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

I AM THE RESURRECTION

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

I AM THE RESURRECTION

(John 11:25) Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.

Jesus would raise three people from the dead:  The widow’s son at Nain (Luke 7:11-17), Jairus’ daughter (Mat 9:18-26), and Lazarus (John 11:1-45).  These would point to His soon coming resurrection as well as the resurrection of believers in the future  (John 5:28-29; 1 Cor 15).  

The story of the raising of Lazarus was intense for the very fact that Lazarus was the good friend of Jesus and for the fact that he had been dead for four days.  When Jesus arrives on the scene the atmosphere was emotionally charged.  There were feelings of natural grief and mourning as well as anger.  Martha and Mary’s sorrow was let off on Jesus when they said if He had been there then their brother would not have died.  Jesus in the story groans in his spirit and then weeps when He sees all the sadness over the loss of Lazarus.   Little did everyone know that a miracle was about to unfold.  

A lot of people get down on Martha for being that overly busy and frantic type (Luke 10:38-42) but in this story she expresses faith even in her sadness.  She said to Jesus, “But even now I now that whatever You ask of God, God will give you.” Jesus said that her brother would rise again.  Martha said that she knew that he would rise again in the resurrection at the last day.   Then Jesus said that He was the resurrection and the life and whoever believes in Him would never die.  This means when you put your faith and trust in Jesus and what He did on the cross for your sins, you will be saved and have eternal life.  

Jesus then asked Martha if she believed this and Martha said yes and that she believed Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God who was to come into the world.  This is significant because sometimes it’s hard to believe in the resurrection and have hope in eternal life through Christ because it’s almost too good to be true.  Does God love us that much that He will save us for all of eternity?  Can we be confident that as we approach death we will be a part of the resurrection to come and that furthermore our spirit is with Jesus in an instant? (2 Cor 5:8)  Martha said yes and we can be believe and be certain too.  Then Jesus raised Lazarus!  

In John chapter 12 we have the story of Jesus visiting the house of Lazarus, Mary, and Martha.  A supper was made and there was emphasis that Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him.  Can you imagine the gratitude this family felt in their hearts for raising Lazarus and giving him back to them?  No wonder Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard and anointed the feet of Jesus which filled the whole house with the fragrance.  That’s worship!  How the Lord loves it when we are grateful in our hearts for all He has done and we worship Him in that sacrifice of praise (Heb 13:15).  Let’s us worship our risen Lord!

Louie

WILL YOU CARRY THE CROSS?

 

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP  

WILL YOU CARRY THE CROSS?  

(Mat 27:32) Now as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. Him they compelled to bear His cross.  

When Jesus was finally sentenced to be crucified by Pilate He was led out of the city of Jerusalem to Golgotha to join the offenders there suffering for their crimes. It was common for the one sentenced to carry the cross that they were to be crucified on. (John 19:17) And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha. Along the way Jesus became weak from the beatings He suffered all that night and morning and He just couldn’t shoulder the weight any longer.  

You can imagine the Roman soldiers becoming impatient with Jesus. They probably pushed and prodded Him all the while scorning Him and shouting at Him. But the Lord wasn’t able to go on. He needed help in carrying His cross. The soldiers looked around and found a fellow passing along the way. The Romans had the power to compel people into service if there was a need, and sure enough there was this man who was in the right place at the right time.  

Simon was a Jewish man who lived in Cyrene. Cyrene was a city of Libya, in Africa, lying west of Egypt. There were many Jews there and they were in the habit of going frequently to Jerusalem, especially at the feast times (Acts 2:10). In fact, the Jews from Cyrene had their own synagogue in Jerusalem to worship in (Acts 6:9). So here comes Simon in his usual manner but this time he finds himself caught up in the drama of the moment. You can picture him wondering as to the commotion of the crowd and going over to check it out and he sees a man on the ground unable to carry his instrument of torture and death. Then all of a sudden Simon is compelled into service to help carry the cross of Christ. According to Luke 23:26 it looks like he bore the tail end of the cross and together Simon and Jesus walked the road.  

This experience made a deep impact on this man Simon and he doubtless became a follower of Christ. His two sons, Alexander and Rufus, were well known believers (Mark 15:21; Rom 16:13). But this time he wouldn’t have to be compelled! (2 Cor 5:14) For the love of Christ compels us…  

Jesus had taught his followers to carry their cross for Him: (Luke 9:23) Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. This would mean their share of sufferings for His name and to be dead to sin and the ways of the world. Paul would pick up on this and proclaim: I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. (1 Cor 15:31)
 Will you carry the cross for Jesus? And will you carry it every day out of love for Him? (Heb 13:13) Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach.  

