, that You should set Your heart on him?…He will yet fill your mouth with laughing, and your lips with rejoicing!
Job asks a great question. What is man? Jesus answered that question. Mankind is the object of God’s love (John 3:14-17). Jesus changed many things that Job and his friends believed. For example, Job said, “He who goes down to the grave does not come up” (Job 7:9b). But Jesus did come up! His grave is empty! (John 11:17-26).
Bildad correctly predicts God’s ultimate plan for Job: (1) Eventual prosperity. (2) The joy of God’s way. (3) Laughing. (4) A confession that brings rejoicing! (Romans 10:8-13). As I’ve written often here in the blog, “Jesus changes everything!”
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I pray for the grace to look beyond my present circumstances to Your long-range plans for me. Thank You for the fact that I am loved by You and that You are mindful of me. May I not live, as has often been said, “under the circumstances,” but may I live “over and above.” In the Name of the One who has overcome even death itself, the Lord Jesus, Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I confess every day that I am an “overcomer.” In the last book of the New Testament, Revelation 12:11, we are told that, “They overcame him [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony.” Job and Bildad did not have the written Scriptures in order to know absolute truth, but we are able to compare Scripture with Scripture. I’ve learned through the years that I must diligently study in order to, as the Apostle Paul taught a young pastor/teacher, Timothy, be “diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).
I had a great example from my Dad. Mother died when I was 12 and Dad and I were left to carry on. He would have the porridge on the stove when he called me to get up for school, and when I arrived in the kitchen, he would have his Bible open on the table, ready to read to me, and then we would kneel and he would pray for me for the day ahead. Only then would he serve the porridge for our breakfast. A child never forgets such consistency. To this day, my number one priority is reading God’s Word and then praying for the day ahead. I’m overcome with emotion just now as I type this and think of the heritage I was given. I also know that it’s never too late to start building for our families “a family ritual”, as Dr. Rich Melheim said on the 100 Huntley Street telecast (click here for one of Dr. Rich’s teaching). He is a Lutheran Pastor who has it right! I’m currently reading Rich’s book, “Holding Your Family Together.” Here’s how to get your own copy.
Yours for consistently reading God’s Word and for praying with our loved ones,
David
P.S. Below is a photo of Great-Grand’ma and Great-Grand’pa with our two newest great-grandchildren, Chelsea Grace Gilmore and River June Neilson. I can’t begin to imagine the grief of Mr. and Mrs. Job at the loss of their children.
Dear Pastor David, what a wonderful heritage you had and you have passed it on. This is a beautiful picture of Norma Jean, you and the great grandchildren, they are part of that heritage. I prayed your prayer as my own, I want to also live over and above my circumstances. Blessings to all today, This is the day that the Lord has made, let is rejoice and be glad in it. Amen.
Great priorities, David! Living out the right ways is hard. I don’t get angry wth God but with others. Someone once said ‘so what do you want – others to say that’s ok, or perhaps instant healing w no effort on your part?’ Really, I’d like to live consistently in God’s good ways. Fall so far short.
But thanks 4 the blog and the great example of a life lived for God.
I pray for this day ahead of you Rob!!
We all fall short. There is nothing we have done, or are doing, or will do that will catch God by surprise. He will never say, “Gee if I had known you were going to do that I wouldn’t have bother saving you”. So there is no point in beating ourselves up for being sinners– we are forgiven sinners in Christ. So let us not confuse condemnation for conviction.
The Holy Spirit will convict us when there is something we can do about a situation, but He will never make us feel like a failure or tell us we are bad.
And sometimes we need help with some issues. Jesus said if you right hand causes you to sin, cut it off. Of course that isn’t literal, but it means if something is causing you to sin, deal with it. If watching porn causes you to lust, stop watching porn. If anger causes you to sin, find resources to learn to manage your anger. If you need professional help, get professional help. Because sitting there feeling guilty over committing the same sins over and over doesn’t help you and prevents God from healing the very thing you want to be healed.
Conviction will lead to change and healing-condemnation is a lie that keeps believers thinking somehow they can impress God with their goodness or disappoint Him when the stumble. Conviction is the power of God at work, condemnation keeps Christians stuck.
Remember it is not about us– it all about Him. Don’t make it about what we do, focus on what He did and why.
Honestly if you stop trying to live a “good life” and start living a redeemed life, it makes a world a difference.
PS— I was talking in general—the proverbial you, not about anyone specific just to be clear about that.
God bless you Donna! Your blog is TERRIFIC! thank you and yes, start living the redeemed life that God gave us! HE GAVE IT TO US FOR OUR HAPPINESS, OUR SALVATION, OUR LIVES EACH AND EVERY DAY! Thank you Donna, thank you so much! XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOOXOXOXOXOXOXOO
Belated Happy Birthday Greetings Norma Jean, trust you had a wonderful day.
Blessings to you and your loved ones.
Dear David, Thats what my dad did before breakfast every morning
the bible wasread by dad a prayer was said and the Lords prayer was said.
Then we could go to school ,or play… Good teaching for me …R….
Not sure if I am into the site as I have not made it other times. So I’ll just say this blog is a real blessing. God Bless David Mainse and all his readers.
God Bless everyone today!
Amen
Does anyone else have a problem clicking onto the links in the blog? Or is it just me. So disappointing when I want to watch them and can’t.
Amen Donna M! We have been set free! Jesus Paid it all, all to Him I owe…Praise His Holy Name!!!
AMEN IRENE AMEN!!!!!!!!!