Well intentioned friends - Job 25-26

[4] How then can man be in the right before God? How can he who is born of woman be pure? - Job 25:4 ESV

We continue to read of the physical, emotional, and spiritual struggle that God has allowed in Job's life. Often Job's friends get a bad rap as it pertains to what and how they communicated with their friend.

In light of this I thought I would share a couple of positive thoughts regarding Job's friends that we can take to heart when it comes to the relationships God has given us.

1.) I find it refreshing that Job's friends came TO Job. They moved towards the pain with a desire to help. This is an important lesson in friendship. It is far more easy to be a friend when life is smooth. True friends are there when you struggle.

[4] Wealth brings many new friends, but a poor man is deserted by his friend. - Pro 19:4 ESV

2.) Job's friends put much effort in trying to help their friend. I'm not saying the fruit of their effort was the balm Job needed, but at least they tried.

[6] Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy. - Pro 27:6 ESV

Friends are gifts from God. Being a friend to a friend in need is a privilege. Job's friends certainly didn't respond perfectly, but I only know One Who does. :)

[24] A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. - Pro 18:24 ESV

Imagery in the Psalms - Psalm 36-38

[5] Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. [6] Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; your judgments are like the great deep; man and beast you save, O LORD. [7] How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings. [8] They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights. [9] For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light. [10] Oh, continue your steadfast love to those who know you, and your righteousness to the upright of heart! - Psa 36:5-10 ESV

David writes with such imagery. Love extending to the heavens. Faithfulness stretching to the clouds! Righteousness like mountains. Judgments as deep as the sea. Chicks nestling in the safety of their mother's wings. Drinking from the river of delights also known as the fountain of LIFE.

David describes God and His character in terms we can relate to. We can look up and imagine the distance from the ground to the heavens and are reminded of the vastness of God's faithfulness. We can gaze west at the grandeur of the Rocky Mountains that are unmovable and meditate on the immutability of the character of God. I could go on.

Reading the imagery in the Psalms we can allow our minds to not only contemplate the character of God as it relates to the world, but as it impacts us personally and individually.

The Promise (cont.) - I Samuel 11-15

[22] For the LORD will not forsake his people, for his great name's sake, because it has pleased the LORD to make you a people for himself. [23] Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way. [24] Only fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you. [25] But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king." - 1Sa 12:22-25 ESV

Beautiful passage. Repetitive promise. "Fear the LORD and serve Him with all your heart!" These were also the words spoken by Moses, Joshua, etc. An then the impetus behind the command, "Consider what great things He has done for you". Remember all the ways God has proved Himself to you! You are His peculiar people. You are a treasure that belongs to Him and Him alone!

[2] For thou [art] an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that [are] upon the earth. - Deu 14:2 KJV 

[18] And the LORD hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee, and that [thou] shouldest keep all his commandments; - Deu 26:18 KJV 

[4] For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, [and] Israel for his peculiar treasure. - Psa 135:4 KJV

Paul and Peter both describe the church of God as a treasure that belongs to Him as well. 

[14] Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. - Tts 2:14 KJV 

[9] But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: - 1Pe 2:9 KJV

Back in I Samuel. King Saul has begun to make decisions his way paying little regard to the office of the priest that Samuel filled he has begun to slide down the slope of ruling His way rather than God's. Below is commentary on this passage from Matthew Henry.

The commentaries of the Reverend Matthew Henry have been a great blessing to the readers of the Blue Letter Bible since 1996. He was a 17th and early 18th Century minister of the Gospel in Chester, England, and died in 1714. Quoting Charles Spurgeon: "First among the mighty for general usefulness we are bound to mention the man whose name is a household word, Matthew Henry. He is most pious and pithy, sound and sensible, suggestive and sober, terse and trustworthy.... 

