Job 22:21-30 – “Reconcile yourself with God, and be at peace with him; in this way your prosperity will be good.  ²² Accept instruction from his mouth and store up his words in your heart.  ²³ If you return to the Almighty, you will be built up; if you remove wicked behavior far from your tent, ²⁴ and throw your gold in the dust—your gold of Ophir among the rocks in the ravines—²⁵ then the Almighty himself will be your gold, and the choicest silver for you.   ²⁶ Surely then you will delight yourself in the Almighty, and will lift up your face toward God.
²⁷ You will pray to him and he will hear you, and you will fulfill your vows to him.  ²⁸ Whatever you decide on a matter, it will be established for you, and light will shine on your ways.  ²⁹ When people are brought low and you say, ‘Lift them up!’ then he will save the downcast; ³⁰ he will deliver even someone who is not innocent, who will escape through the cleanness of your hands.”

The thought of the ‘Liveness’ of God or the reality that He is ‘The Living God’ flooded my thoughts today.   The Book of Job is intriguing for me on many levels.   It is believed to be the oldest book in the Bible.  The characters and events predate the Law of Moses.  Yet, within it, we discover New Testament revelations that are eternal and timeless.

In Job 22:21-30, Eliphaz’s discourse contains a picture of Grace and, simultaneously, is Pharisaical (works and earning favor).   Mankind has the propensity to try to earn favor and deserve mercy or blessing.  Grace is not earnable; it is a gift of love.

In Job 23:8-17, Job reveals an awareness of God’s omnipresence, omniscience, and omnipotence.  In verse 13, he declares, “But He is unchangeable, and who can change Him?  Whatever He has desired, He does!” He is God, eternal!

In Job 27:5-6, Job reminds us of a critical mindset we all need.  “…I will not set aside my integrity!  I will maintain my righteousness and never let go; my conscience will not reproach me for as long as I live.”

Tragically, too many believe the accusations hurled at them by the devil.   They live in condemnation and see themselves in the flaws rather than bathed in the blood of Jesus, forgiven, and justified.   They give up their integrity and cast away their confidence because they hear the accusations focusing on their perceived flaws.

We all have flaws and are not perfect.  However, the perfect one is in us by Grace!  We are new creations and are being transformed from glory to glory.  It is not our flaws that concern God, but our commitment to never give up.

Job 28 is almost like reading Proverbs about wisdom.  In verse 28, we find the golden nugget that helps us prevail: “The fear (referential awe) of the LORD—That is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.”

Job understood and had an intimate relationship with God, as is seen in Job 29:4 – “…I was in my most productive time when God’s intimate friendship was experienced in my tent.”

The God of Job, Abraham, Moses, Noah, and the apostles is our God.  Hebrews 13:8 is our constant confidence – “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”   Hebrews 13:6, “I will never leave you, and I will never abandon you.”

That is our source of confidence.   Because of who He is, we can live with no fear.

• No fear of people.
• No fear of lack.
• No fear of rejection.

So, let’s begin to live, think, talk, and behave as if He were telling the truth.   Dare to do and be what He has directed.  The kingdom desires it, and the world needs it.  Be who you are because that’s who you are.  Two reports are before us.  We will believe one of them.  I choose to believe God’s assessment, not the devil’s.  Today is Victory Day!

May your day be prosperous and filled with the presence of God!

Psalm 1:1-3 – “How blessed is the one who does not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand in the pathway with sinners, or sit in the assembly of scoffers.  ² Instead he finds pleasure in obeying the Lord’s  commands; he meditates on his commands day and night.  ³ He is like a tree planted by flowing streams; it yields its fruit at the proper time, and its leaves never fall off.  He succeeds in everything he attempts.”

Psalm One has proven time and again to be a launching pad of discovery and comfort.   In Psalm One, God contrasts those who fear, follow, pursue, and serve God and those who do not.   We all have choices and choices, and they always have consequences or results.

Some notable characteristics identify the lover of God.  That person finds pleasure in obeying God’s commandments.   In fact, this person loves God so much and enjoys doing what God desires, so they meditate on His Word continuously.  It fills their hearts and minds.

The result is stability in everything and all the time!  No vacillation or wavering.  They discover the life-giving water of the Word and the fertilizer of the Spirit, which results in an abundance of spiritual fruit manifested and harvested in their lives.  They have the right fruit at the right time for the right reason.

Their leaves do not fall off, indicating that they stay vibrant.  Here is an astounding provision and promise – “He succeeds in EVERYTHING he attempts.”  Do you have that?  Be honest.  Why not if you do not?  In verse six, we have the amazing assurance – “Certainly, the LORD guards the way of the godly…”

In 1 Peter, we read about Salvation!   We read about God’s abundance of life, grace, peace, protection, provision, purpose, and power.  Then, in 1 Peter 1:13-25, the apostle points us to the pathway or entryway to those promises.

