Many witnesses affirm God's way

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

Tuesday, August 10, 2010 Devotions: Ps 94, 97, 99; Jdg 13:1-20; Acts 5:27-42; Jn 3:22-36

YHWH, God of vengeance, shine forth! Assert Your power over the fools who deny or oppose You. Blessed are they whom You chasten. And if You had not helped me, my soul soon would have perished. My cares are multiplying, but You cheer my soul. YHWH is my Stronghold, the Rock of my refuge! Let the coastlands be glad, and all the earth rejoice over God my Master. Idol-worshipers are put to shame; YHWH loves those who hate evil; there is a future for the man of peace, so let us abide in His grace and praise His holy name. Mighty King, Lover of justice, holy and mighty are You! Let us worship YHWH, our holy God.

At a time when Israel was under Philistine domination, God's angel appeared to Manoah, a resident of Zorah in the tribe of Dan. Manoah and his wife had no children, but the angel told Manoah they would have a son. The angel instructed the parents to drink no wine or strong drink and to eat nothing forbidden by the dietary laws. The child was to be a Nazirite, dedicated to God. Consequently, his hair should not be trimmed. Manoah's wife told him she had had a similar encounter with an angel. Manoah prayed that God would again send His messenger to teach them how to care for the son God was giving them; and God did so. 'Eat nothing that comes from the vine, nor drink wine or strong drink, nor eat any unclean things. Obey all this utterly!' Manoah invited the angel to remain, while he prepared food for the guest. So they prepared an offering, and God's fire consumed the offering and the angel ascended in the flame of the altar, while Manoah and his wife fell face-down in awe.

The Jewish authorities brought the apostles before their council to interrogate them. The high priest confronted them: 'We explicitly directed you not to teach in the name of Jesus, yet you are filling Jerusalem with that message; and you intend to bring that man's blood upon us.' Peter and the apostles answered, 'We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised Jesus to life, Whom you killed by hanging Him on a tree. God exalted Him at God's right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit Whom God has given to those who obey Him' The council was enraged and wanted to kill the apostles. But Gamliel, a Pharisee and well-respected council member, said to them, 'Men of Israel, be careful what you do with these men. Before them, Theudas arose, presenting himself as somebody, and four hundred men followed him; but he was killed and his followers dispersed, and that movement came to nothing. After him arose Judas the Galilean in the days of the census—again, the leader perished and the movement died. So in this present case, keep away from these men and let them alone. If their undertaking is of men, it will fail; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow them, and you stand in danger of opposing God!' The council took his advice; they flogged the apostles and again charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and released them. The disciples left the council rejoicing that they were considered worthy to suffer dishonor for the name of Jesus. Every day in the temple and at home, they kept on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Messiah.

After his night meeting with Nicodemus, Jesus led His disciples into Judea. They stayed there a time and baptized. John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, where water was plentiful. Many came to be baptized, during this time before John was imprisoned by Herod. A dispute arose between John's disciples and a Jew over matters of ritual purity. They brought their issues to John: 'Rabbi, the one who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you bore witness, is nearby, baptizing, and all the people are going to him.' John replied, 'No one receives anything except what is given to him from heaven. You heard me say that I am not the Messiah, but I have been sent before Him. He Who has the bride is the Bridegroom; the friend of the Bridegroom, standing nearby and listening to Him, rejoices greatly at the Bridegroom's voice; therefore, my joy is now complete. He must increase; but I must decrease. He Who comes from above is above all, and he who is of the earth speaks of the earth; but He Who is from heaven is above all. He witnesses concerning what He has seen and heard, yet no one receives His testimony—though anyone who receives His testimony sets his seal to this: that God is true. He Whom God has sent utters the very words of God, for God gives the Spirit without measure; the Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; and whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life; instead, God's wrath rests upon him!'