Day 13 on the Kingdom of God

Acts 28.17-31:

"17 Three days after Paul’s arrival, he called together the local Jewish leaders. He said to them, “Brothers, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Roman government, even though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors. 18 The Romans tried me and wanted to release me, because they found no cause for the death sentence. 19 But when the Jewish leaders protested the decision, I felt it necessary to appeal to Caesar, even though I had no desire to press charges against my own people. 20 I asked you to come here today so we could get acquainted and so I could explain to you that I am bound with this chain because I believe that the hope of Israel—the Messiah—has already come.”

21 They replied, “We have had no letters from Judea or reports against you from anyone who has come here. 22 But we want to hear what you believe, for the only thing we know about this movement is that it is denounced everywhere.”

23 So a time was set, and on that day a large number of people came to Paul’s lodging. He explained and testified about the Kingdom of God and tried to persuade them about Jesus from the Scriptures. Using the law of Moses and the books of the prophets, he spoke to them from morning until evening. 24 Some were persuaded by the things he said, but others did not believe. 25 And after they had argued back and forth among themselves, they left with this final word from Paul: “The Holy Spirit was right when he said to your ancestors through Isaiah the prophet,

26 ‘Go and say to this people:
When you hear what I say,
you will not understand.
When you see what I do,
you will not comprehend.
27 For the hearts of these people are hardened,
and their ears cannot hear,
and they have closed their eyes—
so their eyes cannot see,
and their ears cannot hear,
and their hearts cannot understand,
and they cannot turn to me
and let me heal them.’

28 So I want you to know that this salvation from God has also been offered to the Gentiles, and they will accept it.”

30 For the next two years, Paul lived in Rome at his own expense. He welcomed all who visited him, 31 boldly proclaiming the Kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ. And no one tried to stop him."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

I absolutely LOVE this passage! I see this as a 'hidden gem' because I don't really remember reading this last time I read through the book of Acts, but I'm glad I reread this section. I think it's especially encouraging to see that when people wanted to hear about this 'Jesus thing,' their conversation with Paul, at times, turned into a debate. The Kingdom of God isn't some 'made-up' thing that doesn't make sense. It's real, tangible, and involves an intellectual component, that in Paul's case, led to a intellectual debate. This is encouraging to be because I'm tired of hearing people say and think of Christians as dumb or foolish people. With my personal interest in information and willingness to discuss and debate, I really like this passage! =)


"Father grant us wisdom! I pray that we would make the most of every opportunity to further Your Kingdom! Be gracious and forgive us when we fail/fall, help us to get back up again and press on! Thank You for Jesus! It's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen!"

Day 12 on the Kingdom of God

John 18.33-40:

"33 Then Pilate went back into his headquarters and called for Jesus to be brought to him. “Are you the king of the Jews?” he asked him. 34 Jesus replied, “Is this your own question, or did others tell you about me?” 35 “Am I a Jew?” Pilate retorted. “Your own people and their leading priests brought you to me for trial. Why? What have you done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.” 37 Pilate said, “So you are a king?” Jesus responded, “You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.” 38 “What is truth?” Pilate asked. Then he went out again to the people and told them, “He is not guilty of any crime.39 But you have a custom of asking me to release one prisoner each year at Passover. Would you like me to release this ‘King of the Jews’?” 40 But they shouted back, “No! Not this man. We want Barabbas!” (Barabbas was a revolutionary.)"

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

This scene is a very telling one in a number of ways. Thought the obvious statement concerning the Kingdom of God here, is when Jesus says that His Kingdom is not an earthly one. The fact that throughout history there have been Christians who have lived as if they believe the exact opposite is true, is saddening. If we truly view Jesus' Kingdom as a Kingdom that isn't of this world, our priorities in life would start to shift. We wouldn't be as concerned about things going wrong financially here on earth because our treasure is in Heaven where moth and rust can't touch it. We wouldn't be concerned about persecution because we're blessed when others revile us, think less of us, and persecute us. Everything is different since Jesus' Kingdom is not an earthly one! How comforting is that to know!?!?

"Father give us eyes to see Your Kingdom. I pray that we would be like children and have faith in Jesus that You are who You say You are and that You love us! I pray that we would seek You each and every day, longing to reach out and grab hold of You, clinging to the cross of Christ and not be lured away to other things that surround us here on earth. We love You! It's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen!"

Day 11 on the Kingdom of God

John 3.1-8:

"There was a man named Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader who was a Pharisee. 2 After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. “Rabbi,” he said, “we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you.” 3 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” 4 “What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?” 5 Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. 6 Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. 7 So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.”
(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

This is a very popular passage. Nicodemus was a man who was well trained in the Scriptures and held to one of the strictest followings of the Torah, being a Pharisee. Here he encounters Jesus and acknowledges that He in fact has been sent from God. Jesus responds to his statement simply by telling him that no one can see the Kingdom of God unless he/she has been 'born again.' A few notes here:

1. What's rendered 'see' here can be a little broader than what you might think. In fact you could say that it means seeing with your eyes, but also seeing as experiencing.

2. The phrase 'born again' is actually 'born from above.' Jesus is saying that no one can become a part of this kingdom unless that person is given entry by God, from above. In the Old Testament there are many prophesies where God promised to give people a new heart, and if a person is given a new heart, he/she is born to a new life.

I encourage you to read through this section again, because Jesus is saying a whole lot of important stuff! =)

"Father thank You for saving us! I pray we would become more like the people You want us to be! Forgive us when we fall, and help us to live the new lives that we've been given in a way that glorifies You more and more each and every day! It's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen!"

Day 10 on the Kingdom of God

Luke 22.14-30:

"14 When the time came, Jesus and the apostles sat down together at the table. 15 Jesus said, “I have been very eager to eat this Passover meal with you before my suffering begins. 16 For I tell you now that I won’t eat this meal again until its meaning is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God.”

17 Then he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. Then he said, “Take this and share it among yourselves.18 For I will not drink wine again until the Kingdom of God has come.” 19 He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying,“This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me.” 20 After supper he took another cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you.

21 “But here at this table, sitting among us as a friend, is the man who will betray me. 22 For it has been determined that the Son of Man must die. But what sorrow awaits the one who betrays him.” 23 The disciples began to ask each other which of them would ever do such a thing.

24 Then they began to argue among themselves about who would be the greatest among them. 25 Jesus told them, “In this world the kings and great men lord it over their people, yet they are called ‘friends of the people.’ 26 But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant. 27 Who is more important, the one who sits at the table or the one who serves? The one who sits at the table, of course. But not here! For I am among you as one who serves. 28 “You have stayed with me in my time of trial. 29 And just as my Father has granted me a Kingdom, I now grant you the right 30 to eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom. And you will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

This passage has always been a pretty important passage in the church. It explains a little about why we do communion. I also like this passage because it really points out in bright colors that there is a part of the Kingdom that is 'not yet.' Sure the Kingdom of God is here now, but there is a big part of it that hasn't fully arrived yet too! I encourage you to think through what Jesus says here when He takes the bread and the cup to discover, or rediscover, what He's saying and what we remember whenever participate in communion. =)

"Father thank You! Thank You for sending Jesus to save us from our sins and from ourselves! I pray that we would remain faithful and hold steadfastly to You as we wait patiently for the arrival of the rest of Your Kingdom! Thank You for all You have done and continue to do! It's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen!"

Day 9 on the Kingdom of God

Luke 9.57-10.12:

"57 As they were walking along, someone said to Jesus, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58 But Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.” 59 He said to another person, “Come, follow me.” The man agreed, but he said, “Lord, first let me return home and bury my father.” 60 But Jesus told him, “Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead! Your duty is to go and preach about the Kingdom of God.” 61 Another said, “Yes, Lord, I will follow you, but first let me say good-bye to my family.” 62 But Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.”

