Bow to God's judgment

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.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Devotions: Ps 38; Amos 8:1-14; Rev 1:17-2:7; Mt 23:1-12

Lord, don’t rebuke me in Your anger. I have no defense against Your indignation, and I am utterly crushed and brokenhearted when I sin against You. My heart throbs; my strength fails, and my enemies plan to destroy me. I wait only for You, my Lord! Let them not exult over me; I am sorry for my sin; Lord, forgive and restore me; hurry to help me, God of my salvation!

YHWH showed Amos a basket of summer fruit: ‘Amos, what do you see?’ ‘A basket of summer fruit.’ And God said, ‘The end has come upon My people Israel; their temple songs will turn to wails; dead bodies will be everywhere. Let those who exploit the poor and needy pay attention: you long to begin your dishonest commerce again, but God remembers every one of your transgressions; the whole land trembles under your exploitation. I will bring an end to all this: night will come in midday; your festivals will be funerals; your songs will be lamentations. You’ll dress in sackcloth and your heads will go bald. I will send famine on the land—not of bread or drink, but a famine for God’s words. People will run everywhere seeking the word of the Lord, but they won’t find it. Fair virgins and young men will faint from thirst; those who serve other gods will fall, never to rise again.’

At the sight of the risen Jesus, John fell at His feet as though dead. But He laid His hand on John and said, ‘Don’t be afraid! I Am the first and the last; I Am the Living One. I died—but look! I Am alive forevermore. And I have the keys to Death and Hades. Write what you see: what is and what is to come. The seven stars you saw are the angels of the seven churches in Asia; and the seven gold lampstands are those seven churches. Now write to the angel of the church in Ephesus: “The words of Him Who holds the seven stars and walks among the seven lampstands: I know your works, your toil and patient endurance; I know you cannot bear evil men; you have tested those who call themselves apostles, and found them false. I know you endure patiently and are bearing up for My name’s sake, and you are not wearying of this. But I have this against you: you have abandoned your first love. Remember then from what heights you have fallen; repent and do the works you did at first. Otherwise, I will come to you and remove your lampstand; repent! I give you this: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. Let everyone who can hear, listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches: ‘To him who conquers, I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’”’

Jesus spoke to His disciples and to the crowds following Him: ‘The scribes and Pharisees have Moses’ seat; so practice and observe what they tell you. But don’t do as they do, for they preach truth, but don’t practice it. They tie up heavy burdens for others, but don’t lift a finger themselves. They preen in public, with long fringes and large phylacteries; they love places of honor at feasts, and the best seats in the synagogues. They want to be respectfully greeted in the market, and to be called “rabbi” by the people. But don’t seek that address; you have one Teacher; you are all brothers in the family. Call no human your father on earth; you have one Father, Who is in heaven. Neither should you be called “masters”, for you have one Master, the Messiah! Whoever is greatest among you should be your servant; whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.’