FOCUS ON THE INNER YOU

I went to the arcade to play video games today. I played a popular fighting game, won a few rounds but got beaten up pretty bad after that. The avatar I chose was an awesome fighter but I didn't know all his moves. According to the game, I got a 'C' for offense and a 'D' for technique and defense. LOL. Just before I decided not to spend anymore yen I noticed that there was someone sitting behind me waiting to play.

I stepped away from the game and he stepped up. He put in 100 yen, stuck his card in and pulled up a chair. His online profile came up and his avatar was a big fat martial artist. I pulled up a chair and took a seat. I noticed that while he was playing, other persons who were playing online as well came to fight him in his game. He won about four fights with an 'A' rating for offense, 'B' for technique and an 'A' for defense. He was pretty good.

As I watched him play, I was thinking... 'This guy fit the typical nerd profile. His look is a Japanese version of Stephen Hawking (without a disability), while his avatar is this huge, fat martial artist with awesome technique. His avatar is a fighting powerhouse; He obviously isn't one of physical prowess but he knows his avatar's talents and skills thoroughly. He has obviously mastered his avatar. Wow! There's a message in here somewhere.'

THE MESSAGE: As Christians, our physical appearance doesn't necessarily match the profile of our born-again spirits. A mature Christian's born-again spirit, like 92 - year old Reverend Billy Graham, probably looks like body builder Jay Cutler in full Roman Centurion armour. LOL. A person who physically looks like Jay Cutler for example, who has just accepted Christ Jesus as Lord and Saviour, has a new born spirit that is just like a baby. That's a HUGE contrast isn't it?

Think about babies for a second here. A new born baby is helpless, vulnerable and its only form of communication is crying. It cries when its hungry, wet or uncomfortable in any way. It cannot eat the same food that adults eat so it has to drink milk. In fact doctors recommend the mother's milk for six months because the mother's early milk is filled with all the nutrients that a baby needs for proper physical and mental development.

For a new born-again spirit, prayer is like crying and the fundamental teaching of the Word of God is milk. The scripture says:

"As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:" 1 Peter 2:2 (KJV)

The scripture is saying that just like a new born baby, we must long for, desire or pursue with love, the unmixed, unadulterated, pure milk of the word that we may grow, increase or become greater by it. It doesn't matter what our external physical being looks like in stature as long as our internal being, our born-again spirits, are developing and maturing by the Word of God.

"For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come." 1 Timothy 4:8 (KJV)

The scripture didn't say that bodily exericse profits nothing, it says bodily exercise profits little but that Godliness is profitable unto ALL THINGS. Godliness has the promise of the absolute fulness of life (that is: ZOE, the God-Life) that exists at this time (and has the guarantee of the eternal celestial body) and the life that is to come.

This experience in the video game arcade has reminded me that my focus must be on my inner man who has been born-again in the image of Christ Jesus and is growing, maturing and being renewed daily in Christ's image.

God Bless you.

THE REAL ENEMY

Here is an excerpt from the May 2011 Issue of my newsletter.

The scripture says Satan walks about here on earth but he is not omnipresent so he cannot be everywhere. He is not omniscient or omnipotent either. He needs help to carry out his misdeeds. He has an army of miscreant spirits that do his bidding. As believers our fight is not against human beings, our fellow man, but against Satan and his ranks namely: principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this age and spiritual wickedness in heavenly places.

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 6:12 (KJV)

The terms are translated neutrally but in context of scripture, Paul is speaking to born-again believers whose enemy is the devil and his minions. Based on this we know that his reference must be to those infernal beings. In our everyday struggles we do not struggle against people.

In this scripture the word ‘wrestle’ comes from the Greek PALE, pronounced pä'-lā, a literal wrestling match where two struggle for supremacy over each other. ‘The Rulers’ comes from the Greek KOSMOKRATOR, pronounced ko-smo-krä'-tōr. It refers directly to Satan the lord of this world and his generals. ‘Darkness’ comes from the Greek SKOTOS, pronounced sko'-tos, meaning ignorance of Godly things. ‘Wickedness’ comes from the Greek PONERIA, pronounced po-nā-rē'-ä, meaning depravity, malice, evil purposes and desires. ‘High Places’ comes from the Greek EPOURANIOS, pronounced ep-ü-rä'-nē-os, and literally refers to all the heavenly regions.

