Gentle Joy and Peace

Does you have joy in everything you do? Think back to the last time you did something you know you shouldn't have; did that bring true joy to you, or did it drag you down? How long did it take you to get back up, or are you still struggling? Philippians 4:4-5 tells us God is near, and we should rejoice in Him always. Can you rejoice in the Lord while doing something that drags you down spiritually?

Then, after you realize that you've sinned yet again, you wring your hands and worry; you worry about getting caught, worry about whether or not God will forgive you yet again, worry that it won't be the last time. But Philippians 4:6-7 tells us not to worry about anything, but to talk to God about everything and His peace will guard our hearts and minds. His peace will be our shield if we'll stop worrying and just turn our problems over to God.

The last two verses of this section, Philippians 4:8-9, then gives us the most simplified version of everything that the entire Bible contains and teaches. If we all practiced just these two verses, and truly lived by them, we would have nothing to worry about. I love the last sentence there, "And the God of peace will be with you." Not "He might be" or "He'll occasionally be", but "He will be".

If you're having problems, struggling with addiction, or you've got worries weighing you down, I would encourage you to write down these verses somewhere where you'll always see them or commit them to memory. When Satan comes to try to drag you back into sin, into worry, or take away your joy, repeat them to yourself. It's a promise in the Word of God, and you can count on it in your life.

Trials of the Flesh (Part 5)

Again we find Satan intent on attacking Job. His property and family weren't enough. Now he's going for Job's flesh too. As though this would have some effect on Job's faith.

Job 2:4-6
Fateful words from Satan here. "A man will give all he has for his own life." How wonderful that at the Cross Jesus made him eat those words when He gave His life to gain the whole world. Satan is convinced that attacking Job's flesh will kill his faith in God.

This is definitely Satan's mode of operation. He attacks the flesh attempting to influence the spirit. So do not be surprised or disheartened when you are persecuted. In fact James 1:2-3 suggests we take a different approach, saying we should consider it joy.

Integrity in the face of Persecution (Part 4)

Continuing with our talk about Job. So far he's lost all his possessions. His children were killed. He doesn't have much left, but as we'll see here, Satan is intent on taking that as well.

1 On another day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them to present himself before him.
2 And the Lord said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the Lord, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it."
3 Then the Lord said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason."

Integrity is something that should be important to all men (and women). The definition of Integrity (from the free online dictionary) is adherence to moral principles. There couldn't be a better way for God to describe Job. The idea of integrity being something that has to be maintained not simply owned, leaves me with the impression that it's an action. Too often I find myself thinking of integrity as a state, but rather it is a constant action to maintain your integrity. There's a definite lesson here that Job, while afflicted, maintained his integrity in the face of persecution. How often have you been persecuted for your faith. Did you maintain your integrity like Job?