Thoughts on Bible Reading: Job31 & 2Cor1 [shard by Andrew]

what is remarkable for me about Job's defense of himself in chapter 31 is the standards of purity he held himself to.  E.g. Just looking lustfully or having the heart enticed is the sin; similarly caring and not ignoring the needs of the poor, orphans and needy.  

When Jesus subsequently taught (Matt 5:28) that looking at a woman lustfully was already committing adultery, or told the parable about the Good Samaritan and helping the poor - the "least of these"(Matt 25) it seemed to surprise the listeners of Jesus' time as a higher standard.  

Yet it harks back to the high standard that Job set for himself as one of the earliest writers in the bible.

This morning my mother asked why these things were happening to her, why she fell, and why she was in pain.  I read with her 2 Cor 1:3-7 which describes how the comfort we  receive in our suffering is for us to better comfort others.  

My mother, who has spent her life helping others as a medical social worker, nodded quietly and said "ok". 

I am thankful we serve a great and loving God.

Today is the Day...to be Authentic [share by Kyra]

Today is the day ...

to be authentic. 

You sell yourself short when you deny your inner truth to mollify other people. 

If you are being inauthentic, sooner or later other people will know. 

Life behind a mask is lonely, reducing you to being less than the person God created you to be. 

But when you choose to be true to your own convictions, you will find that something inside you expands and opens up.

You will never satisfy everyone's expectations, but as long as you are walking in integrity and alignment with God, the authentic you will shine through. 

Hebrews 10:22 NIV

[22] let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.

1 Timothy 1:5 NIV

[5] The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

Thoughts on Bible Reading: 1Cor16 & Job30 [shared by Andrew]

Nice encouraging sharing Kyra!

For today's readings, 

Job 30 sees Job describing his sense of suffering and feeling that God does not answer him. Yet what struck me was the description in v18  of "in His great power, God becomes like clothing to me, he binds me like the neck of his garment" 

- while this is referring to the changes in Job's skin disease, I like the NIV translation which conveys the sense of God's flowing robes all around and very close to me even when I may not understand why I am going through what I am going through.

1 Cor 16 begins by echoing the theme of saving and setting aside $ for God's work. (Links to Chai Leng's earlier link to being generous.)

1 Cor 16 also hints at the practical aspect of Christian life at that time - with many people each playing their part and the importance of fellowship, submitting to each other, and encouragement for each other as we journey towards our destiny of being more like Christ.

Thoughts on Bible Reading: Job27 & 1Cor13 [shared by Andrew]

Job 27 sums up the debate with his friends by testifying on God's sovereignty, his innocence and that he considers the other stuff all "meaningless talk" (v12).

1 Cor 13 also describes a life without love in action as a "resounding gong or clanging cymbal".  This is the favorite chapter for many because at the end Love is what counts.  

May love fill and overflow all of us - in our hearts, and to our loved ones and everyone that God will bring our way today.

Thoughts on Bible Reading: Job25-26 & 1Cor12 [shared by Andrew]

Today's reading of Job 25 (a very short chapter) and 26 sees Job's friend Bildad and Job himself, in an initially sarcastic response, both acknowledging and praising the attributes of God.  

Makes me think how can I better think about and praise God for his powerful attributes today.

1 Cor 12 provides insightful inspiration on the Gifts to each of us from the Holy Spirit - given that we can each build up His Church.

Thot: How can I better seek, discern, receive, develop and exercise the spiritual gifts God has in His store for me？

Thoughts on Bible Reading: 1Cor11 & Job24 [shared by Andrew]

Job 24 sees Job describing the plight of the poor and how those who do bad things seem to get away with it.

While God may seem to let them get away with it, God is watching and will judge and "tekan" the evil doers.

1 Cor 11 provides instruction on head gear for women, and the significance plus how to approach the Lord's supper - with unity among us.

Thoughts on Bible Reading: 1Cor10 & Job23 [shared by Andrew]

1 Cor 10 is packed with gems: 

- warnings against sexual immorality, testing Christ, grumbling 

- practical instruction on handling temptation, taking bread and wine in memory of Jesus vs eating food offered to idols AND doing everything for God's glory.

What struck me was (v24) the challenge to seek the good of others rather than my own good. 

Job 23 sees Job lamenting why he can't find God to discuss his misery and yet despite his despair there is the wonderful confidence (v10) that God knows the way that I take and when I am tested I will come forth as gold. 

Thoughts on Bible Reading: 1Cor9 & Job22 [shared by Andrew]

Job 22 see Job's friend Eliphaz unable to break from his mental model that bad things happen only because of sin.  He seems to "invent" sins that He accuses Job of.  

Reminds me how sometimes Satan works - trying to make me feel guilty even though I have been already forgiven and justified through the blood of Christ.

1 Cor 9 speaks of not stopping the ox from eating while it is grinding the grain I.e. How can I better support those doing the Lord's work?

The passage also talks of becoming all things required in order to spread the Good News of Christ.

But the section that spoke to me most was about running the race well - having the self discipline to train to prepare and sustain me for the work that the Lord has called me to.

As I start this week, how can I better bring Christ's love and light to the people I meet?

Today is the day...to contemplate Eternity [shared by Kyra]

Today is the day ...

to contemplate eternity. 

Are you feeling overwhelmed?

