Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 3 Jan 2008

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 3 Jan 2008

Job 23: 10-12 But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. 11 My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside. 12 I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread. I pray that today’s word of encouragement will be an eye opener to us all. WHAT IS TRUE LOVE? Today, ask yourself this question: If God was to put us to the test, do we know for sure if we would come forth as gold? Everyday is a new test, a test of character, a test of mind, body, and spirit. Through all these tests, it is obvious when we fail and when we succeed. Job 23:11 says, “My feet have closely followed His steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside.” If we have closely followed His steps and have never turned aside, most definitely we would come forth as gold. But you see, some days we don’t read the Bible, some days we don’t pray, some days we get too caught up with work, with family issues, and eventually we neglect to follow his steps closely. So then when we are desperate then suddenly we start reading the bible, praying, and focusing on God. THE SPIRITUAL ROLLERCOASTER. Are you on this spiritual rollercoaster? To follow Jesus’ footsteps closely is to not turn aside, but it is more than that, Job 23:12, “I have not departed from the commands of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread.” Job clearly shows us what true love for Christ is like. You see God sees right through us and knows those who love Him more than anything, more than our daily needs, more than the temporal suffering and pain. For some of us it is time to get off that “spiritual rollercoaster” and build steadfast faith and commitment. For some of us it is a reminder not to give up, be bold and courageous, you may not come out gold and see all of God’s blessings today—but you know that you are going to come out gold. Finally, I hope you would think of this question and answer it to God: Would you still love God with all of your heart if everything was taken away, you lived in suffering, and you never received God’s blessings? © Jan 2008 Shaun Lee