Essentially, we struggle for supremacy over the spirit magistracy and potentates, including Satan himself, who are spirit rulers in the universe. They promote and perpetuate ignorance of Godly things as well as spiritual depravity, evil purposes and desires in all the heavenly regions. These ranks of demons are on the earth in the spirit realm including in the atmosphere around the earth (1st heaven). Some are rulers in the spirit realm in specific regions of space (2nd heaven). While some are inter-galactic (again 2nd heaven) spirit potentates that have the liberty to do as they please.

As I said above, this is an excerpt. ^_^ ALL my studies are listed in ascending chronological order starting with the earliest, at the right hand side of the page. You can freely read, print or download the entire study using each link to the right above.

God Bless You.

EASTER (Passover, Passion, Atonement)

In the book of Matthew, the 27th chapter, we see that the chief priests and the elders plotted against Jesus because they wanted to kill Him. They tied Him up and brought Him to Pontius Pilate who was governor at the time (27:1-2). This occurred at the time of the customary feast of the passover. Israelites came from everywhere to Jerusalem to celebrate the passover, which was a celebration of their freedom from slavery in Egypt (Matthew 26:17-19).

Pontius Pilate questioned Jesus, asking Him if He was the King of the Jews. Jesus answered him by telling him that those were his (Pilate's) words (27:11). The chief priests and elders also accused Him but He did not answer them. Pilate then asked Jesus if He heard all the accusations but again Jesus did not answer. Pilate was amazed because he knew that Jesus was falsely accused and people usually defended themselves when they were innocent.

It was customary at the feast that the governor should release a prisoner who the people chose. There was a famous prisoner called Barabbas and there was Jesus. Pilate asked the people who they wanted him to release to them. The scripture says Pilate knew that the chief priests and elders had accused Jesus out of envy (v.18).

The chief priests and elders convinced the people to ask for Barabbas and to condemn Jesus. Pilate asked the people what Jesus had done but the people just kept chanting: "Let him be crucified!" (27:23). Pilate then washed his hands in water and said that he was innocent of the blood of Jesus (27:24).

In the book of Leviticus, the 16th chapter, we see that God told Moses to tell Aaron what the custom was for a sin offering for the people on the day of atonement (16:7-10).

Aaron had to cast lots upon two goats. Based on the lots cast, a choice was made about which goat would be sacrificed to God for the sins of the people and which one would be the scapegoat to be released into the wilderness. It is also interesting that the person who led the scapegoat into the wilderness to release it would have to wash his hands with water to cleanse himself (16:26).

The goat that was sacrificed typified Christ Jesus the sinless one who took the sin of the people of the past, present and future and was crucified for them. Through Christ Jesus we have the opportunity to take on the righteousness of God.

"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." 2 Corinthians 5:21 (KJV)

I have never heard anyone teach that the other goat typified the criminal Barabbas. Christ Jesus fulfilled the role of both goats. The scapegoat was led away into the wilderness as a symbol of the carrying away of the sins of the people that the sacrificial goat died for. The scapegoat typified the removal of sins by the resurrection of Christ Jesus. He died for our sins and was raised for our justification.

"Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification." Romans 4:25 (KJV)

This is what Easter is about. It is not about costumed bunnies and painted eggs or egg hunts; although the children have fun with these things. Easter is Atonement: Christ Jesus' death and resurrection to take away sin and to reconnect all people to God.

God Bless You.

VERBING SCRIPTURE Honour & Love

I read an interestingly amusing article some time ago that discussed the verbing of nouns throughout the history of the English language. You may read it here: YOU'VE BEEN VERBED. Very recently I was thinking about verbing nouns from a Biblical perspective and my mind went first to the New Testament scripture about Honouring parents:

"Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)" ~ Ephesians 6:2 (KJV)

We are commanded to honour our parents. The word 'honour' in this scripture comes from the Greek word TIMAO, pronounced tē-mä'-ō. It has two literal meanings:

1. To estimate or to fix the value of something that belongs to one's self;
2. To revere, venerate, to hold in honour or to honour someone with many honours.

'Honour' is a verb in this scripture in two clear ways. Let me explain. If I were to estimate the value of my parents to me, I would unquestionably value them most expensively. They are absolutely priceless. There are no riches in the world that can replace them. Moreover, in my heart, mind, soul and strength, I hold them in the highest honour that I can give to man and I continue within myself to esteem, respect and honour them with many honours. This is honour in action.