It is Grace plus Faith plus Action.  The directive is, Get your mind ready for action, BY… by what?   By being fully sober with our Hope set completely on Grace (Jesus).  Resist evil urges but rather pursue holiness and, through the Holy Spirit, become holy.

Verse 22 is revelatory, “You HAVE purified your souls BY obeying the truth in order to show sincere mutual love.”   Chapter 2, verse 1 gives us something we are to do and cultivate – “Get rid of ALL evil, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander.  Yearn like a newborn longs for its mother’s milk, the milk of God’s Word.”

In that condition and from that position, we both resist the devil, and he has no choice but to flee.   We cast ALL our cares, concerns, and needs upon Jesus, knowing He cares for us and Never Fails!

Therefore, let each of us become an oak of righteousness and a tree whose tap roots are in God’s stream.   We have a world to win.  Let us be trees that never wither, and when the end of this life comes, be vibrant fruit-producing trees in God’s garden.

May your day be bright and your leaves green and flourishing in the presence and power of God!

2 Timothy 1:3-7 – “I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, 4 greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy, 5 when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.  6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.  7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”  NKJV

Mother’s Day is a special time set aside each year to recognize and honor our mothers.  Mine has been promoted to heaven, but her influence and memory are fresh and real in my life and our family.  In looking at this passage on this particular day, I find that the one portion that leaps off the page is found in verse 5.   The apostle reminds Timothy of his heritage of faith that was demonstrated in his grandmother and mother, and called it ‘genuine faith.’ 

That distinction is of great value when considering the important role of mothers in our lives.   Timothy’s grandmother and mother manifested ‘genuine faith,’ which speaks of permanence, consistency, and foundation.   They believed and walked out what they believed and instilled that confidence in Timothy, a quality Paul recognized and learned to depend on.

Faith is a critical element in walking with God because the Bible tells us that no person can please the Lord without it.   That speaks to the need to have confidence in God to weather the storms of life without becoming shipwrecked and a castaway. 

If our faith is timid, superficial, and conditioned upon circumstance, we will be an easy target for the devil, and our walk and life will be little more than outward show, noise, and fluff without substance.  If we had a mother who demonstrated consistency, persistence, and continuance of faith, we will have learned that trusting God is not only desirable but possible.

I was blessed to have a mother who consistently demonstrated her faith, faithfulness, and fidelity before the Lord and all who knew her.  Her example was invaluable and instilled in us the confidence that a mortal could walk upright before the Lord in faith.  Her love warmed our hearts, her encouragement inspired us to achieve, and her faith gave us an anchor in life.  As Proverbs declares, the value of a mother who gives a heritage of faith is ‘far above rubies.’

To all the mothers reading this today, I tip my hat to you and say ‘Thank You’ for what you have done, are doing, and will do for your families.    May God give you a special blessing on this day and lift your hearts, so you soar with the eagles.

Blessings on your special day!

Job 19:25-25 – “As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and that as the last He will stand upon the earth.  ²⁶ And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God, ²⁷ whom I will see for myself, and whom my own eyes will behold, and not another.^”

The words of Job 19:25-27 seemed to leap off the page and capture my focus today.    Job was being treated with contempt by his comforters.   That is ironic, isn’t it?  Those who came to console him became his harshest critics.  They were physicians of no value.  Rather than interceding, they engaged in religious judging.  Today, we find the same either spoken verbally or harbored in the heart.

Job said, “As for me, I KNOW (calm confidence) that my Redeemer lives (He is the Living God), AND that at the last He (God) will stand on the earth (remember this is before the Law and before the incarnation of Jesus.  It was prophetic insight).  26 AND after my skin has been destroyed, yet IN MY FLESH I will SEE GOD, whom I will see for myself, and whom my own eyes will behold, and not another.”

That is amazing!   In Job’s heart, he was certain of eternity!   Before the plan and path of salvation through the Blood of Jesus, it was in His heart.  God’s plan of redemption has been revealed since the Fall in the Garden.

There will be a resurrection, and each will stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ or the Great White Throne.   We will either be invited into God’s eternal kingdom or cast into everlasting darkness.  The solution is in the Blood of Jesus.   We, too, can have the confidence of Job – I know He lives, and even after my body goes back to dust, there will be a resurrection, and I will see Him! 

Today, Eternity is on my mind!   Being prepared is my desire.  

Hebrews 9:11-12 reveals that Jesus has made the eternal sacrifice for our sins, and the door is open.

Hebrews 10:35 encourages us not to throw away or lose our confidence (in His Promises) because it has great reward – Eternal Life!  In verse 36, we are reminded, “For you need endurance in order to do God’s will and so receive what is promised.” Heaven is waiting, don’t lose hope!  Nothing here can compare!

Today is just one more step toward our eternity with Jesus, so have a great day and enjoy every second.    Have a great day as you look for and long for His appearing!  He is coming back!