Believe, love, and live!

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. I invite to you add in any reflections or comments you may have.

Blessings and best wishes,
Dr. Will.

Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Devotions: Ps 20, 21:1-7; 23, 27; 1 Ki 17:17-24; 3 Jn, Jn 4:46-54

May God answer us in our days of trouble; may He grant our heart’s desire and fulfill all our plans; may we shout with joy for victory and set up banners in God’s name! God helps His own; some foolishly boast in military power, but we boast in YHWH’s name. Victory in God! Lord, our leaders rejoice in Your strength; You have given us life, power, and honor. We trust in God alone, and we will not be moved. YHWH is my Shepherd, and I have no unmet needs. He provides rest; He guides me beside still waters and restores my soul; He leads me into righteousness, to honor His name. Even when I walk through death’s shadow, I fear no evil, for God is with me. Lord, Your rod and staff comfort me, and You prepare a feast for me, right before my enemies; You anoint me with Your Spirit; my fortunes overflow. Goodness and love will pursue me all my days, and I will live in YHWH’s household forever! YHWH is everything to me: light, salvation, protection—though my enemies mass against me, God will protect me. I fear nothing but dishonoring my God; Lord, all I want is to live with You always. I offer in God’s tabernacle shouts of joy and praise; I will sing to my God! I seek only God; keep me near You, Lord. Lead me on a level path as I wait upon You, my Lord.

While Elijah passed a great famine in the home of a widow in Zarephath, the woman’s son became ill and died. The woman protested, and the prophet prayed over the son, ‘Lord, let his soul come into him again!’ YHWH listened, and the child was resuscitated. Elijah returned the living son to his mother, and the woman said, ‘Now I know that you are a man of God and that YHWH’s words are in your mouth!’

John the Elder writes to Gaius, wishing him well in body and soul. ‘You show godly loyalty when you serve the Christian community, particularly strangers, who testify to your love before the church. We ought to support our fellow workers in God’s cause. But Diotrephes ignores my authority and persecutes God’s ambassadors—he even interferes with the hospitality others would offer. Don’t imitate evil; imitate what is good! Whoever does good is of God; whoever does evil has not seen God. Demetrius does good; Diotrephes does evil. You all know that my testimony is true and authoritative. But I’d rather deal with this in person when we can talk face to face. Peace and greetings to you and to all the friends of God.’

Jesus came again to Cana, where He had turned water to wine. An official from Capernaum sought Jesus there, since the man’s son was very sick. He begged Jesus to come and heal his son. Jesus demurred at first: ‘Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe.’ But the man persisted: ‘Sir, come down before my child dies!’ And Jesus replied, ‘Go; your son will live.’ The man believed Jesus’ words and went his way. As he was returning, servants coming from his home met the man and told him that his son was alive. He asked them about when his son began to recover, and they replied his fever had broken ‘at the seventh hour’ the previous day [about 1 PM]—the very hour Jesus had declared that the boy would live. The man and all his household put their faith in Jesus, at this, His second great sign in Galilee.