Jabez - Are you a Cookie Monster for God?

1 Chronicles 4:10d - And God granted his request.

This is the last part of the prayer of Jabez. It is the outcome of the prayer of Jabez. It's not very climactic. In fact, it's completely 'matter of fact'. It's as simple as 2 + 2 = 4 ; Man of faith asked = God of all granted. So why did he have to ask in the first place?

As I studied the prayer of Jabez, how he asked for things and God simply gave them to him - and pondered whether it was a one time occurrence and only meant for Jabez, an analogy came to mind. Many times, I will go to the store and while buying groceries, I will pick up something for the kids. Maybe some cookies or snack cakes, I might even get them some special drink and put it in the refrigerator - simply because I love them. Now when I get home, and put all the groceries away and then get busy doing everything else, I will probably completely forget that I even bought those items for the kids. However, if one of the children comes up to me and says, "Hey Mom, Can I have a couple of cookies" - I will then say - "Yes, I got those for you".

Now God doesn't forget, but I do think He has things for us and He's just waiting for us to ask Him for it. Does that mean whatever we ask for it will be given to us, since God has it waiting? Even though I have cookies for the kids, if they ask me to eat them a half an hour before dinner, I'm going to say "no". But that doesn't mean 'no' forever, it just means they'll have to ask later when it's not going to hinder them by spoiling their appetite. However, like the cartoon, when we start to go after things ourselves that God has said 'no' to, disaster can strike.

God loves His children. Jabez was a faithful and honorable man, one who knew the power of the Almighty. One who wanted to serve God and have a personal relationship with Him. His prayer is truly an example of God's unconditional love for us.

John the Baptist - It's a Boy!

Luke 1:57-58 When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.

The terms "Crime of Passion", "Hate Crime", "Jealous Rage" - are all very familiar to us today. These words litter police reports, news headlines and court proceedings. We live in a world where our actions are controlled by our envy. A society that has led us to believe that we can not be successful until we match the Jones' and once we've accomplished that, the Johnsons' and so on and so on. What if we went back to the way Elizabeth's friends responded to her joy.

When Elizabeth finally had her baby - there was no backtalk about how old she was, there was no comment under the breath about the struggled marriage with a mute man, no one questioned why God had chosen to speak to her about the birth of John.

It says that her neighbors and relatives 'shared her joy'. When was the last time you were happy simply because someone you knew had experienced a joyous moment. Whether it was a promotion or bonus, a gift or a new relationship - without the undertone of wishing it were you. I wonder what our headlines would read today if we all had neighbors like Elizabeth...

Ten Lepers - We all Use Numbers - Every Day

Luke 17:17-18 Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?"

There has been many studies done on numbers in the Bible. Many books written on the significance of numbers throughout the scriptures. The number ten is no different and it holds meaning beyond just the amount of men who had leprosy. The number ten is said to mean restoration and completeness. Let's look at the irony behind this number.

Jesus makes it a point to remind us that there were ten men with leprosy and He healed all of them. He completely restored their bodies. He took the whole of the group and He took away their disease.

Only one came back. Another significant number. One means unity. The bond that grew between Jesus and the Samaritan all because He appreciated what Christ had done for Him. The Samaritan was grateful to Jesus and they were united because of this action.

Jesus showed up on the way to Jerusalem and made a point to cure a complete number of men. Jesus showed up at Calvary and made a point to save the complete number of people. Jesus formed a union with the one man who came back to say thank you. Jesus would've died if only one believed and wanted to be united with Christ forever.

I thank Jesus for His sacrifice on the cross - that He died for all, but still loves little ol' me.

Ten Lepers - Who Do You Think You Are?

Luke 17-14 When He saw them, He said to them, Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they were going, they were cleansed.

I am a pretty fearless kind of gal. Not too much phases me anymore. I'm fine with rollercoasters, heights, water, bugs - I may not like them all, but not really 'afraid' of them. However, I still have a reverent fear for authority. Never wanted to be called to the principals office or even sternly talked to by a teacher. Even in a business setting, if there is a closed door and the receptionist says to 'go on in' - I'm very uneasy about that. Who am I to open the door of an obviously very busy person in authority?

