Tag: Teach

Drift Away

tarynbarnesLeave a comment

Hi Peeps,

Today’s Quote

“Let your old life drift away as you embark on a new life in Christ.”

TB

Definition

It’s not wise to believe that old schemes will bring forth new fruit. So whatever you partook in during your life before must cease when you decide to follow Christ.

One-Way

Following Christ is not a penalization of your old life. No, it is the realization and the Truth of a life with Christ. It’s ok to mourn who you were, just be sure to accept who you are in Him

Today’s Question

Are you drifting away from your old life or drifting away from Christ?

Enjoy the reading

Zephaniah 2

1 Gather together—yes, gather together, you shameless nation. 2 Gather before judgment begins, before your time to repent is blown away like chaff. Act now, before the fierce fury of the LORD falls and the terrible day of the LORD ’s anger begins. 3 Seek the LORD, all who are humble, and follow his commands. Seek to do what is right and to live humbly. Perhaps even yet the LORD will protect you— protect you from his anger on that day of destruction. 4 Gaza and Ashkelon will be abandoned, Ashdod and Ekron torn down. 5 And what sorrow awaits you Philistines who live along the coast and in the land of Canaan, for this judgment is against you, too! The LORD will destroy you until not one of you is left. 6 The Philistine coast will become a wilderness pasture, a place of shepherd camps and enclosures for sheep and goats. 7 The remnant of the tribe of Judah will pasture there. They will rest at night in the abandoned houses in Ashkelon. For the LORD their God will visit his people in kindness and restore their prosperity again. 8 “I have heard the taunts of the Moabites and the insults of the Ammonites, mocking my people and invading their borders. 9 Now, as surely as I live,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, “Moab and Ammon will be destroyed— destroyed as completely as Sodom and Gomorrah. Their land will become a place of stinging nettles, salt pits, and eternal desolation. The remnant of my people will plunder them and take their land.” 10 They will receive the wages of their pride, for they have scoffed at the people of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. 11 The LORD will terrify them as he destroys all the gods in the land. Then nations around the world will worship the LORD, each in their own land. 12 “You Ethiopians will also be slaughtered by my sword,” says the LORD . 13 And the LORD will strike the lands of the north with his fist, destroying the land of Assyria. He will make its great capital, Nineveh, a desolate wasteland, parched like a desert. 14 The proud city will become a pasture for flocks and herds, and all sorts of wild animals will settle there. The desert owl and screech owl will roost on its ruined columns, their calls echoing through the gaping windows. Rubble will block all the doorways, and the cedar paneling will be exposed to the weather. 15 This is the boisterous city, once so secure. “I am the greatest!” it boasted. “No other city can compare with me!” But now, look how it has become an utter ruin, a haven for wild animals. Everyone passing by will laugh in derision and shake a defiant fist.

Grudge

tarynbarnesLeave a comment

Hi Peeps,

Today’s Quote

“Work out your grievances with your brothers and sisters

TB

Hold

While we may offend one another, we must be as quick to forgive as God forgives us each and every day. When we refused to do so, we hold on to unpleasant things that can then grow and fester, creating bigger problems than necessary.

Budge

Friends, the level of forgiveness that God bestows on us is immeasurable. Even still, who are we to not budge? Remember the promise and gift that you have received. Let them dislodge what binds you so that you can live in peace.

Today’s Question

What are you holding on to and how is it impacting your walk?

