Awake to righteousness

Bible Reading: Exodus 11-12:21; Job 29; Luke 14; 1 Corinthians 15

1 Corinthians 15:33-34 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. 34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

The need for truth is so great! There is much deception in the world and the Bible constantly tells us to be on our guard and not be deceived. One of the great areas of deception is the people that we allow to influence us. Here the Bible warns us against evil communications. Evil communications are the talks that we have with companions that are evil. When you have a lost friend, you need to make sure that you are the one doing the influencing. If you let the evil in the lives of your companions to influence you, you will be deceived and led astray.

What are your friends like? Do you spend time around people that hate God? Do you allow them to influence you? If you do, the Bible says they will corrupt your good manners. Manners here mean habits of life. The King new this well and he warned his young son about the company that we keep.

Proverbs 1:10-16 My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. 11 If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause: 12 Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit: 13 We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil: 14 Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse: 15 My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path: 16 For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.

We must awake to righteousness! We must not willing walk in sin and we must know that some people do not know God. They will lead us astray. You must know God and his Word. Then you can discern what a person is like. Are they going to give you wise counsel? If you know the Word, you can tell if their counsel is wise or not. If they do not know God, then you should prayerfully try to introduce them to Jesus Christ. He can change them. But do not let them influence you.

It is a shame that many of God's children have stopped listening to him and listened to a lost world. Be not deceived! Jesus is the Truth!

In Christ,

Rody

Where is the place of understanding

Bible Reading: Exodus 10; Job 28; Luke 13; 1 Corinthians 14

Job 28:20 Whence then cometh wisdom? and where is the place of understanding?

Job was searching for wisdom. Do you search for wisdom? Where might you look? He began to go on a tour of the earth to find it. He rehearsed all the precious things that come from the earth and where you might find them. Silver and gold are found in the earth. Iron and brass are mined. The earth is also very productive and bread comes from it. But where is the path that leads to wisdom?

Job 28:7-9 There is a path which no fowl knoweth, and which the vulture's eye hath not seen: 8 The lion's whelps have not trodden it, nor the fierce lion passed by it. 9 He putteth forth his hand upon the rock; he overturneth the mountains by the roots.

Job realized that wisdom was the most valuable thing a man could find. Unfortunately most men do not accurately value wisdom. It is priceless! Not only that, but it cannot be found in the land of the living. You can't dive deep into the sea and find it. You cannot dig a hole in the earth and mine it. You cannot plant a field and grow it. You can't buy it with the price of the most valuable commodity on this earth.

Job 28:19 The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it, neither shall it be valued with pure gold.

There is only one place wisdom may be found. It is to be obtained from God.

Job 28:23 God understandeth the way thereof, and he knoweth the place thereof.

God knows so we must go to him. Not only does he know, but he promises to give us wisdom if we will ask for it in faith.

James 1:5-7 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

Wisdom is not to be bought or grown; it is given to us by God when we ask him in faith. What is wisdom?

Job 28:28 And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.

Wisdom is to fear God and depart from evil. Are you walking in wisdom? Are you asking Jesus for wisdom in faith? Go to God, he will give you wisdom.

In Christ,

Rody

The Greatest of these is charity

Bible Reading: Exodus 9; Job 27; Luke 12; 1 Corinthians 13

1 Corinthians 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

The Bible word charity means love. So what is so great about love? Well, for one thing the Bible says that God is love 1 John 4:8. If we are to be godly, we will love. In this chapter, the Bible spells out love's greatness.

1 Corinthians 13:4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up…

Godly love can bear with someone for a long time. It is kind, even when others are not. There is no envy in charity. To love is to be content with who you are in Christ and to celebrate the differences and victories of others. There is no boasting or bragging pride where there is Biblical love. When you love, you are not competing with others.

1 Corinthians 13:5 [Charity]
Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil…

The spiritual love that comes from the Holy Spirit of God is not inappropriate. It is not impure or sensual. (Love is not sex.) Charity is not selfish and ambitious. People who walk in love do not wear their feelings on their shoulder. God's kind of love is not a tit for tat kind of relationship. It wants the best for others.

1 Corinthians 13:6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth…

Love is never happy about sin but always wants to know the truth.

1 Corinthians 13:7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Charity is endurance even in hard circumstances. It is not overly suspicious but always hopes for the best. Charity lasts for a long, long time.

1 Corinthians 13:8 Charity never faileth.

God wants a relationship with you. He is love and so this chapter spells out some of the attributes of our loving Heavenly Father. If God who is love lives in you, you will be able to love like God loves – that is charity. Think of a long-term relationship that is a good one - maybe a marriage or a daughter/mother or father/son relationship. What is necessary for it to last a lifetime? Charity.

You cannot do this on your own. God must do this in you.

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

In Christ,

Rody

 

I will put a division between my people and thy people

Bible Reading: Exodus 8; Job 25-26; Luke 11; 1 Corinthians 12

Exodus 8:22-23 And I will sever in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there; to the end thou mayest know that I am the LORD in the midst of the earth. 23 And I will put a division between my people and thy people: to morrow shall this sign be.

When God brought the third plague on the Egyptians the magicians of Pharaoh's court tried to copy the lice, but they could not. Exodus 8:18-19 And the magicians did so with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not: so there were lice upon man, and upon beast. 19 Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This is the finger of God: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said. With the promise of the fourth plague, Pharaoh was told that God would make a distinction between his people and Pharaoh's people. The land of Goshen where the Israelites lived would not be touched by the flies. God was sending a strong message to Pharaoh that the Israelites belonged to him and that he was looking upon them with blessing.

God makes a distinction between his people and the people of the world. We have many great and precious promises in the Word of God that apply to those in Christ. God draws the distinction and he wants for us to draw the distinction as well. Just as he was preparing to bring the children of Israel out of the land of bondage, he is calling us to come out from among the lost world and be separate.