1Sa 13:8-14

Here is, I. Saul’s offence in offering sacrifice before Samuel came. Samuel, when he anointed him, had ordered him to tarry for him seven days in Gilgal, promising that, at the end of those days, he would be sure to come to him, and both offer sacrifices for him and direct him what he should do. This we had ch. 10:8. Perhaps that order, though inserted there, was given him afterwards, or was given him as a general rule to be observed in every public congress at Gilgal, or, as is most probable, though not mentioned again, was lately repeated with reference to this particular occasion; for it is plain that Saul himself understood it as obliging him from God now to stay till Samuel came, else he would not have made so many excuses as he did for not staying, v. 11. This order Saul broke. He staid till the seventh day, yet had not patience to wait till the end of the seventh day. Perhaps he began to reproach Samuel as false to his word, careless of his country, and disrespectful of his prince, and thought it more fit that Samuel should wait for him than he for Samuel. However, 1. He presumed to offer sacrifice without Samuel, and nothing appears to the contrary but that he did it himself, though he was neither priest nor prophet, as if, because he was a king, he might do any thing, a piece of presumption which king Uzziah paid dearly for, 2 Chr. 26:16, etc. 2. He determined to engage the Philistines without Samuel’s directions, though he had promised to show him what he should do. So self-sufficient Saul was that he thought it not worth while to stay for a prophet of the Lord, either to pray for him or to advise him. This was Saul’s offence, and that which aggravated it was, (1.) That for aught that appears, he did not send any messenger to Samuel, to know his mind, to represent the case to him, and to receive fresh directions from him, though he had enough about him that were swift enough of foot at this time. (2.) That when Samuel came he rather seemed to boast of what he had done than to repent of it; for he went forth to salute him, as his brother-sacrificer, and seemed pleased with the opportunity he had of letting Samuel know that he needed him not, but could do well enough without him. He went out to bless him, so the word is, as if he now thought himself a complete priest, empowered to bless as well as sacrifice, whereas he should have gone out to be blessed by him. (3.) That he charged Samuel with breach of promise: Thou camest not within the days appointed (v. 11), and therefore if any thing was amiss Samuel must bear the blame, who was God’s minister; whereas he did come according to his word, before the seven days had expired. Thus the scoffers of the latter days think the promise of Christ’s coming is broken, because he does not come in their time, though it is certain he will come at the set time. (4.) That when he was charged with disobedience he justified himself in what he had done, and gave no sign at all of repentance for it. It is not sinning that ruins men, but sinning and not repenting, falling and not getting up again. See what excuses he made, v. 11, 12. He would have this act of disobedience pass, [1.] For an instance of his prudence. The people were most of them scattered from him, and he had no other way than this to keep those with him that remained and to prevent their deserting too. If Samuel neglected the public concerns, he would not. [2.] For an instance of his piety. He would be thought very devout, and in great care not to engage the Philistines till he had by prayer and sacrifice engaged God on his side: "The Philistines,’’ said he, "will come down upon me, before I have made my supplication to the Lord, and then I am undone. What! go to war before I have said my prayers!’’ Thus he covered his disobedience to God’s command with a pretence of concern for God’s favour. Hypocrites lay a great stress upon the external performances of religion, thinking thereby to excuse their neglect of the weightier matters of the law. And yet, lastly, He owns it went against his conscience to do it: I forced myself and offered a burnt-offering, perhaps boasting that he had broken through his convictions and got the better of them, or at least thinking this extenuated his fault, that he knew he should not have done as he did, but did it with reluctancy. Foolish man! to think that God would be well pleased with sacrifices offered in direct opposition both to his general and particular command.

He was Gathered with His People - Genesis 48-50

[33] When Jacob finished commanding his sons, he drew up his feet into the bed and breathed his last and was gathered to his people. - Gen 49:33 ESV

I found the above verse extremely comforting as my family aches with our friends who have lost for a time someone they love so dear. A husband's wife and five children's mother is now in the very presence of Jesus. She is well. It is we who suffer loss. The phrase "was gathered to his people" comes after Jacob breathed his last breath. A phrase pregnant with the promise of eternal life surrounded by the ones we have loved. 


[13] But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. [14] For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. - 1Th 4:13-14 ESV


Dr. John MacArthur answers from the Bible a question that perhaps all who long for heaven have asked.

Will we recognize and be reunited with our loved ones in heaven?

Yes! In the Old Testament, when a person died, the biblical writers said he was "gathered to his people" (cf. Gen. 25:8; 35:29; 49:29; Num. 20:24; Judg. 2:10). In 2 Samuel 12, when David's infant child died, David confidently said, "I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me" (v. 23). David evidently expected to see the child again--not just a nameless, faceless soul without an identity, but that very child.

The New Testament indicates even more clearly that our identities will remain unchanged. While sharing the Passover meal with His disciples, Christ said, "Take this [cup] and divide it among yourselves; for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes" (Luke 22:17-18). Christ was promising that He and His disciples would drink the fruit of the vine together again--in heaven. Elsewhere Jesus makes a similar, but even more definite, promise: "Many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 8:11).

Furthermore, Moses and Elijah appeared with Christ on the Mount of Transfiguration. Even though they died centuries before, they still maintained a clear identity (Matt. 17:3)--Peter, James, and John evidently recognized them (v. 4), which implies that we will somehow be able to recognize people we've never even seen before.

All the redeemed will maintain their identity forever, but in a perfected form. We will be able to have fellowship with Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Samuel, Moses, Joshua, Esther, Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah, Daniel, Ezekiel, David, Peter, Barnabas, Paul, or any of the saints we choose. For that to be possible, we must all retain our individual identities, not turn into some sort of generic beings.

Describing the Lord's appearing and the resurrection of the saints who have died, Paul writes, "Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord" (1 Thess. 4:17).

Paul's purpose in writing was to comfort some of the Thessalonians who evidently thought their dying loved ones would miss the return of Christ. He says in verse 18, "Comfort one another with these words." The comfort comes from the prospect of reunion. Little comfort this would be if in the reunion we could not even recognize one another. But Paul's promise that we will all be "together" forever implies that we shall renew fellowship with all whom we have known.

We will be reunited not only with our own families and loved ones, but also with the people of God from all ages. In heaven we will all be one loving family. The immense size of the family will not matter in the infinite perfection of heaven. There will be ample opportunity for close relationships with everyone, and our eternity will be spent in just that kind of rich, unending fellowship.

If you're worried about feeling out of place in heaven, don't. Heaven will seem more like home than the dearest spot on earth to you. It is uniquely designed by a tender, loving Savior to be the place where we will live together for all eternity and enjoy Him forever--in the fullness of our glorified humanity.