These lepers had just been told by Jesus to go to the priests - men in a very high position. These leperous men who had spent quite some time avoiding any personal contact with anyone for so long and now are being told to show up unannounced. Just taking that step of faith without arguing when told to do so by Jesus - certainly shows faith and courage in Jesus. Lepers who went to the priests only went so after they were healed. The priests would give confirmation that they were no longer lepers. People that still had the disease didn't go. But these men, when called to do so by Jesus, did what they were told without hesitation and they were healed by the time they got to the priests.

Can you imagine, just for a moment, if we did what Jesus told us to do the very first time? What kind of miracle is awaiting us? What adventure might we encounter on our trip? What lives might we change if we take that leap of faith and trust Jesus and do what we are told to do the moment Jesus speaks?

Ten Lepers - Begins

Luke 17:11-13 Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!"

Have you ever had a long day and it seems like it's gotten even longer with everything you've had to deal with and your kids come running up to you with a problem? It doesn't matter whether it's big or small - it's something that child feels only you can handle - They can't wait another second and will keep bugging you until you answer them. On most days, it's an honor to be able to take care of their needs - but sometimes. . . . it's oh so tiring.

I wonder how Jesus felt. The distance from Samaria to Jerusalem was roughly 70 miles. He'd been walking this whole time and knew He had this much farther to go and then He hears the voice of men calling out to Him. I am so glad that Jesus is not like me. I am so glad He doesn't sigh when we come to him with our problems. I am so glad that He just longs to hear from us no matter what is going on anywhere else.

I've never had a serious health issue. I've been blessed with a healthy body and the determination to take care of it. However, a little over a year ago - my back went out. I don't know whether it was a pinched nerve or what - but the pain was intense. I was incapacitated. It lasted for almost a week and even after that I was afraid to do anything that might cause extra strain on my back for fear of the pain returning.

I truly can't imagine what these men who were crying out to Jesus were going through. Jesus was a glimpse of hope for these men who were suffering. They cried out to Him because they had heard of His healing power. They called Him, 'Master'. But He doesn't just heal the leper and the deaf and the blind and the dead - He heals us all. Not just physical suffering either. He heals our mental pain over working too hard and our emotional pain from betrayal and mistrust. All we have to do is cry out to the Master - there is power in the Name of the Lord.

The Demon-Possessed Man - Time Really Isn't On Your Side

Luke 8:33 And the demons came out of the man and entered the swine; and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.

In 1998, Denzel Washington starred in the film "Fallen". It has been awhile since I've seen it, but it certainly left a mark on my idea of demon possession. It was the story of a demon who was inside a serial killer who was executed and then the demon travels from person to person. All the while, Denzel is studying anything and everything on demons to try and kill this one.

When we look at this verse, it is very cut and dry. Jesus said go to the pigs, and the demons went to the pigs. There was no back talk, there was no demon who lagged behind and decided to stay in the man - at the command of Jesus - each demon left and went into the pigs.

This is where we, as humans, start to fade from the realization of what we are actually capable of doing. Poor Denzel, try as he might in that movie, would never be able to get rid of that demon on his own. We see in verse 33 that the demons are called out, simply, by Jesus. A task we would never be able to complete by ourselves. When will we realize that we HAVE to fully rely on Jesus?

The Demon-Possessed Man - It's Not A Tumor.

Luke 8:28-29 Seeing Jesus, he cried out and fell before Him, and said in a loud voice, What business do we have with each other, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me." For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had seized him many times; and he was bound with chains and shackles and kept under guard, and yet he would break his bonds and be driven by the demon into the desert.

This verse clarifies that Jesus was not consorting with the devil when He meets up with these demons. The demons know His power and what the possible outcome could be. They go to Him for mercy. It's true that those who don't believe Jesus was who He said, will use whatever reason they can find to knock Him down, but the truth remains - the demons KNOW who Jesus is and they are begging for their existence.

