Do you start out strong and then end weak in faith? Exodus 1-4

Exodus 4:31 (NASBStr)

So the people believed; and when they heard that the Lord was concerned about the sons of Israel and that He had seen their affliction, then they bowed low and worshiped.

If the people just would have remembered that day!   When Moses tells the people what God told him and after he shows them the two signs of God's authentic message and after Moses tells them "I Am" sent me, it reads, "So the people believed."   Yet, within a short time they won't.   Once hardship comes they won't.  Once resistance from Pharaoh comes, they won't.   Once they have to travel in the hot sun all they, they won't.   Once Moses goes up to the mountain, they won't, and they will make a golden calf instead.   Our faith and belief are weak.   Today we are no different.  We come to know Christ and sing His praises on Sunday, but by Monday morning we are sill acting as though He is not real or relevant.  The work day replaces the worship day.   We are just like these fair weather believers.   Yet, The Lord is concerned as much about our afflictions as He is theirs.   He provides the ministry of the Spirit to comfort us, sustain us, guide us, and even convict us.   Our belief in the finish work of Christ will be refined through the furnace of difficulty and temptation.   We are to allow the Spirit of God to lead us through these times.   When we hear of deliverance coming, we need to rejoice in it.   But, we need to sustain our belief by submitting to the Spirit's Work in our lives.    If not, we, like the sons of Israel, will fall away.  

Do you know how to handle offensive things between brothers? 1 Corinthians 9-10

1 Corinthians 10:23 (NASBStr)

All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify.

In chapter ten of this great letter to the church at Corinth, Paul addresses a very specific issue facing the early church that seldom, if ever, would face the average church in America.   But, the lesson may be the most practical for any church member, in any church, in any country.  (That is how God's Word works.  It teaches great principles of Godliness that can be applied to any circumstance in any age.)  In the Corinthian church the difficulty was the meat sold in the market place for daily consumption.   Apparently you could buy meat that had once been sacrificed to false gods, at a discounted price.  The difficulty in the church was that some were offended by eating meat once tainted in the idol practices of the false churches; others were not.   The question came up as to what to do IF you are invited to a feast and the meat was served?   What if I didn't know it was meat offered to some foreign God?  Was I guilty of that worship by eating their sacrifice?   Paul, in the above verse, is attempting to give the church an overarching principle to follow when making choices about such things. His premise is that the meat, in and of itself, is not good or bad.   He states that "all things" (speaking of food) is lawful to eat (no Biblical law forbidding it), but "all things" are necessarily beneficial or edifying to the church and to members within the church.  The principle is simply following Christ summarization of the entire Law of Moses: Love The Lord with all your heart, soul and mind and love your neighbor as yourself.   If I love my neighbor as myself I am not going to do something with them or to them that doesn't edify.   In the proceeding verses Paul goes on to explain the specifics of this principle he lays out, but the key is that we realize that "things" are not good or bad, but rather how we use "things" or do "things" is what makes them edifying or beneficial.   Food is not good or bad.   If we use it to serve a foreign god (either a false god in a traditional worship service, or the god of our appetite and gluttony) it is sinful.   If we eat the meat (partake of a thing, drink a substance, engage in an activity) that is offensive to our brother we ought to avoid doing so, in front of our brother.  The word for "profitable" in the above passage is: sumphero, in the Greek. It means to "bring together."   The word for "edify" in the above verse is: oikodomeo - lit., “to build a house” (oikos, “a house,” domeo, “to build”), hence, to build anything,   So, Paul's overriding principle is that what we do in our Christian walk with others ought to be to build up others and bring us all together.   We are not here to tear down to disperse apart.  We are building the Body of Christ.  We ought not allow anything in this world, no matter what we call it, to tear us apart.   All the questionable activities of the believer are governed by this principle.   Practice it and we will see the Body of Christ the Building of the Church become strong.  Violate it and we will it torn apart.   

Do you ever bring God a half-baked-out-of-the-box-lame-idea in prayer? Mark 5 & 6

Mark 6:35-37 (NASBStr)

When it was already quite late, His disciples came to Him and said, “ This place is desolate and it is already quite late; send them away so that they may go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” But He answered them, “You give them something to eat!” And they *said to Him, “Shall we go and spend two hundred denarii on bread and give them something to eat?”

When we foresee a problem, what do we begin to think in regard to a solution? In the above passage we see a picture of those who's thought process began with the typical worldly mind-set, of the flesh as compared to to Jesus, who had a spiritual and heavenly mind-set, of faith.    The disciple saw the multitude and, using their world based view, suggested that the local markets could supply the food this mass of people needed.  Therefore, the solution was to "send them away" and all commerce to solve the problem.   Imagine if there were some bakery, deli or pizza parlor owners in the crowd.   They would be send messengers back to their shops to tell them to heat the ovens, there is a gold rush coming.   This solution would be a typical text-book solution to the problem.  However, the real issue for Jesus was not exactly the crowd.  He wanted to teach His disciples.   He wanted them to see with the eyes of faith, not the eyes of the flesh.  Soon He would be leaving them and they would be lead only by the Spirit of God.  You don't see the Spirit leading by fleshly eys.   You only see the Spirit's leading through the eyes of faith.  Provision of man and by man is easy.  Even those with horrible credit can find someone to loan them money.  Although the interest rate is high, they can still find a way ... through the flesh.  The eyes of Faith are for the spiritual minded.  Here the disciples were living with the Son of God.  They had sleep on the same hills and laughed over the same meals as the One who healed many, cast out many demons and taught amazing truth.  Yet, not one of them saw that the solution would be to have Jesus feed the people.  Instead they came to Him with a half-baked-out-of-the-box-lame-idea.   How many times do we come to God in prayer with the same half-baked-out-of-the-box-lame-idea and ask Him to solve the problem THIS way?   Abraham knew that God had promised him that his son would produce offspring as vast as the sands on the sea shore.  But, when he and Sarah became old, Abraham brought God a half-baked-out-of-the-box-lame-idea to allow the son of Sarah's handmaid, Ishmael, to be the heir.  Abraham, like these disciples, couldn't see the power, strength and capability of the ONE they serve.  Jesus wants them to see with Faith what He CAN do, not through flesh of what we USUALLY do.    

Do you worship wood? Jeremiah 1-6

Jeremiah 2:4-5 (NASBStr)

Hear the word of the Lord, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel. Thus says the Lord,

“ What injustice did your fathers find in Me,

That they went far from Me

And walked after emptiness and became empty?

Have you ever heard the following statement asked by someone after a public tragedy:  "If God was so good, why would He allow this to happen?"   Never mind that the person has not once mentioned God's name prior to that question (except to use it in vain).   Never mind that they have never sought God.   Yet, in the midst of a huge tragedy they dare to declare God might be "unfair."    Such is God's question in the above passage from the lips of the prophet Jeremiah.  Israel had rejected God and in this great prophetic book the prophet's commission is to be the prosecuting attorney in their trail.   God is the judge, chief witness and victim.  Israel is the defendant.   (Christ will, eventually, be the defense attorney and offer to pay their penalty.)    In this passage God simply as the prosecutor ask what "injustice" did everyone see, hear or experience to think that walking away from the God of the Universe was warranted, or defendable?   We have a poor view of God when we ask these questions.    These acquisitions come from hearts who believes they are owed something by God.   We live in a society that does not believe in original sin or the depravity of man.  We live in a world who thinks man is at the top of the food chain and that we are owed (IF there is a god) something by a god.   Therefore, when tragedy hits us (weather gone bad; a mind gone bad) we think God is supposed to be the cosmic hero to intervene on our behalf; rescuing us from danger and establish our order as supreme in the land.   However, we are depraved, there is original sin and any good that happens to us is because the God of the Universe intervenes with HIs grace and allows rain-drops of mercy to fall on our sinful heads.    The nation of Israel left God and pursued statues made out of wooden trees.   We might laugh at their foolish stupidity.  Seriously, who worships wood?   Think about that the next time  you forsake corporate worship to work to earn money to pay for the mortgage on your house (made of wood, stone and fiberglass).   The next time you say no to God in regard to an act of good work simply to earn an extra buck to pay for the fiberglass and chrome item in the driveway.   We can claim that God is unfair, but we would be wrong.  There is NO injustice with God.  Every thing He does is in mercy, grace and justice.   When we forsake Him for the things of this world we are the ones who have committed an injustice.   