10.1 The Lord now chose seventy-two other disciples and sent them ahead in pairs to all the towns and places he planned to visit. 2 These were his instructions to them: “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields. 3 Now go, and remember that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves. 4 Don’t take any money with you, nor a traveler’s bag, nor an extra pair of sandals. And don’t stop to greet anyone on the road. 5 “Whenever you enter someone’s home, first say, ‘May God’s peace be on this house.’ 6 If those who live there are peaceful, the blessing will stand; if they are not, the blessing will return to you. 7 Don’t move around from home to home. Stay in one place, eating and drinking what they provide. Don’t hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve their pay. 8 “If you enter a town and it welcomes you, eat whatever is set before you. 9 Heal the sick, and tell them, ‘The Kingdom of God is near you now.’ 10 But if a town refuses to welcome you, go out into its streets and say, 11 ‘We wipe even the dust of your town from our feet to show that we have abandoned you to your fate. And know this—the Kingdom of God is near!’ 12 I assure you, even wicked Sodom will be better off than such a town on judgment day."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

Being in the Kingdom of God is not a easy status to have. It requires us to do things that seem counter-cultural. It may even demand our very lives, but in the end it's ALWAYS worth it! There has been an epidemic in the American church where people have forgotten what it truly means to be a Christian and follow Jesus. There are so many 'Christians' 'selling-out' in order to avoid hardship and persecution, rather than standing firm on the faith that they had been entrusted with and even defending it to the point of hardship or death, just as the early church did. I can't help but think sometimes that if Jesus were to write a letter to the American church, it would be rather long and filled with words of rebuke and correction, followed by an encouragement to overcome and obey.

Did you notice also how Jesus described what we would be like within the world? We are going to be like lambs among wolves. He also lets us in on the secret (not so much one anymore really) that people are going to reject Him and thus, reject you. There are some people with whom it will almost be entirely impossible to share the good news about Jesus and the free restoration of relationship that He is offering because of his/her stubborn heart. Jesus alludes here, as he does elsewhere (Matt. 7.6; etc.), that sometimes the best course of action is to simply say, 'Bye.'

"Father make us wise. Grant us the wisdom to not linger where there's hard soil, but to make the most of every opportunity and either cultivate the ground for the next person to possibly plant the seed, or just move on to another who is already good soil, waiting to receive the seed. I pray for wisdom that we would be able to discern this. I also ask that we would be strengthened by Your Spirit and be willing to stand our ground when we feel pressured to give up or attacked. Father we love You and we thank You SO much for Jesus! It's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen!"

Day 8 on the Kingdom of God

Mark 10.13-27:
"13 One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him. 14 When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. 15 I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” 16 Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.

17 As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good. 19 But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.’”

20 “Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.” 21 Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions. 23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!” 24 This amazed them. But Jesus said again, “Dear children, it is very hard to enter the Kingdom of God. 25 In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!”

26 The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked. 27 Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.”

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

Did you notice that this is another instance where Scripture tells us that Jesus became angry? I find that interesting. Anyway, like what Jesus taught in yesterday's texts, the Kingdom of God is very different from earthly kingdoms. Those who want to be be in His Kingdom have to become like children. There have been MANY interpretations as to what Jesus was talking about when He said this, but I'm not so sure that there might just be one answer/interpretation. I think more importantly though, is how a child trusts and is with his/her mom/dad. In the same way, we should be trusting God and relying on our Heavenly Father in all things. Secondly, Jesus encounters a rich man and the following exchange ended sadly for the man. I have to make notice what many people, for some reason misunderstand about what Jesus says to this man. Jesus is not saying that it is impossible for a rich person to enter into His Kingdom. Rather what He is saying, is that it is going to be difficult for such a person because he/she would be so susceptible to falling into idolatry by trusting in money rather than God. But despite the difficulty in that, Jesus still doesn't end with a depressing message. He encourages his disciples that even the rich have hope to enter into God's Kingdom because what's impossible for us to do on our own, is possible with God helping us. Pretty comforting and encouraging, huh? =)

"Father in Heaven, I pray that we would be faithful citizens of Your Kingdom. I pray for forgiveness when we fail You. May we seek You out each and every day, leading others to Your throne. May we understand more about You and about Your Kingdom so that we can be better Kingdom workers and share the beautiful and exciting truth/news with those around us each and every day who are not yet a part of it. Father we love You so much and thank You so much for Jesus! It's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen!"

Day 7 on the Kingdom of God

Matthew 13.24-33:

"24 Here is another story Jesus told: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field. 25 But that night as the workers slept, his enemy came and planted weeds among the wheat, then slipped away. 26 When the crop began to grow and produce grain, the weeds also grew. 27 “The farmer’s workers went to him and said, ‘Sir, the field where you planted that good seed is full of weeds! Where did they come from?’ 28 “‘An enemy has done this!’ the farmer exclaimed. “‘Should we pull out the weeds?’ they asked. 29 “‘No,’ he replied, ‘you’ll uproot the wheat if you do. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. Then I will tell the harvesters to sort out the weeds, tie them into bundles, and burn them, and to put the wheat in the barn.’”

31 Here is another illustration Jesus used: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field. 32 It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants; it grows into a tree, and birds come and make nests in its branches.”

33 Jesus also used this illustration: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough.”(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

I can't help but notice a couple of important points in Jesus' parable of the farmer and the field. First, I believe that there are people who claim to be Christians, that are in fact not. They are weeds that are mixed in with the crop. However, just as Jesus shared with us, we will never be able to be separated from the crop until the final judgement. I think this can also mean that there are going to be times when we won't be able to identify who these people are. I don't think, though, that this means we should begin to question whether or not we are weeds or crop. Ultimately by taking a look at our relationship with Jesus, both our heart and our actions, we can tell where we are. The next parable Jesus used was comparing the Kingdom to a mustard seed. I see this as Jesus saying that His Kingdom isn't like other kingdoms. It doesn't arrive in force, but very subtle. When the Kingdom of God arrives in a person's life, it starts off small. Over time it grows and becomes a large, strong tree! Finally Jesus uses the illustration of yeast in dough and how just a little bit of it will greatly affect the entire batch. I see this as saying that if you are genuinely and truly a citizen of the Kingdom of God, then even it's humble small beginnings will spread and greatly affect the entirety of your life! It isn't something that can be compartmentalized!!!


Matthew 13.44-52:

"44 “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field.

45 “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. 46 When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!

47 “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a fishing net that was thrown into the water and caught fish of every kind. 48 When the net was full, they dragged it up onto the shore, sat down, and sorted the good fish into crates, but threw the bad ones away. 49 That is the way it will be at the end of the world. The angels will come and separate the wicked people from the righteous, 50 throwing the wicked into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 51 Do you understand all these things?” “Yes,” they said, “we do.” 52 Then he added, “Every teacher of religious law who becomes a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven is like a homeowner who brings from his storeroom new gems of truth as well as old.”

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

Here Jesus lets us know just how valuable the Kingdom of God really is. It's something that if a person were to realize what it is and everything that is a part of it, he/she would give EVERYTHING to be a part of it and have it! I love what Jesus says here in verse 52. What Jesus says here is that the Old Testament is still important. A teacher of religious law would have been very well versed in the Old Testament and would have been able to teach it well. A disciple of the Kingdom of Heaven would be able to see the new things that Jesus would reveal/explain. I just think that's pretty cool to see Jesus say right here. =)

"Father thank You for loving us! I pray that You would help us understand the value of Your Kingdom and the impact that it has in our lives and our world! I pray that You would help us to redirect our lives and live more purposefully for You! It's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen!"

Day 6 on The Kingdom of God

Matthew 4.12-25:

"12 When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he left Judea and returned to Galilee. 13 He went first to Nazareth, then left there and moved to Capernaum, beside the Sea of Galilee, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. 14 This fulfilled what God said through the prophet Isaiah:

15 “In the land of Zebulun and of Naphtali,
beside the sea, beyond the Jordan River,
in Galilee where so many Gentiles live,
16 the people who sat in darkness
have seen a great light.
And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow,
a light has shined.”

17 From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”

18 One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. 19 Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” 20 And they left their nets at once and followed him.

21 A little farther up the shore he saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, repairing their nets. And he called them to come, too. 22 They immediately followed him, leaving the boat and their father behind.

