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

Blessings and best wishes,
Dr. Will

Monday, February 15, 2010
Devotions: Ps 9, 15, 25; Prov 27:1-12; Phil 2:1-13; Jn 18:15-27

I will thank the Lord with my whole heart, and tell of Your wonderful deeds, O Most High! You have protected me from my enemies; You have been my stronghold. Let us praise the Lord and tell everyone about His deeds. The Lord executes judgment for His people; mortals will not prevail against our God! Those who walk blamelessly may sojourn with You; they keep their word, and will never be moved. Lord, I lift my soul to You. Let the treacherous be ashamed, but help me to know Your ways; Lord, remember me according to Your steadfast love, and guide me in Your paths. Pardon my great guilt and instruct me in holiness, I pray. Relieve the troubles of our hearts, and deliver us from our distresses. May integrity and righteousness preserve me, for I wait, O God, for You alone.

I will not boast about tomorrow; only God knows what a day will bring. Great challenges we face include a fool’s provocation, jealousy, hidden love, and the lies of an enemy. Sustain the integrity of the home and family; be a faithful friend; honor your parents; and be careful to avoid danger.

If there is any encouragement in the Messiah, any incentive in love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, join all the Christians in being of one mind, having one love, being in one accord and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility, consider others better than yourselves. And look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Share among you the same mind that was in Jesus the Messiah: though He was in the form of God, He did not count equality with God as something to be grasped; instead, He emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being born a human. Being in human form, He humbled Himself further and became obedient even to death on a cross. For all this, God has exalted Jesus and bestowed on Him the Name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus the Messiah is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Therefore, since we have always obeyed, in community or in solitude, let us continue to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling—for God is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure!

After Jesus was arrested, Simon and John followed Him. Since the high priest knew John, he was admitted into the court where Jesus was. Peter stood outside at the door. John went out and spoke to the maid who was watching the door, and brought Peter in. She said to Peter, ‘Aren’t you also one of this man’s disciples?’ Peter said, ‘I am not.’ Peter warmed himself at a charcoal fire along with the servants and officers standing there. The high priest questioned Jesus about His disciples and teaching. Jesus answered him, ‘I have spoken openly to the world, in the synagogues and in the temple, where Jews congregate. I’ve said nothing in secret. Why interrogate Me? Ask the ones who heard Me; they know what I said.’ One of the officers standing nearby struck Jesus with his hand, saying, ‘Is this how you answer the high priest?’ Jesus said to him, ‘If I have spoken wrongly, bear witness to the wrong; but if I have spoken truly, why do you strike me?’ Annas then sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest. Those standing near Peter asked him, ‘Aren’t you one of His disciples?’ He denied it, saying ‘I am not.’ One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, ‘Did I not see you in the garden with him?’ Peter again denied it; and at that moment, the cock crowed.