Is it any wonder that the psalmist said, "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints" (Ps. 116:15)?

Adapted from John MacArthur, The Glory of Heaven (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 1996), 138-41.

Spiritually minded priorities. - I Cor 9-10

[23] "All things are lawful," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful," but not all things build up. - 1Cr 10:23 ESV

Paul's priorities are crystal clear in these two chapters.

First, God. His passion to not hinder the work of the gospel is relentless. He was focused, intentional, driven. The gospel was his bull eye and he was determined to hit it every time.

This initial priority leads naturally into the second. People. Paul's actions were deliberate and thoughtful. He couldn't bear the thought that he might cause someone to stumble so as not to hear and/or believe the gospel. Every fiber of his being strained with gospel exertion. He longed for Jews and Gentiles alike to come to Jesus and be saved. It defined his life.

Verse 23 sums up how Paul viewed what he could and couldn't do or would and wouldn't do. He simply had an "others" focus. He loved his neighbor as himself.

Paul was by no means perfect, but He loved the One Who is. His love for Christ translated into active love for others which many times meant denying himself.

[30] And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' [31] The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." - Mar 12:30-31 ESV

Who then is this? Mark 3-4

[41] And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" - Mar 4:41 ESV

Who then is this? Who is this One Who speaks only in parables - this One to whom I nod in understanding when I feel like He knows I don't. Who is this One who rebukes demons and Pharisees? Who is this that straightens curled up, gnarly hands with only a word and tender touch? Who is this to Whom people throng? Who is this Whom I follow?

Who is this in our boat that communicates to the howling wind and the tempestuous sea as if they were children in his third grade class making unwanted noise?

"Peace! Be still!"

"Hush! Be quiet!"

"Shhhh! Hold your tongue!"

Immediate. Unquestioned obedience.

Wind settles down, sits up straight with hands folded, eyes upon the Teacher. Sea stops mid-sentence, mouth ajar, and eyes wide open, sitting down calmly at his desk.

Who is this? Is this a man? Is this a god? Is this Jehovah God?

He is the Master of the universe. All-powerful, untamable, amazing God. 

He placed the stars in the sky and knows them by name. 

He has told every lightning bolt where it should go, and seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow. 

He imagined the sun and gives source to it's light; then conceals it to bring us the coolness of night. 

Put yourself in the boat with the twelve. Who then is this?

Indescribable - Steve Green

Isaiah 62-66 - To whom does God look?

[1] Thus says the LORD: "Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest? [2] All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the LORD. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word. - Isa 66:1-2 ESV

The prophet has proclaimed the Word of the LORD for a lifetime to a stiff necked, hard hearted people who continue to pursue their own path. Throughout these pages he has also given hope regarding the coming One whom would provide redemption.

What does the LORD require? What is He after when it comes to His people? What is the point of the message? Is it to DO something that He would be somehow impressed with? Is it to "create" an impressive edifice that He would delight in? Is it to put on a show for all the world to see?

No. Heaven is His throne and He rests His feet on the earth. 

God is drawn to the humble. Those who know they have nothing to offer.

God is drawn to the contrite. Those who are smitten with the knowledge of their sin.

God is drawn to the teachable. Those who drink the water of His Word as a dry sponge.

The poor. The needy. The thirsty.

I shall come forth as gold - Job 23-24

Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892), known as the prince of preachers, is a man I greatly look forward to meeting in heaven someday. How I wish I could have heard him exposit the Word of God. This was a man whom God was with. His writings exude an unbridled love and passion for the Savior and the people for whom the Savior died. Below is the fourth point in probably a two hour evangelistic sermon from Job 23. Particularly verse 10.

[10] But he knoweth the way that I take: [when] he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. 

- Job 23:10 KJV

As you read put yourself in the crowd of 10,000 people listening to C.H. Spurgeon's clear, booming voice pleading for the Holy Spirit's work to be done in the hearts of the people he is speaking to. 

You can read more about is life and work here.

  

IV. Fourthly, HAVE YOU CONFIDENCE IN GOD AS TO THESE STORMS? Can you say, in the language of the text, "When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold"? If you are really trusting in Jesus, if he is everything to you, you may say this confidently; for you will find it true to the letter. If you have really given yourself up to be saved by grace, do not hesitate to believe that you will be found safe at the last. I do not like people to come and trust Christ with a temporary faith as though he could keep them for a day or two, but could not preserve them all their lives. Trust Christ for everlasting salvation: mark the word "everlasting." I thank God, that when I believed in His Son Jesus Christ, I laid hold upon final perseverance: I believed that where He had begun a good work He would carry it on and perfect it in the day of Christ. I believed in the Lord Jesus, not for a year or two, but for all the days of my life, and to eternity. I want your faith to have a hand of that kind, so that you grasp the Lord as your Saviour to the uttermost. I cannot tell what troubles may come, nor what temptations may arise; but I know in whose hands I am, and I am persuaded that He is able to preserve me, so that when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. I go into the fire, but I shall not be burned up in it; "I shall come forth." Like the three holy children, though the furnace be heated seven times hotter, yet the Son of man will be with me in the furnace, and "I shall come forth" with not even the smell of fire upon me. Yes, "I shall come forth," and none can hinder me. It is good to begin with this holy confidence, and to let that confidence increase as you get nearer to the recompense of the reward. Hath He not promised that we shall never perish? shall we not, therefore, come forth as gold?