2 Corinthians 6:17-18 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

As sons and daughters of God we are to be separated from the unclean things of this world. It is amazing but the Egyptians hated the ways of God. Pharaoh told Moses the Israelites could sacrifice to their God in Egypt, but Moses said no.

Exodus 8:26 And Moses said, It is not meet so to do; for we shall sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians to the LORD our God: lo, shall we sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians before their eyes, and will they not stone us?

Egyptians had several sacred animals that they saw it an abomination to kill. The children of Israel would be offering cattle in sacrifice to the Lord and the Egyptians would see that as sac religious. What God commands his people to do, the world hates. Not much has changed. Are you ready to come out from among them and be separate? Will you follow Jesus and live for him no matter what the lost world thinks?

In Christ,

Rody

He that hears you hears Jesus

Bible Reading: Exodus 7; Job 24; Luke10; 1 Corinthians 11

Luke 10:16 He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.

When Jesus sent the seventy out to preach, he gave them power over unclean spirits and disease. He told them to preach that the kingdom of God had come nigh unto them. As they went out they went out with the provision, protection, proclamation and power of Jesus. In their proclamation, when they spoke and people heard their message the people were hearing the words of Jesus. This is the authority of an ambassador. Do you think that way when you share the good news of Jesus with someone? Do you understand that you are sent with the authority to preach the gospel and take the very word of the king to the people?

Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

The apostle Paul understood this ambassador ministry well:

2 Corinthians 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

Paul understood his preaching as in the stead of Christ and as God was speaking through him. When you go in the power of Jesus and speak the truth of Jesus, you are a spokesman for God himself. When people despise you and your message, they are despising Jesus and when they despise Jesus they are despising God. The ambassador fully represents him that sent him. If they receive the ambassador, they receive Jesus Christ. If they reject the ambassador, they reject Jesus Christ. For this reason, the Bible tells us:

1 Peter 4:11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

An oracle is an utterance of God. If you speak, speak the Word of God so that God receives all the glory. Will you take the ambassador calling seriously? When you do you don't have to fear rejection because they are not rejecting you. When people listen they are not listening to you, but to Jesus Christ so that he receives all the glory!

In Christ,

Rody

We should not lust after evil things

Bible Reading: Exodus 6; Job 23; Luke 9; 1 Corinthians 10

1 Corinthians 10:6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

The New Testament tells us the Israelites of the Old Testament are examples for us that we should learn the lessons from their wrong examples! Bad examples can teach just as good examples can. When the children of Israel were wandering in the wilderness, they all experienced the same thing. They all saw the plagues, the exodus, the parting of the red sea, and the manna from heaven and heard the report of the spies. However, they did not all react the same. Some of them believed God and some of them did not. From those who did not, the Bible teaches us four lessons.

1. 
   1 Corinthians 10:7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. From Exodus 32 when Moses was on the mountain receiving the Law from God, the people made a golden calf and ate and danced before it. The desire to worship is strong within man. We must worship the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and come to him by Jesus ONLY! The Bible tells us: 1 Corinthians 10:14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.
   
2. 1 Corinthians 10:8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. From Numbers 25 the men of Israel were enticed by the daughters of Moab and reveled in their idolatrous feast. This lead to a time of sexual orgy with the Moabite women. God was so displeased, that 23,000 of the Israelites were slain that day. God's plan for sexual intimacy is VERY SIMPLE – one man and one woman bound by the covenant of marriage. Anything outside of that is sin.
   
3. 1 Corinthians 10:9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. From Numbers 21 when the people complained against Moses and said he had brought them into the wilderness that they should die. They were completely ignoring the Mighty Hand of God all around them! God sent fiery serpents among them and many died. We are to TRUST the Lord, not TEMPT him.
   
4. 1 Corinthians 10:10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Exodus 15, 16 and 17 the people continually murmured against Moses. Many times they murmured because they did not have water. God always provided for them. But they complained and griped constantly. Philippians 2:14 Do all things without murmurings and disputing.
   

Each of these sins led to death for the Israelites. We deal with these today! We must learn the lessons of old. God wants to fill you with his Spirit and bring the nature of Christ out of you!

In Christ,

Rody

Take heed how ye hear

Bible Reading: Exodus 5; Job 22; Luke 8; 1 Corinthians 9

Luke 8:18 Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.

This statement comes at the end of a parable that Jesus told. The parable of the sower is an important parable that helps us to understand how people are affected differently by the word of God when they encounter it. Luke 8:11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Jesus says the sower's seed fell on four different kinds of soil. Each of the different kinds of soil describes the heart of the hearer. Some have hard hearts that are like the way side of the road and the seed is picked up quickly by Satan and the person has no benefit. Some have no depth of soil and the seed grows on a hard rock and soon the temptation comes and even though it seemed that there was growth, it is gone. In some lives the soil is so crowded with cares, riches and pleasures of this life that the seed is choked out by thorns. Then Jesus gives us the good soil:

Luke 8:15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

Were the stony ground and thorny ground hearers really saved? Jesus answers this for us in verse 18. Whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have. Here is the key word – seemeth. If you saw the stony ground hearer right after the revival meeting he would seem to have trusted in Christ. If you saw the thorny ground hearer right after the day of his "conversion" he would seem to be saved. But time will tell. Since both of these had apparent growth that then withered either because of temptation or competition with the world, we know that the growth was not genuine. No, they were not saved one day and lost the next. They were never genuinely saved.

Jesus tells us that the good ground hearer is one who hears with a good and honest heart and keeps the word. This one brings forth fruit with patience. Over the course of time, the genuineness of real conversion is seen by a continual growth and fruit-bearing. For this reason, Jesus tells us that we must take heed how we hear. There is nothing wrong with the Word. There is something wrong with our hearts. What condition is your heart in? Is it plowed ground, ready to receive the Word of God and see a good standing crop that bears fruit? Or is the hard pan so shallow that nothing can grow?

