Category: Scripture

Those who seek Him

Published on by DanLeave a comment

Written by Dan

It has been my observation that David paints an amazing picture of how to approach God. He is specific; we are to have clean hands, a pure heart, and we are to focus on Him alone with no other distractions or adulations. When we do this, then our capacity to trust Jesus and hear his guidance is magnified. How does he speak? I think the one true living God speaks through two pillars — nature and revelation.

The universe was not created to be unmitigated disorder. Rather, the earth was created into the most proper shape and size for us by God’s infinite wisdom. God’s revelation, his logos in action, his truth in activities; is his wisdom personified and exemplified in the creation of all that we know.

Psalms 24: 1-6 says — The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he established it on the waters. Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god. They will receive blessing [direction] from the Lord and vindication from God their Savior. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek [his] face, the God of Jacob (NIV).

When I think of this creation, built in the framework of God’s wisdom, I immediately become aware that he made nothing in vain. There is no waste, God intended everything I can see, feel, smell, touch or hear to achieve some endgame; it was designed to display his intention and grace for us. It should also be observed; we are created to reflect God’s goodness, we are not made in vain, we have purpose, we are created to serve his use and benefit, we are the perfect habitation for his Holy Spirit, and this is the cool part — all of this was planned for us before creation, long before anything was existent – he planned us.

Psalms 104: 19-32 (paraphrased) says – You made the moon to mark the seasons, and mark when the sun goes down. You bring darkness, it becomes night, and all the beasts of the forest prowl. … People go out to their work in the daylight; they labor until the evening moon rises. How many are your works. In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. All creatures look to you for their food at the proper time. When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things. When you hide your face, they are terrified; when you take away their breath, they die and return to the dust. May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord rejoice in his works—You look at the earth and it trembles; you touch the mountains and they smoke (NIV).

So, I wonder, how do we approach God? This is what I think – God reveals the path through the light of His creation and His revelation. The work of God’s creation overwhelmingly proves to me that He is the one true living God. This created beauty draws us into His presence.  There is more.  His revealed Word is absolute truth, the Word provides our guideposts, the Word draws us into his presence.  We should note – God’s oracles (prophets) stomp all over any dribble eked out by soothsayers. Just look at the beauty and accuracy of any prophet in scripture. His message is profound and full of wisdom. The soothsayers produce vague platitudes for living, God’s prophets deliver deep pools of wisdom and foresight; their message is pure, considerate, impartial, and full of guidance for our life. (implied in James 4:17)

The soothsayers deliver their platitudes from dens and caverns with a soothing voice and ambiguous serene expressions; their message originates from dark vagueness as if the message is relevant. God delivered his message from the sunlight of Mount Sinai to all of us in distinct and intelligible logic – No darkness. Just Light, Love, and Holy Ground. Who do you think we can trust? Who has your best interest at heart? Do you want vague platitudes or focused instruction?  Hmmm.  I prefer God’s specificity.

I choose Jesus.

Things that Matter

Published on by DanLeave a comment

Written by Dan

It has been my observation – Paul tells us of the great race we are all engaged in, he often reminds us that every person who is involved in this competition needs to exercise self-control in all our thoughts and actions. We all know that in a human operated Tucson 10K Foot Race, the winner gets a medal. For us Christians, participating in the race that Paul speaks of, the prize is unique – it is imperishable. So then comes the question – what kind of things transition me into a top performer? Perhaps a better question is – what things will cause me to be the most useful to God’s mission here on earth? In a word – the answer is self-control.

In Galatians 5:22 we learn this discipline of self-control is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. This transfers management of “self-control” from me to God’s Spirit. The spiritual power we gain from self-control happens when we respond to the word of God, knowing that greater joy will come through self-control, when we trust the Spirit of God to give us fortitude, and when we embrace God’s glory in his victory over our life. The mechanics of this action is simple — our will yields to his nudge both from his voice and from the scriptures. This is a demonstration of God in us working his plan (implied in Philippians 2:13).

Paul is telling us there are strong urges that we have to manage if we are going to move like a winner and graduate into the crown of righteousness. The urges we have to control are the impulses to do things that will weaken our zeal for God, our earnestness in prayer, our hunger for Scripture, our longing to love, our passion for holiness. How do we resist? We yield to Jesus. Consult often with the Holy Spirit about how to proceed.

