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Posts Tagged ‘Jesus’

God Plays the Long Game

Posted in Bible Study, God, God Stories, heaven, job, Trials, tagged , , , , , , , , on January 12, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Job 32-34, God Plays the Long Game. A young man shows up in today’s reading, Elihu, and he initially seems to bring some much-needed wisdom to the conversation with Job. Unfortunately, he heads down the same path as the three friends telling Job what a rebellious sinner he must be for God to punish him so. Before he starts accusing Job without truly knowing the background, he says some things about God that are true as he describes God as merciful. In Job 33:29-30 Elihu points out that God will allow pain and suffering to get a person’s attention and to turn them away from sin and back to Him. This is a true statement, and it speaks to God’s mercy. But it is not the reason for all pain and suffering as Job’s story shows us.  There are times when the brokenness of this world impacts us and we suffer independent of our relationship with the Father. And perhaps an even more paradoxical reason is that in some cases the suffering of a righteous person might be to reach an unrighteous neighbor, friend, or family member.

The martyred missionary, Jim Elliot comes to mind. Jim felt called to reach a cannibalistic tribe in the upper Amazon region of Ecuador. After months of preparation and repeated attempts to find ways to communicate with the tribe, the missionaries found an area on a river in the jungle where they could land their plane. Within a few days they were killed. While this could easily be the end of the story; a thwarted attempt to reach a remote, violent tribe in some distant jungle, it was not. Jim’s widow, Elizabeth, shared his passion. Not long after Jim’s death, Elizabeth was able to reach the Waodani tribe that had killed her husband. She befriended them. She moved in to live with them with her and Jim’s young daughter. And through her the tribe was converted and the Bible translated into their language. Jim’s words written shortly before his death are a powerful reminder that God plays the long game, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”

Father, help us to keep in mind the long game. Remind us that our words echo through time if they are your words spoken in truth and love. Teach us to number our days with eternity in mind, that we might live lightly in this world and fully with you. In Jesus’ Name we pray.

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Turning the Corner

Posted in Bible Study, God, job, Orphans, Responsibility, Spiritual Growth, Trials, worldview, tagged , , , , , , on January 11, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Job 29-31, Turning the Corner. Our time in Job thus far has been bookended by accounts of Job’s righteousness. In chapter 1 God speaks of Job’s righteousness so we know Job is truly a good and righteous person. In chapter 31 Job goes on to list all the things that he does that are good and right. Job’s righteousness is impressive and puts me in my place by comparison. Which, when I think about it, is possibly a good thing for both Job and me. It is good for Job because it uncovers an area of his life, pride and entitlement, that are NOT character traits that endear us to God. It is good for me because I still have a way to go to even measure up to Job’s righteousness AND I can receive the warning from Job’s pride. It is the slippery slope that comes when our reputation supersedes our relationship with the Father.

But everything is about to change. Job’s three friends have run out of steam. Their accusations and false help have not stuck. And Job’s heart is laid bare with all of his goodness peeled back to reveal an area of need. God loves Job just like He loves us. What seemingly started as a dare between God and Satan has become a tool God uses to reveal to Job his need that he would never have seen without his suffering AND the interactions with his friends. And God will use this to bless not just Job, but his friends too. I am excited to see where God takes us in the coming days.

Father, you love us too much to let us remain stuck. In Isaiah you call out righteousness laid over pride as filthy rags. You desire that we act right towards others, but you desire that to spring forth from our ever-growing relationship with you. So, we bend our knees and lay all our ambitions and motivations before you now. You know them already. We ask that you help us to see ourselves rightly and live surrendered. We offer ourselves to you that you might transform us. We are your children and our desire is to live as faithful men and women of God. Be glorified, our Lord and our God!

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Beginning of Wisdom

Posted in Bible Study, God, Spiritual Growth, The Father, Trials, Vision, worldview, Worship, tagged , , , , , , , on January 11, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Job 24-28, Beginning of Wisdom. Unlike most of scripture, the only way to properly read Job is in its entirety. The Bible is amazing in many respects. One of those is that it encompasses a variety of literary styles. In telling Job’s story and capturing the dialog of Job and his three friends, we see descriptions of God and His character that are opinions and not hard facts. The mixture of truth, half-truth, and misunderstanding about God is combined in a way that emphasizes foundational truth about God and His ways, but only when we read the entire story. If you are like me, it has taken multiple reads to get to the point that I can see this and not get tied up in the warped theology espoused by Job’s friends and, to a degree, but Job.

