Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today is Tuesday June 16, 2009 and we are beginning our studies on the book of Job, Please read Chapters 1-4 in your Bible or Click Here to read them online. http://www.allonlinebible.com/Job/1,1-4,last/1.html

Today's Message: Why We Suffer?
As a Christian we are faced with so many challenges, persecution, judgment, and yes, even suffering caused by sin. However, one of the biggest challenges we face is the question of why we suffer when we are doing everything right.

The book of Job is the eighteenth book of the Old Testament/Bible and contains forty-two chapters. The author of the book is unknown and it was written to all people who experience suffering for unexplained reasons. The purpose of the book is to explain the question “Why the righteous suffer?”. What we are to learn from the book is that there is a spiritual reason behind the suffering of the righteous. Suffering is not necessarily evidence of God’s displeasure, but evidence that we are perfect, upright, and abstain from evil.

Job, a man who God Himself said was perfect, upright, and abstained from evil, had everything he ever wanted and more, a loving family, wealth, possesions, and fame, but in a matter of minutes everything that meant anything to him was gone. Satan was determined to prove to God that Job would not remain faithful to Him, but little does he know the heart of God's people. One thing that will shock you the most in this book is to find out that Satan can roam where he pleases, even the gates of heaven. He was wandering around, looking for trouble when God showed him Job. “Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.” - Job 1:6-11. Do you see how Satan was questioning Job's faithfulness. He assumed that, like every self-serving person, Job was faithful only because God would reward him. During his intense suffering and testing, Job's wife even suggested that he walk away from God, and die. She too had suffered loss, but it seems that her greatest loss was her faith in God. No matter what we are going through we can not allow Satan to hinder our relationship with God. He is there to take care of us and help us, not to hurt us.

Job realized he was not the owner of all he possessed, not even of his children, but he was merely the Lord's manager of things entrusted to his care. From there, it was just one more step of faith for Job to accept that God, in His infinite wisdom, had the right to reclaim His possessions anytime He chose. Instead of cursing God, Job worshiped Him, “Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.” - 1:20-22.

Behind all the world's evil is Satan in his continuous effort to destroy all that is good. But Satan is under the constant surveillance of God and can do nothing without His permission. He delights in using family, friends, coworkers, and even fellow church members to criticize, belittle, and condemn one another. However, Our God, the Master Planner, is still in full control. “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” - Hebrews 13:8.

The book of Job is very special to me, I almost lost my life and if it wasn't for God directing this book to me I would have saw Jesus quicker than I thought. Hopefully as we read through it together you will find peace and understanding as well.

Today's Psalm: 1:1
“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.”

Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
Your grace and tender mercies are present in the midst of perplexing situations that develop in our lives and the lives of those whom we love. Your sovereign power working within us takes the bad things that Satan hurls at us and turns them into testimonies of praise and thanksgiving when we seek to glorify You in the midst of suffering. Only You can help us not to be overcome by evil, but to overcome evil with good. As we share in Your sufferings, we also share in Your glory. In Jesus' Name, I pray..........Amen.

Have a wonderful and blessed day/night.

God Bless You,
Christina

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