Live for God and others

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 5, 2009
Devotions: Ps 106; 2 Ki 21:1-18; 1 Cor 10:14-11:1; Mt 8:28-34

Give thanks to YHWH, for He is good; His steadfast love endures for ever. Lord, remember me as You show favor to Your people. I am a sinner and offspring of sinners—yet You have given more grace at every turn. Throughout history, we have received Your blessings and rejoiced, then turned from you, forgotten You, and fallen into sin, eventually suffering the consequences of our idolatry—and then we’d cry out anew, begging for Your mercy. I know You’re tired of that cycle; so am I, Father! I pray for the lesson of history to become indelible in my memory and my conscience; help me break this weary cycle and abide in Your love and grace, that I may glory in Your name and praise You forever!

King Manasseh was 12 years old when he began the longest reign in Judah’s history—55 years?! Yet he was an evil king, joining in the abominations that set the pagans apart from YHWH. He even built pagan altars in the Jerusalem temple and its courts. He sacrificed his own son as a burned offering and practiced soothsaying and augury, against God’s commands, dealing with wizards and mediums. Judah ignored and offended her God, and YHWH spoke by His prophets: I Am bringing on Jerusalem and Judah the measuring line of Samaria and the plummet used to evaluate the house of Ahab; and I will scour Jerusalem as one wipes a dirty dish. I will send the remnant of My heritage into the hands of their enemies—they have failed to obey Me from the day I delivered them from Egypt. And Manasseh has shed innocent blood; his sins revolt Me!
In time, Manasseh was succeeded by his son Amon.

Paul writes to the Corinthian Christians: ‘My loved ones, shun idol-worship! We partake in the sacrament of Christ’s own body and blood. This makes of us one body, as those in Israel who eat of the sacrifices are joined to the altar and to God. I don’t want you to be partners with demons; you must not partake of God’s cup and that of demons or idols. You cannot eat at both the Lord’s table and the table of demons. Don’t provoke God’s jealousy; we cannot match His power! Seek the good of others; don’t offend the consciences of those who have less knowledge than you. Eat whatever is set before you without concern. But if your partaking would cause someone else to stumble, abstain. Our liberty is not determined by the scruples of other mortals. If we partake with thanks to God, our partaking is acceptable. So, whatever you do—eating, drinking or abstaining—do all to God’s glory. Offend no one, Jew or Gentile or Christian. Seek the advantage of others, as I do; imitate me, as I imitate the Messiah.’

When Jesus arrived in the country of the Gadarenes, two demoniacs, coming out of the tombs, met Him. They were so fierce that no one could pass by that road. They cried out, ‘What have You to do with us, O Son of God? Have You come to torment us before the time?’ A herd of many pigs was feeding in the distance; the demons begged Jesus: ‘If You cast us out, send us into the herd of swine.’ And He said: ‘Go!’ So they did, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank, into the water, and drowned. The herdsmen fled into the city and told everything they had witnsessed. All the city came out to meet Jeuss and begged Him to leave their area. So, getting into the boat, Jesus crossed the lake and returned to Capernaum.