If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. –2 Corinthians 5:17
God created Earth for us and reigns over it but since Adam and Eve, Satan gained a foothold. Everyone has shortcomings but by repenting and accepting God’s plan of redemption, anyone can become a new creation.
The ending of the Book of Job is a happy one as brought out in “Put Faith into Practice”. Job repents and his life turns around as he reunites with his wife, he has more children, his friends help him, and God blesses him with twice as much wealth as he had before.
So this day with God, let us do the same by starting each day with prayer trying to determine our specific purpose, writing out goals to meet this purpose, and giving God the glory by applying our faith towards attainment of these goals.
Our hearts and minds will then be prepared to fulfill God’s Plan for Us. We can reflect on the past and step ahead using our experiences to build on this plan as we apply our faith in our life.
Let’s start with the song In Jesus Name (God of Possible) by Katy Nichole and put into practice what the song says by starting with a prayer of revival and restoration. Praying for a breakthrough and that circumstances will change.
The photo is the Guadalupe River near Gruene Texas. We can see that the water keeps flowing just as God’s grace keeps flowing and flowing. The Spirit then prepares our hearts and minds for God’s Plan. We can reflect on the past so we can go forward using our experiences to build on this plan as we put our faith into practice.
Even though we collect knowledge from God’s Word and gain wisdom, we still need to apply our faith. Through prayer, we can determine our specific purpose in this world, write out goals to meet this purpose, and apply our faith towards attainment of these goals as we set out each day to give God all the glory.
From the beginning of the book of Job, we know that Job had lost his children, his livestock, and his property. Then he was subject to more trials with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head (Job 2:7). Job’s friends said that he was being judged for sin he committed so Job wanted a chance to defend himself because he believed he was a righteous man and didn’t deserve to be judged.
In Job 42, recorded is that Job has not only heard God but now has seen God (v. 5). Job is convinced that God can do all things and that His purpose will be accomplished. Job had listened to God and all the questions but had not understood so he now repents with the following statement (v. 6):
Therefore I despise myself
and repent in dust and ashes.
This reminds us of Ash Wednesday and the beginning of lent when we recognize shortcomings and repent. For forty days, we prepare for Good Friday and then Easter morn dawns. Our hearts and minds are prepared for God’s Plan for Us. We can reflect on the past so we can go forward using our experiences to build on this plan as we apply our faith in our life.
Reading further in this passage, Job’s life turns around as he reunites with his wife, he has more children, his friends help him, and God blesses him with twice as much wealth as he had before. He lives to be an old man full of years and gets to see his children have children for four generations (v. 16-17).
So to wrap things up in our study of the book of Job, we note that the Earth was created by God but Adam and Eve were deceived. Humanity became separated from God but through repentance and acceptance of Jesus, our relationship with God is restored. This study of Job has provided new and reinforced knowledge of the Word of God and gives us insight into His ways so that we can put our faith into practice.
This day with You Lord, we pray that grace flows internally into our heart. Then naturally flows outward like a stream of water with thoughts and ideas about how to put our faith into practice. This new and glorious day, we reflect on the past to gain more thoughts and ideas as we step ahead with experiences to build on. We accept Your plan for us and will put into practice our faith so that we glorify You in all we do. Amen.
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. – Matthew 11:28-30
Mentioned in “Offer Food for the Soul” is that we have questions about why certain things happen. We don’t understand the bad that happens like wars, fires, storms, earthquakes, sickness, crime, and murder. Nothing is perfect and sometimes we take other people and things that happen too seriously rather than loosening up and relying on God.
This day with God, let us receive rest for our souls knowing that He is overpowering and in control. As the lyrics to the song Unstoppable by Rascal Flatts go, get on your knees and dig down deep. You can do what you think is impossible because God’s love for you is unstoppable.
Photo – Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch – July 2021 – Feeding the wildlife
In the summer of 2021, my family spent some time in San Antonio Texas and also visited Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch nearby. We bought some food for the animals to feed them as we drove through the wildlife ranch. The animals would come close up to our car because they knew we had some food.
This day with God, let us encourage one another and offer food for the soul as we read Job 41. We note today that not all of God’s creatures are peaceful. God describes the leviathan as a sea monster or dragon like creature in which fire shoots out of its mouth. Everyone is afraid of the leviathan because no one can control the death and destruction it can cause.
Only God could control the leviathan and God does what He does in order to maintain authority and control. We have questions about why certain things happen. We don’t understand the bad that happens like wars, fires, storms, earthquakes, sickness, crime, and murder.
His ways are not always understood, and we don’t always react in the way we should. We may panic or react with anger, but we must understand that everyone and everything is under God’s control. We must understand that no one is perfect.
Sometimes we can take ourselves and others too seriously. It’s a good idea to loosen up, know what strengths God has given each person, obey His instructions, and simply take action when opportunities are presented to carry outGod’s Plan for Us.
Being confident in God’s Way gives us the ability to keep other people in mind. Being open to listening to them and helping them receive the plan, execute His plan, and helping them to see the victory.
Lord, we need patience, poise, and humility in the world we live in today with all the bad things happening like wars, crime, and economic turmoil. We pray for peace in the world and in our hearts. The Good news is that Your Word feeds our soul with encouragement. What seems to be undoable becomes unstoppable with You. We put You in control to face the big challenges and have confidence that You will set things up for amazing things to happen in the future. Amen.
A poem posted at my other blog Step Ahead is inspired by the post “Loving God and Neighbor” which shares the most important commandment. Love is life and you never fail as long as love is in your heart so desire to learn the principles of Christ, invite Him into your heart to guide your every step, and build a path from a place of doom to a place where you flourish and bloom.
Read the word, have a quiet time along with prayer, plan out ways to love your neighbor, and gain inspiration to step ahead on these plans with the song First Love by Kari Jobe.
This Day With God - A Spiritual Journey 