THE LORD GOD, the Adversary, and JOB!

Summary

This episode provides you the listener a reading of the first three chapters of the Book of Job, who was a faithful man of God. The purpose of the story of Job was to demonstrate God’s sovereignty and the meaning of true unwavering faith. It addresses the question, “Why do the righteous suffer?”

Job was from the land of Uz, being a prosperous farmer, he was very well off for his time in Biblical history of the Old Testament. During that time lost his wealth, children, and health through no fault of his own. Even his friends were convinced that Job had brought this suffering upon himself. They wrongly assumed that suffering always came because of sin, and tried to persuade Job to repent of his sin. But the three friends were wrong. Suffering is not always a direct result of personal sin. When we experience severe suffering, it may not be our fault, so we don’t have to add to our pain by feeling guilty that some hidden sin is causing our trouble. For Job, the greatest trial was not the pain or the loss; it was not understanding why God allowed him to suffer.

Satan attempted to drive a wedge between Job and God by getting Job to believe that God’s governing of the world was not just and reasonable. Satan had to ask God for permission to take Job’s wealth, children, and health away. Satan was limited to what God allowed. Satan was allowed to destroy Job’s children, servants, livestock, herdsmen, and home; but John continued to trust in God. Next Satan attacked Job physically, covering him with painful sores. Job’s wife told him to curse God and die (2:9), but Job suffered in silence.

Suffering can be, but is not always, a penalty for sin. In the same way, prosperity is not always a reward for being good. Those who love God are not exempt from trouble. Although we may not be able to understand fully the pain we experience, it can lead us to rediscover God.

We must learn to recognize and not fear Satan’s attacks because Satan cannot exceed the limits that God sets. Don’t let any experience drive a wedge between you and God. Although you can’t control how Satan may attack, you can always choose how to respond when it happens.

It is easy to think that we have all the answers. In reality, only God knows exactly why things happen as they do, and we must submit to Him as our Sovereign. As you read this book, emulate Job and decide to trust God no matter what happens. Trust and believe in God, He will never leave you nor forsake you. What we must remember is that our God is better than any of our problems. When someone tells you how big their problem is, ask them, how big is their God.

Blessings,

Elder Barbara

LAB

Job lost his wealth, children, and health through no fault of his own. Even his friends were convinced that Job had brought this suffering upon himself. For Job, the greatest trial was not the pain or the loss; it was not being able to understand why God allowed him to suffer.

Transcription

“THE OAK TREE” A Message of Encouragement

Summary

This episode provides a message of encouragement referencing John Mark. Mistakes are effective teachers. Their consequences have a way of making lessons painfully clear. But those who learn from their mistakes are likely to develop wisdom. John Mark was a good learner who just needed some time and encouragement.

Mark was eager to do the right thing, but he had trouble staying with a task. In his Gospel, Mark mentions a young man (probably referring to himself), who fled in such fear during Jesus’ arrest that he left his clothes behind. This tendency to run was to reappear later when Paul and Barnabas took him as their assistant on their first missionary journey. At their second stop, Mark left them and returned to Jerusalem. It was a decision Paul did not easily accept. In preparing for their second journey two years later, Barnabas again suggested Mark as a traveling companion, but Paul flatly refused. As a result, the team was divided. Barnabas took Mark with him, and Paul chose Silas. Barnabas was patient with Mark, and the young man repaid his investment. Paul and Mark were later reunited, and the older apostle became a close friend of the young disciple.

Mark was a valuable companion to three early Christian leaders — Barnabas, Paul, and Peter. The material in Mark’s Gospel seems to have come mostly from Peter. Mark’s role as a serving assistant allowed him to be an observer. He heard Peter’s accounts of the years with Jesus over and over, and he was one of the first to put Jesus’ life in writing.

Barnabas played a key role in Mark’s life. He stood beside the young man despite his failure, giving him patient encouragement. Mark challenges us to learn from our mistakes and appreciate the patience of others.

Take a moment and think it over, is there a Barnabas in your life you need to thank for his or her encouragement to you?

Blessings

Elder Barbara

LAB|HALLMARK

Transcription

THE SECRET PLACE

Summary

Psalms 91 The psalmist expresses the great confidence he has in the security that comes from dwelling in the shadow of the Almighty. With Him, there is abiding protection (91:1). Just like a bird takes refuge under the wings of its parent, the believer who lives under the cover of God’s covenant finds safety (91:4). 

God covers His own with His faithfulness at all times. He provides them with a shield of protection. It assures us that God will be our refuge and that we may seek His protection in times of spiritual and physical danger. The promise of God’s security extends to those that trust in Him, those who commit themselves to the will and protection of the Almighty and daily seek to dwell in God’s presence. The more fully we abide in Christ and His word, making Him our life and dwelling place, the fuller will be our peace and the greater our deliverance in times of danger (Mat. 23:37; John 15:1—11).