  

Did you know we know very little about God? Job 25-26

Job 26:14 (NASBStr)

“Behold, these are the fringes of His ways;

And how faint a word we hear of Him!

But His mighty thunder, who can understand?”

Have you ever notice the words, phrases and grammatical structure of Biblical writers when they have come across a great truth about God?   Notice Paul in his word choices after explaining and teaching about God's call and election in Romans 9-11:

Romans 11:33-34 (NASBStr)

Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor?

We don't have space to record all of it now, but re-read the first chapter of the letter to the Ephesians.  That entire first chapter is almost just one sentence on the amazing greatness and awesome reverence for God's eternal plan.     In Exodus 33:18-23 we see the story of Moses wanting to see the glory of God and God putting him in a cave in the rocks, sheltering him so that he can only see the back side of God.  If he were to see the full glory of God it would be death.   

In the above passage we see Job declaring back to his friends an amazing truth about God.   Job has acknowledged some great aspects of God's character and power and then, in a closing left-jab to his friends he declares these great and tall truths are but a mere fringe of who God is and what we know about Him.   Imagine see the Grand Canyon and having someone walk up and tell you compared to what they are about to show you that canyon is but a ditch on the side of the road.  That is what Job is doing to his friends.   Or, imagine you were on the moon and saw the amazing sight of the earth.  You might be spell bound to see the earth floating through space that way.  But, then someone tells you to turn around and you see the amazing sight of hundreds of planets and thousands of moons.   The earth would pale in comparison.  This is the truth of what we know about God.   We see but the fringe.   Even John's awesome description of God in the Book of the Revelation, despite its grandeur, is only a picture of the hem of God's true gown of glory.   We think we can put God in a box and understand Him and declare His greatness.   We sing praises to what we know and we know nothing as compared to who He really is and His GREAT GLORY.   We hear only a "faint" word, yet it screams so loud we are deaf from the sound.   We hear a "thunder" of a sound to illustrate His power, yet know nothing of the real strength and awesome storm of His true sovereign strength.  

Can you trust God's Words? Psalm 33-35

Psalms 33:4-5 (NASBStr)

For the word of the Lord is upright,

And all His work is done in faithfulness.

 He loves righteousness and justice;

The earth is full of the lovingkindness of the Lord.

Imagine if you were to turn on the nightly news and every talking head was not only claiming truth, but telling the truth!!   Imagine if every time you confronted your children they spoke exact truth to you.  Imagine if men could not lie and only truth proceeded out of their mouths. That is what it is like if we hade the complete and true character of God.   In this great and glorious Psalm, the writer declares "the word of The Lord is upright."  That means there is not even a shred of deception or cloud of doubt as to its truth.     God not only speaks upright, according the above passage, He also does everything He does based upon that same integrity but being completely faithful, righteous, just and loving in all His Work.   The fact that man can sing songs about love is based upon God's common grace to all men by bestowing the concept and beauty of love on the earth.   If it were not for this common grace men would surely devour one another.   But, because the bucket of God's love and mercy overflows to the earth, everyone (even unbelievers) benefits from Him.   As you read this text the writer will demonstrate God's faithfulness to His character and Word by stating that by God's Word the world was established, His plans were carried out and are carried out, and authority and power are established on the earth.   God's character sustains the earth so that it does not deteriorate into an evil consumption of one another.   It all begins because God's Word can be trusted.  Unlike the talking head on the news we can turn to God's Word and we can find solace in the trustworthiness of God.  We can rest in His ever enduring love, kindness, justice and mercy.   This is why the writer starts out Psalm 33 by saying it is natural for the believer to praise God.   How can we not? 

What happens when God's leaders fail (and they will fail)? 1 Samuel 11-15

1 Samuel 15:27-31 (NASBStr)

As Samuel turned to go, Saul seized the edge of his robe, and it tore. So Samuel said to him, “ The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to your neighbor, who is better than you. Also the Glory of Israel will not lie or change His mind; for He is not a man that He should change His mind.” Then he said, “I have sinned; but please honor me now before the elders of my people and before Israel, and go back with me, that I may worship the Lord your God.” So Samuel went back following Saul, and Saul worshiped the Lord.

When God's leader fails, what do you do?   In the above passage we have a picture of failed leadership chosen by God (Saul) and what God did and how it did it, when that leader failed.   In this chapter Saul was given a specific task to kill the king of the Amalikites (Agag).  Agag had not only refused to offer Israel help when they came out of Egypt, but had actually become violent and aggressive toward them.   God has a long memory and it was time for God's justice and Saul was to be the one, chosen by God, to carry out that justice.   Not only does Saul fail to entirely wipe them out, he also erects a honor to himself for the victory.   Samuel, God's prophet arrives on the scene and sees that God's Glory has been shamed by Saul's acts and announces that Saul has committed his final act of disobedience and is to lose his authority over the nation.   These entire last chapters have been an example of the contrast between having God as king and having Saul as king.   Samuel tells Saul the kingdom will be torn from him and than tells us a great truth about God:

1 Samuel 15:29 (NASBStr)

Also the Glory of Israel will not lie or change His mind; for He is not a man that He should change His mind.”

Unlike the weak moral fiber and fluid spine of Saul (and all human leaders) God is a God of consistency and constants.   We don't have to worry about Him being happy one moment and angry the next.   God is a constant.  The NIV gives several references in regard to this truth found in other passages of Scripture: (See Nu 23:19; Mal 3:6 and notes; see also Ps 110:4; Jer 4:28. There is no conflict between this statement and vv. 11, 35, where the Lord is said to “regret” that he had made Saul king.)   Saul has proven himself to be the perfect example of what happens when you put your trust in men to lead. Only God is that constant we can follow with assurance.   Men will bend depending on how the wind blows (note that Saul blames all his leadership woes on bad follower-ship).   God does not blow with the wind.   He has the same plan He has always had.  He might use different men; but the same plan.   Saul left following God and sought glory for himself.   Samuel reminds Saul of the Glory of Israel.   But, he then follows Saul back to lead in worship.   Samuel knew that God's plan would be worked out over time.   Until then he respected the position Saul held, despite the person of Saul and his failures.  We can rejoice that God has a plan and is working out that plan through His people.  But, IF those people fail, the plan does not.   We have a constant with God despite those He entrusts with the plan He is enacting.  

Do you live with shame and guilt toward others? Genesis 48-50

Genesis 50:15-17 (NASBStr)

When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “ What if Joseph bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong which we did to him!” So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father charged before he died, saying, ‘Thus you shall say to Joseph, “Please forgive, I beg you, the transgression of your brothers and their sin, for they did you wrong.”’ And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” And Joseph wept when they spoke to him.