23 Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness.24 News about him spread as far as Syria, and people soon began bringing to him all who were sick. And whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon possessed or epileptic or paralyzed—he healed them all. 25 Large crowds followed him wherever he went—people from Galilee, the Ten Towns, Jerusalem, from all over Judea, and from east of the Jordan River."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

What a start to a ministry, right? Everywhere Jesus went, large crowds either followed or developed quickly. In that day for word to have spread that far and that fast is a pretty big deal! They didn't have phones or email remember, haha. I've always been interested with how Jesus first began teaching about the Kingdom of God. Matthew writes in verse 17 that Jesus' message was 'repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.' Jesus didn't gloss over people's sin. In fact, He addressed it head on, telling them that they need to repent. Then He followed up this instruction with a VERY real, and VERY valid reason. Why should you repent? You should repent because the Kingdom of God is near! He didn't say that it was coming. He didn't say that it was a long way off. He said that it was NEAR! Other translations read similarly saying that the Kingdom is 'at hand.' That gives a pretty good picture that the coming of the Kingdom of God that people had been waiting for for a long time is no longer a long way off, in fact it's right before them breaking onto the scene in this Jesus! If the Kingdom was at hand then, don't you think it's present here today as well?

"Father make us aware of the presence of Your Kingdom. I pray that we wouldn't just recognize it as being near, but that we would act in response to that. Just as Jesus instructed the people He preached to here in this Scripture to act in response to the presence of Your Kingdom, I pray You would give us instructions on how to respond. Maybe we need to repent. Father we repent. Maybe we need to take heart. Father fill us with peace and strength. Maybe we need to become more bold for Your truth. I pray Father that each day we live, we stand firm on the rock that Jesus talks about in Matthew 7. We love You so much! It's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen!"

Day 5 on The Kingdom of God

Daniel 7.1-22:

"Earlier, during the first year of King Belshazzar’s reign in Babylon, Daniel had a dream and saw visions as he lay in his bed. He wrote down the dream, and this is what he saw.

2 In my vision that night, I, Daniel, saw a great storm churning the surface of a great sea, with strong winds blowing from every direction. 3 Then four huge beasts came up out of the water, each different from the others.

4 The first beast was like a lion with eagles’ wings. As I watched, its wings were pulled off, and it was left standing with its two hind feet on the ground, like a human being. And it was given a human mind.

5 Then I saw a second beast, and it looked like a bear. It was rearing up on one side, and it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. And I heard a voice saying to it, “Get up! Devour the flesh of many people!”

6 Then the third of these strange beasts appeared, and it looked like a leopard. It had four bird’s wings on its back, and it had four heads. Great authority was given to this beast.

7 Then in my vision that night, I saw a fourth beast—terrifying, dreadful, and very strong. It devoured and crushed its victims with huge iron teeth and trampled their remains beneath its feet. It was different from any of the other beasts, and it had ten horns.

8 As I was looking at the horns, suddenly another small horn appeared among them. Three of the first horns were torn out by the roots to make room for it. This little horn had eyes like human eyes and a mouth that was boasting arrogantly.

9 I watched as thrones were put in place
and the Ancient One sat down to judge.
His clothing was as white as snow,
his hair like purest wool.
He sat on a fiery throne
with wheels of blazing fire,
10 and a river of fire was pouring out,
flowing from his presence.
Millions of angels ministered to him;
many millions stood to attend him.
Then the court began its session,
and the books were opened.

11 I continued to watch because I could hear the little horn’s boastful speech. I kept watching until the fourth beast was killed and its body was destroyed by fire. 12 The other three beasts had their authority taken from them, but they were allowed to live a while longer.

13 As my vision continued that night, I saw someone like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, honor, and sovereignty over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him. His rule is eternal—it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed.

15 I, Daniel, was troubled by all I had seen, and my visions terrified me. 16 So I approached one of those standing beside the throne and asked him what it all meant. He explained it to me like this: 17 “These four huge beasts represent four kingdoms that will arise from the earth. 18 But in the end, the holy people of the Most High will be given the kingdom, and they will rule forever and ever.”

19 Then I wanted to know the true meaning of the fourth beast, the one so different from the others and so terrifying. It had devoured and crushed its victims with iron teeth and bronze claws, trampling their remains beneath its feet. 20 I also asked about the ten horns on the fourth beast’s head and the little horn that came up afterward and destroyed three of the other horns. This horn had seemed greater than the others, and it had human eyes and a mouth that was boasting arrogantly. 21 As I watched, this horn was waging war against God’s holy people and was defeating them, 22 until the Ancient One—the Most High—came and judged in favor of his holy people. Then the time arrived for the holy people to take over the kingdom."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

I would certainly be overwhelmed if I had been in Daniel's position. Part of me though kind of still wishes I had an opportunity to see this vision for myself so that the words written here would come alive and I could see what Daniel really saw. There are just some things that words cannot describe adequate enough. The thing that really caught my attention in this passage was the explanation at the end, specifically verses 21-22. Daniel saw this beast 'defeating' God's holy people, and it was able to do so until God finally put a stop to it and made His judgement. I can't help but wonder if this 'beast', which represents a 'kingdom' is the kingdom of the 'Antichrist.' I'm not talking about Left Behind series stuff or rapture or even about a particular person. Instead rather, as John alludes to in his epistles (letters), there are many Antichrists who are alive. I think Jesus' own words serve best for us to use and figure out how to identify these people. Jesus said, "Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me." (Matthew 12.30) These 'Antichrists' are working for a kingdom that is against Christ, hence the Greek suffix that is rendered in English as 'anti-'. So today, anyone or even anything that is against Jesus, belongs to this kingdom. To echo Paul, our battle is not with flesh or blood, therefore I wouldn't be surprised and I'm leaning toward an understanding that this 'kingdom' that is opposing God's holy people, is a kingdom that isn't limited to mere national borders or human governments, but in reality extends across and incorporates many of them. Pretty crazy stuff to think about huh? Thankfully, as Daniel witnesses in his vision, God doesn't all this to go on forever. He will step in, and He will save His holy people who are a part of His Kingdom! =)

"Father thank You for not abandoning us! I pray that when things seem to point to You abandoning us, may we take those thoughts captive and turn them over to You, citing Your promises to never abandon or forsake us! We love You God! Give us strength when we are weak! It's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen!"

Day 4 on The Kingdom of God

Daniel 2.31-44:

31 “In your vision, Your Majesty, you saw standing before you a huge, shining statue of a man. It was a frightening sight.32 The head of the statue was made of fine gold. Its chest and arms were silver, its belly and thighs were bronze, 33 its legs were iron, and its feet were a combination of iron and baked clay. 34 As you watched, a rock was cut from a mountain, but not by human hands. It struck the feet of iron and clay, smashing them to bits. 35 The whole statue was crushed into small pieces of iron, clay, bronze, silver, and gold. Then the wind blew them away without a trace, like chaff on a threshing floor. But the rock that knocked the statue down became a great mountain that covered the whole earth.

36 “That was the dream. Now we will tell the king what it means. 37 Your Majesty, you are the greatest of kings. The God of heaven has given you sovereignty, power, strength, and honor. 38 He has made you the ruler over all the inhabited world and has put even the wild animals and birds under your control. You are the head of gold.

39 “But after your kingdom comes to an end, another kingdom, inferior to yours, will rise to take your place. After that kingdom has fallen, yet a third kingdom, represented by bronze, will rise to rule the world. 40 Following that kingdom, there will be a fourth one, as strong as iron. That kingdom will smash and crush all previous empires, just as iron smashes and crushes everything it strikes. 41 The feet and toes you saw were a combination of iron and baked clay, showing that this kingdom will be divided. Like iron mixed with clay, it will have some of the strength of iron. 42 But while some parts of it will be as strong as iron, other parts will be as weak as clay. 43 This mixture of iron and clay also shows that these kingdoms will try to strengthen themselves by forming alliances with each other through intermarriage. But they will not hold together, just as iron and clay do not mix.

