Job 1

Sometimes I think Satan has been given to much credit or power than he really deserves. Did you know that Job 1 describes Satan's attributes. He is not all knowing, he is not all powerful, he can only be in one place at a time. He is God's opposite in character and ability. He is a fallen creature, not a god with any true power. That is why Satan relies on deception so much because he has no real power. He tries to manipulate by "roaring like a lion" to create fear in our lives. If he can get us to believe a lie then he has the upper hand for the moment. In order for Satan to attack us God has to give him permission and only then God has placed severe limits on what he can try to do.

Holy Spirit Guidance #3, Acts 1

In Acts 1:8 Luke gives the two major themes of his book. The first theme is how the Spirit works to expand the Kingdom, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses...." and the second is the chronological order the book follows, "In Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

We can learn several things from the Book of Acts, most of the Spirit's leadings will come when we are doing work to expand the Kingdom, not personal decisions we are facing. Because that's true I believe, God expects us to walk in wisdom in our personal lives to know His will when He is seemingly silent. Eph 5:15-17, "Be careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise...Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is."

In short, know that 1. God's Spirit is given to further the work of His Kingdom. 2. Most of the Spirit's leadings will come when we are working to expand the Kingdom. 3. God expects us to walk in wisdom in our personal lives to follow His will when it seems the Spirit isn't guiding. 4. God will always lead us in the footsteps of wisdom and His Spirit's "guidance" will not contradict that; Prov 4:11.

James 1, Trials

James 1:2-5 "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you."

James 1:5 encourages us to pray for wisdom when we are being tested. The Greek conditional sentence assumes that those of us facing trials do lack wisdom. In this context the wisdom that God gives is understanding the nature and purpose of trials and knowing how to meet them victoriously. Such wisdom is available to the one who will "ask God" for it, not once only, but repeatedly (Gr., present tense). The promise is that "it will be given to him." There is nothing in God that keeps him from giving. More good news: When perseverance has finished its work, the believer will lack none of the needed virtues and strengths. That is what God is trying to do in us. In Short, the wisdom we pray for is too understand the nature and purpose of trials and know how to meet them victoriously.

Holy Spirit Guidance #2, Proverbs 4

When we are following God and believe He is guiding us by His Spirit we need to test these leadings. Here are some questions to ask ourselves, "Does this contradict God's character? Does this violate my conscience? Does this violate clear teaching from the Bible? What do mature Christians who have been following God for years say about this? Is this wise?"

God will never ask us to do anything that is unwise. NEVER. Here is what Solomon wrote to his son, read it knowing your Heavenly Father wrote it to us!
Proverbs 4:11-14: "I Instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths."

In Short, when God is leading us He will guide us in the footsteps of wisdom and not lead us into foolishness.

Job 2

Job 2:9,10 '"His wife said to him, "Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!" He replied, "You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" In all of this, Job did not sin in what he said."'

Job has been a book that has always puzzled me, but recently it has brought me relief. What I've learned from him is to accept the good and the bad God allows my way. It is coming from a loving Heavenly Father who is using these trials to transform me into His Son's image, but that happens only when I respond favorably to them. Job 2 puts Job's response side by side to his wife's. His wife curses God, while Job worships God. He is a great model of how to live when we are being tested. A funny thing happens when we quit fighting and accept what God is doing around us, we become content with where He has placed us. Paul wrote in Philippians 4:11, "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." "Learning" this can be very difficult, but when it is "learned" it's always rewarding. In short, 1. Accept the good and the bad God allows our way. 2. Know that God is good and only test us for our benefit. 3. Contentment only comes when we accept all that God gives us, the good and the bad.

Moses, Joseph

I love the stories of Moses and Joseph because it shows how God works in my life. God took into account their character flaws when he called them. God knew they were going to make their mistakes; His plan is bigger than our mistakes. Joseph would not have gone to Egypt as a slave if he wouldn't have struggled with arrogance. It was Joseph's bragging about his vision that was the last straw that made his jealous brothers finally attempt to get rid of him. Moses also had his issues. He tried to deliver the Hebrew people 40 years too early, but God was at work through a murderer. It was part of God's plan for Moses to live in the desert. Moses' story perfectly foreshadows the arrival and rejection of the Messiah. It was all part of God's plan. Here's what I've learned from Moses and Joseph, God actually uses our weakness (mistakes, shortcomings, character flaws) to accomplish His plan. He is that BIG.

1 Thess 5

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 "Rejoice Always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

Why? Because Christ, the One we serve is always with us. He has His divine hand in our mess. He is the One who created our beautiful world out of the darkness that covered the earth. His Spirit brings order out of chaos. We can trust Him to do the same today. And here is the best part...He will. In short, God is involved in every aspect of our lives.

Mark 4:35-40 Storms of Life

Mark 4:35-40 "That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side." Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him up and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm." He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"

A storm that size I'm sure Jesus and the disciples saw the storm moving in and the disciples being expert fisherman I'm sure they knew how to handle it. In spite of the inclement weather Jesus said, "Let us go over to the other side." This same scenario plays out in our lives. We sense God's direction but the storms of life come causing us to doubt Him. God is faithful He gets us to the other side and rarely is it the way we thought it would happen. Jesus' statements to His disciples points to what God wants from us: He doesn't want us to be afraid, He wants our trust to be in Him.

In short, 1. We can be right in the middle of a storm and be right in the middle of God's will. 2. Circumstances don't necessarily confirm if we are in God's will. 3. God will get us to the "other side" when it's His idea, not ours. 4. God desires that we react with trust, not fear when we face storms.