JULY 5, 2023

  “Nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, difficulty… I have never in my life envied a human being who led an easy life. I have envied a great many people who led difficult lives and led them well.” 

― Theodore Roosevelt

JOB 31-32

16“If I have denied the desires of the poor

or let the eyes of the widow grow weary,

17if I have kept my bread to myself,

not sharing it with the fatherless—

18but from my youth I reared them as a father would,

and from my birth I guided the widow—

19if I have seen anyone perishing for lack of clothing,

or the needy without garments,

20and their hearts did not bless me

for warming them with the fleece from my sheep,

21if I have raised my hand against the fatherless,

knowing that I had influence in court,

22then let my arm fall from the shoulder,

let it be broken off at the joint.

23For I dreaded destruction from God,

and for fear of his splendor I could not do such things.(31:16-23)

ACTS 13:1-23

9Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, 10“You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? 11Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind for a time, not even able to see the light of the sun.”

Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. 12When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.

JOURNAL 

Taking personal inventory is a good and necessary step in the journey of following Christ. To go through my actions and see if I have hurt anyone or done something that would have wronged another is good and healthy and keeps me humble. It also has a way of helping me to not take on things that are not my responsibility. 

To see Job go through his inventory of actions...weighing each as he searches for possible reasons for his current circumstances is both encouraging and discouraging. For Job never knew the reasons behind his fall and suffering. We as the reader, know it had nothing to do with the wrongs and actually was about all the good he did. We get to see behind the scenes but Job never does. Yet in the end it draws him closer to God.

To understand and know the depth of human darkness is to understand that there are those that will oppose God and anything good. Yet in all honesty it also reveals that I am no innocent bystander.  I have erred again and again, yet I am forgiven, redeemed and given all the joys of life. This is God's gift and too often I take it for granted. Too often I see life through the lens of what I don't have, didn't get, or how difficult my circumstance is rather than all the ways I have actually been blessed. It's mostly subtle but if I am really honest...it's always there.

However, seeing my life in terms of the blessings flips that switch in my brain and fuels me to want to make the most of this gift, make the most of this day. .

23Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 

 2 CORINTHIANS 6:3-10

JULY 4, 2023

  “If you have money, power, and status today, it is due to the century and place in which you were born, to your talents and capacities and health, none of which you earned. In short, all your resources are in the end the gift of God.” 

― Timothy J. Keller

JOB 29-30

 26Yet when I hoped for good, evil came;

when I looked for light, then came darkness.

27The churning inside me never stops;

days of suffering confront me.

28I go about blackened, but not by the sun;

I stand up in the assembly and cry for help.

29I have become a brother of jackals,

a companion of owls.

30My skin grows black and peels;

my body burns with fever.

31My lyre is tuned to mourning,

and my pipe to the sound of wailing.(30:26-31)

ACTS 12

Then Herod went from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there. 20He had been quarreling with the people of Tyre and Sidon; they now joined together and sought an audience with him. After securing the support of Blastus, a trusted personal servant of the king, they asked for peace, because they depended on the king’s country for their food supply.

21On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. 22They shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.” 23Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.

24But the word of God continued to spread and flourish.

JOURNAL 

Suffering and fortune really seem to have no preference for who they visit. Job is a righteous man while Herod is full of himself and seeks to be worshipped. Part of the lesson from Job is that righteousness does not guarantee immediate success, just as evil does not guarantee immediate punishment. 

Righteousness is really its own reward. God blesses in ways that the world cannot understand. For there is a peace in knowing God, knowing his spirit and experiencing his love. This is his kingdom come...God is the greatest gift and his gift of life is a gift which should never be taken for granted. If you have been born and have taken a breath on this earth then you are blessed. Too often I fall victim to comparisons and thereby miss the blessings right in front of me. 

Today, we celebrate something that for many seemed impossible. To win independence from what at that time was considered the most powerful country and military in the world, was a ridiculous dream. “The reflection upon my situation and that of this army produces many an uneasy hour when all around me are wrapped in sleep. Few people know the predicament we are in. January 14, 1776.”  - George Washington.  Yet it happened and 247 years later we are continuing to celebrate this unlikely reality. 

15Do not lurk like a thief near the house of the righteous,

do not plunder their dwelling place;

16for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again,

but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.

PROVERBS 24:1

JULY 3, 2023

  “Your success and happiness lies in you. Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invicible host against difficulties.” 

― Helen Keller

“Remember, results aren't the criteria for success — it's the effort made for achievement that is most important.” 
― John Wooden, Coach Wooden's Pyramid of Success: Building Blocks for a Better Life

JOB 26-28

20Where then does wisdom come from?

Where does understanding dwell?

21It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing,

concealed even from the birds in the sky.

22Destruction^b and Death say,

“Only a rumor of it has reached our ears.”

23God understands the way to it

and he alone knows where it dwells,

24for he views the ends of the earth

and sees everything under the heavens.

25When he established the force of the wind

and measured out the waters,

26when he made a decree for the rain

and a path for the thunderstorm,

27then he looked at wisdom and appraised it;

he confirmed it and tested it.

28And he said to the human race,

“The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom,

and to shun evil is understanding.”(26:20-28)

ACTS 11

15“As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. 16Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with^a water, but you will be baptized with^b the Holy Spirit.’ 17So if God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?”

18When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.”

JOURNAL 

Hellen Keller has always been an enigma to me. To be able to learn and to become a force of wisdom, encouragement and love when she could not see or hear is just beyond my understanding. But then upon closer examination...there is my problem. I too often equate success and the ability to be successful within such a narrow framework, I also often do not include God within that framework. 

