How do we use our Christian liberty? 1 Corinthians 9-10

1 Corinthians 9:26-27 (NASBStr)

Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

Paul is a valiant warrior of the concept of Christian liberty.  He so fought the battle in the church that many leaders of the church thought he was given the body a license to sin.  He so believed in God's grace he didn't want anyone to think works at anything to do with any part of their salvation; from justification through sanctification unto glorification ... all faith, no flesh!  That is why to the Romans he had to clarify and in chapter six wrote, "What, shall we continue in sin that Grace by abound? God Forbid!! How shall we who are dead to sin live any longer in it?"    So, don't mistake the above verse as anything but a further explanation of liberty that works for others.   In the above Paul talks about bringing his body into subjection.  He is using the training metaphor of a fighter getting ready for a big fight.  The context of the chapter (8-11:1) is to not do anything that may cause a brother to follow you into sin, or cause them to sin by your actions.  It is about allowing the weak brother who has a different perspective to see you serve him or her.   So, Paul, by faith, brings his body into subjection, offering it both to God and to his brother in Christ.   He doesn't want to be disqualified in his service.   He wants to make sure others see him as a servant to them.  We are not naturally servants.  We are typically focused on our own needs.  Paul wants us to make sure we have a heart that wants to glorify God and minister to others.   For that to happen he brings his body into discipline by Faith in the power of Christ.   

Who is actually in charge? Mark 5-6

Mark 5:13 (NASBStr)

Jesus gave them permission. And coming out, the unclean spirits entered the swine; and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea, about two thousand of them; and they were drowned in the sea.

Poor pigs!!   Innocent pigs are lost to their farmers and to future people who where looking for a bacon breakfast sandwich as a result of a demon who wanted to escape Jesus' power.   The story in Mark five shows us the sad state of affairs for man who was living in the caves and rocks of the country. At some point in his life he became possessed, not with on demon, but many.   We are not told how long or why he was possessed.  It could have been a birth and no fault of the man (simply sin in the world), or, he could have done some great evil thing and danced with the Devil ... now inhabited with the Devil's darlings.   We are told, however, that he was constantly tormented by the demons, day and night.   We are told they are powerful demons that he had no control over, nor those around him.   We are also told that he had no common place to call home.  He lived in tombs and among the rocks.  No friends, no family and no frills are mentioned.   The demons had total control over his life.  Yet, they did not have total control.   We have to note in the story the demon's immediate recognition of Jesus' power.   They immediately recognized His lordship.   Although the man may never have see Jesus high and lifted up, the demons did.  In Luke 4 we see that Satan also recognized Jesus' authority.   In order for the demons to escape they ask to be cast into a heard of swine.   They need Jesus' permission.   Nothing happens without HIs permission.   In Proverbs 9 we read that through Wisdom He created the heavens and the earth.  He formed everything.   He is over all things.  In Colossians 2 we read of his divine power.  All names and nations need His permission to move.   Today spiritual, political conservatives rely so much on their "party" affiliation for their hope.   No President, Prime Minister, King or Queen moves in this world with God's permission through His Risen Son!!   Practice your politics but God can cause King Nebuchadnezzar to eat grass like a cow and he can cast demons into a heard of swine and then tell the swine to jump off a cliff.  Do you know this power in your life?   Believe it.  He is LORD!!

Will God's Word still work? Jeremiah 1-5

Jeremiah 1:12 (NASBStr)

Then the Lord said to me, “You have seen well, for I am watching over My word to perform it.”

What a blessed thought God reveals to his messenger, Jeremiah.   Jeremiah is called to be the orator who will deliver very bad information to the nation of Israel. He will be asked to say some things and illustrate those things in some difficult and maybe even confusing manners.   He might be tempted, in the future, to shy away from the message he is given.  He might worry that the rebellious audience/congregation he is sent to preach to might reject him, or worse, the message.   He might think he is more important than the message (many in the pulpit today are like that).   He might, like today's church ministries, think that the message is validated by the delivery rather than the Deliver above.   But, here, in just 14 English words, God says more than enough to keep any messenger of God on the right course.   God is watching over His word and it will perform what He sends it to do.  Today we might buy a product that will do something for awhile, but all things man made eventually die off.  God makes sure His word has life and it continues to do what He wants it to do.   The delivered word (delivered in many and all methods) will not come back void.    Don't doubt the power of God's Word, even if it is delivered in unusual ways or less bight lights.   God makes sure His word will perform.  Bank on it.  

What do we say to someone who is suffering? Job 25-26

Job 25:2 (NASBStr)

“ Dominion and awe belong to Him

Who establishes peace in His heights.

Only God can establish peace and peace can only be established by the power and awe inspiring character of God.   That seems to be Bildad's message to Job.  And, it is a good message.  We have to remember as we read Job that Job's friends were not often off with their advice.  They were typically accurate with their counsel but simply wrong in the application of their counsel as it applied to Job.   Bildad finally leaves Job alone and his "wicked people will have to pay and you must be wicked since your paying" argument.   Now he moves into the area that God is simply too big and too far away for man to be in the same world.   Note the verse above.   Bildad is letting Job know that God is so great He is to be awed.   Dominion and awe are God's.   Peace is His.  Only He can establish peace.   When we want to give others encouragement we need to focus on the character of God.  Getting past the poor application, Bildad is not wrong in this approach.   Peace comes from God.   Power is from God.   Awe belongs to God.   That helps us understand our pain, suffering, and turmoil.   We can rejoice in God's character in the midst of the turmoil we are experiencing.   

