Day 28

Today’s Itinerary:  Job 32- 34

My Something New:  Job 34:28 They (the wicked) cause the poor to cry out, catching God's attention. He hears the cries of the needy. 

Another Something New:  Job 33:15-16 He speaks in dreams, in visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on people as they lie in their beds. He whispers in their ears and terrifies them with warnings.

Is it not in our weakness or humble circumstances that we find ourselves turning to God? Several years ago circumstances beyond my control brought me to my knees.  Unforeseen circumstances brought on by the ungodly actions of someone else. However, without those circumstances occurring in my life it is a very real possibility my relationship with God would never have developed past mediocre or lukewarm.

I will never forget the night during this time I was wakened to the frightening cry of one simple word “WHY”. Living alone I was certain it had to be either me crying out in my sleep or a nightmare. Trying to shake the uneasiness I found myself reaching toward the nightstand for my bible. Immediately I was drawn to Romans 8:1 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. As if God were speaking to my very soul in that instant I felt Him asking me “Why do you keep running? Nothing you do will keep me from loving you.” I knew immediately He was with me.  God heard my cries in the darkness of my circumstances. Through all my feelings of unworthiness and insecurities He lifted me out of the mire and placed me on solid ground.

 

My Something Old:  Job 33:14 For God speaks again and again, though people do not recognize it.

All we have to do is look around at all of God’s creation. He speaks to us through everything we see every day. Sometimes He can be heard through other people, scriptures or even the circumstances of our lives.

 My Something to Do: Am I close enough in my relationship to God and honest enough with myself to hear when He speaks to me? What noises or distractions drowned out His voice and words to me?

Be still and know that He is God. In my quiet time every day allow God to speak to me through prayer and His word. Listen!

Day 26

Job 26- 29

But do people know where to find wisdom?

Where can they find understanding?

Job 28:20

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God,

who gives generously to all without finding fault,

and it will be given to you.

James 1:5 

My Something New:  "People know where to mine silver and how to refine gold. They know where to dig iron from the earth and how to smelt copper from rock. They know how to shine light in the darkness and explore the farthest regions of the earth as they search in the dark for ore (Job 28:1- 3).

 

These scriptures cried out so loudly to me today as though God were speaking directly to my heart.  What lengths will we go to brave the depths of the dark mining shafts of life to gain material wealth? Am I willing to go to the same extremes to dig for the treasure God has for me in His word.  There are those who know how to refine copper to remove the impurities to increase its value. But am I willing to allow God to refine me to remove the impurities and allow His reflection to shine within me.  Haven’t I at times searched the farthest regions or options in darkness to achieve the goal I thought I wanted? And only after sinking far from where I wanted to be do I finally allow God’s guidance and light to shine into my life.

 I am learning where to search for treasure more precious than silver or gold. I am learning how to allow His light into the darkest places of my life. I am learning how to explore the farthest regions of my heart asking God to cleanse me from my impurities.

Praise God He’s not finished with me yet!

My Something Old:  The fear of the Lord is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding (Job 28:28)

My Something to Do:  Keep learning, keep listening, keep allowing the light to shine and keep believing.  When I ask, I must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.(James 1:6)



Day 24

Job 22- 25

My Something New:  Job 19:23 – 24 “Oh, that my words could be recorded. Oh, that they could be inscribed on a monument, carved with an iron chisel and filled with lead, engraved forever in the rock.

Perhaps Job has hit on the very reason for his suffering.  So that for generations to come we could read and see how faithfully Job remained true to his God. Job believed in God and placed his trust in God, alone.  2Timothy 3:16 -17 tells us  ALL  Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,  so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.  God actually offered Job up to Satan when He said “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is blameless – a man of complete integrity”.  Awesome when you look at the whole picture.  God knew from the very beginning that Job would remain faithful.

My Something Old:  Job 19:25 - 27 "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!

