288th Week, Job Chapters 40-42 (Click on Title for Video Introduction)

Click on Title for Video Intro

Monday, Job Chapter 40

Job 40

Verse 4

Jane Jones

Verse 4:  “I am unworthy — how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth.”

THOUGHT

Throughout this time of suffering, Job longed to have an opportunity to plead his innocence before God. Here God appeared to Job and gave him that opportunity. But Job decided to remain quiet because it was no longer necessary for him to speak. God had shown Job that as a limited human being, he had neither the ability to judge the God who created the universe nor the right to ask why God’s actions do not depend on ours. He will do what he knows is best regardless of what we think is fair.

Salt Shakers, please accept my apologies if I offend anyone when I say this. “It is time for the book of Job to be over.”  I think the thing that bothers me the most about the book of Job is that it all started with the allowance from God to Satan to tempt Job. Satan was allowed to destroy Job’s everything, and from beginning to end, Job trusted God. What if Job knew this?? Yes, there were periods where people invaded Job’s life and tried to convince him of things done wrong.  Yet in the end, Job is realizing once again his total trust in God.

It upsets me that this is the only time God allowed this, yet God still got upset with Job. I know in the end God allowed this for a reason. We are to emulate Job. Was it necessary for God to let Satan tempt him so much?  The answer I’m sure is yes. I just question it a little. Job stood the test of time even when Satan was invading his life for quite some time. Could I stand the test? Could you stand the test? Maybe God learned His lesson as well through all of this.

PRAYER

Lord, it is easy to think that we have all the answers. In reality, only God knows exactly why things happen as they do, as we must submit to Him as our Sovereign. Please give each of the Salt Shakers the will, the trust, and the hope to do so.  In the Name of Jesus.  AMEN

Tuesday, Job chapter 41

Job 41

Verse 11

Jane Jones

Verse 11:  Who has a claim against me that I must pay? Everything under heaven belongs to me.

THOUGHT

Chapter 41 in the book of Job makes us realize that it is foolish for people to think they can stand up against God when they are afraid to confront even a crocodile. How much more powerful is God?! It is better to submit to God’s loving authority than to face His wrath.

God’s authority and wrath are very powerful. Jesus comes to us as a friend, a counsellor, someone who would not break a bent reed. May we experience both the magnitude of the power of God and the quiet presence of Jesus.  Be still and know.

PRAYER

Lord, as we come to You through Your Son Jesus Christ, may we learn to recognize and not fear Satan’s attacks because Satan cannot exceed the limits that God sets.  Forgive me when I questioned the limits set on the life of Job. Though we can’t control how Satan may attack, we can always choose how to respond when it happens.  Forgive us, Lord, of our doubtful hearts.  AMEN

Wednesday, Job Chapter 42

Job 42

Verse 2

Jane Jones

Verse 2:  I know that you can do all things.

THOUGHT

We all know that trees snap like toothpicks or fly upward, wrenched from the earth.  We all know that whole rooftops sail, cars tumble like toys, walls collapse, and a mountain of water jumps the shore and engulfs the land. A hurricane cuts and tears and only solid foundations survive her anger. But those foundations can be used for rebuilding after the storm.

For any building, a foundation is critical. It must be deep enough and solid enough to withstand the weight of the building amid the quality of their foundation will determine the quality of the whole. Too often inferior materials are used, and when tests come, lives crumble.

Job was tested, Salt Shakers. With a life filled with prestige, possessions, and people, he was suddenly assaulted on every side, devastated, stripped down to his foundation.  But his life was built on God, and he endured.

It is easy to think that we have the answers. In reality only God knows exactly why things happen as they do. We must submit to Him. May we work hard to emulate Job and decide to trust God no matter what happens. Here’s to life with God, for with Him there is hope and a future.

PRAYER

Father, thank You for guiding us through the book of Job.  Help us keep our focus on You when problems arise in our lives.  We pray for the armor of the Lord to protect us from the evil one.  Bless each of the Salt Shakers as we begin a new book to study and become closer to the Lord.  In the Name of Jesus.  AMEN

Thursday, Philemon Intro

Philemon 

Introduction 

Delores Little

THOUGHT

Paul was in Rome when Philemon’s slave (Onesimus) ran away. He apparently stole from his master and could have gotten death from this. Onesimus met Paul and through Paul’s Ministry accepted Jesus and became a Christian. 

Paul then wrote this wonderful letter to Philemon to receive his slave back but as a Christian brother. This Book is short, just one chapter, but it truly teaches us much. We were slaves to sin before Christ came and set us free. 

This time of year reminds us just how He came to us down here as a baby fully God and human. Thank our Father for the great love He had for us to do this, to send His only begotten Son, without sin, to take our place later on the cross. 

It is easy to be around believers, but God wants us to reach out and touch the ones who feel unloved, lonely, and forgotten. Ask God to show you where to go and who to speak to, not only now but everyday of our lives and all year long. You see everyday should be Christmas to us - not only that but Thanksgiving and Resurrection Days as well. 

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, we give You the Praise and Glory in how You will use us for the work You have ready for us to do every day. I thank You for the Salt Shakers group and how You are refining us every day into what You want us to be. Help all who are stressed out this time of year. Give them Your peace and joy and may they give You the loads they carry. By taking that from them, may they do what You would have them do at work, home, church, etc. I for one have been so blessed by all the devotions of the Salt Shakers. We ask this in Jesus Name. AMEN 

Friday, Philemon Chapter 1

Philemon 1 

Verse 10

Delores Little

Verse 10: “I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains."

THOUGHT

As I read this book this morning, I noticed things in it I hadn’t before. Paul, of course, was in prison. Did Timothy write this letter for him as he was in prison as well?

Philemon held church in his home. There were prayers of Thanksgiving. In verse 9 Paul reflects that he may be an old man, but that he is a prisoner of Christ Jesus, not a prisoner of the Romans. 

Paul calls Onesimus, son. I can relate to this.  As I have gotten older, I look to my brothers and sisters, my children, my grandchildren, as sons and daughters in Christ Jesus.

Paul shares in verse 11 that Onesimus was useless because he stole from his master, Philemon. But now Onesimus has become useful to both Philemon and to Paul. This slave had such a ‘heart charge’ from Paul talking to him about the good news of Jesus, that Paul encouraged Philemon to take Onesimus back.

In verse 21, "Confident of your obedience in Christ, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask." Paul had confidence in Philemon to do Paul’s request. He asked Philemon to prepare a guest room for Onesimus, because he hoped Philemon would restore his relationship with Onesimus.  This would be an answer to prayer. I don’t think Paul ever got to go back to see if this came true, as he was killed by the Romans. However, if I were banking on the love of Jesus, I believe that the request came true.

This truly is a beautiful book to read and think about. It shows us what we need to do - share the story of Jesus so that we too can have people experience a ‘heart charge’.

PRAYER

Father God, forgive us of our sins and help us be all You would have us to be. Bless everyone this Christmas season, with love, peace, joy, and fill them up with the hope from You. AMEN