God's Way or Desolation

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 in the archives, dated November 12, 2008, where I introduce myself and the blog.

Monday, October 19, 2009
Devotions: Ps 9, 15, 25; Jer 44:1-14; Acts 16:6-15; Lk 10:1-20

With my whole heart, I thank my God! My enemies tremble in panic before You; and You rebuke the pagans. God is enthroned forever; He is Judge over all creation, a stronghold for the oppressed. Let us praise our God with song and shouts of joy. Lord, be gracious to me, I pray, that I may testify to Your goodness. The needy and poor have hope because God is for us. Those who are blameless can live in God’s presence; let us do what is right and speak truth; let us refrain from slander and gossip, and shun the company of the wicked. Let us keep our promises and show kindness and generosity to others. Lord, I lift my soul to You, and put all my trust in You! Make me know your ways; lead me in truth, God of my salvation. Forgive my sins and folly, Lord, and show me Your favor because of Your mercy and kindness. All paths are steadfast love and faithfulness for those who keep Your covenant and Your testimonies. God is my Friend; He relieves the troubles of my heart and forgives my sins. May integrity and righteousness uphold me as I wait upon You, my God! Redeem us from all our troubles.

God spoke through Jeremiah to the Jews in exile in Egypt after the fall of Jerusalem to Babylon: ‘You have seen the desolation I have brought upon Jerusalem and all the cities of Judah, because of the wickedness and idolatry of their residents. I repeatedly sent warning and counsel by My prophets, but no one listened, and the cities lie desolate and deserted today. Now you are adding to your offenses, continuing idolatrous worship while in Egypt—do you want to be a curse and taunt among all earth’s nations? Your ancestors refused to humble themselves, and look what has happened to them. Do you insist on similar punishment for yourselves? I will set My face against you for evil; I will cut off all of Judah and punish you in Egypt as I punished you in Jerusalem: you will be consumed, falling by the sword and by famine and by pestilence; you will become an execration, a horror, a curse and a taunt. None will survive or return!’

Paul and Silas passed through Phrygia and Galatia, because the Holy Spirit had forbidden them to minister in Asia; likewise, the Spirit prevented them from entering Bithynia. Paul had a night vision of a Macedonian man pleading, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us!’ Accompanied by Dr. Luke, they proceeded to answer this call, and sailed from Troas, via Samothrace and Neapolis, to Philippi, the leading city in Macedonia and a Roman colony. On the Sabbath, they went outside the city to a place of prayer and spoke to the women who assembled there. One was Lydia, a prominent merchant in purple goods, a worshiper of God from the city of Thyatira. She and her household were baptized and she prevailed on Paul’s party to be her houseguests.

Jesus appointed seventy (or 72) emissaries, and sent them ahead of him in pairs, to every place He was about to visit. He told them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but there are few to harvest; therefore, pray the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest. Go now: I send you as lambs amid wolves. Take no provision, and don’t stop to dawdle or gossip along the way. Wherever you go, enter the house saying ‘Peace be upon this house.’ If a son of peace lives there, your peace will abide on him; if not, it will return to you. Stay put, accepting the food and shelter they provide—as My laborers, you are worthy of these wages. Whenever you enter a town, take what is offered; heal the sick and proclaim that the kingdom of God has come near. If they don’t receive you, proclaim in their streets, “We wipe off your dust clinging to our feet; nevertheless, know this: the kingdom of God has come near you.” It will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah on God’s day of judgment than for such a town! Woe to Chorazin and Bethsaida: if the mighty works performed in you had taken place in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. It will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon than for you when God brings judgment. And you, Capernaum: you will be brought down to Hades. Whoever listens to you hears Me; whoever rejects you is rejecting Me and the One Who sent Me.’ The seventy went forth and returned from their mission with joy, telling Jesus: ‘Wow! Even the demons are subject to us in Your name!’ Jesus answered, ‘I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions and over all the enemy’s power. Nothing will hurt you. Nevertheless, don’t rejoice in this authority over spirits; rejoice that your names are written in heaven!’