Learn to do what is good

Monday, November 29, 2010
Devotions: Ps 1-4, 7; Isa 1:10-20; 1 Thess 1:1-10; Lk 20:1-8

They are blessed who avoid the counsel of the wicked, the path of sinners, and the seat of scoffers. They delight in God's law and meditate on it day and night. They are like trees rooted near flowing water; they are fruitful and do not wither. All they do prospers, and YHWH watches over their pathway. The wicked are like windblown chaff; they cannot face God's judgment; they are not welcome among the assembly of the righteous, and their pathway leads to eternal death. So why do the pagans conspire against God and His anointed ones? God laughs derisively, and pours out His righteous wrath upon them. God has set His Son on the throne as King of all creation. So let earthly leaders and peoples be wise, and serve YHWH with trembling. Kiss the King's feet, lest He become angry and you perish in the way. Blessed are all who take refuge in Him! Lord, I have many enemies; but You are my Friend and my Shield. I live under Your protection and mercy. Deliver me, O God; breatk the teeth of my foes. God counsels: be angry, but don't sin! Trust in YHWH, and all will be well. Lord, You have put more joy in my heart than the people have when they bring in a bountiful harvest. I sleep in peace and woak in safety, by Your grace! Pour out Your judgment on those who refuse You, Lord; establish the righteous, as we repent our sins and place ourselves under Your authority and protection. I will render to God the thanks He deserves; I will sing His praise and worship YHWH, the Most High God.

Isaiah conveyed God's word to the rulers of Sodom and the people of Gomorrah: Your sacrifices mean nothing to Me—I don't need your livestock; keep your incense to yourselves, for I cannot abide your hypocricy. Your new moons and appointed feasts nauseate Me. I will not hear or answer your prayers, for your hands are stained with innocent blood. Repent. Wash yourselves clean; do away with the evil around and within you; learn to do what is good; seek justice; correct oppression; defend the widows and orphans among you. Though your sins are scarlet, I will wash them white as wool; if you obey, you will prosper; if you disobey, you will perish by the sword. So says the Lord!

Paul, Silas and Timothy wrote to the Christians at Thessalonika, 'in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: grace to you and peace! We thank God for you always, constantly mentioning you in our prayers. We call to remembrance before our God and Father your works of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus the Messiah. We know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that He has chosen you. For when we presented our gospel, you received it in word, and in power and in the Holy Spirit, with full conviction. You know how we conducted ourselves, and we note that you became imitators of us and of the Lord: for you received the word in much affliction, with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit—so that you have become examples for all lthe believers in Macedonia and Achaia. The Lord's word has sounded forth from you everywhere, well beyond Macedonia and Achaia, so that we have nothing further that we need to say. The people of these regions report concerning us; they know what a welcome we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God, and to await His Son from heaven, Whom He raised from the dead: Jesus, Who delivers us all from the wrath to come.

One day, as Jesus was teaching in the temple and proclaiming the gospel to people, the chief priests, scribes and elders came and addressed Him: 'Tell us by what authority you do these things, and who gave you this authority.' Jesus answer them with a question of His own: 'Tell me: was John's baptism from heaven or from men?' As they discussed this among them, the Jewish authorities said, 'If we say "From heaven," he will ask why we didn't accept John and his baptism. But if we say "From men," the people will stone us, because they are convinced that John was God's prophet.' So they answered that they did not know the source of John's baptism. Jesus replied, 'Then neither I will not tell you by what authority I do these things.'