Questions for Reflection for Study of Job 21-28

Posted on July 12, 2022 by Mark Shields

We live in a busy world with busy schedules and being able to share some thoughts about this journey with others across this world through the Internet is truly a blessing. The below Questions for Reflection will stimulate thought and offer ideas for applying biblical principles. At all stages of life, the Bible is helpful in providing what is needed to be successful. If you have not done so yet, click the follow button on the top right side of this page to be notified of future posts.

Job 21 – How does Job regard the second speech of Zophar? What is all Job wants from his friends? Do you have to understand God’s ways of doing things? Why?

Job 22 – What concept of God does Eliphaz have? Who is the truly wealthy person? Although this is a beautiful passage, why doesn’t it apply to Job’s situation? Can you remember a time when you have witnessed someone misapply truth? Why did they misapply it?

Job 23-24 – What is Job’s main concern in chapter 23? What makes the difference between Job’s confidence (23:4-7, 10-12) and his dread (23:13-17)? How has God taken the initiative to find you?

Job 25-26 – What is the emphasis of Bildad’s third speech concerning God and man? In what different ways does God use His power (relate to 26:14)? How are you involved in the greatness and power of God?

Job 27 – Considering that Job and his friends have access to the same facts, why do you think that they come to different conclusions? What can you do when you are pressured to be deceitful or ignore facts you know?  When have you asked God to expose flaws in your thinking? Why?

Job 28 – What is the purpose of this description of mining? Why doesn’t technological advancement bring moral wisdom? What kind of perspective brings wisdom? How and where have you found wisdom?

Feel free to respond with a short note or a comment about any of the questions above. Also, I welcome any other thoughts or ideas, favorite inspirational videos, photos, or favorite Bible verses. Just add them to the comments.

Resources and Supplementary Helps Used in Posts

Adeney, Carol. This Morning with God: A Daily Study Guide to the Entire Bible. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1978. Print.

“Sermons.” Sermons | FUMC Waco. N.p., n.d. Web.  <http://fumcwaco.org/resources/sermons/>.

“Bible.” The Bible – The Word of God – ChristNotes. N.p., n.d. Web. 2017. <http://www.christianity.com/bible/>.

Nicholes, Lou. “Recent Commentaries.” Family-Times.net – Devotional Commentary Index. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://www.family-times.net/commentary/>.

“Bing.” Microsoft. N.p., n.d. Web. Images >.

“BibleGateway.” BibleGateway.com: A Searchable Online Bible in over 150 Versions and 50 Languages. N.p., n.d. Web. <https://www.biblegateway.com/>.

To store up thoughts that are good for the soul, listen to a sermon. Download the free app in the App Store or on Google Play. Look for First Waco.

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Spiritual Journey Through Job 15 – 20

Posted on July 11, 2022 by Mark Shields

God has a purpose for people in all stages of life be it a teen deciding what type of career they would like to pursue, the college student, the young professional, the leader within a business or organization, or the person nearing or already in retirement. At all stages of life, the Bible is helpful in providing what is needed to be successful. If you have not done so yet, click the follow button over on the right side of this page to be notified of future post.

Over the last few weeks, I’ve been looking at ways to apply the word found in the book of Job and sharing some thoughts that not only can benefit you now but also help the next generation too! The greatest of all possessions one can hand off to future generations are the guiding principles taught by Christ Jesus.

The post “Sympathy” had some thoughts about reacting to people going through difficulties like Job was going through. We can’t see the heart and we don’t know the reasons for their problems so we shouldn’t assume that they are being punished by God.

It’s hard to accept the old adage “pain is gain” in many circumstances we face in life but as pointed out in “Second Wind”, the tone can change as it did for Job when he sought an advocate for his predicament.

Pointed out in “Water that Satisfies Forever” is that we have an advantage today of knowing about Jesus who offers a forever wonderful future if we accept what He has done on the cross. We can hand over our despair to Him and ask Holy Spirit to direct our steps so our needs are provided for, our desires have resolve, and we have faith that our dreams will come true. 

We noted in “The Light Changes Everything” that Bildad accused Job of wrongdoing but Job needed sympathy. Only God knows the full story of someone’s life so rather than condemn someone, build them up.

Within “Hearts on Fire”, the point made is that it makes all the difference when we believe our Redeemer lives and we follow the plan. If a difficult past has been faced, it can be set aside and we can enthusiastically build a brighter future together.

The post “Grounded” emphasized the importance of focusing on the intangible qualities of Christ. The true treasures in life here on earth are spiritual in nature. The intangible qualities of faith, hope, and love that Christ demonstrated to us while physically on earth.