It is easy to be sucked into false urgencies, whether by screaming headlines or an overwhelming list of things that must be done before the end of the day. 

In such times it is even more important to go away to a quiet place and listen to whispers of eternity. 

God will meet you there and teach you to have a larger perspective on life. 

You will find grace, peace, and wisdom to keep you balanced when the urgencies of life would unbalance you. 

Daniel 4:3 NIV

[3] How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; his dominion endures from generation to generation.

2 Corinthians 4:18 NIV

[18] So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Enjoy Friday. 

God bless!

Thoughts on Bible Reading: 1Cor5 & Job17 [shared by Andrew]

Today's readings are not easy. B1 Cor 5 sees Paul coming down strongly in asking the Corinthian Christians not to associate with those who claim to be Brothers or sisters in Christ and who continue to be greedy, idolaters, slanderers, sexually immoral, swindlers etc ...). 

We r 2 accept the non believers but expect higher standards of those who claim to be believers.  It's written in the context of handling a case of incest within the church.

Thot: are there areas of my life I better need to surrender to Christ's cleansing and forgiveness?  

Job 17 sees Job lamenting being surrounded by hostile mockers - who incorrectly think Job has sinned.  

This also makes me think about  How can I better respond with Christ's love to help fellow believers who sin? (Not an easy area to "judge "others' conduct within a Christian community while encouraging holiness)

Thoughts on Bible Reading: Romans14 & Job10 [shared by Andrew]

Blessed morning all.

Romans 14 is a wonderful practical reminder on how we are called not to judge but to love.

 Not easy to suspend judgement when interacting with others - especially if it involves people or issues we care deeply about.

But I think that sometimes for Christ's love to be shown and accepted by others, there is value in silence and just showing non-judgemental care and concern.

Job 10 sees more of Job's anguish as he is frank and direct in pouring out his despair and all his questions to our great God.

How can I better pour out my concerns to God while acknowledging his power and love for me?

Thoughts on bible reading: Romans12 & Job8 [shared by Andrew]

Romans 12 challenges me to consider in what ways the Lord is calling me to be  better living sacrifice - how to really love others in humility as Christ did for us. It's quite a provocative chapter of what love in action means.

The first verse of Job 8 reminds me of the answer to the joke question of "Who is the shortest man in the bible?" (Hint: it is not Nehemiah or knee-high-miah)

Jokes aside, I'm struck by how logical Bildad the Shuhite comes across in his views of God's nature. Yet we know that Bildad was wrong.

Thot: How can I better seek God's wisdom rather than relying on my own understanding?

Continued blessings prayed for you and all yr loved ones this Chinese New Year!

Thoughts on Bible Reading: Job7 [shared by Andrew]

Blessed and happy lunar new year everyone.

Job 7 sees Jobs continuing despairing and honest conversation with God.  What struck me was how even in the Romans 11 passage, there is a trust and acceptance of God's sovereign will even when it is not possible to understand why God sometimes allows things to happen they way they do.

Connecting with relatives over Chinese New Year, remembering stories of the family, reminds me how we have journeyed on different paths, with ups, downs, side tracks yet like Esther we are each prepared for the different situations we find ourselves in if we continue to trust Him.

Thot: How can I better share the love of Christ, which exceeds even the love between family members, with others today?

Thoughts on Bible Reading: Romans8 & Job4 [shared by Andrew]

Today's reading of Romans 8 is another rich chapter. What stood out for me was the mention that we can cry "Abba" father and when we don't know how to pray, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us with "wordless groans".

It is an assurance that in our darkest moments, Christ is there.  How can I better rest in His loving arms today?

Job 4 onwards is interesting because Job's friends start to  rationalize the situation. Job's good works and current dismay and discouragement are acknowledged. 

Seems to make sense yet we later know from the book that trying as humans, however well meaning, to interpret God's intentions is fraught with challenges.

Thot: How can I better rely with certainty on God's revealed word rather than my rationlisation?

God is more than just GPS [shared by Andrew]

"Lectio Divinia" 

1. Reading a bible passage. 

2. Meditating Quietly on what God may be speaking to you from the passage; 

3. Praying and 

4. Contemplating by silently paying attention to the Holy Spirit's presence.

Thoughts on Bible Reading: Romans7 & Job3 [shared by Andrew]

Today, 

Job 3 sees Job in all his suffering, saying that better he had not been born.  Romans 7 talks of death too - of how sin kills but also the birth into new life with Christ that all of us now have.

Paul goes on to recount his struggle in how he does not do the good he wants to do but sin/evil causes him to do the things he does not want to do.  

Thot: I can identify with Paul's honest account of his struggle.  Going forward how can I better understand, accept and apply God's gift of life to how I live my life today?

Thoughts on Bible Reading: Romans6 & Job2 [shared by Andrew]

Today Romans 6 talks about the struggle with sin. A passage of contrasts - black and white; between sin and righteousness. 

What struck me today was that while I struggle with daily victory and think it is a matter of self will, the solution may be more of focussing on how I can do good rather than thinking about how to avoid sinning thru my self will.

Job 2 sees Job being afflicted with even more suffering yet still accepting both good and bad from the lord.  

I like how his three friends set out to comfort him - Being with him silently for 7 days.  (It is when they start to speak that problems start).

Thot: How can I better practice the presence of silence in the comfort I seek to bring to others?