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A Real Fairy Tale Ending– Job 42:12

January 31, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Believing God in the Hard Times, Faith, Job, The Hurting World, The Promises of God, Tough Times with 0 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading: Job 40:6-42:17

Then they lived happily ever after!

Now that’s my kind of story line!

I don’t think we’ll ever find the book of Job in the fairy tale section of the bookstore, but if you really stop and think about it, the book of Job has a fairy tale ending:

…the Lord restored his (Job’s) fortunes. In fact, the Lord gave him twice as much as before! Then all his brothers, sisters, and former friends came and feasted with him in his home. And they consoled him and comforted him because of all the trials the Lord had brought against him. And each of them brought him a gift of money and a gold ring.

So the Lord blessed Job in the second half of his life even more than in the beginning. For now he had 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 teams of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys. He also gave Job seven more sons and three more daughters. He named his first daughter Jemimah, the second Keziah, and the third Keren-happuch. In all the land no women were as lovely as the daughters of Job. And their father put them into his will along with their brothers.

Job lived 140 years after that, living to see four generations of his children and grandchildren.  Then he died, an old man who had lived a long, full life. –Job 42:10-17

Job’s life sure doesn’t read like a fairy tale: Forty-one chapters of disaster, despair, and disillusionment and one chapter of repentance, restoration, and rejoicing.  Shouldn’t that be just the opposite?  Lots of rejoicing and just a little disaster…

Can’t we just have the ‘Once upon a time’ and then go straight to the happily ever-after ending?

Can’t we skip the hard stuff?

Can’t we just live in the land of rejoicing?

I did a word search on the word rejoicing and was surprised to find that most of the time when the Lord talked about rejoicing, He was commanding us to rejoice; it wasn’t an option.  My favorite one is in Paul’s writings.   By the way, he was writing from prison.

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! –Philippians 4:4

Paul wasn’t rejoicing in his conditions, which I’m sure were terrible.  He was rejoicing in knowing and being comforted by the God of the Universe.

In my “Job” times I have felt as if God had forgotten about me, only to realize when the trial was over that God was closer than He had ever been before and I knew more about Him than ever before. Now that’s something to rejoice about and that’s a real fairy tale ending!

What are you facing today?

Rejoice!  You are not alone!  God is with You and He will never leave you or fail you (Hebrews 13:5).

Heavenly Father, thank You for including Job’s story in Your Word.  Thank You for the assurance that You are with us.  Help us to really believe that in our darkest hours You are carrying us!  Jesus, help us to realize the ultimate fairy tale ending won’t happen until we meet you face-to-face!  We rejoice that our names are written in Your book of heaven (Luke 10:20).

In Jesus’ Name.  Amen and Amen!

 

 

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Exodus 1:1-2:25; 1 Chronicles 6:1-3a; Exodus 3:1-4:17

Is God Your Imaginary Friend or The Almighty Ruler of the Universe? Job 40:1-2

January 30, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Absolute Truth, Believing God in the Hard Times, Family, Job, Pride, Trials, Trust with 1 Comment

Today’s Scripture Reading: Job 38:1-40:5

For about ten days we’ve been in the midst of Job’s tests and trials. I don’t think many people have gone through as much pain as Job did and lived to tell about it.  Job is one of those stories that you definitely don’t want to read when everything in your life is going great, after all his troubles could be contagious.  You certainly don’t want to read the book of Job if you believe Christians don’t suffer.

But, if you are a child of God and your life is falling apart all around you and it just doesn’t make sense, Job is the book to read.

Why?

It lets us know–

  • Bad things happen to good people (Job 1:1-2)
  • Trials and tests don’t necessarily mean we’ve sinned or been punished (Job 1:8-12)
  • Evil comes from Satan and our sinful nature (Job 1:6-7)
  • Everything that happens to us is filtered through the fingers of a loving God (Job 1:8-12)
  • Christians are tested (Job 1:12)
  • God is still in charge and defines the boundaries (Job 1:12)
  • God’s ways aren’t our ways (Job 1:12)
  • We are very small and God is very big (Job 38)

Today, Job found out just how small he was:

Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind:

“Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words?
Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them. Job 38: 1-3

God asked Job 53 questions of which Job had no answers.  His last statement to Job summed up the one-way conversation:

Then the Lord said to Job, “Do you still want to argue with the Almighty? You are God’s critic, but do you have the answers?” –Job 40:1-2

Sometimes I think today’s Christian culture has made God more like an imaginary friend than the one, true, living God; the Creator of the universe and Savior of the world.