Enjoy the reading

Micah 6

1 Listen to what the LORD is saying: “Stand up and state your case against me. Let the mountains and hills be called to witness your complaints. 2 And now, O mountains, listen to the LORD ’s complaint! He has a case against his people. He will bring charges against Israel. 3 “O my people, what have I done to you? What have I done to make you tired of me? Answer me! 4 For I brought you out of Egypt and redeemed you from slavery. I sent Moses, Aaron, and Miriam to help you. 5 Don’t you remember, my people, how King Balak of Moab tried to have you cursed and how Balaam son of Beor blessed you instead? And remember your journey from Acacia Grove to Gilgal, when I, the LORD, did everything I could to teach you about my faithfulness.” 6 What can we bring to the LORD ? Should we bring him burnt offerings? Should we bow before God Most High with offerings of yearling calves? 7 Should we offer him thousands of rams and ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Should we sacrifice our firstborn children to pay for our sins? 8 No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. 9 Fear the LORD if you are wise! His voice calls to everyone in Jerusalem: “The armies of destruction are coming; the LORD is sending them. 10 What shall I say about the homes of the wicked filled with treasures gained by cheating? What about the disgusting practice of measuring out grain with dishonest measures? 11 How can I tolerate your merchants who use dishonest scales and weights? 12 The rich among you have become wealthy through extortion and violence. Your citizens are so used to lying that their tongues can no longer tell the truth. 13 “Therefore, I will wound you! I will bring you to ruin for all your sins. 14 You will eat but never have enough. Your hunger pangs and emptiness will remain. And though you try to save your money, it will come to nothing in the end. You will save a little, but I will give it to those who conquer you. 15 You will plant crops but not harvest them. You will press your olives but not get enough oil to anoint yourselves. You will trample the grapes but get no juice to make your wine. 16 You keep only the laws of evil King Omri; you follow only the example of wicked King Ahab! Therefore, I will make an example of you, bringing you to complete ruin. You will be treated with contempt, mocked by all who see you.” Micah 5Micah 7  Parallel Compare

Confident

jonmbarnesLeave a comment

courier-1214227_1920.jpg

Hi Peeps,

Today’s Quote

“Be confident about how people perceive and know who you are, what you are doing, and how you serve God because they can tell if you are a fraud when they test you.”  ~  Jon Barnes

Successful

Become successful at loving God and you will be spiritually and naturally rich and not an evil fraud.  Money does not measure your richness with God because it is like dirt to Him.  The streets of Heaven are paved with treasures unseen.  Your family and the people around you will admire your faith, work ethic, and talent that God has blessed you with.  People will become jealous and they will try to treat you badly for doing a good job.  Count it all as Joy.

Proud

There is no need to brag about your accomplishments with serving God because it is obvious.  The simplicity of obedience means the most to God and it is the foundation of your faith in Jesus.  Pray that you stay connected and humble in the Love of God, with your faith, actions, words, work, and service to others.  Quality Love builds confidence that you can naturally be proud of and feel good about, just like a Dad who takes good care of his kids and family. The truth always rises to the top of who you are in Christ.

Jolly

I get this jolly feeling of joy when I see my children obey God’s commandments, talk about bible stories, and improve their lives.  It is more joyful to see this happen with my grandchildren as well.  Continue to share and reflect on these things to enjoy the lifestyle God has blessed you with.  Teach the next generation by example, daily practice, and discussions with gladness and success.  This way of life should be natural, unforced, and encouraged for generational transfer of wisdom, love, and understanding with good common sense, family values, ethics, morals, and discipline.
Today’s Question
Are you happy about working for God and going to Heaven or would you rather go to hell by worshiping something else?
Enjoy The Reading

John 15 

Jesus, the True Vine

15 “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. 3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.
5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. 7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! 8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.
9 “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. 10 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! 12 This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. 13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. 16 You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. 17 This is my command: Love each other.

The World’s Hatred

18 “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. 19 The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. 20 Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you. 21 They will do all this to you because of me, for they have rejected the one who sent me. 22 They would not be guilty if I had not come and spoken to them. But now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Anyone who hates me also hates my Father. 24 If I hadn’t done such miraculous signs among them that no one else could do, they would not be guilty. But as it is, they have seen everything I did, yet they still hate me and my Father. 25 This fulfills what is written in their Scriptures: ‘They hated me without cause.’
26 “But I will send you the Advocate—the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me. 27 And you must also testify about me because you have been with me from the beginning of my ministry.