When we have committed sin against others and never made it right by seeking restitution we will always have a sense of guilt and shame.   This is the truth revealed in the above passage.   Joseph's brothers, years and years prior, had tossed him into a pit and then pulled him out just to sell him for moneny to the traveling band of traders.  That began Joseph's torment and turmoil.  He would spend in servitude and prison just because of his brothers selfish acts and covetousness.   Yet, Joseph had mercy on them and, with their father, established their new lives in Egypt during the famine.   Yet, these acts of mercy by Joseph are meet with shame, guilt and more conniving, now that dad was gone.   Once Israel had died, the brothers worried that Joseph's word was not true and not going to keep his earliest promises.   This is because, up to this point, we have no record of them coming to him to ask forgiveness or make restitution.   Their blessing so far were entirely because Joseph was a Godly man.   And, if  you read the rest of the story about, Joseph continues to be the Godly man.   He continues to make things good for them.  They, on the other hand, continue to act in the true character of the past.  They conjure up a story that never happened to cover themselves.   They conjured up a story about Joseph's "death" to their father that Israel lived with for years.  The boys were good at story telling.   But, they were not good at seeking restitution or forgiveness or grace or mercy.   Joseph was but they were not.   Joseph in this story is a picture of Christ who is dealing with our (pictured by the brothers) wrongs.   Jesus is the picture of grace and mercy to us, as we continue to sin, time and time again.   When we don't seek restitution via forgiveness we will continue to have shame.  Or shame is cared for by God's grace and by His mercy.   We simply have to thank Him for this forgiveness.  Our shame is gone because He takes care of it for us.     

Do you know how to pursue God within the marriage act? 1 Corinthians 7-8

1 Corinthians 7:5 (NASBStr)

Stop depriving one another, except by agreement for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer, and come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self- control.

I once counseled a man who had committed the sin of adultery.   His defense of the act was that his wife was cold in the romantic way and that drove him to seek what he "needed" from another women.  He used the above verse as a "defense" of his sin.   Plainly stated, that is not what this verse, or the verses around it, is teaching.    Paul has just told them that it IS proper to deny intimacy between married couples for spiritual pursuits.   His message in this passage is about the balance between marriage and serving God.   Those single can pursue God with no fear of a partner's needs.  Those married must worry about the needs of their partner.   However, that does not exempt the married couple from fasting (giving up something) for the purpose of prayer and spiritual activities.    BUT, Paul states, it ought to be only for a time, since God will allow Satan, in those times, to use the separation to tempt the desires of the flesh.  In the narrative of the man who committed adultery, neither he, nor his wife were on any spiritual pursuit and neither were depriving the other of lawful sexual pleasures in the marriage bed.   He simply wanted what he wanted and she simply didn't want anything.   That story was not the context for Paul's instruction.   I love what Matthew Henry states about this section in his commentary.  It still carries the language and idioms of the 1700s and adds so much flavor to this passage:

Matthew Henry: Note, Seasons of deep humiliation require abstinence from lawful pleasures. But this separation between husband and wife must not be for a continuance, lest they expose themselves to Satan's temptations, by reason of their incontinence, or inability to contain. Note, Persons expose themselves to great danger by attempting to perform what is above their strength, and at the same time not bound upon them by any law of God. If they abstain from lawful enjoyments, they may be ensnared into unlawful ones. The remedies God hath provided against sinful inclinations are certainly best.

This passage is instructing us on how to pursue God and make sure we are Godly spiritual partners to our mates.   God doesn't instruct us ANYWHERE in Scripture to take off from the responsibilities of the marriage-bond for spiritual things unless we first agree with our spouse of the pursuit and the purpose and, more importantly, when we return to the act of marraige.   We do set ourselves up for temptation when we don't.   The word above for self-control, is akrasia, in the Greek.  The "a" is a negative and "krasia" is strength.   So, the word used here means having no strength to stop the desire of the flesh.  The Greeks, beginning with Socrates and Aristotle, had an entire system of thought about Akrasia.   Much of our problems in life are because of akrasia, lack of power over self.  That is the purpose of the gospel.  Christ saves us and gives us the gift of the Spirit to have control over ourselves.   Isn't it something that in pursuit of Christ within the context of marriage we can, if we fail with these instructions, allow Satan to attack us and through our akrasia fall into sin.   These instructions are vital for spiritual development in our lives.   They ought not to be used as an excuse and followed for spiritual well-being. 

What or whom do you fear? Mark 3-4

Mark 4:37-41 (NASBStr)

And there *arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up. Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they *woke Him and *said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still.” And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm. And He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They became very much afraid and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”

What makes you fear the most?   What are you really afraid of?  Rejection? Failure? Being found out? Appearing as you don't care? Our fears reveal our beliefs.   When we can identify our fears we can identify what we actually believe.  Note the above passage.   The disciples and Jesus are in a boat making their way across the Sea of Galilee.  A storm begins to rage (not unlikely on the Galilean Sea), but Jesus is fast asleep in the boat.   The disciples are worried.  They were fearful for their lives.  Why?  They obviously believed that the storm could destroy them and take their lives.   They believed they were perishing.  When they awaken Jesus and He calms the sea with the very WORDS of His mouth, they are astonished and amazed.  It says, "they became very much afraid" when they saw what Jesus did.    The old fear (perishing in the storm) was replaced by the new fear (respect and awe of God).  The old fear was of the flesh, the new fear was of faith.   The old fear was based upon the belief of the power of a storm, the new fear was based upon the power of the Son of God over all things.     When we sin it is because we "believe" that the thing we are going to gain by our sinning will satisfy a fear in our heart (not having the thing that the sin gives us).   Our fears are the opposite side of our beliefs.   When can only fear sin when we believe in God and His power to provide us what we need.  The disciples were given a great blessing in the above story.  The first fear made way for the best fear.    When we are in the storms of life we have the opportunity to know and learn and develop our Fear for God.    Remember, the Fear of God is the beginning of Knowledge (Proverbs 9:10).   Make sure you fear the right way and the right One.  

Do you know that God looks upon us and after us? Isaiah 62-66

Isaiah 66:1-2 (NASBStr)

 Thus says the Lord,

“ Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool.

Where then is a house you could build for Me?

And where is a place that I may rest?

 “For My hand made all these things,

Thus all these things came into being,” declares the Lord.

“But to this one I will look,

To him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word.

When you read the prophecy of Isaiah there is so much to marvel over and meditate upon.   God has laid out His plan for His people and shown them time and time again His enduring love for them despite their timeless rebellion.   That is the way God loves His people.  Isaiah does have much doom and gloom (although not as much as Jeremiah, who follows Isaiah), but, it also has much insight into the God we love and who loves us in abundance more.   In the above passage we see the awesomeness of God.   He sits in the heavens.   He uses the earth as a footstool.    That makes Him a very, very BIG God.   We think our buildings are big and our buildings for God are very big.  Yet, He laughs at them in the above passage.   Nothing can contain God, yet, He chooses to reside in the hearts of rebellious men.   When God does so it is chooses to dwell in the hearts of men he has made humble and who have come to His Word with fear and trembling.   Their is no casual, or common approach to God's Word that also solicits God's presences.  No, in this passage we see that God will "look" on the one who knows their sin and knows God's glory.   Our treatment of God's Word and our fear of it solicits the God of the universe to look upon us.   We are but a speck in the dust of the dirt of creation and, yet, God looks upon us.   The proud and stubborn of heart have no such promise.   

