One God, One Salvation

Date: Saturday, May 30, 2015
Chapters: Job 13-15
Message Title: One God, One Salvation

Hello My Friend,

The second a person accepts the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour they really do not understand the impact they just made on their lives. When we allow Hi to live in and through us, He transforms us into someone we quite frankly, never knew existed. However, until we are faced with some kind of affliction we cannot truly understand just what Jesus saves us from, it's more than just salvation from hell, it's salvation from a life that leads to nothing, but death. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” - 2 Corinthians 5:17,18,21.

The people during the Abrahamic covenant days did not have a Bible to guide them on how God wanted them to live, those who believed in God and wanted to follow Him did so by faith and under their own moral character. When Job became afflicted he didn't question God's abilities, he just wanted to find some comfort through all of that pain, even if that meant that he died. So, when three of his friends begin whaling on him, you can imagine how he must have felt. “Hold your peace, let me alone, that I may speak, and let come on me what will. Wherefore do I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in mine hand? Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him. He also shall be my salvation: for an hypocrite shall not come before him. Hear diligently my speech, and my declaration with your ears. Behold now, I have ordered my cause; I know that I shall be justified.” - Job 13:13-18.

Even back then they knew that their own righteousness could not save them and that they needed a Saviour, they, by faith, just as we, by faith, have the same Saviour. Those who came before Jesus was born as a man, died on the cross, was buried, and arose three days later from the dead, believe in the same Jesus that we do after He fulfilled the will of God to be the sacrifice needed to save them permanently. We are not justified by our own righteousness, but in Christ's. “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 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; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:” - Romans 3:20-24.

Job knew that his own righteousness would not keep him from judgment, but he was not about to let his friends be his judge. He also knew that there was something better waiting for him on the other side of all this. “Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not. And dost thou open thine eyes upon such an one, and bringest me into judgment with thee? Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one. If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee: thou wilt have a desire to the work of thine hands. For now thou numberest my steps: dost thou not watch over my sin? My transgression is sealed up in a bag, and thou sewest up mine iniquity.” - Job 14:1-4,14-17.

The second we believe in Jesus and accept that He alone is the only one who can make us clean and save us from our sins, our transgressions are sealed up and hidden forever, never to be found again. However, for those who are not saved, when they face Jesus they get a play by play of all they did, including the times they rejected Him. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” - John 3:16-19.

Now, as you can imagine, Job's friends were not very happy with the way he was talking. Eliphaz speaks again, quite irritated with Job for refusing to admit he has sinned and saying he will be justified with God. “Should a wise man utter vain knowledge, and fill his belly with the east wind? Should he reason with unprofitable talk? or with speeches wherewith he can do no good? Yea, thou castest off fear, and restrainest prayer before God. For thy mouth uttereth thine iniquity, and thou choosest the tongue of the crafty. Thine own mouth condemneth thee, and not I: yea, thine own lips testify against thee. The wicked man travaileth with pain all his days, and the number of years is hidden to the oppressor. A dreadful sound is in his ears: in prosperity the destroyer shall come upon him. He believeth not that he shall return out of darkness, and he is waited for of the sword. For he stretcheth out his hand against God, and strengtheneth himself against the Almighty.” - Job 15:2-6,20-25.

Eliphaz suggests that just in the way that Job speaks it is sin, he has a hard time understanding how someone can declare themselves without sin. Eliphaz did what many people do, twists words. Do you know how many people try to get me to question my salvation and even have Scripture to back up their accusations? Everyone can throw around Scripture, the devil even does that, and it is in fact, the devil speaking through those who try to get us to question what God really says. While there are some obscure passages in Scripture from time to time, it is wise to take a look at the entire passage because it is usually something relating to something else. Obscure passages will never take us away from the truth that we must believe in Jesus alone to be saved, not be believing in Him and righteousness, not be believing in Him and being baptized, only by believing in Him alone.

“For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” - Romans 10:3,4,9-13.

