JOB

Well, I've been in Longview, TX since Monday.  We arrived in the late afternoon, drove for almost three hours and arrived after the service had started by about 35 minutes, but enjoyed it.  Up early to be at the church by 8:00am each morning, which is about a 20 minute drive away from the Hotel.  God is good, and we are learning and growing.  I was reading in Job yesterday, and here are just a few thoughts: 1) GOD GOT MY ATTENTION- Job said this in Job 16:12-"I was at ease, but he hath broken me asunder: he hath also taken me by my neck, and shaken me to pieces, and set me up for his mark."  God got his attention.  Do we understand that God can get our attention as well?  Now, God already had Job's attention because Job was already a God fearing man, but some times God has to get our attention.  Why don't we live with a constant acknowledgment of God's presence and power?  Well, we are human, so we get distracted... but God can get our attention!  Dear Lord, You have my attention today... I'm focused on you!!  Just whisper Your will, and it will be done.  Love you LORD!! 2) COULD WE HAVE A TALK LORD?  Job asked this in Job 16:21 when he said: "O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbour."  Job is saying, "I wish I could sit down and have a talk with God about these things going on in my life."  Well....... we can!!  Yes, we can talk with the LORD about everything going on in our lives.  LORD, thank you for that!!  So many things to talk with You about LORD, I'm so glad You are there to listen to me, and every other Christian!! 3) YES!!  Eliphas the Temanite asked in Job 22:3, "Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art  righteous?"  Now to be honest what he was saying was "Is God happy because you act like you are righteous?"  You see, Job's friends just knew that Job had secret sins and that is why all of this had befell him, but we know better.  Still the answer is yes... God does take pleasure in the righteous.  Lord, let my life give you pleasure today.  Let my thoughts be pleasing to you, let my actions bring you glory.  Help me Lord! 4) I AM VILE!  Job said this in Job 40:4, "Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee?"  Job contends all along that sin is not the reason these things have befallen him, but now... he realized that even though that was the case.... he was still vile.  At our best.... we are vile.  This is why it should be easy for us to "walk humbly before God".  But our pride trips us up so often.  Today, let us walk humbly before our God.... we know what we are..... BUT... praise God, we know who HE is!!  He is our SAVIOR!! All for today. Have a blessed day!!  Pastor Mike Mutchler