Agents

tarynbarnesLeave a comment

top-secret-1076813_1280

Hi Peeps,

Today’s Quote

“We are all God’s agents, dispatched to exemplify His name on various missions.”~TB

Mission

Spoiler alert: you don’t have to go out of the country to a foreign land to go on missions for Christ. In fact, chances are you can do more for you neighbor in God’s name than you can to someone who may not be able to fully understand your language. That’s not a dig at those doing great works in other nations. It is a gentle reminder that we all have a duty to help the poor, the widowed, and the downtrodden which you can easily find in your backyard. Like agents on a secret mission, listen to your Holy Commander for your next assignment. That could be feeding the less fortunate, uplifting a family member or neighbor, the list is long and God knows who to select for the cause. If you are looking for a way to get in on the fun that is serving Christ through serving others, all you have to do is look at the Word for guidance.

Dossier

Spoiler alert #2: you don’t have to shove the Word down the throat of those you serve on your Mission. Look at your dossier– The Word– and read it carefully to understand its instructions. A lot of us get caught up in our egos and go off script with our “help” causing more harm than good. God calls us to be examples not enforcers, and there is a difference. Your Mission is torpedoed when you go off script and blow your cover. When working for God, all you have to do is be a light, shining kindness, love, mercy, and humility when carrying out your mission. We are not dispatched to judge because that job is solely reserved for the One who can. So instead of beating the Bible across the faces of “heathens”, try meeting a need. If you are truly looking to show people who God is, love them as He loves you; which means keep the self-righteousness and judgment at home.

Today’s Question

Are you carrying out God’s Mission or your own?

Enjoy the reading

Isaiah 56

1 This is what the LORD says: “Be just and fair to all. Do what is right and good, for I am coming soon to rescue you and to display my righteousness among you. 
2 Blessed are all those who are careful to do this. Blessed are those who honor my Sabbath days of rest and keep themselves from doing wrong. 
3 “Don’t let foreigners who commit themselves to the LORD say, ‘The LORD will never let me be part of his people.’ And don’t let the eunuchs say, ‘I’m a dried-up tree with no children and no future.’ 
4 For this is what the LORD says: I will bless those eunuchs who keep my Sabbath days holy and who choose to do what pleases me and commit their lives to me. 
5 I will give them—within the walls of my house— a memorial and a name far greater than sons and daughters could give. For the name I give them is an everlasting one. It will never disappear! 
6 “I will also bless the foreigners who commit themselves to the LORD, who serve him and love his name, who worship him and do not desecrate the Sabbath day of rest, and who hold fast to my covenant. 
7 I will bring them to my holy mountain of Jerusalem and will fill them with joy in my house of prayer. I will accept their burnt offerings and sacrifices, because my Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations. 
8 For the Sovereign LORD, who brings back the outcasts of Israel, says: I will bring others, too, besides my people Israel.” 
9 Come, wild animals of the field! Come, wild animals of the forest! Come and devour my people! 
10 For the leaders of my people— the LORD ’s watchmen, his shepherds— are blind and ignorant. They are like silent watchdogs that give no warning when danger comes. They love to lie around, sleeping and dreaming. 
11 Like greedy dogs, they are never satisfied. They are ignorant shepherds, all following their own path and intent on personal gain. 
12 “Come,” they say, “let’s get some wine and have a party. Let’s all get drunk. Then tomorrow we’ll do it again and have an even bigger party!”

 

Fixed Mindset

tarynbarnesLeave a comment

person-984236_1920.jpg

Hi Peeps,

Today’s Quote

“It’s difficult to grow your faith if you have a fixed mindset.”~TB

Stagnate

To the uninformed, once you know the Truth, all learning ceases.  Even though the Truth– salvation is given to us through the sacrifice of Jesus– never changes, the trouble with that mindset is that life’s lessons and challenges still exist. The reason the Bible is called the Living Word is that it applies in your life in all of its stages. Friends, receiving salvation is the easy part. Staying in a learning mindset takes grit and perseverance. Failing to cultivate a lifelong relationship with Christ will cause you to stagnate because you don’t understand the landscape of a fallen world. Without understanding God’s love, it is difficult to practice His teachings. Adopt a continuous learning mindset so that you can grow with God throughout your life.

