Lord, I want to see

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

Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Devotions: Ps 101, 109, 119:121-44; Gen 50:15-26; 1 Cor 12:1-11; Mk 8:11-26

I will sing about love and justice, about a way of life that is blameless. Lord, come to me! I desire to walk with integrity in my house; I will not set anything base before my eyes. I will not fall away, Lord, but I’ll need Your help! Keep perversity of heart away from me! I will look with favor on the faithful, and will not tolerate slanderers. I will not practice deceit or lie. Morning by morning, I will prune away wickedness and cut off evil. As I work on my own besetting sins, I am slandered by enemies and false accusations; no good turn goes unpunished—I get evil for good, hatred for love. I leave all this in Your hands, Lord. Reward the wicked with judgment, but deal on my behalf for Your name’s sake, Lord. I am poor and needy, and heartsick; I am weak and aging. Under Your tutelage, Lord, my heart is less hard, but as I age, it is also less hearty. Save me according to Your steadfast love; clothe my enemies in dishonor (and keep me from being my own worst enemy). I will praise God greatly, Who saves those otherwise condemned to death. I am Your servant, YHWH; continue to teach me Your word and Your ways. I love Your commands above fine gold, and order my day by Your precepts. The unfolding of Your words gives light, imparting understanding to the simple. Redeem me, steady my steps, and let no iniquity gain dominion over me, Lord God! Shine on me, and make me tender toward Your law. Your promises are true, and I, Your servant, will testify to it! I will not forget Your precepts, Lord. Give me understanding, that I may live.

When Jacob died, Joseph’s brothers again begged his forgiveness for their offenses. Joseph replied, ‘Don’t be afraid; I am not God. You meant to do me evil, but God turned it to good, to preserve the people. I will provide for you and your little ones.’ Joseph lived 110 years, and saw his great-grandchildren. Joseph charged his surviving brothers, saying, ‘God will visit you and bring you up out of Egypt to the land He swore to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob. When that happens, carry up my bones from this place.’ Joseph died, and was embalmed, and was put in a coffin in Egypt.

Paul wrote to the Corinthians about spiritual gifts: No one speaking by God’s Spirit can ever say, ‘Jesus be cursed.’ And no one can say ‘Jesus is Lord,’ except by the Holy Spirit. This same Spirit gives a variety of gifts; the one Lord enables a variety of services; and the one God inspires a varieties of works. Each believer receives a manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. To one, the utterance of spiritual wisdom; to another, the utterance of knowledge, according to the same Spirit; to another, faith by the same Spirit; to another, gifts of healing by the same Spirit; to another, working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are inspired by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individuals as He wills.

Some Pharisees came to Jesus, testing Him and seeking a heavenly sign to affirm Him. He sighed deeply in His spirit, and said, ‘Why does this generation seek a sign? I tell you truly, no sign will be given to this generation.’ And he embarked and crossed to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. The disciples had forgotten to bring provisions, and they had only one loaf among them in the boat. Jesus cautioned them, ‘Pay attention: beware the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.’ They disciples, among themselves, remarked, ‘We have no bread!’ But Jesus interrupted: ‘Why discuss the fact that you have no bread? Don’t you yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? You have eyes and ears; can you not yet see or hear? Don’t you remember?’ When I broke the five loaves for five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?’ They answered, ‘Twelve.’ ‘And how many baskets full after the seven loaves to feed four thousand?’ They answered, ‘Seven.’ And Jesus said: ‘Don’t you understand yet?’ The group arrived at Bethsaida, and some people brought to Jesus a blind man, begging that Jesus touch and heal the man. Jesus took the man by his hand and led him outside the village. He spit on the man’s eyes and laid His hands on the man; then He asked him, ‘Do you see anything?’ The man answered, ‘I see people; but they look like trees walking.’ Again Jesus laid His hands on the man’s eyes; the man looked intently, and he was restored and could see everything clearly. And Jesus sent him away to his home, telling him, ‘Don’t even enter the village!’