In Job 23:10, he writes, “But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”  We all know the story of Job.  Everything, save his own life, was suddenly stripped away from him at once.  God allowed Job to suffer trials during a season of his life.  Also, this testing was not the result of any wrong doing on the part of Job.  Bible commentator Matthew Henry said, “Extraordinary afflictions are not always the punishment of extraordinary sins, but sometimes the trial of extraordinary graces.”  Such was the case with Job.

Interestingly, Job doesn’t imply ‘if’ He tries me.  Job was in the midst of a trial, and he knew more were coming.  Trials are not a matter of ‘if’ but a matter of ‘when.’  When He tried him, Job was confident he would come forth as purified gold.  Job’s confidence was not in himself and his personal ability to weather a storm.  Rather, Job’s confidence was in God.  This is a depressing verse, were it not for the very first phrase.  After reading this verse, I reread the beginning so that it reads, “But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold…But he knoweth the way that I take.”

Shifting back to Genesis; in Genesis 18, Abraham is pleading with God to spare the righteous in the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.  “Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein?”  This begins a series of requests by Abraham as the number of righteous people diminished down to only ten.

During this sequence, Abraham asks a pivotal question in verse twenty-five, “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?”  The usage of the word “Judge” is intriguing.  It is capitalized, meaning that Abraham was unmistakably referring to God.  Furthermore, he uses the word “Judge.”  Not ruler, or master, or father.  God was all of those things, but Abraham knew that concerning the city of Sodom, He was acting as a Judge.  As Christians, we enjoy thinking of God as loving, kind, merciful, and gracious; however, we cannot separate God from the fact that he is righteous and holy and will exercise judgment.  Although Abraham was deeply concerned for his nephew, Lot, Abraham also knew that “the Judge of all the earth” will do right.

So, in an attempt to try and bring these thoughts together:

1. God is Gracious.  He knows the way that we take.  Despite how difficult our trials may seem, despite how distant we perceive God to be, despite how dire our situation—God is gracious!

2. God is Good.  He is the “Judge” of all the earth and He will righteously exercise His judgment.  “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?”  Of course, because although He is Gracious—He is Good.

3. God is Glorified.  In the end, God is always to receive glory for what is accomplished.  Whether it’s rebuilding a man’s family or destroying an entire city—God will be Glorified.

Trials are a part of the Christian life.  When we endure trials, it’s appropriate to ask, “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?’’  The answer is simple, “He knoweth the way that I take.”

2. Social networking is a communication tool; therefore, it is an extension of the tongue. FaceBook is just another way to speak, to communicate, and to express ourselves; it is a platform from which we can say things and be heard by others. Because of this truth, all scriptural teaching relating to conversation and the tongue applies to the use of this technology. The Bible is filled with practical helps in the use of such things as FaceBook and other communication mediums. For example, in Ephesians 4:29 the Bible says, Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace to the hearers. Since FaceBooking is a form of communication, everything we say from this mode of speaking should be edifying, good, and filled with grace. In Ecclesiastes 5:2, the Bible says, be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter anything before God, for God is in heaven, and thou upon the earth, therefore let thy words be few. Think about this admonition for a moment and how it relates to how many use social networking today. First, the principle of carefully considering our words still holds true. Whether we speak them or type them, we need to evaluate all that we say. We ought not to be quick to speak or to reply without careful and evaluative consideration. We need to also consider that God is taking note of all we say (or type) and will hold us accountable for it. Let thy words be few still has application, and those who ramble on continuously on FaceBook need to consider that in the multitude of words there wanteth not sin (Proverbs 10:19) is still true. If nothing else, this technology multiplies our words and keeps them on record longer for reflection. It allows us to say more to more people, and that is a responsibility we need to ponder soberly. Consider Matthew12:36 in relationship to the way some multiply words via social networking: But I say unto you, that every word that men shall speak (or type), they shall give an account thereof in the day of judgment. Not only does your computer or phone keep a record of all that you say, but so does the Lord. My point is not that you should not use FaceBook, but if you choose to use it, you are still under the scriptural obligation to carefully use and choose your words. Placing them on the Internet allows many other people to hear your words; therefore, it also multiplies your accountability and responsibility. I don’t know about you, but it is a challenge for me to personally govern all the words I speak from my mouth, I’m not sure I need the additional pressure of looking over many more. I would like to challenge you review all the Bible has to say about the tongue and our speech and then review your latest statuses, chats, blogs, messages, and comments and make sure they are falling in line with God’s heart for our conversation.

I just LOVE Christmas!

Well, it’s obvious as we look around that not everyone really understands, or believes, what Christmas is all about…They may not even know the “ABC’s” of Christmas!  It’s good for all of us to see through the tinsel and fantasy to the truth of the great story of Bethlehem.

Perhaps no verse in the Bible presents these “ABC’s” like II Corinthians 8: 9, which reads “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.” There it is in a nutshell -  three simple, yet profound truths – the “bottom line” of Christmas!

First, “He was RICH.” We see some “rich” people in this world, – the average rich, the medium rich, the super rich, and the incredibly rich- from “wealthy” to “multi-millionaires” to “billionaires.” We might say the “average rich” fly first class, the “medium rich” charter a jet, the “super rich” own the jet, and the incredibly rich own the airline.  Jesus owns more -  He owns the skies! The Bible says “He as rich,” speaking of what He had before He left heaven to come to earth! Before Bethlehem, Jesus was the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, worshiped by the angels, and sharing the glory of the Father in Heaven…The accumulated wealth of those on earth with the greatest riches, power, influence, skill, genius, wisdom, insight, and ability could not come close to the riches of the Savior.  That’s part of the story, but Christmas begins with what happens next:

“He became POOR.” He Who was rich in eternity became poor in time. Not “He was made poor,” but “He became poor,” of His own will – He, the richest of all, chose poverty. He left heaven for a remote village to join a despised race and be born to a peasant girl in a stable. This incarnation is the heart of the Gospel, and of Christmas…He wrapped Himself in flesh at that manger in Bethlehem.