What do you do when others talk about you? Psalm 36-38

Psalms 38:13-16 (NASBStr)

But I, like a deaf man, do not hear;

And I am like a mute man who does not open his mouth.

 Yes, I am like a man who does not hear,

And in whose mouth are no arguments.

 For I hope in You, O Lord;

You will answer, O Lord my God.

 For I said, “May they not rejoice over me,

Who, when my foot slips, would magnify themselves against me.”

If possible, go back and read the beginning of Psalm 38.   The writer, David, is outlining the terrible position he is in.  His sin has caused a great amount on his stress on his health and his relationships.   He is in a position of pain and vulnerability.   Yet, despite the hard pressing of life, David knows the God he believers upon.  He knows who God is and what God's salvation is all about.   When others mock him and want to hurt him and hurl insults at him, David becomes as a "deaf man".  He simply doesn't hear it.   He becomes like a "mute man."  He doesn't respond.   In his mouth are "no arguments."  When you have God fighting for you, you can afford to be silent and act as though you hear nothing.   He states the reason for this "numbness" is based upon faith in God.   He states, "For I hope in You, O Lord."   When our faith is in God and not ourselves we don't have to defend and argue.   When we follow God's word we can afford to be silent with our own.   If you find yourself hearing everything they say about you and too sensitive to it, rest in His character instead of your own.  If you have that desire to "answer back" rest in His spoke Word rather than  your own.  If our prayer to God is that they don't rejoice over us we can rest assured God hears that prayer and will make that happen.  He has promised so.  

Are leaders exempt from God's discipline? 1 Samuel 11-15

1 Samuel 13:13-14 (NASBStr)

Samuel said to Saul, “ You have acted foolishly; you have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which He commanded you, for now the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall not endure. The Lord has sought out for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has appointed him as ruler over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.”

Saul decided it was alright for him to worship God and lead worship when God told him to wait.   As a result, God took his leadership away.   Moses, in his day, was told to speak to a rock, as commanded by God, so that water would flow from it for the nation of Israel.    But, instead of speaking to the rock he struck the rock.   As a result God took his leadership from him and refused to allow him to enter the promise land.   David, in committing the sin with Bathsheba, tried to cover up his failure by killing Uriah, Bathsheba's husband at the time.   As a result God told him he would not be able to build the Temple for God, since he was a man of blood.   In all three cases the leader disobeyed God and there was a consequence to their leadership.  Jesus taught is in Luke 12:48 that to whom much is given much is required.   When leaders fail they bring down others.  When leaders don't obey God's Word others are validated to follow their behavior. The books of 1 and 2 Kings bear out this principle.   This was the beginning of the end of Saul.  He had started out so committed to the things of God (see chapter 11).   But, he disobeyed which showed fear and pride (see 1 Samuel 15:10).  God took the kingdom from him at this point and prepared to give it to David.   Leadership is held to a different standard.   They are not to be pedestrian.  They are to lead.  And they do lead.   So, when they lead the wrong way their are consequences.  

Do you honor your parents? Genesis 48-50

Genesis 49:1 (NASBStr)

 Then Jacob summoned his sons and said, “Assemble yourselves that I may tell you what will befall you in the days to come.

Jacob (Israel) is about to die.   The custom of the day was for the father to give a final blessing to the son(s).  In this chapter Jacob blesses each son according to his past life.   Think of the concept of the "reading of the will" but the father is still alive.   Imagine the anticipation.   Imagine how anxious everyone was.   The older sons were know doubt anxious to hear their special status simply because they were born first.    The younger children would be prepared for the left-overs, the scraps that fell from the table.   This is just the way it was.    Yet, God's principles are not based upon chronological status.   God's principles are based upon HIs character.  Later, God would give one these boys' descendants the Ten Commandments.   In those commandments would be the law that states, "Honor your father and mother and it will be well with you."   We would later be reminded by Paul that this is the first commandment with promise.   The explicit teaching in the law is that those who honor their parents will be blessed.   The implicit teaching is that those who don't honor their parents will lose their blessing, or never receive it.   So, too, here in Jacob's final blessing.  Rueben, the first born, lost his blessing because he dishonored his dad.  The same is true of second born, Simeon.   Both failed to bring honor to the father and found their blessing conveyed to other brothers.   Joseph, one of the youngest, received a double portion because of his faithfulness and character.   There is nothing more grieving for a parent than to lose the honor they are due for being the parent.  True, there are some parents who forfeit that honor in the eyes of the child.  Yet, God's word does not say  honor your father and mother "when they deserve it."  God's word simply tells children to honor their father and mother and God will make it well with them.   Blessing is from God for obedience to the Word.   If you don't obey God in this area don't expect honor.   

Do we have freedom and what are its limits? 1 Corinthians 7-8

1 Corinthians 8:11-12 (NASBStr)

For through your knowledge he who is weak is ruined, the brother for whose sake Christ died. And so, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ.