Today's Prayer: God, Thank You for sending Your Son Jesus to save me from my sins, he not only saved me from death and hell, He saved me from a life that would have lead to my death. While I know that no other righteousness of my own is necessary to save my soul, and that all of my transgressions are gone, never to be brought up again, I do want to live a life that is pleasing to You. Lord, lead me and guide me, keep me in Your Word and give me the wisdom I need to follow it just as You say, not by what others, who may be uninformed try to teach me. Give me the strength, will, and boldness to live in a way that glorifies Your Son, and let's Him be seen in me. In Jesus' name, Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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Enduring The Pain With God

Date: Friday, May 29, 2015
Chapters: Job 10-13
Message Title: Enduring The Pain With God

Hello My Friend,

Sometimes the pain we are in, whether it is physical, mental, or spiritual, is so unbearable that we just want God to end it all, even if that means He takes us home to heaven. God knows how far to let us suffer before He gives us relief, regardless of what it is. So, aside from committing suicide, which God never wants us to do, our best and only option to endure the pain is to seek comfort in Him. “I will extol thee, O LORD; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me. O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me. O LORD, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit. Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” - Psalms 30:1-5.

As much pain as Job is in the last thing he wants to hear are his friends trying to make him confess to something he has not done. He feels that his life on earth is ending and does not want it to be with them giving him all these lectures. “My soul is weary of my life; I will leave my complaint upon myself; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul. I will say unto God, Do not condemn me; shew me wherefore thou contendest with me. Is it good unto thee that thou shouldest oppress, that thou shouldest despise the work of thine hands, and shine upon the counsel of the wicked? Are not my days few? cease then, and let me alone, that I may take comfort a little, Before I go whence I shall not return, even to the land of darkness and the shadow of death; A land of darkness, as darkness itself; and of the shadow of death, without any order, and where the light is as darkness.” - Job 10:1-3,20-22.

Job really had no idea what was going to happen to him or why he was suffering, but he knew that for whatever reason God chose to afflict him it was of no sin he committed. If these were his last days he wanted peace and comfort, not judgment. Sadly, family and friends can really bring us down sometimes, but we do not have to let them mock and criticize us. Hold your ground and never let anyone belittle you or make you think that you are at fault, we have no one to answer to, but God, and He knows what's going on. “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” - Hebrews 13:5,6.

If it wasn't bad enough that two of his friends were on his case, here comes a third, Zophar, there really isn't much said about him either, only that he is a Gentile. Now, he took it one step further, and outright called Job a liar. “Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified? Should thy lies make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed? For thou hast said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in thine eyes. But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against thee; And that he would shew thee the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth. For then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be stedfast, and shalt not fear: Because thou shalt forget thy misery, and remember it as waters that pass away: And thine age shall be clearer than the noonday; thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning.” - Job 11:2-6,15-17..

Zophar was basically saying that Job was actually getting a lesser punishment than he deserved. Don't you love it when they not only call you a liar, but try to be the judge themselves? The problem is they do not even know what's going on and deep down they were just waiting for something to happen to try and prove that we are not as faithful a Christian as we appear. Recently a well known Christian family got caught up in a scandal involving their son inappropriately touching some of his siblings. The media couldn't wait to report this stuff to expose them for the frauds that they were. We are human people, and while some sin is down right disgusting in our eyes, it's all disgusting to God, and remember, sin in secret and be exposed in public. God deals with all of us the same, and to be honest, none of us get the punishment we deserve, thanks to Jesus paying the price for our sin debt. “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.” - 1 Corinthians 6:9-11.

Okay, now three of his friends are calling him a liar, a hypocrite, and basically a cheat for not coming clean about hidden sin in his life. Job responds, tired of all these false accusations. “No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you. But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you: yea, who knoweth not such things as these? I am as one mocked of his neighbour, who calleth upon God, and he answereth him: the just upright man is laughed to scorn. Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the LORD hath wrought this? In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind. Doth not the ear try words? and the mouth taste his meat?” - Job 12:2-4,9-11.

