January 13, 2021 – I'm Following Jesus

King James Bible Study – “And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” – Mark 8:34

Date: Wednesday, January 13, 2021
Chapters: Job 35-37
Message: Faith

Hello My Friend,

As I was reading the chapters for today I was drawn to this verse, [Matthew 8:27 But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!]. When you stop to think about the power of God, there really is no better way to describe it than with the weather. Science may tell you that the cumulonimbus clouds are formed by water that turned to vapor, which then floated up into the white fluffy clouds, but it cannot tell you where water came from in the first place. Those professing themselves wise really are fools, they are oblivious to the fact that with God, all things are possible for those who believe in Him, [Mark 9:23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.]

In order to believe that all things are possible with God, we must first acknowledge that God does exist. Much of our believing in God must come from faith, while there are definitely many proofs that make it possible for us to believe in Him, only faith makes the impossible possible. Many say they do not believe in God because of all the evil in the world. Let me tell you, God does not create evil, man does. Yes, Satan is the root to all wicked evil, we do have a choice, it is those wrong choices that bring the natural evil like death, storms, and diseases. That does not mean that Satan will not use natural evil to afflict man in an attempt to one, keep unsaved believers from coming to Christ, and two, get saved believers to renounce their faith. When God allowed Satan to afflict Job without cause, it was the perfect ammunition to use his friends to question his faith. Job maintained his innocence, yet no matter what he said, his friends were convinced that he was guilty and God that was giving him what he deserved for claiming that he was more righteous than God.

[Job 35:1-6,13-16 Elihu spake moreover, and said, 2 Thinkest thou this to be right, that thou saidst, My righteousness is more than God’s? 3 For thou saidst, What advantage will it be unto thee? and, What profit shall I have, if I be cleansed from my sin? 4 I will answer thee, and thy companions with thee. 5 Look unto the heavens, and see; and behold the clouds which are higher than thou. 6 If thou sinnest, what doest thou against him? or if thy transgressions be multiplied, what doest thou unto him? 13 Surely God will not hear vanity, neither will the Almighty regard it. 14 Although thou sayest thou shalt not see him, yet judgment is before him; therefore trust thou in him. 15 But now, because it is not so, he hath visited in his anger; yet he knoweth it not in great extremity: 16 Therefore doth Job open his mouth in vain; he multiplieth words without knowledge.]

[What advantage will it be unto thee?] Again, Satan loves to twist words, especially God’s words, but Job did not say that as he implied it. There is not one of us that has not spoken out of context or ignorance to God’s Word a time or two, but the Holy Spirit teaches us that knowledge. And besides that, we do not even need His Word to know that some things are just God’s way of using it to show Him through them. Did it ever occur to you that that thorn in your side, no matter what it may be, was put there so that Jesus could use you through it?, [II Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.]

[Therefore doth Job open his mouth in vain] Elihu was so focused on proving to Job he was guilty, and to his friends that they failed at convincing him that he was guilty, that he failed to realize that he was the one speaking in vain. Elihu even admits that this is his own opinion.

[Job 36:2-7,11-13 Suffer me a little, and I will shew thee that I have yet to speak on God’s behalf. 3 I will fetch my knowledge from afar, and will ascribe righteousness to my Maker. 4 For truly my words shall not be false: he that is perfect in knowledge is with thee. 5 Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth not any: he is mighty in strength and wisdom. 6 He preserveth not the life of the wicked: but giveth right to the poor. 7 He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous: but with kings are they on the throne; yea, he doth establish them for ever, and they are exalted. 11 If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures. 12 But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge. 13 But the hypocrites in heart heap up wrath: they cry not when he bindeth them.]

[they shall spend their days in prosperity,] This is called prosperity Gospel, they believe if you trust Christ as your Saviour, obey and serve Him on their terms, then you will be wealthy. Okay, God never has worked this way. Prosperity, for one has nothing to do with wealth, that is financial prosperity. [Prosper; To grow or increase; to thrive; to make gain; to be successful, to favor.] Prosperity for the saved, born again Christian is about God’s favor upon them, it is our thriving, gaining, and increasing in the knowledge of God, and being blessed through our faithfulness to Him. We need to realize two things, wealth is not always in the form of financial prosperity, it is often the poorest people in Christ who are the richest, [Luke 12:30-31 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. 31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.]

And two, God is not against His people having financial prosperity, in fact, we can have much more than we do right now, what He is against is using His name to profit only themselves, [Matthew 16:26-27 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.]

[and then he shall reward every man according to his works.] The word “reward” means recompense. Jesus will deal with everyone according to their faith, meaning He will reward the righteous, who are those saved, with eternal life, the wicked will be rewarded with eternal death. And those who think they know Jesus, who send people to hell with their false doctrines, will be rewarded with eternal death. Now, Elihu goes on to explain how powerful God is and shows that power through the weather.

[Job 37:1-5,9-13 At this also my heart trembleth, and is moved out of his place. 2 Hear attentively the noise of his voice, and the sound that goeth out of his mouth. 3 He directeth it under the whole heaven, and his lightning unto the ends of the earth. 4 After it a voice roareth: he thundereth with the voice of his excellency; and he will not stay them when his voice is heard. 5 God thundereth marvellously with his voice; great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend. 9 Out of the south cometh the whirlwind: and cold out of the north. 10 By the breath of God frost is given: and the breadth of the waters is straitened. 11 Also by watering he wearieth the thick cloud: he scattereth his bright cloud: 12 And it is turned round about by his counsels: that they may do whatsoever he commandeth them upon the face of the world in the earth. 13 He causeth it to come, whether for correction, or for his land, or for mercy.]

[that they may do whatsoever he commandeth] Can you get an image of God blowing His breath and sending snow here, rain there, and a thunderstorm over there? It is quite amazing when you stop to think about it. There are many things that we cannot comprehend about God’s wondrous works. In fact, a life that is being formed in the womb, albeit human or animal, is the most wondrous works of all. Science can take pictures all they want showing a life is growing inside of another life, it cannot explain how all the elements come together to form one part of that body, [Ecclesiastes 11:5 As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.]

[whether for correction, or for his land, or for mercy.] Perhaps Job did get discouraged, but there is not one faithful Christian that does not get discouraged when there is no explained answer for their affliction. When we become afflicted and everyone seems to be judging us in every direction, that is when we need to get under the words of Christ and trust that our faith in Him will see us through, [Luke 6:21-23 Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. 22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. 23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.]

Jesus Christ Magnified: [Job 37:11-12 Also by watering he wearieth the thick cloud: he scattereth his bright cloud: 12 And it is turned round about by his counsels: that they may do whatsoever he commandeth them upon the face of the world in the earth.]

Today’s Prayer: God, One look at a thunderstorm is all I need to see just how powerful You are. I do not need to know every detail about how You made things to know that You made me, and that my life depends on You. Thank You for Your Word that teaches me that even when Satan uses the natural evils to afflict me, You are always with me because I put my faith and trust in Your Son as my Saviour. Lord, Your grace is sufficient, lead me and guide me, fill me with Your knowledge, and give the wisdom to use that knowledge to glorify You and live in a way that does glorify You. Let me not question Your ways, only ask You to help me endure the afflictions, and trust that You will see me, carry me, and bless me through them, and even find prosperity. I love You and ask these things in Your name, Jesus, Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,

Christina

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