Saturday, July 25, 2020

July 25

Years ago, I took a trip to the state of Washington, and traveled through Oregon. While there, I notice many things, but mostly the lack of godliness. We were there for a week, and I only saw one church, and it was boarded up. I had my first encounter with a demonic presence there, and I have never forgotten it; my weapons were not as sharp as they are now, so I was fearful. I left there feeling like God was only there because of me, and that he had forsaken the area. As it stands now, I would never go back there, though it is quite beautiful. When I see the rioting in the news, and the occupying of Seattle, and Portland, it confirms my impression, and I do not doubt that the behavior of the rioters is an outward sign of how spiritually dead those cities are. I believe there is a reason God showed me the underbelly of our country, so when things got rough like they are now, I could see what is happening. It’s a demonic dance, a picture of hell on the surface of the earth, and the devil is using the souls of the depraved to do his bidding. The verses in Job that I’m using today reminded me of what’s going on there and a warning we need to heed. 


“The godless in heart cherish anger; they do not cry for help when he binds them. They die in youth, and their life ends among the cult prostitutes. He delivers the afflicted by their affliction and opens their ear by adversity. Job:36:14-15


“But you are full of the judgment on the wicked; judgment and justice seize you. Beware lest wrath entice you into scoffing, and let not the greatness of the ransom turn you aside. Job 36:17-18

Friday, July 24, 2020

July 24

Does your righteousness belong to you? When going through troubled waters, do you cry out to God and proclaim your innocence. At one time or another, we have all said to him, “Why aren’t you helping me? I haven’t done anything wrong!”. In our misery, we tend to rebuke God for allowing us to fail and endure hardships; we can’t help it; we are human. But that’s just it; our humanity is anything but innocent! We are flesh, and it’s our nature to sin, so if you think you don’t sin, you are wrong, and your self-righteousness becomes a sin! I got a spanking when reading Job this morning. He was refuting his friends and proclaiming his righteousness, and I felt him, and understood his feelings, because I’ve been there, and have spoken very similar words. In all of his rebuttal, he did not give God credit for his innocence; it was all about him and his righteousness. In this, Job was wrong. He was wrong to blame God; he was wrong to declare his innocence. God is Almighty, and if we don’t fear him, there is no wisdom within us. Don’t kid yourself; we are only righteous because of Jesus; make sure you get this right. 


You say, ‘I am pure, without transgression; I am clean, and there is no iniquity in me. Behold, he finds occasions against me, he counts me as his enemy, he puts my feet in the stocks and watches all my paths.’ “Behold, in this you are not right. I will answer you, for God is greater than man. Job 33:9-12


And he said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’” Job 28:28

Thursday, July 23, 2020

July 23

The eye can be deceived. My house has the same color of paint throughout. When we bought it, the paint was in good shape but needed a little touch-up. We didn’t have the code for the exact color, but because of technology, we were able to take a sample and have it color-matched. It was the perfect color, so we thought. We are having new countertops installed, which means that the old must be removed. Behind the four-inch backsplash, the old paint color is uncovered and is next to the original paint. With the kitchen lights being very bright, it reveals the slight difference in the shade. It’s not noticeable where we’ve touched-up, probably because the lighting is not as bright. It’s also noticeable in my garage, where I can see that they didn’t cut in close to the ceiling; I probably notice it because of the bright natural light that pours in when we open the garage door. Could this be a revelation? It absolutely is! The slight variation between the truth and lies, is revealed when light is shined upon it. There is no greater light than Jesus. When he decides to uncover the truth and bring it into his light, the darkness will scatter like roaches. Don’t be afraid of what will come, God is in control, and all we need is the light of Jesus to send the enemy scattering.


Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:11-16

Wednesday, July 22, 2020

July 22

The book of Job is poetry, but resembles a trial with his friends, the lawyers, bringing accusations against him. Job pleads his case before God, but his friends question whether he is righteous in his heart. I had an eye-opening experience this morning as I read that Job, during his pain, knew his Redeemer lived. He rebukes his friends for torturing him with their words, and not offering him comfort in his time of need, and proclaims his unwavering faith in the Almighty. Is the book of Job also a foretelling of the suffering of Jesus? He suffered as Jesus did, they turned on him, and he was beaten and accused, even though he was not guilty. Job was worn down, and his flesh deteriorating, and yet in his suffering, his friends accuse him of being evil in his heart. His response to them proved otherwise when he said, 


“For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth.” Job 19:25


My friends, if you are suffering from great anguish, sickness, or disease, stand strong, your Redeemer lives; don’t let go of him. He is your judge, the only righteous Judge; take hold of him and hang on with all your might; although you are weak, he is strong, and he will judge you fairly, and find you innocent of all charges brought against you, for he accepted your penalty when he hung on the cross, whether you are guilty or innocent.

Tuesday, July 21, 2020

July 21

I know many of you like the book of Job; I, however, find it depressing, and Job’s friends insensitive. Who needs friends if they kick you when your down? Don’t be like Job’s friends! Many are hurting; to point out that their troubles are because of sin is heartless, and unbecoming of a person that is called by the name of Christ. Stop doing it. Some of our pain is indeed brought on by sin, but we should offer hope, not condemnation. I also have concerns that the words of his friends could be used out of context by those quoting the Bible, and that what they say could be used as justification to be cruel to others. If someone quotes you verses from Job, make sure you look it up to see if it’s Job’s reply, God’s reply, or the reply from his friends. Remember that context is vital with any quote from the Bible. Job goes on to recover, and God rewards him for his faithfulness, but at the time of his sorrow, his future was in doubt. When others are going through hard times, tomorrow is unknown, so we need to care for them with kindness, and Christlike love, and avoid being like Job’s friends.


Job’s reply: But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you. Who does not know such things as these? I am a laughingstock to my friends; I, who called to God and he answered me, a just and blameless man, am a laughingstock. In the thought of one who is at ease there is contempt for misfortune; it is ready for those whose feet slip. Job 12:3-5

Monday, July 20, 2020

July 20

Just as everyone else, I’ve resigned myself to staying at home rather than venturing out, appearing in public only when necessary. This season has been hard for most people, being we are a very active society. We don’t know the mind of God or why he decided this to be, but I’m sure he has a lesson in all of it. Do we curse God and die, as Job’s wife suggested for him to do, or do we continue to trust in God, and wait for the reward for standing firm in our faith? I’ve decided to count my blessings during this time of pause, and notice the things God has given me, especially when he has given me things that I never prayed for but longed for in my heart. It gives me confirmation that he knows me, and fulfills my desires, even without me asking. Stop dwelling on the negative, turn your heart to see your blessings.


Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die.” But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips. Job 2:9-10

Sunday, July 19, 2020

July 19

I’ve just started reading Job, and I’m already coming to you with a warning. God is in control! I know what you’re thinking, God being in control is a good thing, and I agree, but he also controls Satan.


And the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” Job 1:8


God allowed Satan to be unleashed on Job to test his loyalty. The more I see about the filthiness going on behind the scenes, with pedophilia and the involvement of prominent people, including government officials, and famous actors, I believe God released Satan upon America. It’s a wonder we have stood as long as we have. If these reports are accurate, then we have failed the test miserably! As a whole, we’ve turned a blind eye to this evil and have allowed it to continue, and if God decides to destroy us for being complacent, how could you blame him. These people may only be a small segment of our society, but like a toothache, it affects the whole body. I pray that God spares us and that all of these sick people are brought into the light, and punished for their failings.