If you have, you will receive more. If you seem to have even that will be taken away because it is not genuine.

In Christ,

Rody

The LORD sought to kill Moses

Exodus 4; Job 21; Luke 7; 1 Corinthians 8

Exodus 4:24-26 And it came to pass by the way in the inn, that the LORD met him, and sought to kill him. 25 Then Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast it at his feet, and said, Surely a bloody husband art thou to me. 26 So he let him go: then she said, A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision.

Why did God appear to Moses in the burning bush and commission him to return to Egypt to lead the children of Israel out and then meet with him along the way and seek to kill him? Moses married a Midianite named Zipporah, the daughter of Jethro. Moses might have thought when they married that he would never again see his own people but would live out his days in the desert being a shepherd. However, God had bigger plans for him. When God gave Moses a son, Moses had not circumcised him as God had instructed Abraham to do. Moses is now on his way back to lead the Israelite people and he is being disobedient to God's word. This is a BIG DEAL to God and he sought to kill Moses because of it.

Apparently, this conversation had been had with Zipporah before because she took a sharp stone and circumcised Gershom. Then she threw the bloody foreskin at the feet of Moses and declared him to be a bloody husband. Once Gershom was circumcised, God let Moses go and proceed on with his journey to meet Aaron. Moses found himself in a difficult situation because he married a woman that was not brought up to believe the same way he did. It could be also that Moses had not even mentioned circumcision when Gershom was born thinking that he would never see the Israelites again. Now that God had called him to return he realized that he was walking in disobedience to the covenant sign of Israel.

Whatever the reasons, Moses and Zipporah experienced difficulty in marriage because they had different customs and different beliefs. Moses also failed to lead in the family's following the Lord when the baby was eight days old. This neglect led to a crisis later in life. What do we learn from Moses? We learn the lesson that we are to marry someone with the same beliefs we have. Apparently Moses and Zipporah had done quite well until this situation and we learn that how children will be raised is a big question that should be discussed before marriage. We also learn that you cannot follow God and skip the first things. God would have killed Moses even though he had called him to a task if Moses had not been obedient in the first things.

You can't walk with God in the big things if you won't walk with God in the small things.

In Christ,

Rody

Give

Bible Reading: Exodus 3; Job 20; Luke 6; 1 Corinthians 7

Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Too bad these words of Jesus have been so misused and abused by money-hungry preachers! If you jerk this verse out of its context you can make it say that if you give money, you will get money. However, let's hear the whole conversation of Jesus.

Luke 6:35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

As followers of Christ, we are to love even our enemies and hold all material possessions loosely. We are told here to lend hoping for nothing again! Do you give hoping for the return? Notice that we are to expect a reward, but when and where? When we live this way, we prove our relationship to our loving Heavenly Father. He is kind even to the unthankful and to the evil! God gives to those who do not deserve and are not grateful for what they receive.

Luke 6:36-37 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. 37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:

We are to imitate our Father in heaven who is merciful and forgiving. The point of Jesus' statement is that we will be measured with the same measure we use. Have you ever opened a bag of potato chips and been disappointed that the bag is only half-full. The bag size is deceiving because it is half-full of air. Now take a bushel basket to the market to buy grain. Jesus says if you measure to others with kindness, generosity, mercy, grace and forgiveness that you will receive the same. You will receive a good measure. They will press the grain down and shake the basket to make more room then pour in some more. When you get home the grain will not have settled so that your basket is only half-full. If you use a generous measure, you will receive a generous measure.

How do you treat others? Are you harsh and condemning? You will receive the same measure you use. Are you merciful and liberal? If you are you are reflecting the image of our merciful God!

What a wonderful promise! Let's treat others as God has treated us! Then we can look forward to eternal reward.

In Christ,

Rody

Why do ye not rather take wrong

Bible Reading: Exodus 2; Job 19; Luke 5; 1 Corinthians 6

1 Corinthians 6:7-8 Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? 8 Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.

It is a sad day when Christian brothers and sisters sue one another before secular courts of law. This isn't something new. It was happening 2000 years ago in Corinth. The sad reality is that sometimes earthly and temporal things seem to be more important the eternal things. However, this appalled the apostle Paul and when he heard it he wrote, inspired by the Holy Spirit to bring it to their attention. Now if an apostle is writing an inspired document appalled, how does God feel about these things? He is appalled!

1 Corinthians 6:1-3 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? 2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?

As believers, we will judge this world. As believers we shall judge angels. If we are to do these things, why can we not arbitrate between brothers and sisters in our church? If we will judge in eternal matters, can we not with God's Word and wisdom settle temporal matters here between brothers and sisters?

1 Corinthians 6:4-5 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church. 5 I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?

For Paul, the petty matters of this life pale in comparison to the eternal matters that we should be concerned with. For this reason, he says set those least esteemed in the church over the matter of settling earthly squabbles. He says this to shame them. What are these petty earthly squabbles that should be easily settled with some godly wisdom? Estate squabbles between Christian brothers and sisters after the death of their parents, divorce cases between Christians (by the way, Jesus says not to do this anyway), business deals between two Christian businessmen, etc. How sad that heaven and hell hang in the balance and we are squabbling over paving material in heaven!

For this reason, Paul says it is better to be defrauded and wronged than to go to a court of law with a brother or sister in Christ. These things should be prayerfully and lovingly handled among believers. Let's get our priorities straight. Live for eternity.

In Christ,

Rody

Tempted of the devil

Bible Reading: Exodus 1; Job 18; Luke 4; 1 Corinthians 5

Luke 4:2 Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered.

Our High Priest has been tempted.

Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

Let's see how the devil tempted Jesus. According to the Bible, there are three things that are "in the world".