I think when we come face to face with God our words will probably sound something like Job’s:

Then Job replied to the Lord,

“I am nothing—how could I ever find the answers? I will cover my mouth with my hand. I have said too much already. I have nothing more to say.”  –Job 40:3-5

Heavenly Father, forgive us for thinking You are our servant.  Forgive us for questioning Your plan.

Teach us the balance

Petitioning You to–

  • Meet our needs
  • Rescue us from our trials
  • Heal our bodies
  • Protect those we love
  • Prosper us financially

While

Trusting Your Sovereignty.

Help us to remember Your ways aren’t our ways.  Help us to have faith to believe You will answer our prayer AND then trust You enough to say,  ”Your will be done, O Lord.”

In Jesus’ Name.  Amen and Amen!

 

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Job 40:6-42:17

Watch Out, You May Be Seduced–Job 26:18

January 29, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Family, Finances, Forgiveness, Job, Parenting, Pride, Sin, Workplace with 1 Comment

Today’s Scripture reading:  Job 35:1 through Job 37:24

Do you ever wonder why the wicked (godless) prosper?

Do you ever get irritated when some people with no morals, no integrity, no values and no mention of Christ seem to have everything going for them?

I’m raising my hand; I have certainly asked this question before.

I did some research on the word godless (Job 36:17).  The Hebrew word is rasha.  It means wicked, guilty of sin (against God or man).  This word is used 37 times in the book of Job.

Elihu had some wise words to share, even though his tone was definitely judgmental.  I think he was on to something regarding  Job’s issue with the wicked prospering, especially since it’s mentioned 37 times, that’s almost one time for each chapter.

What was Elihu’s advice?  “Don’t worry, judgment and justice will be upheld.  But watch out, or you may be seduced by wealth” (Job 26:17-18).

I think there’s a connection between being bitter and  jealous when the wicked prosper and being seduced by wealth.

What is wealth?

My definition:  Just a little more than you have right now.

How do we judge the prosperity of another person?

By physical things, such as houses, cars, clothes, careers, and education.  Sometime we also compare things like spouses, health, parents, friends, ability to have children and the behavior of our children.

I’m sure Job was observing everything that everyone had and comparing it with everything he had lost and saying, “There’s something wrong with this picture!”

If Ellihu was right, we need to be careful when we start comparing; we don’t have to worry about judgment, God will take care of that but we do have to worry about being sucked into the addiction of pursuing wealth and wanting what others have.

In the New Testament, Paul counseled young Timothy on this same topic:

“For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.”  –1 Timothy 6:10

Dear Lord, help us to recognize the seduction of wealth and run from it!

In Jesus Name—Amen and Amen!

 

 

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture reading: Job 38:1 through Job 40:5

Whose Opinion is Most Important?

January 28, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Absolute Truth, Choices, Job, Workplace with 1 Comment


Today’s Scripture Reading:  Job 32:1 through Job 34:37

I don’t know about you but I’m pretty tired of all this complaining about Job.  Today, some young guy named Elihu shows up to throw in his two cents.

Why is all this complaining recorded in the Bible?

There is much that I don’t know about the story of Job but I know two things:

1.  If it’s in the Bible, it’s there for a reason

2.  If there is repetition, it’s REALLY important

In Job 34:7, Elihu says, “Tell me, has there ever been a man like Job?”  I know I left off the last part, “with his thirst for irreverent talk?”  But I kept re-reading the first part, “Has there ever been a man like Job?” “Has there ever been a man like Job?”  Where had I heard that before?

It wasn’t the exact words, but God spoke a similar phrase two times, “He’s (Job) the finest man in all the earth (Job 1:8, Job 2:3)

It’s interesting to me that man can look at someone and see the negative in his uniqueness and God can look at that same person and see the beauty and perfection in his uniqueness.  Elihu was right; there had never been a man like Job.  He was blameless—a man of complete integrity.  He feared God and stayed away from evil.

