Harmony or conflict with God

New Guest: Like this one, most entries are devotional. Those related to Car Biz can be located by searching the blog archives for that title. You might start with 'Welcome,' the first entry, dated November 12, 2008, where I introduce myself and the blog. I hope you'll record your responses as you read, since these entries serve best as the first remarks in a coversation.

Blessings and best wishes,
Dr. Will

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Devotions: Ps 87, 90, 136; Jdg 9:22-25, 50-57; Acts 4:32-5:11; Jn 2:13-25

Around Mount Zion stands God's favorite city on earth. It's an honor to be born there and to be buried there. Song and dance have their springs in Jerusalem. YHWH has been our dwelling place for all generations. You are God, Lord, forever. A thousand years for us is a moment for You, and we fly away like sparks in the dark. Lord, teach me to number my days and to live wisely. Pour out Your steadfast love and holiness over me; make me glad for as many days as I have seen evil; let Your favor rest on me, and establish the work of my hands today, I pray. Let all God's people thank Him, for YHWH is good; His steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of Lords! He works wonders; all that exists, He created and sustains. He chose and delivered a people through whom He is blessing all mankind. He keeps us in mind and helps us in our times of trial. Let us thank the God of heaven, for His steadfast love and faithfulness endure forever.

Abimelech, the son of Gideon's handmaid, ruled over Israel three years. Then God sent an evil spirit that fomented conflict between Abimelech and the men of Shechem. The Shechemites began to rob all who traveled in the mountain passes. Gaal son of Ebed moved into Shechem, and the people there chose him to lead them instead of Abimelech. Gaal defied Abimelech, and Zebul and Abimelech defeated and drove them away. Twice, fortified towns sought to withstand Abimelech, and twice he burned down the towers in which the people of the city had taken refuge. But the second time, a woman dropped a millstone from the ramparts and crushed Abimelech's skull, so that Abimelech directed his armor-bearer to run him through, lest he die at the hand of a woman. And so passed Abimelech, who had brought wrath against those who conspired with him to murder Gideon's seventy sons, fulfilling the curse of Joash, Gideon's one surviving heir.

The early Jerusalem church consisted of believers who were one in heart and soul, and who held all things in common. The apostles testified about Jesus and His resurrection with great power, and great grace was upon them all. Those who had property sold it and laid the proceeds at the apostles' feet to distribute to any in need. Joseph Barnabas of Cyprus was one who did this. The counter-example, however, was a couple named Ananias and Sapphira. They also sold a piece of property, but conspired to hold back some of othe proceeds, yet to say they were giving all they had received. Peter challenged Ananias when we brought the contribution, pointing out that the sacrifice was not required at all—but that since they decided to make it, they were sinning by lying to the apostles—actually, lying to the Holy Spirit. Hearing this, Ananias fell dead; young disciples carried his body out and buried him. About three hours later, Sapphira came in; Peter questioned her about the amount they claimed to have received, and she lied, too. Peter again pointed out the sin and folly of this deception—and Sapphira also fell dead at Peter's feet. Again, the young men carried out the body and buried her. Great fear came upon the whole church and all who heard about these things.

The Jewish Passover was approaching, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple, He found those who were selling exen, sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers at their business. Making a whip of cords, Jesus drove them all out of the temple, along with their animals, and He poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. He said to the pigeon vendors, 'Take these things away! You shall not make My Father's house a house of trade!' His disciples recalled the scripture, 'Zeal for Your house will consume me,' and applied it to Jesus and His actions. The Jews challenged Jesus: Whata sign can You show us for doing this?' Jesus answered, 'Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.' The Jewish leaders replied, 'It took forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?' But Jesus was speaking of the temple of His own body. And when he was raised from the dead, His disciples recalled that He had said this; and they believed the scripture and the words which Jesus had spoken. Many observed His mighty deeds and placed their faith in Jesus; but He did not entrust Himself to them, because He knew all men and needed no one to bear witness of man; for He knew well what is in humans.