GOD'S STAFF MEETINGS

There are some strong similarities between Job 1 and Job 2. 

Apparently, God had periodic staff meetings (1:6, 2:1) in which He heard reports and gave assignments.  In both of these instances, Satan appears at these meetings. 

In the first, God asks him what he has been doing.  Satan reports that he’s been roaming the earth, observing its inhabitants.

God asks if he has checked out Job and then declares him to be “unlike any other person on the whole earth” because of his character and integrity.

It is immediately clear that Satan knows of Job, for he complains that God has put a hedge of protection around him!  We can assume from this that Satan has tried to tempt Job, but was unsuccessful in doing so!  Satan suggests that if this protection was removed, Job would not be so pious.

God then assures Satan that this protection will be removed and that all of Job’s possessions are subject to Satan’s wishes.  However, Satan is not to lay a hand on Job!

Immediately Satan goes to work!  In one day, his flocks and herds are all destroyed or stolen.  Then, in a surprising and devastating move, his seven sons and three daughters are all killed in a tornado! 

Job is devastated, but “tore his robe, shaved his head, and fell to the ground.  Face down, Job sprawled in the dirt to worship…In all of this Job neither sinned nor did he make foolish charges against God.”  [vs.21,22 The Voice]. 

At the beginning of chapter two, God is holding another staff meeting and again Satan appears.  Again, God asks what he has been doing.

Again, Satan explains that he has been roaming the earth and observing its inhabitants.

Ironically, God asks if he’s looked into His faithful servant, Job? 

This time, Satan complains that because God has protected him by preserving his health, he remains true to God. 

So, God grants Satan the opportunity to attack Job’s health – however, he cannot take his life!

Immediately, Job breaks out in sores from head to foot!  He is in agony and scrapes his sores with broken pottery as he sits in the ashes outside of town.  Even his wife suggests that he curse God and die! 

But Job’s response is PRICELESS! 

“Are we to accept the good that comes from God, but not accept the bad?” [2:10 The Voice]. 

It’s at this point that three of Job’s friends [who happen to be from different regions] come to sit with him in

mourning and silence for seven days!

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OBSERVATIONS:

1.    God’s protection is real!  We should pray for it for ourselves and those we love!

2.    Satan’s aggression is real!  He prowls the earth looking for faithful ones to attack!

3.    The faithful stick together encouraging and counseling one another!

4.    If you read the rest of the book, you will see that faithfulness is always rewarded!

GOD NUDGES

Do you ever get God-nudges? 

·         “Speak to that person.”

·         “Stop and help that family.”

·         “Buy that lady’s groceries.”

·         “Call ‘so-and-so’ and see how they’re doing.”

·         “Don’t sit where you always sit.  Today I want you to sit with ‘so-and-so’.”

·         “You’ve got a little money left this month.  It’s not a big amount, but why not give it to ‘so-and-so’?”

·         “Before you get into your day, why not scribble a note to ‘so-and-so’; remember their prayer request on Sunday?”

They’re easy to ignore.  You can always use the excuse that you’re too busy.  You’ve learned from experience that nothing happens if you ignore these God-winks.

EXACTLY!

Nothing happens! 

But what might have happened?

Whose life might have been impacted?

How might your intervention have changed someone’s life?

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I just finished reading the Old Testament book of Jonah [it’s only four short chapters].

Here’s a synopsis:

·         God tells Jonah to go and preach to the people of Ninevah.

·         Jonah boards a ship and goes in the opposite direction.

·         God raises up a massive storm that threatens the ship.

·         When confronted by the crew, Jonah admits that he is the cause because he disobeyed the Eternal One.  He tells them that if they throw him overboard, they’ll all be saved.

·         They delay doing so, but eventually heave him over the side.

·         Immediately, the storm ends and the sailors make sacrifices to the Eternal One!  [Interesting that God uses Job’s rebellion to convert a bunch of sailors!]

·         Jonah goes to Ninevah and tells them to repent or God will destroy their city..

·         The whole city begins to fast and pray – including the king.

·         Job gets angry with God [It’s important to know that the Ninevites were enemies of Israel and had a brutal reputation.]

