21 Jul (Job 38-42)

Job 38

God lists some of the things that He has done and continues to do...and obviously, Job has no response to this...none of us would. God's power makes us speechless, and all we can do is bow down to Him.

(v.7) The sons of God are angels...the Hebrew wording is Bene HaElohim. Again, Elohim is a plural noun listed in the singular...this is the Holy Trinity!

We don't know for sure when the angels were created, since there is not a verse or combination of verses that says so. However, in Gen 1:1, it says that God created the heavens and the earth. And in Exo 20:11 it says that He created the heavens and the earth in six literal days.

So the angels saw the creation of the universe and shouted for joy...so they were either the first thing that God created, or they were created early in the creation, perhaps before God created the whole univers and earth...the third day.

(v.17) God refutes Job's claim that he wished he were dead, so he wouldn't sense or know anything anymore. This is a common belief, that once dead, we will be without feelings. But God explains to Job that we will be conscious and know where we are. Jesus confirms this in the parable of Lazarus and the rich man. Luke 16:20-31

(v.32) Acturus is known as the Runaway Star, which wasn't discovered until the 20th century. How did Job know this? It's important to stress to our kids, that this is one of many proofs that the Bible was written by God, for it's outside our time domain.

Job 39

God lists a bunch of questions about His creation, that just by our own minds, to consider them and think of creating and maintaining them, is mind-boggling! God created all and keeps it in order daily!

Job 40

(v.15) Lazy scholars believe that the behemoth is an elephant. Most scientists today don't want to admit that God created the universe, that it happened by chance. This is another example of trying to fit the Bible into evolution.

Evolution is from Satan. Evolution comes in two parts...micro and macro. Micro Evolution is the subtle changes of a species as it adapts to their environment. For example, the shorter haired dogs survived in the hotter climates, and the longer haired dogs survived in the colder ones. They are all still dogs, but the DNA genes that they got were from their dog ancestors. All the information was there, but depending upon the environment, only the ones suited for that environment survived.

Micro Evolution is valid and we see it happen in science. For instance, a mouse that changes colors, or adapts to it's environment is an example of micro evolution. The key is the fact that the mouse is still a mouse...it hasn't changed species or kinds like the Bible says. However, we have NEVER seen a mouse turn into a cat, or anything like that in science.

Macro Evolution is the theory that one species adapts and grows into another species. This theory is full of holes, and there have never been legitimate examples of links of species. There are missing links, and there always will be, since God created all the animals with all the information and DNA at the beginning.

(v.17) We have never seen an elephant move it's tail like a giant cedar tree! The behemoth is a dinosaur, and they existed with man. After the flood of Noah, the environment changed dramatically, and all the bigger dinosaurs died off, since the oxygen in the air decreased considerably. Most of the bigger dinosaurs had nostrils the size of a modern day horse. The oxygen rich air before the flood was ample for these big animals to suck in enough oxygen to fuel their giant lungs. But after the flood, they couldn't breathe and died off.

Job 41

(v.1) This is another example of dinosaurs in the Bible! This creature was either a giant sea serpent, or a dragon of old legend.

(v.19) Here we see that Leviathan breathes fire...just like all the recorded drawings and lore of early man who describes dragons on the earth. It's likely that the dragons suffered the same fate as the dinosaurs, since their nostrils probably weren't sufficient to get enough oxygen after the air was altered by the flood of Noah.

Job 42

(v.5) Job says that he had heard of God by mouth, probably by his parents, but in the whirlwind and clouds, he saw God's majesty first hand!

Also, after God explained His work in all the creation, I believe that Job could rightly say, as we can today, that God's handiwork is evident to us in all His creation. The incredible skies, the seasons of the year, the human body and many other examples show us daily that there is a Creator who designed all of what we see! Psalm 19:1

Apr 1 (Psa 103, 104, 113)

Songs of Joy and Praise

Psalm 103

(v.1) To some of us, this seems backwards...doesn't God do the blessing, and we receive them? Well, yes, but we can bless God back as well. When we are faithful and obedient, we are blessing Him. When we love and serve others, we are blessing Him. When we let Him direct our paths and give Him the glory when we succeed, we bless Him.

(v.8) The God of the Old Testament is often confused with the God of the New Testament...the One in the OT seems judgmental and full of wrath, where the One in the NT is forgiving and merciful. He is all these things, at all times. If we look at how long God waited for the people of the world to repent, before He brought the Flood of Noah, we see that He's patient and longing for His creation to love Him. So many times throughout the OT, we see God answer the cries of His people, even though they didn't deserve His favor. I like to have my kids recall as many instances of mercy and grace God does in the OT.

(v.9) Even though God is love and He's patient and merciful, He will one day bring judgment upon the earth. That will be a terrible day, since the world will endure great terror and darkness. Even though God is kind, He is just, and He must bring justice upon those who are wicked and refuse His offer of grace.

