Life with God

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

Saturday, January 2, 2010
Devotions: 33, 34; 1 Ki 19:1-8; Eph 4:1-16; Jn 6:1-14

Rejoice in God with a new song! His word is true, His works are holy; He is faithful; the universe teems with God’s steadfast love. He created all that is, by His word. Let all creation stand in awe of YHWH Sabaoth. His counsel stands; blessed are the people whose God is YHWH, the people He has chosen as His heritage. Victory is in the Lord, our Help and Shield. My heart is glad in YHWH; Lord, let Your steadfast love rest upon me as I trust in You. Let all who love YHWH exalt His name together. He has answered all my fears; as we look to Him, we are radiant. God’s angel protects those who fear Him, and delivers them. Taste: how good is YHWH! Happy the ones who take refuge in Him; let all the saints fear Him, for those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. Depart from evil; speak no deceit; seek peace and pursue it vigorously! God regards the righteous and turns from the wicked; He delivers the godly and judges the evildoers. He saves the brokenhearted. The righteous have many afflictions, but YHWH delivers them from every one! He is our Redeemer; none who take refuge will be condemned.

When Ahab told Jezebel that Elijah had executed all the priests of Baal, she sent a message to the prophet: ‘May the gods do so to me and more, if I don’t put you to death as you have done to Baal’s priests.’ Elijah fled in fear, first to Beersheba in Judah, where he left his servant. Then he traveled a day further into the Negev and sat under a broom tree, praying that he would die: ‘Lord, it’s enough! Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors.’ He lay down and fell asleep; when he awoke, an angel was there, who told Elijah, ‘Get up and eat!’ Beside Elijah was a baked cake and a jar of water. The prophet ate and drank, and rested again. A second time, the angel roused him and fed him; the Elijah got up and in the strength of his two God-given meals, he traveled forty days and nights to Horeb, the mountain of God.

Paul writes to the church: ‘As a prisoner for the Lord, I beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling—with lowliness, meekness and patience, forbearing one another in love; be eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Unity in body, Spirit, hope and calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all. In this unity, grace was apportioned to each of us uniquely, as Christ has determined. When Jesus rose and ascended, He lifted us with Him, just as He descended lower than any—so that He is First in all things. His sovereign gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry—to build up the body of the Messiah, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature adulthood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of the Messiah. Thus we may no longer be children, tossed about and carried by every wind of doctrine, but the cunning of men, by their craftiness in deceitful wiles. Instead of all this, we must speak the truth in love, and grow up in every way into Him Who is our Head, into the Messiah, from Whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every joint, when each is working properly, makes for bodily growth and upbuilds itself in love.

Jesus traveled across the Sea of Galilee, and a multitude pursued Him, because they had seen Him heal the sick. Jesus went up a mountain and sat down with His disciples. The Passover was near. Looking over the crowds coming to Him, Jesus said to Philip, ‘How will we buy bread for these people to eat?’ Philip answered, ‘Eight months’ wages wouldn’t be enough to give each a morsel.’ Andrew spoke up, ‘All we have is the lunch this boy had brought—five loaves and two fish; but what are they among so many?’ Jesus directed the disciples to seat the crowd; there were 5000 men, plus women and children. Jesus took the bread, gave thanks, and distributed it to the seated crowds; He did the same with the fish. Everyone ate till they were full; then Jesus told the disciples to gather up the leftovers. They filled twelve baskets with the fragments from the five barley loaves. The people were impressed: ‘This is indeed the prophet who was foretold!’