·         Job camps where he can watch God destroy the city.  When it doesn’t happen – he sulks and God reprimands him.

THE POINT:

God knew that the Ninevites were ripe to turn from their evil ways and follow Him.  He clearly chose Job to be the one to go and preach to them.  Job tried his best to take a pass on this mission!

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When God whispers to us, we almost always fail to realize that God knows things that we don’t know!  He has been working in a person’s life and may want to use us to move them along in their surrender to His way.

But, all-too-often, we are too busy, or distracted, or uncaring, and we simply ignore God’s call.  How sad!  I wonder what we missed?  How many continue to wrestle or struggle because we failed to be obedient? 

How easy it is to shake off these God-appeals!  We never stop to think that God may be moving that person (or group) toward repentance and simply wants to use us to participate in His persuasion!  The very action God asks us to take may be the very thing they need at this instant in time to bring them into a dynamic, resolving, transformative relationship with the King of the Universe! 

But no.  We took a pass because we were too busy.  How sad!

RESOLVE TODAY – RIGHT NOW – THAT NOTHING IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN RESPONDING WITH FAITH AND OBEDIENCE TO THOSE GOD-NUDGES!!!!!!

And when you do, and God accomplishes something through you, I’d LOVE to hear about it!  😉

LETTERS TO THE CHURCH

I just read the second chapter of Revelation.  I read it slowly and aloud – as I often do.  I stopped several times for personal reflection and prayer.

If you don’t know, in Revelation 2&3 the Apostle John is instructed by the living, resurrected Lord, to write letters to seven churches in Asia Minor and to be sure that these letters are delivered to the saints who inhabit these churches.  The letters contain affirmations and condemnations. 

They are detailed and personalized; clearly designed messages intended to affirm and/or purify the seven churches. 

Chapter two includes letters to:

·         Ephesus

·         Smyrna

·         Pergamum

·         Thyatira

Chapter three includes letters to:

·         Sardis

·         Philadelphia

·         Laodicea

Although we don’t know exactly when this letter was written, it is probable that it was written around 95 A.D.  This date is significantly later than all other New Testament writings!  It places the writing of these letters approximately sixty years AFTER the death, resurrection and ascension of our Lord Jesus! 

Imagine the response of these churches when they received these letters from John and found them to be messages directly from the resurrected Lord!  Consider their pride when Jesus affirmed them for their faithfulness.  Ponder their surprise when they realize that the resurrected Lord is watching their church and knows of their transgressions!  What must it have been like for each of these seven churches when they heard these letters read out in public worship! 

The realization that their Lord was distant and living in another realm – yet was still attentive and concerned about their measure of faithfulness to Him and His mission – must have been impacting! 

Now, think about it.

The only difference between 95 A.D. and 2024 A.D. is 1,929 years!    

Jesus is still attentive to His followers and their churches!  He still watches and observes from His position at the right hand of God the Father Almighty!  He’s actively – through His Holy Spirit – guiding and guarding His Church!  He will never cease to care! 

If I might be so bold, I don’t think He cares about our denominational structures or allegiances – actually, I think these break His heart because we’ve become so fractured.  I don’t believe He cares about the quality or size of our structures.  In my way of thinking, I believe He’d be far more pleased if we built churches for those in impoverished environments so that they can continue to carry the gospel to the lost!  I doubt that He’s much interested in the questions we ask for membership or ordination.  I find it hard to believe that He’s concerned about our order of worship. 

If we thoughtfully examine our processes and functions, we might realize that much of what we dedicate our time and effort to is frivolous and a mere distraction from the things that really matter to our Lord. 