Knowledge is power!   Or, at least that is what they say.  When it comes to having knowledge about God and Christ Paul is giving us some great insight on how to deal with difficult areas of spiritual growth.   In this example we are talking about an area not very familiar with the modern Christian world.   He is talking about how to handle it when we come across an area of dispute about what is sin and what is not sin.   There are areas in the Christian life that we will dispute with one another.   In those times one believer may have knowledge the other person doesn't have.  They may have acquired the spiritual knowledge through in-depth study, personal battle, or any number of avenues for spiritual growth.  Paul's point is that spiritual growth comes with spiritual responsibility.  Just because you "know" more doesn't entitled you to live without being responsible to the body of Christ.   Paul is telling us that if we have knowledge that gives us liberty we can't use that knowledge to cause another brother to sin.  We may not think something is sin.  But, if we use that knowledge to offend a younger brother we are, in essence, sinning against Christ.   Because believers are "in Christ" when we cause them to stumble we are sinning against Christ.   Knowledge is power to give us the freedom to interact with the Body for the purpose of glorifying God.   We don't have freedom to do what we want.   We have freedom to do what is right in the body of Christ.  

Do you show mercy? Mark 3-4

Mark 3:5 (NASBStr)

After looking around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, He *said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored.

Jesus was angry with the religious leaders of the day.   One might think that "anger" is not becoming the Man of God.   But, the next line tells us the reason for the anger.  He was angry because they had hardened their heart toward the things mention by Micah in 6:8 of his book.   Micah was one of the last prophets the nation and its leaders would have heard from, prior to Christ.   The Prophet had told them that their religiosity was not important to God.  The most important thing to God, according to the Prophet, was as follows:

Micah 6:8 (NASBStr)

He has told you, O man, what is good;

And what does the Lord require of you

But to do justice, to love kindness,

And to walk humbly with your God?

The word "kindness" in the above text is acting with mercy.  Before Jesus and the religious men of the day was a man who had a "withered" hand.  The man had come to Jesus because he believed in His power to heal.   He was willing to cast his complete trust on the Man of God.   But, according to the Pharisees, he had dared to come on the wrong day: The Sabbath.  The religious leaders of the day objected to doing anything on the sabbath.   Christ was angered at that.  Asking them if was lawful or unlawful to do good or evil on the Sabbath they did what most evil-power-hungry-leaders do: They kept silent. Uncommitted!!   It angered Jesus because that silence showed the hardness of their heart.   This is in harmony with Paul's "Be angry, but sin not" (Ephesians 4:6).   Righteous anger for hardness of heart is justified by God.   People who harden their heart to acts of mercy are evil on the inside.  They have not be regenerated by the Spirit.   You can test your faith in Christ by the mercy He pours out into your heart.   

Do you know God? Why? Isaiah 62-66

Isaiah 65:1 (NASBStr)
 “I permitted Myself to be sought by those who did not ask for Me;
I permitted Myself to be found by those who did not seek Me.
I said, ‘Here am I, here am I,’
To a nation which did not call on My name.

They only way I would get to meet the Governor of our State is if I was invited by him to meet him.   The same is true with the President of the United States, the Prime Minister of England or the Supreme Ruler of Russia.   If, you or I, had a chance to meet any of these dignitaries, we would shout it from the mountain top ... at least among our friends.  You don't get to meet important people unless they invite you to meet them.  Imagine going to Rome and demanding a meeting with the Pope (although the news reports that the new Pope will often be riding the bus).   When all the above is true, why is it that men and women think they can simply have a relationship with God by their own choosing?   The ONLY way we can have a relationship with God is if He permits it.   In the above verse from Isaiah we see that God is telling the nation that it was He who initiated the relationship He has with Israel.  No man seeks God (Romans 3).   No man has a desire in their heart for God because in their heart of hearts they are at war with God (Romans 8).  If you have a relationship with God you should rejoice because it is only because He initiated it and allowed it to happen.  The truth of the matter is I don't want to know or meet our Governor, our President, the Prime Minister or anyone from the leadership of Russia.   But, I didn't want to meet God either.   He pursued me.  The Hound of Heaven, as the poem states, searched me out and found me (http://poetry.elcore.net/HoundOfHeavenInRtTGlossed.html).   Rejoice that you know Him.  It is much more a blessing then getting an invitation to the White House.

Will I get through this dark and painful night? Job 23-24

Job 23:10 (NASBStr)

“But He knows the way I take;

When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

To say that Job is struggling in this passage is an understatement.  He, of course, is struggling in all the words that he says.  He is going through a number of stages of grief, having lost his children.  He is going through the stress of financial burden.    He is going through physical pain that would subdue most of us.   He is going through psychological torment, brought on mostly by his friends.   But, more importantly, Job is going through a theological crisis unparalleled in his life ... perhaps anyones.   Job can't find God!!  That is the gist of the first 8-9 verses of this passage.    So, what do you do when you find yourself in a emotional-financial-physical-psychological-theological rock and hard place?    You do what Job ultimately does: You focus on what you know to be true.   In the above verse Job recalls that God "knows" his path and He "knows" at the end it will be golden.   In one of my own crisis moments of life (psychological-emotional-theological) a wise pastor told me, "David, don't doubt in the dark what you believed on in the light."   That is what Job is doing.  In the midst of the storm remember the course you were on.   Remember that God is still in control and is still going to make it alright for the one who puts their trust in God.  That is the major theme of the Bible: Those who put their trust in God will come forth, in the end, golden.   Though we are tried, like a precious stone, the dross will be burnt off and the gold will shine forth.   Don't doubt it just because you can't see it.  Don't question it just because He seems distant.   Don't forget it just because your groaning doesn't seem heard by Him (Job 23:1).   In the end it will be golden.  

