Ordinary Time: Tuesday, September, 5, 2006

Old Testament Lesson

Job 12:1, 13:3-17, 21-27

One of the things that Job is faced with is that he knows he has done nothing to deserve what he is getting. He is not being punished. And, we know this is true, because we remember in the beginning of the book, God allows the devil to test him. But, all his friends think the reason he is suffering so is because he has "done something" and is getting what he deserves.

One of the great lessons from Job is that bad things that happen are not always "punishment" from God. If I live an unhealthy life and have a heart attack, I can't blame God. But, in this situation, Job has done nothing wrong, and he knows it. The power of God is that He is able to bring good things out of terrible situations. Today, know that we do bring some misfortune upon ourselves by our lives and our choices, but others are just the results of living in a sinful world. God is not out to "get" you. He wants you to grow and know Him. If tragedy comes, know He is there, and He wants to help. Sometimes we are punished, other times is it misfortune that comes knocking on our doors. In both cases, God is there for us, if we will allow.

New Testament Lesson

Acts 12:1-17

We see that God was working through the lives of these members of the early church to spread His gospel. He had a plan for each of them. There were able to do more through God than they could through themselves. That is one of the miracles of God. He is able to do more with us than we think is possible. Who would have guessed Peter would do all these things when he denied Jesus three times on Good Friday? Yet, there was God, working through Him.

Today, know that God can do great things through you, if you will let Him. If you will get out of the way and let Him work through you, great things will happen. Will you allow Him to work in you today?

Gospel Lesson

John 8:33-47

Today, are you child of God or a child of the devil? Your actions show whose child you are. Today Jesus said those that opposed Him where the children of the devil, regardless of who they said the their father was. The children of God do the will of God and obey God. The children of God are faithful to Him. The children of the devil work against God, are unfaithful, are disobedient. Today, who's child are you? Today, what does our life say about whose child you are?