What is your litmus test for righteousness and wickedness? Job 23-24

Job 24:16-17 (NASBStr)

“In the dark they dig into houses,

They shut themselves up by day;

They do not know the light.

 “For the morning is the same to him as thick darkness,

For he is familiar with the terrors of thick darkness.

Job, in chapter twenty-four, is continuing the argument (discussion?) with his three friends about the cause of his pain and suffering.  Each of his friends have made the argument that Job must be suffering because he is wicked, or done something wicked.  They didn't have room in their current paradigm to believe that good people would have to suffer.   Job, on the other hand, points out, by his observation, that living among the four of them are people who are very wicked and do very ungodly things, who are not currently suffering, or, who ever, by observation, are judged by God.   Although Job knows that in the end they will be judged, he wants his "crew" to know that their argument that only the ungodly suffer, doesn't square with reality.  In the above passage of his argument Job is telling that these wicked, but living in prosperity, seem to love the darkness to do their evil deeds AND the light.   There are those in this world who love darkness because their deeds are evil (John 3:19).   But, their is another form of evil who doesn't need darkness to pull of their extortion, or oppression, or corruption.   Their is a form of evil that survives in the daylight, as well as the night.   Whereas most people are leery of the darkness and the dangers often seen in the dark, most are relieved when the sun comes up.  This would be especially true in Job's day.   The light would scare away most of the jackals.   Yet, Job's point is that not do the wicked prosper in the dark as they cheat, steal, and oppress, they also seem to do so in broad daylight.   Remember, Job is trying to convince his pals that the reason he is suffering can't automatically be connected with evil deeds he did or may have done.   His argument is that there are plenty of people in this world who have no shame, even in the broad daylight, to be corrupt.  Whereas the light ought to expose them and delay their unrighteous acts, even the light doesn't slow them down.   Shame should come when people see something evil being done.  But, Jo is saying that there is a sin so bold, so brazen, that even the sun doesn't stop it.  The truth found in these few verses is that there is an evil that is so bad the normal thoughts of life doesn't even slow its pace.   We know that Job is not suffering because of something he did; but because God wanted to show him off to Satan.  Job knows that he did nothing wrong to deserve this suffering (in human terms, at least).   And Job knows that there are those who continue to practice evil in the night AND in the day who don't appear to be slowed, weighed or corrected.  WE know, of course, they will.  But, the point is made by Job: suffering is not a clear indicator of who is righteous and who is not.   Nor is prosperity.   Either can happen to both and using prosperity and the ease of life as a litmus test for righteousness is to totally miss the mark.  There have been some very righteous people who suffered all their lives and some very, very wicked who prospered greatly.   Don't use what you see as the litmus test for either.  

Who fights your battles? Psalm 33-35

Psalms 35:1 (NASBStr)

PSALM 35

Prayer for Rescue from Enemies.

A Psalm of David.

 Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me;

Fight against those who fight against me.

Psalm 35 is typically called an "imprecatory prayer."   An imprecatory prayer is often viewed as a prayer where you call down hell-fire and brimstone on your enemies. In reality, it is a prayer where you turn to God and ask Him to remove His grace from the path of your enemies.   It is going to God with your battle and asking God to stand up for you as the protector of His children.   God has promised to care for His children.  Those promises of care and a watchful eye permeate the Scriptures.   David, the writer of this Psalm, and this Psalm could have been written when he was attacked by Saul and his men.   David turned to God and asked that God deliver him and that God crush Saul and the army of men that were pursuing him.   Or, it could have been written when David was run out of Jerusalem by his son Absolam.  Or, it could have been written when the Ammonites attacked David.  Or, when Goliath's brothers came after him.   There are many times when David was under attacked.  Sometimes by unbelievers, sometimes by God's people, sometimes by his own family.  Whatever the case, David sought his refuge and defense in God.   He asked God to fight his battles.   Ever the warrior, David didn't respond in fight or flight, he responded in faith.   Giving an attack over to God is allowing the perfect judge to take control.  We are unfaithful and unjust judges of our own circumstances.   God is the one who can and should care for our enemies.  We are to turn to God in faith and ask God to contend for us. 

What type of leadership do you follow? 1 Samuel 6-10

1 Samuel 10:25-27 (NASBStr)

Then Samuel told the people the ordinances of the kingdom, and wrote them in the book and placed it before the Lord. And Samuel sent all the people away, each one to his house. Saul also went to his house at Gibeah; and the valiant men whose hearts God had touched went with him. But certain worthless men said, “How can this one deliver us?” And they despised him and did not bring him any present. But he kept silent.

This section of 1 Samuel is about the nation of Israel rejecting God as their king and requesting from Samuel, an earthly king.   The nation wanted to be like the other nations.   Other nations had a great warrior(s) lead them into battle.  The nation of Israel had God lead them into battle but they wanted a physical king they could see in the flesh, not simply follow by faith.  God was planned to Samuel that the nation was not rejecting Samuel but was rejecting God.  God gave into them about a fleshly king and gave them what their heart desired (a king who was physically dominate but spiritually depraved).   Even at Saul's coronation service there was a mixed reaction.   Some men followed him and others, worthless men, did not.   Despite the popularity of wanting a king, some men didn't want to follow him.  They rejected Saul, not because they desired God to be their king, but because they doubted Saul's ability to deliver them.   These worthless men would be "passive-aggressive" in their approach to Saul, however.  They withheld gifts and they simply kept silent.  Even though God gave them what they wanted (a physical dominate king) there were still those who rejected that king.   Saul was on unwilling participant in this process, not fully grasping that God had selected him as the king.   He would, eventually, start to act like a king, but this story shows the failure of the world and their system of leadership.    Godly leaders (like Samuel) would bring blessing to Israel (see the end of chapter nine).   Worldly leaders always begin with division and strife.    The world can't follow Godly leaders because it isn't the leader they want it is their will they want.  They know God won't give them their will.  They hope an ungodly leader will.  

Do you acknowledge God in all your ways so He can direct your paths? Genesis 44-47

Genesis 46:1-4 (NASBStr)

 So Israel set out with all that he had, and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, “ Jacob, Jacob.” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “ I am God, the God of your father; do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you a great nation there. I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also surely bring you up again; and Joseph will close your eyes.”

Solomon, in Proverbs, will eventually tell us that we are to acknowledge God in all our ways and that He will then direct our paths.   We couldn't have a more perfect example of that then in the above story of Jacob/Israel.  Israel has been informed that the son he thought was dead, Joseph, is not only alive but the second in command in the land of Egypt.   Joseph wants Israel to come to Egypt to live out the famine (five more years) and all the boys, the gifts from Pharaoh, the common sense of it all, tell him to go.    But, as he makes  his way to Egypt, Joseph stops to do what Solomon will tell us all later in his book (Proverb 3:5,6).   Joseph stops in Beersheba, apparently with second thoughts about leaving Canaan.   He previously would have had no intent of leaving the land.  This WAS the promise land.  This is where Abraham and Isaac were told to live.   Perhaps as the wagons started to roll he began to think about this "common sense" move (all the pieces were coming together ... he had a job lined up in Egypt, he had movers provided, his family was there for future support, he would avoid the famine ... everything that made the move common sense).   Israel knew that a move of this nature needed God's approval despite the fact that his son was in Egypt.  So, he stops in a place by Abraham and Isaac had talked to God; Beersheba.   There, in that sacred place, God told him it was okay to move to Egypt.  Joseph knew why he was there and informed the boys.   Jacob needed to hear it, however, from God himself.   (Remarkably this is the last recorded incident of a time God speaks to the patriarchs.  The next time He speaks it is to Moses in the bush.)  Jacob came to Beersheba and "acknowledged" God and God, in turn, "directed his steps."   When we see things line up in our lives in a common sense kind of way, it is still important to acknowledge God and allow Him to direct our paths, not circumstances.   We need to recognize that God is in each step we take, not just the difficult.  He is also in the steps that seem to line up perfectly.   In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.  

