Daily Bible Readings - February 25,2013

1^ST READING

 

Sin is a form of treason against God. It is horrific by its very nature. This should be enough to inspire us to do all we can to avoid sin at all times. We do not have any valid excuses for the sins we commit; we do know better. However, the reality also is that we seem to be unable to avoid sin. Perhaps this is where we need to put more focus, in order to try to rectify the problem of our sinfulness.

 

Daniel 9:4-10

4 “Lord, great and awesome God, you who keep your merciful covenant toward those who love you and observe your commandments, 5 we have sinned, been wicked and done evil; we have rebelled and departed from your commandments and your laws. 6 We have not obeyed your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, our fathers, and all the people of the land. 7 Justice, O Lord, is on your side; we are shamefaced even to this day: We, the men of Judah, the residents of Jerusalem, and all Israel, near and far, in all the countries to which you have scattered them because of their treachery toward you. 8 O Lord, we are shamefaced, like our kings, our princes, and our fathers, for having sinned against you. 9 But yours, O Lord, our God, are compassion and forgiveness! Yet we rebelled against you 10 and paid no heed to your command, O Lord, our God, to live by the law you gave us through your servants the prophets.”

 

P S A L M

Psalm 79:8, 9, 11, 13

R: Lord, do not deal with us according to our sins.

8 Remember not against us the iniquities of the past; may your compassion quickly come to us, for we are brought very low. (R) 9 Help us, O God our savior, because of the glory of your name; deliver us and pardon our sins for your name’s sake. (R) 11 Let the prisoners’ sighing come before you; with your great power free those doomed to death. 13 Then we, your people and the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever; through all generations we will declare your praise. (R)

 

GOSPEL

This text is a parallel to that of Matthew 5:48, where the text reads that we should be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect. Luke tones down the strength of the statement by using the word “merciful” rather than “perfect.” This fits into Luke’s portrayal as a merciful man who desires to help the less fortunate. He wants to make responding to the Gospel and becoming a disciple of Jesus sound a little easier than in Matthew’s version of the text.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life; you have the words of everlasting life.                                 

 

Luke 6:36-38

36 Jesus said to his disciples: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. 37 “Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which youNmeasure will in return be measured out to you.”

 

think: We do not have any valid excuses for the sins we commit; we do know better.

 

T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST

Thank You Lord for: ___________________________

 

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God’s special verse/thought for me today_________

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READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR 1 Timothy 4-6