As I gave more thought to the verbing of nouns my mind went to another scripture:

"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;" ~ Ephesians 5:25 (KJV)

We who are husbands are commanded to love our wives in the way that Christ loves the church: with self sacrifice. The word 'love' in this scripture comes from the Greek word AGAPAO, pronounced ä-gä-pä'-ō. It also has two literal meanings:

1. To welcome, to entertain, to be fond of and to love someone dearly;
2. To be well pleased, to be contented at or with a thing.

'Love' is a verb in this scripture with two meanings. When used of a person, it expresses having a preference for that person as well as wishing the best for them. It also means that one will give highest regard to the well-being of the person. When it is used of a thing it denotes taking pleasure in it, being unwilling to abandon it and to prize it above all other things.

I apply both principles to my relationship with my wife. I am more than fond of her and the things she does or says. I welcome her always in the sense that I will never deny her any good thing. I entertain her in the sense that I am sensitive to her thoughts, desires and intentions and I do make her laugh. Most importantly though, I love and cherish her dearly and she knows it. This is love in action.

Honour and Love are nouns as well as verbs. Ultimately, we are to Honour and Love God Almighty in a more profound way than how we love our family, friends and our fellow human beings. According to scripture, Honour and Love are nouns that we must verb in order for us to make them effective in ourselves and to others.

God Bless You. ^_^

BE YE TRANSFORMED (By the renewing of your mind.)

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Romans 12:1-2 (KJV)


The book of Romans is the foundation of Christian teaching. It contains the ABC's & 123's of Christian education. The theme of the book is sin, God's wrath against sin, and righteousness through faith as the way to be justified.

In chapter 12 the Apostle Paul pleaded with the Roman Christians because of his Godly compassion and urged them to offer their bodies as a living sacrifice to God. He said it was logical or reasonable that this was their sacred service as believers.

He further said, in offering their bodies this way, they had to stop fashioning or conforming their minds and their character after the pattern that the world set. He urged them to be 'transformed' (Greek-METAMORPHOO, pronounced me-tä-mor-fo'-ō) or to undergo a complete metamorphosis. The first thing I thought about when I read this part of the scripture was the process of the caterpillar turning into a butterfly. My daughter Samara has a book about this. Although its in Japanese, the picture shows the stages of a physical transformation.

Paul continued by saying that the metamorphosis had to be "by the renewing of your mind". Let us examine the Greek. The Greek word translated 'renewing' is ANAKAINOSIS, pronounced ä-nä-kī'-nō-sēs. It literally refers to a complete change for the better. The Greek word translated 'mind' is NOUS, pronounced nü's. It literally refers to the faculties of perceiving and understanding as well as those of feeling, judging calmly and impartially, and determining thoughts, feelings, purposes and desires. He was saying that the Roman Christians must completely change all of these.

From birth (because of sin) we have learned ways of perceiving, understanding, feeling, judging and determining that are contrary to God's standard. When we became believers we decided that we wanted a better way.

Paul spoke to the Roman Christians then and he is speaking to us now. He is urging us to completely change our minds. He gives reasons. He said this is the only way to prove or test and examine or scrutinize the good, acceptable and perfect will of God and recognize that it is genuine. Once we prove it we will know it, we will recognize that it is genuine and will begin the process to renew our minds. This is the start of the mental transformation. I beseech you therefore my friends, by the mercies of God, be ye transformed by the renewing of your minds.

God Bless You!

P.S.
Thanks Jodi! ^_^

DON’T BLAME THE GHETTO

My wife jokingly told me yesterday that I don’t know the difference between a ghetto and a rural community. I had a good laugh. If she is right then it is probably because the rural community where I grew up in Jamaica was a ghetto.

The ‘ghetto’ is far from a theatrical production performed by seasoned actors upon a stage, viewed and indulged in by an aloof audience. It is a very real phenomenon existing in the most educated and wealthiest of societies.

I’ve been in Jamaican, Canadian and many American ghettos and the only differences I’ve seen and experienced are the faces of the people living in them. The primary product of the ghetto is the ghetto culture, which breeds and perpetuates a ghetto mentality. This mentality is an organism that poisons the social order by imposing itself upon the ignorant, the uneducated and the naïve and it is a corrupt politician’s primary tool in politicking. But the ghetto culture and mentality are NOT the problem. They are only symptoms of the real problem. The real problem is the sin nature in man, which nurtures and perpetuates a culture of sin.