Perhaps a time of reflection on the messages in these letters might refocus us on the things that really matter to our risen Lord and Savior.  Here’s a sample of what we might learn:

·         Jesus sees the good things we do from our loving and genuine hearts.  [vs.2,9]

·         Jesus is aware of times that we persevere and refuse to give up on our faith!  [v.3]

·         Our Lord knows when we drift from our first love, and He wants us to change our ways!  [v.4]

·         Jesus reminds us that when we suffer, He sees.  He reveals that some believers will, indeed, suffer greatly; but He encourages us to remain faithful so that we will earn a great reward!  [v.10]

·         He is aware when we suffer under unrighteous and unjust leaders!  Jesus is pleased when we remain faithful and refuse to deny Him!  [v.13]

·         He confronts us when we slip into false teaching or sexual immorality.  He counsels us to change our ways and return to Him!  [vs.14,16]

·         The Lord of the Church is aware of our love, deeds, faithfulness, service and endurance!  [v.19]

·         Christ is not pleased when we tolerate leaders and posers who are immoral and lead others astray.  [v.20]

·         Jesus declares that He will deal with these unrighteous ones and will, thereby, protect His Church!  [vs.22-23]

·         He reminds us that “I am the One who relentlessly explores the mind and heart, and I will deal with each of you as you deserve according to your acts.”  [v.23]

He closes His letter to Pergamum with this challenge!

“Let the person who is able to hear, listen to and follow what the Spirit proclaims to all the churches. To the one who conquers through faithfulness even unto death, I will feed you with hidden manna and give you a white stone. Upon this stone, a new name is engraved. No one knows this name except for its recipient.”

JOB'S EXAMPLE

I’m reading in THE VOICE BIBLE for 2024. 

I get bored easily, so I typically read in five biblical zones to keep my interest high.  If you’re interested, here is my breakdown:

Genesis through Ruth                    236 chapters

I Samuel through Esther                200 chapters

Job through Song of Songs           243 chapters

Isaiah through Malachi                   250 chapters

New Testament                               260 chapters

In the past, I have gradually and systematically read through the Bible reading several chapters a day – using bookmarks to keep me organized.

However, this year I’m exercising even more flexibility by using a chart that I introduced in yesterday’s blog article titled: BIBLE READING TIPS.

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I read the first chapter of Job this morning.  What a remarkable chapter! 

It begins by describing a righteous man who probably lived in the vicinity and time-frame  of Abraham [sixth century B.C.]  He’s prosperous and is wholeheartedly dedicated to living a life that is pleasing to God! 

I’ll share several things from this chapter that I find to be totally astounding.

FIRST

Job illustrates true devotion to his children by continuing to pray for them even in their adulthood. 

His adult children always got together to celebrate special occasions. 

When these days of feasting were through, Job would call all of his family to his own house and purify them, rising up early in the morning to offer burnt sacrifices for each one.

JOB: God, forgive my children for any secret sins or grudges they have against You deep in their hearts. [v.5 VOICE]

This illustrates that our responsibility for our children does not end when they become adults and establish autonomy. 

Job continues to bear concern for the spiritual purity of his children.  He regularly calls them together and intercedes with God Almighty on their behalf!   

His concern is not shallow.  Job knows human nature and our vulnerability toward sin and rebellion.  He can’t bear to see his children drift from the divine purposes of God.  He invests his time, passion and resources to do everything within his power to see that they maintain a close, intimate, pure relationship to God! 

Surely I don’t need to unpack the message Job presents to us.  If God has blessed us with children, we are perpetually to care for them spiritually and to do everything within our ability to see that they walk in sincerity before the Lord!

SECOND

Suddenly, the scene changes to the courts of heaven.

Now one day, it came time for the sons of God, God’s heavenly messengers, to present themselves to the Eternal One to give reports and receive instructions.  The Accuser [Satan] was with them there. [v.6 VOICE]

God and the Accuser enter into a discourse that begins with God asking him where he has been.  His response: “Oh, roaming here and there, running about the earth and observing its inhabitants.” [v.7 VOICE]

God’s immediate response is to ask Satan if he has looked into the life of Job. 

He is unlike any other person on the whole earth – a very good man – his character is spotless, his integrity unquestioned. In fact, he so believes in Me that he seeks, in all things, to honor Me and deliberately avoids evil in all of his affairs. [v.8 VOICE]

Satan’s response clearly indicates that he has indeed examined Job’s life.  He claims that God has put a hedge of protection around Job [It is implied that this protection has prevented Satan from distracting and entrapping Job.]

God’s response shocks us!

