In Jesus: believe, pray, receive

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, December 1, 2009
Devotions: Ps 5, 6, 10, 11; Amos 3:1-11; 2 Pet 1:12-21; Mt 21:12-22

Lord, hearken to my prayer; how I need You! I know You hate wickedness and arrogance. I will come into Your house because of Your abundant mercy and steadfast love. Lead me, O Lord, in Your righteousness. Let those who take refuge in You rejoice; You cover us with Your favor as with a shield. Be gracious to me, Lord; heal me from my afflictions while I'm sentient; there is no remembrance of You in death. I know that YHWH has heard my supplications and accepted my prayer. My enemies will be troubled and will turn back, ashamed, in a moment. The wicked pursue us hotly, but God will foil them with their own schemes. I will boast only in God my Savior; let the prosperous, stealthy wicked fall into their own snares; let God arise and strike His enemies. YHWH, hear the desires of the meek; strengthen our hearts; bring justice for the orphans and widows, so that earthy men may strike terror no more. We take refuge in our Lord; YHWH is in His holy place, enthroned in heaven, judging all creatures; the upright will see His face, and He will rain fiery coals on the wicked.

Let Israel hear God’s words: ‘I have chosen you from all the peoples of earth; and though I bless you, I will also punish your iniquities. God has made Himself and His will known through His prophets; but God’s people remain hard of heart, willful to the extent of hurting themselves. Adversaries will surround the Land and My people, and your strongholds will fall and your treasure will be plundered.’

Peter continues to remind God’s people, to our benefit: ‘I want to do all I can to help you while I’m still in the flesh, for I’ll soon be putting off my body and going to be with Jesus. I am an eyewitness of His majesty, and I speak from direct experience. I heard God Himself speak, saying “Jesus is My beloved Son, with Whom I Am well pleased.” Pay attention: this is light amid the darkness. No prophecy of scripture results from the prophet’s own interpretation; rather, men have spoken from God as the Holy Spirit moved them.’

Jesus entered the Jerusalem temple and drove out all who bought and sold there; He overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. He addressed them: ‘It is written, “My house will be called a house of prayer,” but you make it a den of brigands.’ The blind and lame came to Jesus in the temple; but His compassionate deeds of healing and the praises of the people, who cried out “Hosanna to the Son of David!”, made the chief priests and scribes indignant. They challenged Jesus: ‘Do you hear what they are saying?’ Jesus answered, ‘Yes; have you never read: “From the mouths of babes and sucklings, You have brought perfect praise.”?’ Leaving them, Jesus went out to Bethany, where He lodged. As He was returning to Jerusalem the next morning, Jesus was hungry. He noticed a fig tree by the wayside, and approached it. But there was no fruit, only leaves on the tree. And Jesus said to the tree, ‘May no fruit ever come from you again!’ The tree withered at once! When His disciples marveled at this, Jesus said to them: ‘Truly I say to you, if you have faith and never doubt, you will be able to do this, and even say to this mountain “Be taken up and cast into the sea!” and it will be done! Whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.’