He is with us. Always. Everywhere.

Monday, August 30, 2010

Devotions: Ps 9, 15, 25; Job 12:1-6, 13-25; Acts 11:19-30; Jn 8:21-32

I'm in a ditch. I will give thanks to YHWH with my whole heart; I will recall and recount God's wonderful deeds, and I will exult in my Savior. God vindicates me and protects me. He is enthroned forever; He is the Stronghold of the oppressed, and a righteous Lord over all the universe. Let us sing His praises and tell of His wondrous deeds. Lord, continue being gracious to me. I know I have hope by Your grace. Those who live in God's presence walk blamelessly and do what is right. They slander no one and honor all who fear the Lord. They keep their promises, and love their neighbors. Whoever does these things will never be shaken! God, I lift my soul to You and put my trust in You. Make me know You and Your ways; lead me into Your truth, and remember me according to Your steadfast love and faithfulness. Pardon my great guilt, and bless my children and grandchildren. Relieve the troubles of my heart and bring me out from my distresses. Bless me, Father, and forgive my sins. May integrity and righteousness preserve me, as I wait upon You.

Job replied to Zophar the Naamathite: 'Everyone knows what you have said. I, who have lived blamelessly, am a laughingstock. Those now at ease have contempt for me because I am afflicted. Brigands take their ease, and those who mock God are secure. But just look to the animals and birds and plants and fish—all these know that God is in control, and all life is in His hand. Wisdom comes with age and experience. With God are wisdom and power; He has all counsel, and all understanding. What He tears down, none can rebuild; what He closes, none can open. He makes fools of all mortals, however distinguished we may seem. God raises up and puts down nations, and all the enlightened grop in the dark without light, staggering like drunks. My suffering is teaching me all this.'

The Christians who were scattered in the persecution following Stephen's murder traveled widely, sharing the Good News with the Jews in every community they entered. And the Lord's hand was with them, so that many new believers turnd to the Lord. When this news came to the church leaders in Jerusalem, they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived, he joined in the work there with streadfast purpose, for Barnabas was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and with faith. Eventually, Barnabas left Antioch and journeyed to Tarsus to find Saul, and returned with him to Anthioch. For an entire year, Saul and Barnabas met with the growing Christian community in Antioch, where the disciples were first called "Christians." Several prophets arrived in Antioch from Jerusalem and prophesied that a great famine would befall all the known world during the reign of Claudius. The Antioch church determined to send aid to the Christians in Judea, and sent it by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

Jesus taught, 'I go away, and you will seek Me and die in your sin, for where I Am going, you cannot come.' The Jews wondered: 'Will he kill himself, then? What could he mean saying, "Where I am going, you cannot come?"' Jesus answered, 'You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not. I told you that you would die in your sins, and so you will, unless you believe that I Am He.' They replied, 'Who are you?' And Jesus answered, 'Exact what I have told you from the beginning. I have much to say about you, and much to judge; but He Who sent Me is true, and I declare the world all that I have heard from Him.' They did not understand that Jesus was speaking to them of the heavenly Father. Jesus continued, 'When you have lifted up the Son of man, then you will know that I Am He, and that I do nothing by My own authority, but speak thus just as the Father instructed Me. He Who sent Me is with Me; He has never left Me alone, for I always do what is pleasing to Him.' As He spoke thus, many believed in Jesus.