A demon dwelling in a body doesn't need food. It doesn't need water. It doesn't need an arm without a broken bone. It doesn't need any of those things. We, as humans, know that we need these things to keep our bodies functioning properly. Food and water to maintain energy, and making sure our muscles and bones stay healthy to keep our bodies in motion. If we don't get these things, we have nerves and pain sensors that let us know our body needs repair - the pain doesn't stop until we fix our body. When the demons break the chains and shackles - they don't feel that, but I bet the man whose body their using does. The heat of the desert won't deter a demon, but the man who is dehydrated and swollen knows what his body is missing and he has no control over it. I can't imagine the pain and agony that this man who is demon-possessed went through. Surely he still feels the pain even though he couldn't stop the action of his own body.

While these verses are talking about actual demons, there are demons of our own making that we allow in our lives as well. The little sins that we let take over and while it's happening, we don't seem to have any control over it - but when it's done and we've laid it on the cross - we can still feel the pain and the scars and the aftermath of what that sin has done.

The Demon-Possessed Man - Begins

Luke 8:26-27 Then they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee.And when He came out onto the land, He was met by a man from the city who was possessed with demons; and who had not put on any clothing for a long time, and was not living in a house, but in the tombs.

I am not a horror movie fan. I've seen the first "Halloween" years ago and saw a few of the "Nightmare on Elm Street"s but never really enjoyed them. A few years back my husband said, "Hey, let's watch "The Ring", giving in - I did. That did if for me - NO MORE. Why do people watch movies that you have to sit through with your eyes covered half the time and then spend the rest of the night dreaming about it - in a bad way.

This leads me to today's post. Why choose a topic I clearly would rather not go into? God takes the things that challenge us, and uses it for His glory - I'm hoping that's what will come of this.

Demonic possession can literally take the person completely out of control. It says so in this verse - I'm not talking about what Hollywood does. It says the man who was demon - possessed did not wear clothes and was living in the tombs. Common sense in a human is to put on clothes to protect our bodies - and to live among the living - not the dead. This man had lost complete control of his body.

Jesus did not go seeking this man - when He arrived at this city, the man came up out of the tombs to Him. Remembering that this man had no control of his body - it was the demons who went up to Jesus. Why? Why would they come out to this Man? Because the demons know that Jesus is the Son of God. There were no other crowds forming as He entered the city - no one else running to touch the Almighty - how sad to think that, then and today, the demons know and fear God and yet His own creations (us) turn in disbelief.

Sodom and Gomorrah - Salt Causes Heart Disease

Genesis 19:23-26 The sun had risen over the earth when Lot came to Zoar. Then the LORD rained on Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven, and He overthrew those cities, and all the valley, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground. But his wife, from behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.

Why is it when there is an accident on the side of the road that traffic slows almost to a stop, even though the accident is completely cleared from the traveled path? Because everyone wants to look back and see what has happened - I believe the official term is "rubber-necking".

I often wondered why Lot's wife was chastised so harshly for what I believed to be simple 'rubber-necking' - a whole city was being burned and she had to see it. But after studying the verse more closely - it seems that his wife was doing more than being a curious observer.

Lot's wife was not just looking, she was longing. Longing for the lifestyle that she was used to living - not one that was following God. God knew the desires of her heart when she turned to head back toward that city. He was very clear in His instructions to move on and not return.

I have several different aspects of my life that are not areas where God wants me to return. He has closed that door, and for good reason. If we are following God, if we are doing as He has planned, we have no need for that past way of life - no reason to return. Whether it's drinking or smoking or cursing or gluttony or lying - whatever it is - that sin nature that God so longs for us to stay away from, and has opened up a plan for us to follow - but we cannot look back with a longing for that old way of living.

