God provides

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

Thursday, March 11, 2010
Devotions: Ps 42, 43, 85, 86; Gen 46:1-7, 28-34; 1 Cor 9:1-15; Mk 6:30-46

My soul longs for You, God, like a thirsty stag for streams of water. I’ve lived on my sorrow for a long time. I remember the times I went with the community to worship, leading the procession into Your sanctuary with glad shouts and songs of thanksgiving. So I ask my soul: why downcast? Why disquieted? Hope in God, and praise Him once again! You stir my depths, Lord; by day, You command steadfast love, and at night, Your song is with me. I live in devotion and prayer to the God of my life. Vindicate me; be my Refuge. Send out Your light and truth to guide me. You are my overflowing joy, Lord! I place my trust in You. Restore Your people in love, and speak Your truth to us, so that all who fear You may share Your glory and live under Your banner. How we worship You, heavenly Lord! Send Your righteousness to guide and direct us. You are good and merciful, O Lord, abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness toward Your own. I thank God with my whole heart and will glorify Your name forever. Will You, Lord, show me a sign of Your favor, that those who hate me can see and be put to shame?

At Joseph’s invitation, Israel took all he owned, and headed toward Egypt. At Beer-sheba, he offered sacrifices to YHWH, and the Lord spoke to him: ‘I Am the God of your father; do not fear to go down to Egypt, for there I will make of you a great nation. I will accompany you to Egypt and bring you back again. And Joseph’s own hand will close your eyes.’ So Jacob and all his household set forth, with their flocks and servants. As they neared their destination, Jacob sent Judah ahead, to alert Joseph to his arrival. And Joseph readied his chariot and hastened to Goshen to meet his father there. They embraced and wept together, and Israel said, ‘Now I can die happy, for I have seen your face and know you are alive!’ Joseph told his father and brothers, ‘I will go up and say to Pharaoh, “My brothers and my father’s household have come from Canaan. The men are shepherds and have brought their flocks and herds.” When Pharaoh asks you, tell him you have been livestock tenders, so that he will settle you here in Goshen, for every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians.’

Paul wrote to the Corinthians: I am free—an apostle, who has seen our Lord Jesus. And you are my workmanship in the Lord. You are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. As such, Barnabas and I are entitled to board and lodging, like Peter, or Jesus’ human brothers, or the other apostles. The community pays soldiers; vinedressers eat of the vineyard’s fruit; and shepherds get milk and meat from their flocks. Moses wrote that we must not muzzle the ox as it treads the grain. Surely this is guidance for the sake of those who serve God in the community. We sow spiritual blessings, and are entitled to material benefits. But we have not claimed this right; we endure anything rather than hinder the gospel’s going forth. The priests and Levites get their sustenance from the temple sacrifices, and the Lord has commanded that servants of His gospel should get their living from the gospel. But I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of the boast that I support myself as I perform God’s ministry.

When the Twelve returned from their first mission, they told Jesus all they had done and taught, and He invited them to a retreat in a solitary place, to rest a while. They set out in a boat, but the crowds saw their departure, guessed their destination, and hurried there. So when Jesus came ashore, a great throng was waiting. He had compassion on them, because they were like a flock without a shepherd, and He began to teach them many things. When it grew late, the disciples urged Jesus to dismiss the crowds so they could visit the surrounding villages and find something to eat. But Jesus answered them, ‘You give them something to eat.’ They were astonished: ‘It would take eight months’ wages to feed this crowd! How could we?’ Jesus asked them, ‘How many loaves do you have? Go and see.’ They reported they had five loaves and two fish. Jesus directed all to sit in the grass in groups of fifty and one hundred. Then He took the loaves and fish, looked up to heaven, blessed the food, then broke the loaves and divided the fish. The disciples distributed the food, and everyone ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve baskets full of leftovers. The group numbered five thousand men, plus women and children. Jesus sent His disciples back across the lake in their boats, dismissed the crowds, and went up on the mountain to pray.