Redeemer defined:

Ø  buys/wins back

Ø  frees from what distresses or harms

Ø  frees from captivity by payment of ransom

Ø  helps overcome something detrimental

Ø  releases from blame or debt

Ø  frees from the consequence of sin

Ø  changes for the better

Ø  repairs

Ø  restores

Ø  atones for

Ø  makes worthwhile

Yes indeed my Redeemer, Sandie’s Redeemer does in fact live – I am overwhelmed at the thought!!!

My Something to Do:  Trust in the Lord with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding (Proverbs 3:5)

Day 21

Job 8-11

My Something Old: “If only you would prepare your heart and lift up your hands to Him in prayer! Get rid of your sins and leave all iniquity behind you. Then your face will be brightened with innocence.”  Confess – Repent – Restored.  Praise Him!

My Something New:  Verses 8:11-12 spoke so loudly to me today so I had to dig a little deeper.  Here are a few things I discovered:

Papyrus reeds = material on which to write (picture of my heart)

Marsh = wet and soft – that which yields under pressure

So now I have to ask myself -

Can I grow deeper in my relationship with God without obedience to His word that has been written on my heart or the willingness to yield to His discipline?

Can I flourish (grow) in the midst of that discipline without His “Living Water”? 

Those that are unable to answer these questions will be like the flowers that bloom but do not blossom instead they whither quickly. Having received the Word and the Truth but choose to forget or turn away. I find this very similar to the “Parable of the Sower” in Luke 8.

My Something to Do: Lift my hands in prayer. Lord may I be a flower that blossoms, producing a fragrant aroma unto You.

Day 20

Job 5-7

Job Speaks

Today was filled with so many nuggets. I love the analogy from John Gill’s commentary of the surgeon, who makes a wound sorer by probing and opening it, to let out the matter or infection and make way for the medicine to go in. Allowing God to probe around and cause pain is a little more welcoming to know that He is opening it up to remove the matter/sin so that He can add the medicine of His word , His power and the oil and wine of pardoning grace and mercy to allow healing, 

Having written it in my bible last year I have drawn strength from it many times. Where there is probing/discipline there is wholeness and healing. Where there is no probing/discipline there is only decay.

My Something Old: Go to God . . . . He does great things to marvelous to understand.

For though He wounds He also bandages. He strikes but His hands also heal.

My Something New: For the Almighty has struck me down with His arrows. Their poison infects my spirit.

My Something to Do: Be careful assuming where my “arrows” or anyone else’s are coming from. We know from verse 2:6 (“All right, do with him as you please, the LORD said to Satan”) that there are times of trials God permits the testing of our faith.  The testing of our faith produces perseverance and when perseverance has finished it work we will be  mature and complete, not lacking anything (James 1:3-4) Be an encourager offering comfort and compassion not a poison arrow of judgment and condemnation.

Day 19

Job 1-4

A Man Named Job

“There once was a man named Job who lived in Uz. He was blameless-a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil.”

Job 1:1

My Take Aways:

Something Old: Job was a man, blameless of complete integrity that feared God and stayed away from evil.

Something New: Eliphaz is given a secret in a disturbing vision at night from a spirit that swept by his face but he couldn’t see its shape.

In light of my something new I felt compelled to dig a little deeper. In doing so I found the following:

Secretly defined in this verse is gaw-nab': to steal, be a thief, kidnap; to deceive
So I ask who is this spirit that swept past the face of Eliphaz and told him a secret?
We know that the accuser of the brethren can come as an angel of light and we also know that he manipulates scripture. So let’s look a little further:
Verse 4:17 “Can a mortal be innocent before God?”  Can anyone be pure before the Creator?

1Corinthians 1:30  God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made Him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; He made us pure and holy, and He freed us from sin.

Verse 4:18-19 "If God does not trust His own angels and has charged His messengers with foolishness,   how much less will He trust people made of clay!

Exodus 23:20  "See, I am sending an angel before you to protect you on your journey and lead you safely to the place I have prepared for you. (Sounds to me like He trusted an angel to protect His people)

1Thressolonians 2:4  For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News.

Titus1:3  And now at just the right time He has revealed this message, which we announce to everyone. It is by the command of God our Savior that I have been entrusted with this work for Him.