Do you seek peace? Psalm 33-35

Psalms 34:14 (NASBStr)

Depart from evil and do good;

Seek peace and pursue it.

Psalms 35:19-21 (NASBStr)

Do not let those who are wrongfully my enemies rejoice over me;

Nor let those who hate me without cause wink maliciously.

 For they do not speak peace,

But they devise deceitful words against those who are quiet in the land.

 They opened their mouth wide against me;

They said, “ Aha, aha, our eyes have seen it!”

The contrast between these two Psalms is remarkable.   In 34:14 David says that his goal is to seek peace and not evil.  He makes a commitment to pursue peace with others and in bad situations.   But, in 35:19-21 we see what David is up against.  He is entangled with someone who is failing to see peace.  He is entangled with someone who is rather looking for war.   This is a quandary for David, as it would be for us.   It is so tough to seek peace in evil situations when someone else is seeking evil in a peaceful situation.   David knows that the seeking of peace is like a pursuit.   You might never catch it because of the evil around you.  One of the Fruit of the Spirit is "peace."   It is by faith in Christ that the Spirit can produce peace in our lives.   Jesus said He came to give peace (John 14:27).   The world has a false peace. They believe that peace is the absence of war.   However, to Jesus it is the presence of Him.   David realized that his pursuit of peace had to be through and enabled by his pursuit of God.   As God worked in him true peace would win the day.  However, David also knew that there were some who would not want peace.  They are for war.  Instead they deceive with their words and seek to point out mistakes and faults.  Those who have faith in God seek peace, not war.  They speak truth not deceit.  

Did God hide the donkeys? 1 Samuel 6-10

1 Samuel 9:3 (NASBStr)

Now the donkeys of Kish, Saul’s father, were lost. So Kish said to his son Saul, “Take now with you one of the servants, and arise, go search for the donkeys.”

There are a number of examples in God's Word where God used a situation or circumstance like we see in the above verse to accomplish His purpose.   The best example is probably Joseph being sold into slavery, accused of rape and ending up in prison.  The baker and cupbearer "by chance" fall out of favor with the king and end up in the same jail cell as Joseph.  God used evilness in the brothers, the lust of a women and the uncontrolled outburst of a king to accomplish the conversation and dream interpretation of Joseph.  This would eventually lead him to be being second in the land.   Another example is in the New Testament.   Paul is in prison and the religious leaders of the day are bent on killing him.   But, "by chance" they plan their plot in the ear-shot of Paul's nephew.   He informs the Roman guard and they move Paul out of the city.   God's sovereign rule is not limited to His act of salvation.   God intervenes, like above, to accomplish things in our lives and in His plans.   When is the last time you saw a "lost donkey" as God's sovereign move to get you somewhere He wants you?   God uses each event in our lives to move us to the exact place He wants us.  Saul's father had lost a few donkeys.   Saul is sent to look for them.  He can't find them but that brings him to Samuel, who was previously told by God that he would run into a man from the tribe of Benjamin who would be the next king.   God could have simply told Samuel to go to Saul's home town and look for him.   But, God doesn't always do that.  He uses circumstances in our life to move us to the exact place He needs us to be.   The next time you lose something and go to look for it remember this story. God just might be putting you into a place you can be used in a great fashion.  

Do you quarrel on your journey? Genesis 44-47

Genesis 45:24 (NASBStr)

So he sent his brothers away, and as they departed, he said to them, “Do not quarrel on the journey.”

After all these years apart from his brothers, Joseph still knew their hearts.  Sometimes time and space change people; sometimes not.   In this case Joseph had been in a pit, a prison and not a powerful position.   He had changed.   But, his brothers, apparently, he didn't think had.   He sends them away to go and return to their father with the news of his life in Egypt.   He returns them with money and possessions and travel arrangements.   He returns them with great news of life and salvation.   Yet, his final admonition to them is that they "don't quarrel" on the journey.   This is a remarkable line for the writer to add.   It gives us great insight into both their lives, but also the human condition.    Men are going to be sinful and divisive, even in the midst of great times and experiences or news.  Joseph was extending them forgiveness and opportunity.   Yet, he knew they would be more tempted to fight about all the things he gave them.  Loaded down with treasure would only assure one thing: They would fight over it.   We, too, like the brothers, in the midst of blessing and the offer of peach, tend to argue and fight over things and possessions and personal space.   The Church today is blessed with so much but we tend to fight as much for parking spaces on Sunday and privilege positions to hold within the Church.   Don't be like the brothers.   Don't be so captivated with the treasure that you forget the good news of salvation and deliverance.  Don't have the tendencies to quarrel on the journey.  