44 “During the reigns of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed or conquered. It will crush all these kingdoms into nothingness, and it will stand forever."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

Wow, what an image! This is quite the vision, am I right? Could you imagine receiving this vision and being given its meaning? I love how in the vision, a rock is cut from a mountain by hands that did not belong to any human being. This rock has the power to topple kingdoms and establish itself as a mountain over the entire earth! Look at this other passage.

Isaiah 2.1-4:

"This is a vision that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem:

2 In the last days, the mountain of the Lord’s house
will be the highest of all—
the most important place on earth.
It will be raised above the other hills,
and people from all over the world will stream there to worship.
3 People from many nations will come and say,
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
to the house of Jacob’s God.
There he will teach us his ways,
and we will walk in his paths.”
For the Lord’s teaching will go out from Zion;
his word will go out from Jerusalem.
4 The Lord will mediate between nations
and will settle international disputes.
They will hammer their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will no longer fight against nation,
nor train for war anymore."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

There are many other passages that I could provide here, but maybe that would make for a fun scavenger hunt for you some day. =) I think verse 44 is one of the coolest, 'bravehearted' verses of Scripture. =)

"Father You are awesome! I pray for Your Kingdom to become more of a reality here on earth as it is in heaven! Please forgive us for our shortcomings and help us to be useful to You and Your Kingdom. We love You God! It's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen!"

Day 3 on The Kingdom of God

Jeremiah 23.5-8:

5 “For the time is coming,”
says the Lord,
“when I will raise up a righteous descendant
from King David’s line.
He will be a King who rules with wisdom.
He will do what is just and right throughout the land.
6 And this will be his name:
‘The Lord Is Our Righteousness.’
In that day Judah will be saved,
and Israel will live in safety.

7 “In that day,” says the Lord, “when people are taking an oath, they will no longer say, ‘As surely as the Lord lives, who rescued the people of Israel from the land of Egypt.’ 8 Instead, they will say, ‘As surely as the Lord lives, who brought the people of Israel back to their own land from the land of the north and from all the countries to which he had exiled them.’ Then they will live in their own land.”

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

He will be a King who rules with wisdom and will do what is just and right. I still love that even though it is a repeat from the past couple of days. However the fact that it is a repeat shows that this is true, because this has shown up in multiple places that were all different from one another. Did you also notice in verse 6 what Jeremiah writes God says the King's name will be? "The Lord is Our Righteousness." I like how Paul says it,

2 Corinthians 5.21 (ESV):

21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

I find it kind of cool that in verses 7-8, there's glimpses of what I talked on a little last night. You can see God referencing the Exodus and the big salvific event of the old covenant, and then say that in the future there will be something else! It's so cool to see how God puts little hints here and there throughout Scripture shedding light on what he's about to do! Jesus, our King, brought people out of slavery to sin and the land of death, and led them back to a restored relationship with God (their own land).

"Father thank You for saving us! Thank You for loving us! Thank You for giving Jesus to be our King! I pray that we would be a beacon of light, to be used by You to help others move from the land of darkness and sin/death, to the land of restoration and holiness! Father we love You so much! It's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen!"

Day 2 on the Kingdom of God

Isaiah 9.1-7:

1 "Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever.
The land of Zebulun and Naphtali will be humbled, but there will be a time
in the future when Galilee of the Gentiles, which lies along the road
that runs between the Jordan and the sea, will be filled with glory.

2 The people who walk in darkness
will see a great light.
For those who live in a land of deep darkness,
a light will shine.
3 You will enlarge the nation of Israel,
and its people will rejoice.
They will rejoice before you
as people rejoice at the harvest
and like warriors dividing the plunder.
4 For you will break the yoke of their slavery
and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders.
You will break the oppressor’s rod,
just as you did when you destroyed the army of Midian.
5 The boots of the warrior
and the uniforms bloodstained by war
will all be burned.
They will be fuel for the fire.

6 For a child is born to us,
a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders.
And he will be called:
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 His government and its peace
will never end.
He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David
for all eternity.
The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies
will make this happen!"

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

WOW! What a step up from the world governments that we have now! Unlike the ones that exist today where rulers and leaders twist truths to get what they want, and corrupt justice to make supporters happy, in the government of the Kingdom of God, there will be a King who rules with fairness and justice, and will reign FOREVER! Did you notice His titles too? Wonderful counselor! He will counsel us and lead us with immense wisdom and compassion! Mighty God! He is a strong warrior, capable of conquering even the strongest of strongholds! Everlasting Father! He will last forever and will be our King! Prince of Peace! Peace will be central to His kingdom and everyone in it, both peace between citizens AND peace between God and man! The beginning part of verse 6 really gives us a clue as to who the King is, and when you read the New Testament, you see this clue become a reality. It's also really cool to see, that the first thing Jesus did as a part of His ministry in the book of Matthew is found in chapter 4 and is a direct quote of Isaiah 9.1-2! Look here!

Matthew 4.12-17:

12 "When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he left Judea and returned to Galilee. 13 He went first to Nazareth, then left there and moved to Capernaum, beside the Sea of Galilee, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. 14 This fulfilled what God said through the prophet Isaiah:

15 “In the land of Zebulun and of Naphtali,
beside the sea, beyond the Jordan River,
in Galilee where so many Gentiles live,
16 the people who sat in darkness
have seen a great light.
And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow,
a light has shined.”

17 From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

I think it's also on purpose that Jesus chose to fulfill this passage of Isaiah, because they child Isaiah prophesied about, is Jesus, God's own Son! =)

Questions to Think About:

1. Do I believe that Jesus is my King? Do I believe that this world isn't my home and that I'm really a citizen of a different kind of Kingdom? If so, am I living my life in a way that reflects this reality?

2. What are some ways I can make this Kingdom more of a reality for other people here on earth that don't know about it?

"Father thank You for sending Your Son! Thank You for saving us through Him and for loving us! I pray that each day, our lives would reflect the Kingdom where our citizenship truly is. Please forgive us when we fail and help us to get back up again! We love You! It's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen!"

Day 1 on The Kingdom of God

Hey guys! I'm back! =) Since it's the start of the new school year and since there were more than a few of you that said you were getting a lot out of this opportunity to be in God's Word daily, I'm kickin' the daily dive off again! =) As before, if you have suggestions/requests of books to study, feel free to suggest them! Utilize the comment sections to ask questions and interact with one another! =) I'm also going to introduce topical studies as well as the book studies! So, without further hesitation here we go, Day 1 on 'The Kingdom of God!' =)


Psalm 47.1-9:

1 "Clap your hands, all you nations;
shout to God with cries of joy.
2 For the LORD Most High is awesome,
the great King over all the earth.
3 He subdued nations under us,
peoples under our feet.
4 He chose our inheritance for us,
the pride of Jacob, whom he loved.
5 God has ascended amid shouts of joy,
the LORD amid the sounding of trumpets.
6 Sing praises to God, sing praises;
sing praises to our King, sing praises.
7 For God is the King of all the earth;
sing to him a psalm of praise.
8 God reigns over the nations;
God is seated on his holy throne.
9 The nobles of the nations assemble
as the people of the God of Abraham,
for the kings of the earth belong to God;
he is greatly exalted."

(For some reason, bible gateway is not working for me, so if you want a different translation you'll have to look it up on your own, haha)

It's comforting to be reassured of the fact that our King is also King over all the earth. I say that's comforting, because even though things look bad and the 'interim-leaders' of this world do things that make us question their loyalties in regard to the Kingdom of God, God is still King, and there isn't anything that can change that. Now granted, that could lead some people to become confused. One might wonder why bad things happen and how rulers lead countries in directions opposite of the way God wants while God is King over all. The answer to that is one of those things that we probably won't understand fully this side of heaven. God is in control, and yes He allows things to happen that break His heart and should break ours too. It doesn't weaken Him or take away from His kingship in any way. God can see the much bigger picture and can orchestrate even the biggest role reversal, using things intended for harm to bring out the best possible good. He's done it plenty of times! (Joseph, Jesus, Apostles, Persecution of the Church, etc.) More than all other kings, our King deserves all of our praises and adoration! In everything that we do, we should seek to praise, adore, and bring honor to Him!

