Saturday, June 4, 2016

My Thoughts Are Not Yours

KJB Daily DevotionFollowing Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: Saturday, June 04, 2016
Chapters: Job 32-34
Message: My Thoughts Are Not Yours

Hello My Friend,

I am in a long distance relationship with a guy where most of our communication is texting, once in a while he or I will say something that was misunderstood and led to an argument. You know, words have a way of expressing themselves by our emotions, if you are irritable you may interpret something that was never intended. It is a known fact that sometimes we are guilty of misunderstanding words, even God’s, and we too have said things that were misunderstood. While misunderstandings are inevitable, we can get past them and learn valuable lessons through them, most of all that God’s thoughts are not as our own. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” - Isaiah 55:5,9.

We tend to form opinions on things we see and hear quite often with jagged thoughts to begin with. When Job’s friends saw that he lost everything he had and was laying there in pain they automatically formed an opinion of him, he must have some unconfessed sin that God is punishing him for. After Job stopped speaking his friends said no more because they misunderstood his words, they thought he thought himself to be without any sin. There was another man sitting there the entire time, a younger man, listening to everything all four men said, Elihu. He was a forefather of Samuel who would later be a prophet and judge in Israel years later.

So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God. Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job. Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they were elder than he. When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, then his wrath was kindled. Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment. Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will shew mine opinion.” - Job 32:1-5,9,10.

I also will shew mine opinion.” Opinion, The judgment formed of the mind of any statement, theory or event, supported by evidence that renders it a possibility, but is not an absolute certainty. Everyone has opinions, everyone forms their own judgment on things they see or read. Many of the opinions formed of God are, in fact based on opinion and not true facts, the same is true on how they interpret His Word. We have to learn that not everyone who says they know the Bible knows God’s Word. And we have to understand that what God sees as good or righteous is not the same as we see it. Only we can make the best decisions based on what facts we have, and we do have a right to defend ourselves.

Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;” - I Corinthians 8:7-10.

God gave us His Word as a guide to show us what He sees a right and wrong. Some things are not spelled out for us, but as we read and study His Word we learn that the Holy Spirit will tell us what is wrong. All churches draw up bylaws to follow if you want to be or remain a member, if caught breaking one of those laws they must be disciplined under the law of God to remain a member, some churches even revoke them. To be honest, most of the bylaws are based on opinions of the persons in charge of the church, rather than what the Word of God says. Elihu was angry at Job because he said he was justified and did nothing wrong in this case. Elihu accuses him of saying he was righteous ans without any sin at all. He does give a little insight to the grace of God.

Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words, saying, I am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me. Behold, he findeth occasions against me, he counteth me for his enemy, He putteth my feet in the stocks, he marketh all my paths. Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man. Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters. For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not. If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness: Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.” - Job 33:8-14,23,24.

Deliver him from going down to the pit:” Elihu seems to be making the mistake many people make, in his opinion he believes God chooses who gets to go to heaven by their works. God, in fact does choose who goes to heaven, He chooses those who choose His Son. Do not make the mistake of thinking that those who were here before Jesus came were saved by their works alone, if that were the case many would be in hell right now. The only way they could be saved was by confession and atonement of their sins to God as well. Jesus just made it permanent, He became the messenger, the one among a thousand to stand before God in our behalf to show our righteousness. It is not our righteousness, but Christ’s that is upon us by believing ans receiving Him.

Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour. I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God.” - Isaiah 43:10-12.

and beside me there is no saviour.” This is proof right here, that Jesus is God in the flesh, God gave Himself as a ransom to pay the price for our sin, Jew or not, He is the same God to all who believe in Him. Elihu continues, now he upbraids Job for going against God’s judgment on him, bit for someone who claims to have heard everything he said, he sure misunderstood a lot of it.

Hear my words, O ye wise men; and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge. For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat. Let us choose to us judgment: let us know among ourselves what is good. For Job hath said, I am righteous: and God hath taken away my judgment. Should I lie against my right? my wound is incurable without transgression. What man is like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water? Which goeth in company with the workers of iniquity, and walketh with wicked men. For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God. Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.” - Job 34:2-10.

Let us choose to us judgment:” Elihu formed his opinion on Job based on things that he said, but he interpreted them the way he heard them, and what he heard was not what Job actually said. See what he says here, “let us know among ourselves what is good.”, this is proof that we form an opinion on what we believe is good or bad, which is why our wisdom is not the same as God’s. We have to learn that we cannot form opinions based on the things we see, and sometimes even what we read or hear. If we take the time to truly listen without those jagged thoughts we would see the facts.

Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful. For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.” - Romans 7:13-16,25.

Jesus Christ Revealed: Today, Jesus is revealed through the messenger (33:23). Jesus is the messenger, the mediator between God and man, if you believe in Christ He stands before God on your behalf and presents you as righteous. “Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” - Romans 3:22,23.

Today's Prayer: God, I want to live my live according to Your Word, I know the things that I go through are not always about Your judgment or tests, it's about trusting You and believing that You can do anything You say You can do. When I am being persecuted, afflicted, or judged by others help me to respond with the true knowledge that You have given me, let me not be taken by those who have formed an opinion on me, but by Your truths. Also, let me not form opinions, but learn the facts and truth. Keep me around people who tell Your truths truthfully and keep me in Your Word to let the Holy Spirit be my Guide to Your truths as I study them. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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Friday, June 3, 2016

More Than A Dream Come True

KJB Daily Devotion – Following Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: Friday, June 03, 2016
Chapters: Job 29-31
Message: More Than A Dream Come True

Hello My Friend,

Dream, To think; to imagine. We all have dreams of things we want in the future. While some people do get the chance to live their dreams exactly as they see them, but most of us take detours along the way, and even change them several times over the years. One thing is for certain, God plays the biggest part in our dreams coming true, after all, if He allows it than it will happen. Since life pays a big toll in our dreams it can often hinder or stop us in our tracks. While not all dreams are meant to be we do not have to give up on our dreams, with faith in God, and doing what we are physically able to do, God will make something happen. “If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.” - I Corinthians 3:14,15.

If any man's work shall be burned,” How often does everything fall into place as though you are seeing your dream come true and in an instant it is gone? More often than we think. Some people are blessed to get things handed to them right away, most people have to work hard for them. I imagine Job worked very hard to get the things he had, to see it all gone must have been heartbreaking, not to mention all his friends harping on him. Discouraged and distraught, Job begins to think about all the things he had. “Moreover Job continued his parable, and said, Oh that I were as in months past, as in the days when God preserved me; When his candle shined upon my head, and when by his light I walked through darkness; As I was in the days of my youth, when the secret of God was upon my tabernacle; When the Almighty was yet with me, when my children were about me; When I washed my steps with butter, and the rock poured me out rivers of oil;” - Job 29:1-6.

as in the days when God preserved me;” I think every time I go through something that seems to linger, the first thing I do is start thinking of all the things I had. I look around and see what God really has done for me and wonder why He stopped blessing me. The truth is, God never stops blessing us, if we are saved, we are one of His forever, preserved with eternal life and nothing can change that. When God appears to be no where that is when He is preparing us from something great. Those dreams are just a prayer, a hope, a seed of faith away, all we have to do to see them is keep looking to Him by faith and do not give up. “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” - I Peter 1:7.

The more afflictions we face the harder it is for us to see our dreams, which is why we perish without vision. At this point, Job feels like God has left him and basically fed him to the wolves, he wonders why He just does not take him away from it all. “But now they that are younger than I have me in derision, whose fathers I would have disdained to have set with the dogs of my flock. Yea, whereto might the strength of their hands profit me, in whom old age was perished? For want and famine they were solitary; fleeing into the wilderness in former time desolate and waste. I cry unto thee, and thou dost not hear me: I stand up, and thou regardest me not. Thou art become cruel to me: with thy strong hand thou opposest thyself against me. Thou liftest me up to the wind; thou causest me to ride upon it, and dissolvest my substance. For I know that thou wilt bring me to death, and to the house appointed for all living. Howbeit he will not stretch out his hand to the grave, though they cry in his destruction.” - Job 30:1-3,20-24.

Thou art become cruel to me:” The longer I am afflicted the more I start to feel like there is no end to it, and I too wonder why God will not end it. You know, God is not being cruel when He allows bad things to happen to us, He does it to prove our faith. God knows what we can handle, and if we endure the suffering He will bless us through it. We must understand that God does not afflict us, the devil does, but God will make a way for us to endure it. “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” - I Corinthians 10:13.