Sodom and Gomorrah - Divorce Prevention

Genesis 19:12-14 The two men said to Lot, "Do you have anyone else here—sons-in-law, sons or daughters, or anyone else in the city who belongs to you? Get them out of here, because we are going to destroy this place. The outcry to the LORD against its people is so great that he has sent us to destroy it." So Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who were pledged to marry his daughters. He said, "Hurry and get out of this place, because the LORD is about to destroy the city!" But his sons-in-law thought he was joking.

The divorce rate in America for first marriage, vs second or third marriage as stated on divorcerate.org says "50% percent of first marriages, 67% of second and 74% of third marriages end in divorce, according to Jennifer Baker of the Forest Institute of Professional Psychology in Springfield, Missouri.” With divorce rates being so high - we have to be particular about who we choose as a mate. We have to look for those red flags that might say to us, 'this is not who I should spend the rest of my life with'. Some of those red flags might be: a man who is in debt because of gambling issues. Someone who has to spend his Friday nights at the club. Someone who hits the bar directly after leaving work. Someone who might be part of an angry mob trying to homosexually rape strangers - these are the types of red flags to look out for.

The verse says that when the angels told Lot to get all of his family, he goes outside to tell his future sons-in-law. Outside. Outside where all the men have gathered to attack the visitors in the city. These are the men he has chosen for his daughters? This is who he wants caring for his own children?

The truth is all too real here just as it is today. When you are in the midst of sin, it is not hard to soon become enveloped in it. He was about to bring that lifestyle into his family. It is not an easy job to protect ourselves from what the world feels is 'okay'. To remain strong in knowing what is right and what is clearly wrong. I feel for our teenagers today who have to attend public high schools. They are surrounded by the ideas and morals of what society has said is 'acceptable'. We must stick to the rules God has set before us - anything else is 'unacceptable'.

Sodom and Gomorrah - Not So Secret Superhero

Genesis 19:9-11 "Get out of our way," they replied. And they said, "This fellow came here as an alien, and now he wants to play the judge! We'll treat you worse than them." They kept bringing pressure on Lot and moved forward to break down the door. But the men inside reached out and pulled Lot back into the house and shut the door. Then they struck the men who were at the door of the house, young and old, with blindness so that they could not find the door.

God gives us the strength we need for the moment. Yesterday morning, we were leaving early to go to co-op (a group of homeschooling families that get together) and as we were getting in the car my son was standing at the doorway of the house - he called out to me, "Mom, I feel like I'm going to throw up". All the girls were in the car and I had just put my purse and bag in the car, please keep in mind that I am usually carrying something out to the car right as I get in it - so for me to be empty-handed was already a miracle. As I turned to walk back to him I asked him if he had some milk with his cold medicine that I had laid out for him to take - without another word, his eyes glazed over and his body crumpled as he fell into my arms passed out. My son is 14 years old. He's not the little boy who sits on my lap anymore. I caught him and was able to move a chair out of the way with my other arm before we both were on the concrete. I called to my daughter to get out of the car and go get her dad who was still asleep (Thank God he hadn't left for work yet).

A mob of angry men were attacking Lot, death was going to be the only outcome. They were already pushing towards the door - the ominous music was playing. Then, in the midst of the struggle - when it looked as though all hope was lost, the men from inside came out and grabbed Lot, pulled him in and blinded the men so that they could not find the door. Keep in mind - they were already close to the door - so the blindness was such that all of them were terribly disoriented. Lot was pulled to safety by the strength of the angels inside.

It works the same way with us when we are children of God. In the times of struggle, when you are fighting with all your might and it is no longer physically possible for you to do anything more, Jesus steps out from inside your heart and pulls you to safety and provides the power you need to handle the situation.

My son is fine. We went to the doctor and she said he was only slightly dehydrated. His blood tests came back normal and by the end of a day of babying he was feeling good. While driving back from my daughter's acting class in the evening, she said to me, "I have a feeling that Dano is going to be in your blog tomorrow". When the power of Jesus comes out from inside of you - He doesn't want you to keep it a secret. . .

