Live with integrity

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.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Devotions: Ps 5, 6, 10, 11; Jer 36:27-37:2; 1 Cor 14:1-12; Mt 10:16-23

Lord, I turn to You this morning; please hear me! You hate evil, but I come by means of Your abundant, steadfast love, and I come in awe. Make my way straight and protect me against all enemies. Let those rejoice who trust You and take Your offer of protection. You bless and shield those who trust and obey You. I am struggling because I’m pushing toward a higher level of consistency and obedience in my conduct. Guide me upward, beyond the level of holiness I can easily sustain. Deliver me from complacency, God. I know this: that You hear and answer every honest prayer and punish every sin and deception. Let the wicked face their own schemes. Defend the afflicted, great Lord, and hear the sincere calls of the meek; do justice to the fatherless and oppressed, and evaporate our fear of the earthy wicked. YHWH is righteous and hates the violent; the upright will see God’s face!

After Jehoiakim burned the scroll that Jeremiah had dictated to Baruch, YHWH directed the prophet to write it all again. And he told Jeremiah to prophesy concerning Jehoiakim: 'He will have no successor on David’s throne, and his body will be exposed and not buried. I will bring upon him and on Jerusalem and Judah all the evil I have pronounced and which they have refused to hear.' So Jeremiah did as God commanded. Jehoiakim was succeeded by Zedekiah, not by his own son Coniah—and still none of them listened to the words of God spoken through His prophet Jeremiah.

Paul continues his discourse to Corinthian Christians: Aspire to love and seek the highest spiritual gifts, especially prophecy. Tongues is a worship gift, but it doesn’t edify listeners; but prophecy affects all who hear, and edifies the church. If one speaks a tongue, another must interpret. Unless the note is clear, an instrument is useless; unless a common language is used, an utterance has no power for good. Strive to excel in building up the church!

Jesus’ instructions to His emissaries continued: ‘I send you out as sheep among wolves—so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Be careful of men: they will deliver you to councils and flog you in their synagogues. You will be dragged before governors and kings for My sake, to bear testimony before them and all the Gentiles. When this happens, don’t be anxious about what to say: God will guide your speech. When you must talk, the Spirit of the Father will speak through you! Families will be divided over the question of faith in Me, and many will hate you because you belong to Me. However, whoever endures to the end will be saved. When you face persecution in one place, flee to another. You won’t finish visiting the towns of Israel before the Son of man comes!’