When we get to Job 28:28 I cannot help but release a big sigh. In my mind I have been trying to parse out the truth versus misunderstanding in each person’s dialog. Even Job speaks at times with more emotion and less faith than I am comfortable with. As an engaged reader it is a mental and emotional roller-coaster. But then I read a verse that I can hang my hat on. ‘And he said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”’ I find this truth throughout scripture. I find this truth in evaluating the world on a macro level. And I have found this to be true in my 65 years on earth.

LORD, you are the source of all wisdom. When things don’t make sense, when evil seems to triumph, we know we can trust you and trust your heart. You have made all things – seen and unseen. You exist outside of time – the past, present, and future are all now to you. We bow to you, acknowledging our great limitations and your limitless nature. That out of all this, that you love us and desire what is best for us, we humbly, reverently, give you thanks and offer you our lives. It is in the mighty Name of Jesus that we pray,

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Arguing with God

Posted in Bible Study, God, job, tagged , , , , , , , on January 11, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Job 21-23, Arguing with God. It was freeing for me when I realized I didn’t need to act pious before God. As I grew in our relationship, recognizing that His love and forgiveness were way bigger than my sin and assorted stumbles in life, I became able to stop trying to be righteous. It made any perceived distance between us shrink and I began to understand what it meant to “walk with God”. And instead of striving and trying to act right against the current of the world, my fleshly desires, and the temptations of Satan, my heart and my mind became more desirous of pleasing my faithful Lord. Doing what brings joy to Him became my desire. Because I knew He loved me unconditionally AND knew all that I thought, it became totally fine to talk it out when I was unhappy, confused, angry or any other emotion that I had attempted to stuff when I was trying to act righteous.

I recognize this in Job today. He is ready to argue with God. We know He doesn’t have the whole picture and some of Job’s assumptions are not correct, but I am encouraged because He never loses faith in God. He may be ready to challenge God that He has made a mistake in punishing him, but He does not lose faith that God is there or that He will listen to Him. While very limited in the New Testament, lamentations are a common theme in the Old Testament. As many as 60 of the Psalms are considered lamentations and there is even one whole book that is a collection of distressed heart cries to God called Lamentations. Being honest with God, even if it is an argument we are going to lose, is the path to greater intimacy with the Lover of our soul.

Father, thank you, that we can be real with you. We do not need to hide how we feel. Beyond the fact that there is nothing we can hide, there is truly more mercy, grace, and love readily available to us, that we can only receive when we let down our guard and let you in. That you gently, lovingly, pursue us, encouraging us to open up, is truly a great gift. Even when we don’t fully understand what’s going on, we put our trust in you. You are faithful and true. Blessed be the Name of the LORD, our God! Amen!

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My Redeemer Lives

Posted in Bible Study, God, job, Spiritual Growth, Trials, worldview, Worship, tagged , , , , , , , on January 11, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Job 17-20, My Redeemer Lives. Lately I have had this tremendous sense of gratitude that we live in a day and time when God’s progressive revelation of Himself has come so far. In the days of the Prophets, the understanding of God was limited to the Law and the mixed messages coming from true prophets and false prophets and priests. When the people were wandering in the wilderness, they had Moses and the stone tablets, but we saw how much weight that carried. That whole generation (except Joshua and Caleb) died because of their lack of faith. From Abraham to Moses, there was God’s promise to Abraham, but not a lot more to rest your faith on. So, for Job to proclaim this truth, years before God spoke to Abram (who became Abraham) in the midst of his great suffering, is a testament to his faith. And it is BIG faith statement.

I have this mental picture right now that won’t go away. I see a kitten hanging on the end of a rope. There is both terror and determination in the kitten’s eyes. The caption reads, “Hang in there, baby.” Job’s cry are the words the kitten is thinking as it dangles. And there is a reward as the rope is pulled up and rescue ensues. Our Redeemer does live and He is our Rescuer. Job may not be correct in saying his suffering is from God, but he is absolutely on target when he says My, and Our, Redeemer Lives.

Faithful Redeemer and Lord, we thank you that in all things and at all times we can trust you. Even when we are at the end of our rope, you are there. Psalm 139 comes to mind, you know me, you know us, and we are yours. Thank you for rescuing us, for sending Jesus to die that we might live. Thank you for redeeming us, purchasing us with a price far beyond our worth. We pause to let that sink in… You paid so much for us because you love us and you have good plans for us. Such knowledge is too wonderful, to amazing. But that is who you are… our wonderful, amazing, glorious Redeemer, Savior, and Lord! Amen!