This confidence is grounded on the Lord's knowledge of us. "He knoweth the way that I take": therefore, "when he hath tried me, shall come forth as gold." If something happened to us which the Lord had not foreseen and provided for, we might be in great peril; But He knows our way even to the end, and is prepared for its rough places. If some amazing calamity could come upon us which the Lord had not reckoned upon, we might well be afraid of being wrecked; but our Lord's foreseeing eye hath swept the horizon and prepared us for all weathers. He knows where storms do lurk and cyclones hide away; and He is at home in managing tempests and tornadoes. If His far-seeing eye has spied out for us a long sickness and a gradual and painful death, then He has prepared the means to bear us through. If He has looked into the mysterious unknown of the apocalyptic revelation, and seen unimaginable horrors and heartmelting terrors, yet He has forestalled the necessity which He knows is coming on. It is enough for us that our Father knows what things we have need of and "when he hath tried us, we shall come forth as gold."

This confidence must be sustained by sincerity. If a man is not sure that he is sincere, he cannot have confidence in God. If you are a bit of gold and know it, the fire and you are friends. You will come forth out of it; for no fire will burn up gold. But if you suspect that you are some imitation metal, some mixture which glitters but is not gold, you will then hate fire, and have no good word for it. You will proudly murmur at the divine dispensations. Why should you be put into the fire? Why should you be tried? You will kick against God's providence if you are a hypocrite; but if you are really sincere, you will submit to the divine hand, and will not lie down in despair. The motto of pure gold is, "I shall come forth." Make it your hopeful confidence in the day of trouble. I want you to have this sense of sincerity which makes you know that you are what you profess to be, that you may also have the conviction that you will come forth out of every possible trial. I shall be tempted, but "I shall come forth"; I shall be denounced by slander, but "I shall come forth." Be of good cheer: O gold, if thou goest into the fire gold, thou writ come forth gold!

Once more, he says, "I shall come forth as gold." But how does that come forth? It comes forth proved. It has been assayed, and is now warranted pure. So shall you be. After the trial you will be able to say, "Now I know that I fear God; now I know that God is with me, sustaining me; now I see that He has helped me, and I am sure that I am his." How does gold come forth? It comes forth purified. A lump of ore may not be so big as when it went into the fire, but it is quite as precious. There is quite as much gold in it now as there was at first. What has gone? Nothing but that which is best gone. The dross has gone; but all the gold is there. O child of God, you may decrease in bulk, but not in bullion! You may lose importance, but not innocence. You may not talk so big; but there shall be really more to talk of. And what a gain it is to lose dross! What gain to lose pride! What gain to lose self-sufficiency! What gain to lose all those propensities to boastings that are so abundantly there! You may thank God for your trials, for you will come forth as gold purified.

Once more, how does gold come forth from the furnace? It comes forth ready for use. Now the goldsmith may take it and make what he pleases of it. It has been through the fire and the dross has been got away from it, and it is fit for his use. So, beloved, if you are on the way to heaven and you meet with difficulties, they will bring you preparation for higher service; you will be a better and more useful man; you will be a woman whom God can more fully use to comfort others of a sorrowful spirit. Spiritual afflictions are heavenly promotions. You are going a rank higher: God is putting another stripe upon your arm. You were only a corporal, but now He is making a sergeant of you. Be not discouraged. You that have set out for heaven this morning, do not go back because you get a rainy day when you start. Do not be like Pliable. When he got to the Slough of Despond, and tumbled in, all he did was to struggle to get out on the side nearest home. He said, "If I may only once get out of this bog, you may have that grand city for yourself for me." Come, be like Christian, who, though he did sink, always kept his face in the right way and always turned his back to the City of Destruction. "No," he said, "if I sink in deep mire where there is no standing, I will go down with my eyes towards the hills whence cometh my help." "I am bound for Canaan, and if all the Canaanites stand in the way in one block, I will die with my face towards Jerusalem: I still will hold on, God helping me, even unto the end." May the Lord so bless you, for He knows the way you take; and when He hath tried you, He will bring you forth as gold. Amen.

You can read the first 3/4 of the sermon here.

Careful Observation - Psalm 33-35

[13] The LORD looks down from heaven; he sees all the children of man; [14] from where he sits enthroned he looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth, [15] he who fashions the hearts of them all and observes all their deeds. - Psa 33:13-15 ESV

Just a couple thoughts regarding this passage...

I love David's description of the LORD's observation of His creation in this passage. He sits enthroned above His creation. He looks down. He sees all. He looks out. He observes all. Sobering? Yes. Comforting? Absolutely!

Yes, God sees all and this sobering reality can help keep us accountable as we daily remember this truth. But on the flip side, what a comfort for the hopeless, the abused, the recipients of injustice to know that the God of Justice sees and knows all.

This word "fashion" in regards to hearts in verse 15 has sovereign overtones. Another reminder that to have a heart that is yielded and pliable in His hands is in and of itself a gift of grace.