Questions to Meditate on:
1. Are you living your life with God as your King?
2. How do you see the Kingdom of God making itself evident in your life today?
3. Scripture tells us that we are about to approach our King with confidence and present our requests directly to Him, through Jesus Christ. Is there anything that you want to bring to Him right now? If so, take a few minutes to talk with Him and share what's on your heart. If not, spend a few minutes talking and listening for His voice anyway. =)


"Father, God, King, You are amazing! You are worthy of our best and even more! I pray that everyone who reads this and follows through our study of Your Kingdom develops a Kingdom mindset and seeks to further his/her relationship with You. Father thank You for loving us! It's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen!"

Job 42

We finally made it to the end of Job! Any suggestions as to what you guys want to do next? =)

Verses 1-6:

"Then Job replied to the Lord:

2 “I know that you can do anything,
and no one can stop you.
3 You asked, ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?’
It is I—and I was talking about things I knew nothing about,
things far too wonderful for me.
4 You said, ‘Listen and I will speak!
I have some questions for you,
and you must answer them.’
5 I had only heard about you before,
but now I have seen you with my own eyes.
6 I take back everything I said,
and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance.”

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

Just at the mere sight of God, Job turns to repentance. That's how holy our God is. Whenever we want to enter into His presence or spend time with Him, our actions should reflect and be drawn to an attitude of repentance.

Verse 7-17:

7 "After the Lord had finished speaking to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite: “I am angry with you and your two friends, for you have not spoken accurately about me, as my servant Job has. 8 So take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and offer a burnt offering for yourselves. My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer on your behalf. I will not treat you as you deserve, for you have not spoken accurately about me, as my servant Job has.” 9 So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite did as the Lord commanded them, and the Lord accepted Job’s prayer.

10 When Job prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes. In fact, the Lord gave him twice as much as before!11 Then all his brothers, sisters, and former friends came and feasted with him in his home. And they consoled him and comforted him because of all the trials the Lord had brought against him. And each of them brought him a gift of money and a gold ring.

12 So the Lord blessed Job in the second half of his life even more than in the beginning. For now he had 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 teams of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys. 13 He also gave Job seven more sons and three more daughters. 14 He named his first daughter Jemimah, the second Keziah, and the third Keren-happuch. 15 In all the land no women were as lovely as the daughters of Job. And their father put them into his will along with their brothers.

16 Job lived 140 years after that, living to see four generations of his children and grandchildren. 17 Then he died, an old man who had lived a long, full life."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

Wow, what a conclusion to everything that's happened. Job was more blessed at the end of his life than at the beginning. I also thought it was really cool that Job prayed for his friends forgiveness, despite everything that they did to him. What an example Job provides for us to learn from. I hope you guys enjoyed this book/study, I know I have! Thanks for sticking with it and seeing it through to the end, I know it was a long one! =)

"Father, thank You for Job. Thank You for recording his life in the Bible so we can learn from him. I pray that we would become more like him in his faithfulness to You. Please continue to bless us in our studies online as we move on to our next book. It's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen."

Job 41

This chapter contains more of God's challenge to Job.


“Can you catch Leviathan with a hook
or put a noose around its jaw?
2 Can you tie it with a rope through the nose
or pierce its jaw with a spike?
3 Will it beg you for mercy
or implore you for pity?
4 Will it agree to work for you,
to be your slave for life?
5 Can you make it a pet like a bird,
or give it to your little girls to play with?
6 Will merchants try to buy it
to sell it in their shops?
7 Will its hide be hurt by spears
or its head by a harpoon?
8 If you lay a hand on it,
you will certainly remember the battle that follows.
You won’t try that again!
9 No, it is useless to try to capture it.
The hunter who attempts it will be knocked down.
10 And since no one dares to disturb it,
who then can stand up to me?
11 Who has given me anything that I need to pay back?
Everything under heaven is mine.

12 “I want to emphasize Leviathan’s limbs
and its enormous strength and graceful form.
13 Who can strip off its hide,
and who can penetrate its double layer of armor?
14 Who could pry open its jaws?
For its teeth are terrible!
15 Its scales are like rows of shields
tightly sealed together.
16 They are so close together
that no air can get between them.
17 Each scale sticks tight to the next.
They interlock and cannot be penetrated.

18 “When it sneezes, it flashes light!
Its eyes are like the red of dawn.
19 Lightning leaps from its mouth;
flames of fire flash out.
20 Smoke streams from its nostrils
like steam from a pot heated over burning rushes.
21 Its breath would kindle coals,
for flames shoot from its mouth.

22 “The tremendous strength in Leviathan’s neck
strikes terror wherever it goes.
23 Its flesh is hard and firm
and cannot be penetrated.
24 Its heart is hard as rock,
hard as a millstone.
25 When it rises, the mighty are afraid,
gripped by terror.
26 No sword can stop it,
no spear, dart, or javelin.
27 Iron is nothing but straw to that creature,
and bronze is like rotten wood.
28 Arrows cannot make it flee.
Stones shot from a sling are like bits of grass.
29 Clubs are like a blade of grass,
and it laughs at the swish of javelins.
30 Its belly is covered with scales as sharp as glass.
It plows up the ground as it drags through the mud.

31 “Leviathan makes the water boil with its commotion.
It stirs the depths like a pot of ointment.
32 The water glistens in its wake,
making the sea look white.
33 Nothing on earth is its equal,
no other creature so fearless.
34 Of all the creatures, it is the proudest.
It is the king of beasts.”

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

I've never seen a Leviathan before, and I'm not sure it would be 'safe' for me to meet one, but I sure would love to see one. I mean come on! It breathes fire! (Verse 18). What about you guys, haha? =)

"God You are powerful. You are so powerful that You created such a magnificent and powerful beast such as the Leviathan. Though we've never seen one, we've certainly read about it. Father we are so thankful to be loved by a God like You. Thank You for Jesus! It's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen."

Job 40

Here we go!

Verses 1-5:

"Then the Lord said to Job,
2 “Do you still want to argue with the Almighty?
You are God’s critic, but do you have the answers?”

3 Then Job replied to the Lord,
4 “I am nothing—how could I ever find the answers?
I will cover my mouth with my hand.
5 I have said too much already.
I have nothing more to say.”

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

How crazy would it be to have God say all that He has just said and then expect an answer from you? I think I would follow Job's lead here and be like "yup, I'm done." lol.

Verses 6-14:

6 "Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind:

7 “Brace yourself like a man,
because I have some questions for you,
and you must answer them.

8 “Will you discredit my justice
and condemn me just to prove you are right?
9 Are you as strong as God?
Can you thunder with a voice like his?
10 All right, put on your glory and splendor,
your honor and majesty.
11 Give vent to your anger.
Let it overflow against the proud.
12 Humiliate the proud with a glance;
walk on the wicked where they stand.
13 Bury them in the dust.
Imprison them in the world of the dead.
14 Then even I would praise you,
for your own strength would save you."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

Wow. God's speaking all of this, to Job, FROM A WHIRLWIND!!!!! CRAZY!!! I couldn't help but reflect back on God's words in verse 14. If Job were able to do all of what God told him to do here, then he would be strong enough to save himself by his own strength. I think you could connect this over with saving oneself from sin and death. These acts that God's telling Job to perform are characteristic of God. If Job were able to do them, he would be God. Therefore, only God could save anyone from any situation, including sin and death. I hope that connection made sense to you guys. If not, just say so. Well, that or just forget what I said, haha. =)

Verses 15-24:

15 “Take a look at Behemoth,
which I made, just as I made you.
It eats grass like an ox.
16 See its powerful loins
and the muscles of its belly.
17 Its tail is as strong as a cedar.
The sinews of its thighs are knit tightly together.
18 Its bones are tubes of bronze.
Its limbs are bars of iron.
19 It is a prime example of God’s handiwork,
and only its Creator can threaten it.
20 The mountains offer it their best food,
where all the wild animals play.
21 It lies under the lotus plants,
hidden by the reeds in the marsh.
22 The lotus plants give it shade
among the willows beside the stream.
23 It is not disturbed by the raging river,
not concerned when the swelling Jordan rushes around it.
24 No one can catch it off guard
or put a ring in its nose and lead it away."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

I would love to one day meet one of these creatures. Some text footnotes (ex: NIV) might suggest that this animal is an elephant. However that doesn't make any sense to me because of the pure existence of verse 17. An elephant's tail is NOT as strong as a cedar tree! Anyway, this creature has been debated among scholars as to whether it was a real creature or one of ancient mythology. Regardless of which one it turns out to be, both show that God is involved with His creation. If the creature was real, God knows everything that it does and provides for it. He even takes joy in seeing it as a mark of his handiwork. If it turn out to be a mythological creature, this shows that God is deeply entwined with human interaction. He knows what is being talked about and believed, and He even uses these things to teach/prove a point. What do you guys like from this chapter?

