Daily Bible Readings

July 24, 2011
1st READING
God appears to King Solomon at the commencement of his reign and offers him one request, like a wish we might make at a birthday party. What will he ask for? This is his big chance to get riches, fame, power and glory for himself. Instead Solomon asks for wisdom to rule the people of God right. We, too, need wisdom to know how to best conduct our lives. St. James tells us that if we lack wisdom we should ask God for it and He will grant it to us.

1Kings 3:5, 7-12
5 The LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream at night. God said, “Ask something of me and I will give it to you.” Solomon answered: 7 “O LORD, my God, you have made me, your servant, king to succeed my father David; but I am a mere youth, not knowing at all how to act. 8 I serve you in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a people so vast that it cannot be numbered or counted. 9 Give your servant, therefore, an understanding heart to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong. For who is able to govern this vast people of yours?” 10 The LORD was pleased that Solomon made this request. 11 So God said to him: “Because you have asked for this — not for a long life for yourself, nor for riches, nor for the life of your enemies, but for understanding so that you may know what is right — 12 I do as you requested. I give you a heart so wise and understanding that there has never been anyone like you up to now, and after you there will come no one to equal you.”

P S A L M

Psalms 119:57, 72, 76-77, 127-128, 129-130
R: Lord, I love your commands.
57 I have said, O LORD, that my part is to keep your words. 72 The law of your mouth is to me more precious than thousands of gold and silver pieces. (R) 76 Let your kindness comfort me according to your promise to your servants. 77 Let your compassion come to me that I may live, for your law is my delight. (R) 127 For I love your command more than gold, however fine. 128 For in all your precepts I go forward; every false way I hate. (R) 129 Wonderful are your decrees; therefore I observe them. 130 The revelation of your words sheds light, giving understanding to the simple. (R)

2nd READING
God has predestined us to be made in the perfect image of His Son Jesus. That is God’s goal and purpose for our lives. Consequently, God, by His infinite power, is able to order all the events of our lives to attain this end.

Romans 8:28-30
28 Brothers and sisters: We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those he predestined he also called; and those he called he also justified; and those he justified he also glorified.

G O S P E L

The Kingdom of God according to Jesus is the greatest gift and treasure that we can attain in this life. Even if we become as rich as Bill Gates but do not have this gift, we would still be poor. To have the Kingdom of God is to be possessed and filled with the love of God, which is a transforming fire that sets ablaze our whole lives.

ALLELUIA
R: Alleluia, alleluia
Blessed are you Father, Lord of heaven and earth; for you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the kingdom.
R: Alleluia, alleluia

Matthew 13:44-52
44 Jesus said to his disciples: “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes
and sells all that he has and buys that field. 45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. 46 When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it. 47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea, which collects fish of every kind. 48 When it is full they haul it ashore and sit down to put what is good into buckets. What is bad they throw away. 49 Thus it will be at the end of the age. The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous 50 and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth. 51 Do you understand all these things?” They answered, “Yes.” 52 And he replied, “Then every scribe who has been instructed in the kingdom of heaven is like the head of a household who brings from his storeroom both the new and the old.”

my reflections
t h i n k : To have the Kingdom of God is to be possessed and filled with the love of God, which is a transforming fire that sets ablaze our whole lives.

God’s special verse/thought for me today________________
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T O D A Y ’ S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: ____________________________________

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READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Proverbs 5-8


SABBATH PAUSE
My weekly time with God
THANK YOU LIST
Things to be grateful for from the past week
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SPECIAL NEEDS
Things to ask God for in the coming week
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HIDDEN TREASURE
Most important word God told me this week
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