ETERNAL ONE: I delegate this task to you [Satan].  His possessions are now in your hand.  One thing, though, you are not to lay a finger on the man himself.  Job must not be touched. [v.12 VOICE]

Soon after this encounter, tremendous disaster falls on Job, clearly as a result of Satan’s intervention:

·         His herds of donkeys and oxen are stolen by Sabeans, and all of his servants are killed except one who escapes to report to Job.

·         At the same time, lightning strikes his 7,000 sheep and his shepherds.  Only one survives to report the catastrophe to Job.

·         Chaldeans attacked another group of Job’s servants and stole 3,000 camels while killing all of his servants but one – who escaped to report to Job.

·         Finally, a fourth messenger arrives to tell Job that his children had all been killed by a tornado while they were feasting together.  Only one servant survived to report the tragedy to Job.

The point to be observed here is obvious:  God had such confidence in Job’s faithfulness that He pointed Job out to Satan, thereby, putting all of Job’s possessions – including his children - under Satan’s influence! 

How many of us are living this kind of exemplary spiritual life?

THIRD

Job’s initial response is exactly what we would expect, however, then he cries out of his pain words that we are incapable of understanding.

HIS RESPONSE

·         He tore his robe

·         Shaved his head

·         Fell to the ground

·         “Face down, Job sprawled in the dirt to worship.” [v.20 VOICE]

HIS WORDS

JOB: I was naked, with nothing, when I came from my mother’s womb; and naked, with nothing, I will return to the earth.

The Eternal has given, and He has taken away.  May the name of the Eternal One be blessed. [v.21 VOICE]

The chapter ends with a narrator’s observation:

In all of this Job neither sinned nor did he make foolish charges against God. [v.22 VOICE]

And we’re all left asking ourselves the same question:  Would I respond with such faith if Satan was to attack me and cause similar destruction and pain in my life?

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I have some work to do now.  I need to talk with God and get my priorities straightened out.  I need to – once again – review my life and renew commitments.  

Perhaps you need a self-appointment for similar purposes?

BIBLE READING TIPS

So many people have good intentions when it comes to reading the Bible, but it can be an overwhelming task – 1,189 chapters!!!!

The Old Testament is the longer of two sections – the New Testament being the other.  Certain areas of the Old Testament are repetitive and contain historical information regarding the nation of Israel.

There are all kinds of plans available for reading the Bible in a year or two.  This is a daunting task that will require you to read over three chapters per day [for a year]. That can be kind of time consuming for a slow reader!

There’s nothing magical about reading the Bible through in a year!  Vacations, holidays, trips and stressful periods often interrupt our reading plan.

Here’s a tool that might help you.  It can be downloaded at:

https://visualunit.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/bible_reading_chart.png

 

It allows you to read in complete freedom wherever you like on any given day and then simply ‘x’ off the chapter(s) you read.  You can jump around as much as you like!  You can read in multiple sections at the same time!  It allows you to easily keep track of your progress.

SOME TIPS:

1.    Secure a Bible that will hold your interest.  My favorites are:

·         The Message by Eugene Peterson – language of the 1990’s.

·         The New Living Translation was originally done by Kenneth Taylor in the 1960’s so   that his children could better understand the Bible.  Eventually, it was refined by   teams of scholars and is an enjoyable rendering of the scriptures for us today.

·         The VOICE Bible is a very creative version of the Bible produced by Thomas   Nelson Inc. and released in 2012.  Many writers, musicians, artists and language   scholars collaborated on this project.

·         The New International Version was an attempt to create a commonly accepted,   evangelical Bible at a time when so many translations were flooding the market.   First available in 1978, it has undergone numerous revisions.

Using a study Bible is a great idea!  These incorporate notations and explanations to help with understanding the passage.  This will slow your reading progress, but expand your understanding. 

 2.  Set a regular time and place to do your reading and try to be faithful at this newly desired discipline.

 3.    Make notations as you find things that strike/impact you.

·         One option – if you don’t mind, is to simply make marginal notes/symbols in your Bible.

·         Few will do this, but having a partner to talk with throughout the process can be enriching!  Use the technology of the day to compare notes, hold one another accountable, share discoveries and ask questions. 