1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

Test 1. The lust of the flesh – Jesus was hungry and Satan tempted him to turn the stone into bread. However, Jesus countered him with the Word of God.

Luke 4:4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.

Test 2. The lust of the eyes – The devil took Jesus up on a high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment. He then proudly declared that they belonged to him and he would give them to Jesus if he would only worship Satan.

Luke 4:8 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Test 3. The pride of life – The devil took Jesus to the highest point of the temple in Jerusalem and challenged the fact that he was the Son of God. In essence, the devil said, "If you are the Son of God, prove it by throwing yourself down from here. After all, the Bible says that God will command his angels to catch you." Here would have been a marvelous display of power and would have immediately placed Jesus in the limelight.

Luke 4:12 And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

Jesus was faithful to God and did not sin in this time of temptation. Therefore the devil left him for a season. Aren't you glad that Jesus is who he says he is? He is the Son of God. He is the heir to all the kingdoms of the world. He is a faithful High Priest who has faced the devil's temptations and has the victory. You can trust him! The Bible says we can go to him for help in our daily temptations.

Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

In Christ,

Rody

Think not too highly of men

Bible Reading: Genesis 50; Job 16-17; Luke 3; 1 Corinthians 4

1 Corinthians 4:6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.

Here the apostle Paul is dealing with the proper way to regard men, especially men in leadership positions. We need this since we live in a day of celebrity preachers. Apparently they had these celebrities in Paul's day as well. Some men had come into the Corinthian church and run down the apostle Paul while Apollos was held in high esteem. This is puzzling to Paul, since he first preached the gospel to the Corinthian believers and planted the church! In one place he says:

1 Corinthians 3:6-7 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

In other words, God works through men. He began the work through Paul's planting work of sowing gospel seed. He then continued the work through Apollos's watering work of preaching and teaching. Yet the Corinthians were picking sides with their favorite preacher. Paul says to them:

1 Corinthians 3:21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours.

It is God who is at work in men. However, men are fallible. Men make mistakes. Men give in to pride and vanity. So to be puffed up with one man against another is not wise. We should be loving and following Christ with all our hearts. We should not make men into celebrities and follow them as little groupies.

The same apostle, told the Thessalonians:

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; 13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

We should love and esteem our elders highly for their work's sake. However, let us realize that they desperately need our prayers and encouragement. They are not business professionals and they are not celebrities. The Bible says:

1 Corinthians 4:1-2 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

Stephen Olford said in a pastor's conference I once attended, "Never forget, we are messenger boys for the King!" Amen.

In Christ,

Rody

Become a fool

Genesis 49; Job 15; Luke 2; 1 Corinthians 3

1 Corinthians 3:18-20 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. 20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.

Does this world regard you as wise? Become a fool for Christ! What is the apostle telling us here? He is telling us there are two kinds of wisdom. There is the wisdom of this world. This wisdom is recognized by lost men and regarded as the highest form of wisdom. It might be called philosophy and science. Now there is nothing wrong with a love of wisdom and a study of real science, but where is the source of the wisdom that you regard? Worldly wisdom has its beginning in one of two places. It either originates with man or with Satan.

James describes this wisdom: James 3:15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

God sees the wisdom of this world as foolishness! Many think that wisdom can be attained by seeking within. These think the mind is the highest court in the land. They think they can 'put their heads together and figure out the universe'. For these, truth is what we make it out to be. However, if we seek within ourselves for truth, we are open to self-deception. Let no man deceive himself! God takes the wise in their own craftiness. Like the serpent in the garden, God will not permit devilish wisdom to prevail.

The apostle warned Timothy to beware of so-called science:

1 Timothy 6:20-21 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: 21 Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.

The path of worldly, sensual, devilish wisdom leads to a pitfall. It's the wrong way to go. The thoughts of the worldly wise are vain. They are a waste and of no eternal good. So what thoughts should we be thinking? What is the path to wisdom? The word of God is the path to wisdom.

Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

The world sees the follower of Christ as a fool. So be it! Become a fool for Jesus so you can be wise unto God! Get into the Word of God. It is the record of the true wisdom. Fear God and tremble at his word!

In Christ,

Rody

Of few days and full of trouble

Bible Reading: Genesis 48; Job 14; Luke 1:39-80; 1 Corinthians 2

Job 14:1 Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.

Job's suffering brings out some thinking on life and death. Here he makes a statement that is so real and hard to take. In the larger scope of things, life is short and hard. We only have a few days to live out our lives on earth and many difficulties along the way. This is the result of the curse that God brought upon the earth when Adam sinned. The fact that death is coming for all and that life is filled with difficulty is something every man and woman has dealt with since Adam and Eve. Men fighting thorns and thistles and women facing the sorrow of conception and childbirth are days full of trouble. There is disease, persecution, struggle and trial on every corner.

Job 14:2 He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.

Job here compares life to a flower and a shadow. The beauty of the flower is so easily cut down as something brushes past it. The shadow is so fleeting when you try to grasp it and as soon as the sun moves, it is gone. Life is short and frail.

Job 14:3 And dost thou open thine eyes upon such an one, and bringest me into judgment with thee?

Here Job marvels that the Almighty God is actually watching him. He is also amazed that God is dealing with him seeing that he is so frail. Job knows that he is only a man.

Job 14:4 Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one.

Job shares the common fate of all mankind that he was born sinful. He is flesh and he asks who can bring something clean out of something unclean. His determination is that no one can. However, he is not taking into consideration the Lord Jesus Christ! He touched the unclean lepers and they went away clean. Jesus can give a life that is eternal and without end. He is the only One who can.

Job here is focusing on physical life and it is pretty depressing!

