Are You Stuck In Your Sufferings?

Are You Stuck In Your Sufferings

All through the Gospels we read of stories of extreme faith. These people were willing to risk their well being just to be healed. Or we read where Jesus could sense a person's genuine faith in Him.

Then in Mark 6 we see an example of the extreme opposite. The people in Jesus' hometown heard the same message and the same miracles that others have heard, but instead of accepting it, they tried to humanize it. Instead of accepting the divine in Jesus they accepted the human side of Him. Their hearts were hardened, and as you read the end of the story; they missed out on a lot of Jesus miracles. The sick remained sick, the suffering kept on suffering. In fact the Bible even goes as far as to say "Jesus was AMAZED at their lack of faith."

I know that the same is true today. There are some of us that can't accept the divinity of Jesus. Yes, we call ourselves Christians, we are good people, but Jesus was just a good man or a good prophet. I would guess that Jesus is not very active in those people's lives.

Then there are some of us, that do believe the divinity of Jesus. But, we still lack the faith, or maybe a better word is that we do not stretch our faith to see Jesus do miracles in our lives. One example; a person is tight or struggling with money. Because of this reason they do not give Jesus a percent of what is His in the first place (They do not tithe), ie. they lack the faith to trust Jesus that He will provide for them. So as it says in Mark 6, Jesus is not active in their lives, they stay stuck in their sufferings.

Must Read Article: Is Our Earth Suffering?

If you feel that Jesus is not active in your life, take a look at Mark 6 again. Is Jesus speaking about you? I can tell you honestly, faith is not easy, it is hard. But I can also tell you, that every time Kim and I have stepped out in faith, Jesus has met us there. We have seen things that humanly speaking should not have happened.

Mark 6:2-6 

And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, "Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Josesph and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him. And Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household." And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. And he marveled because of their unbelief.

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Why Do We Suffer?

Why Do We Suffer?

Job is the best insight God gives us to the old age question: Why Do We Suffer?

Why Do We Suffer?

If you have children, this might sound familiar. Your child wants something from you, you tell them "No" and try and explain the reason why they can not have this "Thing." But, that is not good enough, they ask again, and again, and again, and keep on questioning "Why". Maybe you are not a parent, but as a child you can remember doing this to your parents.  Why are you making me suffer!

You as a parent become frustrated, and maybe a little short tempered, and

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finally you answer your child. "No, because I said so" or "No, because I am your dad, and I say NO". I can imagine this is the tone GOD answered Job. Job, you are sick because I am GOD, and you are not. Since you think you have all this figured out, let me test your knowledge on "Life". It sounds like it was a very humbling experience for Job. Do you think Job could answer Why Do We Suffer?

When something bad happens to us, or a bad situation happens that we do not understand or agree with, we demand an answer, we have to understand, and "Because I said NO" does not sit well with us. We are the creation demanding answers from the creator. We answer to HIM, not the reverse. Why Do We Suffer?

There are two wonderful points that GOD makes, that I believe we can use when we do not understand: Why Do We Suffer?

Job 38:2 - "Who is this that darkens my consul with words without knowledge?"

Job 41:11 - "Who has a claim against me that I must pay. EVERYTHING under heaven belongs to ME". The last one I believe is the best, everything is GOD's.

There are going to be bad things that happen to us and our loved ones. Situations are going to happen that make us sick inside and cry. There is going to be pain and suffering in our life time. GOD may show some of HIS plans to us, some HE may not. Our job is to know He is GOD and we are not. He is the Creator, we are the creation. I know this is not easy at times, but this concept will carry you through anything that life dishes out to you. Thank you, and I hope that you will join me as we start the Psalms.

Insight Into Scripture

I am so glad that you joined us. This next section of scripture is one of my favorites in the Bible. If you remember last week we left off with Elihu and his very long, arrogant speech. But, the entire dynamics of the book changes in chapter 38, GOD enters the picture. The book changes from suffering, heartache, confusion, and pain, to the glory and majesty of GOD.

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Chapter 38 GOD enters and helps Job see the big picture of what has been, and what is going on around him. GOD shows Job his majesty.

Chapter 39 continues GOD's speech. Chapter 40 Job acknowledges GOD's majesty, but GOD is not done with Job, He continues on counseling Job until chapter 42 where Job again acknowledges GOD's sovereignty. God then turns His attention to Job's friends, where he expresses HIS anger with them and tells Job to pray for them! Nice turn!

The story has a very happy ending. Job suffering is over. Job is blessed much more than the first part of his life. GOD blesses his business, his family, and GOD gives him 140 more years to live.

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Try and Imagine........

Always try and put yourself into the Bible and it's characters. Today, we have the Bible, so we know creation, Genesis, GOD, Jesus, and GOD's hand in our universe. We know the entire story, Job did not. He had nothing.

Imagine not knowing how the world was created, you understand nature and animals, but you do not know who was responsible. Now imagine how you would feel if the being that made all this showed up in a storm and let you know HE is the one who created all this. I can imagine it would be very humbling.