91:10 There shall no evil befall thee. Nothing can happen to a faithful servant except with God’s permission. This truth does not mean that there will never be unpleasant or difficult times (Rom. 8:35—36), but that as long as we make God our LORD and refuge, everything that happens to us will work out for our good. 

Rom 8:28 All Things Work Together For Good. This passage in the book of Romans, greater encourages the children of God when we must endure suffering in this life. (1) God will bring good out of all affliction, trials, persecution, and suffering; the good that God brings about is conforming us to the image of Christ and ultimately bringing about our glorification. (2) This promise is limited to those who love God and have submitted to Him by faith in Christ (Ex. 20:6; Deut. 7:9; Ps 37:17; Is. 56:4—7; 1 Cor. 2:9). (3) The “all things” do not include our sins and negligence, no one can excuse sin by maintaining that God will work it out for good.  

The psalmist communicates God’s promise to deliver and protect those who set their hearts on Him. Indeed, the believer whose heart is devoted and submitted to the LORD in this way can count on God to rescue Him and satisfy him with the full length of days ordained for him (91:15—16).

Blessings

Elder Barbara

FLKJV|TTEBC4

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MANY PLANS ARE IN A PERSON’s HEART, It’s the LORD’s purpose that prevails!

Summary

Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.”  This episode digs into the plans of what God has for you may be bigger than you imagine. Many are the plans in a person’s heart. A wise person commits their plans to the LORD. Proverbs 16:3 reads, “Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. In his heart, a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.”  

A person whose plans oppose the LORD as in Psalm 2:1-3 “Why do the nations rage and the people’s plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and their rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, ‘Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us’, may actually become God’s enemy. But the person whose ways are from God will certainly succeed Proverbs 16:1, 9 reads  (1) To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the proper answer of the tongue. (9) In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.

I like the way Pastor Evans laid it out for us to grasp a clear understanding of this scripture of Proverbs 19:21 NIV “Many are the plans in a person’s heart,” but above all else, we must believe in the value of seeking God and His mind on all things. We can plan our schedules as much as we want, but what God has declared is guaranteed to take place. God did not create us and redeem us to live a plotless, purposeless existence. And that’s good news!“

We should not settle for just anything. God could have something that is bigger for us. If we step out of our own way and allow God’s dream for us to materialize. Then we will behold His purpose and plans for us. Therefore, The LORD’s decree will prevail, so seek Him and His calling for your life.

Blessings,

Elder Barbara

TTEBC|HBS

Transcription

A NOTE OF IMPORTANCE TO MY SONS! (and yours)

Summary

Love and faithfulness are important character qualities. Both involve actions as well as attitudes. A loving person not only feels love; he or she also acts loyal and responsibly. A faithful person not only believes the truth; he or she also works for justice for others. Thoughts and words are not enough, our lives reveal whether we are truly loving and faithful.  

In the Book of Proverbs within the third chapter, the Word speaks of the LORD’s discipline. As a father speaking to his son passing along encouraging words of wisdom. Informing that the LORD’S disciple is the other side of God’s grace. We, as children of the Highest, should cherish God’s correction in our lives because God disciplines those He loves (Heb 2:7-10). The Beatitudes of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount (Mt 5:3-12) work much the way these verses are found in Proverbs. God is pleased with people who discover that wisdom is a priceless treasure. 

Here we find one of the most beloved, quoted, and memorized scripture on trusting in God; “Trust in the LORD, with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding.” (5 & 6) I read to trust the LORD means believing in who He is and trusting in what He says, which goes along with placing your confidence in Him. “Trust Him where you can’t trace Him!” Even the blind man that sat by the roadside, calling out to Him trusted that He could heal him, having not seen yet he had heard of this Man called Jesus, son of David. 

Solomon the author of Proverbs, was inspired by God to write to his sons, to provide them with instruction to open their minds and hearts to all that is around them. To shun evil and do good, to be helpers of another to seek the paths of righteousness, and to stay up on the path once found. In trusting in the instructions we find that God’s mercy is promising, and His truth in performing is everlasting. 

We have been blessed with a rich history to pass along to our next generation and that history is of all the LORD has done for us then and now. Therefore, pass along to your children, your sons, and daughters the wisdom found here in these verses of scripture in Proverbs. Parents must exhort their children to pursue wisdom and avoid evil. Young people need to know the proper route to take, but they also need to recognize the telltale warning signs of a path that leads to destruction. “Teach your children well”.

