To get safely home, follow Jesus

New Guest: Like this one, most posts are devotional; those related to CAR BIZ can be found by searching for that title. You might start with 'Welcome,' the first post in the archives, dated November 12, 2008, where I introduce myself and the blog.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Devotions: Ps 121-26; Nah 1:1-13; 1 Pet 1:13-25; Mt 19:13-22

I lift my gaze to God, my Helper, the Lord Who made heaven and earth. He never slumbers or sleeps, and always keeps those He loves. YHWH will keep me from all evil and preserve my life. I’m glad when someone invites me to worship in God’s house. I pray daily for the peace of Jerusalem, God’s holy city on earth. Lord in heaven, I pray to You to look with mercy and favor on me, and to deliver me from the scorn of the proud. If YHWH had not taken my part, I’d long ago have fallen beneath the wrath of my enemies. Blessed is YHWH my Savior, Creator of all that is. His love surrounds me as the mountains surround Jerusalem; God protects His people always. Lord, do good to those who love You and destroy our enemies, I pray. YHWH has done great things for us; may we who sow with tears soon reap with shouts of joy!

Nahum prophesied concerning Nineveh: ‘YHWH is jealous and vengeful toward His adversaries. His anger lays waste the earth! None can withstand God’s indignation or the heat of His anger. YHWH is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, and He will make an end of His adversaries. Let them perish who plot against the Lord and His people. He will set His people free!’

Peter wrote: ‘Gird up your minds; be sober; set your hope fully on the grace that is coming to you at the revelation of Jesus the Messiah. Don’t be conformed to the folly of your former passions; rather be holy as He Who calls you is holy. If you dare call Him Father Who judges each impartially, then conduct yourselves accordingly during this, your time of exile. You have been ransomed from futility, by the precious blood of the Messiah, like a lamb without spot or blemish. He was destined from before the foundation of the worlds; but He was made manifest at the end of times, for your sake! Through Jesus you have confidence in God, Who raised Him from death and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God! Love one another earnestly from the heart, as God’s purification of your souls enables. You have been born anew of imperishable seed, through the living, abiding word of God! All flesh is like grass, of passing glory; it withers, and the flowers fall; but the word of YHWH abides forever!’ That imperishable word is the gospel that was preached to you!’

Children were brought to Jesus, so that He might lay His hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people who brought them, but Jesus said, ‘Let the children come to Me! Do not hinder them; to such as these belongs the kingdom of heaven.’ A man came to Jesus and asked, ‘Teacher, what must I do to have eternal life?’ Jesus replied, ‘Why ask Me what is good? One there Is Who is good! If you would enter life, keep His commands.’ ‘Which commands?’ the man asked. ‘No murder, no theft, no false witness. Honor your parents. Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The young man said to Jesus, ‘All these I have observed; what do I still lack?’ Jesus said, ‘If you want to become mature, go, sell what you possess, and give it to the poor; you’ll have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.’ But hearing this, the young man went away full of sorrow, for he had great possessions.