Job is again confronted with the reality that all is from God...even the unpleasant, even the suffering. Job does not know the interaction between God and Satan but the reality is that God allows it. God allows death, destruction, pain, suffering and hardship. Yet God is still God and is also the source of all goodness, so even though he allows the darkness he is still good. This is the reality of life and to live it and live it well it is a reality that I must accept. God never promised life would be easy or without adversity, in fact time and time again the Bible states the opposite.

Yet what God does promise is that he will be there with us through it all. He promises that no matter the trial or the success, his love and spirit will remain steady and true. Our challenge is to continue to seek him, to continue to obey him no matter the day, time or hour...no matter the circumstance or situation.

That is the true test...just as love for a child or another is proved when the love remains even though it hurts to love, even when the love is not reciprocated. To be devoted to God, even when things do not go my way but also just as important...even when they do fall in my favor. I think sometimes that is even a greater challenge to seek him with the same passion and need when things are going well as I do when things are not. 

 Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 CORINTHIANS 12:7-10

JULY 2, 2023

   “You become what you think about” 

― Napoleon Hill

JOB 21-25

13“But he stands alone, and who can oppose him?

He does whatever he pleases.

14He carries out his decree against me,

and many such plans he still has in store.

15That is why I am terrified before him;

when I think of all this, I fear him.

16God has made my heart faint;

the Almighty has terrified me.(23:13-16)

ACTS 10

34Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. 36You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— 38how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.

39“We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, 40but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. 41He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. 43All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

44While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. 46For they heard them speaking in tongues^b and praising God.

Then Peter said, 47“Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” 48So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.

JOURNAL 

Job is overcome with the sheer permanence and power of God. God's ways and plans are completely out of man's control. Peter's sermon to the gentiles...God is the God of all, as creator and author of all of life there is no favoritism. 

This really speaks to the obvious reality that my life is really a brief stay in the grand play of life. To not surrender to God or to resist him is completely foolish and arrogant. When I really process this, it is somewhat terrifying, yet also comforting. The fate of the world is not on me...it's not my place to judge or control. Rather to surrender and obey, to walk the path that is set before me, to choose the way of obedience even though hard at times. Not doing so is to resist God...to delude myself with false notions of my own power. It is the height of stupidity. 

I recently came across a word which somewhat haunts me...acrasia...it is a Greek word which means to not do what you believe you should do. Most moments I internally know the things that are good and the things which I believe I should do. Yet quite often I don't do them...or I delay doing them or I do them without full commitment. Why? This is the crux of my humanity, it is what makes all humans...human. The internal dialogue and conflict is where the spirit of God is needed most. This place is where I confront my own distrust, my own conflict of emotions to the truth of God and life. 

What I have found in the 50 years of living on this earth is that hoping to reach a place where this internal struggle does not exist is really a hopeless wish. My true hope for peace is not found in the mastery of my will but rather in the surrender of it. To surrender my will to God's spirit means I face each moment with fresh eyes. It means that I accept my lack of control in my own earthly fate and instead trust in God's spirit of love, truth and goodness. Truly doing so relieves me of fear, frustration and false hope in the transient nature of today. Does today matter? Yes of course it does...but Ill probably never know fully why it matters. Yet the more I can trust in God's nudges, look for the glimpses of his love, and commit to building his kingdom the more peace and joy I will find. 

This is the peace which Job found in the midst of his despair and questions. This is the knowledge Peter found in the midst of his prejudice. God's love is greater than any power in the universe...seeking and surrendering to his spirit is my only logical hope. 

4“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation Tell me, if you understand.5Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it?6On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone—7while the morning stars sang together and all the angels^a shouted for joy?

JOB 38:4-7

JULY 1, 2023

  “Don't set your goals by what other people deem important.” 

― Jaachynma N.E. Agu

JOB 21-22

27“I know full well what you are thinking,

the schemes by which you would wrong me.

28You say, ‘Where now is the house of the great,

the tents where the wicked lived?’

29Have you never questioned those who travel?

Have you paid no regard to their accounts—

30that the wicked are spared from the day of calamity,

that they are delivered from^c the day of wrath?

31Who denounces their conduct to their face?

Who repays them for what they have done?

32They are carried to the grave,

and watch is kept over their tombs.

33The soil in the valley is sweet to them;

everyone follows after them,

and a countless throng goes^d before them.

34“So how can you console me with your nonsense?

Nothing is left of your answers but falsehood!”

ACTS 10:1-23

9About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 12It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. 13Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”

14“Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”

15The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”

JOURNAL 

Job presents the argument that "bad" people live lives that are blessed. He does this to counter the argument that God is punishing him because of "sin". Job's point is that suffering is not necessarily a result of disobedience but rather just a part of life.

God reveals to Peter that he is the author of all things and that something that was once seen as "unclean" can become "clean". 

In all of these circumstances and encounters...it seems clear that God is communicating that what matters most is a relationship with God. Regardless of societies rules, traditions, laws,  etc. They have their purpose but in the end, they do not trump relationship with God and no person can be judge and jury over what that is to look like. Each souls relationship with God is unique...it is personal and never can fit a formula or a certain mold.  Therefore it is ever important to live today for today. My life is unique, today is unique. It has never existed before and will never exist again. It is a gift and therefore should be lived as such.

12“What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? 13And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. 14In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.

 ~ MATTHEW 18:12-14