Fringes - Job 25-26

By the title Fringes I don't mean the TV show. I am referring to Job's response and statement in Job 26:14. But, let's first set the scene before I focus on the word, Fringe: After Bildad, in chapter 25, expounds on the power and strength of God, Job acknowledges Bildad's insights in chapter 26 (albeit he condemns Bildad for not really offering anything to help Job with His plight). Job agrees with Bildad, that God is awesome and man is nothing, but really wonders if Bildad is paying attention to his situation. The exchange reminds me of a teacher who asks questions of the entire class and yet when he calls on someone to answer they answer a question from two days prior. Bildad, according to Job, isn't offering much help to the weak and those in need ... particularly, him! In essence Job is suggesting that Bildad's doctrine is not practical enough for Job to learn anything or use it to get him out of his ordeal. Job goes on to say that he knows even more profound things about God. These profound things he mentions (26:5-12) are hard to understand. That is where our word for today comes in: Job says that these profound things about God that he and Bildad have observed are but the outer fringes of God's character. Job's point is that the outer fringes of God's character are so profound how would we ever understand God's true and enormous character? We can't know God the way He truly is and what we do know is but the fringe of His celestial garment. These words of Bildad will be the last we hear from him (and Zophar and Eliphaz). Job will now take five chapters to expound on this "outer fringes" thoughts about God in light of his situation. The point we gather from today is that God is so great and awesome, yet what we know is only the fringes of who He is. We know but the Thread of the Garment and not the Garment Himself. Let's rejoice at the size of our God - even if we can't truly grasp His complete divine wardrobe.

How do you view sin? Psalm 36-38

When reading these three Psalms you can't help but notice the difference between the wicked and the righteous. These Psalms show that their destiny is, of course, different. They show that their treatment of others is different. Each Psalm speaks of how different the view of God is. However, the most striking difference may be the difference between the righteous and the wicked in regard to their attitude toward sin in their lives. Read 36:1-4 and you read that the wicked ignore sin; they suppress sin; they forget sin; and they cover it with their plans and the false paths they take. They simply don't view sin in a way that would allow them to be affected spiritually by it. The righteous, however, are really disturbed by sin in their lives. In 38:1-7 we read that the righteous person is weighted down by his sin; it feels like arrows in his heart; his flesh and bones ache as a result of his sin; he feels as though he is drowning in his sin. His sin completely affects the functions of his body and the stance of his body. How are you affected when you sin? It isn't about if you sin, for the believer. It is how are you affected by it! Our sin is a fact, our response to sin is the telling truth of our walk with a holy God. Those who don't view God as holy seldom worry about their sin. Those who see God as holy and want to please Him will view their sin the same way He does: It will make them physically sick. Are you sick of sin?

Worship doesn't trump obedience - 1 Samuel 11-15

In our modern Christian church today we have a dangerous mindset that thinks that as long as I am in "worship" whatever I am doing is okay with God. Today most Christians believe as long as they call it "worship" and they "feel like" they are worshiping it must worthy to God and okay with Him. Although the argument is really quite poor from an argument and debate point-of-view because it is solely based upon experience, it is also full of holes Biblically. In 1 Samuel 15 we have the story of Saul going to war and saving the best sheep and lambs of the enemy to use them for worship to God. His logic was that as long as he was going to worship that is all that mattered. Samuel came along, however, and straightened him out. His words in 15:21-23 are not only famous and often quoted, they are, today, often ignored: Sacrifice and worship does not trump obedience. We need to realize that God would prefer that we obey His word in our worship not worship the way we want and pick and choose what we obey His word. We are not to worship in a way that displeases God and it is displeasing to God to worship in disregard of obedience. Samuel was told to destroy all the enemies sheep and lambs. He wasn't to save some to worship God. God does not honor our worship simply because we call it worship. He wants us to worship because we are obedient not because we want our worship to cover our disobedience.

Am I in God's place? - Genesis 48-50

Joseph asks a great question in Genesis 50:19. When confronted by his fearful brothers about wether he will seek retribution on them for their wickedness to him, he responds, "I'm I in the place of God?" Each of us should consider such a question when it comes to our enemies. It's not like his brothers didn't deserve retribution. Years before they sold him into slavery. For years they lied about him being dead. Who would blame Joseph for seeking vengeance? What would we say to those who feared our retribution? Would we ask, "I'm I in the place of God?" We put ourselves in the place of God all the time. When we make a judgment about someone else's behavior we put ourselves in the place of God. When we practice passive-aggressive behavior and withhold our love and affection from others we put ourselves in the place of God. Joseph was willing to see the bigger picture and moved beyond vengeance (50:20). He saw God at work in his and their lives. We tend to only see the bad in what others do to us. However, God meant it for good to accomplish a greater purpose. The day we relax into that thought is a day that we walk in faith, demonstrating Godly character. Let's let God do His work and not try to take His place.

