Living in community, under 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 record any reflections or comments you may have. The devotions themselves are only the first utterance of a dialog.

Blessings and best wishes,
Dr. Will

Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Devotions: Ps 121-26; Exod 5:1-6:1; 1 Cor 14:20-40; Mk 9:42-50

I look up to the hills and think about where my help can be found: my help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. He won’t let me be displaced, and He is ever vigilant. YHWH is my Keeper and my Protector. He covers me and watches me in every moment of my life! I have been glad when God’s people encourage me to come together to worship in His house. How I love Jerusalem, God’s special city on earth; we pray, Lord, for her peace, and in love for God, we wish well all who live and worship in Jerusalem. Lord, I lift my eyes to You, enthroned in heaven. I seek Your mercy and Your favor; I have had a bellyful of contempt and the scorn of the proud. If YHWH had not been on my side, I would long ago have been swallowed up and destroyed by the malice of the wicked and godless. But blessed be the Lord, Who has kept me from their jaws and traps. My help is in the name of YHWH, Creator and Master of all that exists. All who trust in the Lord: He surrounds us as the mountains surround and shelter Jerusalem. Let God do good to those who seek His favor, to the upright in heart, and let God do away with evildoers, so there may be peace for the Israel of God. When God restores our fortunes, it’s like a wonderful dream! We are filled with joy and laughter, our tongues give forth songs and shouts of celebration and gratitude. YHWH has done great things for us, and we are glad. Lord, restore us as the waters make the Negev bloom. May those who sow in tears go forth and reap with shouts of triumphant joy, bringing their harvest home.

After counsel with the elders of Israel, Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh, saying, ‘Thus says YHWH, the God of Israel: “Let My people go, that they may hold a feast to me in the wilderness.” Pharaoh responded, ‘Who is this YHWH? I don’t know YHWH, and I will not let Israel go.’ The Hebrews replied, ‘The God of the Hebrews has met with us; let us go, we pray, three days’ journey into the wilderness and sacrifice to YHWH our God, lest He fall upon us with pestilence or the sword.’ But Egypt’s king said, ‘Moses and Aaron, why do you try to take the people from their work? Get back to your burdens!’ Pharaoh took stern countermeasures; he ordered the taskmasters: ‘No more providing straw for the bricks the Israelites must produce. No straw, and no fewer bricks! They are slackers, and are asking for time off to sacrifice to their god. So make them gather their own straw; let heavier work be laid on these men so that they are kept busy working and pay no regard to lying words.’ The taskmasters immediately implemented Pharaoh’s stern measures; the Israelite foremen were flogged and harassed about falling behind on their production quotas. The Israelite foremen protested to Pharaoh, but he was adamant: ‘You are idle; that’s why you ask to be released to depart and sacrifice to YHWH. So get to work! No straw; no fewer bricks. That’s it!' The foremen complained to Moses and Aaron: ‘May YHWH look upon you and judge; you have made us offensive to Pharaoh and his servants, and you have put a sword in their hand to kill us.’ Moses in turn confronted YHWH: ‘O Lord, why have You done evil to this people? Why did You send me here? Since I returned, Pharaoh has done more evil to the people, and You have not delivered them at all!’ But YHWH said to Moses, ‘You will see what I will do to Pharaoh; he will send them, he will drive them out of his land before I’m through with him.’

Paul continued his teaching addressed to the Corinthians: Brothers and sisters, don’t think like children. Be infants in evil, but think like adults. The law declares, ‘By men of strange tongues and by foreign lips I will speak to this people, and even then they won’t listen to Me, says YHWH.’ So: tongues are a sign for unbelievers, not for believers. If the whole church assembled, and everyone was speaking in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers came in, they simply would think 'these Christians are all crazy.' But if all prophesy, the outsider or unbeliever will be convicted by all; everyone will be calling that person to account, disclosing the secrets of his heart; and falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is truly among you. So, how should we proceed? When you come together, each one has something to contribute—a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Let all things be done for the purpose of edification. If any speak in a tongue, keep it to two or three at most, each in turn, and let each be interpreted. And if there is no one to interpret, let each keep silence in church and speak to himself and to God alone. Let two or three prophets speak, and let the congregation weigh what is said. If a revelation should come to one sitting among you, let the person who had the floor be silent, so the revelation can be considered by all. All of you can prophesy, one by one, so that all may learn and be encouraged. The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. God is a God of peace, not of confusion. Women should keep silence in church, subordinate as the Torah teaches. If they have a question, let them ask their own husbands, at home. It is shameful for a woman to speak in church. Pay attention: God’s word didn’t originate among you, nor are you the only ones God has reached with His message. If any one thinks of himself as a prophet, or as spiritual, let him acknowledge what I am writing to you as the Lord’s command. Those who will not acknowledge and recognize this message are not to be recognized. Again, brothers and sisters: earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues; but do everything decently and in order.

Jesus spoke to His ambitious disciples: ‘Whoever causes one of these little children who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea. If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to go to eternal hellfire with two hands. If your foot causes you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than to be thrown into hell with two feet. If your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter God’s kingdom with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, where the worm never dies and the fire is never quenched. Salt is good; but if it loses its saltiness, how can you restore its savor? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.’