"Father thank You for loving us! I thank You that You created heaven and earth and that You didn't leave us alone after You did. I pray that You would fill each of us with Your Spirit so that we can see people as You do. We are not strong enough to change our condition by ourselves or save ourselves. We need You. I pray that we would always crave You and seek to be filled with You on a daily basis. Thank You for Jesus and it's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen."

Job 39

I think it's best from here, continuing from yesterday's post, that we just read what God say here to Job. Chapter 39 in a continuation of God's conversation. This is one of the downfalls about going through Job. A lot of what I would have to say is either already said or is just pulling at stuff. I think biographical books are good, but are difficult to 'pull apart' and dissect. It's usually best to just read it as a whole and then talk about it afterward. =) But don't worry, we're almost done with Job!!! =)



“Do you know when the wild goats give birth?
Have you watched as deer are born in the wild?
2 Do you know how many months they carry their young?
Are you aware of the time of their delivery?
3 They crouch down to give birth to their young
and deliver their offspring.
4 Their young grow up in the open fields,
then leave home and never return.

5 “Who gives the wild donkey its freedom?
Who untied its ropes?
6 I have placed it in the wilderness;
its home is the wasteland.
7 It hates the noise of the city
and has no driver to shout at it.
8 The mountains are its pastureland,
where it searches for every blade of grass.

9 “Will the wild ox consent to being tamed?
Will it spend the night in your stall?
10 Can you hitch a wild ox to a plow?
Will it plow a field for you?
11 Given its strength, can you trust it?
Can you leave and trust the ox to do your work?
12 Can you rely on it to bring home your grain
and deliver it to your threshing floor?

13 “The ostrich flaps her wings grandly,
but they are no match for the feathers of the stork.
14 She lays her eggs on top of the earth,
letting them be warmed in the dust.
15 She doesn’t worry that a foot might crush them
or a wild animal might destroy them.
16 She is harsh toward her young,
as if they were not her own.
She doesn’t care if they die.
17 For God has deprived her of wisdom.
He has given her no understanding.
18 But whenever she jumps up to run,
she passes the swiftest horse with its rider.

19 “Have you given the horse its strength
or clothed its neck with a flowing mane?
20 Did you give it the ability to leap like a locust?
Its majestic snorting is terrifying!
21 It paws the earth and rejoices in its strength
when it charges out to battle.
22 It laughs at fear and is unafraid.
It does not run from the sword.
23 The arrows rattle against it,
and the spear and javelin flash.
24 It paws the ground fiercely
and rushes forward into battle when the ram’s horn blows.
25 It snorts at the sound of the horn.
It senses the battle in the distance.
It quivers at the captain’s commands and the noise of battle.

26 “Is it your wisdom that makes the hawk soar
and spread its wings toward the south?
27 Is it at your command that the eagle rises
to the heights to make its nest?
28 It lives on the cliffs,
making its home on a distant, rocky crag.
29 From there it hunts its prey,
keeping watch with piercing eyes.
30 Its young gulp down blood.
Where there’s a carcass, there you’ll find it.”

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

"God You are Awesome! I pray that You would teach us from Job's example. May we learn to be content in the situations we find ourselves. I pray for guidance and wisdom in regard to each of life's choices/decisions that we are facing or will face in the near future, and I pray that You would reveal to us what You want us to do. It's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen."

Job 38

Now we finally hear from God in this matter. I think it's best that you read what he has to say on the matter. I'm going to try something different for this post. I want you to read through the post and then comment on it with something. I'll comment too, don't worry. I just want to see if this helps engage us better than me talking all the time on here. =)

"Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind:

2 “Who is this that questions my wisdom
with such ignorant words?
3 Brace yourself like a man,
because I have some questions for you,
and you must answer them.

4 “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?
Tell me, if you know so much.
5 Who determined its dimensions
and stretched out the surveying line?
6 What supports its foundations,
and who laid its cornerstone
7 as the morning stars sang together
and all the angels shouted for joy?

8 “Who kept the sea inside its boundaries
as it burst from the womb,
9 and as I clothed it with clouds
and wrapped it in thick darkness?
10 For I locked it behind barred gates,
limiting its shores.
11 I said, ‘This far and no farther will you come.
Here your proud waves must stop!’

12 “Have you ever commanded the morning to appear
and caused the dawn to rise in the east?
13 Have you made daylight spread to the ends of the earth,
to bring an end to the night’s wickedness?
14 As the light approaches,
the earth takes shape like clay pressed beneath a seal;
it is robed in brilliant colors.
15 The light disturbs the wicked
and stops the arm that is raised in violence.

16 “Have you explored the springs from which the seas come?
Have you explored their depths?
17 Do you know where the gates of death are located?
Have you seen the gates of utter gloom?
18 Do you realize the extent of the earth?
Tell me about it if you know!

19 “Where does light come from,
and where does darkness go?
20 Can you take each to its home?
Do you know how to get there?
21 But of course you know all this!
For you were born before it was all created,
and you are so very experienced!

22 “Have you visited the storehouses of the snow
or seen the storehouses of hail?
23 (I have reserved them as weapons for the time of trouble,
for the day of battle and war.)
24 Where is the path to the source of light?
Where is the home of the east wind?

25 “Who created a channel for the torrents of rain?
Who laid out the path for the lightning?
26 Who makes the rain fall on barren land,
in a desert where no one lives?
27 Who sends rain to satisfy the parched ground
and make the tender grass spring up?

28 “Does the rain have a father?
Who gives birth to the dew?
29 Who is the mother of the ice?
Who gives birth to the frost from the heavens?
30 For the water turns to ice as hard as rock,
and the surface of the water freezes.

31 “Can you direct the movement of the stars—
binding the cluster of the Pleiades
or loosening the cords of Orion?
32 Can you direct the sequence of the seasons
or guide the Bear with her cubs across the heavens?
33 Do you know the laws of the universe?
Can you use them to regulate the earth?

34 “Can you shout to the clouds
and make it rain?
35 Can you make lightning appear
and cause it to strike as you direct?
36 Who gives intuition to the heart
and instinct to the mind?
37 Who is wise enough to count all the clouds?
Who can tilt the water jars of heaven
38 when the parched ground is dry
and the soil has hardened into clods?

39 “Can you stalk prey for a lioness
and satisfy the young lions’ appetites
40 as they lie in their dens
or crouch in the thicket?
41 Who provides food for the ravens
when their young cry out to God
and wander about in hunger?"

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"God in Heaven You are wise and powerful! Thank You for Your Word! Thank You for loving us. Thank You for saving us! Whenever we question You, please forgive us and strengthen us. I pray for everyone reading this, that You would draw them closer to You. May You speak through this passage to each of us, and remind us again of who You are! Thank You for Jesus! It's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen."

Job 37

Verses 1-5:

“My heart pounds as I think of this.
It trembles within me.
2 Listen carefully to the thunder of God’s voice
as it rolls from his mouth.
3 It rolls across the heavens,
and his lightning flashes in every direction.
4 Then comes the roaring of the thunder—
the tremendous voice of his majesty.
He does not restrain it when he speaks.
5 God’s voice is glorious in the thunder.
We can’t even imagine the greatness of his power."