Blessings,

Elder Barbara

FLB|TEBC|LAB|HSB

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MOUNTAIN MOVING PRAYER

Summary

“This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’”

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God.” 

Prayer will not just change your life, it will give you a deeper perspective. It will increase your awareness that God is closer than when you first believed. He says; “Any when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

For those that stand in the gap for others than themselves, the Word in 1st Timothy says this, “I exhort therefore, that, first all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men”.

As Jesus makes intercession for us to the Father, we should always have the willingness of heart to intercede on behalf of another.  If you trust in and believe His Word, “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” Therefore, if we come with a heart to yield unto God our Father, asking, trusting that if it’s in God’s Will our prayers will be answered. 

How should we pray? “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;”. Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. 

Today’s broadcast was captured ‘LIVE,’ as those that gathered during intercessory prayer. Take a listen, and if so, join in praying for those that are on your heart. Does not matter the time you pray, send heavenward a prayer for someone. And if you are wondering what to pray for, turn on your local news station. There is so much going on right now in this world on every corner, every street, in every neighborhood, town, city, state, and the world. It’s praying time folks!

Blessings,

Elder Barbara

Transcription

The Guest with False Popularity

Summary

Reading Luke 14:7-15 The Parable of the Honored Guest. In ancient times the best seats at a meal were those next to the host. Here, Jesus takes occasion to reprove the guests for striving to sit in [the most important place], and this gives us a lesson of humility. Jesus observed how these lawyers and Pharisees loved the highest seats toward the head of the table. He marked how they chose out the chief rooms, every man, as he came in, got as near the best seat as he could. 

Experts in management tell us that most people wear an invisible sign that reads, “Please make me feel important”; if we heed that sign, we can succeed in human relations. Jesus taught two lessons here. First, He spoke to the guests, telling them not to seek places of honor. Service is more important in God’s kingdom than status. Second, He told the host not to be exclusive about whom he invites. God opens His kingdom to everyone. 

The way to rise high is to begin low. Selfishness brings embarrassment; courtesy is appreciated and rewarded. Jesus used these recognized facts to show spiritual truth: only the person who humbles himself can enter the kingdom of God. It ought to check our high thoughts of ourselves to think how many there are that are more honorable than we, not only in respect of worldly dignities but of personal merits and accomplishments. Instead of being proud that so many give place to us, it should be humbling to us that there are so many whom we must give place to. 

How can we humble ourselves? Some people try to give the appearance of humility in order to manipulate others. Others think that humility means putting themselves down. Truly humble people compare themselves only with Christ, realize their sinfulness, and understand their limitations. On the other hand, they also recognize their gifts and strengths and are willing to use them as Christ directs. Humility is not self-degradation; it is a realistic assessment and commitment to serve. 

When Jesus advised people not to rush for the best places at a feast. People today are just as eager to raise their social status, whether by being with the right people, dressing for success, or driving the right car. Whom do you try to impress? Rather than aiming for prestige, look for a place where you can serve. If God wants you to serve on a wider scale, He will invite you to take a higher place. 

The Savior warns that those who exalt themselves in this life will be put to shame in the future kingdom of heaven. Important is our place of honor before God. Such honor cannot be secured by self-assertiveness, for it comes only through humility and servanthood (vv.12-14), and by seeking “the honor that comes from God only” (John 5:44).

Blessings,

Elder Barbara

HSB|LAB|MHSB|TWBC|FLB

Transcription

THE BAGS OF GOLD

Summary

Bags of gold sometimes translated as “talents,” this was a large sum of money, about six thousand denarii. The parable of the bags of gold illustrates the faith required of God’s servants. 

The parable describes the consequences of two attitudes to Christ’s return. The person who diligently prepares for it by investing his or her time and talent to serve God will be rewarded. The person who has no heart for the work of the kingdom will be punished. God rewards faithfulness. Those who bear no fruit for God’s kingdom cannot expect to be treated the same as those who are faithful. 

The master divided the money (talents) among his servants according to their abilities. No one received more or less than he could handle. If he failed in his assignment, his excuse could not be that he was overwhelmed. Failure could come only from laziness or hatred toward the master. Talents represent any kind of resource we are given. God gives us time, gifts, and other resources according to our abilities, and He expects us to invest them wisely until He returns. We are responsible for using well what God has given us. The issue is not how much we have, but how well we use what we have. 

Jesus is coming back — we know this is true. Does this mean we must quit our jobs in order to serve God? No, it means we are to use our time, talents, and treasures diligently in order to serve God completely in whatever we do. For a few people, this may mean changing professions. For most of us, it means doing our daily work out of love for God. 