Does your church practice, or even mention "church discipline?" 1 Corinthians 5-6

1 Corinthians 5:3-5 (NASBStr)

For I, on my part, though absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged him who has so committed this, as though I were present. In the name of our Lord Jesus, when you are assembled, and I with you in spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus, I have decided to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

Perhaps the most mis-understood "practice" of Church polity (Church government) is that of discipline in the church.  It might be the sole lost principle of the church.   We are good with our doctrine on salvation; we might struggle over our doctrine of sanctification; we might fight over our doctrine of election.   But, we don't even mention, much less discuss church discipline.   In the above passage we have a section of Paul's confrontation with a situation in the church of Corinth.   In the fist verse of this chapter we read that a man in the church, a believer, was having sexual relationships with his step-mother.   And, the church not only knew about it, but did nothing at all to address it.  They simply were silent.   Perhaps they thought if they just didn't talk about it the issue would go away.    Apparently Paul had already wrote one letter to them about it (see verse nine) and they ignored his admonishment.   We often like to think that sin in our midst will go away.    Yet, Paul reminds them that the sin didn't go away and he EXPECTS them to deal with it.   We often ignore sin in our midst with the statement/question, "Who are we to judge?  We have all sinned and are sinners, right?"    Yet, Paul, in the above statement tells them he HAS already judged this man, even in his absence.    Notice what Paul will latter say on the same subject about judging others. He states he is not supposed to judge those outside the church (God will do that) but he IS supposed to make judgement on those inside the church:

1 Corinthians 5:12-13 (NASBStr)

For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? But those who are outside, God judges. Remove the wicked man from among yourselves.

If we wish to keep the church pure we will have to begin, by faith, to practice what God tells us here and in other passages of the New Testament.   Today's minister is so anxious to build Sunday attendance they have failed to keep the body pure.    We have a fluid church and membership in today's church.   Those who sit in the seats tend to rush from church to church for the next exciting thing.    Yet, church discipline calls for stationary believers.  Believers who are committed to a body and committed to keeping it clean and pure.   You can learn about a church if you ask them about church discipline.   Those committed to keeping the body pure preach it and practice it.  Those who are interested in the experience of the church ignore it, like the church at Corinth.  

Do you make and KEEP an appointment with God each day? Mark 1-2

Mark 1:35 (NASBStr)

In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there.

Have you ever had an early appointment with someone and had to get up early?  Maybe it is a client, maybe a good friend.   Would you ever think of canceling that person just to get some more sleep, or do some other activity ... since you made an appointment to meet with them?   Most of us would be respectful enough to keep any appointment we had, even early in the morning.   In the above passage we see that Jesus had an early appointment to talk with His Father.   Jesus was the Son of God, the Second Person of the Trinity.   He saw a need or a desire (or both) to rise early to talk to God and to gather strength, wisdom and direction for His earthly ministry from His Father.  If Jesus was so compelled to do this, why not us?   Have you ever thought of making an appointment with God, early in the morning, to talk to Him and to gather strength, wisdom and direction for the day?   Many years ago I made a covenant with God to meet with Him every morning to have Him talk to me via His Word.   In January of each year I select a Bible reading program for the day and make a covenant with God that I will be there to listen to Him and get instructions, strength, insight and conviction for that day.    In January of this year I told God I would be at our meeting and He could talk to me via Mark 1-2, today's passage.  I had no idea on this date what I would need from God.   Apparently, what I needed was a reminder that Jesus, Himself, set an appointment with the Father.   After having spent this time together on this day, Jesus informs His disciples they are going to leave the town they are in and go to other towns. See the following:

Mark 1:38 (NASBStr)

He *said to them, “Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby, so that I may preach there also; for that is what I came for.”

In His fellowship with the Father, the Son expanded His ministry.   Our time alone with God in the morning is not about us going to God in prayer to tell Him what we want.   Our time in the morning in prayer and the Word is for God to remind us of what He wants.   Seek God each morning.  Keep the appointment.   Ask Him what He wants you to do and listen to Him via His Word.   

Do you know how to describe the gospel? Isaiah 56-61

Isaiah 61:1-3 (NASBStr)

 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,

Because the Lord has anointed me

To bring good news to the afflicted;

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

To proclaim liberty to captives

And freedom to prisoners;

 To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord

And the day of vengeance of our God;

To comfort all who mourn,

 To grant those who mourn in Zion,

Giving them a garland instead of ashes,

The oil of gladness instead of mourning,

The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting.

So they will be called oaks of righteousness,

The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.

And some people say that the gospel is only in the New Testament!!!   Are their words that capture the gospel message said any better than how Isaiah utters them in this section of this great book.   Isaiah wants all to know that his mission, though filled with doom and gloom in the early chapters of this book, is to declare the message and mission of the gospel.   Good news sounds like these words.  Isaiah knows his message and mission is to bring healing to the brokenhearted.   There are so many who's hearts are broken and who need healing.   The Gospel does that.   There are those in prison, held captive by the cords of sin, who need to hear about freedom in Christ.   There are those who are afflicted and need the vindication of God that comes from following Christ.  In the midst of mourning and held in depression with a spirit of fainting, we need to hear the mantle of praise and have the oil of gladness that only comes with the strength of Christ.   Even though we are but twigs in field the gospel makes us as strong oaks as we are filled with the Spirit of the Gospel.   These verses are the best description of the gospel.  It ends with the reason for this great gospel: That He may be glorified.  God is glorified as He cures our ills and provides us with rejoicing when we don't deserve it or even know it is possible.  The gospel changes everything.   Like Isaiah, let's proclaim it to those who desperately need it and desire it.   

Do you have great Theology and bad application? Job 22

Job 22:24-26 (NASBStr)

And place your gold in the dust,

And the gold of Ophir among the stones of the brooks,

 Then the Almighty will be your gold

And choice silver to you.

 “For then you will delight in the Almighty

And lift up your face to God.

When does sound logic and, even sound Theology, become off the mark and actually wrong?   In the above portion of Job we have one of Job's friends, Eliphaz, telling Job that the reason for his suffering is the misplaced focus he has on himself, his possessions, and, in these three verses, his gold.   As in each of these first three friends of Job, we see the age old question of, "why do bad things happen to good people?" being reasoned out and applied to a suffering soul.   In this case we see the Eliphaz is correct in regard to a point he is trying to make:  Those who trust in their riches are sinful and will cause their relationship with God to deteriorate.  However, as with all of Job's friends, the application of this observation in regard to Job is unmerited.   We know why Job is suffering.   God put him up as a test-case dummy for Satan to crash in the storms of life.   There is no secret, to us, in this story.   There is only a secret to Job and his friends.   This story is written, however, so that we don't make the same mistake of judging others when we see them suffer.   It is so tough to avoid this lesson.   Eliphaz, in this chapter accuses Job of withholding water from a thirsty widow, from using his power to impress God and many other accusations.   Yet, God told us in the beginning (in His conversation with Satan) that Job was a righteous and upright man.   Whereas Eliphaz is true that those who trust in their riches should repent and return to God ... and, God, will delight in them when they do ... this is not the issue with Job.   Again, the Theology is right but the application is wrong.  Be leery of those with great Theology but wrong application.   Each of the New Testament Epistles were written to correct both bad Theology and bad application.   Your great Theology is no good if you apply it wrong to life.    Yes, God should be our gold.  Yes, God delights in those who come to Him and cast off their gold.   Yet, Job was not focused on his gold and still suffered.   As men, we so desperately want to find a reason for suffering that we often just simply blame the recipient of it ... until the recipient is us.  We ought to pray that we have great Theology and great application.  