Louie

THE POPE

 

 

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

THE POPE

The world’s attention has recently turned to the election of a new pope for the 1.2 billion Catholics worldwide. Once the white smoke arose from the Sistine Chapel all who were waiting outside in St. Peter’s Square knew that two days of voting were over and a new leader had been selected. For Catholics this meant not only rhapsody but also relief. But amongst non-Catholics it has only raised questions. What does the Bible have to say about the pope?

The Bible speaks for the authority of Jesus Christ as the Head of the church. (Col 1:18) And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. (see also Eph 1:22, 4:15; Col 2:10, 19) Of course there are spiritual leaders that God has raised up in the church to build up the church in spiritual growth: (Eph 4:11-12) And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.

Catholics believe Peter was the appointed leader by Christ to lead the church (and his successors). But this would go contrary to what Peter wrote in his own epistle: (1 Pet 5:1-5) The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: 2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; 4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.

So where did the idea of pope come from? It came from a conversation Jesus had with Peter: (Mat 16:15-19) He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Catholics believe Jesus was referring to Peter being the rock that Jesus would build the church upon. Non-Catholics believe Jesus was referring to Peter’s confession about Jesus being the Christ, the Son of the Living God.

In Revelation it is stated that Jesus hated the deeds and doctrine of the Nicolaitans (2:6, 15). Nicolaitans is from the Greek word nikao and means “to conquer”, and laos meaning “people”. The Nicolaitans appear to be a sect that were the forerunners of the clerical hierarchy who exercised control over the laity. The Lord had such distaste for anything that would come between His headship over our lives. And if you think about it…so should we.

Louie

WHEN YOUR BEST ISN’T GOOD ENOUGH

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

WHEN YOUR BEST ISN’T GOOD ENOUGH

(Acts 23:11) But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.”

Do you ever feel like your best isn’t good enough?  You’ve tried and you’ve done your very best but to no avail?  You’ve gone the extra mile or twenty-two but end up with only blisters to show for it?  Sounds like you need some encouragement from God’s Word!  

Paul had tried his very best and he had failed miserably.  He had waited for years to be able to share Christ with the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem.  He had been away in far off lands leading Gentiles to the Lord.  But now he was back in Jerusalem, the city of the great King.  He had an offering to present to the Jewish believers taken from the Gentile churches.  Paul was encouraged by the leadership of the Jerusalem church to sponsor some men in their sacrifices in the Temple.  But everything went wrong.  Some of these worshippers were mistaken for Greeks and a riot broke out.  Paul was almost beaten to death but was rescued by Roman soldiers who whisked him away to the barracks.  

Paul seized the opportunity while on the steps to ask if he could address the hostile crowd.  He was allowed and then proceeded to speak in Hebrew.  The crowd was hushed and Paul shared his testimony.  But when he mentioned how he was called to the Gentiles they got excited again and Paul had to be ushered into the barracks quickly.  But at least he got a word about the gospel in!  The next day the chief priests and the Jewish Sanhedrin were commanded to appear.  This was the opportunity he had dreamed about.  He loved his people and his country and now he had the council’s attention.  But it wasn’t long before the group was divided over what Paul was saying and they about pulled him apart .  He had to be rescued and brought back into the barracks again.  

This was probably the lowest point in Paul’s life.  He had the Jewish leaders in the palms of his hands but everything went wrong.  What he had worked so hard for had failed.  His best wasn’t good enough and he sunk into an all-time low.  But in the midst of this dismal despair the voice of the Lord came assuring to him.  He was told to cheer up because God had a greater plan than Paul knew.  The Lord was taking him to Rome.  And sure enough Paul was able to share Christ all the way to Rome and even stood before Cesar himself to testify.  

Do you see the picture?  What we think is a failure is really the back door to success.  We think life is going to be a certain way and when that doesn’t happen we get so upset.  But the Lord says to be of good cheer because He has a plan beyond belief.  You don’t have to work so hard trying to keep things together. That’s the Lord’s job!  Do your best but then commit the rest.  Jesus takes care of the rest.  And that’s good enough.

Louie