I will not stick out my foot and trip my brother - 1 Corinthians 7-8

When we read these New Testament letters to the various churches you can't help but see the practical and needed teaching Paul and the other Apostles were giving. In these two chapters alone we have some great teaching on marriage, post-salvation life and of course, do I or don't I eat the meat I bought at the local, "Discount Isaac's Meat Emporium." In the Biblical days of the early church you could shop at two distinct locations for your meat products. One would be the up-town market where fresh meat was sold: Meat that had no history other than it once moved. Or, you could buy meat at the discount market that came with a past: It had previously been sacrificed to idols. This is the background for the teaching in chapter eight. The members at the church at Corinth were in a dispute about wether they should or shouldn't eat meat offered to idols. Both sides of the dispute were claiming superior knowledge and enlightenment (8:1). Paul, as only he could, cuts the meat issue right to the point (pun intended). The point isn't who is right on disputed things like this (we might argue today about dancing, movie attendance, going to the bar, etc.), the point is who is going to practice love and who is not. Paul sums up his entire argument by saying he won't eat meat in front of those who disapproved (but would otherwise) because he had too much love for them. He would practice love over getting his own way, everyday (8:13). Even though he had the "right" to eat what he wanted, Paul decided and taught not to claim your right but to set aside those rights to demonstrate Christian love to your brother. He wouldn't do something he could so as to not hurt a relationship he shouldn't. Don't stick your your feet out to stretch your Christianity - if in the process you are only going to trip your brother in the process.

The growth process - Mark 3-4

I'm not much of a farmer. I really don't know how things grow. But these two chapters are very much about growth. Jesus is talking to them and demonstrating the power of His Word to change things. In 4:26-29 we read about the ears of corn growing in stages. Once the seed gets in the ground it produces first the blade. It says it "then" produces the head and "then" the mature grain in the head. Jesus is telling them that producing fruit in the life of a believer is a process. The growth doesn't look the same for everyone but there is growth and there is fruit. We don't always produce fruit in the "mature" grain stage right away. Of course, our fellow believers expect a full blade of corn right away. But that is not God's process. Next week in the next chapter we will see what happens to the wild man of Gerasene. When you read the story you can see how God is slowly changing his life until others come to discover his new calm state (Mark 5:15). Don't get me wrong, salvation happens in an instant. But the process of bearing fruit takes on a growth cycle Iike seed in the ground (4:1-20). We are to allow God's Word to take root in faith and He will produce fruit in our lives. Relax and believe in His Word. Fruit will be produced as God's word takes root in our faith. Others might not see our fruit on their time table but God is producing it on His.

Dirty Clay - Isaiah 61-66

I'm not much of an artist. I doubt if I could make anything recognizable out of clay. But thankfully God can. In 64:8 we read that God is the potter and we are the clay. But, it's not like we are quality clay! I assume great artist get to work with the best clay. However, a few verses before verse 8 the writer describes our righteousness as filthy rags. We are dirty clay. Yet God can and does create great works with dirty clay. What a rejoicing fact of life. We are a dirty and a useless and a simple lump of clay and yet God produces a great work in us with His hands. I rejoice in the work He has done in my life as I show everyday why I am not worthy of such grace. God takes each lump and makes it what He wants. It may not always be what we want. But it is what God wants. He can take the dirtiest piece of clay and make it into a great master piece. The worst the clay the more God can do a work in the life. This is why we are to spend time glorifying God. He deserves our praise because without Him we are but lumpy, dirty piles of useless clay. Rejoice today in what He is making you.

Argue before God - Job 23-24

I am a great debater ... Just ask my wife. I love to win an argument. Just ask my kids. I love to demonstrate my ability to twist the facts into a plausible, but credible contention ... Just ask someone who knows me. This is not a strength in my life, but a flaw. Perhaps Job has the same flaw and why his words in chapter 23 resonate with me. He argues with his friends that he simply wants to have the opportunity to make his case before God (23:1-7). He believes if he can simply "get alone with God" he could argue his innocence and his righteousness ... And win!! Of course, his ability to argue his point/righteousness is contingent on one thing: He has to be able to find God (23:8-9). LOL!!! That strikes me as very humorous. Job's thought process is like this: I could convince my Judge of how worthy I am if I could but find my Judge. He goes on to say that if he goes to the left God isn't there and if he goes to the right God simply moves to another place. I suppose it would be humorous if were not so sad. This is how the world thinks. They think they can simply argue before God, yet in their sin they don't even like the light (24:14-17) much less have the ability to stand before Him. Since our righteousness is but "filthy rags" (see Isaiah) Job is fortunate he can't find Him. It is God who finds us and it is God who purifies us (23:10). Don't get too excited about arguing with God. It is best to listen to Him and believe in Him and let Him purify you. There is a reason we can't find Him. He reveals Himself to us. We can't win on the basis of our own righteousness. But He can win on His power to find us and redeem us. Job was wrong to want to argue his purity. He was correct that God will purify us Himself.

