Hello, Christ's Church Family,

Here are the scripture passages I used yesterday in my message.  As you meditate on them, I am praying God takes you deeper in your relationship with Him.

Job 29
29 Job continued speaking:
2 "I long for the years gone by when God took care of me,
3 when he lit up the way before me and I walked safely through the darkness.
4 When I was in my prime, God's friendship was felt in my home.
5 The Almighty was still with me, and my children were around me.
6 My cows produced milk in abundance, and my groves poured out streams of olive oil.
7 "Those were the days when I went to the city gate and took my place among the honored leaders.
8 The young stepped aside when they saw me, and even the aged rose in respect at my coming.
9 The princes stood in silence and put their hands over their mouths.
10 The highest officials of the city stood quietly, holding their tongues in respect.
11 "All who heard me praised me. All who saw me spoke well of me.
12 For I assisted the poor in their need and the orphans who required help.
13 I helped those without hope, and they blessed me. And I caused the widows' hearts to sing for joy.
14 Everything I did was honest. Righteousness covered me like a robe, and I wore justice like a turban.
15 I served as eyes for the blind and feet for the lame.
16 I was a father to the poor and assisted strangers who needed help.
17 I broke the jaws of godless oppressors and plucked their victims from their teeth.
18 "I thought, 'Surely, I will die surrounded by my family after a long, good life. 
19 For I am like a tree whose roots reach the water, whose branches are refreshed with the dew.
20 New honors are constantly bestowed on me, and my strength is continually renewed.'
21 "Everyone listened to my advice. They were silent as they waited for me to speak.
22 And after I spoke, they had nothing to add, for my counsel satisfied them.
23 They longed for me to speak as people long for rain.  They drank my words like a refreshing spring rain.
24 When they were discouraged, I smiled at them. My look of approval was precious to them.
25 Like a chief, I told them what to do. I lived like a king among his troops and comforted those who mourned.
NLT

Job 40:1-2
40 Then the Lord said to Job,
2 "Do you still want to argue with the Almighty?
You are God's critic, but do you have the answers?"
NLT

Job 42:1-6
Job Responds to the LORD
42 Then Job replied to the Lord:
2 "I know that you can do anything,
and no one can stop you.
3 You asked, 'Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?'
It is I—and I was talking about things I knew nothing about,
things far too wonderful for me.
4 You said, 'Listen and I will speak!
I have some questions for you,
and you must answer them.'
5 I had only heard about you before,
but now I have seen you with my own eyes.
6 I take back everything I said,
and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance."
NLT

Job 42:10-17
10 When Job prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes. In fact, the Lord gave him twice as much as before! 11 Then all his brothers, sisters, and former friends came and feasted with him in his home. And they consoled him and comforted him because of all the trials the Lord had brought against him. And each of them brought him a gift of money and a gold ring.
12 So the Lord blessed Job in the second half of his life even more than in the beginning. For now, he had 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 teams of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys. 13 He also gave Job seven more sons and three more daughters. 14 He named his first daughter Jemimah, the second Keziah, and the third Keren-happuch. 15 In all the land no women were as lovely as the daughters of Job. And their father put them into his will along with their brothers.
16 Job lived 140 years after that, living to see four generations of his children and grandchildren. 17 Then he died, an old man who had lived a long, full life.
NLT

Believing for Greater,

Pastor Bob