Monthly Archives: September 2013

2013 Day 263 – Job 34-36, Isaiah 7

20 Friday Sep 2013

Posted by in Daily Reading

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Elihu continues his discourse in today’s reading. While Elihu was not totally right in what he said, he did have valid points. In Job 34:12 he says, It is unthinkable that God would do wrong, that the Almighty would pervert justice. God is not capable of doing what is wrong. However, he does allow bad things to happen. We live in a fallen world where there is no shortage of evil. When God allows something bad to happen He is not the cause, but we must always trust there is a reason. In the end, God’s plan and His will are perfect. We must never lose trust in Him.

2013 Day 262 – Job 31-33, Isaiah 6

19 Thursday Sep 2013

Posted by in Daily Reading

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

,

In today’s reading in chapter 31, Job challenges his friends to find fault with him. Since they could not convince Job of any wrong doing, Job’s friends stopped trying. Starting in Chapter 32, there is a younger man named Elihu who has been listening to their conversation. He has been respectful in waiting for the older men to speak and now takes the opportunity to share his perspective. We spend the next few chapters listening to Elihu’s words. While Job may not have deserved the severity of his punishment, he is no different from us; someone who is imperfect and needs to receive grace when we probably deserve death.

2013 Day 261 – Job 28-30, Isaiah 5

18 Wednesday Sep 2013

Posted by in Daily Reading

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Sorry for the late post today. It’s been a bit of a crazy day.

The verse that stood out to me today is Job 28:20 which says, Where then does wisdom come from? Where does understanding dwell? People who do not understand the wisdom God has to offer spend much of their time seeking wisdom in earthly things. They can never find true wisdom until they look to God and His words to gain true understanding.

2013 Day 260 – Job 25-27, Isaiah 4

17 Tuesday Sep 2013

Posted by in Daily Reading

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, ,

As we begin chapter 26, we arrive at several chapters where Job speaks his final words to his friends. Job continues to maintain his innocence to his friends and stands with a clear conscience. In Job 27:5-6 it says, 5 I will never admit you are in the right; till I die, I will not deny my integrity. 6 I will maintain my innocence and never let go of it; my conscience will not reproach me as long as I live. Job is able to defend his integrity and maintain his innocence. We too are able to stand with a clear conscience because of the righteousness we can only receive from God. When Satan tries to remind us of our past mistakes and of our imperfection, we are able to stand on the purity we received from salvation through Jesus Christ. We do not need anything else. He is sufficient to give us the confidence we need.

2013 Day 259 – Job 22-24, Isaiah 3

16 Monday Sep 2013

Posted by in Daily Reading

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , ,

As we continue to read in Job we begin to see Job growing weary in his suffering. In chapter 24 Job seems to be arguing with his friends and begins to question if it is his lack of righteousness that is at fault for his suffering. We all have these thoughts at times, that it is our fault we suffer. Sometimes our suffering comes due to the consequences of our sin. However, sometimes suffering comes simply because we live in a fallen world. All we can do is look to God and ask Him for comfort, peace, and protection. It is easy to kid ourselves into thinking it is possible to get through this life without pain, but we are all destined to experience pain and suffering. Thankfully we have God at our side; loving us through it all. Lean on Him and He will guide you through.

2013 Day 258 – Job 19-21, Isaiah 2

15 Sunday Sep 2013

Posted by in Daily Reading

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

, ,

While Job continues to suffer and defend his innocence to his friends, he is still able to look to God and know where his redemptions comes from. In Job 19:25 he says, I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. No matter what struggles we face in this life, in the end we can be comforted to know God is in control of it all. God loves and cares for us and wants nothing but what is best for us; even in our suffering.

 

2013 Day 257 – Robert McQuilken – Goodness

14 Saturday Sep 2013

Posted by in Reflection

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

,

This past week, our pastor spoke about Goodness as one of the Fruits of the Spirit. He used the attached video of Robert McQuilken, who was the President of Columbia Bible College. After 40 years of marriage he found himself torn between to commitments after his wife was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. This is a very touching video that moved me. I hope it is as meaningful to you.

 

If you ever come across anything you’d like me to post on this blog, please feel free to contact me at dino.evangelista@gmail.com.

 

2013 Day 256 – Job 16-18, Isaiah 1

13 Friday Sep 2013

Posted by in Daily Reading

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

,

While we continue to read through Job, today we also begin reading the book of Isaiah. Isaiah is considered to be one of the greatest prophets in Jewish history. He wrote this book to call the nation of Judah back to being faithful to God. Isaiah also prophesies about the coming messiah and salvation through Him. Isaiah begins by bringing a message of divine judgement for both Judah and Israel. Sometimes God’s message and direction for our lives is not clear, but when God speaks directly to us, we must take the time to listen to Him because the consequences can be great.

2013 Day 255 – Job 13-15, Psalm 122

12 Thursday Sep 2013

Posted by in Daily Reading

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

,

Job 13:5 actually made me smile, If only you would be altogether silent! For you, that would be wisdom. Job was downright unhappy with the lack of empathy and understanding by his so-called friends had for him. Job knew he had not anything that deserved the suffering he was experiencing. In Job 13:15 he says, Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face. Deep down inside he knew God was still with him and that he ultimately did not deserve the punishment he was receiving, but he still had hope. This is a lesson for all of us. Always have hope in God through every trial we face for He never leaves us.

2013 Day 254 – Job 10-12, Psalm 121

11 Wednesday Sep 2013

Posted by in Daily Reading

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, ,

In today’s reading, Job’s friends once again assume his suffering comes from sin in his life. It’s a common assumption we have all probably made, however we must always remember what our role should be in the lives of our friends, especially in their suffering. We must also remember that our friends are not where we should find comfort when we suffer. In our reading today in Psalm 121:1-2 says, 1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? 2 My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. Our help and comfort can only come from the Lord. Only God can bring stability and peace in difficult times because He is the only one who truly understands what we are going through and has the power to either walk us through it or fix it.