When God gives you what YOU want. - I Sam 6-10

Several years ago when my daughter Morgan was 5 or 6 years old she was playing with her brothers, sisters, and other good friends - some her age and others a little older. No one was listening to her as she was trying to control who was playing, what was being played, and how it was being played with!

Finally, one of the older kids asked her if she would like to be the boss, to which she eagerly replied, "Yes!" Loudly the older child told the rest of the rambunctious crowd that Morgan was now the boss! Morgan, grinning from ear to ear began to tell everyone what to do and how to play.

As I watched from a distance the kids began to over-obey and mocking Morgan did everything she wanted to a T, exclaiming, "Okay, your the boss!" Every single time she would say something they would reply, "Okay, your the boss!"

After just a few minutes of being the "boss" Morgan had had enough! She eventually burst into tears crying, "I don't want to be the boss anymore! I don't want to be the boss anymore!"

You see, for a brief happy time she had gotten what she had desired, but within just a few minutes realized the folly of what she had asked for. Granted the kids weren't as nice as they could have been, but at the same time she learned a valuable lesson - What I desire may not be what is best for me. 

In I Samuel 8 the Israelites were through being ruled by God and His judges. They were ready for a king like other nations. [4] Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah [5] and said to him, "Behold, you are old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations." - 1Sa 8:4-5 ESV

Unlike the shocking way that Morgan realized her folly when she got her way, the LORD graciously warns the children of Israel of the baggage that would come from being ruled by a king. Yet, their mind was made up. They desired a king and nothing was going to stop them from getting one. Thousands of years later, as we read through the litany of kings that divided Israel had there are only a handful for whom it could be written, "And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD". 

God gave them what they wanted - although it wasn't best. Sobering reality, is it not?

So many applications could be made.

Resting in God's Sovereignty - Gen 44-47

This story of Joseph and his brothers is one of my favorites in all of Scripture. Let me recap.

• Joseph was the favorite son of Jacob out of 12 boys.
• Joseph's brothers hated him as a result.
• Joseph had prophetic dreams and flaunted them before his brothers.
• The brothers sold him as a slave and lied about his "death" to their father.
• God was with Joseph.
• Joseph rose to prominence in the house of Potiphar.
• Joseph was falsely accused of rape and thrown in to prison for several years.
• God was with Joseph.
• Joseph had prophetic dreams regarding the butler and the baker and they came to fruition.
• Joseph rose to prominence in Pharoah's court.
• Joseph had prophetic dreams regarding a coming famine. 
• Joseph was place in a leadership position over all the food storage and food distribution in Egypt.
• Joseph's brothers traveled to Egypt to purchase food for their family because of the famine.
• Joseph's brothers meet with Joseph but don't recognize him.
• Without his brothers knowing, Joseph puts them through a series of tests to see if they had indeed changed and were repentant of the evil they had done year's earlier.
• Joseph reveals himself to his brothers and declares the truth regarding all that had transpired.

The truth? 

[5] And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. ... [7] And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. [8] So it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt. [9] Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, 'Thus says your son Joseph, God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; do not tarry. - Gen 45:5, 7-9 ESV

The truth is that God is in control. He has a plan and purpose for your life. Though the circumstances may at times be bleak we can rest in His sovereignty and watch his good plan unfold. Although I am certain there were times Joseph was discouraged there must have come a point in his young life where he yielded to the sovereign plan of God for we find no trace of bitterness as he throws his arms around his brothers and weeps for joy.

What does God think of marriage? - I Cor 7-8

Marriage was God's idea from the beginning, prior to the fall. It was and still is His plan for the majority of mankind.

[18] Then the LORD God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him." ... [24] Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. - Gen 2:18, 24 ESV

The fall of man continues to distort all that is true and good, including the beauty of marriage. Since that regrettable day, marriage has been under continual attack by the Enemy. The concept of marriage is less then ideal to many in our generation. It is deemed better to cohabit together apart from the bonds of covenant relationship. This way it is not so messy "in case the happy twosome drift apart".

Yes, the concept of marriage is under terrible scrutiny, and now its very definition is being distorted to include the antithesis of what God intended. One of the most influential foundational building blocks of a wholesome society is being chiseled away by the persistent pounding of worldly philosophies.

Yet the truth of God remains resolute. Unyielding in its intent. Relentless in its purpose.


[4] Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. - Hbr 13:4 ESV

God hates adultery. He hates it because it is immoral and the opposite of everything that is pure, right, and trustworthy. It is a covenant destroyer. It rends family. It suppresses the Gospel.

God hates divorce. He hates it because it shreds the picture of what marriage represents. Covenant relationship. Unconditional love. Christ the groom dying for His bride the church.

Yet in our fallen world divorce happens - and it seems God even permits it under certain awful circumstances because of the hardness of our hearts.

Oh married man! Oh married woman! Would to God you will fight tooth and nail to maintain a wholesome, healthy, exemplary marriage for the sake of the Gospel. Remain resolute with God your Father. Cling to Him and cleave to one another.

