THE 4TH FRIEND
Today’s Reading: Job 32-33
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
A young boy at Nazareth Village working in the carpentry shop. Nazareth Village depicts what life would have been like for Jesus in the first century AD. Jesus, while still a boy, learned His trade in a shop in Nazareth. The Carpenter’s hands are still at work in our lives.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Job 32:6-7
So Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, answered and said: “I am young in years, and you are very old; therefore I was afraid, and dared not declare my opinion to you. I said, ‘Age should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.’…”
Elihu tells us he is about to give Job his opinion (32:7). We have in Scripture not just someone’s opinion but TRUTH! Again in 32:17 Elihu says he’s full of words, his opinions. Sounds like our radio and television talk show hosts today. Let’s check out our opinions to make sure they line up with the wisdom of the ages given in the inspired Word of God! We can form our opinions by comparing Scripture with Scripture. For example, Job 33:20-21 refers to our physical health. Read Psalm 107:18-20. It surely sounds like anorexia, but there is healing promised, “He sent His Word and healed them.” There’s healing in the Word we study every day. Also, before forming a final opinion about Job, consider 1 Peter 1:7, where we learn to rejoice, “That the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, might be found unto praise, honour, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
A correct understanding of suffering does seem to be beyond our human capabilities. It does not occur to Job’s friends or to Job himself that his sufferings are not evidence of God’s judgment on Job, but rather a means of expressing God’s confidence in Job. In gaining an understanding of the sufferings of believers, we may want to read further in 1 Peter 4:12-19.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, I am thinking of Your sufferings on the Cross, not for Your sins, but for mine. I pray that I will, more and more, show a truly genuine and constant repentance for my sin. As You said to the woman who was accused of adultery, “Neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more.” Grant me grace, I pray, to live as You lived, Lord Jesus! In Your Name I ask this, Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
One Sunday morning, shortly after giving my life to Jesus and receiving the assurance of Salvation, I learned a new prayer song in the Pembroke church: “O to be like Thee! O to be like Thee! Blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art. Come in Thy sweetness. Come in Thy fullness. Stamp thine own image deep on my heart” (click here for this song). O how my heart longed for His purity. Tears would flow down my cheeks as I sang this prayer. Tears still flow! When we see Him someday soon, “We shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2b).
I’ve been involved in creating several different television shows throughout the years. The first one was the weekly Crossroads telecast back in 1962. Then there were children’s and teen’s shows, the daily 100 Huntley Street ministry, documentaries, open-line shows, senior’s shows, etc. I continue to dream of creative new beginnings.
Please keep me in your prayers. I tend to be like the man of whom it was said, “He jumped on his horse and rode off in all directions.” I cried earlier. Now I’m laughing!
Yours for God’s truth to become much more evident in our opinions,
David
Im 63 years old and have gone through many trials inmy life
I came to know Jesus as my personal Savior and Lord in july 1977 through 100 Huntley Street and I had 2 daughters and a husband I was pregnant with my third chid in oct 17 my only son was born we rejoiced but when he was 6 weeks old he beganto vomit up stool and for a wek the didn’t know what was wrong so we took himto London hospital where he went to heaven we had 4 more daughters but im grateful to God that O knew Jesus to carry me through that trial now all these years ha e passed I have experienced manyhealing in mylife in , y daughters lives and my husband s life and God has always been faithful I praise Him and Glorify Him for healing my 2 daughters of cervical cancer and myother daughter of MS shes now pregnant for her second child and another one of my daughters been hit by 2 deer last year driving home from work inMissasaga her car was totaled but she came out without a scratch Glory to God the dr said if she hadn t been an avod person to workout daily she would have had a broken neck these are just a few miracles of healing and protection as well as my husband was healed of an enlarged prostate so To God be All the Glory looking for His return God Bless ♡♥♡♥☆★☆★♡♥♡♥■☆☆★
Amen Lily May!
Thank you so much for sharing Lily May; I get goosebumps from reading your story! Yes, God is so good! I’ve had some unbelievable experiences also and all I can say, it was truly God at work! AMAZING GRACE HOW SWEET THE SOUND THAT SAVED A WRETCH LIKE ME! I ONCE WAS LOST, BUT NOT AM FOUND! WAS BLIND BUT NOW I SEE! AMAZING GRACE!
Thanks Pastor David for your encouraging words as usual. Lily May, thank you so much for sharing your story with us, may God continue to Bless you and your dear family. Eleanor M.