Sadly, people love to see a faithful Christian suffer, there are so many people in the world that call themselves Christians, but the reality of it is, they do not live as they should, and they get convicted every time they see those who do. People love to expose others sins, even if there is none, in order to take the shame off of them for a while. Can I tell you, no sin goes unpunished, and those who believe that their salvation somehow justifies their sin, have a great shock ahead of them. God will expose their sin and it will not be pretty. “If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” - 1 Timothy 6:3-7.

Job continues his defense, reminding them that they are not all that righteous either, and their false accusations will lead to God judging them. “Lo, mine eye hath seen all this, mine ear hath heard and understood it. What ye know, the same do I know also: I am not inferior unto you. Surely I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God. But ye are forgers of lies, ye are all physicians of no value. Is it good that he should search you out? or as one man mocketh another, do ye so mock him? He will surely reprove you, if ye do secretly accept persons. Shall not his excellency make you afraid? and his dread fall upon you?” - Job 13:1-4,9-11.

Mock one of God's children, you mock God, God will not be mocked, and He will let it be known to all that He is in control and always is. We should never think of ourselves as better or more righteous than anyone else, we all have quirks and to be honest, we sin every day. We cannot always understand why we are suffering, but we can come to an understanding with God on the matter. If we endure, God will bless us, He never allows us to suffer anything that we cannot handle, and ending our lives is not the answer, trusting God is, and He is the only way to peace and comfort through our suffering. “But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” - 2 Timothy 4:5-8.

Today's Prayer: God, It's not always easy to deal with the situations that bring us suffering, and critical people do not help the matter. I thank You for watching over me and protecting me, even when I was not in Your will, and I thank You for loving me and not giving up on me. While I have had times when I was not my best, Your hand never let go of me, and You kind of let me bobble along so far until I came to my senses and realized that You are my only peace and comfort. Lord, lead me and guide me, let me live a life that is pleasing to You and be the example so many need to a life with You. When others criticize and mock me, give me the strength to stand my ground and not be ashamed to profess my Jesus to them. I love You and ask these things in Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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Dealing With Negative People

Date: Thursday, May 28, 2015
Chapters: Job 7-9
Message Title: Dealing With Negative People

Hello My Friend,

There is a saying, “With friends such as these, who needs enemies.”, we all have friends or know people that we wonder why we even talk to them. They never have anything positive to say and if they find out you are having some difficulties they are quick to accuse and or point out your faults as to why they are happening. You know, we can get ten positive reviews, and one only negative one, and it will be that negative one that haunts us. The truth is, we have to deal with negative people every day, and they are pleased to remain that way, but we do not have to let them get to us. We have a great and mighty King who will lift us up and even shine through us so that they are put in their place, simply by us being nice to them. “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” - Romans 12:19-21.

Friends, who needs them sometimes, as Job lies there in pain while his friends look him up and down and try to analyze him for the affliction he is in, he starts wondering why they are even there. Eliphaz is convinced that he has some great sin that he needs to confess, but Job answers Eliphaz, discouraged that if these are his last days on earth why he has to hear this. “Is there not an appointed time to man upon earth? are not his days also like the days of an hireling? As a servant earnestly desireth the shadow, and as an hireling looketh for the reward of his work: So am I made to possess months of vanity, and wearisome nights are appointed to me. When I lie down, I say, When shall I arise, and the night be gone? and I am full of tossings to and fro unto the dawning of the day. My flesh is clothed with worms and clods of dust; my skin is broken, and become loathsome. Therefore I will not refrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.” - Job 7:1-5,11.

