Can They Really Understand?
Today’s Passage – Job 7 – 9
I read this passage last night before bed in order to get a jump start on the day. I am preaching a message this morning (and possibly the next two weeks) from the Book of Job on the subject of suffering. I have been immersing myself in the book for the last several days.
Anyway, I got to thinking last night about how our friends and family members react when we are going through the dark days. When you get down to it, it is really impossible for people outside of our situation to completely identify or understand what we are going through. Sometimes when people try to help, they can often cause more trouble for us with the things that they say. I guess we often ask for the added problems because we so desire to have the fellowship of people around us, especially when we are hurting.
My advice to you that are hurting right now is to try to understand the lack of understanding on the part of your “encourager”. Try to appreciate their motivation to help you; but don’t be too frustrated by the help itself. Understand also, that you may be the one who is not seeing things clearly; and the people who are trying to help you might just be right about what they are saying, though you may not want to hear it.
My advice to you who would try to encourage those that are hurting is that you would be slow to judge, and slow to speak. Give a listening ear; let them vent a little; let them cry on your shoulder for a while. There will eventually come a time when they will need to move forward; but give them a little space to see what God is doing their lives. Remember, some day it will be you that is going through the valley; and you will be glad that there are others around you who are patient and understanding with you.
Posted in Devotions by Phil Erickson with 2 comments.
Guest Post by Gary Geiger
How well do you know your friends?
Many people who read the story of Job no doubt have heard of his false friends. Eliphaz was one of Job’s friends and the first one to speak to Job about his situation. Many of us have fleeting friends, ones who flee when the entire weight of the circumstance is revealed. True friends have distinctive traits: they have a tendency to desire what is best for the other; they are honest even in situations where it may be difficult for others to speak the truth, especially in terms of pointing out the perceived faults of one’s counterpart, and there is mutual understanding and mutual compassion. Eliphaz was in a difficult situation. He was the first to speak to his friend whose world had collapsed and who was suffering considerable physical and mental pain. How would you approach such a person? Say you’re sorry, say; I’ll pray for you or try to identify with your friend. Eliphaz does the best he can and approaches Job in a friendly way (4:2). He thinks that Job is not truly guilty (4:7). He treads lightly with a gentle hint (5:8). He begins to reason with Job in a gentle and probing manner. He reminds Job when he was a pillar of strength and how he encouraged others when their world collapsed. He asks Job to apply the same advice to his own situation (4:2-6). Finally; Eliphaz gets to the point. He directs Job back to God and furthermore he predicts good things for Job’s future (5:8-9). Eliphaz lists the benefits of turning to God and repenting:
“He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee.” (5:19)
1. Protection (5:20)
2. Strengthening (5:21)
3. No Fear (5:22)
4. One with Nature (5:23)
5. You shall be in Peace (5:24)
6. Great Seed (5:25)
7. Long Life (5:26)
As Christians we can all relate to this. The next time your faced with a situation where a friend of yours is hurting from a physical or mental pain remember the way Eliphaz spoke to his friend, remember how he encouraged his friend. Help your friend to see that his circumstance is temporary. Help your friend to see that God has great things in store for their future if they faint not!!!
Posted in Guest Posts by Phil Erickson with 3 comments.
Lessons From Job
Today’s Passage – Job 1 – 3
Job is an amazing passage of Scripture. It helps us understand a side of suffering that perhaps we would not be able to figure out without it. Job is a man that suffered tremendously at the hand of Satan, and with the permission of God. However, the curious part about Job’s suffering was the fact that he did not do anything to cause it. In other words, the suffering was not brought on as a result of his sin or as some type of a judgment from God. On the contrary, Job was put through the fire because he was a righteous man. He was a man that “feared God and eschewed (put away; kept it far from him) evil”. We like to think that if someone lives a life like Job lived that his life will be free from problems; however, this is not the case.
From this passage, we can learn some things about the Christian life:
1 If you live your life fearing God and eschewing evil, you will have the blessing of God. When we speak of Job, we always focus on his season of suffering. However, Job’s life overall was a life that was blessed tremendously by the Lord. He did, in fact, have that hedge of protection around him and his family for most of his life.
2 If you live a life like Job lived you will have the attention of God; but Satan will also be personally aware of you. Satan had, in fact, considered Job. I don’t know if Satan even knows my name. I’m sure there are some devils who know me well; but Satan? Job, who is neither omniscient nor omnipresent, had been paying close attention to Job.