Whose opinion is most important to us? 

God’s or Man

Of course we all say, “God’s opinion is the most important!”

But do we live like it?

Do we think like it?

Do we talk like it?

How do we find God’s opinion on everything from money to sex?  Read the Bible consistently. Here’s one more reason NOT TO QUIT on the journey!

Friends, I know this section of reading is a little difficult, but don’t quit.  The best part of Job is just around the corner!  AND Exodus is coming!

I’m praying that you don’t give up.  Remember; if you get behind just pick up on the current day’s reading!

Lord, show us all that you have for us!  Amen and Amen

 

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  Job 35:1 through Job 37:24

He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not

January 27, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Absolute Truth, Believing God in the Hard Times, Depression, Failure, God Speaks today, Job, righteous living, Tough Times, Trials with 0 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading:  Job 30:1 through Job 31:40

In today’s reading a pattern seemed to develop.  I counted nineteen questions Job asked in these two chapters.

When Job finished his list of questions and realized he had done all the things he thought God wanted him to do, he couldn’t understand why he felt so unloved and abandoned.  From everything we have read it seems that Job’s greatest desire was to please God.  Job must have felt heart-broken when he “thought” God wasn’t pleased with him.

We know about God’s conversation with Satan.  We know God was so proud of Job that he bragged about ‘his servant Job’ to the Accuser (Job 1:6-8).  But Job didn’t know.  If Job could have been a fly on the wall during that conversation he would have walked through this trial with his head held high.

But he didn’t know…and neither do we.

We do the same thing as Job.  We say things like, “God, why is this happening to me?

I…

  • Go to Church
  • Give to the poor
  • Pay my tithe
  • Am honest
  • Don’t cheat on my taxes
  • Care for my neighbor
  • Read my Bible
  • I pray everyday

…Well, I guess God doesn’t  love me or He has forgotten me.

…just like Job.

Maybe, just maybe God has said, “Satan, have you noticed my servant   __ (insert your name) __?

He/she is the finest man/woman in all the earth.

He/she is blameless—a man/woman of complete integrity.

He/she fears God and stays away from evil (Job 1:8).”

Because Job didn’t know about Jesus he didn’t realize  “there’s nothing you can do to make God love you more and there’s nothing you can do to make God love you  less.”  (A quote I’ve heard many times over the years)

If you’re going through a “Job-like” season of life, run to your heavenly Father, climb up in his lap and wait out the storm.  Settle the question once and for all, HE LOVES YOU (John 3:16)!

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©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  Job 32:1 through Job 34:37

A Test to Check your Emotional Healing

January 26, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Depression, Divorce, Forgiveness, Job, The Hurting World, Tough Times, Trials with 0 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading:  Job 26:1 through Job 29:25

I noticed something in today’s reading that has gotten me thinking…

In verses 1-25 of chapter 29, Job uses the word

  • Me- 13 times
  • My- 10 times
  • I   – 19 times

I know these verses are a discourse of Job’s defense, but I thought it was interesting that there were so many personal pronouns in this short section of scripture.

I certainly never want to compare myself to Job because my life looks like a walk in the park compared to his, but there was a time when I lost a lot in a short period of time.  During that season it was definitely “all about me.”  It was all I could do to survive so there was no energy, time, compassion, or finances to help anyone else.

I was so caught up in my pain that anyone who stopped by, including the U.P.S. man got an ear full!  Someone could say, “It’s sunny outside” and I could turn it into a conversation about my misery.

Now that I am many years past that difficult time, here’s my observation:

When we continually talk about and  rehash our problems it’s a sign we’re still hurting.

I’m not sure if psychologists would agree, but what I’ve experienced in my own life is…

The best way to check your level of healing is by observing how much your past hurts are discussed.

Don’t feel bad…

…talking about it is part of the healing process but there comes a time when we have to let it go. 

If you’ve been deeply hurt by another person make it your mission to get free of the bitterness as soon as you can.  For me, the bitterness, hurt, and anger came off like layers of onion skin.  It took a long time, but one day it was gone.