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Patience in Pain

Posted in Bible Study, God, job, Spiritual Growth, Trials, worldview, Worship, tagged , , , , , , , , on January 11, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Job 14-16, Patience in Pain. As an engineer I see most things in a cause and effect paradigm. Having experienced God’s grace in many tangible ways, I fully count on His sovereignty to win the day and outcomes to be good, eventually. There are many Biblical promises such as Jeremiah 29:11 that point to this. God’s past actions and His present promises provide the framework for my belief that my current pain will be transformed into future blessing. Grief, suffering, and heartache are not to be denied, but they can be tempered and endured with the knowledge that the One who has been faithful will remain faithful.

I read the story in Acts 5 yesterday where the Apostles were beaten for preaching the Gospel. Their response to suffering the beating was rejoicing. How could they rejoice when their backs were bruised and bloodied? Because they were able to look beyond the pain to the wonderful work the Holy spirit was doing. They could see the kingdom of God growing. As I type, I get a glimpse of the millions of martyrs through the ages, and I realize that there has never been a tear shed or blood spilled by one of the Lord’s saints that hasn’t resulted in the kingdom expanding. What the enemy means for evil, God turns into good. That’s why we can have patience in the pain.

Father, we are so thankful that you walk with us through life, even carrying us when it gets overwhelming. Job’s friends could not see past their paradigm that had only an earthly cause and effect perspective. We know that you move in heaven and earth and sometimes we won’t see the great good you are doing until later… sometimes much later. We simply ask today that you will help us to grow in faith to exercise patience in the painful times. That includes not just our times of pain, but that of our friends, neighbors and people we meet. May your grace flow through us today. In Jesus’ Name.

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Power of Community

Posted in God, Jesus Christ, The Father, worldview, Worship, tagged , , on January 11, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Genesis 8-11, Power of Community. There is tremendous power in an aligned community. A new “technology”, the brick, gave the people of Babylon the opportunity to build a structure that would rival any that then existed. And community pride was the vehicle that drove them to try to do just that. I hear echoes of the serpent’s temptation of Eve in the garden in the rationale behind building the great tower.

God calls us to community too, but it is to be God-centered community. Knowing Him and following Him is the way to life to the full. Jesus said this very thing in the Gospel of John. Connecting John 14:6 and John 10:10, Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life and in him alone is life to the full. When we follow Jesus in discipleship community, we will find ourselves surrounded by brothers and sisters in the ultimate community of mercy, grace, and power.

Lord, guide us to seek you first and foremost. Help us to properly prioritize everything in our life that you are the center of our thoughts, our words, and our actions. We desire to live in a faith community that continues to grow and fill the whole world with the knowledge of you. Be glorified in and through us, faithful LORD.

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Arguing with God

Posted in God, Prayer, Spiritual Growth, tagged , , , , , , , , , , on January 9, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Job 21-23. It was freeing for me when I realized I didn’t need to act pious before God. As I grew in our relationship, recognizing that His love and forgiveness were way bigger than my sin and assorted stumbles in life, I became able to stop trying to be righteous. It made any perceived distance between us shrink and I began to understand what it meant to “walk with God”. And instead of striving and trying to act right against the current of the world, my fleshly desires, and the temptations of Satan, my heart and my mind became more desirous of pleasing my faithful Lord. Doing what brings joy to Him became my desire. Because I knew He loved me unconditionally AND knew all that I thought, it became totally fine to talk it out when I was unhappy, confused, angry or any other emotion that I had attempted to stuff when I was trying to act righteous.

I recognize this in Job today. He is ready to argue with God. We know He doesn’t have the whole picture and some of Job’s assumptions are not correct, but I am encouraged because He never loses faith in God. He may be ready to challenge God that He has made a mistake in punishing him, but He does not lose faith that God is there or that He will listen to Him. While very limited in the New Testament, lamentations are a common theme in the Old Testament. As many as 60 of the Psalms are considered lamentations and there is even one whole book that is a collection of distressed heart cries to God called Lamentations. Being honest with God, even if it is an argument we are going to lose, is the path to greater intimacy with the Lover of our soul.

Father, thank you, that we can be real with you. We do not need to hide how we feel. Beyond the fact that there is nothing we can hide, there is truly more mercy, grace, and love readily available to us, that we can only receive when we let down our guard and let you in. That you gently, lovingly, pursue us, encouraging us to open up, is truly a great gift. Even when we don’t fully understand what’s going on, we put our trust in you. You are faithful and true. Blessed be the Name of the LORD, our God! Amen!