3 Satan, if given the opportunity, will destroy you. He hates you almost as much as he hates God. The good news is that Satan is on a leash. He cannot do what God does not permit him to do.
4 God will only permit Satan to do what you are able to handle.
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
5 God will eventually remove the suffering. He gave back Job double of everything He allowed Satan to take from him. God even gave him ten more children in addition to the ten that were waiting for him in Heaven.
Learn these lessons from Job. When suffering comes your way, don’t think that God is not aware or not even personally involved in it. Try to learn the lesson that God may be trying to teach you through the suffering. Glorify Him in the suffering. Our God is a loving Heavenly Father who only does what is right. Trust Him!
Posted in Devotions by Phil Erickson with 1 comment.
What Goes Around Comes Around
Today’s Passage – Esther 7 – 10
In today’s reading we read about the destruction of Haman, his family, and all others who would try to hurt the people of God. Remember, in the previous chapters we read how that Haman had a carefully devised plan to have all of the Jews in the Kingdom of Persia put to death. He even built a special gallows to have Mordecai, Esther’s uncle, displayed on. His plan ended up destroying only him and his kind; and he ended up being hung on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. He got back what he gave to others.
Christians today need to remember that the principle of sowing and reaping still exists. Thank the Lord as God’s children we won’t reap nearly the amount of judgment as compared to the sin that we have sown; but we will reap some in this life. However, we can also reap back a lot of good if we sow it. As the people of God today, we should be concerned with sowing love, mercy, compassion, and forgiveness to the people around us. I am sure that there will be times when we will want to have those things come back to us.
Posted in Devotions by Phil Erickson with no comments yet.
For Such A Time As This
Today’s Passage – Esther 4 – 6
Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews. For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? (Esther 4:13 – 14)
Esther was in a tough spot here, wasn’t she. She had to risk the good thing she had going in order to confront the King regarding the impending destruction of her people, the Jews. Mordecai reminded her that the very reason why God had placed her in this position was for this very purpose. She had an opportunity given her by God to represent Him; to be His ambassador.
Did you ever find yourself in a situation where you knew that God had placed in a specific place at a specific time for a specific purpose? There have been a few times like that in my life. Sometimes I call them Divine appointments. To think that the God of the universe has chosen you for a particular part of his plan. It sends shivers down my spine.
I also wonder, though, how many times that God has strategically positioned me to fulfill His will, and I missed it. Maybe, I just did not recognize the opportunity; maybe I was not sensitive enough to the leading of the Spirit of God; maybe I was just downright disobedient to His will. I know that as I sit here this morning writing this thought, it is my desire to be used of God in these situations. I want to be given more opportunities by my redeemer to represent Him on this earth. It is my prayer that He will use me.
Posted in Devotions by Phil Erickson with no comments yet.
The Sovereignty of God
Today’s Passage – Esther 1 – 3
When I read the passage today from the first three chapters of Esther, I considered how awesome our God is. The nation of Israel is going to survive no matter who comes up against them. God has promised that they would. Here in this passage we see the rise to power of a wicked anti-Semite (Haman) who sought to eliminate the Jews from off of the face of the earth. However, God was working behind the scenes all along, putting the right people in position that would be there when needed to thwart Haman’s wicked plan. God raised up Mordecai and Esther for just this purpose. Now if Esther chooses not to obey God, He will get somebody else to do the job; but Esther would forever remember that she blew an opportunity to serve and glorify the God of the Universe.
I wonder what God is raising me up for; or perhaps my children. Could it be that God is positioning you and I for some part of His perfect plan. Could it be that God has some great task for us to accomplish in His will. Everything that God wants us to do is great. I wonder, though, will I be ready when the time comes? Will I make the right decision. As we will see, Esther wavered slightly before finally making the right decision. I hope that I will choose to do the right thing when the time comes. I hope that God won’t have to pick somebody else to do what I could do. I hope that when the time comes, I will be found faithful.
Posted in Devotions by Phil Erickson with no comments yet.
We Will Not Forsake The House Of Our God.
Today’s Passage – Nehemiah 10 – 13
For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering of the corn, of the new wine, and the oil, unto the chambers, where are the vessels of the sanctuary, and the priests that minister, and the porters, and the singers: and we will not forsake the house of our God. (Nehemiah 10:39)
As I read the passage this morning from the 10th chapter of Nehemiah the phrase, “we will not forsake the house of our God” jumped out at me. In this carefree day that we live in we see the house of God being forsaken in many ways. Let me list some of them:
1 In the area of giving.
The context of this chapter deals with this point. The people made a vow here that they would put God first in their tithes and offerings. Today, in our churches, the sad reality is that very few people tithe; and by not giving they are voting to forsake the house of God. The strength of God’s house will be determined by the support of the people.