Do you know you are blessed? Does it show on your face? Psalm 30-32

Psalms 32:1 (NASBStr)

 How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,

Whose sin is covered!

Take the above verse and make it your mantra throughout the day.   Allow it to seep deep into your heart and meditate upon the thought of it and the truth of it.   Allow it to infect you and affect you.   As you allow it to permeate the heart, it WILL make an impact on the face.    When others ask you the reason for the smile, the joy, the uplifted spirit, tell them this great truth.   The word "blessed" in the Hebrew is "ashre".   Read what Vine says about this awesome one-word describer of those who are forgiven:

VINE:  ‘ashre (אשר, 835), “blessed; happy.” All but 4 of the 44 biblical occurrences of this noun are in poetical passages, with 26 occurrences in the Psalms and 8 in Proverbs. Basically, this word connotes the state of “prosperity” or “happiness” that comes when a superior bestows his favor (blessing) on one.

The word blessed is not just the word forgiven in another context.  The word blessed means that we have been given something in the transaction.  God has "bestowed" favor on us.   That is God's grace.   He has bestowed His grace on us.   Who can't get excited about that.   When we allow the struggles of life and the strife of the world to change our disposition we fail to realize and remember what God has done for us.  He has covered our sin.   That means it is taken care of and we never have to suffer punishment for it.  Christ paid for the punishment.   Yes, if we continue in sin as believers in Christ, we might be disciplined by the hand of a loving Father, but never again punished for it.  We are blessed because HIs grace has covered our sin.   Live like you are blessed.  Laugh like you are blessed.   Be victorious in your life ... you are blessed.  

Do you know how to change the expression on your face? 1 Samuel 1-5

1 Samuel 1:18 (NASBStr)

She said, “ Let your maidservant find favor in your sight.” So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.

This verse is the final verse of chapter one in 1 Samuel.  The story in this first chapter is about Hannah, the mother of the main character and author of this book, not yet born, Samuel.  Hannah was barren.   Apparently her barren life had affected her physically.   Her competition, the other wife of her husband, Elkanah, mocked her (1 Samuel 1:6); her husband, although compassionate to her, thought himself more worthy than any barren womb (1 Samuel 1:8) and her priest, Eli, thought she was drunk (1 Samuel 1:14).  She could not find any relief in those around her so she did what she should do, she came to God in prayer.   Like always, God heard her like He hears us.  Eli assures her that God had heard her prayer and that changes everything.   Although she had no baby in her womb, as of yet, she had peace in her heart.   And, peace in the heart changes the expression on the face.   Solomon will eventually tell us that out of the heart flow the issues of life.   He will tell us that what's in the well comes up in the bucket.   We don't have feel it, see it, or taste it (whatever "it" is), but we do have to have faith.   Her belief in God and His hearing her prayer changed the perspective of her heart.  Her husband's comfort and gifts could not do it.    Her attending religious services could not do it.   The only thing that changed her face was faith in her heart.   That is how God works.  He wants us to trust Him and allow Him to change the heart before He changes the circumstances.   Eventually she would give birth to Samuel and he would replace Eli as the spiritual leader of Israel.   God gives us the opportunity to have faith in Him so that we can get our eyes off the troubles of the world.  Once we know He hears us, we can have rest in our hearts and a change on our expressions.

Do you let your light shine before men? Genesis 40-43

Genesis 43:19-23 (NASBStr)

So they came near to Joseph’s house steward, and spoke to him at the entrance of the house, and said, “Oh, my lord, we indeed came down the first time to buy food, and it came about when we came to the lodging place, that we opened our sacks, and behold, each man’s money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full. So we have brought it back in our hand. We have also brought down other money in our hand to buy food; we do not know who put our money in our sacks.” He said, “ Be at ease, do not be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has given you treasure in your sacks; I had your money.” Then he brought Simeon out to them.

The story of Joseph and the reuniting with his brothers has been told countless times in churches and homes for centuries.   It is a feel good story of forgiveness and restitution.  It should be told time and time again to remind us all about what can happen when we allow God to work in our lives and we forgive through the Spirit on the basis of the Son's finished work on the cross.  He forgave us and we ought, also, to forgive others.  There is another aspect of this story, however, that we ought not miss.   In the above portion of the overall story we have a recorded conversation between the evil brothers and Joseph's Egyptian (we assume he was Egyptian) steward.   Although the picture of forgiveness in the family is the center piece of the story, we ought not forget that this entire scene was being played out in front of the unbelieving Egyptians.  Later in this chapter we are told that during the "reuniting" meal, the Egyptians would not even sit at the same table as the Hebrews.   It is stated that they Hebrews were "loathsome" to the Egyptians.   Sound familiar?  Today, Christians are often, loathsome to the unbelieving world.   Yet, right in front of them, Joseph practices God-like compassion and forgiveness.   The unbelieving world would have recommended that Joseph use his power to get even and to seek vengeance.   Yet, in front of them, Joseph practices forgiveness.   At that point in time the Egyptians had the gospel preached to them.   Joseph could have sought revenge and no one in the Egyptian world would have objected.  In fact, it probably would have excelled him in their eyes.   Yet, instead Joseph practices God-like compassion.    Jesus tells us to do our good works before men so that He will be glorified:

Matthew 5:16

Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Joseph's very time in a pit, in a prison, and in a great position was for one purpose and one purpose only, to demonstrate God's character in front of an unbelieving world.  Joseph preached the gospel through his forgiveness and forgetfulness (note the names of his sons and the meaning of the names).   He could have sought vindication and revenge.  Instead he let God worry about that and he simply practiced God's character in front of the unbelieving world.   

Do we follow men or want them to follow us? 1 Corinthians 4-5

1 Corinthians 4:1-5 (NASBStr)

 Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy. But to me it is a very small thing that I may be examined by you, or by any human court; in fact, I do not even examine myself. For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted; but the one who examines me is the Lord. Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God.

The times and culture in the Corinthian day were quite similar today.  As in our day, the "leaders" of the world of religion and thought were honored and glorified.   The names of Socrates, Plato, Aristotle and others would have been house-hold names.   The glorification of man and the "wisdom" (little "w") of men, was as it is today, but with the vast amount of publication and blogs.   Becoming a follower of any such man meant prestige and, perhaps, privilege.   In the city of Corinth there were twelve temples built.   The Temple of Apollo being the chief of them.   And, like today, the church at Corinth was very much influenced by their culture and lead astray by the evilness of the day.   In the above passage Paul is instructing them in regard to his position in the church, as well as others (i.e. Apollos).  The church was in the middle of a division with some claiming Paul's allegiance and others to Apollos (see chapter three).   Paul wants them to know that as an apostle he was but a servant and would be judged solely by God on the basis of faithfulness, not following.   He refused, in this book and others, to be judged by men or to be in a position of soliciting men to follow HIM.   Read a similar thought he wrote earlier to the churches in Galatia:

Galatians 1:10 (NASBStr)

For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond- servant of Christ.

