Faith is Fruitful

New Guest: Like this one, most posts are devotional; those related to CAR BIZ can be found by searching for that title. You might read 'Welcome,' the first post, dated November 12, 2008, in the archives.

Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Devotions: Ps 49, 119:49-72; WisSol 4:16-5:8; Col 1:24-2:7; Lk 6:27-38

There is no reason to fear in troubled times. God is in control all the time; we are mortal, and we all will die. But God will ransom me from death and restore me to Himself. Power and wealth in this world are phantoms; trust God and live forever. God, Your word is my comfort; help me recall and understand what scripture says! Your statutes are my songs; Your will is my guide; You, my Lord, are my Portion. I beg Your favor; be gracious to me according to Your covenant and promises. I will hasten to keep God’s commands; I will be a friend to all who praise God and keep His precepts. The universe overflows with our God’s steadfast love. Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in You and in Your commands, YHWH. It is good that I have faced affliction, that I might learn Your statutes. Your words are more to me than piles of gold and silver.

The ungodly and inexperienced may see the earthly end of a wise and righteous man, and scorn both the man and his God. But God has the last laugh; those fools will become dishonored corpses, while God will ransom and preserve the righteous. In the judgment, the righteous man will stand with confidence, while the godless will tremble in dread as their sins and lawless deeds convict them. They will recognize their folly, and newly esteem the ones they formerly ridiculed: ‘We fools took our fill of lawless and destructive ways, but were ignorant of God’s pathways. Our arrogance and worldly wealth are gone, vanished like shadows and passing rumors!’

Paul to the Colossian Christians: ‘I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake; I suffer for the sake of Christ’s body, the church. God commissioned me to minister for you, to make God’s word fully known: the mystery hidden for countless ages, but now made manifest to God’s chosen, both Jews and Gentiles. How immenase are the riches of the glory of this mystery: Christ in you and me, our own hope of glory! I proclaim Jesus the Messiah, warning and teaching every person in all wisdom, so that we may present every one mature in Christ. For this, I labor with every bit of energy, with which God inspires me. I am burdened for you and those at Laodicea and all Christians who haven’t met me yet, that your hearts may be encouraged; that you all may be knit together in love; that you may be enriched with assurance and understanding and knowledge of God’s mystery: of the Anointed One, in Whom are hidden all treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Let no one beguile you; I am with you in the Spirit; I rejoice to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ. Live in the same manner as you received the Messiah Jesus our Lord, rooted in Him, edified and established in the faith, abounding in giving thanks!’

Jesus taught: ‘Love your enemies; do good to those who hate you; bless those who curse you. Turn the other cheek to one who strikes your face; give your shirt to the one who has taken your coat. Give to every beggar; don’t ask for the return of your property from one who takes it. Do to others what you wish others would do for you. There’s no credit in loving those who love you—everybody does that. There’s no benefit in lending to those who can repay. But love your enemies; do good and give, expecting nothing in return—and your reward will be immense: you will be sons and daughters of the Most High—for He is kind to the ungrateful and selfish. Be merciful, then, as your Father is merciful. Forego judging and condemning others, and God will not hold you in judgment and contempt. Give, and you will receive an overflowing measure! The measure you give will be the measure you receive.’