Job's Storm
Mood:  blue
Topic: Confrontation
Job 38:1-2 GW Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm. "Who is this that belittles my advice with words that do not show any knowledge about it?

Do we spout so-called knowledge,? Do we complain and question God? Even turn away from Him when we don't like His answers or blame Him for our own bad choices?
Do we realize the arrogance of doing so?

Do we do so because our god is too small and we truly do not honor the God of all creation.

Do we need to respond like Job?

Job 42:1, 3, 6 Mkjv And Job answered the LORD and said, ... Who is he who hides counsel without knowledge? Therefore I have spoken what I did not understand; things too wonderful for me; yea, I did not know. ... Therefore I despise myself , and repent in dust and ashes.

Forgive me, Jesus, for speaking when You don't speak, for complaining when You don't follow my plans or timetable. Most of all forgive me for not listening, learning from and following Your principles and leading. Amen.

Stand Still
Mood:  happy
Topic: Gratitude
Job 37:14 Mkjv Listen to this, Job; stand still, and consider the wonderful works of God.

Stand Still
© 2009 Carolyn R Scheidies

How often,
if ever,
do we simply stop and think?
Stop and "smell the roses,"
Stop and appropriate the sunset,
the sunrise,
a rainbow?

Stop and appropriate
the smile of a child,
a spontaneous hug
eyes filled with wonder...and love?

Stop to listen to
A spouse,
Your son/daughter
...God?

Today Stop,
lift a heart of gratitude
And begin
To daily
Count your blessings.

Stand still.

Who Do I Listen To
Mood:  not sure
Topic: Choices
Job 28:29 ASV And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; And to depart from evil is understanding.

Real wisdom comes from God. Without Him at the center and foundations of our thoughts and considerations, the results will be nonsense not wisdom. If someone we listen to does not come from a foundation of God in Christ, check and double check what is said, suggested, claimed by God's Word and prayer.

Am I guided by God's principles or being misled by those who sound good, but whose wisdom doesn't come from the source of wisdom and truth--Jesus Christ?

Psalm 119:168 GW I have followed your guiding principles and your written instructions, because my whole life is in front of you.

No Strings
Mood:  irritated
Topic: Healing
Job 21:34 GW How can you comfort me with this nonsense when your answers continue to betray me?"

Job's friends came up with all sorts of reasons why Job was suffering--sin, hurting others, etc. They were more interested in finding answers than in comforting or helping Job.

When others around us suffer do we speak our minds or wait for God's guidance. Do we help or just add a layer of hurt and guilt? Am I ready to listen, not speak, hug and keep my mouth from offering judgment, comments or suggestions?

Am I willing just to be available, recognizing this isn't about me and love doesn't come with theological strings?

Frustration
Mood:  don't ask
Topic: Attitude
Col. 4:5-6 GW Be wise in the way you act toward those who are outside the Christian faith. Make the most of your opportunities. Everything you say should be kind and well thought out so that you know how to answer everyone.

We've all known of cases where
someone with a Christian bumper sticker flips someone off or loses control over some frustrating public or business situation. Maybe we've done it ourselves.

There is truth in the saying, "The only Jesus many will see is in you and me."

Do I claim to follow Christ but shame Him with my actions, attitudes and words? Do my actions draw others to Jesus or turn them away? Do I need to apologize to God, others? Do I need to choose to lift up rather than tear down and not take my frustrations out on others?

Help me focus on You, Jesus, and not take my frustrations out on others. Amen.

Am I a Job's Comforter?
Mood:  hug me
Topic: Healing
Job 16:1-5 GW Then Job replied to his friends, "I have heard many things like this before. You are all pathetic at comforting me. Will your long-winded speeches never end? What disturbs you that you keep on answering me? I, too, could speak like you if we could trade places. I could string words together against you and shake my head at you. I could encourage you with my mouth, and my quivering lips could ease your pain.

Job's friends at first just sat with him. Their presence comforted until they opened their mouths to figure out "why?" Of course, they assumed Job had sinned and needed to repent. Their words only added to Job's burden.

When someone is hurting, are we willing to share grief in silence or do we speculate, make demands and pontificate nonsense instead of offering a hand, hug and a listening, non-judgmental ear? Am I a Job's comforter, or a real comfort?

Oh Give Thanks
Mood:  celebratory
Topic: Celebrate!
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. I Chronicles 16:34

Isn't it great that God doesn't get so tired of our whining and complaining, He turns His back when we come to Him for help.

Today on Thanksgiving Day we can begin a new habit of counting our blessings instead of our complaints.

Up Front and Personal
Mood:  a-ok
Topic: Faith
Job 13:15-16 GW If God would kill me, I would have no hope left. Nevertheless, I will defend my behavior to his face. This also will be my salvation because no godless person could face him.

Job has such confidence in God he trusts his life and death to him. But more, he assumes a rational God who listens to and interacts with His creation.

Is my God a cosmic "something," or the God of all who came that we might have a personal relationship with Him?

Do I have Job's type of relationship with God--Up front and personal--where it matters?

Trusting Like Job
Mood:  a-ok
Topic: Choices
Job 10:12 GW You gave me life and mercy. Your watchfulness has preserved my spirit.

Despite all Job was going through, in all his pain, frustration and wish that he'd never been born, comes this ringing affirmation of faith. He trusted, even in the worst of circumstances--losing his children, his health, his wealth, that God was a good God.