(v.12) Isn't it wonderful to read this verse?!? No matter what we did prior, once we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, our sins are forgiven! God will remove them from His memory, since when He sees us, He sees the blood of His Son on us, and we're righteous in His eyes!

(v.13) Anyone who is a parent can relate to this verse...we love our kids, so we discipline them, but we always love them. There is a big difference between punishing and disciplining. Discipline is constructive and loving. Here are some great verses to show our kids that discipline is done out of love:

Psalm 23:4

Proverbs 13:24, 22:15, 23:13, 29:15

Isaiah 11:1

Ezekiel 20:37

Psalm 104

(v.15) This is a great verse for two reasons. First, today's nutritionists have found that wheat germ is good for your heart...it has vitamin E in abundance in wheat. How did the psalmist know this? I tell my kids he didn't, but God did!

Secondly, Jesus said He is the Bread of Life in John 6:35

(v.19) The placing of the moon and sun in relation to earth is astounding! If either one is just a fraction closer or further away, life could not exist on earth. God holds all things together Col 1:17 and He keeps them there for His purposes. One day, that will change, but I like to show my kids that it's impossible and silly to believe that we have the fours seasons each year as a matter of chance. God designed it that way!

(v.26) Dinosaurs and ancient creatures are mentioned in the Bible, but not to prove that God made them, it is assumed and expected. I strongly urge all parents to keep a close eye on the teachings of evolution to our kids...it is not Biblical. God created EVERYTHING in six literal days, and to veer away from that is to deem the Bible as flawed. If it is flawed, then how do you know what to believe? Science today, more and more, is proving the Bible true, concerning the fallacies of evolution, confirming the Flood of Noah, and all the other events that are written in the Word!

Psalm 113

(v.1) Praise the Lord is also said this way: Hallelujah

(v.3) All of us get trapped and ensnared by our jobs, kids and personal lives, that we often neglect to worship God throughout the day. One way to remedy this, is to just talk with God in short prayers all day. Talk to Him as if He's right there next to you...because He is! While in school, or in the car, or at work, we should ask God to guide us in all that we do during the day.

(v.8) God uses the lowly and poor to teach the world. One day, all of us common people will be kings and priests, and rule with Jesus! Rev 5:10

Mar 29 (Psa 8, 16, 19, 24)

Songs of Joy

Psalm 8

(v.3) As part of our daily prayers, we should meditate and praise God for His wonderful handiwork with His creation. Think on the wonderful sunrises and sunsets, the beauty of an eagle in flight, the gurgling of a newborn baby...God has thought of everything, and He did this for our pleasure!

I even take this subject a little further, by reminding my kids that God's original creation was MUCH better than the most beautiful things we see today. After the Fall of Adam and Eve, and the Flood of Noah, this universe has been under the curse of sin. Even so, it's loaded with such beauty amongst evil and darkness. I try to have my kids think upon how wonderful it will be when all we will see is beauty, instead of limited amounts.

(v.6) God made Adam ruler of the earth, and to keep it. But after Adam sinned, the earth is under the power of Satan. One glorious day, the last Adam, Jesus, will take back what was given to us, and rule with love and justice!

Psalm 16

(v.3) God delights in us believers, and He enjoys guiding us for His purposes...let's make the effort to allow Him to do that since He knows what is best for each of us!

(v.10) This verse is cited by scholars to be a verse about the Resurrection of Jesus...our Savior and Holy One. Peter cited this verse on the day the Church was born...the day of Pentecost. Acts 2:27

(v.11) God will direct us to a life of joy and contentment. I also take the time to show my kids that whenever the Bible cites the right hand, it is a sign of authority. This is usually given to Jesus, since He was given the seat at the right hand of the Father in heaven. Matt 25:34 & Acts 2:33

Psalm 19

(v.1) I teach my kids the silliness of the theory of evolution often, since it goes directly against the Word of God. He made all that we see today, including dinosaurs, in the beginning around 6,000 years ago. The whole universe speaks of a Creator and Designer, a loving God that created with Intelligence, not random chance.

(v.7) This points us to what Paul was saying in Romans 7 where the Law convicts us to see that we need God to save us from our sins. God in the flesh, Jesus, did that on the cross!

(v.11) We are warned to listen to God and obey, for if we do, we are rewarded with blessings and joy that the world envies!

Psalm 24

This psalm is about prophecy. Jesus fulfilled hundreds of prophecies in His First Coming. One of the most important, was His entry into Jerusalem riding a donkey Luke 19 & Zech 9 on Palm Sunday. Most rejected Him as foretold, and Jesus ascended to heaven after His crucifixion and resurrection, to glory with the Father. Lastly, He is coming again to take ownership of the title deed of the earth that Adam relinquished to Satan in the Garden of Eden. When Jesus returns, He will have collected His Bride, the Church, and saved Israel from her enemies. He will rule and reign for 1,000 years, called the Millennium, and bring judgment upon the wicked and all those who refused Him.