Have you ever wondered how God actually guides you when everything around you feels dark? Today, Pastor Bill uses poetic imagery from Job to show you exactly how it works through God’s Word. His Word is your lamp, something you hold close for the very next step, lighting just enough ground to keep you from stumbling right now. At the same time, it’s a light that shines farther down the path, giving you general direction, so you know where you should keep heading overall.

Were you afraid of the dark or monsters under your bed when you were little? But then your dad reassured you that he already scared them away. Or did you watch a scary movie and then need to sleep in your parents' room with the lights on? This is how your heavenly Father is also. Pastor Bill reminds you today that everything is under God’s control. There are no monsters, no scary movies, and nothing evil in this world that wins in the end. The only one you should have a healthy fear of is the Lord. 

God has gifted us with emotion, intellect, and love. Sometimes, we don’t know how to use all three at the same time. Especially when we’re overly emotional, it’s hard for us to see logic clearly. Or when we’re being too intellectual about something, it’s hard to give a loving response. Today, Pastor Bill reminds you that you have prayer at your fingertips. Before you respond in a way that you’ll regret, pause. Seek God’s wisdom and respond in a way that would make your Heavenly Father proud.

Since the beginning of time, we’ve been obsessed with wealth and finding the next quick thing that makes us rich. We’ve risked our lives mining for gold, silver, and other precious metals. Pastor Bill asks us today, how much more should we be seeking God’s wisdom? How much more should we be risking our lives for the nuggets of truth God has for us? Our treasure lies in heavenly things, not earthly things that can be taken or destroyed. How much energy do you put into seeking the Lord’s wisdom? 

I wonder if Job knew the truth that Pastor Bill just shared? …that even though his friends were condemning him…even though everything looked bleak, like the end of the world…God would be faithful. And, sneak peek…not to give too much away…even though Job was RUTHLESSLY attacked by the enemy, God was faithful…God eventually will bless Job. Pastor Bill reminds us today that even though you WILL experience spiritual warfare in this life, the God that is in YOU is GREATER than the god of this world.

Wow…those words from Pastor Bill really hit home! If you’re a person who ENJOYS judging and criticizing people, something is off. This isn’t the heart of God. In fact, later on in this message, Pastor Bill calls it SATANIC!?!?!?!?! That’s strong language. But, you’ll also learn that this falls right under the character of Satan himself. Today, Pastor Bill reminds you just how important it is to NOT be like Job’s friends, who only judged and criticized…instead, be a person who LOVINGLY points people to the better way of following Jesus.

When we think about the words “fearing God,”…what things come to mind? If you’re like most people, you might have an image of a giant heavenly being sitting in the clouds, raining down lightning bolts on all the disobedient. And while we DO know that part of God’s character is judgment, we also know that God is loving. And as Pastor Bill just shared a moment ago…we ALL need to have a healthy fear of God that keeps the balance of His love AND His ability to discipline us IF we need it.

Sometimes we get caught up in what we call righteous indignation. We make excuses for why it’s ok for us to be upset with others or to wish bad things upon them. But, as Pastor Bill reminds us today, you were once the same. You were lost in your sins with no way to save yourself, until the Truth found you and turned your life around. What you should want for everyone is for them to know Jesus. Not for them to be tormented in Hell. Pray for them, seek them out, and lead them to the only path that saves. 

Don’t you think that sometimes, God looks at our lives and just shakes his head? He will never reject us, but there are times when He has the right to be upset with us. Today, Pastor Bill wonders why Christian marriages and other marriages have nearly the same divorce rate. How can that be? Remember that God created you, He created your spouse, He created the institution of marriage, and He gave you the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. What more do you need to make your marriage a success? 

Job lived during a time before Jesus and His redeeming work on the cross. He had no idea what was to come regarding his religion and belief in God. It was hard to understand why the evildoers of the world seemed to be prospering. Today, Pastor Bill reminds us that we now know the righteous will win, Heaven is real, and there is much more to life than just what we see on this planet. Thanks to the Bible and Jesus Christ, we know that evil will be punished and Christians will be rewarded.