Daily Bible Readings

September 29, 2011
1st READING

In this passage from the Book of Revelation, we see a vision of John the Beloved in which the Archangel Michael is at war with Satan and casts him and his angels out of heaven. Having been thrown down to earth, Satan wages war against the saints and does this by accusing them before God for all their sins. While the Holy Spirit convicts us of our sins and seeks to lead us to repentance, Satan only wants to discourage us and make us feel unworthy so that we do not want to come to God our Father and be forgiven.

Revelation 12:7-12 (or Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14)
7 War broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels battled against the dragon. The dragon and its angels fought back, 8 but they did not prevail and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. 9 The huge dragon, the ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, who deceived the whole world, was thrown down to earth, and its angels were thrown down with it. 10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have salvation and power come, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Anointed. For the accuser of our brothers is cast out, who accuses them before our God day and night. 11 They conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; love for life did not deter them from death. 12 Therefore, rejoice, you heavens, and you who dwell in them.”

P S A L M

Psalms 138:1-2, 2-3, 4-5
R: In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
1 I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart, for you have heard the words of my mouth; in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise; 2 I will worship at your holy temple and give thanks to your name. (R) Because of your kindness and your truth; for you have made great above all things your name and your promise. (R) 3 When I called, you answered me; you built up strength within me. (R) 4 All the kings of the earth shall give thanks to you, O LORD, when they hear the words of your mouth; 5 and they shall sing of the ways of the LORD: “Great is the glory of the LORD.” (R)

G O S P E L

Nathanael is convinced that Jesus is the Messiah and anointed one of God because Jesus says that He saw him under the fig tree. Yet Jesus informs him that he will see far greater things than that. Jesus then makes an allusion to the story of Jacob who slept and saw a ladder going up to heaven and angels ascending and descending on it. He called the place the House of God. Jesus tells Nathanael that He is the new house or dwelling of God and will in fact replace the Temple in Jerusalem.

ALLELUIA
R: Alleluia, alleluia
Bless the Lord, all you angels, you ministers, who do His will.
R: Alleluia, alleluia

John 1:47-51
47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Here is a true child of Israel. There is no duplicity in him.” 48 Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.” 49 Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.” 50 Jesus answered and said to him, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” 51 And he said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see the sky opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

my reflections
t h in k : While the Holy Spirit convicts us of our sins and seeks to lead us to repentance, Satan only wants to discourage us and make us feel unworthy so that we do not want to come to God our Father and be forgiven.

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 24-28