fire and brimstone?
SCRIPTURE: Job 18 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Terrors surround the wicked and trouble them at every step. Hunger depletes their strength, and calamity waits for them to stumble. Disease eats their skin; death devours their limbs. They are torn from the security of their homes and are brought down to the king of terrors. [Job 18:11-14] Bildad the Shuhite is…
the end of my rope
SCRIPTURE: Job 17 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: My spirit is crushed, and my life is nearly snuffed out. The grave is ready to receive me. I am surrounded by mockers. I watch how bitterly they taunt me. You must defend my innocence, O God, since no one else will stand up for me. [Job 17:1-3] My days are over. My…
a friend who cares
SCRIPTURE: Job 16 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Even now my witness is in heaven. My advocate is there on high. My friends scorn me, but I pour out my tears to God. [Job 16:19-20] In times of trial and suffering, sometimes even our friends or family become a discouragement to us. They do not always realize it, and they likely…
operatic suprise
Imagine being at the local market, when some classical music is piped in over the speakers. Then, to your surprise, the gentleman behind you starts warbling an operatic tune… and then the whole market place erupts in song. I would love to have been there that day!
what God looks for
SCRIPTURE: Job 15 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Like trees, they will be cut down in the prime of life; their branches will never again be green. They will be like a vine whose grapes are harvested too early, like an olive tree that loses its blossoms before the fruit can form. For the godless are barren. [Job 15:32-34] Eliphaz’s logic…
the difference hope makes
SCRIPTURE: Job 14 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Can the dead live again? If so, this would give me hope through all my years of struggle, and I would eagerly await the release of death. [Job 14:14] But instead, as mountains fall and crumble and as rocks fall from a cliff, as water wears away the stones and floods wash away…
no disrespect
SCRIPTURE: Job 13 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: O God, grant me these two things, and then I will be able to face you. Remove your heavy hand from me, and don’t terrify me with your awesome presence. Now summon me, and I will answer! Or let me speak to you, and you reply. Tell me, what have I done…
chosen for a purpose
This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. [Colossians 1:1] In my church background, talk about being “chosen by God” was primarily a debate about whether we are ‘saved’ because God chose us or because we chose God. Otherwise known as the doctrine of election or…
ask the birds, He cares!
SCRIPTURE: Job 12 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Just ask the animals, and they will teach you. Ask the birds of the sky, and they will tell you. Speak to the earth, and it will instruct you. Let the fish in the sea speak to you. For they all know that my disaster has come from the hand of the…