Deliverance out of it all - Psalm 33-35

"... but they who seek the Lord shall not be in want of any good thing." (34:10). "Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him ... to keep them alive 'in' famine." (33:18-19). "The righteous cry and the Lord hears and delivers them 'out of' all their trouble." (34:17). "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers them 'out of them all'." (34:19). "... who is like You, who delivers the afflicted 'from him' who is too strong for him." (35:10). Do you see the pattern in these beautiful Psalms? Do you see what God is saying to us? He doesn't keep us out of these troubles He protects us as we are in them. In the Christian life we have the false teaching in our minds that once we are God's child we will be kept from all harm. Like a cosmic "helicopter" parent, God is seen as the caring Father who will not allow anything bad to happen to us. Yet, we see in these Psalms a different take by David. He doesn't see God preventing these things from entering our lives but rather using these things as an opportunity for us to use faith to get us through them. We believe God and in His saving power to get us "through them" not keep us from them. Rejoice that whatever happens today to you, God knows about it and simply wants you to believe in His saving power to get you through it. The last verse in this section sums up how we ought to live our day in light of the deliverance God provides: "... my tongue shall declare Your righteousness and Your praise all day long." Enjoy your day of praise.

God puts people in charge of things - 1 Samuel 6-10

If God is in charge of all things why did He give me an idiot for a boss? That question is a chapter in a new book I am writing entitled, "It's Sunday but Mondays Coming." The concept of the book is that we have great doctrines we teach on Sunday and yet, when we get to work on Monday, we seem to forget it. We believe that God is in charge of all leadership. In Psalm 75:7 it says He (God) puts one up and takes another down in regard to leadership. Our story here in 1 Samuel 6-10 is that the nation of Israel wanted a king so God gave them one. He gave them Saul. God actually had Saul's donkeys get lost so that when Saul went to look for them he would run into Samuel, who God had previously told about the king thing. God used the donkeys to get Saul where He wanted Saul to be!! Later in the book of 1 and 2 Samuel everyone will wish they didn't have Saul as a king. God warned them about that in 10:10-18. But, the truth to learn here is not the type of king God provided but that God is in control of the details that put one leader in place and take another leader out of place. If we believe on Sunday that God is in complete control than we have to believe our boss is who God put there on Monday. God is in charge of every detail that keeps everyone in the positions He wants for how long He wants. Elections may be our way of getting people into offices but it is really just God moving the donkeys around.

Forgiveness with a test - Genesis 44-47

So, I know I am supposed to forgive people. But, what do I do then? Do I trust them again? Does true Biblical forgiveness equal full trust? In our story today of Joseph and his brothers we have some insight into that question. God gives us the story of Joseph to teach us much about Him and about us and life. Some see Joseph as a type of Christ in the Old Testament and a picture for us to learn from. Joseph is one of only a few people mentioned in the Bible who has no recorded act of sin. If Joseph is truly Christ like, what can we learn from his relationship with the brothers who hurt him? Prior to revealing himself to his brothers, Joseph gives them a test. He puts his "special" cup in the bag of his brother Benjamin. When confronting the brothers with this act of "theft" Joseph is testing them to see if they will sell out Benjamin just like they sold him into slavery. Joseph wants to know if they will betray Benjamin to save their own skin. He gives them a test. In today's modern version of Christianity forgiveness is passed around like candy. In fact, if we don't forgive and wrap it in absolute trust we are seen as non-forgiving. Joseph was willing to forgive his brothers - but not without verification. His motto might have been forgive but verify. Not a bad motto. The fact that their should be a time and demonstration to the repentance of others is a lesson Joseph teaches us. This is not always the case but it ought to be considered as a strategy to employ when trying to work with those who hurt us. Forgive - but verify for trust.

Pure White Bread - 1 Corinthians 5-6

You can't read these two chapters without wondering about the church at Corinth. As you read about their "issues" you can't help but get the same impression that the world has of our churches today: These people were at best hypocrites and at worse imposters. In this church alone you have a young man comitting incest; members taking other members to court in law suits; and, apparently some of the men of the church were sleeping with prostitutes (6:15-20). Paul's concern was that they are not concerned about their purity before God. He warns them that a little leaven can affect a whole lot of bread. Using the ingredient of leaven to simulate sin Paul wants them to know that letting a little sin go and uncorrected can cause a large affect in the body. But in the midst of all of this he makes a deep theological statement about their factual position in Christ: Despite the countless sins and their open display of carnal behavior, Paual tells them they are "in fact unleavened." Meaning they are just like having no sin! (5:7). In 6:11 he goes on to repeat this truth by stating they "were" sanctified and justified. We are, despite our sin, pure white bread with no leaven - in God's eyes. God has declared us righteous and we are to live our lives in light of that doctrinal position - in a way that will honor Him. Don't let any leaven ruin our personal lump for God and His body.