Have a great weekend!

Sodom and Gomorrah - The Lifetime Channel doesn't want you to read this.

Genesis 19:6-7 Lot went outside to meet them and shut the door behind him and said, "No, my friends. Don't do this wicked thing. Look, I have two daughters who have never slept with a man. Let me bring them out to you, and you can do what you like with them. But don't do anything to these men, for they have come under the protection of my roof."

Marrying a person that you've slept with out of wedlock doesn't justify your past sin, you still need to take that to God. The same way sleeping with a woman doesn't justify a homosexual mans' previous actions with other men. However, that was what Lot was attempting to do here.

Looking at what Lot has said - it is as if the only problem he sees with this situation is the homosexual nature of these men wanting the angels that have come to stay with Lot. He greets them warmly - 'my friends' - He then states that he doesn't want them to do this 'wicked' thing. Which wicked thing is he talking about? - because we had a whole list of them in the last post. Lot is talking about the sin of homosexuality - only. How do I know? Because in the same breath - he suggests that they do exactly the same thing - only with his daughters. The only part of the equation that has changed has been the gender of the victims.

It infuriates me to picture in my mind these girls and what they might be thinking after hearing their father say this to this mob that has formed.

I don't find Lot to be the greatest of men. I don't think he was a good example for Christ. I don't think he should've stayed in a town that was so full of sin it caused him to hide his witness for God. This is so relevant to our lives today. How many people say they can't be effective for Christ because of their job, or their town, or their family? If you can't be an effective witness for Christ then you need to quit that job, move out of that town, and get away from that family. You can't quit your job at a law firm whose practice is unethical because you have a family to support? Luke 12:28 But if God so clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you? You men of little faith! Do you believe it or don't you?

On the other side of things - God is working hard to get Lot out of there. Lot, the one who didn't get father of the year - is being watched over by God and protected. God watches over His children and protects us even when we are not living a life that glorifies Him. How proud He must be of us when we do. I so want to make Him proud.

Soddom and Gomorrah - The Original Sin City

Genesis 19:5 They called to Lot, "Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them."

Let's play a game. We will call it - how many sins can we find in this one verse. I'll start. Homosexuality (that's the obvious one) - Violence (I'm sure this would not be consensual) - Greed (These men wanted something so bad they were willing to do anything to get it) - Lust (They obviously saw the men and something started raging) - Adultery (I'm pretty sure at least one of all the men in the city had a spouse). I'll stop there for now.

Since I work for Weight Watchers, I'm going to use another weight analogy. People who are overweight did not get there in one day. It was a constant daily choice of eating the wrong foods. You don't gain an extra 40 pounds by having a piece of cheesecake at a birthday party two weeks ago.

Sin is not lonely. Sin very rarely comes in single form. The city of Sodom was not being destroyed because people were committing one sin. It was the onslaught of the multitude of sin in their every day lives. Even now when we sin - it is not in single form - but if we catch it, we can stop the snowball effect. A curse word does not just fly out of the mouth on its own - the sin of rage may have come before it. Or, a lie might follow the sin of jealousy or envy or pride.

The decline of a nation became such because they allowed this multitude of sin to continue. In this one verse alone - all in one action - an entire city finds nothing wrong with all the sin that has consumed them. Just like eating whatever you think makes you feel good all day long - one day, you're out of control.

The good thing is, in both situations - you can start making healthier choices and eating better and lose the weight and get back in control. Just like you can go to God and ask Him to start helping you remove that sin in your life. Make no mistake - sin is rampant and free-flowing. So much so that sometimes we don't even realize we're sinning anymore. This is where we must ask God's guidance to keep us strong and hold us accountable so that we don't become like the city of Sodom and Gomorrah

Sodom and Gomorrah - Knock Knock

Genesis 19:4 Before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, surrounded the house, both young and old, all the people from every quarter;

I did a google search for the terms "a crowd gathered". I wanted to find out what types of things for which people will crowd around. There were things like when the men landed on the moon, an accident in Afghanistan causing a riot, the crumbling of the world trade center in a terrorist attack. These are big events that people, for whatever reason, wanted to be a part of. The historical benefit of being around when we hit the moon - anger of an injustice - or sympathy and support for the suffering.


