Loving Jesus enduringly

“He who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty" Job 6:14

When Job lament of his birth and sufferings Eliphaz responded with words of theology, a seemingly sound doctrine and subtle assumption that Job had sinned and need of repentance.

Eliphaz words seemed so sound but as I kept reading the chapters all over again. What Eliphaz was saying wasn’t sitting right in my heart. There is something off.

I later realise as I continue reading, Job also refuted what Eliphaz has said. Job was able to defend his grief and complaints and Job ended criticising Eliphaz for what he said. Thats when I realise why the words of Eliphaz earlier was really off. It was because His words weren’t loving nor helpful at all.

Let a grieving man, grieve. Grieve with him. Let a lamenting man, lament. Lament with him.

Let a questioning man, question. Question with him

Let a praying man, pray. Pray with him.

Then wait on the Lord’s response. It may be a rebuke, an encouragement, or a series of rhetorical questions.

Roadtrip.

Who has first given to me, that I should repay him? Whatever is under the whole heaven is mine.

Job 41:11

petitefleuriste:

thengrace:

Backsliding generally first begins with neglect of private prayer.

— J.C. Ryle

redeemed-renewed-restored:

~ Quiet Place 2022. Where I meet HIM.

My Quiet Place 2021. Where I meet Him. 💕

yieldfruit:

acquiesce

[ ak-wee-es ]

verb

to assent tacitly; submit or comply silently or without protest; agree; consent.

MONDAY - 3rd April 2023

Bible reading: 1 Chronicles 20 and 2 Corinthians 3

Two ideas struck me in today’s reading. First, it’s the ministry of condemnation and second is the ministry of righteousness. 

The ministry of condemnation refers to God’s holy law, Paul mentioned that when this is read out, when this is being ministered “a veil lies over their hearts”. The ministry of condemnation is where the minister’s love to tick the box when they do what’s right. Doing their best to ensure perfectionism to please God. This is more of a performance because when the person does not get it right comes condemnation and frankly, no one gets it right.

To dig a little more, it was also written in 2 Corinthians 3 that this is also a ministry of death. Every time the law is read out or ministered the sin gets exposed. When this is exposed, the feeling of shame, guilt, and condemnation shows how dead we are spiritually. Just like the people who lived in the Old testament like David in 1 Chronicles 20 is the time where his men were out in the battle and he remained in Jerusalem and had fallen to the sin of adultery with Bathsheba which he had done secretly. David in his words while Nathan rebukes David claims that such a man deserves to die but David repented and Nathan said to David “The Lord has put away your sin, you shall not die” but David’s child dies. 

While In Jesus Christ comes forth the ministry of righteousness. The ministry of righteousness is done through faith in Jesus Christ. In Jesus Christ comes the Holy Spirit being granted to us guaranteeing our new found freedom in Jesus Christ. It is written that when one turns to the Lord the veil is lifted. “But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom” 2 Cor 3:16-17

While reading these chapters, I realize that even when I’ve been a Christian for so long there are lingering mistakes that I do which is ministering to myself by God’s law that really exposes me to shame, guilt, and condemnation. I try to tick boxes and organize my life to please God and the results devastate me because I can’t get it right even when I am in my strongest will which really shows that I am weak. I realize this isn’t the way to go over and over again. It’s okay, I admit that I am quite hard on myself. I realize when I do that to myself it would be at the cost of my intimacy with God. I really miss God.

But of course, God is faithful and his grace is always present. Today, he taught me that true freedom comes from His Spirit. My sufficiency comes from God. To lift the veil is after all a sweet view of my Beloved.

“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord” ~ 1 Cor 3:18

redeemed-renewed-restored:

A youngster’s heart is filled with foolishness, but physical discipline will drive it far away.

Proverbs 22:15 NLT

A quarrelsome wife is as annoying as constant dripping on a rainy day. Stopping her complaints is like trying to stop the wind or trying to hold something with greased hands.

Proverbs 27:15‭-‬16 NLT

An adulterous woman consumes a man, then wipes her mouth and says, “What’s wrong with that?”

Proverbs 30:20 NLT