The Apostle Paul tells us about this in Romans 7:15-23 (KJV). He was talking to the Roman Christians who had been struggling with sin. He began by telling them that sometimes we don’t understand what it is that we do because of our sinful nature.

"For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members."

Paul explains that he does the things he hates and does not do the things that he wants to do. He had a battle raging within himself, as we all do. He said that when he did the things that he didn’t want to do, it was the sin dwelling in his sinful nature. He said he wanted to do what was good but that he couldn’t. He said evil was present with him. He further said that his inner man (his born-again Spirit) loved God’s law but that his sinful nature was warring against his inner man and was capturing him under the law of sin. He then asked a question in v. 24 and answered it in v. 25:

“O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.”

The Apostle Paul acknowledged that he needed someone far greater than himself to rescue him. He thanked God through Jesus Christ our Lord. The opportunity is there for all of us to receive salvation. Paul recognized that with his thoughts, understanding and reasoning (mind) he served God but with his sinful nature he served sin. Look at what he said in Romans 8:5-6 (KJV) about why we serve each of them and what the pros and cons are.

“For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”

Paul said that people serve the sinful nature because their thoughts understanding and reasoning are focused on what the sinful nature desires. This leads to death. He said if we set our thoughts, understanding and reasoning on the things that the Spirit desires, it brings us life and peace.

Therefore my friends, since we know this, are we going to allow the sin nature to dominate our born-again Spirits?

"And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God." Romans 8:27 (KJV)

Be Blessed.

'WHAT' AM I?

In Mark 12:29-31 (KJV) Jesus told us that the greatest commandments are: love God with our entire being and love our neighbor as we love ourselves. He quoted these from Deuteronomy 6:4-5 (KJV) and Leviticus 19:18(KJV) respectively.

"And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these." (Mark)


Get this, Jesus reveals something very interesting in this scripture about what a human being is when He said we must love God with our entire Heart, Soul, Mind and Strength. Is man a four-fold being? Let us examine the scripture.

The Greek word translated ‘Heart’ is KARDIA, pronounced kär-dē'-ä. It refers to the core of man or the middle, central or innermost being. It comprises both the vigor and sense of the physical life (Luke 21:34; Acts 14:17) as well as the center and seat of the spiritual life (Romans 10:9; Galatians 4:6). I believe this is where the struggle between the sin nature and the mind of the Spirit occurs (Romans 7:22-23).

The Greek word translated ‘Soul’ is PSYCHE, pronounced psü-khā'. It consists of the feelings, desires, affections and aversions and is listed in numerous scriptures synonymous with these (for example, Luke 2:35; II Peter 2:8; III John 2). It is also referred to as breath or the vital force which animates the body (Acts 20:10).

The Greek word translated ‘Mind’ is DIANOIA, pronounced dē-ä'-noi-ä. It consists of the faculties of understanding, feeling, desiring, reasoning and thinking (including imagination), inherent within the spirit (compare it to the ‘spirit’ (Greek—PNEUMA) of man in I Corinthians 2:11, as well as the ‘spirit’ (Hebrew—NESHAMAH) of man in Proverbs 20:27).

The Greek word translated ‘Strength’ is ISCHYS, pronounced ē-skhü's. It refers to force, strength, power and might having to do not only with the physical body and its five senses (I Peter 4:11) but to one’s ability or propensity to be strong.

Interesting is an understatement. In my coming to the knowledge of Christ, this was one of the greatest revelations to me. God Bless You!

BE SOBER

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” I Peter 5:8 (KJV)

Sober comes from the Greek word NEPHO, pronounced nā'-fō, meaning calm and collected in spirit, temperate, dispassionate, circumspect.
Vigilant derives from the Greek word GREGOREO, pronounced grā-go-re'-ō, which means to watch and not sleep, to be cautious, active.
Adversary comes from the Greek word ANTIDIKOS, pronounced än-tē'-dē-kos, meaning opponent, enemy.
Devil comes from the Greek word DIABOLOS, pronounced dē-ä'-bo-los, and refers to Satan as the calumniator, false accuser, slanderer.
Walketh derives from the Greek word PERIPATEO, pronounced pe-rē-pä-te'-ō, and literally means to live, make use of opportunities and to walk.
Devour comes from the Greek word KATAPINO, pronounced kä-tä-pē'-nō, meaning to drink down or swallow down, to destroy.