     4.    Many pastors may be willing to be a resource to you when you have questions or need            explanations. 

            As an alternative, there are usually astute people in the church who have spent their lives        exploring scripture.  These people often are used as Sunday School teachers!  Tap into            their wisdom as well!

       5.  Exercise GRACE!!!!  Don’t quit because you missed a week of reading!  Jump back in!    You have not failed!  God is not disappointed in you!

  6.   When you’re ready to do so, add prayer to your reading time – even in its simplest forms.    Just a simple prayer like: “Lord, as I read today, show me truth that will help me to live pleasing to You! Amen.”

       Also, if people come to your mind while you’re reading, jot down their name and believe  that God brought them to your mind intentionally!  Pray for them!

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Father, Son and Holy Spirit!

Bless those who may embark on the challenge of getting more familiar with Your Word!  Guide them! Teach them! Use them! Grow them! FOR YOUR GLORY!  AMEN!

SPIRITUAL TECTONIC PLATES!

While sitting in my Sunday School class this morning studying the first chapter of Luke, I had a train of thoughts that rattled my thinking.

The period of the Old Testament prophets ran from approximately 930 – 500 B.C. The Old Testament closes a little over four hundred years before Christ (about 425 BC) with the Jewish people being partially restored to their land, and living under the dominion of the Persian Empire.

Then came four hundred years of silence. During these years, Israel was under the dominion of Persia, Greece, and Rome.  Alexander the Great insisted on Greek as a common language.  Consequently, our New Testament was written in Greek!  The world largely enjoyed a period of peace as the Romans ruled a massive empire from 27 B.C. until 180 A.D. A worldwide system of roads and transportation built by the Romans allowed efficient travel for military, trade, and the populace – including eventually missionaries like Paul, Barnabas, Luke and others.

But spiritually, not much happened and no canonical writings emerged. 

But suddenly, as B.C. was about to be restarted as A.D. the spiritual tectonic plates seemed to begin to shift!

This change was demonstrated in a number of ways:

·         Some scholars – who were especially attuned to the movement of the heavenly bodies – noticed things happening in the eastern sky that indicated to them that a new king was about to be born in the east.  Curious, and driven by God, they embarked on a long and arduous journey from Persia to Bethlehem.

·         A small town priest named Zacharias was drafted to perform a priestly service.  While he was in the Temple doing so, an angel appeared to him to report that his prayer had been heard and his aged wife would become pregnant and bear him a very special son, and he was to name him John.   

·         Shortly after this, an angel appeared to a young woman from Nazareth, named Mary.  He announced that she would soon become pregnant by the power of the Holy Spirit and she would eventually bear the Son of God. 

·         Mary immediately travelled to visit her family – Zacharias and Elizabeth - in the hill country of Galilee.  When she arrived, Elizabeth also broke out in a prophetic-like utterance.  She was divinely enabled to know that Mary was pregnant with the Messiah and honored her [Luke 1:42-45]! 

·         Although it is often undervalued, Mary uttered prophetic words that are still considered sacred many years later.  We know her statement as the Magnificat [Luke 1:46-56].

·         Shortly after, Elizabeth gave birth to John.  The Holy Spirit touched Zacharias and he burst forth in an ecstatic utterance with prophetic significance [Luke 1:67-79]!

·         Sometime following, Mary’s husband-to-be, Joseph, also received a visit from an angel who informed him that Mary’s pregnancy was of God and that he should go ahead and take her as his wife!  That angel reappeared to Joseph numerous times over the years to guide him and protect the young child!

·         About two years after Jesus’ birth, the Persian wise men arrived in Bethlehem and visited the young child and His parents.  They bestowed on the young family extravagant gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Then, they were warned in a dream to avoid returning to Herod to report what they had seen and where!

Not much would happen for the next couple of decades while John and Jesus grew up and matured.

However, John – who became known as a fiery wilderness preacher – began to proclaim the coming of the Messiah! His message: “I baptized you with water; but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit” [Mark 1:8].

Then – finally – Mark 1:9,14 records that “In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan…Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’”

To complete our train of thought, we must acknowledge that the three years of Jesus’ public ministry were marked by a massive wave of spiritual activity.  Some was directed through demons and spiritual oppression.  The rest was orchestrated through the political and religious structures of that day! 