Your blog on August 24th about Amelia from Brantford. Although many years have gone by since I attended New Covenant Church in Brantford where Amelia attended also, I was interested to know that this dear lady was still alive. I remember her well, her lovely smile, and eyes that seem loaded with wisdom and suffering. She was always an encourage.
My two daughters and I took a trip back to Brantford on Monday where we lived for 21 yrs. We travelled down Memory Lane passing the two residences we once lived in, and visiting a 96 yr. old friend at Seasons Bell Lane who also knows Amelia. We all helped to build New Covenant Church. Rev. Dr. John Tweedie was our Pastor, and still today he and his wife, Clare, remain close friends of our family.
Brantford has many memories for us. Thank you for reminding me of dear Amelia. Thank you, also, for your encouraging words which I read every day along with The Daily Bread and In Touch devotions by Charles Stanley. I am 82 yrs. young and my husband and I will celebrate our 59th Wedding Anniversary on Sept. 15th. Blessings to you and Norma Jean.
Sincerely,
Lyn Unsworth
You’re still on that horse David and we all are benefiting from it. Praise God for gifts like you…
Have a blessed day brothers and sisters in Christ
Amen.
Elihu was so gracious to listen to his elders first. We were always taught that at home but also taught never to brag.
Thanks for your vivid imagination Rev. M. and ambition. God has been good to all of us thru you.
We are getting smoked out by the wildfires in Washington and B.C. here in west central Alberta. Praying for rain for all areas in need.
God will take care of you:
https://youtu.be/dgYVN3g5S7g
Blessings to all.
“He leads us on paths of righteousness for His Names sake” Ps 23:3a
Thank you for that link “O to be like Him” is my prayer …”now we see him through a glass darkly but then we will see him face to face…” 1Cor 13:12
Keep on riding…Pastor David…:)
Lily May…God bless you…thanks for sharing!
God Bless you David, your faith is awesome and gives me courage to continue in my struggles.
Thanks. Jenny.
Amen to all the comments posted today!
Thankyou Lily May for sharing your testimony with us.
Your story is an inspiration of how to trust and obey our Lord and Saviour,
Jesus Christ. May God Bless and protect you and your family always, Amen.
Today I’m very weepy, I am having a hip replacement next Monday, the Anaesthetist suggests spinal anaesthetic, but I had back surgery before.
Both my shoulders are very painful, so may interfere with my recovery, using the walker or canes make them worse.
I can only put myself in God’s hands, He promises not to give me more than I can bear, never to leave me or forsake me. And He knows me by name!!! What have I to fear?
Thanks for being here for me, I just needed to be able to ask for your prayers. God Bless.
Dear Lord thank You for helping Mary through the hip surgery on Monday that all will go well and You be glorified through it in Jesus name Amen
Mary God bless you for asking for prayer! Please know that all of us on this blog will be with you in Spirit on Monday before, during and after your surgery! GOD NEVER FORSAKES HIS CHILDREN! NEVER DOUBT THE POWER OF PRAYER!
Looking forward to your blog after surgery and giving us an update! I truly believe God will bring you through this ordeal with flying colors, and you will be amazed what you have learned from this experience, Your going to meet Doctors, nurses, other staff, they will do their very best work before, during and after the operation! I also declare in the Name of Jesus Christ you will not have anymore pain! WHAT A BLESSING!
I am sending you one of my favourite blessings! Enjoy!
Numbers 6:24-26
THE LORD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU,
THE LORD MAKE HIS FACE TO SHINE UPON YOU, AND BE GRACIOUS TO YOU,
THE LORD LIFT UP HIS COUNTENANCE UPON YOU, AND GIVE YOU PEACE.
God bless you Mary!
Lord God I pray Your words in Psalm 107:20. Send Your word and heal us! Restore us ! Thank You Jesus Amen!!
AMEN to that awesome prayer song David! IMAGINE the day we shall see Him as He is! I’m so looking forward.Let us Joy in the Journey. Blessings fellow bloggers!
Mary Stewart … I pray the peace that passes all understanding guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus…Yes, God will take Care of YOU in all ways!!
Continuing prayers for you, David and all those whom have followed your life’s journey. Praise God!
Amen!! to all the uplifting comments.
🙂
I am SO THABNKFUL TO GOD FOR REMOVING SMOKES/ALCOHOL FROM ME 20 YEARS AGO AND TOOK MY BROKEN LEG AND TURNED IT INTO ME LEARNING TO SWIM!
I swim alot and meet wonderful people. Many Christians also. All I can say i “Thank you Lord GOd for this wonderful exercise”