1Peter 5:2  Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you.

Verse 4:20 They are alive in the morning but dead by evening, gone forever without a trace

Luke 20:37-38 "But now, as to whether the dead will be raised—even Moses proved this when he wrote about the burning bush. Long after Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had died, he referred to the Lord as 'the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.  So He is the God of the living, not the dead, for they are all alive to Him."

Something to Do: How I respond during times of joy as well as times of trials reveals the reality of my relationship and faith in God not only to myself but also to others. I must remain grounded in God’s word that is never changing. God’s word is alive and the same today, tomorrow and forever. When joy surrounds me give praise to God. When circumstances surrounding me appear overwhelming give praise to God.  I will trust in Him alone to direct my path out of the valley and onto the mountain top.

Day 15

Genesis 40 -41

And the story of Joseph continues. Working for his brothers who hated him, sold into slavery, imprisoned unjustly, and finally rising to the position of second-in-command.  What an amazing account of humility, obedience, integrity, compassion and faith.  How many of us can go through so many trials and still maintain the attitude and character Joseph did.

Lord, I will praise you on the mountain tops. Lord, I will praise you in the valley. Lord, I will praise you at all times and trust in your unfailing love for me.

 I am amazed at all the parallels between Joseph and Jesus found in these chapters. Just to list a few:

v  Joseph was 30 years old when he began serving in the court of Pharaoh.

Ø  Jesus was 30 years old when he started his ministry.

v  Joseph was sold into slavery – a servant to Potiphar

Ø  Jesus came as a servant

v  Joseph raised to position at the right hand of Pharaoh who sat on the throne

Ø  Jesus sits at the right hand of our Father who sits on the throne in Heaven

v  What about the (bread) baker who after 3 days was impaled (hung on a wooden pole) and the  (wine) cup bearer who after 3 days was restored (resurrected) to his position – quite a picture of the last super, crucifixion and resurrection.  

Day 14

Day 14
Genesis 37:1 – 39:23
1 Chronicles 2:3-6, 8

I recall as a young child about 7 years old watching my mother as she lovingly handcrafted together “Joseph’s Coat of Many Colors”. With each stitch she wove her love and tenderness into the most beautiful sweater for my older sister.

 

When the routine chores of the day were done Mom would sit night after night in the dim lit room weaving each stitch with tender care. With no electricity yet in our country home she had only a small oil lamp to light the area. She carefully knit the love she had to offer into each and every color. The brilliant yellow of sunshine that radiated strength every time she smiled, the blues of the heavenly sky filled with hopes and dreams to be fulfilled, red of forgiveness always there to be given and the green like the meadows flowing with safety and security.

 

The perfect size, the perfect fit. As Linda slipped on her beautiful Joseph’s Coat her body language spoke volumes. It shouted “I am loved”, “I am wanted”, “I am special”. You see there had been many years of hostility between my sister and my Dad, years that had taken their toll on them both. This hostility created a special protective bond between Mom and my sister. Not knowing the love God had to offer her Linda wore that sweater like a coat of arms for many years as though it could validate who she was, a beloved daughter. 

 

I wonder if this is how Joseph felt.  After all, his brothers born out of hostility, a feud between two sisters, hated him. Joseph worked for his brothers yet they couldn’t say a good word to him. He shared his dreams and they hated him even more.

 

I wonder if Jacob had a special place in his heart for Joseph because of this hatred and hostility. Or perhaps it was because Joseph was the son born of his beloved Rachel.

Day 13

Genesis 36

1 Chronicles 1:35-37

1 Chronicles 1:38-42
1 Chronicles 1:43-2:2

I am sure many of us would agree reading genealogy is not very interesting or very much fun. However I discovered when I actually draw out the family tree of Esau it does in fact become quite intriguing and warranted further digging. Esau shows blatant contempt for his parent’s in his choice of wives Adah and Oholiabamah who were descendants of Seir the Horite. The Horites were cave-men, a race of Troglodytes (a cave dweller, a person of degraded, primitive, or brutal character, a person living in seclusion.) who dwelt in the limestone caves which abounded in Edom. Let us not forget his third wife Basemath the daughter of Ishmael. We also know that often the apple does not fall far from the tree in that Eliphaz’s concubine, Timna, was the daughter of Seir the Horite.