But why would a whole town - of just men - show up for two strangers? The Bible verse is so specific - EVERY man in the town. Like I mentioned in yesterday's post, it didn't take too long for them to show up. We know that food was made rather quickly and then eaten and then it says - before they went to bed this crowd appeared. I think we're looking at maybe a couple of hours. We can't get a crowd to gather for a Bible study thats scheduled two months in advance - let alone have everyone in the class show up in two hours. What's the rush and the importance?(we'll see in tomorrows post)

Let's look at our own lives. What are we willing to drop everything and follow the crowd for? A sale at JCPenney's? An ambulance at the end of the block? We are called to follow in only ONE circumstance. Here's the irony - We are called to follow Christ - but in following Christ we become leaders. We are called to stand out of the crowd - turn away from the way everyone else is acting and look to God, alone, for guidance.

Sodom and Gomorrah - You Are What You Eat

Genesis 19:3 Yet he urged them strongly, so they turned aside to him and entered his house; and he prepared a feast for them, and baked unleavened bread, and they ate.

Parmesan Chicken Fingers with Lemon
Ready to Eat: 30 m
Serves: 4
Ingredients
4 each Chicken breasts; skinned an
2 each Eggs; lightly beaten
1 1/2 c Bread crumbs; dry
2/3 each Parmesan; grated
1/2 c Butter
1 Lemon wedges (optional)
Instructions
Cut chicken breasts into desired size strips. Dip each strip into beaten eggs, then into mixture of bread crumbs. In large skillet, melt half of butter and cook chicken in single layer till crisp, about 3 minutes each side. Drain on paper towels and serve with lemon wedges.

This beautiful recipe takes 30 minutes from start to finish. Sounds pretty good if you ask me. There is something that really stuck out to me in this verse - and two things about it that I will touch on. Why mention the unleavened bread?

Lot invited the angels in for a feast - okay, their guests - he's hospitable - we should always be kind to angels. . . :) I get that, self explanatory. Then Lot prepared a feast - while it doesn't mention exactly what Lot cooked - the scriptures are specific that he did make unleavened bread. Why is it so important to mention that? Two reasons - here we go. . .

As I have proven with the above recipe, you can make a pretty good lookin' feast in a fairly short amount of time. But bread, that's another story. To bake bread, let it rise, and all that goodness is nothing short of three hours. Unleavened bread though - 20 minutes. The Bible mentions elsewhere about the Israelites rushing and making unleavened bread due to lack of time. I think it's important to notice that when they sat down to eat - they had only been in the house for a short amount of time - we'll talk about that when we get to our next verse.

Ever throw a red sock in with a white load of laundry? Ever watch a movie where someone did? What happens to the red sock? Nothing. What happens to the white clothes? They all turn pink. Same thing happens with bread when you add yeast. Once yeast is added to the mix, the bread begins to take on a form of its own. The yeast takes hold of the dough and spreads throughout to cause the entire loaf to act in like manner. If yeast represents sin - then the lack of the use of it in the house of Lot shows us that we can choose to not let sin enter in. There are many verses that talk about the use of yeast and bacteria - but the bottom line is that it controls the outcome of the bread.

If we choose to let sin enter in - we are letting Satan decide what our outcome will be. I'm glad I made the decision to let Jesus enter in instead.

Sodom and Gomorrah - Press Your Luck

Genesis 18:29-33 He spoke to Him yet again and said, "Suppose forty are found there?" And He said, "I will not do it on account of the forty."Then he said, "Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak; suppose thirty are found there?" And He said, "I will not do it if I find thirty there."And he said, "Now behold, I have ventured to speak to the Lord; suppose twenty are found there?" And He said, "I will not destroy it on account of the twenty."Then he said, "Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak only this once; suppose ten are found there?" And He said, "I will not destroy it on account of the ten."As soon as He had finished speaking to Abraham the LORD departed, and Abraham returned to his place.

