"....Talking About Things I Knew Nothing About...."

"You asked, 'Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?'  It is I-- and I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me." (Job 42:3, NLT)

The Bible translates once the word for, "wonderful," as, "monstrous things."  That about does it for me.

As the years have gone by, I have more and more considered that things which our Blessed Trinity does are, "monstrous things," as a dictionary defines it, "deviating greatly from the natural form or character," and, I might add, "deviating greatly from" what I can fathom.  I cannot encourage the Church too much to take extreme care in speaking of "the Things of God" in a flippant manner, with little consideration of, "His ways past finding out."  Truth is, "His ways are...monstrous," ways.  Speculation be gone! 

The problem in the Book of Job is the whole reasoning process.  "Well, this just doesn't make sense.  After all, God would never," or, "God always," or, "God"---- whatever.  It is all, "....wisdom with such ignorance".  You and I just simply cannot know what "God always," or what, "God would never."  Life would be a lot less stressful, less anxious and confusing if humanity would just live, "....I was talking (or reasoning) about things I knew nothing about...." 

What is it today in your life?  Jesus invites, yes, commands us to, "Come to Me," not, "come to answers."  After all, isn't the invitation of the Godhead to, "Come to," Jesus more intimate, more loving, even though, "too wonderful," than any other we could possibly imagine?  Whatever "answers" we receive are already in His, "God-Breathed," Words, not in our reasoning or, "The Lord told me."  Jesus only "tells" us what He already told us.  At one point Job says, "I have said too much already.  I have nothing more to say."  I can tell you, my friend, the longer I live, the more I concur with this, "....conclusion of the matter."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I just cannot comprehend You.  But I love You.  Amen.
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October 28-November 15 Mission is fast approaching.  We really appreciate any prayers.
 

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

"Do Not Rest Day Or Night...."

"And they do not rest day or night, saying: 'Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!'"

This is Heaven's version of 24/7 prayer, praise, worship, "....they do not rest day or night...."  There is apparently no "time" for anything else, just continual worship.  One does not have to "stop and think" about it for very long.  There is an eternalness about Jesus' cry from the cross, "It is finished."  It seems to me, therefore, that Jesus' shed blood, His death and resurrection is the "advance team" of Eternity.

John saw and heard his revelation about 2000 years ago.  The indication is, however, that this "worship service" is continual, "....they do not rest day or night...."  Whatever you and I do today, this should be the "spirit" of the day, even when we awake at night, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!"

Father, in Jesus' Name, I join the heavenly chorus, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty...."  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

The Lord's Prayer (Our Father): A Russian Orthodox Liturgical Work by Ni...

Do You Need Comfort Today?

"Nevertheless God, Who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus...." (2 Corinthians 7:6)

Some people are too "spiritual" to admit to the need for a "Titus" in their life.  Yet I hope and pray that you do have a "Titus" in your life.

"O, I don't need anybody to comfort me.  I have the Holy Spirit."  So?  Paul also had the Holy Spirit.  But he was not too proud to admit that, "....God comforts the downcast...by the coming of Titus."  Do you have some Followers of Jesus who when they are "coming" to you, give you that great sense of comfort, of joy, of "completing" something in your need for the day or "season" in your life?

Notice the situation in which Paul found himself.  "For indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were troubled on every side.  Outside were conflicts, inside were fears.  Nevertheless God...."  Yes, and what did God do?  He sent Titus to Paul.  It wasn't the prayer meeting, the worship service, the preaching of some great preacher.  It was Titus, the one of whom I have never even heard a church named after.

But notice something else in verse 7, "....and not only by his coming, but also by the consolation with which he was comforted in you...."  So we see here a sort of "chain of events."  Some "ordinary" Followers of Jesus comforting Titus, who in turned, comforted by them, passed on his own comfort to Paul.  Never, ever underestimate your "comforting" power.  There are those whom you see more than some great preacher, more often than church gatherings.  To them, just your showing up provides great comfort.  Again, never, ever underestimate this.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray this be in me, continually, daily, moment by moment.  Amen.
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* Sarah is "80%" better.  Thanks so much for your prayers.
* This week Sarah and I are in South Haven, MI.  We are staying in a vacation property owned by Jill and Scott. 
* Fall, 2017 Mission:  October 28-November 15, Berlin/Wittenberge, Germany

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2