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Scriptural Promises of Hope

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , on January 2, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Any blog post written is only as good as the source material used. I wrote earlier today about the difference between Optimism and Hope. Hope has its foundation on the promises of God and the reality of Jesus Christ’s sacrificial life, death, and resurrection. Thanks to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association for sending me a daily word of encouragement. I am forwarding these 15 scriptural promises they shared with me for you to read and use as a foundation for your hope today.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
—Jeremiah 29:11, ESV This was a life verse given to me when the entire office where I worked was notified we had been downsized. They said they needed us to stick around a few months for transition. That entire first week, this verse kept coming to mind unbidden. I knew it was the Holy Spirit building my faith for what was likely to be a challenging time. Because of this verse and other ways the Lord chose to encourage us, our hope never waned. In the end, after 15 months, they gave me a new job within the company that became one of the best jobs I ever had.

He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.
—1 Peter 1:3–4, ESV

Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
—Philippians 3:20, ESV

The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.
—Zephaniah 3:17, ESV

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
—Romans 15:13, ESV

They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
—Isaiah 40:31, ESV, I’ve lost track of the number of times I have sung this as a reminder of God’s mercy and grace when I was worn and weary. And every time His Word has lifted and refreshed me for my next steps. And I am still stepping because He is my strength and my refreshing.

And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you.
—Psalm 39:7, ESV

… waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ …
—Titus 2:13, ESV

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
—Romans 12:12

For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.
—2 Corinthians 4:17–18, ESV, This scripture is such a comfort in times of difficulty. Sudden job loss, two near death episodes, a cancer diagnosis, and other challenges of life truly shrink to insignificance when compared to life with God that will go on into eternity. This life is but a prelude to the larger, brighter, better life God has prepared for His children.

The sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
—Romans 8:18, ESV

Behold, I am coming soon.
—Revelation 22:12, ESV

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
—Romans 15:4, ESV

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.
—Revelation 21:4, ESV

This I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
—Lamentations 3:21–23, ESV, Context is important. Jeremiah wrote this as the southern kingdom of Judah has been crushed, most of those not killed have been carried off into exile in a foreign land, and Jeremiah is left with a group of the poorest of the land with enemies all around ready to swoop in and crush whoever remains. His prophesies went unheeded yet came true. Even now the people ask for his prophetic word but then ignore it. If anyone had reason to lose hope and feel sorry for himself, it was the weeping prophet Jeremiah. Yet he reminds himself of God’s faithfulness and then hope rises.

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Is It Optimism or Hope?

Posted in God, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, The Father, Trials, worldview, tagged , , , , , , on January 2, 2026| Leave a Comment »

As followers of Jesus, we are uniquely equipped for life in all it’s chaotic messiness. Being connected to the source of life and indwelt by the Holy Spirit gives us a perspective that transcends the loss, pain, suffering, and heartbreak present in this fallen world. It does not mean we don’t experience it or feel it. It simply means that we are aware that this life, all its highs and its lows, are but a precursor to the larger life God has in store for His children.

My boss often corrects me when I use the word hope about future prospects concerning work. I have pushed back lightly telling him that I cannot help but be a hopeful person because of my faith. I haven’t taken the conversation farther than this yet, but I think 2026 will see that happen. Today’s post captures the gist of what I want to say.

I will begin using the word “optimistic” when I am talking about work. Optimism is this recognition that things are trending in the right direction. Optimism is first cousin to hope in that it believes there is a desired final destination and the path we are on leads to it.  There is confidence that the path is correct and the destination will be reached.

Hope is bigger than optimism. Hope is grounded confidence that the final destination is not only desired and good, but that it will be reached no matter what. That grounding is in a person, Jesus, and a path, following Him as revealed in His Word.

There are two key differentiators between optimism and hope. They are 1) what happens when the path becomes difficult and the final destination is in doubt and 2) what is the source of the confidence.

Optimism is largely based upon circumstances being right and things working out in a particular way. Optimism usually includes a good bit of intervention on our part to keep things moving toward the desired destination. Optimism can also be seriously eroded when circumstances wane and turn against us. Because it is based upon reaching a final destination, when that becomes “unrealistic”, optimism can fail.

Hope, at least Biblical hope, is not based upon circumstances. It is based upon God, His promises, and most especially, God’s Son – Jesus. Because we have an amazing record of His life and His words to us, we can learn the path He has called us to. He warns us about the inevitable challenges on the way, but He promises to be with us. He tells us that He who has overcome the world will be with us in the presence of the Holy Spirit. Hope is not eroded when circumstances seem to fail. If anything, hope shines brighter when circumstances fail.

There are three cardinal virtues Paul mentions in his first letter to the church in Corinth. In chapter 13 we read, ‘And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.‘ This trio of virtues build and strengthen the body of Christ, the Church. They also demonstrate in a powerful way the reality of our final destination – eternal union with God, the Lover of our Souls.

While it is good to be an optimistic “glass half full” kind of person, the true blessing and joy comes from knowing Him and allowing that relationship to fill us with HOPE!

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