There’s the “A” and “B” – Rich to Poor.  The “C” of the “ABCs” is the truth we must know to discover the true meaning of Christmas. It expresses the purpose of Christmas that so many miss! –

“That we might be rich” That’s the grace that is expressed in this verse – the undeserved favor of the Savior, leaving all, to take our sin, and to give us His righteousness.  We come to God as paupers with empty hands, bare pockets, nothing to offer, and no claim of any goodness…He forgives our sin and makes us rich beyond measure!  C.S. Lewis said it this way: “The Son of God became a son of man in order that the sons of men might become the sons of God.” What a privilege to be His child, and it’s all because of Christmas, when “He who was rich… became poor that… we might be rich.”

At this season of giving, let us who are “rich” in Christ share the “ABC’s of Christmas” with those who desperately need to hear the truth of what really happened in Bethlehem.

We live in an impure world – and that’s an understatement! Men have always struggled with their thought life. Christ recognized our struggle when He stated, “whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” He recognized the challenge that His own disciples faced in keeping their thoughts pure. King Solomon instructed, “Lust not after her beauty in thine heart.”

Technology has completely changed the game for men and made lust easier than it’s ever been. Portals have been opened for men that have never before existed. No longer do we have to leave our home or even our car or office to view images and fill our hearts with lust. We now can gain access to the Internet through laptops, tablet computers, and even cell phones.

Pornography is accessible and the fight for purity must be fought harder by God’s men than it ever has been.  A few reasons you should have a pure mind:

- Impure thoughts limit God’s use of your life.

Chinese philosopher Mencius wrote, “Before a man can do things there must be things he will not do.”

In ways you may understand and in ways you will never understand, sin always limits God’s use of us. The more we become like Him – the more pure we are – the more God can use us.

2 Chronicles 16:9 “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.”

- Impure thoughts steal joy and satisfaction from your heart and in time will destroy a part of your soul.

Men who give into their desire to view pornographic images (including but not limited to websites, movies, advertisements) or who allow their eyes to linger on a woman literally destroy a part of themselves.

1 Corinthians 6:18 “Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.”

How do you fight your lust and strive for a pure mind? Very briefly:

1. Seek accountability

Software – there are some great filters and software (Covenant Eyes and Safe Eyes among others) that can help you monitor your phone, computer, and tablet. Limiting access is half the battle.

Friend – we are to confess our faults one to another that we may be healed. Find a friend to hold you accountable and that will ask you questions that other people will not.

2. Strive to walk with God

God has promised to help us in our struggle with sin. A daily walk with God will strengthen and empower you.

1 Corinthians 10:13 “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

3. Support modesty

Support modesty in your home with your wife and with your daughters. Exercise the authority God has given you to ask your wife and daughters not to wear clothing that will attract the attention of other men.

Ladies, you can help here by simply being thoughtful about what you wear.

Our culture teaches women to dress sexy. Advertisers pour it on thick. There is nothing wrong with a woman being sexy…for her husband and behind closed doors – in fact she should do everything in her power to be sexy for her husband!

However, ladies, outside of your husband please don’t dress or act to attract men’s attention. Without going into great detail, understand that men struggle with what they see and you can literally help a man not sin by simply dressing modestly.

May God help you today as you fight for purity and seek to cultivate a pure mind and body ready to be used by God.

The art of giving thanks is one thing that separates man from the animals, or at least it should. Ray Stedman, in his book Folk Songs of Faith, relates an experience of Dr. Harry Ironside in a crowded restaurant.  The story goes that just as Dr. Ironside was about to begin his meal, a man approached and asked to join him.  Ironside invited him to have a seat.  Then, as was his custom, Ironside bowed his head in prayer.  When he opened his eyes, the other man asked, “Do you have a headache?”  Ironside replied, “No, I was simply thanking God as I always do before I eat.”  The man said, “Oh, you’re one of those, are you? Well, I want you to know I never give thanks. I earn my money by the sweat of my brow and I don’t have to give thanks to anybody when I eat.  I just start right in!”  Ironside said, “Yes, you’re just like my dog.  That’s what he does too!”

To receive a gift and say “thank you” is one of the noblest things we can do- there is nothing small or trivial about it. To say “thank you” is to acknowledge that we have been given something we did not earn or deserve.  Happy is the man that understands that all of life is a gift from God, and that life itself is the ultimate gift, which is why the Bible says, “In everything give thanks.” (I Thess. 5:18)  When we can’t do anything else, we can be grateful! Someone has well said “If you can’t be thankful for what you have received, be thankful for what you have escaped.”

It is traditional at Thanksgiving to be asked to make a list of our blessings, and certainly we should.  Our list usually begins and ends with material blessings, which is a good thing.  However, this list does not exhaust the subject – it does not include everything for which we should be thankful.

This year, add to your list two groups of things:

1.       Things from which you have been weaned this past year. -  That is, things that through suffering and hardship God has taken away from you that have made your faith stronger and deeper.

2.       Things you used to think you couldn’t live without, but now know that you can. -  Maybe a relationship, a possession, a person, even a dream….Anything that has happened in your life which makes you say, “God has shown me I don’t have to have that in order to be happy.”

It’s wonderful to know that our loving Father always has our best interest at heart, and when we humbly  reflect on His blessings we have an even greater to desire to give Him glory during this Thanksgiving season.