Are we free to do anything? 1 Corinthians 5-6

1 Corinthians 6:12 (NASBStr)
 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.


When Christ came to set us free from sin His work on the cross did more than simply set us free from the penalty of sin.   It also set us free from the bondage of sin and the trappings that come with that.   Note the above verse and relax and rejoice in the full breath of it.  Before we do that, however, we have to remember the context of these last two chapters (five and six) of this book.  Paul is correcting the believers in this church because there was impurity in their midst.  Rather than condemn it, the Corinthian church was oblivious to it.  Rather than mourning it they were rather puffed up and arrogant about it (5:1-3).  Paul corrects them by telling them that God will judge them.   But, in this section of the correction he wants them to remember that Christ set us free from the penalty of sin.  However, that does not give them a license to simply ignore sin in their lives.   He wants them to remember that freedom comes with responsibility.   We are free to engage in many things in this life, but when those things practice "authority" over us they are no longer profitable for us.   He wants us to remember that we are "with" Christ in many ways.  So, when we engage in sin and thus become "with" sin, we do harm to the body of Christ.   Freedom in Christ is not freedom to engage in whatever we want.   Freedom in Christ is to engage in a relationship with Him through the Spirit of God.   That allows us to remain free from sin and her traps and free in the context of living with Christ.   We have to make sure that the things we are engaged with are not damaging our relationship with Christ.   The question is not whether something is sin.  The question is whether or not something is profitable to further and deepen my relationship with Him.  

Why are there four gospels? Mark 1-2

Having read through the Gospel of Matthew first and now Mark there is a stark contrast in style. If Matthew is a marathon, Mark is a 100 yard sprint. Matthew plots through and details how Christ is fulfilling the Old Testament prophets. And whereas Mark starts with the prophet Isaiah, he is absent on the large descriptive parts of his story, telling us just enough to get us to the end of the story. If Matthew is about history, Mark is about action. Notice how fast he moves from one scene to the other. It is like he is telling us the story of Christ from Post-It Notes he has stuck-up all over his small office. But whereas the style of the two may be foreign to each other their theme is the same: Christ came to save the lost and preach glad tidings of great joy (Mark 1:7,8 & 2:38 compared with Matthew 4:23). This is a great lesson on how we view Christ's story differently and may tell it in completely different genres, only to be brought together by the fundamental theme of Jesus; that He is here to save us. Big Idea: Each of us may differ on how we tell the Story, but the Story still is the same and we must tell it.   When we read Luke and John we will see two more "versions" of the story ... with the same central themes.  

Is God weak? Isaiah 56-61

Isaiah 59:1

 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not so short

That it cannot save;

 Nor is His ear so dull

That it cannot hear.

We have such a limited view of our God.   LIke the unbeliever we see God in the context of what is happening and not in the character of who He is.  We look at the world around us and ask, "Where is God?"    Yet, we should stop looking at the experience and start looking at the God who is in control and WHY He is in control.   We see our problems and we think this or that is not going to happen.   But, we should cast our fears to the wind of Faith and remember that God is mighty to save.  There is nothing so far away that His arms don't reach.   We have the picture here of a people who saw God like a little boy trying to reach the cookies on the cupboard.    God is the one reaching down to us, not up to something He can't attain.   God is not so far away that He can't hear our cries.  It might seem like that at times.   However, God is right there listening and responding.   I love the story in Daniel when Gabriel, the angel, tells Daniel that when Daniel prayed he, Gabriel, was dispatched immediately.   But, he was hindered by Satan and it took a couple of weeks (Daniel 10:12-13).   God listens to us immediately.   Just because we don't sense or see His answer does not make His ear's dull.   He hears and responds in the way that we should rest in faith to embrace.    God is not weak and not distant and not impotent.   God is powerful.   God is active.   By faith we just rest in the character of God rather than the feelings and flesh of our circumstances.   

Why are we suffering ... do you know? Job 22

Job 22:4-5

“Is it for your piety that he rebukes you

and brings charges against you?

 Is not your wickedness great?

Are not your sins endless?

Eliphaz is one of Job's three friends.   He, like his friends and Job, are struggling to explain the "why" behind Job's dilemma.  They are wrestling with the concept that Job was basically a good man and now all this bad is happening to him.   Although all three friends have beat around the bush in their confrontation of Job, Eliphaz now goes right for what everyone of them has been thinking: "The reason you are in this state, Job, is because you were not a good man.  Deep down you must have been a wicked person."   Eliphaz does what most of us do.  We just figure when we see someone suffering they must have done something wrong and this is "karma" coming back on them.    They have a limited view of God and in their justice system all acts that look like unjust must steam from unjust living.    Yet, we know the real truth behind this story.   We know that God loves Job and that even God spoke highly of Job in chapter one.   People tend to see sin as producing an immediate negative affect and righteousness an immediate positive affect.   But, the results of sin and/or righteousness are not immediate or even known and observed by us.   God sends His rain on the just and the unjust.  Let's not make the mistake of Eliphaz.  Just because someone is struggling let's not draw a line toward a life of sin.   Let's just recognize their struggle and seek to comfort them by pointing them to a life of faith toward God.   It doesn't matter "why" they are struggling if they don't first realize the way out is faith in God ... for what ever reason.  

Are you plans in His hands? Romans 30-33

Psalms 31:15

My times are in your hands;

deliver me from my enemies

and from those who pursue me.

This same concept is echoed by Job in Job 14:5 and Job 24:1.  It is interesting that both the Psalmist here and the suffering Job find themselves in hard times.  Rejected by friends, pursued by enemies and inwardly tormented, they both rest in the same truth:  God is in control of my times (my life and steps). Too many people recoil at the thought of God's sovereign rule. They think this insults their free will and personal responsibility. However, God being in control is a reason to rest and a motivator to accept my life experiences.  For when my life is His hands I know that there is a reason to relax and not fret.  My enemy can do as he will when I know God is in control. Like the three Hebrews who were about to be tossed into the fiery furnace, the Psalmist realizes no matter where he ends up, alive or dead, God is in control.  Let's rejoice that "my times" are in His hands.  