Do you remember the game show from the early 1980's called 'Press Your Luck' - Here's the tagline: Today, these 3 players are after high stakes! But they'll have to avoid the whammy, as they play the most exciting game of their lives! From Television City in Hollywood, it's time to Press Your Luck! The players of this game would have to hit the button and hope to avoid the whammy (little demon) and lose everything.

This is what came to my mind when I read these verses. Abraham must be thinking this same thing - how far can I go before God says 'forget it - you've pushed Me too far and I'm just taking them all out'.

The difference between the show Press Your Luck and pressing your luck with God is that God doesn't throw out any whammies. God doesn't turn on you because you ask something too many many times. It's when you don't go to God with your concerns that those whammies (devils tricks) creep in to try to wipe away that relationship you have with God.

One more thing, in the final words of the conversation God tells Abraham that He will not destroy the city if there are ten found righteous as Abraham has asked - and Abraham turns and goes home. He doesn't continue after God saying - 'are you sure?' or 'should I remind you later?' He goes home resting in God's promise. I want to be able to do that. I want to rest on His promise that He will take care of everything - no matter who's president or what the economy is like - that God is still on the throne, Jesus is still in control, and we can sleep easy tonight.

Sodom and Gomorrah - Time for a reunion

Genesis 18:22-28 Then the men turned away from there and went toward Sodom, while Abraham was still standing before the LORD. Abraham came near and said, Will You indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? "Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city; will You indeed sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous who are in it? "Far be it from You to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?" So the LORD said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare the whole place on their account."

I received a friend request on my facebook from my old college roommate. I was so excited. I haven't spoken to her in a long time and it's been over 15 years since I've seen her. I've heard people say they can go years without talking to a best friend and then pick up again right where they left off like no time has passed. I think sometimes it's a little awkward right up front, but then you get to talking and remember how great the relationship is, you can just go from there.

When I read these verses, the thing that kept sticking out to me was the relationship between Abraham and the Lord. Yes, I know, a lot is at stake and we're talking about the destruction of a whole city - but I'd like to take a look at the conversation.

First of all, Abraham is standing face-to-face with the Lord. It's not set up as the loyal servant bowing before his almighty master. Although Abraham is His servant and He is the almighty Master - it's just not set up that way for us in these verses - it's showing the common, intimate relationship between the two. Abraham shares his opinion and asks in all honesty - 'will you kill the whole city if there are good people there?' Abraham even gives it a number - he says '50'. The Lord listens to Abraham and says - 'ok' - 'I agree' - 'If there are 50 of my people there, I'll spare the whole city.'

Is this not the type of relationship we should be striving for with God. One where we can stand face to face and share our concerns and have Him answer. God wants this type of relationship with us, and if its been awhile, it can be just as strong, if not stronger than it was before - like an old friend. Because - When we walk with the Lord in the light of His word what a Glory He sheds on our way....

Job - Inspiration for Michael W. Smith

Job 2:11-13 When Job's three friends, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite, heard about all the troubles that had come upon him, they set out from their homes and met together by agreement to go and sympathize with him and comfort him. When they saw him from a distance, they could hardly recognize him; they began to weep aloud, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads. Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was.

Let's pretend for a moment that we don't know about the rest of the book of Job. That what we look at here is all we know. Three friends come to see Job and sit beside him and just weep and cry and don't say a word.

Thinking back, these actions are quite different than that of Job's wife. Now, we can understand, somewhat, the reasons for her bad actions. She, too, had just lost all her income, all of her children had been killed and looking at her husband - she figured she would be alone shortly and would rather be done with it. While her actions were wrong, I think we can all see how stressed she must have been at that moment.