When we are ill, the last thing we want is people telling us how much of a wretch we are, especially when we have not even done anything wrong. Job states a fact that we are all appointed to die, whichever way God sees fit, but we all have a right to speak to God on the matter. God wants to hear our complaints, we can talk to God and even ask Him questions in a way that is respectful to Him. Even if we get really upset sometimes and yell at Him as to why it's happening, He wants to hear us. Sorrow brings us closer to God, and believe it or not, so does confronting Him on matters that seem to just hover over us continuously. “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:6,7.

As if one friend criticizing him was not bad enough, here comes Bildad. There is not much given about Bildad, but his name means, son of contention (strife), his view of job was that he was a hypocrite, and if he would just confess his sins God would cure him. “How long wilt thou speak these things? and how long shall the words of thy mouth be like a strong wind? Doth God pervert judgment? or doth the Almighty pervert justice? If thy children have sinned against him, and he have cast them away for their transgression; If thou wouldest seek unto God betimes, and make thy supplication to the Almighty; If thou wert pure and upright; surely now he would awake for thee, and make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous. His roots are wrapped about the heap, and seeth the place of stones. If he destroy him from his place, then it shall deny him, saying, I have not seen thee. Behold, this is the joy of his way, and out of the earth shall others grow. Behold, God will not cast away a perfect man, neither will he help the evil doers:” - Job 8:2-6,17-20.

Bildad does make some good points in his response, God is merciful and forgiving, and He will remove His judgment upon us when we repent of our sins. What he failed to recognize was that prosperity and affliction comes to all, regardless of the way we live our lives. It's not our works of righteousness that gets us points with God, it's the only righteous one that we can look upon who does that. We are sinners, and no matter how good try to be, we mess up, thanks to our flesh and the sin nature that we possess. That's why we need Jesus, He is our righteousness, and when we accept Him as our Saviour, we are covered in it, God no longer sees us as sinners, He sees His Son, and as long as He sees Him we are perfect in His eyes. “He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death. We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.” - 1 John 5:10-12,17,18.

Job answers Bildad, he knows that he has never been without sin, but also knows that only God is his judge. “I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God? If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand. He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered? If God will not withdraw his anger, the proud helpers do stoop under him. How much less shall I answer him, and choose out my words to reason with him? Whom, though I were righteous, yet would I not answer, but I would make supplication to my judge. If I had called, and he had answered me; yet would I not believe that he had hearkened unto my voice. For he breaketh me with a tempest, and multiplieth my wounds without cause.” - Job 9:2-4,13-17.

There is a lot of controversy over judging someone and making the correct judgment of someone. There is a t-shirt going around that says in huge letters, “ONLY GOD CAN JUDGE ME.”, while this is true, it is usually people who are not living in a way that pleases God that throws this in our faces when we confront them. In Job's case, they were making a false judgment of him based on his circumstances, once again, drawing the conclusion that he needed to repent of his sins to stop the judgment. Okay, we all make false judgments sometimes, it's easy to accuse when we are not really paying attention and only hear a word here and there from someone else. Let me tell you, it is the gossips that cause a person to judge someone, so, instead of taking someone at their word or even listening to someone who constantly criticizes others, walk away. Go to the person and ask them what is going on rather than judge for yourself what is probably not true to begin with. We can avoid negativity by walking away from those who have nothing nice to say. “Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.” - 2 Timothy 2:14-16.

Today's Prayer: God, It's amazing what You reveal to us in such a simple form, we can't always avoid those who are negative and quick to judge us, but we can stay positive when we are near them. Lord, I want to live a life that is pleasing to You, I want to live in a way that others see Your Son in me, and that there are no appearances of evil in me. I know that You do not look at past to determine my future, You look at me through Your Son, and I thank You for that because I know I can never fully be without sin until the day you take me home. Lead me and guide me, let me be a positive force that is needed with so much negativity in the world, let me take all negativity with a grain of salt, reminded that You know the steps that I take, and let me remain positive. Thank You so much for saving me from my sins and the horrible life I could have lived had I not turned to Your Son. In Jesus' name, Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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False Accusers