Do we have "conditional" dedications to God? 1 Samuel 1-5

Commitment to leave your son with a gluttoness priest takes a firm belief in the sovereignty of God!!!   Hannah had made a commitment to God that if He gave her a son she would dedicate him forever to The Lord for service.   Here she is dropping the boy off to Eli and his sons and she has to have some concern that Eli was a glutton and the boys were rebellious and disobedient.   However, our outward circumstances and/or inward fears don't negate our vows to God.   We can take back our commitment because things didn't look right to us or feel proper.   Hannah new the who God was and trusted in the sovereignty of God (see 2:5-10).  Her previous prayer was full of statements to the fact of God's sovereign rule.   She was willing to accept that if God provided the child she had asked for, He could care for the child she provided Him.   Abraham had a similar thought when he took Isaac, the son of his old age, to the mountain to sacrifice him.   God provides children and then when we give them back in dedication we can "take them back" because we don't like the circumstances.   We have to trust God for the provision and the protection.  He is not God of one and only "god" of the other.   Let's make sure we don't do "conditional" dedications.  Like Hannah we need to make sure we are sincere and committed to allowing God to have our children so He can do with them what He wants.  

Who gets the glory for your great ideas? Genesis 39-43

Genesis 41:37-39 (NIV1984)

The plan seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his officials. So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?”

 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you.

When we demonstrate the wisdom of God before the world our desire should be that the world gives God the glory.   When Joseph reveals Pharaoh's dream he made sure at the beginning that God was revealing it and Joseph was just the mouth piece.   We can reveal wise things but disguise it as our own, grabbing the glory for ourselves.   This might we the most wicked of things we do ... stealing the credit for things away from God when it is His glory that is due.   In my speaking business in the educational industry this is one of the hardest areas I face.  If I say I am about to share things with someone form Scripture they turn it off and would claim church-state issues.  Yet, there is nothing I share that is not given to me from God.   Joseph had the wisdom and ability to be used by God and get God the glory.   He, unlike me, was not afraid to tell others where God gave him insight.   Oh, to be like Joseph when we are out in the street and asked wisdom.   To say, "I don't know, " but God does and this is what He told me.   God knows and when He uses us we should give Him the glory. 

Who do you boast about? Who do you glory in? 1 Corinthians 3-4

1 Corinthians 3:20-22 (NIV1984)

and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.” So then, no more boasting about men! All things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future –all are yours,

One of the issues of the Corinthian church (and they had many) was that they prized one leader over the other (see 3:4-5).   The thought the status of the man made the message of the man better and their standing in life better.   They wanted to attach themselves to a great and famous person, assuming that would increase their status as believers.   Remember, this is a time with Greek thought was at its prime.   Names like Socrates, Plato, Aristotle were house hold names.   The Greek culture influenced much of modern thought.   The Gnostics were a group proclaiming that knowledge was power and the increase of knowledge could give you god-like status.    Paul, in these first four chapters is debunking the wisdom of the world and showing the contrast of the wisdom of God, which is foolishness to men.   In the above passage Paul tells them, "... no more boasting about men!"   Don't miss this little line in a large and otherwise fruitful text.   This one line may be a key to the entire book.  Paul sees that these believers are starting to glory in men and their puffed up wisdom.   If we return to chapter one, note Paul's initial statement to them.  It becomes an over arching guideline to the book:

1 Corinthians 1:31 (NIV1984)

Therefore, as it is written:“Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”

People today love to drop names of people they know or who they think "know" things.   They like to say they are followers, or readers of .... !    But, the truth of the matter is that, as believers, we are to boast ONLY in The Lord and His work in our lives.   We are not to be followers of someone or something.   God uses men and women in our lives because they each have a task to perform (see 3:5).  Let's not get in the trap of following men.  Let's not boast in them or ask others to boast in us.   Only The Lord is to have the glory.   

What triggers our bad responses? Matthew 26-28

Matthew 26:14-16 (NIV)

 Then one of the Twelve–the one called Judas Iscariot –went to the chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty silver coins. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

The events prior to this commentary on Judas' decision drove him to betray Jesus.   Now, we know this was in his heart all along.   Jesus says as much at the moment of the betrayal, latter in the garden.   But, note the catalyst for this approach.  Just prior to this the women had taken a very expensive bottle of perfume and poured it all over Jesus' head.   Judas, and the other disciples, were upset that the perfume was "wasted" so.    They had little concern for Jesus and more thought of a bottle of perfume.   But Judas was so upset it drove him to do the unthinkable.  He allowed a minor incident to push him over the edge.  How many times do we let our initial reaction to some event to cause us to do something we eventually come to regret?   Jesus knew Judas would betray Him.   He even new the betrayal was coming.    But, the nature of Judas was triggered by this event.   So, too, with us.   We allow our "old" natures to be triggered by events just like this and it drives us to betray Him.   Satan is very good at using these trigger events in our lives to set off a chain reaction in our lives that we soon regret.   Satan will do the same thing to Peter in just a few hours as he betrays Christ three times before the rooster crows.   However, the Spirit lead life allows the Spirit to "slow" us down in our initial reaction.   When, by faith, we are allowing the Spirit to lead us we don't do these things.   We need to be careful to not react to things of the world that push us to do things we regret later.  

