Repent and be forgiven

New Guest: Like this one, most posts are devotional; those related to CAR BIZ can be found by searching the blog archives for that title. You might start with 'Welcome,' the first post, 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, for the entries here serve best as the first remarks in a conversation.

Blessings and best wishes,
Dr. Will

Monday, April 19, 2010
Devotions: Ps 9, 15, 25; Exod 18:13-27; 1 Pet 5:1-14; Mt 3:1-6

I give thanks to YHWH with my whole heart; I will tell of Your wonderful deeds, and I will be glad and exult in You; I will praise Your holy name, Most High! God judges righteously, and He has maintained my just cause. God will rebuke and dismiss my enemies, and they will vanish. My Lord is enthroned for ever, a stronghold for the oppressed. I know His name, and I trust Him, Who has never forsaken me. I will tell everyone of the goodness of God on my behalf. I will not be forgotten or perish, for God will defend me. Amen. Let me walk blamelessly and do what is right; let me speak heart-truth and do no evil. I fear only YHWH, and will not do harm to anyone. I will not be moved. Lord, I lift my soul and my whole self to You; let me not be put to shame, nor let my enemies exult over me. Make me know your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths, my Savior. Hold mercy in Your mind; overflow with Your steadfast love, my God. Remember not the sins of my youth or my more recent transgressions; according to Your steadfast love and for Your goodness’ sake, my Lord, remember me! Pardon me for Your name’s sake, O Lord, for my guilt is very great. I do fear You, and only You. Relieve the troubles of my heart and bring me out of my distresses; help me learn from my affliction and trouble; Holy Lord, forgive my many sins! Guard my life and deliver me, I pray, Father; let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in You. May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait upn You. Redeem all Your people, Lord, from all our troubles.

While Jethro, his father-in-law, was visiting, Moses spent a day in judgment before the people. Jethro questioned him afterward, and told Moses, ‘You’ll wear yourself out doing this. Listen to my counsel: you represent the people before God, and bring their cases before Him. Teach them God’s statutes and decisions, and train them how to decide and conduct themselves. Also, choose able me from among the people, God-fearing, trustworthy, honest—and put them in charge of divisions of thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. Let these men judge the people in most cases; when they come to something they cannot manage, let those few cases be brought to you. Thus, you will endure, and God’s people will live in peace.’ Moses listened to this good advice, and did as Jethro had suggested.

Peter exhorted the elders in the Diaspora: As a fellow elder and a witness to Christ’s suffering and a partner in the glory to be revealed, I tell you: tend the flock of God in your charge; do this willingly, as examples to the flock—not in fear or for personal gain or glory. When the Chief Shepherd is manifested, you will obtain an unfading crown of glory. Let the younger be subject to the older; all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore, humble yourselves under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Stay alert and sober: your adversary the devil prowls like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experience of suffering is required of your brotherhood throughout the world. After you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in the Messiah, will Himself restore, establish and strengthen you. To Him be dominion for ever and ever. Amen. May God’s peace be with all of you who are in Christ.

John the Baptist began preaching in the Judean wilderness: ‘Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand!’ He was the one Isaiah spoke of: ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord; make His paths straight.’ John’s raiment and lifestyle recalled Elijah: camel’s hair garment, leather belt, eating locusts and wild honey. All Jerusalem and Judea and the region around the Jordan were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.