Demons obey Him - Mark 1-2

Perhaps one of the most important doctrines of the Scripture is the authority that Christ was given and demonstrated over the demons; the principalities of this world. One of my favorite passages of Scripture is Colossians 2:15 which states that Christ "disarmed" the authorities of this world - He made a public display of them having triumphed over them. Perhaps that is why I love Mark chapter one so much. We have in this opening chapter of Mark's gospel the first forays into His eventual victory and declaration of death on Satan and his minions. We read that even though the Pharisees could not see the Divine authority of Christ, the demons could (Mark 1:25, 34). Christ rebukes them for their knowledge and commands them to leave those they have found homes in. Christ came to defeat Satan and his little army and He did! We ought to rejoice each day in the victory Christ wrought against the devil via the cross. The promise in Genesis 3 that Satan would "bruise" Christ's heal did indeed happen, via death. However, in Christ's resurrection He defeated the Devil and his angels by conquering death and making a public spectacle of him. When we read about Jesus casting out demons we see His power and His position over all things. What can we fear when we read these things? What must we dread? Christ is victor and we are His children. He secured the victory for us.

Righteousness Revealed - Isaiah 56-61

We marvel today in "revelation." Not in the spiritual or religious sense of the word, but in the marketing sense of the word. The world can't wait until the iPad 2 is revealed and the revelation of it becomes a production in and of itself (Or, maybe it was just me who couldn't wait). We can't wait until the sex of the new baby is revealed. We can't wait until a new product, new person or new program is finally unveiled and brought to light. I wonder if those who read Isaiah 56:1 fall under the same hypnotic trance found in the power of revelation? God, through Isaiah, says, "... for my salvation is about to come, my righteousness to be revealed." Paul in Romans 1:17 picks up on that theme and states, "For in it (the gospel) the righteousness of God is revealed ...". God, through the Gospel revealed to us what righteousness is and how it is provided to the believer. You would think that the religious leaders from the time of Isaiah's prophecy on would be ready to make it a Big Production ... A Big Announcement. God was ready. He had angels blast it to shepherds. He had a prophet come before it (John the Baptist). He had a virgin deliver it. God made it a production ... the Pharisees and religious leaders of the day missed it. Many missed the announcement of the iPad 2 because it doesn't interest them. In comparison, technology can't hold a candle to righteousness, but many miss the revelation of God's righteousness because it doesn't interest them. God provided "righteousness" to us. He announced it and revealed it. Do you rejoice in that revelation? To you do you part to "reveal" it to others?

What do you get a God who has everything? - Job 22

If God is perfect in essence and has no need of anything, what do you get Him? What would you and I add to Him if we were strong for Him? Would that be an advantage for a God who has everything? If we were really smart and even brilliant and wise, would that add to a God who keeps mysteries from men? What if we were really, really kind, would God somehow benefit even though He is perfect in love, mercy and grace? God is perfect and therefore doesn't need anything we can bring Him. We do not add to God. This is the point Eliphaz is making in Job 22. He asks Job what advantage it would would be to God for him to be righteous? (22:2-3). We do not add to God. God didn't create Adam because Adam would fill a hole in God's heart. God created Adam (and therefore you and me) for one thing: Someone to honor Him and praise Him for His glory. That is our purpose in life - to glorify God - not to find our own meaning in life. We are to solve conflict because in so doing it will glorify God not free us from strife. We are to build positive relationships in harmony not because we will benefit but because it will bring glory to God. Eliphaz goes on to make the same argument all Job's friends have made from the beginning: If Job will but repent He will be restored (22:23). But, that is not the real point. The real point is that all this is being done in Job's life (and theirs) so that in the end and during the process, God will be glorified. We can't add to God - but we can give Him Glory.

A hiding place - Psalm 30-33

I couldn't sleep so I woke this morning at 1:30 (I write these one week prior to posting them). I had a big decision to make and a good relationship that needed repair. Because I have an agreement with God I wanted to make sure I was sticking to my side of the agreement. Years ago I made a commitment to God that I would meet Him with all my problems, each day of the year at an agreed upon place. Since I couldn't sleep I decided to go to our agreed upon place to talk to Him about it. The agreed upon place? Well, for today it was Psalm 30-33. Each year in the beginning of the year I mark out my Bible reading. On that specific day I agree to listen to God based upon that Bible reading schedule. This a.m. I wake with the concerns about a relationship that needs repair and God directs me through that repair based upon Psalm 30-33. What a wonderful lens to view relationship through. God promises to protect us from those who conspirer against us (31:20); He promises to loosen our sadness and to provide a sense of joy and peace (30:11-12); He promises to hide us in His divine presence (31:19 & 32:7). God is in the business of talking to us if we will listen. He wants to put balm on our pain if we will but meet with Him to do so. We are so busy running from the world (or, running to the world) that we seldom take time to let God's Word wash over us. After reading these great Psalms I went back to sleep and slept like a baby. God can and does provide the words we need if we will but engage in the conversation and hide in the shelter of His Word.