The scripture is saying that we have to be calm and collected in spirit as well as circumspect in our walk. We must be actively cautious spiritually without sleeping spiritually because Satan our slandering enemy walks around like a roaring lion seeking for opportunities to drink us down or swallow us down to Hell with him. The scripture also tells us to not give place to him.

"Neither give place to the devil." Ephesians 4:27 (KJV)

Place is TOPOS, pronounced to'-pos, meaning surrounding space, opportunity, power or occasion for acting.

As a lover of the martial arts, I sometimes train to keep my body defensively 'tight'. I train to never leave an opening for my opponent to get an effective strike in. The strikes come but they lose their damaging effect. If we translate this to our spiritual walk with Jesus the Christ, it means that we have to practice to remain in the Holy Spirit (under His influence) as much as we can.

We should try to be in constant fellowship with God. If we are not, then when the enemy attacks, we MUST seek fellowship with God immediately. When we seek God and we are under the influence of the Holy Spirit we are safe, secure, joyful, at peace and are one with our Heavenly Father. We should discipline ourselves with prayer and with reading the Word and should try to remain in this place once we are there.

Fellowshipping with God and Christ through the Holy Spirit means that we are not giving the enemy any surrounding space or opportunity to touch us.

God Bless you.

FAITH (A study I shared at English fellowship, Nogata Christian Center) Sat. Apr. 9, 2011

Here is an exceprt from my recent study on faith. Thanks to Alexia for posting Hebrews 11:24-26 on her blog "Behind the Veil" (http://princessofgod777.blogspot.com/2011/04/whats-on-my-mind-faith.html).

SECULAR FAITH
All of us actively use faith every day. I had to find an analogy that adequately explained how we actively use faith in our everyday lives and my reflections took me to the dinner table. My wife lovingly says food is always on my mind but these reflections were on much more than mere physical food.
Let me explain. When I sit on a chair at the dinner table, I never, ever, question whether that chair will collapse under my weight. I simply sit and do what I intend to do. I don’t think twice about it. I place my unreserved trust in the chair.
Here is another analogy. I trust gravity without question even though scientists continue to revise their position on it and are unable to give us a complete explanation for what it is. I have never feared that gravity would cease to be and never feared floating off into the atmosphere or to outer space one day while jogging. I have never wavered in my faith in gravity.

BIBLICAL FAITH
Faith is not mysterious like gravity. The Holy Bible tells us what faith is in Hebrews 11:1. It is two things: the substance of things hoped for; the evidence of things not seen. Let us examine these two things by doing a word study of this verse in the King James Version of the Holy Bible.

The word 'faith' comes from the Greek word PISTIS (pronounced pē'-stēs) which literally means a belief in or conviction of the truth of a thing.
The word 'substance' comes from the Greek word HYPOSTASIS (pronounced hü-po'-stä-sēs) which literally is the substructure, underlying quality, nature or foundation of a thing.
The word 'hope' comes from the Greek word ELPIZO (pronounced el-pē'-zō) and literally means to hope with confident expectation.
The word 'evidence' comes from the Greek word ELEGCHOS (pronounced e'-len-khos) which literally is two things: a proof in and of itself and the standard by which another thing is verified.
The word 'thing' comes from the Greek word PRAGMA (pronounced prä'g-mä) and in this scripture literally means a fact that is already accomplished or something that is currently being accomplished.
The word 'seen' comes from the Greek word BLEPO (ble'-pō) and literally translates to seeing with the physical eye or seeing by discerning with the mind.

Now that we have defined the words from the Greek perspective we can put their definitions together to gain a better understanding of the principle of faith.

FAITH: THE SUBSTANCE OF THINGS HOPED FOR
Our belief in the truth of something is faith. This belief is the substructure, the underlying quality, the nature, or the foundation (substance) that the already established fact (thing) stands on. This already established fact is what we are confidently expecting (hope).
We have traditionally learned by our experiences and from the unfulfilled expectations of our fellow man that when we hope for something it may or may not come. True Biblical hope is expecting a thing with complete, unreserved confidence. We know that our Father God is faithful, merciful and gracious to us and has promised to give us the things we believe. Our hope in God is the total opposite of our hope in man.