Date: Wednesday, May 27, 2015
Chapters: Job 4-6
Message Title: False Accusers

Hello My Friend,

As Christians, there are times in our lives when we know we have sinned and the punishment we get while not joyous, comes with a good lesson. So, what happens when we feel as though we are being punished when we haven't sinned? Everyone decides to butt in and find out what the meaning of all of it is, surely, there is some kind of hidden sin in your life. That is when we need to step away, block all those negative people and look to God. Regardless of whether or not we are being afflicted through sin or nothing at all, all affliction comes with a good lesson and it too will come to pass. “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.” - Hebrews 12:11-13.

Job is still grieving over the loss of his children, and now in severe pain, covered in boils and wrapped in cloth. He's got some friends there and for a week they just sat there with him in silence, Job speaks of the sorrow he feels, and it did not take long for his friends to start questioning his integrity. Eliphaz the Temanite, a descendant of Esau, Jacob's brother, his reasoning as to why Job was suffering was God's judgment upo him for some hidden sin. He “Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off? Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same. By the blast of God they perish, and by the breath of his nostrils are they consumed. Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones to shake. Then a spirit passed before my face; the hair of my flesh stood up: It stood still, but I could not discern the form thereof: an image was before mine eyes, there was silence, and I heard a voice, saying, Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his maker? Behold, he put no trust in his servants; and his angels he charged with folly:” - Job 4:7-9,14-18.

While it is true that hidden sin causes judgment from God, he is doing what many Christians do, proving him guilty without sorting out the facts. We sometimes find ourselves making rash statements in the midst of unexpected trials, however, we have no right to judge a person that is struggling or we will be facing judgment ourselves. We must not make the mistake of assuming a person has been living in sin based on what we see on the outside. The only one who truly knows what is going on is God. “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” - Matthew 7:1,2.

We know that in God's eyes, Job was a perfect and upright man, that did not mean that he never sinned, it meant that God was Lord of His life and he did everything he could to avoid sin. So, I imagine when his life was turned upside down in a matter of days that created quite a discussion when people found out. Job had a rich, prosperous life, and in a matter of days he literally lost everything he had, and now, he is covered in boils. What grief he must have felt? I am sure he longed for some comfort from family and friends, but he got the opposite, Eliphaz continues, telling him not to hate being judged by God. “I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause: Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number: Who giveth rain upon the earth, and sendeth waters upon the fields: To set up on high those that be low; that those which mourn may be exalted to safety. Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty: For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole. He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee.” - Job 5:8-11,17-19.

Eliphaz went as far as saying just come clean and God will forgive you for it. He was right in that God redeems all who repent, but he was wrong in assuming that Job was suffering because he had hidden sin in his life. That's why Jesus tells us, “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” - John 7:24.

Job did not know what to say, he was spiritually drained and thought God had left him to deal with all this on his own, but he never once cursed God. He was literally ready for God to just take him out of his misery. “Oh that my grief were throughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together! For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore my words are swallowed up. For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison whereof drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of God do set themselves in array against me. For now ye are nothing; ye see my casting down, and are afraid. Did I say, Bring unto me? or, Give a reward for me of your substance? Or, Deliver me from the enemy's hand? or, Redeem me from the hand of the mighty? Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred. How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove? Do ye imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, which are as wind?” - Job 6:2-4,21-26.

When a saved person understands the reason for suffering, they learn to accept it, but when tragedy occurs with no sign of God, we are all prone to become discouraged and even want to give up on life. Can I tell you that God never allows Satan to give us more than we can handle? If Job really couldn't handle all that he was stricken with God would have ended his life on earth when he asked Him to. God does not always reveal the reasons why we become afflicted for no reason at all, but He does reveal that through His Son, we have the strength to endure all of it and even live to tell others about it, even if that means we are in heaven and someone else tells our story. “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” - Philippians 4:4-7,13.