Galatians 5:1-12 says — It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Mark my words. I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. Again, I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit, we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love (NIV).

So, the mature Christian asks, what will improve my prayer life? What will draw me into God’s word? What will strengthen my compassion for others? What will help me grow? This is a call to order, a review of the impulses, habits, and practices of my life that interferes with my hunger for God. Paul brings up circumcision because it is a trip line in our race. People will work extremely hard to impose their definition of spiritual walk on you if you permit them to. They will spend a bunch of time wanting you to conform to their view, so they are comfortable their view is the right view. The larger the crowd believing a given point, the higher the probability the view is the correct view. Huh? This is a fallacy in logic. Think about this. How are laws built on public opinion working out for you?

The deeper truth – We start out in the race, confident, running a good pace. Then we are sidelined by some crazy teacher who throws up a little dust in the air and obscures our view of the goal with a new rule to follow – if we want to be ‘really spiritual’. I am convinced that kind of human objective followed by persuasion and distractions do not come from the Spirit of God. Any time you hear something new, take the time to dig through the word, looking for evidence that the message aligns with things the Holy Spirit has already stated. We are wise to avoid the ideas that pull you into confusion, whatever that may be, so we can avoid the trip wire (see Gal 5). Our self-control should focus us squarely on the things that matter.

I choose Jesus.

Obstacles to the Plan

Published on by DanLeave a comment

Written By Dan

It was my observation while reading Deuteronomy that we are instructed to Love the Lord our God with all our heart and with all our soul and with all our strength and with all our mind (Deuteronomy 6:5). Additionally, I noted considerable New Testament guidance on how to wrap your heart around God.

For example — Show earnestness in realizing the full assurance of hope to the end (Hebrews 6:11); Love one another earnestly from the heart (1 Peter 1:22); Strive to enter by the narrow gate (Luke 13:24); Labor for the food that endures to eternal life (John 6:27); Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the word of the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58); Let us not be weary in well-doing, for we shall reap if we do not faint (Ephesians 5:15); and Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12).

Additionally, Titus 2: 11-15 says — For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you. (NIV)

How do we respond to this extensive set of guidelines from Scripture? We strive to be like Jesus. We labor to find his pace, his stride. We abound in hunger for scripture. We become zealous and earnest for the peace of God. We find the path away from laziness and lukewarmness. We take to the run, with the stride and confidence held by a winner. Jesus makes us a winner. For Jesus has placed this mantle of strength upon us to operate in this world but not be corrupted by this world. We immerse ourselves in the strength he supplies to magnify His glory.

So, what do we do? I think we are to lay aside the heavy load upon our backs, the sin of this world that surrounds and covers us like a heavy scratchy wool blanket. An experienced runners discards everything but what is necessary; this is also true for spiritual racing. Then we find our stride and enter the race. We run the race with patience and endurance. To run this race, I work to lay aside all the things that hinder me, that nip at my heals, I bring plans to guide my feet. The obstacles are there to keep me from being the man that God called me to be. The obstacles are there to neuter the calling I received from God. Then I need to bring up the more slippery obstacles. Paul referred to them as disputable issues.

Romans 14:1-4 says — Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.

There will be things that people, convinced they know best, will impose on others, using vague scripture to make their case. We must be careful not to become entwined in disputes over vague issues. They are nothing more than speedbumps. Nothing more than obstacles to the plan.

I choose Jesus.

Bible Verse of the Day

Published on by DanLeave a comment

Titus 1:7-9 NIV

Since an overseer is entrusted with God’s work, he must be blameless — not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

Bible Verse Of The Day

Published on by DanLeave a comment

Daniel 4:34-35 NIV

At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation. All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?”

How Long Did Job Suffer?

Published on by DanLeave a comment

Written By Dan

It has been my observation that when the Bible speaks on a topic, the Bible speaks absolute truth. Furthermore, I find no path available (within the confines of absolute truth) to yield on this point and remain faithful to scripture (God’s message). But sometimes, we observe that scripture leaves gaps in the information presented.

What do we do? What should we do? The focus of this essay is one of those gaps. Let us explore the duration (timeline) for the troubles of Job. Scripture does not comment on the complete timeline, but I have attempted to form a reasonable estimate of the timeline drawing from available scripture and a close reading of a map. I chose this subject because it does not present the same struggles that other gaps in scripture do.