Scripture Reading - Job 41-42

1 Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm. He said:

2 "Who is this that darkens my counselwith words without knowledge?"

3 Brace yourself like a man;I will question you,and you shall answer me."

4 "Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? Tell me, if you understand."

11 "Who has a claim against me that I must pay? Everything under heaven belongs to me."

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Why Do The Innocent Suffer?

Why Do The Innocent Suffer?

Have you ever questioned why the "rich" seem to have a great life, but why do (I) the innocent suffer?

To understand Job, you have to understand that he was very wealthy. The size of his flocks were enormous! Job was also very close to GOD, he is called "Blameless and upright" by GOD. Job had a good life, he was walking with GOD, and GOD had blessed him for it. Job was the most upright person on earth..... I guess he would be a modern day Billy Graham. I can imagine that Job could feel GOD's presence with him.

The dialogue between satan and GOD is one of a kind. I would suggest reading and re-reading it again. satan was looking for someone to pick on, he appears before GOD with the other angels. During the conversation did you pick up on the fact the GOD suggested Job to satan (1:8)? satan did not ask for Job, GOD had faith in Job. He knew that he was the man for the trial, he knew that he would come forth as gold. Would GOD have that confidence in you, today?

satan had to have permission to afflict Job and he had boundaries too, but GOD

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did not allow him to act upon his motives. After satan leaves GOD he BLASTS Job. Can you imagine losing your business, job, savings, bonds, 401k, everything financial? Then if that were not enough, your family dies....gone, in a fatal accident. How does Job react? He praises GOD (1:20) yes, that is right, he goes through the act of mourning and worships GOD. How do you think you would react?

After satan sees that he is failing, he goes back to GOD and asks permission to affect his health. GOD agrees and gives him permission, but again draws boundaries, satan could not take his life. So after loosing his business, and his family, he looses his health and the support of his wife. Even after all this, Job still does not fall. Ha Ha satan! :P

Chapter 3 peaks at Job's frustration. He is maxxed out! Have you ever said or thought, "I wish I were never born?" That is Job's mind set. The last verse in chapter 3 sums up Job's state of mind "I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil.

"Up to chapter 4, Job's friends were wonderful. They were supportive and sat with Job while he was going through this very tough time. But, they blew it in chapter 4 and as we progress you will see how "Supportive" they are. We will take a look at this in the next couple of devotionals.

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Insight Into Scripture

Here is some background on this book. Job is the oldest book of the Bible, it was written around 2000 to 1800 BC. The author is unknown, some believe Job and his counselors, may have.

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In Job 2:8 Job is sitting among the ashes. Ashes were most likely found on a dunghill or town dump.

Job has one of the best dialogues between satan and GOD. The first 4 chapters are a MUST read!

Bringing The Bible Alive

In Jewish culture when a person was in mourning their friends would gather and just sit, this process was/is called Sitting Shiva. It would be a process where your friends would gather together and just sit and mourn with that person. They would not say a word, not try and fix the person, just be there for the person that is hurting.As you are reading Job, try and put yourself in his shoes, try and feel his loses, and see if you would react the same way.

Related Blog: Why Is Our Earth Suffering?

Scripture Reading

Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. The LORD said to Satan, "From where have you come?" Satan answered the LORD and said, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it."  And the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?" Then Satan answered the LORD and said, "Does Job fear God for no reason?  Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face." And the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand." So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD. - Job 1:6-12 ESV

Closing Prayer

Dear Jesus

Thank You Father for loving me so much that You are willing to teach me to make me better. Thank You for sending Your Son to pay the ultimate price for me so that I can be with You for eternity. Father I pray that all of those that are going through these times like Job, that they fall to their knees and seek You to get them through it. I pray they will see all the blessings and the work that You do through the terrible times.

I love You and I pray, Amen

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Is Our Earth Suffering From Our Sin?

Is Our Earth Suffering From Our Sin?

#Earth #Earthday

Hearing about yet another Tornado that ravished the earth, I cannot help but to think Is Our Earth Suffering From Our Sin or sinful nature? It seems to me there are more natural disasters than I can remember. But I have heard that these are not the worse storms that we have ever had. Plus I have not been around for 2000 years, was it worse back then? Is it because our social media is stronger and more advanced then ever? Something happens and we see it in real time? Remember hearing when Christ returns the entire world would see it? When I was a kid it was unimaginable, but today it is a reality!

So where do we go from here? Well, whenever there are questions about life we should turn to the Bible. Here are two verses that I found:

"For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time." Romans 8:20-22

"So the Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, Cursed are you above all livestock and all wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life. And I will put enmity between you and the woman and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” To the woman he said, I will make your pains in childbearing very severe; with painful labor you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.” To Adam he said, “Because you listened to your wife and ate fruit from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You must not eat from it, Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.” Genesis 3:14-19

So, what are your thoughts? Is the earth suffering from our sin, greed and sinful ways? 

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