Another thing happens the longer we are afflicted, we start wondering if we really did do something that God is angry about. Job starts to question himself, was there something he did that he was not aware of. “For destruction from God was a terror to me, and by reason of his highness I could not endure. If I have made gold my hope, or have said to the fine gold, Thou art my confidence; If I rejoiced because my wealth was great, and because mine hand had gotten much; If I beheld the sun when it shined, or the moon walking in brightness; And my heart hath been secretly enticed, or my mouth hath kissed my hand: This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge: for I should have denied the God that is above. If I covered my transgressions as Adam, by hiding mine iniquity in my bosom: Did I fear a great multitude, or did the contempt of families terrify me, that I kept silence, and went not out of the door? Oh that one would hear me! behold, my desire is, that the Almighty would answer me, and that mine adversary had written a book.” - Job 31:23-28,33-35.

This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge:” Job wishes his friends who charged him with hypocrisy, would draw up the charge in writing so that he could get a fair trial. Our family and friends can be our biggest deterrent. We only have one judge, God, and while we all do our fair share of things to hinder God, we really are not as bad as we make ourselves to be. With a little patience and some faith, we can see God do wonders in our lives, and perhaps even make some dreams come true. It is not about the dream, it is about holding on to our hope and trusting the one who gives us more than we ever dreamed. “And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.” - I Peter 3:13-16.

Jesus Christ Revealed: Today, Jesus is revealed through Job who had compassion for otehrs Through (29:15-17,21-25). Jesus was moved to compassion when He saw great crowds in need of healing and feeding. “Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.” - Matthew 15:32.

Today's Prayer: God, Thank You for the life that You have given me and the path You have chosen for me. I do not always understand the steps You have me take, but I do know that You are with me in all of them. I know that I mess up and make some wrong decisions because I just don't understand or are too impatient to wait for You to show me what You really want for my life. I'm sorry for lmy lack of hope and faith when it seems You are no where to be found. Lord, lead me and guide me, give me the strength I need to endure the struggles You allow in my life, let me not look to the right or left, but straight toward You. I know that as long as I do that You will always give me more than I ever dreamed. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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Thursday, June 2, 2016

I Am Not A Stereotype

KJB Daily Devotion – Following Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date
: Thursday, June 02, 2016
Chapters: Job 24-28
Message: I Am Not A Stereotype

Hello My Friend,

Stereotype, a widely held, but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing. The world loves to place stereotypes on people, the psychologists love to group people into what they
believe them to be by race, education, lifestyles, and even gender. For instance, a person who is overweight is automatically stereotyped as someone who is not healthy and pigs out all day. Maybe some do, but that is a false stereotype because many thin people eat more than overweight people do. The truth is, there are people of all races, creeds, and lifestyles, we are all one race, are guilty of something, and all bound for the same place. It is time to stop placing stereotypes on people and start telling people there us a real hell. Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” - I Corinthians 6:9-11.

To be honest, the world is not the only one who stereotypes people, Christians do too. We must admit that we have done it ourselves, and more often than we realize. You see a person with purple streaks in their hair, a rich person, a poor person, a jobless person, a persons ethnicity, an adult living with parents, whatever it may be, and automatically made assumptions based on what you saw. This is what Job’s friends were doing to him because he was not admitting to something he did not do. Job continues explaining the prosperity of the wicked. “Why, seeing times are not hidden from the Almighty, do they that know him not see his days? Some remove the landmarks; they violently take away flocks, and feed thereof. They drive away the ass of the fatherless, they take the widow's ox for a pledge. They turn the needy out of the way: the poor of the earth hide themselves together. They are exalted for a little while, but are gone and brought low; they are taken out of the way as all other, and cut off as the tops of the ears of corn. And if it be not so now, who will make me a liar, and make my speech nothing worth?” - Job 24:1-4,24,25.

Some remove the landmarks;” There is a big problem in society today, the world has continuously removed the landmarks that separated the Christian from man, and the Christians let them because they did not want to be stereotyped. Oh, there are thousands of churches all over the place, but is God in them? No. Instead of hearing the truth, they want the feel good about themselves messages that omit their punishment for sin. “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” - II Timothy 4:3,4.

Bildad answers Job, quite perturbed by what he just said. “Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said, Dominion and fear are with him, he maketh peace in his high places. Is there any number of his armies? and upon whom doth not his light arise? How then can man be justified with God? or how can he be clean that is born of a woman?” - Job 25:1-4.

How then can man be justified with God?” Bildad stereotyped Job as one of the unbelievers, those who have no interest in God whatsoever. Bildad is correct, man cannot be justified with God, that is, if we are depending on our own works to save us. It is a false stereotype that salvation has been about works before Christ came. Yes, they followed the law of Moses, but that is not what saved them, if that really were the case, people like king Saul and even Solomon would be in hell because they both fell away from God and some point. Salvation has always been about one thing, atonement, a reconciliation with God over sins committed against Him. We will never be justified or reconciled with God for our sins by ourselves, but Christ gave us a way so we can through Him permanently, by His death, burial, and resurrection. “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” - Romans 5:9,10.