Let us start at the beginning. Job was a real person who experienced the real events described in the book of Job. I start with that truth. I believe his friends (Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar) were earnest but misguided – they were scolded by God at the end of the account (see Job 42:7-9). I believe that Elihu was on point – he was not scolded by God at the end of the account. But it remains, how much time did the story traverse?

The following dialogue is ‘one man’s opinion’ — a safe way to demonstrate how to deal with an unknown. I am not recommending that you build life theology on my findings, rather I traveled this path to try to wrap my mind around the message of Job and to form an understanding for the duration of his woes. 30 years, 3 years, 3 weeks, 3 days, 3 minutes – these various spans of time all affect the intensity of the account.

We know that Job’s suffering began with the death of his servants and the loss of his livestock. Then his troubles became progressively worse with the deaths of his 10 children and his physical afflictions. We are told that four messengers came, one after the other while the previous one “was yet speaking…” (Job 1:13-19). Scripture says this encounter with the four messengers happened in a single day (Job 1:13).

I think Lucifer would strive to create the maximum amount of chaos in Job’s life (within the limits place upon Lucifer by God) to create the maximum impact on Job. This seems intense but we know God does not permit trouble we cannot endure as long as we lean on God (implied in Psalms 37:24, 1 Corinthians 10:13).

In Job chapter 1:13-19 we read — One day when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, and the Sabeans attacked and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The fire of God fell from the heavens and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”  While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, “Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” (NIV)

What a mess. Then a conversation happens between God and Lucifer. This happens while Job is recovering from the troubles. His wife comments on the troubles. (see Job 2). Again, these conversations take about a day. We are prudent to allow time between each key day.

Next, we are told that three of Job’s friends (Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar) decided to visit him when they heard of his suffering (implied in Job 2:11). We know the name of the places they come from; but we are unsure where the places are located on a map. What do we know about this situation? Numbers 1:2 suggests it takes about 11 days to travel from Egypt to the promised land. I choose to assume Job’s friends lived closer than Egypt. Friends tend to live near each other. I suspect they arrive at Job’s place within 10 days of the initial event (three days to get the notification, four days to prepare, and three days to travel). This assumption suggests a maximum of about 2 weeks from notification to arrival (why? Because they lived close to him).

We know Job’s three friends sat with Job in silence for 7 days. Then his friends conducted a debate with Job containing 9 discourses (see Job 3-27). After Job’s three friends ceased debating, Job speaks on a deeper level (Job 28-31). Finally, Elihu, a young man, arrived and spoke up (see Job 32-37). When Elihu ceased speaking, then God spoke. God first asked questions of Job (Job 38-41), and then He rebuked Job’s three friends. Overall, I estimate about 3-4 weeks for the debate (1 week of silence, 2-3 weeks of debate).

Given the first few days of notifications from the four messengers, the conversation with his wife, the notification and travel time for Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, and the debate, we find ourselves with about 6-8 weeks of time.

Let us pause to notice how Job responded to the Lord (Job 42:2-6) “I know that You can do everything, … You asked, ‘Who … hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore, I have uttered what I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. … I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You. Therefore, I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes. “

After the three friends left (implied in Job 42:9), God restored Job (implied in Job 42:10). Based on this analysis I suggest the timeline for the troubles of Job and the assorted conversations traversed a couple of months. I prefer to think the restoration (see Job 42) happened over a few years. The Bible simply does not say. But it helps me to understand the flow of events if I place the occurrences for most of the Book of Job into a window of a few months. You may hold a different opinion — I’m good with that. I do not think it would be fruitful to debate this topic much. I formed this opinion as a tool, a framework, to help me visualize the events unfolding as described in the book of Job.

The deeper truth from Job — When God allows us to suffer in any way, or for any length of time, we must remember that He has a purpose (implied in Romans 5:3-5). The absence of a timeline in the Book of Job helps us to avoid comparing the duration of our suffering to Job’s suffering. We are promised God will work all things for our ultimate good and His glory (implied in 1 Corinthians 10:13). Therefore, what matters most is not the length of suffering, or even the severity of our suffering, it is how we choose to embrace the suffering (implied in Ecclesiastes 5:1-7). Where do we turn for comfort and hope? When we turn to God in faith, our hearts change, and troubles eventually evaporate (implied in James 1:2-4). Then the desired effect of the unknown timeline may produce the outcome God intended (see Psalms 46:10).

I choose Jesus.