Have I been baptized by the Holy Spirit? - Mark 1-2

John the Baptist certainly had a unique calling and role! He was called to be a herald of the coming Messiah. This in and of itself doesn't seem so unique in that there were many prophets through the ages who were appointed to this task. However, the timing is certainly special! The Messiah and John the Baptist were only 6 months apart in age. John was tasked with preaching about the One Who had been prophesied and Who had already been born of a virgin and was walking among men! 

John's message was one of repentance. Hundreds, if not thousands heeded his words and repented of their sins. Another part of his message we read in verse 8 - [8] I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." - Mar 1:8 ESV

The Bible teaches that when one repents, believes, and receives the gift of forgiveness that is offered from God through Jesus Christ that he also receives the Holy Spirit Who indwells the believer. [19] Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, [20] for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. - 1Cr 6:19-20 ESV

There has been much theological ink used on the topic of the Person of the Holy Spirit and His role in the life of the believer. One of the questions that has been raised  - Is there a special baptism of the Spirit that only super godly people receive?  

This is certainly a topic that would take much more time and space to articulate, but perhaps will whet your appetite for a study of Who the Holy Spirit is and what His role is in the world.

However, here is John MacArthur's abbreviated timeline and succinct teaching on what it means and what it does't mean to be baptized by the Holy Spirit:

“For John baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” (Acts 1:5)

Our Lord’s words, for John baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now, are reminiscent of John the Baptist’s statement in John 1:33: “He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the one who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’ ” The promise was to be fulfilled, and the disciples would be baptized with the Holy Spirit, not many days from now—ten to be exact. Jesus promised that after He departed, He would send the Spirit (John 16:7).

Despite the claims of many, the apostles’ and early disciples’ experience is not the norm for believers today. They were given unique enabling of the Holy Spirit for their special duties. They also received the general and common baptism with the Holy Spirit in an uncommon way, subsequent to conversion. All believers since the church began are commanded to be filled with the Spirit (Eph. 5:18) and to walk in the Spirit (Gal. 5:25). Yet these early apostles and believers were told to wait, showing the change that came in the church age. They were in the transitional period associated with the birth of the church. In the present age, baptism by Christ through the agency of the Holy Spirit takes place for all believers at conversion. At that moment, every believer is placed into the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13). At that point the Spirit also takes up His permanent residency in the converted person’s soul, so there is no such thing as a Christian who does not yet have the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:9; cf. 1 Cor. 6:19–20).

The baptism with the Holy Spirit is not a special privilege for some believers, nor are believers challenged and exhorted in Scripture to seek it. It is not even their responsibility to prepare for it by praying, pleading, tarrying, or any other means. The passive voice of the verb translated be baptized indicates the baptism by Jesus Christ with the Spirit is entirely a divine activity. It comes, like salvation itself, through grace, not human effort. Titus 3:5–6 says, “He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior.” God sovereignly pours out the Holy Spirit on those He saves.

A God of Justice? - Isaiah 56-61

Recently, I have been confronted with the truth that the God of the Bible is a God of justice. This is a fact I had been taught and have surely known, but somehow had been pushed to the back recesses of my mind. Yet, with the exception of idolatry, the Old Testament addresses injustice more frequently than any other issue. 

My life in the USA, particularly in suburbia Colorado seems to cloud and even conceal the injustice taking place in the majority of the world. Injustice you ask? Human trafficking. Slavery. Forced Labor. Child Soldiers. Just to name a few. These are terms that are as foreign to our ears as they are to our mind. Yet, that doesn't negate the fact that they exist and are flourishing in much of the world today.

A casual glance at a few of the verses from today's Bible reading...


[1] Thus says the LORD: "Keep justice, and do righteousness, for soon my salvation will come, and my righteousness be revealed. - Isa 56:1 ESV

[8] The way of peace they do not know, and there is no justice in their paths; they have made their roads crooked; no one who treads on them knows peace. - Isa 59:8 ESV

[9] Therefore justice is far from us, and righteousness does not overtake us; we hope for light, and behold, darkness, and for brightness, but we walk in gloom. - Isa 59:9 ESV

 [11] We all growl like bears; we moan and moan like doves; we hope for justice, but there is none; for salvation, but it is far from us. - Isa 59:11 ESV

[14] Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands far away; for truth has stumbled in the public squares, and uprightness cannot enter. - Isa 59:14 ESV

[15] Truth is lacking, and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey. The LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no justice. - Isa 59:15 ESV

[8] For I the LORD love justice; I hate robbery and wrong; I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. - Isa 61:8 ESV


Throughout this book of Isaiah, the LORD laments that Israel is going through religious motions without putting feet to their words.

James in the NT put it this way -

[27] Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. - Jam 1:27 ESV


[22] But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. - Jam 1:22 ESV

So, what does one do when confronted with issues of this magnitude? Should the church be involved in seeking justice for the oppressed? Is this our problem? How can we be involved? How can we help? WHAT CAN WE DO? Perhaps we should pray and ask God what He would have us do. I would also suggest reading and educating yourself on the topic as well. One of the many books Diana and I are reading on this topic right now is The Just Church by Jim Martin. You can find it at -

http://www.amazon.com/The-Just-Church-Justice-Seeking-Disciple-Making/dp/1414371284/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1363528459&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Just+Church

Job 21-22

In the middle of Job's disagreement with Zophar he argues that the wicked not only prosper but their offspring flourish. 