Job 14:5 Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass…

Job knows he has a set number of days and he wonders why God will not just let him live them out and be done. But God is doing something so much bigger! God is showing his keeping power in Job's life. Job gives us a realistic philosophy of life. It is hard, short and limited. There is suffering and pain. But Jesus came that we might have an abundant, eternal life. Jesus became a curse for us so that we might be redeemed. You need to read Job and face the reality of life. Then instead of falling into despair, you need to trust in Jesus for eternal life through him.

In Christ,

Rody

In the same mind

Bible Reading: Genesis 47; Job 13; Luke 1:1-38; 1 Corinthians 1

1 Corinthians 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

What does God want for his church? Here in this verse we see into the heart of God regarding the apostle's plea to a divided church. Paul is begging the church by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. The whole purpose of the letter of 1 Corinthians is to bring the church to oneness in Christ. The church is the bride of Christ and the household of God.

2 Corinthians 11:2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

1 Timothy 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

As such it is imperative that the church be one. Here the apostle says the church must all speak the same thing. He wants their message to be the same no matter who you speak to. When you meet one member of the church you will not hear something different than if you meet another member. God wants us to be speaking the message of Christ with clarity and soundness. Paul is concerned that the doctrine of the church is the same. It only makes sense if we worship the same Lord and believe the same book we will speak the same!

There are to be no divisions among the church. Paul desires for the church to march in lock-step together. As a house that is perfectly joined together with each part interlocking with the others. It is interesting here that the Greek word translated 'speak' is the word lego. Have you ever played with Legos? The pieces interlock together to form a whole. That is the way that we should join together in the church.

This means we have the same mind and the same judgment. How can that be? Because we are all led by the mind of Christ! If we read his Word and feed upon it daily, we will come to think God's thoughts after him. This will bring a oneness to the body. However, if every one of us is going his own way, that will lead to divisions. Keep your eyes on Jesus. He is the leader. Keep the Word of God in your heart and let it affect every decision and every judgment. If we all do this, we will speak the same thing.

In Christ,

Rody

Every Creature

Bible Reading: Genesis 46; Job 12; Mark 16; Romans 16

Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

After Jesus was raised from the dead he met with his disciples and gave them more instructions. Here are some of his last instructions before ascending to heaven. Have you ever thought much about what Jesus said here? Let's look closely at this passage and get instructions for our lives!

Jesus said, "Go ye into al the world." The mission of Jesus is to take the name of Jesus with you as you go. The message of Jesus is not just for one group of people or for one continent. The good news of Jesus Christ is for all people all over the world. Do you take these words seriously? Are you going out with the gospel message?

Jesus said, "Preach the gospel to every creature." We are to preach. That means we are to convey the good news of Jesus to others. They need to know who Jesus is and what he has done! Most people do not know. They know a little something about Jesus, but they do not understand the truth of who Jesus is!

What is the gospel of Jesus Christ?

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.

The good news of Jesus says:

1. Jesus is God.
   

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

1. Jesus was born of a virgin and is fully man and he lived a sinless life.
   

Matthew 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

1 Peter 2:22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth.

1. Jesus Christ died for our sins as a substitutionary sacrifice.
   
2. Jesus is raised from the dead and ascended into heaven.
   

2 Timothy 2:8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel.

1. Jesus Christ is coming again to receive his bride, the church and to judge the unbelieving.
   

1 Thessalonians 1:10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

Every creature on earth needs to hear this message! Will you take the Great Commission seriously? Don't delay and don't delegate this responsibility. We must all go!

In Christ,

Rody

What canst thou know

Bible Reading: Genesis 45; Job 11; Mark 15; Romans 15

Job 11:7-8 Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? 8 It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know?

Zophar, Job's friend did not like the fact that Job wanted to talk with God and discuss what was going on in Job's life. He accused Job of lying and then proceeded to explain that a man cannot find out God. His argument is that the knowledge of God is higher than the heaven and deeper than hell. Could anyone search that far to discover God? Could anyone ascend up to heaven and meet God? Could anyone descend to God to fully understand the immensity of God?

Job knew the answer to this. He knew that he could not directly approach God, but that he needed a mediator. He called him a daysman.

Job 9:32-33 For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, and we should come together in judgment. 33 Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both.

Zophar's argument has been used by many to say that knowledge of God is impossible. However, the Bible actually addresses Zophar's words for us and teaches us how near God really is.

Romans 10:6-9 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) 7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) 8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

The righteousness which is of faith instructs us not to say that we should ascend into heaven. Can we bring Christ down from above? No, but he has come down in the virgin birth when he became flesh and dwelt among us. What about going into the depths of hell to find out about God? No, that is to bring Christ back from the dead. However, he has already been there and is raised from the dead!

The word is nigh thee. Christ is near. We must hear the word preached and believe. God is not far from any one of us if we will hear and believe. Zophar is wrong. God is near and you can know him.

In Christ,

Rody

A changed heart

Bible Reading: Genesis 44; Job 10; Mark 14; Romans 14

Genesis 44:33-34 Now therefore, I pray thee, let thy servant abide instead of the lad a bondman to my lord; and let the lad go up with his brethren. 34 For how shall I go up to my father, and the lad be not with me? lest peradventure I see the evil that shall come on my father.

Can a person change? The answer is, yes, with God's help! Judah was a changed man and Joseph had to know if there was any change in his brothers. When they came walking into his court asking for Egyptian corn, they did not recognize Joseph. They had sold him into the hands of Midianite traders years before and had forgotten him. It had been Judah's idea to sell Joseph as a slave.

Genesis 37:26-27 And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood? 27 Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brethren were content.

Now they were standing in his presence trembling! The famine was so severe in the land of Canaan that Jacob sent them to Egypt to buy corn. Joseph was accusing them of being spies and they did not recognize him. He gave them the grain they wanted, but he made Simeon stay and they were told that the only way they could return is if they brought their youngest brother with them. The brothers recognized that they were guilty of sinning against their brother Joseph and their sin had caught up with them.