Next Level

The truth is, there is always another level after the last. God’s ways are so expansive and massive that it takes a lifetime to even catch a glimpse. What a mighty God we serve! For this reason, you must always be willing and able to learn new things with Him. Human love pales in comparison to God’s love, which is why we must connect with Him daily to practice love from a Biblical perspective. Those who are considered wise understand that even in their wisdom, they still depend on God like a nursing baby. Without Him you are nothing. But with Him, nothing is impossible. Pass your tests and get to the next level, so that you may reach the next level after that. Once you understand that this is a lifelong process, you will love attending God’s Holy school.

Today’s Question

Are you one of God’s lifelong students or are you flunking out?

Enjoy the reading

Psalm 133

1 How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! 
2 For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil that was poured over Aaron’s head, that ran down his beard and onto the border of his robe. 
3 Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon that falls on the mountains of Zion. And there the LORD has pronounced his blessing, even life everlasting.

Tee Up

tarynbarnesLeave a comment

 

golf-3685616_1920.jpgHi Peeps,

Today’s Quote

“When we practice God’s teachings, we are teeing up the ball for others to participate.”~TB

Assist

Like a caddie to a golfer, we are to be like cheerful helpers to our brothers and sisters in Christ. Setting up the put, we have to step back and let others hit the ball so they too can experience a relationship with God. The role is to assist, not force. By exuding the love of Christ, our actions are to be synonymous with His, so that the example set forth points to our Maker and not to man. While the actions displayed seldom get external credit, trust that God sees all and our faithful actions are on His record.

Sabotage

When you let pride and ego drive the cart, issues like judgment, religious behavior, and acting come into play, misguiding the direction of the put. Friends, we cannot hit the ball for believers. Do not proselytize or beat the Gospel on people’s heads. God does not need a defender, or do you not remember how you came to Christ? Surely no one held you to the fire, so avoid doing that to your peers. Allow the Lord to work in the hearts of others by exemplifying the grace, joy, and mercy He shares with us.

Today’s Question

Are you like a faithful caddie pointing to God or are you forcing the ball into a Hellish sandtrap?

Enjoy the reading

Psalm 113

1 Praise the LORD ! Yes, give praise, O servants of the LORD . Praise the name of the LORD ! 
2 Blessed be the name of the LORD now and forever.
3 Everywhere—from east to west— praise the name of the LORD . 
4For the LORD is high above the nations; his glory is higher than the heavens. 
5 Who can be compared with the LORD our God, who is enthroned on high? 
6 He stoops to look down on heaven and on earth.
7 He lifts the poor from the dust and the needy from the garbage dump.
8 He sets them among princes, even the princes of his own people! 
9He gives the childless woman a family, making her a happy mother. Praise the LORD !

Hurts

jonmbarnesLeave a comment
silhouette-67202_1920.jpgHi Peeps,
Today’s Quote
Keep being kind Peeps, even when it hurts, because one act of kindness can make you hold back the tears of joy, after touching someone’s life so much at the right time.”  ~ Jon Barnes

Many

Many people are in need of truth, hope, charity, and love because greedy people are squeezing the life out of our society.  People scrambling to find and work two part-time jobs are finding it difficult to make ends meet.  Everyone can’t be millionaires. So why set up the poor to fail, by being overworked and underpaid with no health care and benefits?

Systemic

The challenges poor people face are too many to mention and I don’t have the answers.  But God gives us instructions on how to reach out to everyone, to do fair business, trade, and services.  However, there are those who will use every opportunity to make a buck and not share the wealth in a realistic fashion.  let’s try giving people a hand up.

Problems

Teaching people how to work through their problems and giving them fair jobs and wages is how we are Biblically commanded to oversee companies.  However, part-time jobs that strategically short change workers into a cycle of poverty are plaguing many working adults. It is not fair and no one seems to care!
Today’s Question
Do you pay people what they are worth or do you pick their pockets, expecting God to look the other way?
Enjoy The Reading
 

Psalm 52 

For the choir director: A psalm[a] of David, regarding the time Doeg the Edomite said to Saul, “David has gone to see Ahimelech.”

