Submit to God's holy love

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.

Thursday, December 31, 2009
Devotions: Ps 46, 48; 1 Ki 3:5-14; Jas 4:13-17; 5:7-11; Jn 5:1-15

God is our refuge and strength, a very present Help in trouble! We will fear nothing! His heavenly city is graced by a river flowing from God’s throne. Nations rage, kingdoms topple, the earth melts—but God abides forever. Let us be still and contemplate YHWH, exalted over all creation; the God of Jacob, YHWH Sabaoth, is with us. We consider Your steadfast love, O God, and praise You all day long, our God and Guide forever.

God appeared to Solomon and offered the king whatever he might ask; Solomon thanked the Lord and asked: ‘Give Your servant an understanding mind, that I may discern between good and evil; for who is able to govern Your great people?’ Pleased, the Lord also granted Solomon long life, riches and sovereignty over his enemies. Solomon awoke, and gave a feast in honor of YHWH; he became the wisest man in history.

James counsels: You know nothing of your future; so be humble: ‘If the Lord wills, I will live and do this or that.’ Know what is right, and do it! Abide patiently until the Lord comes; put your hearts at the ready—He is near! No grumbling among the Christian community; no judging—leave that to God, the Judge at our door. Imitate the steadfast prophets of old; be patient like Job—our eternal God is compassionate and merciful.

Jesus went to Jerusalem for one of the feasts. He visited the pool Bethzatha near the Sheep Gate, where multitudes of invalids lay. One man there had been ill for 38 years. Jesus asked him, ‘Do you want to be healed?’ The man answered, ‘Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is troubled; while I struggle to get in someone always steps in ahead of me.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Get up, take your pallet and walk!’ And the man was healed; he took up his pallet and walked. All this occurred on a Sabbath, so the Jewish authorities harassed the former paralytic: ‘It’s not lawful for you to carry your pallet on the Sabbath!’ The man answered, ‘He Who healed me told me to take it up and to walk.’ They asked who did these things. The man didn’t know Jesus’ name, and Jesus had already withdrawn from the crowded pool area. Later, Jesus approached the man in the temple area, and told him, ‘See, you are well! Sin no more, so that nothing worse befalls you.’ Then man went and told the Jewish authorities that it was Jesus Who had healed him.