Genesis 42:21 And they said one to another, We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us.

When they returned home and told their father he was grieved and said he would not let Benjamin go. However, they soon ran out of food again and had no choice. Jacob allowed Benjamin to go. Joseph set them up by having a special silver cup placed in Benjamin's bag of grain. They headed home and Joseph's servant caught them and accused them of theft. When they opened the bags, the cup was in Benjamin's bag. When they were brought before Joseph they were told he would keep Benjamin as a slave. However, Judah spoke up! He asked for Joseph to take him instead of Benjamin!

He had promised his father that he would bring Benjamin home. He was a different man than he had been. Now he was not just looking out for himself. He was willing to become a slave so that Benjamin could go home. Joseph had not allowed them to know who he was and had put them to a test to see if they were the same. They were not. They had changed. Have you changed? Has the Lord shown you over time the need to be a giver and not a taker? Has Jesus Christ brought the cleansing work of redemption to your soul?

In Christ,

Rody

Love is the fulfilling of the law

Bible Reading: Genesis 43; Job 9; Mark 13; Romans 13

Romans 13:9-10 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

The Ten Commandments can be summed up. Here, the Bible lists for us the last five of the Ten Commandments. These all have to do with personal interactions with other people. The Bible says these can be briefly comprehended in this saying – thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Do you love your neighbor? If you do, you won't steal his wife. You won't kill him or his family. You won't steal his things. You won't lie about him and you won't covet his things.

The Ten Commandments are all thou shalt not's. The law of love is a 'thou shall'. Love is the law by which the follower of Jesus lives. Love is an active thing. It is real and tangible. It is not necessarily a feeling. Love is a verb. We are indebted to our neighbors to love them!

Romans 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

We owe the debt of love because we are to obey our Father. Do you remember what Jesus told the disciples that heard him preach the Sermon on the Mount?

Matthew 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

The Pharisees were all about keeping the law; however they had no idea what it meant to love. Their law-keeping was all about dos and don'ts; it was not about people and a relationship with God.

Jesus completely fulfilled the law.

Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Love fulfills the law. Jesus showed us the love of God in a real, tangible way. He died for us. He did something for us that we cannot do for ourselves. He laid down his life for his friends.

Will you indebt yourself to others? Will you live a life of walking in love? The Bible tells us to love God; love one another within the church; to love our wives; to love our husbands; to love our children; to love our neighbor; and to love our enemies. The life of Christ is a life of love.

IN Christ,

Rody

Overcome evil with good

Bible Reading: Genesis 42; Job 8; Mark 12; Romans 12

Romans 12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

The natural inclination is to return injury for injury. Vengeance comes easily to us. It is associated with our sense of fair and right. We want for people to treat us fair. When they do not, we want them to be punished. We want them to make it right. However, if we are not careful, we will find ourselves to be as bad as or worse than the person who wronged us. Not long ago, two of my children were fussing and fighting with each other. They both came to me crying. One had hit the other. "Why did you hit?" I asked. The answer – "because he hit me." As adults we can fall into the same trap and even think that we are justified because of the wrong done to us. However, God's word says:

Romans 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

That is a plain and straightforward command. We are not to avenge ourselves. However, we are to trust that God will deal with the situation. He tells us that vengeance belongs to him and the person will be repaid. When we take out vengeance, it is vigilante justice. We take the law into our own hands and do what we 'think' needs to be done. However, God is the righteous judge. He will repay appropriately. He knows the heart and the motives.

So what are we to do when wronged?

Romans 12:20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

This is how you overcome evil with good. You live by the royal law of the golden rule.

Matthew 7:12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

We must trust Jesus and live the life he has instructed us to live.

Luke 6:27-28 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, 28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.

When you lash out in vengeance, you are treating someone as you would NOT want to be treated. That is a violation of God's command! That is sin.

1 Peter 3:9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

God's word tells us that we can overcome evil with good. To do this, we must overcome by faith as we believe what God has said in his word. Will you trust vengeance to God alone? Will you treat others as you want to be treated? You will walk with Jesus if you do!

In Christ,

Rody

Of Him and Through Him and To Him

Bible Reading: Genesis 41; Job 7; Mark 11; Romans 11

Romans 11:34-36 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counseller? 35 Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? 36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

If God did not reveal his mind to us, would we ever know what he was thinking? NO WAY! Just think of the plan of God for our salvation! This is proof that man on his own would NEVER dream up something as simple and yet as scandalizing as the fact that God would give his only begotten son, Jesus Christ to die for our sins and resurrect him from the dead. The world's false religions are proof of this – none of them even come close to the truth of a substitionary, sinless sacrifice made by God on man's behalf.

Who can give counsel to the Lord? Could we actually tell the Lord what he ought to do? Could we actually inform the Lord of something he does not know? Could we actually give God something that he would need to repay us? No, God is the giver; we are receivers!

God is the initiator: OF HIM. That which is of God comes from God. God created the world and everything in it. He made man and gave us his Word to reveal the part of his mind that he wants us to know and understand.

God is the enabler: THROUGH HIM. The only way that we can carry out his divine directives is through him. He must enable us to do what he has called us to do.

God is the purpose: TO HIM. We do what we do for the glory of God.

A walk with Christ goes in this order. Every act of faith and obedience moves in this direction. Let's take love for example:

God initiates love. OF HIM.

1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

God enables love. THROUGH HIM.

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

The glory of God is the purpose of love. TO HIM.

1 John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.

Love comes FROM God and is enabled in us by the indwelling and filling of God, the Holy Spirit. We love THROUGH God. Then we are able to return love TO God.

Prayer is the same. We read the Word and understand the mind of God. This is the will OF GOD. Then we are enabled THROUGH GOD to pray by the Holy Spirit. Our prayer then goes TO GOD who answers according to his will.

