SUMMARY LESSONS FROM THE BOOK OF JOB

 

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

SUMMARY LESSONS FROM THE BOOK OF JOB

Ever feel like Job?  All beat up from life and everything that has gone wrong at one time?  It’s hard to make sense out it all isn’t it?  That’s why we need the book of Job to encourage us.  

Some people of “faith” say to not read the book of Job or else you’ll get a big trial (like coming down with a cold!).  That is superstition and it is silly.  We need the book of Job for any level of struggles we face.  Like someone has said, we are either entering a trial, currently in one, or exiting one.  But remember what Jesus said: (John 16:33) These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”  So if we are going to have trouble in life let’s learn how to handle it before it handles us!  Having trouble does not mean you have to be a troubled person.  Through Jesus we can learn to be overcomers instead of being overcome!    Let’s learn from Job:  

- THERE IS SPIRITUAL WARFARE GOING ON BEHIND THE SCENES THAT WE ARE USUALLY UNAWARE OF (Job 1-2).  (Eph 6:12) For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

- WE SERVE GOD NOT FOR PROSPERITY, BUT BECAUSE WE LOVE HIM (Job 1:9-11).  (Job 13:15) Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.... (1 Tim 6:5-8) 

- TRIALS DO NOT NECESSARILY MEAN THERE IS SIN IN OUR LIFE OR THAT WE HAVE A LACK OF FAITH (Job 1:8).  (Isa 53:3) He (Jesus) is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. (2 Cor. 12:7-10)

- WE LEARN GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY AND CONTROL DURING TIMES OF TRIAL (Job 38:1-4).  (Psa 37:3-7) Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. {4} Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. {5} Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. {6} He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday. {7} Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret…

- IF WE PERSEVERE, WE WILL BE BLESSED! (Job 42:7-17).  (James 5:11) Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord; that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.  (James 1:12) Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.  (2 Tim 2:12) If we endure, We shall also reign with Him.

Louie

TAXES

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

TAXES

I’m sure you’ve heard of the famous quote by Benjamin Franklin: “In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.”  We all laugh at that because that is for sure in the natural.  But taxes are an issue that seem to be always floating around different parts of our minds.  Did I take enough exemptions?  Does this qualify for a deduction?  Will I owe or get a refund?  Then during tax filing season it all revs up working toward the deadline of April 15.  Many of us are frantically looking for receipts and pulling important items together.  Then when we finally file we breathe a sigh of relief and perhaps dream of what we will spend our refund check on.  

One day the religious leaders asked Jesus a question to test him: “Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”  23 But He perceived their craftiness, and said to them, “Why do you test Me? 24 Show Me a denarius. Whose image and inscription does it have?” They answered and said, “Caesar’s.” 25 And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” (Luke 20:22-25)  This was the famous quote of our Lord that put His enemies to silence.  So brilliant.  Give to God the tithe and give to the government the tax.  The apostle Paul would echo this in his letter to the Roman Christians: (Rom 13:7) Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.  

This whole issue of taxes is touchy for many.  A person may disagree about how high taxes are and how the tax money is spent.  Some have even failed to pay their taxes resulting in fines and even imprisonment.  Others have cheated the government hoping to never get caught.  This might include hiding some personal income (under the table) or fudging on the numbers when filing.  But we know the way of the Christian is honesty in business and taxes. (Pro 16:11) Honest weights and scales are the Lord’s…  And we know that as we render to Cesar, God will bless us for being upright.  Plus we know God will provide for all our needs so why cheat?  (Mat 17:27) Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you.” (see also Gen 22:8, 14; Phil 4:19)

Taxes have a way of dividing people.  The kingdom of Israel was divided into northern and southern kingdoms permanently because of a tax issue under Rehoboam and his failure to budge on tax heavy taxes his father Solomon had imposed on the land (1 Kings 12:1-24).  (See also Dan 11:20).  We look at our legislators today arguing over less tax and more tax.  This makes us also think of how far back this goes, even to the Boston Tea Party of 1773!  We also might disagree on how the tax money is disbursed based on personal opinion and ethic.  And speaking of ethic, I just tell the Lord to make sure my taxes won’t go to fund that abortion but go to improving the streets in my neighborhood!  

Louie

COMFORTER OR COMFORT FOOD?

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

COMFORTER OR COMFORT FOOD?

(John 14:16) And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter…

We all seem to have a love affair with food.  And don’t we have variety and abundance of it in America!  They say we should eat to live and not live to eat but we kind of suspect that person surely has no fun in life!  Since food seems to always be on our minds how should we view the whole eating experience from a Biblical perspective?  Aren’t we free as believers to enjoy?  At least we don’t do drugs or alcohol anymore is our usual comeback.  Let’s take an honest look at this topic because for many of us food is a problem and even affecting our quality of life.   

I believe God wants us to enjoy our food or He wouldn’t have given us taste buds!  Eating is a pleasure.  It satisfies the hunger and brings people together.  God provides for all of our needs and for most of us we have never gone to bed hungry or had a worry about how we would acquire our next meal.  But we have to admit that food can get out of control in our lives.  A good thing has now become a bad thing and as a result has negative consequences.  How did this happen?  At what point did it transfer over to something unhealthy?    

I think what happens is that we are looking to food for our comfort in life.  We are stressed out and food makes us feel good!  Problem is our problems continue and so does our eating.  We are now in a trap.  We internalize our problems and many times don’t even know what we are doing.  Food is so accessible and you can just grab and go and you don’t even think about the fact that you are really medicating.  Then we develop a bad habit and we know habits are hard to break.  People try dieting but they usually go back to their original weight or even gain more.  It’s an unhealthy cycle for sure.

So what do we do?  Realize that what you need when you get stressed is not a sandwich but the bread of life Jesus Christ!  (John 6:35) And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger…  Take all your problems to Jesus.  Let Him satisfy with the Holy Spirit as the comforter.  He will fill you up with His love and the only thing you will gain is the pleasure of His presence (Psa 16:11).  Instead of going to food, go to God!  Stop and pray when you are tempted.  Don’t serve your stomach (Rom 16:18), serve the Lord.  Eat of His Word (Job 23:12).  Enjoy the milk and meat of it (1 Pet 2:2; Heb 5:12-14).  It even satisfies a sweet tooth! (Psa 19:10).  

You might say that’s fine coming from a skinny preacher!  Ah, but this is even for people like myself who can turn to food as well, and God knows our hearts.  And it’s so funny because I am writing this at the lab waiting for blood to be drawn for my annual checkup.  I had to fast and go without coffee.  I am famished and trying to avoid being grumpy.  Hope my number gets called soon because I’m eager to put my grub on!  (Rom 14:17)

Louie