Promise for Toay - My Job is____________

Don’t speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters. If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God’s law. But your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you.

James 4:11 NLT

Most job positions are posted with an overview of the tasks and duties that are required; education, skill sets, particular levels of education, and any physical requirements. Some include a very clear, very precise description. You've probably read some: proficiency in certain software, or must be able to lift 20-50 pounds, must be able to stand for 8 hours. Must be able to sit for long periods. Must be able to... You get the idea.

What do you do if there isn't a clear job description? What if there is no employee orientation and no employee handbook to guide you? Sometimes in the corporate world, it seems as though there are policies and procedures governing everything. In smaller companies, it may be more of a relaxed, family atmosphere. Although, as we all know, not all families are relaxed. Regardless, there are rules that are pertinent to the roles being fulfilled.

When we are accepted into the family of God, we begin work for a king, and not just any king, but The King of kings. We have a comprehensive handbook to guide us. All expectations are clearly defined. 

One of the things God makes abundantly clear from the beginning to the end is:
[Jesus speaking] "Do not judge others, and you will not be judged." That's clear, isn't it?
Jesus continues, "Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you." Clear?
"Forgive others, and you will be forgiven." Are there any questions about that?
Luke 6:37 NLT.

Judging others is not my job. Condemning them is not my job, either. Forgiving others, loving them, helping them, serving - that's all part of who and what we are to be in God's kingdom. It's in our guidebook (the Bible!). Every aspect clearly defined. Reading it, studying it, knowing it, and living our lives accordingly, that IS our job.

Prayer:

Father,
           Give us understanding and wisdom when we read Your Word. Help us to live and succeed according to its precepts. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Job's Comforters +

Submit to God, and you will have peace; then things will go well for you.  Listen to his instructions, and store them in your heart.
Job 22:21-22 NLT

A Job's Comforter is defined as "a person who aggravates distress under the guise of giving comfort." Our text today is from the third and final speech of Eliphaz to Job. I'm relatively certain he was passionate and persuasive, given the circumstances. In fact, the man was outright eloquent in his delivery! However, his assessment of Job and the situation was decidedly limited, and although what he was saying was absolute Truth regarding repentance, he missed the mark in how it applied to Job. We've all had friends who meant well and yet misspoke. 

Oftentimes, we, being human, only know or are known in part. Paul tells us in 1st Corinthians 2:11, No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit. Two verses later, Paul writes, When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. And therein lies the crux of the matter - human wisdom. 

The Word also tells us that the Holy Spirit will guide us into all Truth. Are we listening?

In Proverbs we learn that death and life are in the power of the tongue. Given these truths, whether we are the speaker or the recipient, we must be sure to follow the Lord's leading. We do NOT want to be a Job's Comforter.

Prayer:

Father,
          Give us Your wisdom. Guide us into all Truth. And let us be like Jesus and only impart to others what we hear You say. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen