286th Week, Job 30-34 (Click on Title for Video Introduction)

 

Click on Title for Video Intro

Monday, Job Chapter 30

Job 30

Verse 1 & 16

Jeanie Boldt

Verse 1: It begins, but now... 

Verse 16:  And now... 

THOUGHT

I am just about filled to the brim with Job and his statements about how the Lord had mistreated him and all the sufferings he has been through already. His friends mock him (verses 1-15), his body hurts him (verses 16-19), his God has deserted him (verses 20-23), and his hope has fled from him 

(verses 24-31). He cannot return to the past, endure the present, or face the future!!!

Have you ever been in a place that your circumstances led you to join Job in the “dust and ashes”? I am sure we have all experienced real LOW times in our lives. When I was single after the divorce, I felt so alone and deserted. It is times like these that we must remember that the Lord Jesus once was there and knows how you feel. He is adequate for your yesterdays and tomorrows as well as your todays.

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Do not just remember your past challenges and past enjoyments; also remember God’s past mercies and trust Him for the future.

Psalm 77:1 I cried out to God for help;

I cried out to God to hear me.

Psalm 77:13   Your ways, O God, are holy.

What god is as great as our God?

PRAYER

Father God, I am so glad that we have You to keep our eyes on for these present days and for future ones we have yet to see. Help us grow from our past and find peace and comfort in where we have come from. Thank You for this family and the love they share. In The Name of Jesus.  AMEN

Tuesday, Job Chapter 31

Job 31

Jeanie Boldt

Verses:  Do you believe that over 20 verses begin with “If I”, “For I’, “For my”, “Because I”?

THOUGHT

The words of Job are ended. I am glad. Does anyone else feel Job’s pride getting the best of him? As he concluded his final defense, Job named specific sins and denied that he had committed them. Would you ever conclude your prayer at night with a list of sins that you did not do that day? I pray that we would not. I pray for words of forgiveness and then direction where we could be better lights or Salt Shakers in the world. Job knew that God watched him, and he was not afraid to speak. He wanted more than anything else for God to speak and either accuse him or defend him. (Verse 35: Let the Almighty answer me).

The chapter helps us take an inventory of our spiritual life. Do you have eyes that wander or feet that move deceitfully? Has lust been fulfilled in overt sin? Have you treated others as God wants them treated? Have you coveted wealth or been proud of what you possess? How do you respond to the suffering of an enemy or the needs of a stranger? Are you a faithful steward of the natural resources God gives?

Job has seen himself and is satisfied. It is my prayer that we may never be satisfied. I pray that we would see that there is always going to be someone else to help, another offering that needs our extra cash more than we, jealousy that can always be worked on, pride that needs to be lessened, lust that needs to be corrected and all the encompassing sins we struggle with each and every day that we need to have forgiven.

Job thinks he is doing OK, but he has not yet seen God. When he does, he will change his opinion of himself and get started on the road to victory. Do you daily speak to God and keep Him as a number one priority for your day?

PRAYER

Our ever powerful God of Gods who is the One and Only, may we always seek forgiveness of the sins we do on a daily basis. I pray that we would not feel like we need praise from You for the sins that we are fortunate to have won the struggle with that day. We just want to love You with our whole hearts and soul and enjoy the love that You have for us. I pray that we would not become so consumed with the guilt in our lives that we forget the love and joy that we can enjoy and the gift to share it with others. Thank You for this study and the JOY of family.  In The Name of Jesus.  AMEN

Wednesday, Job Chapter 32

Job 32

Verse 8

Jeanie Boldt

Verse 8:  But it is the spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty, that gives him understanding.

THOUGHT

H0000000000000-RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!! for Elihu. I was afraid that this book of the Bible might never end. It is like the hero showed up. Elihu was younger than the other three friends and perhaps waited in the back ground. He was polite with his patience and kind in his speaking but he was an angry young man. He was angry with Job for accusing God and with the three friends for failing to convince Job of his sins. Eilhu agreed with their view that Job was a sinner, but he disagreed with their arguments. We must beware when our speech is motivated by self-righteous anger.

Elihu said Job’s suffering would not go away until he realized his present sin. He maintained that Job wasn’t suffering because of sin. He was sinning because of suffering. (That’s what he said, and he is stickin’ to it!!) Elihu pointed out that Job’s attitude had become arrogant as he tried to defend his innocence. Elihu also said that suffering is not meant to punish us as much as it is meant to correct and restore us, to keep us on the right path.

I loved the verse that I chose because it again conveys that we can know all the laws and rules in the Bible and in our church confirmation and catechism book, but if we do not have the Love of Jesus in our heart and a personal, close relationship with Him, we have not learned a thing.  “It is the Spirit in a Man, the breath of the Almighty, that gives him understanding.”

Even though Elihu was wise and young and had the Spirit of God in him, he was still incomplete. For the TRUTH is that often the best human answers are incomplete because we do not have all the facts nor know God’s plan.

PRAYER

Father in Heaven, You know it all!!! Help us to take our pride and arrogance and bury it deeply with prayer and time in the Word. May the Love of Jesus in our Heart motivate us and direct us in the right direction for our daily walk. Help us discern those who want to lead but yet have no personal direction from You. May we be strong so that we do not SIN when we SUFFER!!!! 

In the Name of the God who is the One and Only. AMEN

Thursday, Job Chapter 33

Job 33

Verse 14

Jeanie Boldt

Verse 14:  For God does speak, now one way, now another, though man may not perceive it.

THOUGHT

Job was looking for an answer from the Lord. If God were to answer all our questions, we would not be adequately tested. What if God had said, “Job, Satan’s going to test you and afflict you, but in the end you’ll be healed and get everything back.”?  Job’s greatest test was not the pain, but that he did not know why he was suffering. Our greatest test may be that we must trust God’s goodness even though we don’t understand why our lives are going a certain way. We must learn to trust in God who is good and not in the goodness of life.

We all pray prayers for the Will of the Lord in our lives and ask for guidance and for God to give us discernment. It is then our responsibility to watch for the Lord to answer, and when He does, give Him shouts of praise even though the answer sometimes is not really what we thought it should be. I look back over Tanya and Alan’s last year. Oh my goodness, the prayers we prayed and the fasting we did. Tanya would call upset at times and wonder where God’s plan is in all of this. Our actions should be to Praise no matter what the circumstance for if we are in the Will of the Lord we are right where we should be. It sure is easier to say than to actually live and do. However, let’s remember, “His Grace is Sufficient” no matter what the situation.

Salt Shakers, be awake and alert for the Lord to use the following ways to speak to you:  His Word, dreams, through other people, pain, natural disasters or harmful emergencies, events (many just happen stance), trips, songs and even just silence. Do any of you have such an experience to talk about and share? I never dream - but the Lord gave me one only a few weeks before I married Rory. It was an awesome dream that set me free and spoke the truth. Thank You, Father!!! BE ALERT!!!!!

PRAYER

Father, thank You for hearing our prayers. Help us to seek You no matter if we are in the deepest of depths or highest of heights. We know You hear and will listen to our joys and concerns.  You know how each of us will listen. Keep us open and alive to Your Will in our lives. May we seek and find You and not question You. We ask for dai1y situations where we feel Your presence and leading. Help us to pray constantly and look for You no matter where we are. You are our God, and we ask for Your direction. AMEN

Friday, Job Chapter 34

Job 34

Verse 21

Jeanie Boldt

Verse 21:  “His eyes are on the ways of men; He sees their every step."

THOUGHT

The chapter was filled again with speeches from Elihu whose speeches were harsh and unkind. He was too sure of himself and kept reminding Job and his friends to listen to him. It was the same old argument; God is just and therefore cannot be accused of sin or partiality. God sees all we do and judges sin righteously.

Do you think about your actions at times? Do you think about doing it the way the Lord would want you to but decide against it? You reason that God won’t mind this time. You may believe that he didn’t see you write the check to the church for a little less than 10%. He knows that you took a different way to your church pew so that you didn’t have to speak to the older lady who talks very loud because she can’t hear. Do you think God knows that you chose a cheaper child’s coat for the clothing drive than one that you would have bought for your own grandchild?

We can hide nothing from our God!!! All of our actions are known by Him. It is that Holy Spirit that needs to lead us in our actions through faith. FAITH pleases God - pure and simple. Just as is written in Heb. 11:6 “Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He is who He says He is, and that He rewards those who EARNESTLY SEEK HIM.”

God’s pleasure is the end. Our faith is the means. You and I are invited to believe God at all times for He sees our every action. There is no hiding.

PRAYER

We Salt Shakers ask for a heart and mind to diligently see You each and every day and not try to hide from You or cover up a sin. Father God, we realize that Your primary purpose in creating us was to have an active relationship with us. Help us seek You out daily. May all of our actions be of You. Help us to be kind and equal to all.  For we know that when we fail to help another, we are hurting You.  You are an awesome God. AMEN