Have you ever had to defend your faith?

Joy to you today, and in all your tomorrows, my Coffee Hour friend! I don’t know about you, but I am so encouraged to learn that there are so many ingredients in the free gift of joy! I guess that’s why it is possible to have it even in chaos and turmoil! But now just to grasp it in the midst of chaos and turmoil! Grab your coffee and let’s go to our next stop in our journey to Destination? Joyful! ™
The next stop in Job involves another so-called friend of Job named Zophar, who had an argument or pleading with Job that sounded much like Bildad’s; however, I kind of like his for it is more direct, not so muddy! In Job 20:5, Zophar’s sermon about the wicked man states that the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite is but for a moment!
I don’t know about you, but that statement, which is God-inspired, gives me a sort of relief knowing that ultimately, true joy stands the test of time, shines through the darkness of hypocricy and carries us into eternity!
Let’s move on to the next stop, which is in Job 29:13. This is Job’s summary defense! Just imagine a trial, if you will. This is Job’s closing arguments for defending his faith, his love for his God, our God and the truth of his deeds. By the way, did you know that Job was believed to have been a judge, a sort of magistrate/councilman in his day? Interesting!
So about halfway through his defense, Job is speaking about the good deeds he has done, and reminiscing about the fruit he received for those. Oh, how sweet it is to look back and remember when … which is what he’s doing in verse 13: “The blessing of a perishing man came upon me and I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy.”
Now that phrase, “The blessing of a perishing man came upon me” intrigues me so follow me for an explanation. Something tells me it will make the recipe of joy all the more rich!
A-ha, this is what Guzik’s commentary says: “Not only did Job gain the attention of the people and leaders of the city in days past; they also liked him and what he had to say. He was blessed and approved by those who heard him.” He goes on to explain the blessing: ‘Because I delivered the poor who cried out . . . I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy . . . I was eyes to the blind, and I was feet to the lame.”
Here Job wasn’t boasting about his good deeds; rather he was describing how his reputation for wisdom and goodness was earned. He was a man full of good and noble works, especially to the poor and disadvantaged.
Whew, I see a couple more ingredients or are those byproducts in this recipe for joy? Join me tomorrow for more journeying toward this highly-craved gift of joy!
Love and laughter,

Evinda

The Adulterous Woman-From Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power

Thanks for coming to Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power for more of The Adulterous Woman. I think we may actually get to meet her today! Grab your coffee and come on in.

As we wrap up the definitions for deceived, keep this statement in mind: “His/her arrogance consists of claiming honor for him or herself. His/her comparing him/herself is not the sin. It is the sin that causes him/her to compare!

So in the midst of this meeting led by these prideful men, Nicodemus – a Pharisee who had actually gone to visit Jesus prior to this feast and this meeting – spoke up and said: “Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?”

Talk about risking his reputation and position! They could have thrown him out right then and there on his ear for defending Jesus by reminding them that they weren’t even abiding by their own laws, but he wasn’t. But it is important that we understand that the Pharisees knew they were losing ground and that knowledge perpetuated the viscous cycle. Their hypocritical ways were slowly exposed and as the exposure increased, their prestige decreased. Pride was interfering with their ability to reason and deception took over, convincing them that they must get rid of Jesus to save face. Right and wrong no longer mattered.

The meeting ended and everyone went to their own houses.  Early the next morning Jesus headed back to the Temple and the scriptures say all the people came to Him. If we ponder that for a minute, we would have to conclude that the people who returned were looking for Him, wanting to hear more from Him. Have you ever been excited to go somewhere and when you got up the day of, you were so excited you could hardly wait? That’s how I imagine these people who came were, filled with excitement and maybe even curiosity.

Well, Jesus didn’t disappoint those who came, because He sat with them and taught them. Picture with me a huge sanctuary, filled, and when I picture this particular scene, I see Him standing amongst them, in a way that all could see and yet His teaching is reaching out and inviting them to Him. Despite there being lots and lots of people, it is quiet but for Jesus’ voice and all of a sudden, there’s an interruption that renders an attention switch. It becomes quiet, as quiet as a crowd of this size can be because Jesus stops speaking. Everyone turns their heads to see what Jesus is looking at. It is none other than the scribes and Pharisees, but wait, who is that they are nearly dragging toward Jesus?
Join me tomorrow for the actual introduction!

Evinda


P.S. Join me and Steve today for Blog Talk Radio as we continue on in the Breaking Free from Co-Dependency series of our Destination? Joyful! ™ show.