Job ends it with, "How then will you comfort me with empty nothings? There is nothing left of your answers but falsehood."

But this brings up a difficult point. What about all those people who are totally indifferent with God and sometimes even live in defiance to Him? Psalm 73 gives one of the best answers to this question.

"For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you. But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works". -Psalm 73:27, 28

The way the Psalmist came to this conclusion and the key to really understanding this question is found in that same chapter:

"But when I thought how o understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end." -vss. 16, 17

When we draw close to Him, He draws near to us and this temporary issue doesn't even matter. For Job, he just saw right through this line. He knew life has its seasons for everyone, and staying close to God is the thing that matters.

Psalm 30-32

Have you ever been physically, emotionally, or spiritually exhausted?

If you think about this question, I am sure there are different circumstances and situations that come to mind where you have been completely exhausted. What is your first response to being worn out? Generally, I am grumpy,complain and am completely miserable. My life becomes all about me and not about Christ.

Look at David's response to his troubles. He humbly takes refuge in Christ and praises him. David pours out his heart to God and places his trust in God for guidance with praise and thanksgiving.

May this be our prayer during our troubles:

For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name's sake you lead me and guide me; 31:3

I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love, because you have seen my affliction; you have known the distress of my soul, 31:7

I Samuel 1-5

Hannah is an amazing woman. A woman of faith. A woman who knew her God. Through much anxiety and testing, the Lord blessed her with a son. We can see her view of God and her close walk with God in her response:

"My heart exults in the LORD; my strength is exalted in the LORD. My mouth derides my enemies because I rejoice in your salvation. There is none holy like the LORD; there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God. Talk no more so very proudly, for the LORD is a God of knowledge,and by him actions are weighed. The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble bind on strength. Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger. The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children is forlorn. The LORD kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up. The LORD makes poor and makes rich; he brings low and he exalts. He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with the princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the LORD'S, and on them he has set the world. He will guard the feet of his faithful ones but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness, for not by might shall be cut off in darkness, for not by might shall a man prevail. The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; against them he will thunder in heaven. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth; he will give strength to his king and exalt the power of his anointed." -I Samuel 2:1-10

 Hannah praises the Lord. She acknowledges that Salvation is above all. Her complete focus is on who God is and what he has done. What a response. Hannah doesn't put the focus on herself. Everything is about God.

God answers prayer. God may not answer our prayers exactly how we think he should answer them, but he does what is best, always. God answered Hannah's prayer in the way she desired and responded in praise.

When we cry out to God and he answers our prayers, what is your response?

We have two options.

1. Praise (Whether we like God's answer or not)
2. Selfishness and Pride 

Genesis 40-43

Joseph had wisdom. God gave it to him.

 Let's take a look at Joseph's response when he was asked to interpret dreams:

" They said to him, We have had dreams, and there is no one to interpret them. And Joseph said to them, Do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell them to me." - Genesis 40:8-9
 
 "And Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it.I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it."
" Joseph answered Pharaoh, It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer. " -Genesis  41:15-16 

  Joseph immediately puts the focus on God and not on himself . It could have been so easy to not even recognize God and become prideful in his own abilities to help Pharaoh.

Do you respond like Joseph? I can easily attest that I do not. My heart often wants to take credit for any talents God has given me.

God is the giver of our talents and wisdom. When we acknowledge that, with our hearts and mind we can better glorify Him.

I Corinthians 5-6

"All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be enslaved by anything." -I Corinthians 6:12

God has created and wired each one of us differently. We gravitate towards different activities and hobbies. Maybe you love food and exercise, while others may love sports, social media, or reading. Can you see anything inherently wrong with those things?...No, all of those things can be enjoyable. You know for you,what things you absolutely love and enjoy doing.

After reading the above passage,we see that we can take pleasure in the variety of God given enjoyments in life. What do you do with those interests? Paul states that we are not to be enslaved to anything. Are you enslaved to the gifts God has given to you?

For me, I enjoy social media and it's easy to constantly be enslaved to checking what is going on in social land. In the big picture, opening up my Bible or writing a friend a word of encouragement would be a much wiser choice then being enslaved to something that doesn't matter. What a convicting passage for me.

Take a moment to think about what you are possibly enslaved to. Are your interests and pleasures helpful or a hindrance in loving God and loving others? 

Matthew 26-28

The "Great Commission" of Matthew 28:18-20 focuses on the universal authority of Christ. Jesus has the authority to issue this life-dominating, world-changing command. Why do Christians have the responsibility-and the audacity!- to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ across cultural and national boundaries? Because Jesus owns the earth. All authority in heaven and earth is His alone. Not only does He have the authority to issue the command; He has the authority to accomplish it. An otherwise impossible task is inevitable because an omnipotent hand is behind it. Thus, we go to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them to identify them as God's own possession and teaching them to obey Christ's commands. And the all-powerful Savior who sends us goes with us.

(Taken from Chris Anderson in "Gospel Meditations for Missions")

Isaiah 51-55

God's ways are always best.