1 Why do you boast about your crimes, great warrior?
    Don’t you realize God’s justice continues forever?
2 All day long you plot destruction.
    Your tongue cuts like a sharp razor;
    you’re an expert at telling lies.
3 You love evil more than good
    and lies more than truth. Interlude
4 You love to destroy others with your words,
    you liar!
5 But God will strike you down once and for all.
    He will pull you from your home
    and uproot you from the land of the living. Interlude
6 The righteous will see it and be amazed.
    They will laugh and say,
7 “Look what happens to mighty warriors
    who do not trust in God.
They trust their wealth instead
    and grow more and more bold in their wickedness.”
8 But I am like an olive tree, thriving in the house of God.
    I will always trust in God’s unfailing love.
9 I will praise you forever, O God,
    for what you have done.
I will trust in your good name
    in the presence of your faithful people.

Love,

Jonathan

Let

jonmbarnesLeave a comment
family-1466262_1920.jpg
Hi Peeps,
Today’s Quote
“Let your spouse and children explain what they have learned from you and God will show you how effective your life has been to them.”  ~ Jon Barnes

Love

Express your love for God in all that you do so that there is no question about your character and faith in God.  The perfect work of love is simple and people all around the world have the same longing for it.  If you are a conduit of love, your actions are obvious and in tune with Humanity in God.

Proceed

Move forward in your love thinking with your time, money, family and work so that your balance with God’s life lessons account for your success right now and in Heaven.  Because the path of goodness is lonely, with few people walking thereby, keep the faith as a permanent process God has for your life.

Work

With lots of love, work by yourself and then share what you have learned.   Collaborate when you have the wisdom to do so. Otherwise, your distractions may cause you to stumble, stall, and ultimately fail. People must buy their own oil to be ready for God and the Love He can only give. Let your work be to the Will of God and not your own thoughts.
Today’s Question
Did you let the Will of God move you today and can you see the fruit from your continued obedience or are you frustrated, busted, and discussed?
Enjoy The Reading

Psalm 14

For the choir director: A psalm of David.

1 Only fools say in their hearts,
    “There is no God.”
They are corrupt, and their actions are evil;
    not one of them does good!
2 The Lord looks down from heaven
    on the entire human race;
he looks to see if anyone is truly wise,
    if anyone seeks God.
3 But no, all have turned away;
    all have become corrupt.[a]
No one does good,
    not a single one!
4 Will those who do evil never learn?
    They eat up my people like bread
    and wouldn’t think of praying to the Lord.
5 Terror will grip them,
    for God is with those who obey him.
6 The wicked frustrate the plans of the oppressed,
    but the Lord will protect his people.
7 Who will come from Mount Zion to rescue Israel?
    When the Lord restores his people,
    Jacob will shout with joy, and Israel will rejoice.

Love,

Jonathan

Say NO

jonmbarnesLeave a comment
bled-3070520_1920
Hi Peeps,
Today’s Quote
“Saying no to idiots with deflection, intervention, prevention, preparation, kindness, a gift, and love is wisdom from God’s Word.”  ~  Jon Barnes

Gifting

It is impossible to give a gift of love when there is no LOVE in your heart.  People who destroy themselves cannot love someone else.  Honestly look to see how people treat themselves and how they care for their children, family, and other people in the same manner. When a person is selfish, they will treat their children like slaves.  Separating yourself from fools and their foolishness is a gift from God for you to share with your family first.

People

A person who teaches and rewards their children for good work will gain a lifelong friend full of wisdom and understanding to improve upon their parent’s lessons in life.  People who teach their children how to fight with The Word of God, simply live by the truth and not with an attitude. Copy this model from God and teach others by examples success in your life lessons.