These friends however, don't have any of that stress. What they have: Job, in agony. Yet they gave up their time - for a week at least - no working, no family, sleeping in the ashes with Job. Do you have a friend that would do that? Would you BE a friend that would do that? God calls us to minister to others - what better place to start than with our own friends.

In the middle of the story of Job - one of agony and misery and pain - who knew there was this sliver of touching friendship, if only momentary, for us to see. A passage that tells us a friend doesn't always need to talk to offer hope - sometimes - we just have to be there. Sitting in the ashes alongside one another. Who are you willing to sit in the ashes for?

Job - Are You A Risk-Taker?

Job 2:7-10 So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes. His wife said to him, "Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!" He replied, "You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.

A boil usually appears suddenly as a painful pink or red bump. The surrounding skin also may be red and swollen. Within a few days, the bump fills with pus. It grows larger and more painful, sometimes reaching golf ball size before it develops a yellow-white tip that finally ruptures and drains. Boils generally clear completely in a couple weeks, though it can take a month or more. Boils can occur anywhere on your skin, but appear mainly on your face, neck, armpits, buttocks or thighs, hair-bearing areas where you're most likely to sweat or experience friction - www.mayoclinic.com

OUCH. Assuming that these were the types of boils Job had, we're looking at a good two weeks of this pain. First of all, he's removed himself from his house and everyone else and is sitting in the ashes (it's contagious). Job is not feeling sorry for himself, he's getting away from everyone so as not to infect them as well.

Don't you love the people who complain about everything. My gout is killing me. My knee can't bend anymore. My arthritis is acting up. BOILS have infected the whole of Job's body and he removes himself from physical contact with people. Then, to make matters worse, his wife comes out to him to tell him to die. Can you imagine? You are in pain, all alone, scraping yourself with broken pottery and then off in the distance you see your wife coming to you. And when she arrives, she tells you to curse God and die.

What a man Job was. Through his suffering (the kind where you just want to give in to whatever anyone tells you to do) he stood up for his God and basically told his wife she was a moron (again, Dorothy interpretation). I am in no way endorsing this type of conversation with your spouse, but it certainly does give us some insight. There are people all around us who need to hear the gospel. In my last post, I was rather adamant in what our goal is as Christians - showing Christ to others. Sometimes those 'others' might be the aborigine in Australia - but sometimes, it might just be our spouse or our child or our boss or our parent. Are you willing to risk being mocked and stand up for God by sharing His Word with someone close to you that needs to hear it?

Job - Why Are You Even Here?

Job 2:4-6 "Skin for skin!" Satan replied. "A man will give all he has for his own life. But stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face." The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, then, he is in your hands; but you must spare his life."

I had a hang nail. I pulled it out. It throbbed. It seemed like my whole hand would fall off. Isn't that how we are? One small thing causes us pain and we have trouble focusing on anything else. I have never had to go through any serious illness, so I can't imagine the stress and pain of living a day with this type of situation.

Satan has come up with yet another reason why Job didn't curse God. "If Job was unhealthy, if his body was in pain - then he would curse You". It would make sense. That would be the next step. People all over the world do it today - curse God for their cancer or their AIDS or their heart condition. What would make Job any different? God said 'okay'. He allowed it to happen.

Here is the thing that I noticed. He wants Job's life spared. Satan is allowed to cripple him, give him disease, cause him to be blind, mute or deaf - but not kill him. God doesn't want Job dead because God still needs for him to serve His purpose on earth. To let others see God in Job. If you haven't figured it out yet, we, as Christians, have one purpose on this earth. To tell others about Christ. That's it! That's the bottom line. Children, spouses, jobs, education, homes: these are all just perks along the way - but none of these things matter if we are not striving for that one goal of sharing Christ with others.

So if disease takes over our bodies - if we are crippled - if mental anguish has taken its hold - until we are with Christ in heaven we must strive for our goal. If God has you here on earth - in whatever capacity - He needs you. He needs you to continue toward the goal until He calls you homeward.