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Once again, what power! I'm not sure if I'll have a lot to say about this chapter, so I would recommend just imagining the imagery that is being described here.

Verses 6-13:

6 “He directs the snow to fall on the earth
and tells the rain to pour down.
7 Then everyone stops working
so they can watch his power.
8 The wild animals take cover
and stay inside their dens.
9 The stormy wind comes from its chamber,
and the driving winds bring the cold.
10 God’s breath sends the ice,
freezing wide expanses of water.
11 He loads the clouds with moisture,
and they flash with his lightning.
12 The clouds churn about at his direction.
They do whatever he commands throughout the earth.
13 He makes these things happen either to punish people
or to show his unfailing love."

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Verses 14-24:

14 “Pay attention to this, Job.
Stop and consider the wonderful miracles of God!
15 Do you know how God controls the storm
and causes the lightning to flash from his clouds?
16 Do you understand how he moves the clouds
with wonderful perfection and skill?
17 When you are sweltering in your clothes
and the south wind dies down and everything is still,
18 he makes the skies reflect the heat like a bronze mirror.
Can you do that?

9 “So teach the rest of us what to say to God.
We are too ignorant to make our own arguments.
20 Should God be notified that I want to speak?
Can people even speak when they are confused?
21 We cannot look at the sun,
for it shines brightly in the sky
when the wind clears away the clouds.
22 So also, golden splendor comes from the mountain of God.
He is clothed in dazzling splendor.
23 We cannot imagine the power of the Almighty;
but even though he is just and righteous,
he does not destroy us.
24 No wonder people everywhere fear him.
All who are wise show him reverence.”

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And the arrogance comes back into play here in this last section. OK, maybe it's not arrogance, but it sure sounds like it to me, haha.

"God in Heaven, You are powerful! You are our God and our provider. I pray for every person reading this right now, and ask that You would bless them. I pray that You would provide for them when things seem bleak and that they would grow stronger in their relationship with You. As always, may we give You all the praise and honor and glory in our lives. It's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen."

Job 36

Verses 1-10:

"Elihu continued speaking:

2 “Let me go on, and I will show you the truth.
For I have not finished defending God!
3 I will present profound arguments
for the righteousness of my Creator.
4 I am telling you nothing but the truth,
for I am a man of great knowledge.

5 “God is mighty, but he does not despise anyone!
He is mighty in both power and understanding.
6 He does not let the wicked live
but gives justice to the afflicted.
7 He never takes his eyes off the innocent,
but he sets them on thrones with kings
and exalts them forever.
8 If they are bound in chains
and caught up in a web of trouble,
9 he shows them the reason.
He shows them their sins of pride.
10 He gets their attention
and commands that they turn from evil."

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Wow, Elihu's a little prideful don't you think? Check out verse 4, lol. While he does have some pretty accurate descriptions of our caring and holy God, I think his pride is getting in the way of him effectively consoling Job.

Verses 11-21:

11 “If they listen and obey God,
they will be blessed with prosperity throughout their lives.
All their years will be pleasant.
12 But if they refuse to listen to him,
they will be killed by the sword
and die from lack of understanding.
13 For the godless are full of resentment.
Even when he punishes them,
they refuse to cry out to him for help.
14 They die when they are young,
after wasting their lives in immoral living.
15 But by means of their suffering, he rescues those who suffer.
For he gets their attention through adversity.

16 “God is leading you away from danger, Job,
to a place free from distress.
He is setting your table with the best food.
17 But you are obsessed with whether the godless will be judged.
Don’t worry, judgment and justice will be upheld.
18 But watch out, or you may be seduced by wealth.
Don’t let yourself be bribed into sin.
19 Could all your wealth
or all your mighty efforts
keep you from distress?
20 Do not long for the cover of night,
for that is when people will be destroyed.
21 Be on guard! Turn back from evil,
for God sent this suffering
to keep you from a life of evil."

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There's a lot of food for thought in this section. At the beginning of this section, Elihu sounds like he's a proponent of the 'health and wealth' gospel, meaning that if you are truly in God's perfect will, you will have prosperity and good health. Now while I don't agree with that theology, I do believe that if a person is in the perfect will of God and is so connected to Him through prayer and devotion, that no matter what situations or conditions find their way to him, he will be content and happy because of his relationship with the Almighty. I do also agree with Elihu that there are times when God allows things to happen to you and me in order to get our attention, however I'm not sure if EVERY little thing could fall into that.

Verses 22-33:

22 “Look, God is all-powerful.
Who is a teacher like him?
23 No one can tell him what to do,
or say to him, ‘You have done wrong.’
24 Instead, glorify his mighty works,
singing songs of praise.
25 Everyone has seen these things,
though only from a distance.

26 “Look, God is greater than we can understand.
His years cannot be counted.
27 He draws up the water vapor
and then distills it into rain.
28 The rain pours down from the clouds,
and everyone benefits.
29 Who can understand the spreading of the clouds
and the thunder that rolls forth from heaven?
30 See how he spreads the lightning around him
and how it lights up the depths of the sea.
31 By these mighty acts he nourishes the people,
giving them food in abundance.
32 He fills his hands with lightning bolts
and hurls each at its target.
33 The thunder announces his presence;
the storm announces his indignant anger."

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What a mighty God we serve! I've recently been working on increasing my prayer life and trying to be more effective in my prayer life, and in the process of doing this, I've begun to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of how mighty our God is. I'm so incredibly thankful for His love and grace. Reading these words brings a mental picture of his might and power, and brings me to my knees in adoration and praise. What about you?

"Father You are mighty and worthy of all of our praise and so much more! I pray God that You would be lifted higher in our lives than everything else! May we remove anything that competes with You for the number one position in our lives and give our all to You! It's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen."

Job 35

Verses 1-8:

"Then Elihu said:

2 “Do you think it is right for you to claim,
‘I am righteous before God’?
3 For you also ask, ‘What’s in it for me?
What’s the use of living a righteous life?’

4 “I will answer you
and all your friends, too.
5 Look up into the sky,
and see the clouds high above you.
6 If you sin, how does that affect God?
Even if you sin again and again,
what effect will it have on him?
7 If you are good, is this some great gift to him?
What could you possibly give him?
8 No, your sins affect only people like yourself,
and your good deeds also affect only humans."

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I would have to argue a different point than Elihu. I believe that our sin does affect God. It brings Him great grief. Each time that we sin, we contribute to the ongoing evil, pain, and suffering that takes place in this world. I don't think God just sits up there and watches it all happen without being 'affected' by it. Secondly, our good works CAN serve as gifts to our God. On numerous occasions, Paul wrote about us living our lives and doing the best we can on everything that we do, offering it all up as an offering and an act of worship to our God.

Verses 9-16:

9 “People cry out when they are oppressed.
They groan beneath the power of the mighty.
10 Yet they don’t ask, ‘Where is God my Creator,
the one who gives songs in the night?
11 Where is the one who makes us smarter than the animals
and wiser than the birds of the sky?’
12 And when they cry out, God does not answer
because of their pride.
13 But it is wrong to say God doesn’t listen,
to say the Almighty isn’t concerned.
14 You say you can’t see him,
but he will bring justice if you will only wait.
15 You say he does not respond to sinners with anger
and is not greatly concerned about wickedness.
16 But you are talking nonsense, Job.
You have spoken like a fool.”

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I can't help but show some interest in verse 13. There are times when I can say that this seems true and there are times when I can say that this seems false. I think it's important to remember above all else that our God is an interpersonal God, seeking an interpersonal relationship with mankind, not some legal relationship. If we are able to keep this in the forefront of our minds, I think a lot of the troubling things we hear about God can be easily dismissed, remedied, or corrected.

"Father I pray that You would forgive us when we get things wrong. May we seek to grow closer to You, and in doing so not misrepresent You to the people around us. I pray that evangelism would become a high priority and passion of ours and that we would make the most of every opportunity You provide to share Jesus with the people who don't yet know Him. It's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen."