You probably read that statement not even thinking twice about it and you would agree with it. God ways are always best. Do your everyday actions live out this statement? My head knows this is true, but my heart doesn't always live it out.

What is your response when you are stuck in bumper to bumper traffic? What is your response when you have a terrible waitress and have to wait for your food for 2 hours? What is your response when a closed loved one dies? What is your response when a friend is diagnosed with cancer? What is your response when there is no justice and you are wronged?

In the following verses God shows us that his plans for us are always right:

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts. neither are your ways my ways, declares 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 55:8-9

This passage is super encouraging. The creator of the universe knows what is best for me and you. His ways are above any plan we could come up with for our lives. Even if the plan means we have to sit in traffic, or grieve the loss of a loved one, or have a hard work schedule. Whatever the circumstances may be, be encouraged friend. God gives us hope:

"For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands." -Isaiah 55: 10-12 

We can trust God. He has declared to us that he knows best. He has promised us that his Word will not return empty and not only does it not return empty, but there is purpose in God's decisions for our lives. Friends we can be joyful in God's circumstances for us and God will give us peace.

Job 19-20

While reading Job 19 I can't help but think of how hard and cruel this life on earth can be. The toughest times in my life are nothing to what Job faced. Heart break and complete abandonment though, are all too common.

I find it fascinating that in verse 23 Job wishes his words could be recorded! Look at the reason why in verses 25-27:

For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me!  

Similar to yesterday, we see this theme of looking to our God!

In the best of times and the worst of times we must trust in God. We can trust him because he lives. Job's Redeemer is the same Redeemer we have today. 

Psalm 27-29

Have you ever wanted something so badly and it never came around? Have you ever had an adversary? Are you currently facing an adversary? Have you ever been assailed by an evil doer? Have you ever had an enemy encamp against you?  (And no I'm not talking about a rival Christian School basketball team)

The answer for all of us is yes!

In this praise song we find hope in the God of Salvation, a shelter, a rock, a fortress.

The salvation we find in our God hinges on verse four:

One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple. Psalm 27:4

When I'm faced with worry, when my plan is crashing and burning, when I feel like God doesn't care... I go to this verse.

It's this simple. Asking for other things ends. Hoping God would change what He's doing and conform to our plan ends. Thinking about what other weak dependent humans will say or do ends. Focusing on what the creator and loving sustainer of the universe has done and will do begins.

An OT person couldn't mention the Temple, the house of the LORD, without thinking of the atonement. Today when we gaze on the beauty of the LORD we think of our atonement in the blood and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Anything we seek above Jesus Christ will ultimately lead to pain and frustration. In trails, go back to asking God one thing: to see Him.

For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock. And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me. and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord. Psalm 27:5, 6

Ruth

     Even in the times of the judges we can see God's theme of redemption weaving through the Scripture. May we never forget that the Bible in it's entirety is a story of redemption. Mankind was created by God and declared good. Man fell into sin, and became hopelessly lost. Then God willingly gave His Son, Jesus Christ, who voluntarily died for the payment of our sin. He redeemed us by his sacrificial death and resurrection!

     The best stories known to man are stories of redemption. There's something deep within us that resounds with redemption. When we think about Boaz redeeming Ruth and Naomi let's think about Christ's redemptive work. Above all else that's what it points to. When we watch movies, read books, and hear stories let's look for redemptive themes. You will be surprised how often they are there. Every time we come across redemption let's think of the ultimate redemption we can all have in Christ!

Genesis 36-39

     We have all heard people attack the Bible's authority, and a common allegation often comes in the form of a historical discrepancy. Gen. 36:2-3 provides such an instance. So how do we handle discrepancies and difficulties in the Scriptures? As believers we must be ready to give an answer for the hope that is in us, and that very well includes defending the Bibles inerrancy. The resolution always come with a careful study of the historical and literary context. Let's examine this passage in that light today.

Genesis 26:34 states that Esau married Judith of Beeri and Basemath of Elon. Genesis 36:2-3 says that he married Adah of Elon, Oholibamah of Anah, and Basemath of Ishmael.  Without close investigation this does not add up. Critics even go beyond the attack of textual corruption for this text and claim the passages are based from two different traditions. So why are these two passages so off?  The answer comes in understanding that Genesis 36 is contextually different from chapter 26 in the fact that it is recording Esau’s generations. This would explain why Judith of Beeri was not mentioned in the latter passage; she must not have born him a child. The daughter of Elon apparently had two names: Basemath and Adah, which was a common custom in that day. So once Esau married Basemath of Ishmael he would have called her by her other name, Adah. (Got to prevent confusion in the house) Oholibamah would have been his fourth wife, and three of those would have born him offspring.

Make sense? Yes, just go ahead and get out a note pad and paper, chart it out. At the end of the day it does add up. Why does the Bible make it this hard sometimes? My guess is as good as yours, but one thing it does show me is that the translators of the ancient manuscripts were diligent. Somebody along the line could have panicked and tried to "fix" and "error," but it never happened. They were that dedicated to accuracy. Now were there scribal errors along the way? Of course, but no where do we ever get collaboration in the Bible. It doesn't bother me when I have to work a little harder to make sense of a passage. It just shows me that text was not "manipulated by men" like so many people off the street will tell you.