God initiates; God enables; God is glorified!

In Christ,

Rody

Receive as a little child

Bible Reading: Genesis 40; Job 6; Mark 10; Romans 10

Mark 10:15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.

Jesus' words cannot be clearer, but what did he mean? People were bringing their children to Jesus so he could bless them and the disciples rebuked them. I suppose they thought that Jesus should not be bothered with all these little children.

Mark 10:14 But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

He used this instance to teach a very important truth regarding the kingdom of God. The kingdom is made up of children. Jesus is teaching us some VERY important things about salvation and the kingdom of God.

1. Of such is the kingdom of God. The kingdom of heaven is made up of children. When we are born again, we become children of God. We need milk to grow on and we are called to mature and to grow in Christ-likeness.
   
2. We receive the kingdom of God. A little child cannot obtain for themselves. They rely heavily on parents and older siblings to help them. They receive the things they need. They are helped with their food, their bath, their toys, and every aspect of life. Many are trying to achieve the kingdom of God by their works. They want to do something good to commend themselves to God. This is not the attitude of a child. Children receive, they do not achieve.
   
3. We receive the kingdom as a little child. Children believe what their parents tell them. They trust those who love them and take care of them. We must trust Jesus and believe his word. Our loving heavenly Father has given us his word.
   

Romans 4:4-5 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

There are many who would make God their debtor. They are trying to earn the kingdom of God by their righteousness. Jesus says these will not enter therein. The kingdom goes to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly!

In Christ,

Rody

Cast into the sea

Bible Reading: Genesis 39; Job 5; Mark 9; Romans 9

Mark 9:42 And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.

Do the decisions that you and I make have an effect in the lives of others? Jesus says they do. He warns in this passage of scripture that offenses to little ones that believe in him are a big thing with God. The Greek word translated offend is skandalizo. Can you hear the root of our word scandal in that word? When we live the life of following Christ, there are others that are watching. God has designed that discipleship take place by allowing younger Christians to observe and learn from older Christians.

Titus 2:2-6 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. 3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. 6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.

When a young believer is growing in their faith, they want godly examples to learn from. They watch the lives of others. Just as a young apprentice watches the master craftsman work and then imitates what he sees, so a young disciple imitates the lives of older brothers and sisters in Christ. This is an integral part of church and family life. God wants little children to grow up in a family where they can learn from their parents, grandparents and older brothers and sisters. Think of it for a minute. How does a child learn to talk? Unless they have a speech impediment they learn by imitation within their home. They develop the language, dialect and accent of their parents. This is the way a Christian grows.

Now Jesus says to be an offense or scandal to a growing believer is a serious sin. In fact it is so serious that to have a millstone tied around your neck and cast into the sea would be a better thing! This is extremely strong language from our Lord! He is telling us that discipleship is very important to him. If we are a stumbling block, we are worthless. Would you look around and ask the Lord what your example in this life is like? Would you allow his Spirit to lead you into all truth? Would you walk in a manner that leads others to him?

Little ones are watching. What are you showing them by your life?

In Christ,

Rody

Why died I not from the womb

Bible Reading: Genesis 38; Job 4; Mark 8; Romans 8

Job 3:11 Why died I not from the womb? why did I not give up the ghost when I came out of the belly?

Job in his suffering wished for death. He even bemoaned the day he was born. He wished that he could have simply been born and died before he was able to nurse. Have you ever wondered what happens to babies when they die? Christians have many different beliefs on this. Some hurriedly pour some water on their heads thinking this will cleanse them of original sin. This is an error perpetuated by Roman Catholicism. Some live in fear until they trust in Christ thinking if they die they will go to hell. Let's see what Scripture says.

Here are some of Job's conclusions about his state had he died as a baby.

Job 3:13-14 For now should I have lain still and been quiet, I should have slept: then had I been at rest, 14 With kings and counsellers of the earth, which built desolate places for themselves;

Job says he would have been quiet and been at rest with kings and counselors of the earth.

Job 3:15-16 Or with princes that had gold, who filled their houses with silver: 16 Or as an hidden untimely birth I had not been; as infants which never saw light.

The still born infant and the prince will both be there.

Job 3:17-19 There the wicked cease from troubling; and there the weary be at rest. 18 There the prisoners rest together; they hear not the voice of the oppressor. 19 The small and great are there; and the servant is free from his master.

Here Job does bring in the wicked in the place of the dead. They will be in Hades while the righteous would have gone into Abraham's bosom.

Job 3:20-22 Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery, and life unto the bitter in soul; 21 Which long for death, but it cometh not; and dig for it more than for hid treasures; 22 Which rejoice exceedingly, and are glad, when they can find the grave?

Why would Job talk of rejoicing when a man finds the grave if he knew that a baby would go to hell? Why would he wish to be like an infant that only lived a few days or a stillborn child? He believed the same thing David did about infant death. When David's baby died, he knew that he would go to be with the child.

2 Samuel 12:23 But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.

Take heart if you have lost a little one. Jesus said: Matthew 19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

In Christ,

Rody

 

I had not known sin but by the law

Bible Reading: Genesis 37; Job 3; Mark 7; Romans 7

Romans 7:7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

Of course God's law is not sin. The Bible here tells us that Paul would not have known what sin was except by the law. When he read the Ten Commandments that say, "Thou shalt not covet," he realized what lust was. This is the purpose of God's law. It shows us how sinful we really are.

Romans 7:8-10 But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead. 9 For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. 10 And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.

When Paul read that commandment, he wanted to obey it because he knew it to be God's word. However, he found that sin in him was stirred up to all manner of lust. If there is no law, sin is dead. But when the law is known, the sin within is stirred up. We are such rebels that we don't want to be told what to do. God's law shows us the sin within much like a thermometer shows us the internal temperature of our bodies. The law kills us because we realize that we cannot keep the law.