Job 34

Verses 34.1-9:

"Then Elihu said:

2 “Listen to me, you wise men.
Pay attention, you who have knowledge.
3 Job said, ‘The ear tests the words it hears
just as the mouth distinguishes between foods.’
4 So let us discern for ourselves what is right;
let us learn together what is good.
5 For Job also said, ‘I am innocent,
but God has taken away my rights.
6 I am innocent, but they call me a liar.
My suffering is incurable, though I have not sinned.’

7 “Tell me, has there ever been a man like Job,
with his thirst for irreverent talk?
8 He chooses evil people as companions.
He spends his time with wicked men.
9 He has even said, ‘Why waste time
trying to please God?’"

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Elihu seems to me to be a bitter man. I'm not sure what would cause him to be so, but just looking at his statements here, I can tell that what he says and is going to say isn't going to be the most constructive words spoken in this conversation. Then again, I COULD be reading more into it than I should.

Verses 10-20:

10 “Listen to me, you who have understanding.
Everyone knows that God doesn’t sin!
The Almighty can do no wrong.
11 He repays people according to their deeds.
He treats people as they deserve.
12 Truly, God will not do wrong.
The Almighty will not twist justice.
13 Did someone else put the world in his care?
Who set the whole world in place?
14 If God were to take back his spirit
and withdraw his breath,
15 all life would cease,
and humanity would turn again to dust.

16 “Now listen to me if you are wise.
Pay attention to what I say.
17 Could God govern if he hated justice?
Are you going to condemn the almighty judge?
18 For he says to kings, ‘You are wicked,’
and to nobles, ‘You are unjust.’
19 He doesn’t care how great a person may be,
and he pays no more attention to the rich than to the poor.
He made them all.
20 In a moment they die.
In the middle of the night they pass away;
the mighty are removed without human hand."

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Pretty heavy stuff don't you think? I can't help but see some truth in Elihu's words here. While I'm not sure I would have spoken them in the way that he has, leading to a point/goal that I'm not sure would be conducive to Job in his situation.

Verses 21-30:

21 “For God watches how people live;
he sees everything they do.
22 No darkness is thick enough
to hide the wicked from his eyes.
23 We don’t set the time
when we will come before God in judgment.
24 He brings the mighty to ruin without asking anyone,
and he sets up others in their place.
25 He knows what they do,
and in the night he overturns and destroys them.
26 He strikes them down because they are wicked,
doing it openly for all to see.
27 For they turned away from following him.
They have no respect for any of his ways.
28 They cause the poor to cry out, catching God’s attention.
He hears the cries of the needy.
29 But if he chooses to remain quiet,
who can criticize him?
When he hides his face, no one can find him,
whether an individual or a nation.
30 He prevents the godless from ruling
so they cannot be a snare to the people."

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There are times that I have wondered if I have done things to make the poor cry out and catch God's attention. I can't help but think about all of the times when I've had an opportunity to stop and help someone, even if it's just buying them a sandwich from a fast food place and yet I didn't. I know these days the tendency is that there are a lot of people who are 'faking' their cover stories to get money for drugs and alcohol, but there are still some people who are legitimately in need all around us. My question that I need to ask myself each day is, "How can I be Christ to them today?"

Verses 31-37:

31 “Why don’t people say to God, ‘I have sinned,

but I will sin no more’?
32 Or ‘I don’t know what evil I have done—tell me.
If I have done wrong, I will stop at once’?

33 “Must God tailor his justice to your demands?
But you have rejected him!
The choice is yours, not mine.
Go ahead, share your wisdom with us.
34 After all, bright people will tell me,
and wise people will hear me say,
35 ‘Job speaks out of ignorance;
his words lack insight.’
36 Job, you deserve the maximum penalty
for the wicked way you have talked.
37 For you have added rebellion to your sin;
you show no respect,
and you speak many angry words against God.”

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Verses 31-32 pose very good questions in my opinion. Why DON'T we tell God these things? Also verse 33 points out a little information that I think is important. Elihu says that Job has chosen to reject God. Now while he's wrong about Job, I find it interesting that he attributes it to a choice. In order for Calvinism to be correct, there would be no choice, because Job would irresistibly have to reject God. The mere fact that Elihu pointed this out, I think is pretty big. While his conclusion about Job may be incorrect, I'm not so sure his underlying premise about choice is.

"Father please forgive us when we fail to live as You call us. I pray that we would grow closer to You and in turn be transformed into the people You desire for us to be! Thank You for loving us and for sending Jesus to save us from sin and the realm of evil. May we recommit our lives to You each and every day. It's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen!"

Job 33

Verses 1-11:

“Listen to my words, Job;
pay attention to what I have to say.
2 Now that I have begun to speak,
let me continue.
3 I speak with all sincerity;
I speak the truth.
4 For the Spirit of God has made me,
and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
5 Answer me, if you can;
make your case and take your stand.
6 Look, you and I both belong to God.
I, too, was formed from clay.
7 So you don’t need to be afraid of me.
I won’t come down hard on you.

8 “You have spoken in my hearing,
and I have heard your very words.
9 You said, ‘I am pure; I am without sin;
I am innocent; I have no guilt.
10 God is picking a quarrel with me,
and he considers me his enemy.
11 He puts my feet in the stocks
and watches my every move.’"

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Now Elihu has Job solely in his sights. I have to at least commend this dude for his approach in talking to Job. So many times we just simply assume we understand what a person is saying, even when they might not seem to be as clear as they could be. Here Elihu repeated back what he heard Job say. This is a very important thing that I've learned that can help you avoid misunderstanding and arguments when talking with someone, haha.

Verses 12-22:

12 “But you are wrong, and I will show you why.
For God is greater than any human being.
13 So why are you bringing a charge against him?
Why say he does not respond to people’s complaints?
14 For God speaks again and again,
though people do not recognize it.
15 He speaks in dreams, in visions of the night,
when deep sleep falls on people
as they lie in their beds.
16 He whispers in their ears
and terrifies them with warnings.
17 He makes them turn from doing wrong;
he keeps them from pride.
18 He protects them from the grave,
from crossing over the river of death.

19 “Or God disciplines people with pain on their sickbeds,
with ceaseless aching in their bones.
20 They lose their appetite
for even the most delicious food.
21 Their flesh wastes away,
and their bones stick out.
22 They are at death’s door;
the angels of death wait for them."

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The biggest critique, based upon what I said about the previous section is that he didn't give Job a chance to respond to his understanding of what Job had said, or at least not that we're shown here in the book. I agree with Elihu's words in verse 14. There are many times that God is speaking to us, yet we fail to realize it because we aren't looking for it. It's a little funny that this verse came up here, because this idea is what this semester's theme is based off of. So you guys should feel privileged because you've gotten a sneak preview of what we're going to be doing this fall. =)

Verses 23-33:

23 “But if an angel from heaven appears—
a special messenger to intercede for a person
and declare that he is upright—
24 he will be gracious and say,
‘Rescue him from the grave,
for I have found a ransom for his life.’
25 Then his body will become as healthy as a child’s,
firm and youthful again.
26 When he prays to God,
he will be accepted.
And God will receive him with joy
and restore him to good standing.
27 He will declare to his friends,
‘I sinned and twisted the truth,
but it was not worth it.
28 God rescued me from the grave,
and now my life is filled with light.’

29 “Yes, God does these things
again and again for people.
30 He rescues them from the grave
so they may enjoy the light of life.
31 Mark this well, Job. Listen to me,
for I have more to say.
32 But if you have anything to say, go ahead.
Speak, for I am anxious to see you justified.
33 But if not, then listen to me.
Keep silent and I will teach you wisdom!”

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Reread verses 23-24. I know that he's saying this about an angel, but think about this. If this is true of an angel, think about our situation where God's own SON is mediating for us! Now, I'm sure these people would have been confident and assured if an angel had done this for them, but how confident and assured should we be that we have Jesus doing this for us!?!? What do you guys see here?

"Father thank You for saving us! Thank You for allowing Your Son to be our intermediary. I pray that You would fill us with the confidence and assurance that comes from Your Spirit. May we align ourselves with Your will and the message that You want the entire world to hear. We love You! It's in Jesus' name that pray, amen."