Sep. 18, 2022

PREPARING FOR THE STORM  9-18-22

Job 1:14–22 14 a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, 15 and the Sabeans attacked and made off with them.” 16 While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The fire of God fell from the heavens and burned up the sheep and the servants”… 17 While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and made off with them.” 18 While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, “Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, 19 when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead”… 20 At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship 21 and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” 22 In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.

Job 2:9–10 9 His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!” 10 He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said. 

Job 38:1–6 Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm. He said: 2 “Who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge? 3 Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me. 4 “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. 5 Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? 6 On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone 

Job 42:1–5 Then Job replied to the Lord: 2 “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted. 3 …Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know… 5 My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. 

Job 42:10 10 After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before.

- Jill Briscoe, “When you feel you can’t Praise God for the things He’s allowed, it is then we must learn to praise Him for WHO HE IS, IN WHAT HE’S ALLOWED.”

Daniel 1:5-8 5 The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king's table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king's service…8 But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. - Standards are Values you Try to Live by.

· Convictions are things you would die for!

- Balance between - Defilement & Living in your Culture

1 Corinthians 9:20–23 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law… so as to win those under the law… 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel...

- Finding Common Ground - Without Defiling yourself.

Daniel 3:6 6 Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.”

Daniel 3:16–18 16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him… 17 “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” 

Daniel 3:30 30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon. 

Daniel 6:10 10 Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.

Psalm 91:1–7  1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”  3 Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence.  4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.  5 You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,  6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.  7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.