Responsible to respond - 1 Samuel 1-5

Why do preachers always focus on the bad things? They are not alone in this particular habit (teachers tend to notice the one question you missed and not the twenty you answered right ... and don't get me started on police officers who notice the "one time" you are speeding). In the section we read today we have so many positive stories: Hannah willing to give her son up to God for service; the son (Samuel) being willing to listen to God; a husband treating his wife as an equal in the marriage; and, so much more. But, here I am focusing on the negative of the story: Eli refuses to stop his sons. Maybe because it is so easy to pick on Eli. He was the high priest of the day. He was the spiritual leader of the land. Yet, his two sons decided to become rebellious and loose with the priesthood. I know how easy it is to pick on the preacher and the preacher's kids. I have lived that life on both sides for many, many years. However, the story we have here is not so much on the behavior of the kids as it is on the one responsible to correct, or at least, speak out about the behavior. The two sons were disobeying God's Word in regard to sacrifice and much, much more (2:12-17). Eli did little outside of a verbal rebuke (2:24). He was supposed to remove them from service. Instead Eli actually got fat off their disobedience (2:29). And, that is what caused God's judgement (3:13). God will judge for not taking action when it is your responsibility to do so. Eli suffered because he did not take action on his sons who served God. He may not have been able to correct their behavior and their faith, but he did have authority to correct where they practiced that behavior. Eli failed to practice his part. That is a lesson we must see, even in the midst of all the positive lessons around him.

Leverage or Not? - Genesis 40-43

Joseph must have been a young man of great character. He is tossed in a pit by brothers, he is accused of rape, he provides a life giving interpretation to a baker and he is still forgotten. How would you and I then respond to Pharaoh's request for another interpretation of a dream? Imagine the opportunity Joseph had at the very moment he heard Pharaoh's dream and knew he had the interpretation of it. I think, personally, I would have leveraged my opportunity. Maybe ask for a cruise to the South of France. Maybe ask for a trip to Disney in exchange for my wisdom. He could have at least asked for his brother's heads on a plate ... or, maybe demand that Potipher's wife has to publicly confess his innocence. But, Joseph, true to form, demonstrates character and trust in God. He gives honor to God for his skills. He gives honor to God for what God is about to do. He gives honor to God for His Sovereignty. It takes a lot of faith and understanding of God's sovereignty to not use a situation like this for your own advantage. God had directed Joseph's life for all this time. He knew that God had allowed these things to teach him and was willing to use these "circumstances" in his life to fulfill God's plan for him. Perhaps the only thing worse than not recognizing that bad circumstances in life are God's way to prepare us and put us where He wants us is that we realize it and then don't use what He has given us when He wants us to use it. Bad circumstances are in God's control and He uses them to equip us for the moment He can use that training. Don't leverage that opportunity ... use it to Glorify Him.

Bottle Believers - 1 Corinthians 3-4

Paul begins his letter to the church at Corinth with a brief description on how the gospel is delivered - through the power of preaching (chapters 1-2 ... see last weeks blog). In this section, however, he begins to call them out for the infant believers they are (demonstrated through their immature behavior). He tells them that they are acting selfish and arrogantly: Fleshy he calls it (3:3). In these two chapters he calls out their poor behavior and describes in detail where they are acting like mere children in regard to faith. Despite being born by the power of the message they have decided to yield to their fleshly ambitions and desires. He wants to give them more teaching and he wants to stretch their belief with profound doctrine and rich arguments for the faith. However, they, he states, are simply believers still on the bottle of milk of the Word (3:1-2). They are "bottle believers," stuck on the elementary things of the Word. The writer of Hebrews gives the same condemnation to those he is writing to in his book (Hebrew 5:11-14). It is easy to become (or stay) a bottle believer. It simply takes no work and little effort. You hear it a lot when people say things like, "I really don't know much about those doctrines ... I just love the gospel." It is not a popular thing today to stretch the church believer. We have reduced the message to milk. With the books, teaching, technology and skill in today's church we should have deep and meaty believers. Instead we are comfortable being bottle believers - like the those in Corinth. I wonder what Paul would write to us?

