“See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.”    Jeremiah 1:10

“God allowed Job to be stripped. And I was also thinking of Jer 1:10. God uses what Satan meant to harm us for His good. Providence. Romans 8:28. As we know he did in Joseph’s life. I could be wrong but in this title is satan getting credit for stripping us?” Karen Cochran

Why Did God allow Job to  Suffer, to be Tested?

Job’s Suffering, Testing

“The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.” Psalms 11:5

The accuser of the brethren claimed that Job only loved and served God for what blessings God brought upon him – for selfish reasons.

“Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? 10  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. 11  But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.” Job 1:9-11

“Job 1:11
a    [put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath]
God’s Role in Affliction and Destruction
When Satan suggested that God put forth His hand and touch Job’s possessions, it was really a suggestion that God withdraw His hand of protection so Satan could destroy Job’s property (Job_1:11-12). Satan and evil forces are the agents of destruction, not God. The only sense in which God destroys is to withhold His protection and thereby turn an individual over to the devil to carry out his work upon that person. This truth is plainly demonstrated in the case of Job. Who was it that destroyed (Job_1:12-19) and afflicted the body (Job_2:7) when God permitted it to be done? The answer is Satan, and this will always be the case in instances of affliction and destruction (Luk_13:16; Jhn_10:10; Act_10:38). Satan brings about the actual happenings of accidents, sickness, disease, and calamity, then causes men to think that God brings these things to pass. Thus, He is blamed erroneously for the work of the devil by millions, even Christians who should know better. Permission by God is never the same as the work of Satan after permission is granted him: withdrawing protection and allowing another to destroy is not the same as the destruction itself. God’s work is that of deliverance; Satan’s is that of destruction (Jhn_10:10; Act_10:38).
b    [he will curse thee to thy face] Satan’s theory was that no man serves God without personal material gain. If He withheld such blessings, any man would automatically curse and hate Him. This, of course, is not true, for millions have loved and served God without material gain.” Dake

“Job 1:6-12
B. Scene II: Heaven—The Lord’s Presence (1:6-12)
As the story unfolds we are told of a scene in heaven when the sons of God (angels) appeared before the LORD. Satan (the word is Hebrew for Accuser) also was present. When God spoke to Satan concerning the uprightness of His servant Job, Satan implied that the only reason Job feared God was that He had been so good to him. According to Satan, if the Lord had not put a protective hedge around Job, then he would have cursed his Creator to His face.” Believer’s Bible  Commentary

Hebrews 12:5-12

“5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:

6  For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

7  If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

8  But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

9  Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?

10  For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.

11  Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

12  Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;”

We must ask “Who am I when everything has been stripped, taken from me?”   Job 1:21; 13:15

TODAY, in the crucified life, the mind of Christ, we worship God and serve others.

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Testing the Mettle of our Profession [podcast]

In this example, the phrase “testing the mettle” speaks of examining the authenticity of a person’s profession, putting to the test their claim of knowing Christ. “They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.” Titus 1:16 1 John 3:5-23 “And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. 7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, […]

"If we Suffer, we shall also Reign with Him" [podcast]

Suffering is Required Suffering with the Savior – Suffering the death of our own will in order for God’s will to be done. Following Jesus. “And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, 42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” Luke 22:41-42 Dead, Buried, and Raised Up with/by Christ! Is He worth it? Paul says: “IF we Suffer, we shall also Reign with Him” When the Holy Spirit led Paul to pen these words, what did He mean? What is […]

"In Due Season We Shall Reap, If We Faint Not" [podcast]

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9 Paul’s Sufferings and Warning to Us “For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. 10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised. 11 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and […]

“He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.”  John 8:47

A long time friend of mine, after realizing that….

“Thank you for the lambasting.”

“For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.” 2 Corinthians 2:17

“A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:” Proverbs 1:5

“Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. 10  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” Proverbs 9:9-10

“The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise. 32  He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding. 33  The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.” Proverbs 15:31-33

“Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.”  Psalms 141:5

PRAYER: Father I want the knowledge of the holy. I want to know and serve You on Your terms and no other. Please forgive my sins which include being hardened in heart, being full of pride and rebellion, being therefore unteachable.  Break me dear LORD. Let the righteous, let Your people rebuke me as is needed. I want to know, love, worship, and be with You forever. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

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The Paramount Importance of Knowing God [podcast]

Many false prophets have written best selling books and taught sermons about your “purpose” and have become multi millionaires doing so. In their fake ministries it’s ALL about YOU, YOU are enthroned, not Christ! (Colossians 2:18-19). This is the spirit of antichrist at work – where someone, anyone or anything is exalted above JESUS! Yet astoundingly, these deceivers never even mention the paramount divine purpose that God sent His only begotten Son, the very reason the LORD created you. – To know Him! “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 2 Timothy 3:7 Coming […]

Knowing the Word of God and also the God of the Word [podcast]

The highest priority of the true disciple is knowing God. So many strive to know God’s will. It’s only when you know God that you will know His will. We all know people who are now away from God. They backslid. They no longer serve Him as they once did. Well, were they truly serving Him, or the church? They had some kind of a departure from the local church they were so fond of and consequently have no semblance of a life with Christ presently. Could this be due to them putting their energy and affections into the local […]

¨Teach No Other Doctrine¨ [podcast]

One of the duties of an elder among God’s people is to teach and to guard the flock, declaring to all to “teach no other doctrine.” To Timothy, Paul says: “As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine.” 1 Timothy 1:3 “Charge some to teach no other doctrine – Than I have taught. Let them put nothing in the place of it, add nothing to it.” John Wesley “Gnostic heresy …. Their teaching led from spiritual pride to sensuality, for they accounted the […]

“These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.” Revelation 17:14

You are called and chosen of God…. yet are you faithful to Him?

