When Comfort From People Isn't Enough

The book of Job, you may know, is in the middle of the Bible. A man suffers; his friends attempt to comfort; they fail; Job suffers more.

Job suffered much loss. His kids were killed. His livestock was destroyed. His life now in ruin.

And then arrive the friends, who want to diagnose Job's dilemma. You know the people. They have all the answers and tell Job all he needs to do is humble himself, admit he was wrong. But Job says he hasn't done anything wrong. He states his case, but his friends won't listen. He wants to connect with them, to be comforted by them. He wants them to understand him. They don't.

Job then turns to the One, who is there for him. "My Redeemers lives, and one day, He shall take His stand upon the earth."

Who is Your Boss?

Who is Your Boss?
I think of myself as an employee. When I'm in the scope of my employment, my boss will supply me with everything I need to get the job done.

Seek first the realm of God and then all these things will be added to you. What things? Everything you need for life.

I seek to know what God wants. It's simple. He wants a relationship with people. I can do that when I smile at someone or interact with a child. I'll accomplish it through writing or responding to an email. My writing is not with religious words or a finger shaken at them but in love.

When I make God's priority my priority He takes care of everything I need. I've seen Him do that through the house we live in, the car we drive and the clothes we wear.

Topic to Ponder

Each Sunday I conduct a mini-church service with my family. Each person is asked to bring something. Even my little ones have a picture card file in which they pick out a Bible story. This morning the topic that is on my heart is vision. I want my kids to think of 5 years from today and beyond.

At the same time, I want them to live for today. I'm reading a Karen Kingsbury book in which a mother pushes her daughter in the area of acting. She pushed the young girl so much, Sarah didn't like performing. Then a horrible accident occurs. At her daughter's funeral the mother tearfully told the crowd to live for today, you may not have tomorrow.

See tomorrow but live today.

Slicing Up Worry - Here's How

A New York Firefighter has a day off. His phone rings at 8:00 am and wakes him up. "Hello?"

"Hey Chris, this is Joe."

Wondering why his boss would be calling him, Chris waited. Joe informed him that a meeting was scheduled for that afternoon.

"Could you be there?"

Chris agreed and shut off his phone. He began to go through scenarios like to why he would be asked to go to a meeting. He scanned his mind to see if he "messed up." Anxiety overtook him for the next half-hour.

Deciding worry wasn't the way to go, Chris looked in Philippians 4. "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything submit your requests to God."

He spent the remainder of the morning reading the Bible and praying. Peace and contentment came upon him.

When he went to the meeting, he found out that he was being promoted.

Anxiety hits all of us and we can hit it back with the Sword of the Spirit - the Word of God.

"Take a slice out of worry."