Does God protect His believers? Isasaih 51-55

Isaiah 54:17

no weapon forged against you will prevail,

and you will refute every tongue that accuses you.

This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,

and this is their vindication from me,”

declares the Lord.

This may be one of the most quoted verses out of book of Isaiah.   Isaiah is speaking for God who is talking to those, who by faith, believe that God will redeem them, despite their present condition.   They are being taken away into captivity for their disobedience and in the middle of the book God gives them the promises of redemption, salvation and strength.  When you think of the background of these verse you have to rejoice in the meaning they must have been to the ears of the hearers.   Imagine you are being killed with the sword, beaten with the whip or drag by the chains into captivity and you hear this verse.  Think about "NO WEAPON" that is forged against you will prevail.  It does not say, of course, you won't have it used against you.  But, it means that the weapon (and he who wheels it) will not prevail.   God is not promising freedom from weapons.  God is promising victory; in the end.  In the second line of the verse we read that although they will be accused by the tongues of their enemies (and, perhaps, friends) they will have a response.  Again, it doesn't say that people who hurl horrible accusations toward you.  It does say that we will prevail over them and have an answer for them.  Paul picks that theme up in 2 Corinthians 5:12.  We are to live our lives in such a way that our very lives become the answer for false accusations.   Isaiah tells us that these two great truths are a "heritage" for the servants of The Lord.  He adds that these truths are our "vindication" given by Him.   God does not only keep us from the evil of this world, he gives us vindication.   We can rejoice in the fact that we are not left alone.  We are the apple of His eye and He will guarantee that we are protected from any weapon and vindicated from any statement made.  

Is God ignoring wickedness? Job 20-21

Job 21:6

When I think about this, I am terrified;

trembling seizes my body.

Job's friend, Zophar, has just giving a theological statement as to the fate of the wicked.   Few, in the past or present would disagree with Zophar's words.   He has eloquently stated that the wicked will be destroyed by a Holy and Righteous God.  Their property will mean nothing, their children will be forsaken, and their souls punished.  Reject God and get His wrath.  This seems to be Zophar's conclusion.   However, Job is struggling, from a practical point-of-view.  What Zophar has just spelled out (chapter 20) Job does not see as he looks around him.    Perhaps Job doesn't like the implication of Zophar's words.  Zophar seems to be saying that wicked people suffer; Job is suffering; therefore, Job is wicked and suffering for it.  This is typical syllogistic thought we use today.   But, Job is not convinced that Zophar's conclusions are accurate.   Job sees many wicked who are prospering.  They have no regard for God, for prayer, for anything spiritual and seem to prosper on a day-to-day basis.   As a result of these observations, Job is terrified when he thinks of them (see above verse).   The thought that the wicked don't suffer (at least immediately) causes Job's body to tremble (as if the sores he was afflicted with in chapter two were not enough).   What Job is observing is true for all of us.  We struggle with why wicked people are able to "get away" with their wickedness.  We, like Job, out to tremble at the thought and be terrified in our spirit.   Note that this trembling in his spirit leads Job to the following question:

Job 21:7

Why do the wicked live on,

growing old and increasing in power?

The answer to his question will be provided by Paul (Romans 2:4; 1 Timothy 1:16; Romans 9:22); David (Psalms 73:18); and Jesus (Luke 2:35ff).  God is patient with the wicked, but will judge them.  Both Job and Zophar are correct in their analysis of the wicked.  They are both wrong in their analysis of Job's dilemma, however (isn't that often the case).  We ought not tremble or be terrified of what we see the wicked enjoy or suffer for.   God is the perfect judge and has perfect timing.    We ought to simply know that God will separate the wicked from the righteous in His time and His way.   Job has reason to be terrified, if he sees the end of the wicked.  He has no reason to be terrified, if he thinks God is ignoring them.  

Do you know how to "wait" on God? Psalm 27-29

Psalms 27:14 (NIV1984)

Wait for the Lord;

be strong and take heart

and wait for the Lord.

The concept of waiting is foreign to us by nature.  Have you ever observed a hungry baby "wait" patiently while their mother or father prepares they meal?  We would like to think the problems surrounding our impatience is driven by the modern society, but the truth be told, society's proliferation with impatience is feed by our nature, not the reverse.   We have a society that demands it now because our nature has been doing that from the beginning.  God told Adam and Eve to not touch the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and they would be blessed.  That called upon patience on their behalf.   But, they couldn't wait and Satan tempted them into consuming immediately ONCE what they could have had in abundance forever if they would have waited.   In the above verse we see David expressing to himself and others the need to "wait" upon The Lord.   In the verse immediately before this one we read that David had "confidence" in The Lord.   Confidence gives way, or, better, breads waiting.   When we know we can trust someone we can waif for them to act.   When we know that God can do this or that there is an added motivation to allow Him to act in His timing rather than ours.   It is when we forget His strength and power that we fail to wait and want to take matters into our own hands.   Waiting is less about "marking time" and more about "believing and focusing upon God as the resource".   When we take inventory of God's character it is much easier to wait.  It is when we fail to remember Who He is that we fail to wait for What He can do.  