He didn't understand and he had a lot of questions for God, but he knew who'd given him life, who sustained him and, regardless of circumstance, was not about to turn his back on the only One who cared and could heal and restore him.

When my life doesn't go as I plan, will I have Job's unshakeable faith?

Trusting Jesus is a choice.

Buying into Satan's Lies
Mood:  down
Topic: Doubt
Job 1:9-11 GW Satan answered the LORD, "Haven't you given Job a reason to fear God? Haven't you put a protective fence around him, his home, and everything he has? You have blessed everything he does. His cattle have spread out over the land. But now stretch out your hand, and strike everything he has. I bet he'll curse you to your face."

Satan's whole approach is about getting us to believe a liie. He will twist truth sometimes subtly, sometimes into a pretzel--whatever he thinks we'll accept.

His first in Job, that many accept, is that Job would only trust God when everything was going well for him. Many do turn away when a family member dies or they suffer economic reversals. Satan tried to prove Job's faith was not really based on trust in God, but in himself and a false image of the real God.

Job proved Satan wrong and refused to buy into the lie of "I trust because God blesses." How shallow a faith that cannot withstand bad as well as good.


Job 1:20-21 GW Job stood up, tore his robe in grief, and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground and worshiped. He said, "Naked I came from my mother, and naked I will return. The LORD has given, and the LORD has taken away! May the name of the LORD be praised."

Jesus, help me not buy into Satan's lies. Help me to trust in You no matter what my circumstances. Amen.

Need For God's House
Mood:  celebratory
Topic: Attitude
Psalm 122:1 GW A song by David for going up to worship. I was glad when they said to me, "Let's go to the house of the LORD."

Do I view going to worship as a "If I Feel like it" or "If I have time" or "If I'm not too tired" activity? Or, do I recognize time in God's house is not optional? God says we need not only to worship Him, but that we also need the fellowship and suppoort of other believers.

Why? There is power, strength and joy in worshipping together.
To grow in our walk of faith through hearing God's Word.
To put our faith in action by reaching out to others--
a welcoming hand shake, smile
helping with coffee, etc
teaching SS, etc

We were not meant to be alone. Christianity is a relationship between the person and Jesus, but that relationship is meant to be honed in community.

Help me, Jesus, find joy in worshipping with your people today.

To Whom Do I Belong?
Topic: Following Jesus
Phil. 1:27a GW Live as citizens who reflect the Good News about Christ. ...

Do I live as a good citizen not just of my earthly country, but also my heavenly home? Do I live as though Jesus lives in and through me by my loving actions and words toward others?

Jesus, today, help me reflect You that others might see to whom I truly belong. Amen.

Where Arrogance Leads
Mood:  cheeky
Topic: Attitude
Esther 6:6-7, 9-10a GW So Haman came in. The king then asked him, "What should be done for the man whom the king wishes to reward?"
Haman thought to himself, "Whom would the king wish to reward more than me?"
So Haman told the king, "This is what should be done: ...Give the robe and the horse to one of the king's officials, who is a noble. Put the robe on the man whom the king wishes to reward and have him ride on the horse in the city square.
The king's servants are also to shout ahead of him, 'This is what is done for the man whom the king wishes to reward.'"
The king told Haman, "Hurry, take the robe and the horse as you said. Do this for Mordecai the Jew who sits at the king's gate. ..."

Because of his pride, arrogance and self-centeredness, Haman lost sight of the big picture. He couldn't see anything outside the context of him as center.

He ended up honoring the very man he hated with a passion, a man he was seeking to destroy along with his whole people, a man much better than himself.

When we put ourselves at the center of life, we will fail. We become arrogant and selfish, because without God who is caring, hope and love we are miserable creatures indeed.

Who is at the center of my life? Me or Jesus? The choice makes all the difference in who we are and who'll we'll become.

What I Rely On
Psalm 119:97-99 GW Oh, how I love your teachings! They are in my thoughts all day long. Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, because your commandments are always with me.
Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, because your commandments are always with me. I have more insight than all my teachers, because your written instructions are in my thoughts.

What I Rely On

I must not rely on my faulty knowledge of God's Word,
nor believe all those who seek to teach about God know what they are talking about
--many don't know God at all.

I must not rely on childhood memories from Sunday School or my parents
for knowledge of God on which to base my decisions
My life.

Memories of God are not the same as knowing God
Not the same as communicating with and
Experiencing Him each day in my life.
Reading books and listening to others talk about God
Is not the same as reading, studying, meditating on and memorizing God's Word for myself--regularly,
daily discovering guidance and wisdom for myself.

God's Wisdom is wisdom I acquire as I commit
to knowing His Word and communicating with Him
Daily, moment by moment,
Heart to heart
Not in fading memories
Or stand ins.

Help me, Lord, make a commitment to You,
Your Word
Finding in You
Wisdom to live, choose and astound a world that needs Your wisdom, too. Amen.

TRUST JESUS OR ME
Psalm 119:89-90, 93 GW O LORD, your word is established in heaven forever. Your faithfulness endures throughout every generation. You set the earth in place, and it continues to stand. ...I will never forget your guiding principles, because you gave me a new life through them.

God's principles and promises do not change with time, circumstances or feelings. We can rely on what God says because, unlike you and I, He is unchangable and eternal, and so are His principles and promises.

Why then do I so often go my way instead of trusting that His way is best?

Help me, Jesus, learn to listen and trust You and Your Word over my own selfish, self-centered heart. Amen.