For you folks who don’t talk about your problems don’t get to feeling too confident here; if you’re thinking about it all the time, it’s just like talking about it.

There’s a positive side to Job’s willingness to “get his pain on the outside.”  Because Job talked through the pain and the healing you and I are learning from it today.  Just think about how many people Job has helped over the years.

What if he would have gone into a cave, disappeared and died of a broken heart?

Isn’t that what we want to do when we are hurting?

But just like Job, we can’t do that because God has a plan for the pain.

“The fear of the Lord is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding.”   ~ Job 28:28

Blessings in Jesus!

 

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  Job 30:1 through 31:40

Four Ways to Trust God More–Job 23:10

January 25, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Believing God in the Hard Times, Job, Tough Times, Trials, Trust with 2 Comments


Today’s Scripture Reading: Job 22:1-25:6

For years I’ve kept a journal of my conversations with God and I’ve always signed it, “I trust you Lord.”

But

just like Job “life” tested that trust.

When things happen in your life that just don’t make sense it let’s you know where you really are in your ability to trust God.

I found that I had not arrived in the trust department

But

  • I want to trust God completely.
  • I want to have confidence in my trust of God, like Job.
  • I want to say with Job, “You know where I am going.  And when you test me, I will come out as pure gold.” (Job 23:10)

In Job’s monologue in Job 23:11-12, he gives us 4 things that can help us  trust God more:

  1. Stay on God’s paths
  2. Follow the ways of the Lord and do not turn aside
  3. Do not depart from his commands
  4. Treasure God’s Words more than daily food

To be able to trust God more we must to keep our eyes on Him and not be distracted by other people and other things.  

I believe distraction is one of the tools the enemy of our soul uses to pull  us away from God–we can’t quiet our mind enough to spend time with Him and develop our relationship with Him.

Job knew God because he spent time with them.  That’s what saved him during those dark days. When the circumstances looked as if God had deserted Him, Job knew enough about God and His nature to trust His sovereignty, even when things didn’t make sense .

Lord, I want to know You like Job.

Help me to trust you more.

In Jesus’ Name.  Amen and Amen!

 

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Job 26:1-29:25

4 Ways to Stay Strong on Your Worst Days–Job 19:25-27

January 24, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Depression, Health, Job, Living a Life that reflects the Son, Tough Times, Trials, Trust, Word of God with 4 Comments

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Today’s Scripture Reading: Job 19:1-21:34

But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God!  I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought!  -Job 19:25-27

What a declaration!

It sounds like someone standing on the mountain-top of their life

but

it was Job at the worst time of his life.

How did Job stand firm during the worst days of his life?

  1. Job personally knew his God.  He didn’t rely on his parents, teachers or pastors to know him.  He took personal responsibility to know his Heavenly Father.
  2. Job believed that his God was alive and in charge of the earth
  3. Job believed he would see God when he died; with his own eyes
  4. Job was thrilled with the thought of seeing his God.

In the good times of Job’s life he develop a trust in his God.  He not only believed in God, he believed in living for God. That belief carried him through life’s hard times.

Would you like to stand for God in the worst of times?

Make a decision today not only give your life to Him, but to give today to Him.

Heavenly Father, I say with Job, “I know that my Redeemer lives!”  Jesus, help that belief to guide my day. Lord.  Bless our week.  Give us wisdom to live for You in our homes, workplaces, and communities.  Help us to trust that You are in charge of the earth.  Strengthen us to live a life of excellence that causes others to see You through our lives.

In Jesus’ Name.  Amen and Amen!

 

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Job 22:1-25:6

The Fall of the Hurdle-Jumper–Job 17:11

January 23, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Depression, Divorce, Failure, Job, My story, Spiritual Disciplines, Tough Times, Trials, Trust with 2 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading: Job 15:1-18:21

My days are over. My hopes have disappeared. My heart’s desires are broken. –Job 17:11

I can’t imagine the depth of despair Job felt when he spoke these words.  It’s easy to read Job’s story and move through his losses as if it’s some Hollywood movie.

Friends, this really happened.

Stop for a minute and put  yourself in Job’s shoes.

What would you have done?