Today's Prayer: God, When I am being afflicted, give me the strength to endure it, trusting in Your promises. When I see others afflicted, let me not accuse or judge them, let me be a comfort to them through their distress. Lord, lead me and guide me, give me Your power to be the light that so many need when they are afflicted and do not know what is going on, let me be a guide and comfort to them, and let Your Son shine through me as I live in a way that is pleasing to You. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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Afflicted, But Protected

Date: Tuesday, May 26, 2015
Chapters: Job 1-3
Message Title: Afflicted, But Protected

Hello My Friend,

Sandwiched in the center of the Old Testament Books are known as Books of Poetry. Theses books are of human experiences of the people of God under various circumstances of their earthly lives. They first begin with the Book of Job, the Book of Job is the eighteenth book of the Old Testament/Bible and contains forty-two chapters. It the oldest written of the Bible books, the timeline is around the time of the Abrahamic Covenant. The author of the book is unknown, but could have been Moses or Job himself and it was written approximately around 1520 BC. The book was written to all people who experience suffering for unexplained reasons. The purpose of the book is to explain the question many people have, "Why do those living for God suffer?". What we are to learn from the book is that there is a spiritual reason behind all the unanswered suffering we encounter. “But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” - Job 23:10.

Satan, the root of all evil, including sickness and death. It was Satan who rebelled against God and introduced Eve to sin, and cause the curse of death and a sin nature to be passed down to the rest of mankind. And while God can do no evil Himself, it is God who allows Satan to place evil in the world. God decided to allow the Satan to afflict a man name Job, who's name means, persecuted.

“Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.” - Job 1:6-12.

As Christians we expect to face affliction when we sin, however, it is a different story when we face affliction and have not been doing anything wrong. The truth is, we will all face affliction at some point in our lives regardless of whether or not we are a Christian. Why? We are in the middle of a spiritual battle between God and Satan, who will win the battle remains up to us in how we choose to handle those afflictions. Trusting Christ and looking beyond the circumstances unto God is what gives life to a Christian, those who choose to hate God and or deny Him, blaming Him for the evil, lose and end up right in the hands of Satan.

“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.” - 1 Peter 4:12-16.

Satan assumed that the only reason Job was faithful to God was because he was successful and rich, he was certain that Job would curse God and walk away from Him if he lost everything he had. God allowed Satan to afflict Job, and he was not subtle about it either, within a matter of minutes he took away his kids, servants, and livestock, but Job did not sin and remained faithful to God. Stunned by this, Satan shows up before God again, this time questioning Job's integrity. “And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life. So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown. Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.” - Job 2:4-7,9,10.

One of the hardest things to do as a Christian is loving God when health issues arise, especially if a child is involved. Sickness comes, but the true test of faith comes from channeling all that sorrow, hurt, and pain into God, and letting Him be our strength and healer when all else is impossible. “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” - James 4:7-10.

Job wasn't always optimistic, he had questions as to why he was even born, but he knew that everything from God is a blessing. “Let the day perish wherein I was born, and the night in which it was said, There is a man child conceived. Let that day be darkness; let not God regard it from above, neither let the light shine upon it. Let darkness and the shadow of death stain it; let a cloud dwell upon it; let the blackness of the day terrify it. Why is light given to a man whose way is hid, and whom God hath hedged in? For my sighing cometh before I eat, and my roarings are poured out like the waters. For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me. I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came.” - Job 3:3-5,23-26.

You know, when we are facing affliction, whether we are sick or losing things, we are often prone to retrace our steps to see what we have done wrong thinking that God is punishing us. The truth is, God is not punishing us, He is merely looking for us to trust Him. God knows what is best for us and when we trust His decision He blesses us, it may not be the blessings that we expect, but everything is a blessing from God. Even when a person passes away, it is all in God's hands, God takes away our pain according to His will and how much He knows we can handle. “And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.” - Romans 8:27-30.