Perfume brings out the stink in others - Matthew 26-28

Jesus has informed the disciples that He is about to be handed over to the authorities for crucifixion. He is about to eat the passover meal and provide the long discourse we read in John 13-17. Christ, at some point is about to wash the disciples feet. All the pieces are in place and prophecy is being fulfilled at an alarming rate. But then, in a most unusual act, one the of the Marys in the room does something that all the disciples view as wasteful and useless ... she pours expensive perfume out of a bottle onto Jesus feet. This is the second time an act like this is recorded in Scripture but the first time the disciples, in unison, are displeased. It seems that the perfume brought out a foul oder in their character. It revealed a number of things that Jesus immediately exposes. The main issue was that they seem to be concerned about poor people more than Jesus Himself. Here is a great lesson we should put into our practice of our faith today. Jesus chastens them for, "having the poor in mind but not having Him in mind." We can get so caught up in caring for the poor that we forget the purpose of such acts of kindness is to glorify Christ. It is always good to care for others but never good to do so without having Christ central in our lives. Christ is the source of our service but also the focus of our service. The disciples were concerned about the value of perfume and the waste of it. Mary was concerned about pouring the value out on Christ. We ought to worry more about how we worship and serve and honor Christ than with what we do for acts of kindness for others. Having put Christ first we can serve others; but only after Christ has received the honor in our lives He deserves and demands. Don't let our large acts of kindness reveal a real oder in our hearts.

Finally: GOOD NEWS - Isaiah 51-55

I used to listen to the nightly news daily. I finally realized, however, how bad the news was and I stopped consuming it on a daily basis. I now read what I want on line and stick my head in the sand in regard to the rest. I guess I figure if I can't hear it than I won't be affected by it. That might be a poor strategy but it is my strategy. In God's Word I have decided not to employ that approach, however. In God's Word I read all of it. That is why it was so nice to come by Isaiah 51-55 today. For the past 50 chapters or so we have been reading about the wrath of God and the most certain, pending judgment on the nation of Israel for their sins and the surrounding nations for the fact they are evil people and reject the true God. But, here in these chapters is finally Good News. God's lovingkindess breaks through and stems and satisfies His very own judgment. God provides a way for salvation for His people. We can read all the bad but the bad is there for contrast to the lovingkindnesses of God (Romans 9). God's Love will be provided and never be taken away from them Isaiah says (54:10). God will provide an everlasting righteousness to them, verse ten goes on to say. The section starts off addressing those who are looking for righteousness (51:1). God simply tells them He will provide it and He will provide it completely and forever. Rejoice in the good news. God saves His people from their sins but more importantly, from His wrath by providing His Son!!!

God will deal with wickedness - Job 21-22

Job and his friend, Zophar, have one thing in common in this tit for tat debate: God will deal with the wicked. They seem to differ on God's timing for dealing with the wicked but they do agree that God is going to deal with those who reject Him. I am not certain, but I think Zophar is implying that God is dealing with the wicked immediately, of which Job is a primary example. I think Job's retort is that God does and will deal with the wicked but in His time. Job is implying, I think, that his immediate circumstances aren't necessarily a commentary on his spiritual life. Job is making the point that wickedness will be dealt with but he isn't the example of it. The one thing we can be assured of is that the wicked will suffer for their rejection of God. In today's modern theology we see a lot of preachers and theologians discredit God's punishment of wickedness. Their main argument seems to be, "who would be attracted to a God who punishes people for a sin they can't help." The part we need to see in this is that God's justice demands that He punish sin and His saving anyone is a marvelous display of His grace, which is the story of the Bible and the goal of our praise: to worship Him for His grace. Today people seem to doubt our sin, His justice and and the need for forgiving Grace. God will deal with the wicked: Even Job and his tormentors knew this and final agree on something. It is only "when" He will deal with them: Now or later. It may not always be now, but it will always be later.

Defensive tactic - Psalm 27-29

When I was in elementary school I hung out with Brian. I suppose I thought it would make me cool or something but Brian was the kid to hang out with for other reasons than status: Brian was big. No one picked on Brian. Somehow, in the psychology of my young life, I realized how protected I would be having Brian as my best friend. I was a little guy in elementary and needed the BIG guy to defend me at times (my mouth was not always controlled in those days). Having someone to defend you is a blessed position to be in if you can't defend yourself. David, in Psalm 27, starts this section of praise Psalms off with that very truth: "... The Lord is the defense of my life; Whom should I dread?" (27:1) David needed someone to defend him. When Saul came out against him, he would need defending. When everyone left him (even his parents; 27:10), he would need defending. When Satan came accusing, he would need defending. When his own conscious accused him, he would need defending. When false witness accused him (27:12), he would need defending. When God's wrath demanded payment for sin, God's son would defend him. We can not live in this world without a good defensive system. Some try to defend themselves, but are slain by their own simply guilt, much less the foes of this life. God is our Defender - whom should we be afraid? Don't stand in fear of the world around you and the terror within you. Lean on the defensive of your life and find hope in the future with Him (27:12-14)