Now, Job answers Bildad, although he felt like God had taken away his understanding of what was going on, he knew that the Spirit of God was in him ans that God had all the power. Who was he to question it. “But Job answered and said, How hast thou helped him that is without power? how savest thou the arm that hath no strength? How hast thou counselled him that hath no wisdom? and how hast thou plentifully declared the thing as it is? To whom hast thou uttered words? and whose spirit came from thee? Dead things are formed from under the waters, and the inhabitants thereof. Hell is naked before him, and destruction hath no covering. He divideth the sea with his power, and by his understanding he smiteth through the proud. By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the crooked serpent. Lo, these are parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand?” - Job 26:1-6,12-14..

his hand hath formed the crooked serpent.” It is pointless to try to understand with all the great power God has why He allows the devil to have so much power himself. It is wise to understand that God has a purpose for all that we go through and has we remain faithful to Him He will get us through it. May we all have the boldness to join Job as he stands by his integrity. “As God liveth, who hath taken away my judgment; and the Almighty, who hath vexed my soul; All the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils; My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit. God forbid that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me. My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.” - Job 27:2-6.

God forbid that I should justify you:” If someone is going to stereotype us we have a right to defend ourselves and stand by our beliefs. Job was never as concerned about knowing the answer to why he was struggling as he was about knowing that God was in His life. “Whence then cometh wisdom? and where is the place of understanding? Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living, and kept close from the fowls of the air. Destruction and death say, We have heard the fame thereof with our ears. God understandeth the way thereof, and he knoweth the place thereof. For he looketh to the ends of the earth, and seeth under the whole heaven; To make the weight for the winds; and he weigheth the waters by measure.” - Job 28:20-25.

Whence then cometh wisdom?” The word wise means having the power of discerning and judging correctly. The word wisdom means the right use of knowledge. You do not have to be a scholar to know that some people do not need to know certain things because if they did they would abuse it in the worst way. This kind of wisdom is evil and does not come from God, pure wisdom is of God and everyone prospers from it. “Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.” - James 3:13-17.

Jesus Christ Revealed: Today, Jesus is revealed through Job as he would not give up his integrity. The religious groups stereotyped Jesus as a blasphemer for saying He was the Son of God, and even killed Him for it, but He would not give up His integrity and was exalted. “The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.” - Acts 5:30,31.

Today's Prayer: God, When I am facing affliction it feels like I am all alone and everyone has something to criticize me about. It's a big challenge to find You in the midst of all this, but I know You are there and that Your hand never leaves me. Lord, give me Your power to endure my affliction, give me the wisdom to know how to handle those who stereotype me, and fill me Your mercy and grace so that I never lose hope of an end to all this, with Your glory shining through. I ask these things in Jesus' name, Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Where Does Your Strength Come From?

KJB Daily Devotion – Following Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date
: Wednesday, June 01, 2016
Chapters: Job 20-23
Message: Where Does Your Strength Come From?

Hello My Friend,

Every year I look forward to reading the Book of Job, while most people have a verse they can relate to that reminds them of what God has done in their lives, I have the Book of Job, it is my testimony. Of all the years that I have read it through, this year is by far the most trying on my faith. I see people being blessed all around me, people who are not living for God, and yet I struggle each day to know how God will provide for me the next day. You see, as much as I want to give up living like this, I know where I would be if I did things my way, little is much when God is in it. I do not know what will happen tomorrow, but I do know that God is there and in the end I will be blessed for not giving up. “I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” - Philippians 4:12,13.

There is a lot to be said of strength, in fact, quite often, a person is as strong as they allow themselves to be. For instance, a person capable or lifting a hundred pounds factors all sorts of things that enable them to lift it, more importantly, if they have it in their minds that they are not able they will not. You see, several factors play a part in our strength, these are the mind, body, and spirit. In Job’s present state his physical strength was weakened by his illness, but his mental and spiritual strength was also weakened by his friends, weakening him all together. One after another they weakened him by their constant criticism of him. Zophar speaks again, this time bluntly calling him a hypocrite. “Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said, Therefore do my thoughts cause me to answer, and for this I make haste. I have heard the check of my reproach, and the spirit of my understanding causeth me to answer. Knowest thou not this of old, since man was placed upon earth, That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment? When he is about to fill his belly, God shall cast the fury of his wrath upon him, and shall rain it upon him while he is eating.” - Job 20:1-5,23.

and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment?” Hypocrite, one one who has the form of godliness, but is not. People will call you a hypocrite for one of two reasons, they either want you to do something that is not godly, or they have a false perception of you, they just knew in the back of their head you are not true. All these guys saw through Job’s affliction was that he was not the godly man he appeared to be. Words are stronger than they appear, and they will zap the strength out of you quicker than anything else. It is not the people around us that we have to please, it is God. As long as we do what He wants us to do He will give us the strength to endure the worst critics, even when it seems everyone is against us. “It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great. For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me.” - Psalms 18:32,35,39.

