In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets: in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son - Daily Bible Readings January 4,2014

1^ST READING

 

         One of the great temptations in life is competing with others for recognition. Scriptures tell us that when doing good works, the only thing that actually matters is that we are actually doing them. God sees everything we do, even when no one else does. If people see our good works and are inspired to follow our example, that is a bonus. All the same, let us be sure that we never seek to parade our good deeds to gain the approval of others.

 

1 John 3: 7-10

         ⁷Children, let no one deceive you. The person who acts in righteousness is righteous, just as he is righteous. ⁸Whoever sings belongs to the devil, because the devil has sinned from the beginning. Indeed, the Son of God was revealed to destroy the works of the devil. ⁹No one who is begotten by God commits sin, because God’s seed remains in him; he cannot sin because he is begotten by God. ¹⁰In this way, the children of God and the children of the devil are made plain; no one who fails to act in righteousness belongs to God, nor anyone who does not love his brother.

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm: 98: 1, 7-8, 9

R: All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

        

¹Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds; his right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm. (R)⁷Let the sea and what fills it resound, the world and those who dwell in it; ⁸let the rivers clap their hands, the mountains shout with them for joy before the Lord (R)⁹The Lord comes; He comes to rule the earth; He will rule the world with Justice and the people with equity. (R).

 

GOSPEL

 

         We see by means of our eyes; we also see by means of our faith. We see beyond the physical to the deeper spiritual meaning of any event or action. It is important to remember that faith is a way of knowing. By faith we understand that Christ’s ministry is more than a mere collection of events in the life of one man – it is a proclamation of the love of God and the salvation He is offering us from our sins.  Faith cannot be measured emphatically but its measuring stick is the life of virtue according to the Word of God.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

         In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets: in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son.

 

John 1:35-42

         ³⁵John was standing with two of his disciples, ³⁶and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” ³⁷The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus. ³⁸Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated, means Teacher), “where are you staying?” ³⁹He said to them, “Come, and you will see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day. It was about four in the afternoon.” ⁴⁰Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus. ⁴¹He first found his own brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah” which is translated Christ. ⁴²Then he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John; you will be called Cephas,” which is translated Peter.

 

think: By faith we understand that Christ’s ministry is a proclamation of the love of God and the salvation He is offering us from our sins.

 

 

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 Luke 11-14