Cooperate with God and one another

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

Saturday, July 25, 2009
Devotions: Ps 55, 138, 139:1-17; 2 Sam 2:1-16; Acts 15:22-35; Mk 6:1-13

Lord, hear and answer my prayers; I am stressed and oppressed; my heart is anguished and I am afraid. I can’t find shelter, and I’m threatened on every side. Destroy the plots of my enemies, and protect me from false friends. I have only You, but You are more than enough! I cast my burden on the Lord and He sustains me! I will trust in my God. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, God preserves me alive; He will fulfill His purpose in me and for me and through me. My God’s steadfast love endures forever. Father, You know me completely; all my life, past, present and future, is well known to You. I cannot escape Your presence; Your Spirit is everywhere with me. You made me after Your own plan; I am Your handiwork, and I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully crafted. I treasure You, Lord, and Your thoughts.

After Saul’s death, David sought YHWH’s guidance; God sent him up to Hebron in Judah, with his two wives, Ahinoam and Abigail, and his band of loyalists. When David learned that the men of Jabesh-gilead had tended the bodies of Saul and his sons, he sent messengers to encourage and thank them, and welcomed them under his kingship. Meanwhile, Saul’s chief of staff Abner had inaugurated Ish-bosheth, Saul’s surviving son, as king over Israel, Gilead, Ashur, Jezreel, Ephraim and Benjamin. But Judah gave allegiance to David. This situation persisted two years; and David ruled from Hebron for seven years and six months. The military leaders of the two opposing kingdoms met at a pool in Gibeon: Abner for Ish-bosheth, and Joab for David. Twelve warriors from each side contested; a battle ensued, and David’s servants prevailed over Abner and the forces of Ish-bosheth.

At the conclusion of the first Jerusalem council, the Jerusalem church sent Judas Barsabbas and Silas to accompany Paul and Barnabas in conveying the conference’s ruling to the churches in and beyond Antioch. They delivered the letter from James and the other leaders to the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia. The letter commended Judas, Silas, Paul and Barnabas, and laid out four essentials: abstain from what is sacrificed to idols, from consuming blood or strangled flesh, and from unchastity. The congregations received this message and its messengers with joy and celebration. After a time of mutual edification, Judas and Silas returned to Jerusalem, while Paul and Barnabas continued to teach and preach in Antioch, and the church continued to flourish.

Jesus returned to His home in Nazareth and began to teach in the synagogue. What He said and did astonished His old neighbors, but they also grumbled, thinking that they knew Jesus already: ‘Isn’t this the carpenter, Mary’s son? Aren’t his brothers and sisters here and well known to us?’ And they took offense at Him. Jesus confronted them: ‘A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country, among his own kindred and household.’ And their unfaith limited His ministry—Jesus healed a few sick people; but He marveled at their unbelief. Presently, He began again to teach among the surrounding villages.