Character matters - Ruth

The story of Ruth is a story of character. It is a lilly pad in the middle of a swamp. The story of Ruth takes place during the times of Judges ... when everyone was doing what they wanted and what was right in their own eyes. This story shows that you can stand tall in a slouching world .... Boaz is the picture of character when his fellow nation was a picture of selfishness. Ruth is a picture of character when the world around her was craving anything to quench its thirst. Ruth is seen in this story to be the picture of grace and mercy to her mother-in-law, Naomi. Boaz is the picture of a redeemer - a type of Christ. Boaz is drawn to Ruth because of her character (Ruth 2). He is willing to redeem her based upon his character (chapter 4). The next of kin to Naomi wouldn't redeem Ruth because it would "mess up his inheritance." This was the times they lived in. But, Boaz was above his times. He was willing to practice the law by allowing Ruth to glean in his fields (Ruth 2) and he was willing to take on the responsibility of continuing on the seed of another (Ruth 4). Character matters in this story. The story shows us the generational line of David but much, much more. It shows us that despite the sin of the world around you it is possible to live a godly life. Boaz and Ruth give us an example that we don't have to wallow with the world and can stand tall in a slouching world.

God is still in control - Genesis 36-39

Joseph must have thought God had abandoned him. Can you imagine your own brothers tossing you into a pit? Think of when they came to get him out of the pit how he must have felt. As they pull him out of the pit I can hear Joseph saying, "Thanks brothers, you had me going there for a minute. I thought you really were going to leave me down there. (ha-ha-ha)" Imagine his surprise when they pulled him all the way out of the pit and then sold him into slavery? Joseph is the perfect picture of how unfair life can really be. He had done little to deserve this treatment. He did tell them too many self-promoting dreams, but that is what a brother does. He did have a father who loved him more than them, but what can he do about that? Instead he is sold and than purchased by the captain of the body guard of the king - what luck, hey? Of course, there was no luck involved, it was God's control. God was in control of his brothers, which is why they didn't kill him. God was in charge of Potiphar's wife who accused Joseph of rape. God was in charge of which jail Joseph would spend his time in. God uses these events in our lives to get us where He wants us to be. He allows these things to happen to accomplish his greater tasks. Praise God for His working in your life, even if it is idiot family members, a pit, an over aggressive women, or a jail. God is in the business of getting you where He needs you for His greater good. Embrace the great good and the steps along the way.

Power of Preaching - 1 Corinthians 1-2

As a motivational speaker I have a large task in front of me every time I stand before a group of people. Typically they are attending the session I am presenting because their boss told them to. They are not necessarily hostile but they are bored and non-engaged before they even arrive. My job is to use flowery speech and illustrative stories to not only move them to be engaged but to leave with practical knowledge they can use day-to-day. If I fail I am not asked back. To accomplish this in the work-a-day-world I have to do flashy things to get their attention (think of a fish out for a swim who sees a pretty lure). Thankfully, our gospel message does not depend on such trickery and artistry. In this section of scripture we have God's plan for the power behind the message of the cross; how the message is delivered; and, the expected and anticipated outcomes. God does not use the wisdom of the world to attract, or signs and wonders to entice. God has chosen to use the foolishness of the message of the cross delivered by human tongues (not always eloquent tongues) to accomplish His task. When that message is combined with faith (that He also provides) the called are ... well, called! Foolish preaching and fertile faith equals the chosen called. Thankfully God has decided to use the power of His message to reach the heart rather than the tacky motivational speaker to entice the ear.

Alert and Prepared - Matthew 23-25

Two words that seem to summarize this section of reading would "Be Prepared" and "Be Alert." Jesus' words in this section repeatedly warn the listeners (disciples and crowd and religious leaders) to be on "alert" for Christ return (24:42 and 25:13). He also warned them to be prepared for when Christ comes (Chapter 25). We don't always agree on what is the next event on God's calendar. Theologians have different views of how to determine the next event and therefore what the next event will be. However, one thing is certainly clear; while we wait for the next event God wants us to work and be ready and be on the edge of our sits in preparation. For those who simply think our job is to be enjoying our life and soaking in the sun, these chapters should come as quite a shock. We are to be working and planning and anticipating while we wait. Christ wants His children to be invested in doing His work, not simply enjoying their life. The religious leaders of the day simply tried to be the "leaders" of the day. Christ warns them that they should be diligent servants, not hypocritical tyrants. We are to be serving as we wait and work in anticipation for His return. We are not on vacation, we are on a work study assignment.

