THE BOOK OF JOB

It is Tuesday morning, and I don't have to be in the office early this morning.  I have given the staff time off this week since it is spring break.  We will only come in as needed and for a staff meeting on Thursday.  We had a three hour staff meeting yesterday as we planned out our spring program.  Also, the final touches were made on a 14 by 48 foot billboard to be put up in April.  Praise God we will have the use of it for a year, free!  God is good.  I'm reading in Job, and here are a few thoughts I had this morning: 1) PROFIT-Job 21:15  "What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?"  Job is speaking here, and he says that this is what the wicked think and say about God.  But it goes on to say that God will deal with the wicked and his children, and the wicked will know it.  (vs. 19), and that the wicked will "drink of the wrath of the Almighty."  (vs. 20)  There is much profit in serving God and some of it is on earth, while most of it is our heavenly rewards in Heaven.  What a day that will be! 2) RETURN-Job 22:23  "If thou return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up, thou shalt put away iniquity far from thy tabernacles."   IF we return to the LORD, then He will build us up!  Oh dear Christian, don't live your life in a semi-backslidden state.... oh no..... return full force to the LORD and let Him build you up!  Now, in chapter 23, we see three ways to return to the LORD.  a. By Looking for Him- Job 23:3  "Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat!"   There must be a conscious effort to spend time with God and to search for Him in prayer and waiting on Him. b. By Trusting Him-Job 23:10  "But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold."  You spend your time with God and trust Him for the outcome.  His Word says that if you return to Him, you shall be built up!  Trust God for the outcome! c. By spending time in His Word-Job 23:12  "Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food."   We do not fellowship with our God apart from time spent in His Word.  To think we have a relationship with our God without being absorbed in His Word to us is foolishness.  It is a experiment in subjective relationship that has no Scriptural basis at all.  His Word is how God chooses to speak to our hearts.  It is not a burden placed on a Christian..... it is a blessing afforded us! Dear Christian.... RETURN! Today, I will share just these two.  The second point would preach a good message.  Hope you have a blessed day!  Pastor Mike Mutchler