Paul knew how the culture was compelling the members of the Body to follow after someone.   Paul had no objection to that ... as long as the Someone was Christ and not him or Apollos, or anyone else.   He would not even judge himself (great advice for us all) as to his place in history or the church.   He would wait until Christ returns, who would judge not only the visual actions of men, but the hidden motives behind those actions.   We would do wise to hear Paul's words and not allow ourselves to falsely follow a mere man or men; or worse, allow men to follow us and judge us to be something other than the dust we are.   Paul states that even IF he examines himself and finds nothing, that does not "acquit" him.   He, too, will wait for The Lord to judge him.   In the end, we do not seek the praise of men, but the praise of God.  "Were we faithful," that will be the only question to ask.   

Do you know what denial looks like? Matthew 26-28

Matthew 26:73-75 (NASBStr)

A little later the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Surely you too are one of them; for even the way you talk gives you away.” Then he began to curse and swear, “I do not know the man!” And immediately a rooster crowed. And Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said, “ Before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.

What does denial and betrayal look like?    Before Jesus was to be crucified He told the disciples they would all deny Him.  Peter, the ever flamboyant and self-appointed spokesmen for the group, openly proclaimed he would NEVER deny Jesus.   Note his own words he said to Jesus just before they went to the Garden to pray:

Matthew 26:33-35 (NASBStr)

But Peter said to Him, “ Even though all may fall away because of You, I will never fall away.” Jesus said to him, “ Truly I say to you that this very night, before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” Peter *said to Him, “ Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You.” All the disciples said the same thing too.

Now Peter stood before a third accuser and was told by the "bystanders" that he was one of the disciples and that his "speech" gave him away.   Here is an important glimpse into betrayal that we dare not miss.   To affirm he was "just like one of all of them" Peter is said to change his speech and he began to curse and swear.   Like the first two times, Peter could have simply stated he was not a disciple of Jesus and distanced himself firmly.   But, now they said that the way he was currently speaking revealed something about him and his relationship with Jesus.  We don't know what that is.  Perhaps he was talking sympathetically about Jesus.   Although it could have been a particular dialect (yet, this was the passover and the city would have been filled with different dialects) it is doubtful that would have been noticed as unique to Jesus.   It could have been he was sharing inside information in a hypothetical manner and they picked up on it.   Whatever the reason his speech revealed him, Peter's denial took on an air of the world.   To prove his innocence he starts to speak like the world.   There is nothing like a few curse worlds to prove you don't belong to God ... or so Peter thought.   Since our speech reveals our heart, Peter's cursing was to demonstrate a lack of reverence for God.    To fit in with the others, Peter decided to talk like the world and not like a Godly man.   This was his third denial and immediately after the rooster crows, thus confirming his guilt and Jesus' Deity.   The manner of the denial?  Forsake the One you know is God and try to look and sound like the world.   When we sound like the world in our speech, our reasoning, or our pattern of behavior we do the same thing as Peter.   Some believers like to toss in a curse word (or a curse word substitute) to reflect their "in" with the word and their "out" with piety.   Yet, we are told to make sure our speech is always seasoned with salt and we are to always be ready to give an answer for the hope that is in us.   And, who said we should always be ready to give a good answer?  Peter did, 20-25 years later.  Note his emphasis on reverent speech.  I wonder if he thought of his denial and swearing when he penned these words:

1 Peter 3:15

but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;

Have you ever felt rejected and abandoned? Isaiah 51-55

Isaiah 54:4-6 (NASBStr)

“Fear not, for you will not be put to shame;

And do not feel humiliated, for you will not be disgraced;

But you will forget the shame of your youth,

And the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more.

 “For your husband is your Maker,

Whose name is the Lord of hosts;

And your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel,

Who is called the God of all the earth.

 “For the Lord has called you,

Like a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit,

Even like a wife of one’s youth when she is rejected,”

Says your God.

Have you ever felt rejected?  Have you ever felt abandoned?  Have you ever seen a pop can on the side of the road and felt like, at times, it looks like you in journey of life?   The above passage of Isaiah is to let us know that God is well aware of the wife who was deserted (or the husband), the child left alone and abandoned, the pain of being forsaken.   God is telling us to know fear and not to feel humiliated.   God is the God of all comfort and the one who is permanent in our lives.  God understands "forsaken."    On the cross, just before His death, Jesus' final words were, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?"   To the unbeliever and philosopher those words were the confession of Jesus that He died in vain, finally realizing God was not going to glory Him, or couldn't rescue Him.   But, these are the words of Christ that reflect His substitutionary atonement for us.  He had to be a place where we would, totally rejected and abandoned.   It was from that place He can answer our prayers and know our pain.   He rose from the dead and defeated death and restored the relationship we have with God.  We no longer have to feel forsaken and be held by the "shame" of our youth or the "reproach" of our circumstances.   God has, through the Son, restored our relationship and He will NEVER abandoned us.  He DOESN'T say in the above verse that we still won't be abandoned by those on this planet.  What He says is that His Son is the restorer of that broken relationship and we can rejoice about it and not fear being alone.    

Do you ever offer counsel to others that flows from your own opinion? Job 20-21

Job 20:2 (NASBStr)

“Therefore my disquieting thoughts make me respond,

Even because of my inward agitation.

Zophar begins his second speech in reaction to Job's attitude so far to the calamity Job faces.   In the above verse Zophar states that he can't control his "inward thoughts"  - that they are "making" him respond to Job.  He doesn't say that his response to Job is coming from a conviction of his heart based upon his study of God's Word.   He doesn't say that a prophet came to him to tell him what to say.   He doesn't say his daily devotions gave him some special insight to share with Job.   He does state that his inward thoughts are motivating him and are forcing him to say something.  How many times have others come to someone in a calamity and told them they just had to say something about the situation.   Giving others our opinions to help them through their issues is not good council.   Giving others God's Word in a time need is what we are called to do.   When we say, like Zophar, that our thoughts are controlling us, that is contrary to true faith as we are to bring into captivity our thoughts.   When we have thoughts that we can't control, we are not walking in the Spirit.   When we offer counsel to others from a state of lost control, we offer lost control to others.   Zophar's words of counsel come from a place many of us have been.   However, when in that state, we should not offer counsel to others.   

Do you have fear of abandonment issues? So did King David (Psalm 27-29)

Psalms 27:9-10 (NASBStr)

Do not hide Your face from me,

Do not turn Your servant away in anger;

You have been my help;

 Do not abandon me nor forsake me,

O God of my salvation!

 For my father and my mother have forsaken me,

But the Lord will take me up.

The "fear of abandonment" is a psychological term that describes one of the most common phobias known to man.   The fear that a loved one will forsake you is first seen in babies.  When we play "peek-a-boo" with a baby we may observe them start to cry when we disappear.   Most of those who study such things would state the small infant cries because they actually think you "disappeared."   This is called "object permanence" and small infants have to learn that even though they no longer see the object (in this case you) they object (you) are actual still very much still their.     The small child will cry when you drop them off at day-care because they still don't believe or understand object permanence.   They think you are actually gone and "abandoning" them.  In the above passage we have David's dealing with his own "fear of abandonment" issues.   He was saying to God I believe in "Object permanence."   Even though others have forsaken him (his mother and father in this case) he prayed that God would not abandoned him.   The last line clears up the state he finally reaches:  But The Lord will take me up.   This is a final belief that, despite abandonment issues, God is there and will continue to be there.  He is there even when we don't see Him or feel Him.   Like a small child we have to come to the belief in the ultimate Object Permanence!   God is always there.  Satan would like us to fear that we have lost Him or the He has forsaken us.   Yet, God is a permanent part of the believers life.   We need not worry that if we roll over and "she" or "he" are gone ... He is always there.   We need not worry when we don't see the person we need to see.  He is always there.   We just have to remember the last line: But The Lord will take me up.  