Keep up with my spiritual journey over the next few weeks either through following this blog by clicking the follow button on the top right side of this page or liking the Facebook page I’ve set up at this link: This Day With God – A Spiritual Journey. Let’s share thoughts or ideas about applying our faith so we step ahead along the path to victory.

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Poetry Friday 07-08-2022

Posted on July 8, 2022 by Mark Shields

Today’s poem posted at my other blog Step Ahead is inspired by the post “Impact the World for the Better”. Let us think of ways to help cut out what is bad in life and let in what is good. Take the opportunity to be the salt of the earth to preserve the faith and add flavor so it is sought after. 

As the song Humble and Kind by Tim McGraw points out, grow in faith, visit grandpa and grandma, say please and thank you. Don’t steal or cheat but let dreams come to you and work hard so they are realized.

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Walk in the Spirit

Posted on July 7, 2022 by Mark Shields

Those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. –  Galatians 5:24-25

The post “Grounded” had some thoughts about Zophar blaming Job for his hardship and that he believed Job needed to be disciplined like a parent who is grounding a child. The post emphasized the importance of focusing on the intangible qualities of Christ. The true treasures in life here on earth are spiritual in nature. The intangible qualities of faith, hope, and love that Christ demonstrated to us while physically on earth.

The purpose is to become a champion for God by developing a disciplined process and by following the perfect model, Christ. So today, take inspiration from the song Lead Me to the Cross by Hillsongs. The Word became flesh and love was poured out for you and me. We can drink it in to be all we are made to be and that’s when we truly begin to walk in the Spirit.

Index of devotionals

Posted in Devotionals, Discipline | 1 Comment

Grounded

Posted on July 6, 2022 by Mark Shields
Plane taken to Orlando

*Why did the airplane get grounded? It had a bad altitude.

Parents have to use discipline for their children and many use the strategy of grounding. Maybe the child did something wrong or had a bad attitude so they keep them from going out to meet with friends as a form of punishment.

Reading today in Job 20, Zophar speaks for a second time as he responds Job’s comments. The tone of his reply seems to be coming from a feeling of being rebuked for what Job considers as bad advice.

As was the case in the first talk with Job, Zophar believes it is Job that has the problem and has done something wrong or lacks discipline towards the way of God. Zophar is blaming Job for his hardship and like a child being grounded by a parent, believes Job is being disciplined.

Zophar reiterates the theme of his previous talk to Job which is the argument of short-term success for those who do wrong and assumes that Job had obtained his wealth from being a dishonest person and now has lost it all because of his sin.

Zophar uses more illustrations for explaining his viewpoint. He says that evil is sweet in the mouth for a short time but then turns sour in the stomach to become the venom of serpents within (v. 12-14). Prosperity does not endure because distress begins to overtake as God rains down blows to the body and arrows start to pierce the skin all the way into the internal organs (v. 23-25). Terror will overcome the psyche of the wicked and God will bring His wrath which will overwhelm much like a flood that destroys their house (v 26-28).

Even though Zophar does not know the full story about Job and that it is Satan causing Job’s hardship, it is true that Zophar does make some sense because our wealth on earth is temporary and God’s judgment is certain. We must keep in mind that God is the judge and we must not accuse others like Zophar did.

These metaphors Zophar uses sometimes are fulfilled in our current society and sometimes they are not. For some, there is much pain when they lose it all but many times, people are never punished during their lifetime on earth. They are punished at the end of life on earth when God delivers His judgment. 

That’s why it’s so important to focus on the intangible qualities of Christ. The true treasures in life here on earth are spiritual in nature. The intangible qualities of faith, hope, and love that Christ demonstrated to us while physically walking on earth.

The purpose is to become a champion for God by developing a disciplined process and by following the perfect model, Christ. In the movie “The Karate Kid”, the mentor taught karate in a different way. Not the way the student thought. The student learned karate by doing menial task as the repetition was burned into his mind with the movements that are also used in karate. So it is with reading God’s word, we are learning with repetition so the Word is engrained into our mind and used as a weapon against the enemy.

This day with You Lord, we have read Your Word and day by day through repetition, are disciplined Your Way. Your Word gives us a model to follow in gaining eternal treasures that are needed now for making the world a better place and also stay with us throughout eternity. Amen.

*Jokes for days. (2021). Funny Editor – Jokes for Days. https://www.funnyeditor.com

Photo – Taken at Austin – Bergstrom International Airport as my family waited for our flight to Disney World in June of 2011

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