Today's Prayer: God, I admit that the first thing I think of when I am being afflicted is, “What have I done and how can I fix it?” It is those thoughts that hinder me from seeing the blessings you are giving me through my affliction. You already know what I am going through, I just need to trust You and let You take care of it as I do what I can in my ability. Lord, help me to walk continuously in my integrity and keep looking to You for help through my affliction instead of trying to fix the problem myself without Your guidance. I love You and pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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The Church Of Christ

Date: Monday, May 25, 2015
Chapters: Esther 6-10
Message Title: The Church Of Christ

Hello My Friend,

Right now someone has just bowed their head and asked Jesus Christ to save them, from that moment on they have been converted, not into a religion, but into a church. Not a church that contains four walls, chairs, an organ, or traditions. A church that is unseen to the eyes, but dwells in every converted soul, that church is none other than the Church of Christ. Now, every member of the church of Christ faces some difficulties in life, being saved doesn't mean our problems go away, it means God is there to help us get through them. It is our faith and trust in God through the difficulties that He shows Himself mighty. “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” - James 1:12.

The Book of Esther testifies to the secret watch and care that God has over His people no matter where they are. Amazingly not once is God's name mentioned, but there is no other book of the Bible that His presence is not more revealed. With the threat of all the Jews lives in peril, Esther made the decision to expose Haman for who he was. Haman was so busy bragging on himself that he could not see the dangers lying ahead. Sooner or later all egos will be crushed and it was time for Haman's to be crushed, during the second banquet she requested with the king, Esther exposed Haman.

“Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request: For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the king's damage. Then the king Ahasuerus answered and said unto Esther the queen, Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so? And Esther said, The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen. And the king arising from the banquet of wine in his wrath went into the palace garden: and Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the queen; for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the king. So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king's wrath pacified.” - Esther 7:3-7,10.

After Haman was hung by the very gallows he had made for Mordecai, the king asked Esther what else he could do to make things right. She asked him to allow the Jews to defend themselves of the decree that Haman had forged concerning that all Jews be executed. “Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king's name, and seal it with the king's ring: for the writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, may no man reverse. Wherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, both little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey, The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour. And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. And many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them.” - Esther 8:8,11,16,17.

Many of the people converted to Judaism after they realized there was only one God and the Jews had His favor. When believers trust God and walk in godly fear through their difficulties the church of Christ will increase in number, any attempts of the devil to destroy the church will always increase the number of true Christians. “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” - Acts 2:41-43,46,47.

King Ahasuerus made Mordecai his next in command and allowed him to write a new decree to give the Jews freedom and the right to defend themselves from their enemies. He then granted queen Esther to set Mordecai over the house of Haman to allow the Jews to use any means necessary to defend themselves from those out to destroy them. Seventy-five thousand people who were set out to destroy the Jews were slain within three days time.

“Then said Esther, If it please the king, let it be granted to the Jews which are in Shushan to do to morrow also according unto this day's decree, and let Haman's ten sons be hanged upon the gallows. And the king commanded it so to be done: and the decree was given at Shushan; and they hanged Haman's ten sons. For the Jews that were in Shushan gathered themselves together on the fourteenth day also of the month Adar, and slew three hundred men at Shushan; but on the prey they laid not their hand. But the other Jews that were in the king's provinces gathered themselves together, and stood for their lives, and had rest from their enemies, and slew of their foes seventy and five thousand, but they laid not their hands on the prey,” - Esther 9:13-16.

While vengeance is God's, He will allow any means for us to protect ourselves, God does not want to see us get hurt, even when we sin. He just wants us to put our faith and trust in Him and Him alone, in all that we do and go through. Being converted is more than just salvation from hell, it is faith that God can do all He says He can do. “That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” - 1 Corinthians 2:5-9.

As Christians we need to stand together in the Church of Christ, striving to be the examples that God wants us to be. It is only by our faith and trust in Him that others will believe, be converted, and become members of the Church of Christ also. “For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks? Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.” -1 Corinthians 10:30-33.