The last man was thinking only of himself. He hoped to play it safe and protect himself from his hard master, but he was judged for his self-centeredness. We must not make excuses to avoid doing what God calls us to do. If God truly is our Master, we must obey willingly. Our time, abilities, and money aren’t ours in the first place—we are caretakers, not owners. When we ignore, squander, or abuse what we are given, we are rebellious and deserve to be punished. 

I will put you in charge of many things. The first two servants received the same reward, based on their faithfulness, not on the size of their responsibilities. The most minor task in God’s work may receive a great reward if we faithfully perform it. 

Blessings,

Elder Barbara

LAB|TEBC|HSB

Transcription

Notes from a Family Reunion on ‘LOVE’

Summary

LOVE. 1st Corinthians 13 “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.” This episode speaks of love, love within a family actually within generations of a family, my family, and your family. 

I was going through a few of my older sermons and happened upon a few notes I had gathered for a sermon on the topic of “love”. This would be one of our greatest reunions before the call of many senior family members. Our family reunions always conclude with Sunday’s church service before everyone departed homeward. If you decide to listen to the podcast, please note I did not script this one, nor did I dive into the Word or use commentary for closing and apology my heart was too heavy to edit.  

Speaking about love, the love shared within our family and a few of grandmas’ teaching points passed along to us and the generations to follow. Therefore, I just felt like sharing some of my notes from the sermon of that day many years back regarding family love and its teaching.

The one thing we were taught is that family gives you two things, roots, and the other wings. However, the greatest gift of everything is love!

In chapter 12 of 1st Corinthians Paul gave evidence of the Corinthians’ lack of love in the utilization of spiritual gifts; chapter 13 defines real love; and chapter 14 shows how love works. Love is more important than all the spiritual gifts exercised in the church body. Great faith, acts of dedication or sacrifice, and miracle-working power produce very little without love. Love makes our actions and gifts useful. Although people have different gifts, love is available to everyone.

Love is the greatest of all human qualities, and it is an attribute of God Himself (1 John 4:8). Love involves unselfish service to others; to show it gives evidence that you care. Faith is the foundation and content of God’s message; hope is the attitude and focus; love is the action. When faith and hope are in line, you are free to love completely because you understand how God loves you.

Blessings,

Elder Barbara

LAB

Transcription

A MAN CRIED, THE LORD DELIVERED!

Summary

I WILL BLESS THE LORD. This episode is a reading from Psalm 34 a psalm of David when he changed his behavior before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed. The writer of this psalm praises the LORD for a miraculous deliverance from great trouble. His testimony encourages all afflicted believers to believe that they may also experience the goodness of the LORD.

7. The angel of the LORD probably refers to the angelic host of heaven. They are “ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation” (Heb. 1:14). God has appointed His angels to protect and rescue His saints from physical and spiritual harm. This promise of divine intervention is reserved only for those who truly fear God. Note that the promises in this psalm are conditional,  but many of these blessings require our active participation. He will deliver us from fear, save us from our troubles, guard and deliver us, show us goodness, supply our needs, listen when we talk to Him, and redeem us, but we must do our part. We can appropriate His blessings when we seek Him, cry out to Him, trust Him, fear Him, refrain from lying, turn from evil, do good and seek peace, are humble, and serve Him.

8. “Taste and see” does not mean, “Check out God’s credentials.” Instead, it is a warm invitation: “Try this; I know you’ll like it.” When we take that first step of obedience in following God, we cannot help discovering that He is good and kind. When we begin the Christian life, our knowledge of God is partial and incomplete. As we trust Him daily, we experience how good He is.

You say you belong to the LORD, but do you fear Him? To fear the LORD means to show deep respect and honor to Him. We demonstrate true reverence through our humble attitude and genuine worship.  Reverence was shown by Abraham (Gen 17:2-4), Moses (Ex 3:5,6), and the Israelites (Ex 19:16-24). Their reactions to God’s presence varied, but all deeply respected Him. 

9, 10. At first, we may question David’s statement, because we seem to lack many good things. This is not a blanket promise that all Christians will have everything they want. Instead, this is David’s praise for God’s goodness—all those who call upon God in their need will be answered, sometimes in unexpected ways. 

Remember, God knows what we need, and our deepest needs are spiritual. Many, even though faced with unbearable poverty and hardship, still have enough spiritual nourishment to live for God. David was saying that to have God is to have all you really need. God is enough.

The Bible often connects the fear of the LORD (love and reverence for Him) with obedience. “Fear God and keep His commandments” (Ecc 12:13); “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching” (John 14:23). 

Love the LORD thy God with all thy heart, with all thy being. God will never leave you nor forsake you. Stand upon the promises of God.

Blessings,

Elder Barbara

FL|LAB

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