Now I must ask have I done things in the past that show contempt toward my parents and have I passed this on to my children? Or do my actions/behavior bring honor to my parents?

Day 12

Genesis 32:1 – Genesis 35:27

Sorry I’m a little late posting. Here it is the January 12^th already and this is my first official post as I “Read through the Word”.  I am so enjoying this study and daily walk through the word and the opportunity to dig deeper into God’s word.

I love the account of Jacob wrestling with God and how Jacob refused to let go until he received a blessing.  While digging a little deeper. I ran across the following link:

http://www.gospelweb.net/ronsermons/jacobwrestleswithgod.htm

“Jacob wrestles with God” by Pastor Ron Thomas of Rodgers Baptist Church. After reading this I can definitely see myself as a “Jacob” especially in the question he presents at the end. Am I in the night of my struggle, feeling all alone, scared, and afraid. Am I tired of wrestling? Am I at the end of myself? Am I ready to acknowledge my weakness, the futility of looking behind? Can I see that when I wrestle with life and choose my own direction I am indeed wrestling with God and His will for my life?

 Also I find it interesting that Jacob told “Everyone in his household to get rid of their pagan idols”. It makes me wonder what idols I have in my household that need to be buried.

January Itinerary

Day     Date            Location

  1        January 1         Genesis 1:1–3:24

  2        January 2         Genesis 4:1–6:1-22

                                 1 Chronicles 1:1-4

  3        January 3         Genesis 7:1-10:32

                                  1 Chronicles 1:5-23

  4        January 4         Genesis 11:1-14:24

                                 1 Chronicles 1:24-27

  5        January 5         Genesis 15:1-17:27

  6        January 6         Genesis 18:1-21:7

  7        January 7         Genesis 21:8-24:67

  8        January 8         Genesis 25:1-26

                                 1 Chronicles 1:28-34

  9        January 9         Genesis 25:27-28:5

 10       January 10        Genesis 28:6-30:24

 11       January 11        Genesis 30:25-31:55

 12       January 12        Genesis 32:1-35:29

 13       January 13        Genesis 36:1-43

                                 1 Chronicles 1:35-2:2

 14       January 14        Genesis 37:1-39:23

                                 1 Chronicles 2:3-8

 15       January 15        Genesis 40:1-41:57

 16       January 16        Genesis 42:1-45:15

 17       January 17        Genesis 45:16-47:27

 18       January 18        Genesis 47:28-50:26

 19       January 19        Job 1:4:21

 20       January 20        Job 5:1-7:21

 21       January 21        Job 8:1-11:20

 22       January 22        Job 12:1-14:22

 23       January 23        Job 15:1-18:21

 24       January 24        Job 19:1-21:34

 25       January 25        Job 22:1-25:6

 26       January 26        Job 26:1-29:25

 27       January 27        Job 30:1-31:40

 28       January 28        Job 32:1-34:37

 29       January 29        Job 35:1-37:24

 30       January 30        Job 38:1-40:5

 31       January 31        Job 40:6-42:17

The Challenge Begins!

Thy Word is like a deep, deep mine,
And jewels rich and rare
Are hidden in its mighty depths
For every searcher there. —Hodder

God speaks through His Word—take time to listen.

Have you ever struggled to read through the Bible, becoming frustrated and simply giving up? I know I have many times. Do you want to be more than simply a bible study girl? I know I do.

As the New Year approached I set my goal for 2012 to reach the last pages and in doing so develop a richer more intimate relationship with our LORD and perhaps encourage others to join me in this challenge.  I challenge you to jump on board with me while I “Read through the Word” with Wendy Pope of Proverbs 31 Ministries http://wendypope.org . It is never too late to begin. I will be posting here periodically sharing some of the highlights of my journey. I would love to have you join me.