Negotiation

Negotiation skills are a gift from God, but wisdom teaches you how to avoid the pitfalls of pitiful thinkers.  After you have spoken the truth, walk away and let God do the rest.  Be the truth and you will always do your best.  Stay with God and accept nothing less.  Stop asking for handout and advice as if you are needy.  Help yourself, buy your obedience to Love, the sowing of good seeds, and properly sharing the harvested oils of wisdom.  Your forest of righteousness will nicely grow when you tell other people NO.
Today’s Question
Do you think I would be able to accomplish being a good father, loving husband, hard worker, and a man of faith if I said yes to all the dumb things people asked me to do for them and within my lifetime? 
Enjoy The Reading

tree-bark-1209874_1920.jpg

For the choir director: A psalm of David.

1 O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever?
    How long will you look the other way?
2 How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul,
    with sorrow in my heart every day?
    How long will my enemy have the upper hand?
3 Turn and answer me, O Lord my God!
    Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die.
4 Don’t let my enemies gloat, saying, “We have defeated him!”
    Don’t let them rejoice at my downfall.
5 But I trust in your unfailing love.
    I will rejoice because you have rescued me.
6 I will sing to the Lord
    because he is good to me.
 

Love,

Jonathan

One Day

jonmbarnesLeave a comment
balloons-892806_1920.jpgHi Peeps,
Today’s Quote
“Doing the work of faith one day a year is not good enough, because God will hold you accountable for the 365 days in a year to judge what you have done.” ~  Jon Barnes

About

God is not about to throw out his math skills of accountability and assessment of your character, nature, and measure of faith in your personal work and walk with God during your lifetime.  Your repentance and connection to God with the Blood of Christ will teach you how to remain holy and separated unto God.  However, it only takes a second for you to choose and cut that tie and bond with God, based on your choice and wicked behavior.

Amount

You must keep your lamp full with the Spirit of God in your heart and life so that your light keeps shining now and forever.  This unlimited amount of love that God has supernaturally given you will sustain you in all times if you are a true believer.  You will run your race with all that you have to prove your loyalty to God.  He will sustain, teach, and test you each day and God’s training is thorough.

Account

God’s accounting on your life is none of my business. God’s accounting in my life is none of your business.  His judgment will condemn or correspond to your faith walk, facts, and records to account for your life.  One Day, you will be seen as you are and God will decide if you are worthy.  Strive to be worthy at all times and humble your causes into the Hands of God and His Righteousness.
Today’s Question
Will The Blood of Christ save you, if you are a habitual thief, liar, cheater, and an evil person, pretending to be a true Christian or do you really think God is as stupid as you are?

Enjoy The Reading

Job 32 

Elihu Responds to Job’s Friends

32 Job’s three friends refused to reply further to him because he kept insisting on his innocence.
2 Then Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the clan of Ram, became angry. He was angry because Job refused to admit that he had sinned and that God was right in punishing him. 3 He was also angry with Job’s three friends, for they made God[a]appear to be wrong by their inability to answer Job’s arguments. 4 Elihu had waited for the others to speak to Job because they were older than he. 5 But when he saw that they had no further reply, he spoke out angrily. 6 Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite said,
“I am young and you are old,
    so I held back from telling you what I think.
7 I thought, ‘Those who are older should speak,
    for wisdom comes with age.’
8 But there is a spirit[b] within people,
    the breath of the Almighty within them,
    that makes them intelligent.
9 Sometimes the elders are not wise.
    Sometimes the aged do not understand justice.
10 So listen to me,
    and let me tell you what I think.
11 “I have waited all this time,
    listening very carefully to your arguments,
    listening to you grope for words.
12 I have listened,
    but not one of you has refuted Job
    or answered his arguments.
13 And don’t tell me, ‘He is too wise for us.
    Only God can convince him.’
14 If Job had been arguing with me,
    I would not answer with your kind of logic!
15 You sit there baffled,
    with nothing more to say.
16 Should I continue to wait, now that you are silent?
    Must I also remain silent?
17 No, I will say my piece.
    I will speak my mind.
18 For I am full of pent-up words,
    and the spirit within me urges me on.
19 I am like a cask of wine without a vent,
    like a new wineskin ready to burst!
20 I must speak to find relief,
    so let me give my answers.
21 I won’t play favorites
    or try to flatter anyone.
22 For if I tried flattery,
    my Creator would soon destroy me.

Love,

Jonathan