He is God - There is no Other - Isaiah 45-50

How long does it take to read Isaiah 45-50? Maybe 20 minutes, 25 if you are a slow reader and stop to day-dream. I would assume if you have never read Isaiah it is "rough" reading. But, as you digest it the reading of these six chapters may be the most well spent 20-25 minutes you have ever had with God. Isaiah 45-46 in particular are worth reading multiple times. In chapter 45 we have the description and breakdown of the God of the universe. God is to be glorified and to be praise - He is God and THERE IS NO OTHER!! Then, in chapter 46, we see the god of Babylon, who is made out of gold or stone and carried on the shoulders of men. Babylon's god, in contrast the THE ONLY TRUE GOD, is set in a place and never moves. The God of Israel is creating and moving; the god of Babylon is created and stationary. The rest of the chapters in this section simply unfold the truths found in 45 and 46. Israel had turned to the created and stationary god rather that the creating and moving God. As a result God would bring judgement on those who created the stationary god by moving in the midst of Babylon and bringing it to judgment. God can use the wicked and stationary god's believers (45:1 compared to 44:28), but it is only God who can do the moving. We need to realize that God is a very jealous God - He will not allow others to have glory due His name (48:11). When we use our time, treasure and talent as worship tools to ourselves or our hobbies or our interest, He is jealous. When we worship wood (homes); metal (cars); fiberglass (boats); plastic (credit cards); gold (savings) or ego (our jobs) the ONLY TRUE GOD becomes jealous. Have we made Him jealous recently? What stationary god do we carry?

Relief from depression - Job 18-19

Once again (now ten times according to Job ... 19:3) Job is tormented by his friend(s) - this time it is Bildad. Bildad goes on and on about how wicked people are tormented like Job is being tormented; therefore Job must be wicked. Job could turn to Psalm 73 and show Bildad that even though wicked people in this life "can" be tormented, Aspah writes in his Psalm that the wicked are often at ease and live in luxury. But, Job seems to be done defending himself against his friends and simply pleads with them to quit adding to the torment (19:2,3,21,22). Instead, Job now sees this as the direct hand of God on his life (19:21b). And, since it is God's hand on his life (via Satan's attack) Job must plead with God and look beyond himself. As I read the book of Job I see this chapter as the turning point. Although there are 20 more chapters of torment and argumentation and debate, Job has rounded the corner by recognizing that His redeemer lives (19:25, 26). This is the gospel in the OT. This is God working in a man's life and giving him faith in the midst of his desperation and depression. Only God can reveal such truths to mankind. Job is the example we need to see how we turn the corner on depression and rejection. We look to our redeemer and we know that He lives. Even though we may be destroyed we have hope in a God who sustains us. He ever lives to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25). Christ is making intercession for us because He lives. Depression and life's pain cannot separate us from that truth. Rejoice in His living to make intercession for us.

Standing on solid ground - Psalm 24-26

David states at the end of these three Psalms that he is standing on level ground (Psalm 26:12). However, when we read the words of these Psalms we find some vast contradictions. In Psalm 26 we read that David has walked in integrity without wavering (26:1) but in 25:7 he is asking God to look at his sins through lovingkindness and not on their own merit. In 26:6 he states that he washes his hands in innocence but in 25:11 he asks for pardon because his iniquity is great. In 25:17 he admits that his troubles are great and pleads to be rescued. So, how can he say he is standing on level ground in 26:12? David, like us, knows the plight of his own soul. He knows the wickedness in his heart and the deceitfulness of his tongue. But, he also knows the lovingkindness of God (25:7; 25:10; 26:3). David knows his only hope is in the fact that God will bless him (24:5). God will grant him prosperity (25:13). We stand on level ground because we stand on the Rock of our Salvation. Too many believers walk through life thinking this world is to be smooth. David knew this world was full of trouble for the believer and they needed to be redeemed (25:22). We need to realize that blessing in this life is short lived unless it is founded upon the rock of His salvation for us. We are all in slippery places and on tenuous ground. We live each day by faith that God will keep us afloat. When we trust ourselves or our work or our investments and not the hand of God we fail to live on level ground. We are only on level ground when we are in the hallow of His hand, trusting Him.

Do what is right in your own eyes - Judges 17-21

The theme of this section is stated in 17:6 and 21:25: "In those days there was no king in Israel, everyone did what was right in his own eyes." One reason these words are written and placed in this book is to set up the call for a King in the upcoming book, First Samuel. Another reason these words are here, however, is to show us what happens when the people God forsake God and decide to live on the outside of His laws and His plan. God, through Moses and Joshua, had given the nation all the guidelines they needed. Instead, absent a ruler-leader, they simply did what they wanted to do. The story of Micah and the Danites is the perfect story of the life and times during the Judges (17-18). Micah wanted his own priest so he bought one. The Danites wanted their own priest so they stole one. Micah is lost once his "god" is taken from him (18:24). This is the story of Judges. As the section unfolds the story of avenging the Levite from Ephraim's concubine provides further evidence of a deteriorating society. Rather than follow the spirit of the Law men were doing whatever they wanted and to whoever the wanted: Doing what was right in their own eyes. There is much to learn in these chapters in regard to what happens when we cease to follow God's commands and make it up as we go along. God has given us commands and ordinances for us to treat others with respect and to honor His holiness. When we fail to consider His ways we can fall into a depth of corruption unimaginable. The next time we want to do things our own way let's remember the stories of Micah and the Levite from Ephraim. Or, simply do what is right in our own eyes and see where that leads us.