It is like putting a small child in a room with a nice vase sitting on a coffee table. The child is playing quietly with her toys until you point to the vase and say, "Don't touch this." Now the sin within is stirred up by your law and the desire to touch that vase is incredible. It is not your law that is bad, but the sin within the child. When I go to eat Mexican food and the waitress tells me the plate is hot, I have this desire to touch that plate and prove how hot it really is! If she didn't say it, I probably wouldn't feel the need to touch the plate!

Romans 7:13 Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.

God's law is a good thing because it shows us the condition of our sinful hearts. We do not get upset at the thermometer when it shows we have a fever. God's law is holy and it points out the condition of your heat so you can run to Jesus Christ and trust in his finished work of redemption on the cross. The law can't save you; it shows your need for Jesus!

In Christ,

Rody

Speaking as a foolish woman

Bible Reading: Genesis 35-36; Job 2; Mark 6; Romans 6

Job 2:9-10 Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. 10 But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.

What do foolish women speak like? Job rebuked his wife for her advice saying she spoke as one of the foolish women. She was devastated by the news of her children, no doubt! Satan had been allowed to destroy them all with a great wind that collapsed the house where they were gathered. She also watched as her husband was stricken with a terrible disease that made him to break out with boils all over his body. Her reaction at this point was to ask Job a question:

Dost thou still retain thine integrity? Can you hear what she is saying? Basically it is something like this: Job, you have served God faithfully for all these years. You have always been very careful to give him praise and honor. You have never cheated anyone in business. You have been fair and just in your dealings. You have been kind to me and graceful with the children. You have raised them to worship the Lord. You have interceded for them faithfully all these years. Yet, God allows all this to happen to you. It didn't work Job. God does not reward your integrity and faith. He is not worthy of your worship. Give up, Job! Curse God and die.

Everyone thought Job served God for what he could get. This is exactly what Satan thought:

Job 1:9-11 Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? 10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. 11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.

Job 2:4-5 And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. 5 But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.

But they were wrong! Job did not serve God for what he could get in return. Job loved God when it was good and when it was bad.

Job 1:20-22 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, 21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. 22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.

When you agree with Satan and charge God with wrong, you speak as a foolish woman!

In Christ,

Rody

Dinah defiled

Bible Reading: Genesis 34; Job 1; Mark 5; Romans 5

Genesis 34:1-2 And Dinah the daughter of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land. 2 And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her, he took her, and lay with her, and defiled her.

Rape is a reality for young women. Unfortunately, here scripture is very honest with us and tells us what happened to the sister of Jacob's sons. Notice that the Bible tells us that she went to see the daughters of the land. Unprotected, Leah was with the daughters of the Canaanites. During her time out, Shechem the Hivite saw her. The Bible tells us he was a prince of the country. His father was Hamor the king of the land. As royalty, he was probably used to having whatever he wanted. Here was undoubtedly a beautiful young lady that was a Hebrew. Not only was she fair, but she was a novelty, being a stranger to the land. This young man took her apparently by force and he lay with her. The Bible tells us he defiled her.

When the sons of Jacob hear the news they were very upset:

Genesis 34:7 And the sons of Jacob came out of the field when they heard it: and the men were grieved, and they were very wroth, because he had wrought folly in Israel in lying with Jacob's daughter; which thing ought not to be done.

This thing ought not to be done! Knowing that they were greatly outnumbered, the sons of Israel concoct a plan that will give them the advantage and they killed all the males of the city. This thing ought not to be done either! Their vengeance was over zealous. Their justification for their deed was:

Genesis 34:31 And they said, Should he deal with our sister as with an harlot?

Here is the lesson to be learned by the daughter of Leah. It is better to protect a daughter before something terrible like this happens than to try and 'fix' it afterward. Why was Dinah out among a heathen people unprotected in the first place? Where were her parents? Where were her brothers?

This reminds me of college. At the university I attended, there was a van that drove around the campus all night long. It had a light on top and we all called it the 'rape van'. The purpose was for an unprotected woman to have a ride across a dark campus. I am sure it was instituted because of the rapes that occurred on the campus. Fathers and mothers don't let your daughters be like Dinah. Don't send them out among the daughters of the land unprotected because there are men like Shechem out there.

In Christ,

Rody

What saith the scripture

Bible Reading: Genesis 33; Esther 9 & 10; Mark 4; Romans 4

Romans 4:3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

The scripture is sufficient! We have all that we need in God's Word! The apostle here is proving that we are justified by grace alone through faith alone. He takes us to the life of Abraham and points out:

Romans 4:2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.

The Bible is Paul's source book for doctrine. He is helping us to understand that God worked in the life of Abraham in a way that he will work in our lives if we will believe him like Abraham did! God made Abraham a promise. Abraham believed that promise and God counted Abraham's faith for righteousness. Think of what this means. Abraham did not have a righteousness of his own, but righteousness was imputed to him. God GAVE Abraham righteousness.

Paul realized this in his own life. Listen to his confession:

Philippians 3:4-6 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: 5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

Paul had tried to ATTAIN righteousness through religious observance of the Law of Moses. However, when he realized who Christ was this is what he said:

Philippians 3:7-9 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.

Paul counted all his religious observance to be loss for the sake of having a relationship with Jesus Christ. He realized his own righteousness was not enough. He discovered a righteousness that comes by faith in Jesus Christ. Paul discovered this when he met Jesus Christ and then he went back to the scripture he knew so well and saw that it was there all along. Abraham did not work for his righteousness. He believed God and was counted righteous. What about you? Are you trying real hard to produce righteousness by keeping some sort of law? Do you know Jesus? Has he transformed your life by the realization that on your best day your righteousness is like a filthy rag before the Lord? Are you believing God and receiving a righteousness that is by faith?

What saith the scripture?

In Christ,

Rody