He Stops All People | Job 37:5-8

downpour

Discussing the weather is generally considered a safe subject.

But severe weather is another matter entirely.

Severe weather requires both humans and wildlife to seek protective shelter.

Sometimes severe weather takes us by surprise, giving us little time to find protection.

At other times, we can prepare a refuge ahead of the severe weather.

What is the purpose of severe weather, according to Job 37:5-8?

Continue reading “He Stops All People | Job 37:5-8”

Job 1:1-5 |Thus Job Did Continually

thebookofjob

Recently my daily Bible reading practice brought me to the book of Job.

This Old Testament book deals with suffering.

We all experience suffering. Some more than others.

What is striking in this book is the steadfastness of Job’s faith in God throughout his immense suffering.

How could Job refrain from turning away from God in the face of significant loss? Even as friends and family, encouraged him to curse God or confess a sin he had not committed?

The opening verses are key in answering this question.

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Psalm 139 | How Well Do You Know God?

kingdavid

David, a lowly shepherd boy anointed King of Israel, experienced great highs and terrible lows in his lifetime.

He is the accredited author of Psalm 139, typically titled, Search Me, O God, and Know My Heart.

This title literally comes from the next-to-last verse of the Psalm where David is asking the Lord to monitor his motives.

Yet the verses prior to this request reveal the magnitude of who God is and how well He already knows David, and thus, us today.

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Mark 1:35-39 | Why We Need Devotion

devotional

Each month, I meet with a small group of friends to discuss a chapter or more of a Christian-authored book.

We have read and discussed a variety of non-fiction and fiction Christian-authored books since meeting as a group.

Currently, we are working our way through Nancy Leigh DeMoss’ book, A Place of Quiet Rest: Finding Intimacy with God Through a Daily Devotional Life.

A scripture passage that is referenced more than once in DeMoss’ book is Mark 1:35.

But before we consider Mark 1:35 in its context, we need to define devotion.

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Ezekiel 3:1-3 | Are You Eating God’s Word?

Ezekiel Bread

Every year, as a part of my daily time alone with the Lord, I use a chronological arrangement of scripture to read through the Bible.

I use this reading format to reinforce my grasp of the historical timeline.

This year I am copying into a journal the verses that intrigue me as I read through each day’s portion.

My reading this week prompted me to copy down the following instructions from the Lord to the prophet Ezekiel:

And he said to me, “Son of man, eat whatever you find here. Eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.” So I opened my mouth, and he gave me this scroll to eat. And he said to me, “Son of man, feed your belly with this scroll that I give you and fill your stomach with it.” Then I ate it, and it was in my mouth as sweet as honey. [1]

Why is the Lord asking Ezekiel to eat a scroll?

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Jeremiah 7:23-26 |Are You Listening to God?

listeningandobeying

As I type this, I hear a variety of sounds.

  • The gurgle of my pet’s water bowl fountain in the next room.
  • A fan drying out a recently cleaned carpet spot. (Yes, a pet was the culprit!)
  • A neighbor’s car door slamming shut.
  • The clicking of my computer keyboard.
  • The occasional sound of kids playing outside.
  • And my breathing.

These are easy sounds to identify.

But what does it mean to listen to God and how do we do it?

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Luke 7:18-28 | Christ’s Response to Doubts

johnthebaptist

What is doubt?

Merriam-webster.com defines doubt as calling into question, lacking confidence in, or considering unlikely the truth of something or someone.

Doubt is also a synonym for fear or suspicion.

What prompts doubt in us?

Today we are looking at a passage in Luke where John the Baptist sends messengers to Jesus Christ, asking, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?”

How is it possible that John, who was filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth (Luke 1:15), experienced doubts about Christ as described in Luke 7:18-28?

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Psalm 23:1-6 | You Are With Me

YouAreWithMe

I recently spent a month away from my home. Then, two weeks after being back, I traveled to a conference related to my day job for a week.

The first trip involved traveling solo, but upon arrival, I was constantly with family except for the occasional errand or taking a stroll in the evening.

I traveled with two coworkers to the conference that had over 600 attendees but had a room to myself at the end of each day.

Although both travel experiences varied, I had the same sense of longing during both.

I wished my husband and my pets were with me.

What does this have to do with Psalm 23:1-6?

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Where Do You Seek Refuge? (Part Three Psalm 2)

Psalms

It’s hard to believe it has been a full month since I last posted.

Thank you, readers, for your patience as I took this past month to care for both my parents. One parent, who had fallen the month prior, came home from rehab a day after the other one came home from knee replacement surgery. Thus, having someone in their apartment around the clock was wise. 

It was an honor to serve my parents in their time of need.

Now, as I settle back into my home and personal routines, it is time to finish our study of Psalm 2 with a focus on verses 1-6 and some final thoughts.

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