Did you know that God directs where we work? Ruth

Ruth 2:1-3 (NASBStr)

Ruth Gleans in Boaz’ Field

 Now Naomi had a kinsman of her husband, a man of great wealth, of the family of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz. And Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, “Please let me go to the field and glean among the ears of grain after one in whose sight I may find favor.” And she said to her, “Go, my daughter.” So she departed and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers; and she happened to come to the portion of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech.

In the above passage we see the God's hand of providence as Ruth goes out to find food for her and her mother-in-law, Naomi.   The phrase "she happened" in the above verse is actually translated better, "he chance, chanced upon."   The author of the book is making a note that she did not plan on finding the field Boaz owns.  Ruth, since she was from the land of Moab, had no knowledge of the customs or "gleaning rules" of the day.   She simply went out to be industrious (a women of Proverbs 31 character) and found this field.   It happens, as the story unfolds, to be a field of Boaz, who would eventually marry Ruth.  Through the Boaz and Ruth marriage would come the great-grand father of King David, who would eventually, through that generational line, would produce Jesus, the Messiah.   So, the story of Ruth finding Boaz is a key element of the gospel.  But, it also shows the glory of God as He displays His providence in directing Ruth to the correct field.   God does the same thing in chapter four of this book as Boaz goes to the city gate to "redeem" Ruth by having the other kinsmen come by the city gate at that exact time.   It is comforting to know that, in the deepest hours of a calamity (and Naomi and Ruth surely thought they were in a calamity) we can rest in the fact that God is directing even the smallest steps in our lives.  In this case where Ruth went to work.   There are some in life who separate God from Sunday to Monday.   Yet, God is the God of everyday, not just a Sunday.  God directs us to the exact spot He wants us to be so that He can work a great work in us.   There is not a step we take that He does not orchestrate.   That is assuring as we walk this earth and do His will.  

Are you willing to wait for God's grace to be showered upon you? Genesis 36-39

Genesis 37:18-20 (NASBStr)

The Plot against Joseph

 When they saw him from a distance and before he came close to them, they plotted against him to put him to death. They said to one another, “ Here comes this dreamer! Now then, come and let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits; and we will say, ‘A wild beast devoured him. ’ Then let us see what will become of his dreams!”

Joseph was the favorite child of Israel (Jacob).  Of the twelve boys, he was the favorite.   In fact, he was so much the favorite that Israel made him a special coat he wore each day to remind Jacob and the brothers of his favored status.  You can imagine the rage that built up in the hearts of his brothers.   Along with being the favored child of Israel, however, Joseph was also favored by God.  God had provided Joseph with dreams to indicate that one day, Joseph would rule over his brothers and his parents.   Joseph was to be a great man for God ... some day!!   Yet, today is not that day.  Today, in the verses above, Joseph would not rule over his brothers or parents but he would be persecuted and suffer for the status he enjoyed with his father and with his Father!   It would be years from this story before Joseph would ever again feel the joy of family and the "favored" status of his life.   He was about to be uncomfortable for many, many years to come.  He would be uncomfortable in the pit his brothers were going to throw him into.   He would be uncomfortable with the Midianite traders who take him to Egypt.   And, even though he would have great responsibility and privilege later, he  would be uncomfortable in Potipher's house and subsequently in jail.  Joseph would be uncomfortable until the time God needed him to speak about a dream to Pharaoh, the King of Egypt.  Until that day, Joseph would be in a place, simply waiting for God to use him.   Like Esther and like the blind man in John 9 and like Daniel, God puts His servants on the earth and allows them to feel discomfort until the time God wants to shower them with more grace.   Are we willing to have years of discomfort just so, at the right time, God can shower us with more grace and be glorified in us and with us, at just the right time?   Joseph would suffer many years of loneliness and anguish.  He could have spent his entire time screaming, like Job, "Why me Lord?"   But, he doesn't   He simply waits for God to show him even more grace.   That is what waiting on God and serving God is all about.   Are you willing to be uncomfortable just so God can show you His grace in His time?  

Do you know why you are "complete" IN CHRIST? 1 Corinthian 1-2

1 Corinthians 1:30-31 (NASBStr)

But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “ Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

In this letter to the Church of Corinth, Paul is addressing a very immature group of believers based upon their limited teaching, but also their desire for pride and self-actualization.   Paul wants them to know from the outside that their standing in Christ is firm and is a high calling (see verses 1-3 at the beginning of the book), but that it is also based entirely on what Christ did for them and not on their own merits.   As he develops this theme, Paul indicates to them that their congregation is not made up of many high standing people, as measured by the standards of the flesh (see 1 Corinthians 1:26).   He also wants them to know that both Jews and Gentiles reject Christ and the power of the Gospel message.   But, this is not true for them.   Because God so desired, they have been made in Christ the "wisdom" of God, the "righteousness" of God, the "sanctification" of God, and the "redemption" of God.   Notice that the entire salvation experience is "in Christ" and "by His doing."   When we are in Christ we have, through the Spirit, the very wisdom of God.   There is not reason for us to flounder in the world of despair and the folly of this world.   We HAVE the wisdom of God dwelling in us.   We are also "righteous" in Christ.   Christ has satisfied the demands of the Law and declared us righteous in Him (Romans 5).    We are also "sanctified" in Christ.  That means that Christ not only satisfied the penalty for sin in our lives He is freeing us from the power of sin in our lives to perfect us to holy living.   The sanctification process is not in our work, but in His.   He also have "redemption" in Him.  That means Christ sets us free from the slavery of sin and the ties of sin.   The salvation of Christ and in Christ is completely on His work and nothing on our work.   We are to "boast' in The Lord.   These verses teach that we should rejoice in the fullness of our salvation and don't attempt to take any credit for any part of it.  

Do you know when Christ is coming and what to do? Matthew 23-25

Matthew 24:44 (NASBStr)

For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.

In this chapter of Matthew Jesus is in the middle of a discussion where He is responding to specific questions asked by His disciples.   During this intercourse of teaching, the primary and overriding key to discovering what Jesus is actually saying is to remember the questions being asked by the disciples:

Matthew 24:3 (NASBStr)

As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”

You can't really know what this dialogue is saying without remembering those specific questions.  Even then, this chapter and the ones that follow on the same subject, may be one of the most disputed arguments on eschatology.    There are many views about the chapters.  Some believe the events Jesus is talking about have not been, yet, fulfilled.  Others think their over.   Many stand in the middle.   But, one thing we know for sure is that Christ does give us some over-riding principles to follow, which we ought not forsake.  One such principle is stated in the above verse.   We may differ on the time of the events.  We can differ over to whom they were spoken.  We can even differ on how many of the events are done and how many are left to be seen.   But, we can't differ on the fact that Christ tells us that no matter when it happens, we must be ready for something.   Christ doesn't give us the timing but He does tell us the attitude we are to have.   We may not be totally aware of the concrete facts of the last days (or, even if they are complete), but we do know that Christ wants us to be prepared when He comes.   John told us in his epistle that those who have the hope of Christ return in them will purify themselves, just as Christ is pure   At the end of the day it is about being ready, not knowing dates and times.