Beware of any false teacher who is not stressing the biblical truth and necessity of faithfulness to the LORD.

Who’s going to be eternally with “the Lamb”?

We are all “called, and chosen” and yet only the “faithful” shall be with the Lamb in eternity.

“Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:4

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”  2 Peter 3:9

Lots of people using the word “chosen” to make money by getting views on youtube. Yet few speaking of being truly “faithful” to God. Anyone who repents, receives Christ, and is therefore saved by Christ, and yet doesn’t endure to the end faithful to God, is going to hell (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; Colossians 1:22-23; Hebrews 3:6, 12-15; 10:26-39; Revelation 2:26, etc.).

This “chosen” word gets alot of attention because many wish to feel chosen by God and yet bring no reciprocating love back to God. And we all know that there is NO marriage without both parties loving on each other—powerfully. They want to feel special because their life is still all about them, not Jesus. They want God loving and choosing them but don’t have time to repent, lay down their life, and follow Jesus via the crucified life. They are all about self and not the Savior (Matthew 7:21-23; 25:40-45; Titus 1:16; 1 John 2:4, etc.).

“The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.” 2 Chronicles 15:2

God does not remain in a relationship with any person who is walking in spiritual adultery.

Get that lie out of your system, now.

“But if any man love God, the same is known of him.” 1 Corinthians 8:3

There’s no doubt ever that God is going to be faithful to us.

The question is though: Are we, am I faithful and true to the LORD?

“It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: 12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: 13  If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.” 2 Timothy 2:11-13

The Bible word “chosen” is used often today as a buzz word, as if God chooses us because of how wonderful we are is perhaps the implication. Not.

• “called”
• “chosen”
• “faithful”

“These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are CALLED, and CHOSEN, and FAITHFUL.” Revelation 17:14

No relationship exists without the recipient being “faithful.”

“Many be called, but few chosen.” Matthew 20:16

Jesus says His flock is a “little flock” (Luke 12:32).

“Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12:32

Matthew 25 is all about God’s calling and choosing and then the eternal outcome of those who obey and those who don’t.

The five foolish virgins are just as “called” and “chosen” as the five wise virgins. What’s the difference? The five wise virgins are “faithful” and the five foolish virgins are not and are going to have the door into eternal glory shut in their face. Read Matthew 25:1-13.

In His parabolic teaching of the talents that were doled out to His workers, what did Jesus tell us lies ahead for those who are not faithful stewards?

Of the unjust, the unprofitable steward that received His gift of one talent but buried it, Jesus says: “And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 25:30).

And then just a few verses down we read this…

“And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
41  Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
42  For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
43  I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
44  Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
45  Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
46  And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” Matthew 25:40-46

Many wish to deceive themselves into thinking they will enjoy an eternal relationship with the Great Bridegroom in Heaven and yet choose to refuse having a “first love” relationship with the Son of God in this time of testing…..

“But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.” Luke 19:27

PRAYER:  Open to Psalm 51 in the King James Bible and pray with David.

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Isaiah's Call and Commission [podcast]

What did the LORD reveal of Himself to Isaiah? What was the result in Isaiah’s life and ours? When the LORD appeared to him, the prophet Isaiah was shown his own depravity, his own wicked heart, his own unpreparedness. What was his response and how does this relate to us? Are you ready this day to say “Jesus please prepare and use me mightily for Your eternal glory! I love You LORD. I am all Yours! Please do Your deeper work in this life You gave!”? One must be prepared by God to be used by God. “If a man […]

Mary hath Chosen that Good Part [podcast]

Luke 10:38-42 Mary = loving relationship with Jesus, not just being busy with doing, with labor, with performing works such as what Martha was doing. First and foremost, Jesus saved us for relationship with Him and the Father (John 17:3). And here our Savior expresses that knowing, loving, adoring, and listening to Him are at a divine premium, they are most important to God. That’s what God desires – for us to delight ourselves in Him (Psalms 37:4). “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” Psalms 37:4 David’s brothers looked the […]

The First Love of the True Disciple [podcast]

The words “disciple”/“disciples” are found 273 times in the Bible, all in the New Testament canon with the exception of 1 appearance in the Old Testament (Isaiah 8:16). “Disciple” is married to the word discipline. An un-disciplined life reveals a gross lack of respect and rooting in the Person, the Word, and the cause of Christ and is an un-fruitful life. “And have NO ROOT in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended.” Mark 4:17 “They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, […]