Are you a Boaz or "the other guy?" - Ruth

This story is so full of examples of character it is hard to read it and spot one of the few examples of lacking character.   Yet, in the midst of even a story of grace and mercy we still have selfish behavior and limited vision.   When Boaz comes to the town gate (where all business was conducted) he spotted the man who had the first right to "redeem" Naomi and the land of her late husband.   The concept of the Kinsmen-Redeemer was instituted by God in the Law of Moses to assure that no man's blood line would be lost.  If the man died, his brother, or near-kinsman, was, by law, to come into her and give her a son, and thus continue on the blood line of the deceased.   That is where our story picks up and character is lost.   The man who had the right to redeem Naomi was more than willing to "take the land" since that is how Boaz presented it.   Boaz, in crafty style, tells the man that he can redeem the dead man's property, Naomi's past husband.   But, Boaz doesn't tell him, immediately, about Naomi.  The man is quick to claim the land.  Land and flocks in those days were currency and when you possessed them you accumulated wealth.   But, when Boaz, in front of the elders of the city, tells the man he also must take with the land, Naomi, the man objects.  Note his response:

Ruth 4:6 (NIV)

At this, the kinsman- redeemer said, “Then I cannot redeem it because I might endanger my own estate. You redeem it yourself. I cannot do it.”

Although the Law demanded he do this, he looked at the cost and sacrifice and refused to do so.   He didn't just reject the land and Naomi, he rejected the command of God.   When people are asked to obey God's Word and it calls for a personal sacrifice, they are less likely to obey.  Most of us can obey when little sacrifice is on the line.   But, when obedience demands personal costs, we are less willing.   This is what happens to this man.  We don't even know his name.  We only know of Boaz because of his character and willingness to do what is right.   We seldom know the name of those with little or no character.  As far as we know this man left the city gate, went on his way and eventually inherited his own estate.   Yet, he missed out on the being the main character in a story orchestrated by God for the glory of God.   Bad character misses out on the true inheritance.    Only character like Boaz, based on faith and obedience to God's word is rewarded for eternity.   Today we read a story about Boaz, not the other guy.  

Is God WITH us? Genesis 36-39

Genesis 39:21

But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.

The concept of God being "with" us is more comforting than perhaps any one-word in all of God's Holy Scripture.   Joseph had all the reasons in the world to be bitter, or at the least, depressed.  His brothers betrayed him and sold him into slavery.   His father rebuked him for his dreams.   His master's wife tried to seduce him and, rather than submit to her immoral ways, he stands his ground ... yet, God seems to have rejected his stand for character.   Yet, despite all the ill, Joseph had God WITH him.   The concept of God WITH us is a central theme throughout Psalms.   It is a central theme throughout all of Scripture.   The last thing Jesus told His disciples before His ascent was that He would be WITH them always (Matthew 28:20).   Sometimes His being with us is via His rod and His staff.   Comfort AND Correction are both aspects of God being with us.   We must, by faith, rest in His comfort and assurance.  He is WITH us.  

How can we understand spiritual things in the Bible? 1 Corintihians 1-2

1 Corinthians 2:12-15 (NASV)

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.

 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one.

1 Corinthians 2:12-15 (NIV)

We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man’s judgment:

I don't understand cars.  In fact, I don't understand most things mechanical or engineered.   If I came across an engineer I am sure he/she could try to explain to me the aspects of combustible engines and the thrust of energy, etc.   But, without that person in my life I am forced to drop my automobile off at the garage and simply say, "Its going bang-bang on the left side."    I need someone to explain it to me.   So, too, spiritually, Paul says.  In the above passage we see the need for the Spirit of God to explain the Word of God and to produce in us Spiritual knowledge.   We are not capable of understanding or interpreting or discerning spiritual things without the combination of the Spirit of God and the Word of God.   Far too many times the believer leaves it up to a commentary or preacher to explain all things spiritual to them.   There is, of course, nothing wrong with either.  However, it is the pace and dependance with that approach that diminishes what Paul is telling us.   We have, dwelling within us, the very author of the Scriptures.    By comparing God's Word with God's Word we can and should come to an understanding of Spiritual things ... see above: "appraises all things."   The problem with our dependance on others is that we are spiritually lazy.  I don't know mechanical things because I don't care to know them.  I don't study them.  I am reliant upon others not out of need but out of ignorance ... willful ignorance.   In the aspect of Spiritual things Paul tells the church at Corinthian, don't be ignorant.   You have all that you need to be spiritual giants.   You just have to, in faith, execute the process.  

Are we prepared? Matthew 23-25

Matthew 25:5

Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep.

Jesus is telling his disciples how to be prepared for His return someday and the coming of the Kingdom.    In this particular section He is telling the story of the bridesmaids who are waiting for the coming bride.  Some have their lamps trimmed and oil ready and some don't.   The story is told in the context of a Jewish wedding.  It was custom for the groom to go away and prepare a place for the bride and Him to live (John 14:1-5).    While the groom was away building and preparing, the bride would be at home waiting.   That's what makes this verse so powerful to us.   Imagine a bride who is supposed to be waiting for her Groom and she falls asleep and is ill prepared when He arrives.   The Groom appears to be delaying and they all got drowsy and began to sleep.  Perhaps this is the state of today's church (the Bride of Christ).   Why we wait for Christ we find ourselves getting drowsy and actually sleeping.  Instead of waiting in hope and excitement with great expectation, we are lost in sleep and have failed to prepare.    It is so easy for us to get mesmerized by the things of this world and to forget the Groom is coming.   Are we not drowsy and beginning to sleep?  Perhaps we are already dreaming.   Awake or church for He is Coming!!!