Pastor Buddy’s Blog

When friends use twisted logic…

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Journal,

What stood out while reading? the book of Job this morning is how Job’s friends used twisted logic in their appraisal of Job’s distress. The irony is that sometimes our best friends can do the same with us today. While they mean well, they often don’t do us? well in their musings.

Job is covered with boils. He has lost so many things. Yet none of this did he bring on himself.? Listen to what one of his friends has to say:

“Remember now, who ever perished being innocent? Or where were the upright destroyed? According to what I have seen, those who plow iniquity and those who sow trouble harvest it.” (Job 4:7,8 nasb.)

No reason to go any further. A great part of Job will cycle itself around accusations against Job.? The problem is that the human family is prone to judge things? by how things appear to be. This is why Jesus said, “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” (John 7:24 nasb.)

To judge with righteous judgment means that we must learn not to use human logic but to seek to see things as God sees them. This ability to discern everything properly comes with spiritual maturity. Paul said, “But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one.” (1 Co. 2:15 nasb.)

I? found it strange how Job’s friends used a lot of godly principles but misapplied them against Job. It’s not as though Job doesn’t play into this. While defending himself, Job sets himself up? for? a good case of self-righteousness.

This is why I’ll probably skip over portions of Job? so as to get to those parts that fit my morning devotions.

The gist of Job is that while this godly man comes to repentance, the Lord has this to say of his friends: “My wrath is kindled against you [Eliphaz] and against your two friends, because you have not spoken of Me what is right as My servant Job has.” (Job 42:7 nasb.)

The moral of my morning devotion is — Beware of those ? ‘religious’ friends who may use twisted logic to judged where you are in life. What else can I say??

I’ve started a? book by Arthur W. Pink, entitled ‘The Antichrist - A Systematic Study of Satan’s Counterfeit Christ.’ A. W. Pink left some of the best writings to be had. (He went to be with the Lord? in 1952.)

Since the antichrist figures prominately in Christian, Jewish, and Muslim writings, I felt? good to refresh my thinking in regard to this evil entity who will make an? appearance at the wrap up of the age.

General Claudius Josehus and I made our normal rounds this morning. Everything seems to be in place at the Christian Challenge plantation.

Miss Betty prepared me a delectable breakfast. (As she always does.) Believe I’ll keep her on for another forty-three+ years. Besides that, when she looks at be with those beautiful blue eyes my toes still curl.?

12:45 a.m. -? I’m in those days following chemo where I’m not suppose to have company or any public contact. But I’ve felt much? stronger the last two? days.

CJ and I went for a walk on the hill behind our church property. It is such a nice place to put park benches. Has an overview of the parsonage and? parts of the grounds. It is always so? peaceful there.

CJ really loves these walks. He will run about like a young colt. Of course he keeps me in eye range. He loves to walk with Betty, too. She checks the mail in the afternoon and CJ loves to go with her. All he has to hear is ‘CJ, let’s go check the mail.’

1:00 O’clock and all is well. Think I’ll close out for the day. (Already had two of my calls from Lane. Really love that cousin of mine.)

Ok, I’m really going this time.

Good sailing,

Buddy

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