Today's Prayer: God, As I look back on my life I can see all the difficulties that You have allowed in my life and just how much Your hand played a part in my enduring them, even when I did not always have obey You. I thank You for the cross that I bare and how You bring me to victory every time I place my faith and trust in You. I am glad to be a member of Your church and learning to live day by day on Your daily bread. I love You and pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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Surrendering To God

Date: Sunday, May 24, 2015
Chapters: Esther 1-5
Message Title: Surrendering To God

Hello My Friend,

The Book of Esther is the seventeenth book of the Old Testament/Bible and contains ten chapters. The author of the book is Mordecai and it was originally written to the Jews who where in Persia (Babylon). The timeline for these events took place approximately 521 BC to 509 BC. The purpose of the book was to continue showing the history of the Jews in captivity and to recount the divine care God has for His people no matter where they are. What we are to learn from the book is that God uses all people to serve Him in some way, but prepares His people to be witnesses and blessings to others in similar circumstances. “For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed.” - Esther 10:3.

Surrendering one's life to serve God can be challenging at times, battles will come and go to test our faith in Him. We may have to serve Him in some uncomfortable or what seems like strange ways, but one day everything we do to serve God will pay off in a great way. Ahasuerus was in search of a new queen, he sent for young virgin women all throughout the nation, and a Jewish woman named Esther was one of them. Esther was born into captivity, an orphan raised by her uncle Mordecai. The king unaware of her being a Jew, fell in love with Esther and made her his queen.

“Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king's chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her. So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti. Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther's feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the king.” - Esther 2:15-18.

Esther won the kings favor simply by being herself, while all the other women dressed themselves to entice the king, Esther remained modest, presenting herself as a woman of moral character. Esther found herself in a situation over which she had no control, she could only trust God for direction and protection. We should never doubt that God is in ultimate control to protect us and provide for His people, He never makes a mistake where He takes us, He is never partial, and never overlooks one of His children. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” - Jeremiah 29:11-13.

After Esther became queen, king Ahasuerus promoted a wicked man named Haman, which gave him the right to enforce the king's command. Haman had become so influential with the king that the people began bowing down to him as though he were king. However, Mordecai refused, and when he refused to bow down, Haman was determined to use his authority to destroy Mordecai and all Jews in the kingdom. He deceitfully convinced the king to destroy a group of people who were not following the orders of the king.

“And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king's laws: therefore it is not for the king's profit to suffer them. If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king's treasuries. And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' enemy. Then were the king's scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king's ring. And the letters were sent by posts into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey.” - Esther 3:8-10,12,13.

Like Mordecai, we must not bow down to the Haman's of this world who seek to destroy our loyalty to Christ. As Christians, we are ambassadors for Christ and should maintain a dignity in our daily conduct and in conversation that honors our Lord. “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” - 2 Corinthians 5:18-21.

After learning of the decree Queen Esther came up with a plan to expose Haman to the king, even if that meant she would lose her life. She encourages the Jews to fast and pray for three days, and then she would approach the king, even if that meant she would die for it. “When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry; Then called Esther for Hatach, one of the king's chamberlains, whom he had appointed to attend upon her, and gave him a commandment to Mordecai, to know what it was, and why it was. So Hatach went forth to Mordecai unto the street of the city, which was before the king's gate. And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and of the sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the king's treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them. Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer, Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.” - Esther 4:1,5-7,15,16.

The king not only welcomed Esther, he said he would give her anything he asked and would also give it to half of the kingdom. Amazingly, God is the same way with all of His people. He will bless anyone who humbly goes before Him in prayer and will do even more when we put other things before Him. “Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:5-7.

Today's Prayer: God, It seems like the more I try to live my life in Your will the more opposition I face. Lord, lead me and guide me, give me Your power to withstand this opposition and strengthen me to be able to keep going for Your glory. I know that whatever I go through as long as I look to You I will see victory. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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