We also forsake the house of God when we do not give our time in service to the Lord.
2 In the area of going.
Two things I think of when it comes to going. The first is that many folks just don’t go to church as often as they should. The Bible is clear that we are not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together, especially in these last days.
Secondly, however, we see very few people in our churches that are willing to go out into the highways and hedges and share the gospel with the folks in their community. Jesus commands us to go; and when we fail to obey Him in this area we are forsaking the House of God.
3 In the area of gossip
If the Christian is going to be able to live the victorious Christian life, he must be a part of a strong church. However, when people run their mouths about the preacher or the church, they are reducing the strength of the ministry. They are forsaking the House of God.
In this post Christian culture that we live in today, God’s people must determine to support and strengthen the House of God. We desperately need strong churches today if our families are to survive in their fight against the world, flesh, and the devil.
Posted in Devotions by Phil Erickson with 4 comments.
The Qualifications Are Simple
Today’s Passage – Nehemiah 7 – 9
When Nehemiah was looking for a man to be the mayor of Jerusalem. He looked for a man with three qualifications:
1 He chose a man that was a follower.
Now the man that he chose happened to be his brother. I am not advocating nepotism here; but the fact of the matter is that the people that we entrust with positions of leadership should be familiar to us. We need to know their qualities; and we need to know their flaws. They ought to be people that we have had a working relationship with in the past. People that have proven themselves over the years. A good leader will have already been a good follower.
2 He chose a man that was faithful.
God has told us that a faithful man is hard to find. By the way, we ought to select people based on the faithfulness of their past; not on the promised faithfulness of their future.
He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. (Luke 16:10)
3 He chose a man that feared God.
If you are looking for a wise leader, look for someone who fears the Lord. The Bible is clear that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of both knowledge and wisdom. People who do not fear the Lord cannot even begin to have wisdom.
Posted in Devotions by Phil Erickson with 1 comment.
Guest Post by Sara Scates
I don’t exactly remember when it started. One day, she just wouldn’t get in the bathtub. So I didn’t make her. Judge me if you want; she got in bed dirty that night. The fight just wasn’t worth it. Afterall, I was ready for bed too. But on the second night when she refused to bathe, I couldn’t just ignore her again. She really needed that bath. So we began the struggle. Every night it was the same. It started with me asking her to come and get in the bathtub, to which she would reply, “I don’t want.” I, in my kindest, sweetest Mommy voice would explain to her that she is the child. That she does not always know what is best for her and she does not always get what she wants. I would tell her that this is about her health and well-being; everyone has to take a bath! She’d just look at me, not getting it.
I then went on to trying a different approach. I’d say excitedly, “Lexi! Its time! Let’s go play in the bathtub!” And she’d blink her eyes very fast, big crocodile tears beginning to run down her cheeks. Her one more plea for sympathy. When she saw that the tears were not getting her anywhere, she would begin to shriek, “No bath, no bath, NO BATH!” as if the water would indeed melt her beautiful brown skin. I’d try saying it more sternly the next time. “Lexi! Bath time!” My next step would be to lift her to her feet and half drag her down the hall to the bathroom. Her sorrow would then turn to anger. She’d make her best “I don’t like you Mom” face, fold her arms and plop to her bottom. “I DON’T WANT!”, she would repeat. So I would pick her up. She would kick and scream and eventually I would succeed at getting her into the bathtub. She would then begin to flail around in there for a bit, much like a cat would do if you attempted to bathe it. She would let me know with her wails that I was ruining her life and she may never be happy again. My how these daily episodes put a damper on our mornings, and nights, and occasional middle-of-the-nights.
And then after she was wet, I was wet, and I began to ponder whether its really that important for children to bathe daily anyway, the same thing would happen every time… As she splashed more and more and the bubbles became more and more bubbly, she would remember. She really liked the bath. Bathtime was fun. Not to mention a really great way to get clean. In fact most of the time, she wouldn’t want to get out of the bath. You see, the bath time struggle was not at all about the bath. It was about obedience. She was a toddler and she simply did not want to obey. She thought it should be her decision whether or not she got in the bathtub. She was a toddler and was trying to figure out just how much control she had in her little life.