FAITH: THE EVIDENCE OF THINGS NOT SEEN
This belief in the truth of a thing (faith) is, in and of itself, the proof or verification, as well as the benchmark (evidence) of the fact that is being established or has been established (thing). It is this even if one has not seen it manifested with the eyes or understood it with the mind.
We have traditionally learned that seeing is believing and have translated that erroneous belief into many aspects of our living. But being a believer is our evidence of our faith just as being someone who loves is the evidence of having love. It is the same principle.

The full study 'FAITH' can be viewed via the link listed under "MISCELLANEOUS STUDIES" above the facebook badge on the right.

THE WORD OF GOD

"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." ~ Hebrews 4:12 (KJV)

This scripture is saying that the word (speech) of God is quick (vigorous, alive) and powerful (active) and sharper (implying a cut with one stroke) than any double edged sword. A double edged sword cuts two ways but is dull compared to God's speech.

God's speech is piercing (penetrating) and will divide asunder (part or separate) the soul and spirit which make up the inner being and the joints and marrow which make up the body.

God's speech is also a discerner (skilled judge) of the thoughts and intentions of the heart (inner being).

God speaks to us through His written word as well as through various other church offices that include (but aren't limited to) apostles, prophets, preachers and teachers and the ministry of music. Be blessed in the light of the Word of God.

A SUMMARY OF JOB

Job had 10 children who loved to party. After they had partied for days and were finished, Job would offer sacrifices for them in case they had sinned against God in their hearts.

Now Satan was vexed because God said there was none like Job in the earth. He was a perfect and an upright man, one that feared God and shunned evil. Job was the son of Issachar who was the son of Jacob (Genesis 46:13). Job lived during Moses time when Moses was tending Jethro's flocks, before Moses got the commandments from God. We know this because Job was about 70 when these things happened to him and when God blessed him again he lived for 140 years more (Job 42:16).

Job was severely traumatized. He was pitiful and bitter and began to lash out. Let us examine what happened to Job and caused him to do this in chapter 3. As I was reading the 3rd chapter I had to go back to the 1st chapter then go through to the 38th chapter again.

(In Chapter 1) God allowed Satan to do some terrible things to Job. His 10 children died suddenly. Many of his servants were dead. All his camels were stolen. His sheep were burned up. His donkeys and his bulls were stolen. He lost everything. The scripture says in all of this Job did not sin or accuse God (v.22).

(In Chapter 2) God allowed Satan to smite Job with boils from head to foot and his wife mocked him when she told him to curse God and die. The scripture says in all of this Job did not sin with his lips (v.10) and his grief was very great (v.13). Does this mean that Job had sinned in his heart but had not opened his mouth as yet to say what was in his heart?

(In Chapter 3) Job opens his mouth and starts to curse the day he was born. I can't say that I understand what he was going through. I can only imagine how he felt. He must have been in shock with confused thoughts and a lot of insecurities. He must have had questions that he couldn't ask as well as doubts about himself and about the God he had been serving. The entire chapter 3 is a rant. Curse this, curse that. The scripture says out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks (Matthew 12:34). So does this mean that Job was now sinning with his mouth because he had already sinned in his heart?

His friends came to console him but he was inconsolable and where were his relatives? He must have felt like he was completely alone! He and his friends began to have a series of conversations. None of them held God as blameless. No one vindicated God and all including Job spoke half truths.

(In Chapter 38) First, God tells Job to stop darkening the reasoning with words that were being spoken without knowledge. Then God told him to stop acting like a baby and start acting like a man because He (God) was going to drill him (Job) with some question that required answers. Job had done something wrong in all his talking. God then asked Job 184 questions in chapters 38 to chapter 41.

(In Chapter 42) Job began to talk again. This time, he acknowledged God and agreed that no thought is hidden from God. Job also agreed that he spoke about things of which he had no understanding and things which he did not know. Job then said he had been hearing of God with his ears all along, but that now he saw Him with his eye. The Hebrew word RA'AH is used here and it means to look at, inspect, and gaze at intently.

Job literally saw God then repented of his sin and God gave him twice as much as he had before.

SINNERS TO REPENTANCE (Matthew 9:10-13) (KJV)

"And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

SEEK YE FIRST (Matthew 6:30-34) (KJV)

"Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." ~ Matthew 6:30-34 (KJV)