September 18, 2018
Job 33:4
The Spirit of God has made me;
    the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

New International Version (NIV)
          When Virtus Gideon prayed, the Lord listened and so did I!  Dr. Gideon taught me New Testament at Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth.   Later I graded papers for his Houston Greek and New Testament classes.  One day he said, “In every church you will find at least one person who has a heart for God.  Trust that person to tell you the truth.”  My experience as pastor of four different churches has proven him right.

                Elihu was that kind of person in Job’s day.  After the empty words of Bildad, Zophar and Eliphaz, we might have thought none of Job’s friends had any sense.  But Elihu’s words are true.  I wonder, where does he get his thoughts?  God made him and the breath of the Almighty gives him life.  Elihu was a friend sent by God.

                All of us have friends and relatives who, if given the chance, might encourage the worst in us.  Beware of allowing them to be the primary influences in your life.  If you find a person in your lifetime who has a heart for God, knit your soul to that person.  I have been fortunate to know several.  To this day, their words and their prayers are impossible to forget, like those of Virtus Gideon.

Pray with me:  
God who hears our prayers, give us ears to discern your voice in the cacophony of noise around us.  Among the myriad who give unsoliticed advice, help us to solicit the truth from those who know you.  Give us the courage today to do what we hear you telling us to do.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.
  This year we focus our Every Day with Jesus readings on Jesus’ story.  With references to Tallowood's Read Through the Bible in 2018 daily reading plan, let's focus our undivided attention on Jesus and follow where he lead. He will not fail. Neither will we!
 
Joyfully, 
 
Duane 
About Duane Archives
Subscribe to our email list.