A BIT OF ELIPHAZ IN THE MORNING!

Friday, August 9, 2019

Enjoy today’s fresh “classic”

A BIT OF ELIPHAZ IN THE MORNING!

Who or what is an Eliphaz? Well, Eliphaz was one of Job’s “cruddy buddies” who came to watch him suffer all his mysterious troubles. All of Job’s friends came to evaluate why Job was having so many disasters in his life. Each one gave his opinion. It seems that if a man talks long enough, he may say something of value. Let’s see the wonderful advice of Eliphaz.

Job 5:8-9

8 I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause:

9 Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvelous things without number:

With his chin in his hand and a scowl on his face, Eliphaz says that when all is said and done the best course of action is to commit your cause to God. If you have sinned God will surely let you know about it and you then have a chance to repent and receive forgiveness and restoration. If you haven’t then you can sue for understanding or relief. God does some mighty fine things. His works are “unsearchable” which means you can’t figure them out. God does some things that absolutely are contrary to the natural laws that He himself has set up! Yes sir! I would make my appeal to God.

There are FOUR THINGS that demonstrate the trustworthiness of God.

I. GOD’S LOVE

God is love! Love is an essential element of His very nature. He is love and all love proceeds from him. It naturally follows that His responses to my petitions will be based upon that love.

1 John 4:16

16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

II. GOD’S TRUTH

A lie is told to deceive and that is simply NOT how God does business. Fear does not prompt Him to lie in order to protect himself as lying often serves us. Ambition does not prompt Him to lie to so that he might gain something He could not get otherwise. God cannot lie because of His nature and DOES NOT lie because there is no need to do so. We can trust Him. He will not deceive us.

Titus 1:2

2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

III. GOD’S ABILITY

We can’t even begin a discussion about the capacity of God. His rich supply exists outside any container made for it. He is able to do exceeding and abundantly more than we could ever ask or think. (Eph. 3:20)

IV. GOD’S CONSTANCY

God does not change. He promised never to leave us or to forsake us. Over and over He promised to be with us always. Like the air – He is always there! Look at the following verses.

Ps 139:7-10

7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?

8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.

9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;

10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

So Eliphaz was right when he said that the best course of action was to simply “seek unto God” and make your appeal to Him.

Dear Lord, whatever this day may hold for me is already in your mighty hands. I submit my cause and my course unto Thee. AMEN

PRAYING FOR GOD’S GUIDANCE!

Thursday, August 8, 2019

PRAYING FOR GOD’S GUIDANCE!

Prov 3:5-6

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

           Often we feel confused regarding the right path to pursue. Circumstances are conflicting and there seems to be no clear opening for progress or even for escape. We feel stuck and we cry out for rescue. Is there a PROCESS by which we can determine God’s leading? Let me suggest a few things from our text.

           First, we see that a whole-hearted trust in the character and benevolence of God forms the foundation of our confidence. If we can’t or won’t trust God then how can we expect to receive guidance from Him? If He shows us the way, our doubts will prevent us from following. We must trust.

           Next, we see that we must set aside, or at least discount, our own human wisdom. Certainly, God has given each of us a measure of intelligence,  and He expects us to use it, but we are warned against leaning completely on what seems right to us. We are often wrong and God’s ways are not our ways. Miracles are not reasonable or logical. That’s what makes them miraculous.

           Moreover, we are urged to develop and maintain a lifestyle that acknowledges God. In simple terms, we must not live a life ashamed of our faith. We need not flaunt it, but neither should we deny it. Just acknowledge Him always. “Yes, I’m a Christian. Thanks for asking!”

           The combination of firm trust, a proper evaluation of our reasoning, and an openly Christian lifestyle equips us for the guidance we need.

Dear Lord, there are so many choices and decisions available to me today. Help me trust your heart and question my intellect. Let me not be ashamed of you ever. Guide me in your way. AMEN

THE GOD OF SUMMER!

Wednesday, August 7, 2019

THE GOD OF SUMMER!

Rev 3:14-16

14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

James 1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

Why are so many professing believers yet undecided regarding their Christianity? Christ was passionate and resolute but the people of this Laodicean age are lackadaisical. Each one seems to be two kinds of people and you can never be certain which you are dealing with.

Narcissism is the primary cause of this.

1.     Our culture of rapid change and easy access to everything has produced a restless desire for some unknown thrill or satisfaction. Like Goldilocks we keep sampling the porridge but can never find a bowl that is “just right.”

2.     We insist on deciding for ourselves what is right or wrong without boundaries or accountability.

3.     We have a lust for supremacy and applause that ruins all our relationships because we are always manipulating others to benefit ourselves.

4.     Everything in our life passes through the “me” filter. 

Contentment and purity are desperately needed.

1. A quiet spirit! We must learn to give to each task our very best effort and then leave the results in God’s hands. The conventional method results in nervous anxiety and a complaining spirit.

1 Thess 4:11-12…study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;

12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.

2. Real purity inside and out! We must choose to live our lives unsullied by the filthiness that surrounds us in the world.

1 Tim 5:22

22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure [innocent or modest].

3. Simplicity! which is " freedom,… [bringing] joy and balance. [But] because we lack a divine Center, our need for security has led us into an insane attachment to things… " – Celebration of Freedom by Richard Foster.

4. Thrift!  Placing boundaries around our appetites will build self-discipline and character.

John 6:12

12 When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.

5. Modesty! The word is only used once and is found in 1 Timothy 2:9 and means “orderly or decorous.” Today it has come to mean a manner of dress and deportment that does not entice or lead to lustfulness.

6. Passion! Ours is an age absolutely defined by the word “casual.” Unfortunately we have allowed informality to modify quality. A lack of quality in preparation hinders performance in every area. Choir members do not practice. Sunday school teachers do not study. Buildings and facilities are not well maintained. The result is a haphazard presentation of an urgently needed gospel.

Dear Father, I’m sure in many ways my behavior just wears you out! Forgive me for my Laodicean lukewarmness and make me palatable to Thee. AMEN