As Job lays there hearing their accusations he begins to wonder why the wicked do prosper, while those who do fear God suffer. “Mark me, and be astonished, and lay your hand upon your mouth. Even when I remember I am afraid, and trembling taketh hold on my flesh. Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power? Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes. Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them. Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices which ye wrongfully imagine against me. For ye say, Where is the house of the prince? and where are the dwelling places of the wicked? Have ye not asked them that go by the way? and do ye not know their tokens, That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath.” - Job 21:2-9,27-30.

That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction?” As much as we do not understand why the wicked prosper and the godly suffer, in the end they will suffer more than we ever did. I am a firm believer that those who reject God do suffer well before they die. Those who choose worldly riches and glory find it easy to ignore God because they feel they have everything they want. But look deep inside and there is no true happiness, they suffer with more problems than we do. But the wicked are not only those who reject God, they also include those who use God to get their wealth, and those who follow false religion as there way to heaven. We will all stand before Christ one day and will give an account for the things we have done, but being good has nothing to do with our salvation, we must believe in Christ for that. “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” - Matthew 7:22,23.

Eliphaz, perhaps the most knowledgeable of God between the three, has hope that things will get better for Job, if he just acknowledge his sin to God and seek forgiveness. “Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said, Can a man be profitable unto God, as he that is wise may be profitable unto himself? Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art righteous? or is it gain to him, that thou makest thy ways perfect? Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee. Receive, I pray thee, the law from his mouth, and lay up his words in thine heart. If thou return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up, thou shalt put away iniquity far from thy tabernacles.” - Job 22:1-3,21-23.

If thou return to the Almighty,” God indeed is rich in mercy, even if we turn from Him. However, Eliphaz was way off in his judgment here, he was being sarcastic as if Job was saying that God does not see and know everything that he has done. God sees and knows everything we do, even the things we think, but He does not base our prosperity on our works, but in the one who we are trusting while doing those works. False religion, including those who make up their own religion, draw the wrong conclusion about God, they view Him as this vengeful and mean God who will strike you with every little thing you do. Let me tell you, if that were true, none of us would be here right now, cause we have all done something to sin against God. God truly is merciful and graceful, even when the first sin was committed. And yes, if people mock Him and turn His faithful away from Him, He will show His wrath, but make no mistake, God is the same now as He was we He created the earth. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” - Galatians 6:7-9.

Job responds by reminding himself that God knows what he has done and even though he does not see Him, He will exalt him in due time. “Will he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in me. There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be delivered for ever from my judge. Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him: But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.” - Job 23:6-11.

but he would put strength in me.” God is our strength, He strengthens our spirit through our tribulations, He strengthens our mind through His reminders, He strengthens our body through His Son. We may not be able to get out of bed, but we can be strong knowing that Christ is always with us. “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” - Romans 8:35-37.

Jesus Christ Revealed: Today, Jesus is revealed through the judge. Jesus is judge of all. “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.” - John 12:48.

Today's Prayer: God, As much as I believe that all things You allow in my life work together for good I still struggle with communicating with You through my afflictions. I read my Bible and pray, find a moment of hope then lose my desire to keep going when I walk out that door. Lord, I know You do not want me to live like this, I know You want me to lift my head up high, positive that You will see me through. You are my strength to keep going, and one day, after You have tried me, I will come forth as gold. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Let Christ Define You

KJB Daily Devotion – Following Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date
: Tuesday, May 31, 2016
Chapters: Job 17-19
Message: Let Christ Define You

Hello My Friend,

Define, To determine or describe the end or limit. I got a text message from someone I did not know and after we chatted a bit the person started accusing me of things. Instead of arguing I just blocked the person from my phone, but the first thing I did was ask God why was I the one who had to be targeted. We can question why people accuse us, but the real question is whether or not we are going to let them define who we are by their lies. People are always going to talk trash, especially about those who are true to Christ, and while it hurts, they do not define us, Christ does, and in the end they will be the ones sticking their feet in their mouths. “For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:” - I Peter 2:20,21.

