Today’s poem posted at my other blog Step Ahead is inspired by the post “Simply Believe” which points out that simply following the Way of Jesus leads to victory in our life.
The video The Way by Jeremy Camp has this same thought in mind. We can enroll in God’s school of wisdom and apply this wisdom in our life. The Bible is the text book to the course and Jesus is the example to follow.
Photo Source – “Bing.” Microsoft. N.p., n.d. Web. Images >.
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God promised to those who love him. – James 1:12
Life is frustrating and we sometimes jump to false conclusions like Job did when he thought God was out to get him as explained in the post “The Perfect Place”. We complain like Job but keep in mind, we have someone to represent us and fights for us.
Let us empty out the darkness and let the Light of Christ fill up this emptiness on the inside so that we become beacons that light up the darkness brighter than the brightest stars of the night.
God is for you and not against you. Listen to the song Light Up The Sky by The Afters. Make an effort to go out one clear night before you go to sleep, look up high in the sky. Take a look at the stars that shine and know that God is saying that you are mine.
Photo Source – “Bing.” Microsoft. N.p., n.d. Web. Images >.
My grandfather used to say, “This world and one more”. The current world is not perfect but the other one is so let us keep in mind the perfect place in heaven which is beyond what we could imagine. This day we continue to grow in what we believe and are grateful for all we receive.
We’ve been reading in the book of Job and have noted that the world of Job is certainly not perfect. In a deep state of despair, he’s going through anguish and misery because he had lost everything. His children, his livestock, and his property. Then, he is afflicted with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head (Job 3:7).
Reading today in Job 10, he agonizes over why God is letting these bad things happen to him. He says God made him, gave him wealth, showed much kindness to him but now God has allowed him to drown in affliction (v. 15).
Life is frustrating and we sometimes jump to false conclusions that God is out to get us much like Job believed. We complain like Job but keep in mind, we have someone to represent us and fight for us. Let us empty out the darkness. Let the Light of Christ fill up this emptiness on the inside so that we become beacons that light up the darkness of this world brighter than the brightest stars of the night.
This day with You Lord, we are in a fight. It’s a fight of good against evil. We are team members for good working together and thankful for a new start each day because of grace. Thankful for what Jesus has done on the cross. Today, we walk the path to the perfect place and are focused on the finish line to victory. Amen.
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. – Matthew 11:28-29
The post “Antidote to Despair” makes the point that everyone who believes in what the gospel clearly explains and accepts God’s Son as their Savior has a protective antidote to despair. Available is the opportunity to receive this antidote for a weary soul.
Jesus will carry your burdens so this day, lay them all down. Take a few minutes to listen to the song Oh My Soul by Casting Crowns. It may seem that joy is gone but remember, you are never alone. In just one short day, God can make a way so lay burdens down and things can turn around.
Photo Source – “Bing.” Microsoft. N.p., n.d. Web. Images >.
Our soul is in a constant battle with negative thoughts and attitudes of this world but God has the antidote to despair by replacing the negative that penetrates our soul with righteousness.
We know so far on our journey that Job is in a deep state of despair. He is going through anguish and misery because he had lost everything. His children, his livestock, and his property. Then, he is afflicted with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head (Job 3:7).
Reading today in Job 9, God’s justice doesn’t bother Job but the fact that he can’t do anything about his situation does. Job sees God as the Creator of everything. The Father, maker of night and day, the stars and heavens, and the water of the sea.
The justice of God is to make wrongs right; everyone who believes in what the gospel clearly explains and accepts God’s Son as their Savior has a protective antidote to despair. Available to everyone is the opportunity to receive this antidote that renews the soul.
*One thought from my pastor’s sermon years ago was that the world puts pressure on us all to do more than we could possibly do; to carry loads we can’t carry alone. Christ makes our burdens light. If we spend more of our time on developing our soul, we will be prepared for everything right now and for all eternity. – Steve Ramsdell, 10-20-2013
So we know now that there is an answer to Job’s complaint in verses 32-33. As pointed out in 1 Timothy 2:5, “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus”.
This day we are thankful for the antidote to despair which is God’s Truth. It may take a while for many to see but accepting the Truth makes one righteous. We patiently wait for more and more to comprehend this Truth that God became flesh as Jesus Christ. Today we pray in Your name Jesus as our Mediator. Amen.
*”Sermons.” Sermons | FUMC Waco. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://fumcwaco.org/resources/sermons/>.
Click the image above to Link to my other blog called "Step Ahead"
Click image & link to Bible Study Space Top 100
Click Image for More Info