What if…

  • All your children were dead
  • All of your servants were dead
  • All of your animals were dead
  • All of your food was gone
  • All of your property was destroyed

Most of my life I naïvely thought seasons of depression, despair, and hopelessness could be avoided by Christian disciplines (prayer, Bible study, worship) and continual attitude adjustments. (Sounds like Job’s friends. Huh?)

Until…

Everything came crashing down.  I called it the fall of the hurdle-jumper.

As long is there’s enough space between the hurdles to recover, a hurdle jumper can go long distances, but let someone come and place all the hurdles side by side and even the best hurdle jumper will come crashing down.

That’s what happened to me.

In just about every area of my life I experienced a major loss: marriage, home, church, career, car, a great friend, and my Dad–all in a matter of a couple of years.

I said with Job, My days are over. My hopes have disappeared. My heart’s desires are broken. –Job 17:11

This strong “hurdle-jumper” came tumbling to the ground and my misconceptions about depression fell as well. I needed a healing of this mental cancer that had zapped the life and joy out of me.  “I” couldn’t fix me.

That was seventeen years ago.  Through the grace of God, His healing power, and a good medical doctor I made it through that dark time. I’m so thankful for the lessons I learned.  I didn’t realize it at the time but at my lowest God was the closest. As I look back I see those as special times.

Today I vividly understand the power that hope plays in our lives. God is the giver of hope and just like Job we can be sitting in a pile of rubble scraping our wounds, thinking hope is gone forever, while our Heavenly Father is continually saying “Don’t loose hope.  Some things just take a little time.  You’ll understand when You see me face to face. For now just keep your hope in Me!”

And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you. –Psalm 39:7

Heavenly Father, we need Your hope today.  I pray for my friends who feel the way I did years ago, hopeless and depressed.  Touch them through your supernatural power and send the gift of hope their way.

Jesus, remind us of the needs of the hurting.  Show us who we need to call, write, or visit.  Use us as delivery agents of hope today.

In Your Name we pray.  Amen and Amen!

 

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Job 19:1-21:34

Lord, Tell Me What I Have Done Wrong–Job 13:23

January 22, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Christian Living, Failure, Job, righteous living, Sin, Tough Times, Trials, Trust with 3 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading: Job 12:1-14:22

God, do You hear me?

Lord, do You see the mess I’m in?

Lord, what have I done wrong?

Have you ever felt like Job and said these things to God?

Just like Job, when tough times hit I begin to look over my life, thinking of the mistakes I’ve made and wondering which one caused this calamity.

Job had done nothing wrong.  It was what he had done right that had caused his world to fall apart. God was so pleased with Job’s love and loyalty towards Him that He spoke like a proud father to Satan and said, “Have you noticed my servant Job?” (Job 1:8)

When hard times hit me personally, I do some soul-searching:

  1. Is there unconfessed sin in my life?
  2. Have I lived my life contrary to God’s Word? (One more reason it’s important to read the Bible)
  3. Do I have unforgiveness in my life?

If the answer to any of those is “yes,” I immediately begin ask God to help me correct that area and ask for His forgiveness.

And God immediately forgives me.

But,

The situation doesn’t usually change immediately.

Why?

  • Maybe my sin wasn’t the reason for the trial.
  • Maybe God was sending me ahead for someone else.
  • Maybe there are consequences to my sin/rebellion/unforgiveness I have to walk out.
  • Maybe there is something He’s teaching me that I haven’t learned yet.

Many times my answer to those three questions is “no” and like Job I want God to send me an email and tell me what I have done.

But maybe like Job, I haven’t done anything wrong.

Maybe God is proudly saying, “Have you noticed my servant Dianne?”

Maybe God has me on a special assignment.

I really don’t have the answers (the reason for all the maybes) but I know that I trust Him with my life.  I can’t wait to get to the last few chapters in the book of Job so that you can see the faithfulness of God!

God allows hard times into our lives to…

  • Grow us
  • Correct us
  • Cause others to know Him more.

You will hear me say this many times in the next year…

We are on this earth for two reasons: To know Christ and to help others to know Him

That’s it.

This world is not the party, that will be in heaven.

Blessings in Jesus!

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©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Job 15:1-18:21

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