I understand the more people talk bad about you that all you want to do is hide, but God does not want us to hide, He wants us to come out and move forward. The more Job hears his friends talk trash about him the more he just wants to get away from everything. Job continues speaking in response to Eliphaz, at this point he longs to die, he feels as though it is his only option of relief.

My breath is corrupt, my days are extinct, the graves are ready for me. Are there not mockers with me? and doth not mine eye continue in their provocation? Lay down now, put me in a surety with thee; who is he that will strike hands with me? For thou hast hid their heart from understanding: therefore shalt thou not exalt them. He that speaketh flattery to his friends, even the eyes of his children shall fail. He hath made me also a byword of the people; and aforetime I was as a tabret. Mine eye also is dim by reason of sorrow, and all my members are as a shadow. Upright men shall be astonied at this, and the innocent shall stir up himself against the hypocrite. The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.” - Job 17:1-9.

and aforetime I was as a tabret.” Byword, to represent. Aforetime, the face, Tabret, to spit on. Job feels as though God is using him as an example, right now as an object to be spit upon in the face. How often do we feel as though we are the ones being punished? With all the wicked things people are doing, God decides to choose us to be an example of ridicule? The truth is, it is not God doing this, it is the devil. Where is God in all this? He is up there waiting for us to stop feeling sorry for ourselves and not let the trash talk define us. Do you realize the trash talk He gets every day? He knows how we feel. If Jesus stopped doing what He came here to do based on the way they talked about Him we would still be sacrificing animals. Pick up the pieces and move on, do not let false accusers win, we do not have to argue with them because God will take care of them. “For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.” - II Corinthians 1:5-7.

Consolation, Comfort; alleviation of misery, or distress of mind. Job just wanted some words of comfort, what he got was everything, but that.
Bildad speaks again, convinced that Job is lying, and convinced he does not even know God. “Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said, He teareth himself in his anger: shall the earth be forsaken for thee? and shall the rock be removed out of his place? Yea, the light of the wicked shall be put out, and the spark of his fire shall not shine. He shall be driven from light into darkness, and chased out of the world. He shall neither have son nor nephew among his people, nor any remaining in his dwellings. They that come after him shall be astonied at his day, as they that went before were affrighted. Surely such are the dwellings of the wicked, and this is the place of him that knoweth not God.” - Job 18:1,4,5,18-21.

and this is the place of him that knoweth not God.” I saw this comic strip, it had two pictures, one of a church congregation and one of prisoners. It pointed out that many who we think will be in heaven will not. Our salvation is not granted to us by the things we do, according to God, none of us know Him, and it is true, unless we know His Son. We are not defined by our works because none of us are good, we are defined by the one we believe in and receive as our Saviour. “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” - Romans 3:10-12,24-26.

I get it, people are mean and cruel, especially with their mouths, but they are not who defines us, if Christ in is you, He defines you. Job, defends himself once again, reminding them all that he has a Redeemer, and he will be justified. “Why do ye persecute me as God, and are not satisfied with my flesh? Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book! That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever! For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.” - Job 19:22-27.

yet in my flesh shall I see God:” Oh, if Job only knew that his story would be printed in a book, it was not printed in just any book, it was in God’s book. Job knew who his Redeemer was and that through Him he would be saved from judgment. We are not redeemed by any righteousness of our own, but through the righteousness of Christ. Salvation (eternal life) is the gift of God through His mercy and grace in our acceptance of the death, burial, and resurrection of His Son. It cannot be earned or bought because Christ paid that price for us. We need a Redeemer to be saved from the second death and hell, and the Redeemer is only Jesus Christ. “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” - Romans 6:22,23.

Jesus Christ Revealed: Today, Jesus is revealed through the redeemer. He became our Redeemer by living a sinless life and giving His life to redeem all who believe in Him. “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:” - Galatians 3:13.

Today's Prayer: God, Thank You for sending Your Son to redeem me, I know I am not saved by anything I do of my own, but by my faith and trust in what He did for me. Because I am redeemed I know that You are always with me, but sometimes I feel like You are no where to be found. I catch myself trying to handle my troubles on my own instead of asking You for help and I know that is only the devil messing with my head. Lord, give me Your power to see past my troubles and look to You, as I do my part, by faith, I know You will do Your part and I will see the amazing blessings that You have waiting so show me as I endure the pain with You. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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