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God, Who Should I Pray For?

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This morning, I had to drive down Middlebury Street in Elkhart, Indiana, where for years we did street ministry. At almost every house of the 10 blocks between Goshen Avenue, and Main Street, memories of people came flooding back. I was overcome with gratitude. I began praying and worshipping and thanking God for all the things He has done in my life. Something that has been on my mind recently, that I spend too much time asking Him for things. Jesus speaking: Matthew 6:8 KJV Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. There is nothing wrong with asking Him for things. . . nothing wrong in asking Him repeatedly for things: A parable by Jesus: Luke 18:1-7 KJV And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; 2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: 3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of ...
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Job Chapter 10 Review

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  Chapter 10 Job 10:1 KJV  My soul is weary of my life; I will leave my complaint upon myself; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul. Job reiterates that he is tired of what his life has become.It's not clear who he is speaking to.  It doesn’t seem to be Eliphaz or Bildad.  Maybe God?  Maybe just speaking to no one in particular, just to vent his feelings.  I often make the mistake, when my wife is speaking of her situation, that she is particularly speaking to me, when she isn’t wanting answers, but just an ear to hear her feelings. Job 10:2 KJV  I will say unto God, Do not condemn me; shew me wherefore thou contendest with me. A shadow of the New Testament prayer of the publican: Luke 18:13 KJV  And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. Job feels judged and sentenced by the terrible things which have happened to him.  He’s ...
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  My Guardian Angel. . .  Our next door neighbor when I was growing up was Mrs. Campbell.  She was an elderly widow lady, who at times baby sat my brother, sister, and I in our home when our parents went out for an evening.  She endlessly crocheted.  I remember being fascinated by her index finger, where the thread ran across it.  So many miles of thread had run across that finger, that it had formed a deep groove. . . a permanent channel in her finger.  She hummed when she breathed.  I don’t know if she has asthma, or emphysema, or some other breathing problem, or if she just naturally hummed as she took  her breaths. Another memory comes to my mind as I reminisce about these events 60+ years ago, she was a huge WWF fan. I remember her getting very excited as she watched wrestling matches on your TV when she was over. Occasionally her grandson, Terry, would spend the night with her, and one summer, I think when I was about eight years old, ...
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Job Chapter 9 Review

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  Chapter 9 Job 9:1 KJV  Then Job answered and said, Job 9:2 KJV  I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God? We’re told that Job is answering, but we’re not certain precisely who he is responding to, and which words.  It makes most sense that he is responding to Bildad, but that may not be. Who can stand before God, and claim righteousness? Romans 3:23 KJV  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Job 9:3 KJV  If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand. Foreshadowing God’s questioning of Job in chapter 38, who can stand against God?  Who could answer one of a thousand questions from Him? Job 9:4 KJV  He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered? Omniscient, Omnipotent is our God.  Who can withstand Him? Job 9:5-10 KJV Which removeth the mountains, and they know not: which overturneth them in his anger. Which shaketh the ea...
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Job Chapter 8 Review

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  Chapter 8 Job 8:1 KJV  Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said, The second of Job’s ‘friends’ to speak. Job 8:2 KJV  How long wilt thou speak these things? and how long shall the words of thy mouth be like a strong wind? Job, in chapters 6 and 7, has spoken for a total of 51 verses.  This is a man who has lost all 10 of his children, all of his huge varied wealth, and his health has been taken from him.  We can easily read those chapters in 10-15 minutes.  It might have taken Job 30 minutes to speak those words, and Bildad the Shuhite has the gall to ask him. “How long will you speak?”  If I had been in Job’s position, it would have been hard for me not to leave, or to tell my ‘friends’ to leave in disgust.  We can only measure by what is recorded. . . Their friendship is of a very poor quality. . . as the saying goes. . . with friends like these. . .  Job 8:3 KJV  Doth God pervert judgment? or doth the Almighty pervert justice? Bil...
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