Consecrated life

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. As you read, I encourage you to add in any reflections or comments you may have.

Blessings and best wishes,
Dr. Will

Friday, February 19, 2010
Devotions: Ps 31, 35, 95; Ezek 18:1-4, 25-32; Phil 4:1-9; Jn 17:9-19

Lord, I seek refuge in You; keep me from being shamed, my Rock! I commit myself into Your hands, my Redeemer and faithful God! You had idolaters, and I will rejoice in your steadfast love. You are gracious and kind, Lord, and though my enemies scorn me, You deliver me from their plots. Hide me in the covert of Your presence; God has heard and answered my supplications. I will be strong and take courage as I wait for the Lord. God tells me, ‘I Am your deliverance,’ and He puts my enemies to shame; they are like windblown chaff, or captives snared in the nets they laid for others. My soul rejoices in God my Savior. Lord, none is like You! I will praise You in the great congregation; vindicate me, O God, according to Your righteousness, and let my supporters shout for joy; great is YHWH, Who delights in the welfare of His servant. I will sing His praises all the day long. So come: let us sing to YHWH, the Rock of our Salvation. Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and enter His courts with praise. YHWH is the great high King, God above all gods. All the universe is in His hands. Let us kneel before our Maker, our Lord; for He is our God and we are His flock, the sheep of His hand. Let all creatures praise Him, Judge of the world, righteous and true.

God’s word came to His prophet Ezekiel. He told Ezekiel that we would no longer observe the proverb that says children will suffer for their parents’ sins, and ‘the soul that sins shall die.’ When a righteous man turns from his way and commits evil, he will die for the iniquity he commits. And when a wicked man turns from his wickedness and does what is right, he will live. Israel may challenged the righteous judgments of God, but that is sin itself! God says, ‘Cast away from you all transgressions, and get a new heart and a new spirit! For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone.’ Thus says YHWH Sabaoth; so, let us repent, and live!

Paul entreated all his Christian friends to stand firm in the Lord; he asked those who were disputing to agree in the Lord, and urged all to rejoice in the Lord always. Let everyone know that we are conducting ourselves according to God’s program; for He is at hand! Don’t be anxious about anything; rather, in everything, by prayer and petition, present your requests to God, and God’s peace, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in the Messiah Jesus. Think about what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, gracious, excellent and praiseworthy. Imitate the committed Christians you know, and God’s peace be with you.

Jesus’ High Priestly prayer continued: ‘Father, I Am praying also for all whom You have given Me; all these and Mine and Yours together, and I Am glorified in them. Now, I Am leaving the world; they are staying, while I come to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name, the name You gave Me, that they may be one as You and I Are One. While I was here, I guarded them, and none is lost except the son of perdition, that the seripture may be fulfilled. I say these things now, in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, any more than I Am. I pray that You keep them from the evil one. Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth! As You sent Me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate Myself, that they also may be consecrated in truth.’