We need to work hard for the worthwhile things of life - Daily Bible Readings May 15,2014

1^ST READING

 

Paul is careful to link his proclamation of the Gospel to what the people know of the Old Covenant. This indicates there must have been a considerable number of Jews in his audience. Paul was not just concerned with evangelizing the Gentiles. He loved his fellow Jews and wanted them to be saved as well (see Romans 9-11). We also need to care for the whole mission of the Church and not just the portion in which we are presently involved.

 

Acts 13:13-25

13 From Paphos, Paul and his companions set sail and arrived at Perga in Pamphylia. But John left them and returned to Jerusalem. 14 They continued on from Perga and reached Antioch in Pisidia. On the sabbath they entered into the synagogue and took their seats. 15 After the reading of the law and the prophets, the synagogue officials sent word to them, “My brothers, if one of you has a word of exhortation for the people, please speak.” 16 So Paul got up, motioned with his hand, and said, “Fellow children of Israel and you others who are God-fearing, listen. 17 The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors and exalted the people during their sojourn in the land of Egypt. With uplifted arm he led them out of it 18 and for about forty years he put up with them in the desert. 19 When he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance 20 at the end of about four hundred and fifty years. After these things he provided judges up to Samuel the prophet. 21 Then they asked for a king. God gave them Saul, son of Kish, a man from the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. 22 Then he removed him and raised up David as their king; of him he testified, “I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will carry out my every wish.” 23 From this man’s descendants God, according to his promise, has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus. 24 John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel; 25 and as John was completing his course, he would say, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. Behold, one is coming after me; I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.’”

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 89:2-3, 21-22, 25, 27

R: For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

1 [2] The favors of the Lord I will sing forever; through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness. 2 [3] For you have said, “My kindness is established forever; in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness.” (R) 20 [21] “I have found David, my servant; with my holy oil I have anointed him, 21 [22] that my hand may be always with him, and that my arm may make him strong. (R) 24 [25] My faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him, and through my name shall his horn be exalted. 26 [27] He shall say of me, ‘You are my father, my God, the rock, my savior.’” (R)

 

 

GOSPEL

 

At the heart of the Gospel message is the call to serve. Jesus expressed it best when He stated that He came to serve and not to be served. There are too many people today who have a sense of entitlement about various things including the gift of salvation. The Scriptures are very clear that we will have to work out our salvation in fear and trembling. Nothing is a done deal such that we deserve anything. We need to work hard for the worthwhile things of life even if the primary mode of receiving them has to do with grace and gift.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Jesus Christ, you are the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, you have loved us and freed us from our sins by your Blood.

 

John 13:16-20

16 When Jesus had washed the disciples’ feet, he said to them: “Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it. 18 I am not speaking of all of you. I know those whom I have chosen. But so that the Scripture might be fulfilled, ‘The one who ate my food has raised his heel against me.’ 19 From now on I am telling you before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe that I AM. 20 Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”

 

think: We need to work hard for the worthwhile things of life.

 

 

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 Joshua 17-20