THERE WAS NO MORE SILENCE!

GOD ISN'T FINISHED WITH ME YET

I recently re-read a book from my shelves:  THE NEXT CHRISTIANS: How a New Generation is Restoring the Faith, copyright 2010, by Gabe Lyons.  I'm going to deliberately keep it out on my desk for a good while so that I can flip through it and reexamine the many underlined passages.  

The book slowly exposed me in areas that were painful and awakening.  I am deeply challenged by its message and find myself wanting to evolve into a 'Next Christian'.  I have a long way to go and will have to reengage myself regularly if I hope to activate this transformation.

Although I graduated from a seminary that espoused four major branches of theology [Feminist, Calvinist, Progressive, Libertion]. I managed to emerge with my Wesleyan faith-base intact.  I think this was enabled by the fact that the United Methodist Church was sending a lot of their theology students to this school, which created a tolerance for the Wesleyan perspective.  :-)

I emerged from the process as an innovative thinker, cooperative leader, and biblically-based teacher.  Having been raised in the Free Methodist Church, I found it to be a suitable and comfortable base of operation throughout the years, although I currently worship in an evangelical Presbyterian church.  My sources of influence have been eclectic: 

• a Free Methodist college
• a United Methodist seminary
• a liberal Presbyterian seminary
• a charismatic Catholic university
• and a host of friends and associates from a wide variety of Christian-faith-based backgrounds!  

I consequently emerged as a firmly entrenched theological mongrel with a mainstream way of thinking.  I was comfortable and even effective as a result of these processes.

But Gabe Lyons' book began to rattle and disturb my comfort zone.  He had a subtle way of showing me that I am judgmental, proud, and ineffective when it comes to engaging those who disagree with my paradigms.  

My activism has often resorted to boycotts, picketing and letter-writing campaigns.  This approach nearly cost my son (Travis) an education at the United States Naval Academy [but that's a story I've told elsewhere].  I was proud of this approach - until I read THE NEXT CHRISTIAN.  This book unpeeled the roots of my exclusivism, anger, and stubbornness!  I'm hopeful that - even at this late stage of my life - I might be able to change my approach to things I don't like or understand.

I want to break the patterns of rigid thinking and express patience, a desire to know and understand and a renewed passion for a restoring impact!  

Unless you've read the book, it's a challenge for me to convey its message in a brief space.  Perhaps a quote from page 75 will suffice [or at least plant a seed].

No one - Christian included - can avoid all contact with potentially corrupting people, systems, and influences.  For everyday followers of Jesus, this tension begs the question: How should Christians react when placed in an environment that celebrates sin, overlooks injustice, or tolerates immorality?

[I think ALL of us would agree that this is a relevant question for our day!] 

Michael Metzger has said, "When confronted with the corruption of our world - Christians ought to be provoked, not offended and withdrawn."

In contrast, classic Separatist Christians (the insiders, culture warriors, and evangelizers) are often offended by corruption.  Characterized by their lifestyle choices, these Christians tend to remove themselves from potentially harmful situations - citing their disgust of immorality or their pursuit of holiness as the reason.  As is consistent with their perspective, they condemn, judge, withdraw, and boycott.  They play the paradoxical role of antagonist instead of the sacrificial pursuer. 

In my copy of this book, you will see the word "OUCH!" penned in my script!

All these years, I've been offended and withdrawn - hoping to punish evil and withdrawing from its presence!  How un-Christ-like of me!  How Pharisaical!  God, help me to change!

Lyons gives many examples of 'Next Christians' working within our culture [and other cultures] to bring a spiritual restoration to situations and environments.  

I reflect on my years of ministry with a mix of pride and remorse.  I'm grateful that due to training, education and excellent role models, I did a lot of things right!  However, I lament that I dropped the ball when it comes to having a restorative impact on the culture!  I will try to do better in the years I have left.  

It's hard to capture the essence of a 200-page book in this brief forum.  If this blog has tickled or unnerved anything within you - perhaps you'd like to get a copy and read it?