Daily Bible Readings

September 26, 2011
1st READING

God says that He is jealous for His people. That is, He will ultimately come to our aid and vindicate us even when we have been wrongly treated. Though at times it seems that evil prevails, it is an illusion and will only endure as long as God permits. Ultimately all that God has ordained will come about and nothing will prevent His purposes from being realized.

Zechariah 8:1-8
1 This word of the LORD of hosts came: Thus says the LORD of hosts: 2 I am intensely jealous for Zion, stirred to jealous wrath for her. 3 Thus says the LORD: I will return to Zion, and I will dwell within Jerusalem; Jerusalem shall be called the faithful city, and the mountain of the LORD of hosts, the holy mountain. 4 Thus says the LORD of hosts: Old men and old women, each with staff in hand because of old age, shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem. 5 The city shall be filled with boys and girls playing in her streets. 6 Thus says the LORD of hosts: Even if this should seem impossible in the eyes of the remnant of this people, shall it in those days be impossible in my eyes also, says the LORD of hosts? 7 Thus says the LORD of hosts: Lo, I will rescue my people from the land of the rising sun, and from the land of the setting sun. 8 I will bring them back to dwell within Jerusalem. They shall be my people, and I will be their God, with faithfulness and justice.

P S A L M

Psalms 102:16-18, 19-21, 29, 22-23
R: The Lord will build up Zion again, and appear in all his glory.
15 [16] The nations shall revere your name, O LORD, and all the kings of the earth your glory, 16 [17] when the LORD has rebuilt Zion and appeared in his glory; 17 [18] when he has regarded the prayer of the destitute, and not despised their prayer. (R) 18 [19] Let this be written for the generation to come, and let his future creatures praise the LORD: 19 [20] “The LORD looked down from his holy height, from heaven he beheld the earth, 20 [21] to hear the groaning of the prisoners, to release those doomed to die.” (R) 28 [29] The children of your servants shall abide, and their posterity shall continue in your presence. 21 [22] That the name of the LORD may be declared in Zion; and his praise, in Jerusalem, 22 [23] When the peoples gather together, and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD. (R)

G O S P E L
Imagining Jesus reigning over a worldwide Kingdom with Jerusalem as its capital, the disciples no doubt were all keen to have the highest places of honor and authority. Here they are arguing as to who is the greatest and therefore warrants the highest position. Jesus shows them the foolishness of their thinking by placing a small child in their midst and telling them that the one who is most like the child will be the greatest in the Kingdom of God. The values of the Kingdom overturn those of our world.

ALLELUIA
R: Alleluia, alleluia
The Son of Man came to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.
R: Alleluia, alleluia

Luke 9:46-50
46 An argument arose among the disciples about which of them was the greatest. 47 Jesus realized the intention of their hearts and took a child and placed it by his side 48 and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. For the one who is least among all of you is the one who is the greatest.” 49 Then John said in reply, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow in our company.” 50 Jesus said to him, “Do not prevent him, for whoever is not against you is for you.”

my reflections
t h i n k: he values of the Kingdom overturn those of our world.

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 Ezekiel 13-16

13-16