Maybe the fact that this went on as long as it did was a result of me being a young, unexperienced mother. Looking back I suppose I should have disciplined her more severely for her disobedience. But the reality is, little disobedient Lexi reminds me so much of grown-up, present-day Sara. Like Lexi who didn’t have the insight to know what was really good for her, I sometimes cross my arms and pout and shout “I don’t want!” when God instructs me on what is best for my life too. I have it in my head that I want to do what I want to do. I wake up each morning and prepare for bed each night thinking of what I think is best for my life. When God calls out “Sara! Its time!” and begins to speak to me and show me what He has for me to do, my gut instinct is many times- run the other way, no not today, He doesn’t really know whats best for MY life. But guess what, He does! And if I would just obey Him, the FIRST time, how much more joy-filled my mornings, and nights, and middle-of-the-nights would be!
Because you see, once I face the reality that I don’t really know whats best for my life, even as an adult- I begin to submit to HIS will. I hop in the tub gladly. Only then do I experience real joy, real peace, real fun, real washing away of all the filth and grime I was covered in. I find myself in the very center of His will. And its at that point that I realize, ‘hey, its not so bad in here afterall!’ I shudder to think what I may have missed in my disobedience. I am so thankful that God in His grace does not allow me to win. Usually, the fight is not really about what He is asking me to do. It is not about the bathtub. It is about me, trying to figure out just how much control I have over my little life. Just like Lexi at bathtime. I would like to tell you that I always do exactly what the Lord asks of me. I would like to tell you that I always seek Him first when a difficult situation presents itself. But most times I don’t. Sometimes I still think it should me my decision what I do with my life. He asks, and reasons, and encourages. He gently explains that I do not know what is best for me and that I do not always get what I want. And I just look at Him, not getting it. I whine and sob and shriek, just like a tired, angry toddler who doesn’t want to take a bath. And so He picks me up, exhausted from struggling, and plops me in the center of His will for my life. And then a funny thing happens. After I’m done kicking and screaming and struggling, I remember. I like being in the center of God’s will for my life. It feels a whole lot like being held all wrapped up inside a warm towel. God’s plan is usually pretty great. It is a whole lot better than mine anyway. I am so glad that He doesn’t allow me to win. Instead he just tries another route, hoping that I will soon see that He really is right about what is best for my life and submit to what He wants me to do.
If you were to walk into my house at bathtime a few years back, you might have thought I was a pretty horrible mother, letting my child kick and scream and wail on the floor like that. But I think sometimes He allows us to throw a fit, to be horribly resistant, to appreciate how awesome it is when we finally obey. I am happy to report that one day, Lexi began remembering how much she liked the bath before she began crying. She eventually got to a point where she would come running when I would tell her it was bath time. I am praying that one day soon, I will begin remembering how much I love and desire God’s plan for my life before I begin questioning and arguing and insisting that my desires are greater than His. Maybe I’ll even get to the point of submitting the first time He asks something of me.
Posted in Guest Posts by Phil Erickson with 2 comments.
Building Something For God
Today’s Passage – Nehemiah 1 – 3
And I said unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers’ sepulchres, that I may build it.
(Nehemiah 2:5)
I love reading these stories about people who build something great for the Lord. Nehemiah heard that his home city, Jerusalem, was in a mess and he decided to do something about it. I see in this passage a pattern that can be followed by God’s people today as we desire to be used of Him to fulfill His will for our lives.
1 Nehemiah prayed – He had a burden for Jerusalem and the people of God.
And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire. And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven, (Nehemiah 1:3-4)
He wept; he fasted; and he prayed for the condition of Jerusalem. When he prayed, he reminded God of the promises that God had made about His mercy on the people if they would turn back to God.
2 Nehemiah performed – he took action.
The difference between Nehemiah and most of us is that he was willing to prepare and act upon the burden that he had. So many of us have a burden to do something; but we never get to the point where we take action. In the local church, we see many people who know what needs to be done; but never actually do it. Don’t just talk about (or worse complain about it); do something about it.
3 Nehemiah persisted – He did not quit.
So many of us today allow the slightest things to knock us off course. Nehemiah did not quit because of the difficulty of the task; or from the opposition that he faced (which will always be there).
When I read these passages, I get excited about doing something for the Lord. I want to be able to say at the end of my life (and at the end of my day) that I accomplished something for the Lord.
Posted in Devotions by Phil Erickson with 4 comments.