Job 1:9-22 part 3

"Satan replied to the Lord, 'Yes, but Job has good reason to fear God. You have always put a wall of protection around him and his home and his property. You have made him prosper in everything he does. Look how rich he is! But reach out and take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face!'" v. 9-11
Satan attacked Job's motive, saying that Job was blameless and had integrity only because he had no reason to turn against God. Ever since he had started following God, everything had gone well for Job. Satan wanted to prove that Job worshiped God, not out of love, but because God had given him so much.

Satan accurately analyzed why many people trust God. They are fair weather believers, following God only when everything is going well or for what they can get. Adversity destroys this superficial faith. But adversity strengthens real faith by causing believers to dig their roots deeper into God in order to withstand the storms. How deep does my faith go? How deep does your faith go? Put the roots of your faith deep into Gods Truth so that you can withstand any storm that may come your way.

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

Job 1:6-12 part 2

"One day the members of the heavenly court came to present themselves before the Lord, and the Accuser, Satan, came with them. 'Where have you come from?' the Lord asked Satan.
Satan answered the Lord, 'I have been patrolling the earth, watching everything that’s going on.'" v. 6-7
Satan, originally an angel of God, had become corrupt through his own pride. He has been evil since rebellion against God (1 John 3:8). Satan considers God as his enemy. He tries to hinder God's work in people, but he is limited by God's power and can do only what he has been permitted. Satan is our enemy because he actively looks for people to attack with temptation and because he wants to make people hate God. He does this through lies and deception. Job, a blameless and upright man who had been greatly blessed, was a perfect target for Satan. Any person who is committed to God should expect Satan's attacks. Satan, who hates God, also hates God's people.

From this conversation we can learn a great deal about Satan.
1.) He is accountable to God.
2.) Satan can only be at 1 place at a time.
3.) Satan cannot see into our minds our see the future.
4.) Because Satan can do nothing without God's permission, God's people can overcome his attacks through God's power.
5.) God put limitations on what Satan can do.

Knowing this should change our perspective about how we deal with everyday life. As we remain close to God, expect Satan to try to deceive and tempt us. But take courage God is greater than Satan.

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

One Cries to get out . . . One Cries to get in

I don't understand our boys! Josiah the oldest who is now 4 threw a fit when we didn't let him get in the pack and play with his 10 month old brother Jackson. While Joe was crying on the outside to get in, Jackson was crying from the inside of the pack and play to get out . . . So we did what any good parent would do . . . COMPROMISE! Here's what happened next . . .

Wagon Ride

Yesterday the weather was awesome here in Texas. It was a little too windy for a bike ride so we took a walk and pulled the boys in a wagon. It was a good time and they both actually did really well sitting together for the adventure. Fun Times!

Gone Country . . . Not!

I was reading Josh's blog today and hit a link to a Trace Adkins video. I decided to watch the video and as much as I hate country music, the video has an awesome message. You should check it out for yourself!

PS - This doesn't mean I am going to start listening to country music!

Job 1:1-8 part 1

"There once was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless—a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil. He had seven sons and three daughters. He owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 teams of oxen, and 500 female donkeys. He also had many servants. He was, in fact, the richest person in that entire area." v. 1-3

"Then the Lord asked Satan, 'Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil.'” v. 8
Job was a model of trust and obedience to God, yet God permitted Satan to attack him in an especially harsh manner. Although God loves us, believing and obeying him do not shelter us from life's calamities. Setback, tragedies, illness and sorrows strike Christians as well as Non-Christians alike. But in our test and trials God expects us to express our faith to the world.

When trouble hits how do you respond? Do you ask God, "Why Me????" or do you say, "Use me"? There is so we can learn from Jobs leadership, Integrity, and Faithfulness.

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

What Is Your Leadership Skill Set?

Next week I am heading to a leadership summit put on by, you guessed it, leaders summit. Tuesday, two days ago, I was given a stack of stuff for the conference and was told before I attend I have to take an online leadership evaluation and fill out 3 pre-session info sheets. I took a deep breath as he handed it to me and set it on my desk to plow threw yesterday. Well yesterday came and went and i didn't touch it so today I pulled it out and took the online test to see what my strengths and weaknesses were when it comes to my leadership. I hate taking test like this, I think it's partly because of my perfectionist mindset and trying to read in-between-the-lines sickness, plus I never give myself a perfect 10 because only Jesus was perfect so I probably mess everything up by that. I know I need help!

However, the test was informative and it is free to take at www.leaderssummit.org . Here is how I scored

Vision 9
L3 8
Followers 8
Signature Soulprint 9
Change Agent 7
Emotional Intelligence 8
Execution 7
Character 9
Communication 8
People Skills 8
Inspire 9
Social Intelligence 8

I am guessing 1 bad 10 great. I typically look at this in terms of percentage. A 9 would be 90% and so on. Some of the questions were based on my opinion and I am sure I skewed it one way or the other. I think I am going to ask 3 of my volunteers to take it with me in mind and see how I come out in thier opinion. That will at least help me see where I really am and where I think I am.

I let you know how the conference goes! If your a leader I encourage you to take the test and see where your strong and weak points are. It only takes about 10 minutes if you're slow like me!