O Wisdom of our God Most High, guiding creation with power and love: come to teach us the path of knowledge! - Daily Bible Readings December 17,2015

1^ST READING

 

We do not choose God so much as he chooses us! The priorities and principles that we might have in place to choose leaders may not be the same that God has in his mind. When God chooses someone we will not necessarily be able to make sense of that choice. However, this should not stop us from respecting the leaders we have in our Church - they like us are all imperfect and so will not always do the right thing. One of the constant challenges in life is working with our own imperfect responses to God’s call and also the imperfect responses of others. Let us seek not to judge others but to simply do our best to respond to God’s call as we hear it each and every day. Lord Jesus, grant me a mind and heart to understand your call on my life - may I always do my best to follow where you lead.

 

Genesis 49:2, 8-10

2 Jacob called his sons and said to them: “Assemble and listen, sons of Jacob, listen to Israel, your father. 8 “You, Judah, shall your brothers praise — your hand on the neck of your enemies; the sons of your father shall bow down to you. 9 Judah, like a lion’s whelp, you have grown up on prey, my son. He crouches like a lion recumbent, the king of beasts — who would dare rouse him? 10 The scepter shall never depart from Judah, or the mace from between his legs, while tribute is brought to him, and he receives the peoples’ homage.

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 72:1-2, 3-4, 7-8, 17

R: Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace forever.

1 O God, with your judgment endow the king, and with your justice, the king’s son. 2 He shall govern your people with justice and your afflicted ones with judgment. (R) 3 The mountains shall yield peace for the people, and the hills justice. 4 He shall defend the afflicted among the people, save the children of the poor. (R) 7 Justice shall flower in his days, and profound peace, till the moon be no more. 8 May he rule from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth. (R) 17 May his name be blessed forever; as long as the sun his name shall remain. In him shall all the tribes of the earth be blessed; all the nations shall proclaim his happiness. (R)

 

GOSPEL

 

Matthew traces the genealogy of Jesus back to Abraham. This shows that Jesus is like Abraham, the father of all the living, only this refers to all men and women who place their faith in the truth of the Gospel. Our challenge is to study the character of Abraham and understand him from a Christian perspective.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

O Wisdom of our God Most High, guiding creation with power and love: come to teach us the path of knowledge!

 

Matthew 1:1-17

1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. 2 Abraham became the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. 3 Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar. Perez became the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, 4 Ram the father of Amminadab. Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, 5 Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab. Boaz became the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth. Obed became the father of Jesse, 6 Jesse the father of David the king. David became the father of Solomon, whose mother had been the wife of Uriah. 7 Solomon became the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asaph. 8 Asaph became the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, Joram the father of Uzziah. 9 Uzziah became the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah. 10 Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amos, Amos the father of Josiah. 11 Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers at the time of the Babylonian exile. 12 After the Babylonian exile, Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, 13 Zerubbabel the father of Abiud. Abiud became the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor, 14 Azor the father of Zadok. Zadok became the father of Achim, Achim the father of Eliud, 15 Eliud the father of Eleazar. Eleazar became the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob, 16 Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ. 17 Thus the total number of generations from Abraham to David is fourteen generations; from David to the  Babylonian exile, fourteen generations; from the Babylonian exile to the Christ, fourteen generations.

 

think: When God makes a choice, He does not change his mind.

 

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  Amos 1-3

 

The Lord will come; go out to meet him! He is the prince of peace - Daily Bible Readings December 11,2015

1^ST READING

 

Through the Scriptures, God has taught us about justice. He revealed to us His deep love in the person of Jesus Christ, His Son. What is our response? Do we insist on doing it alone? Or do we open our hearts and minds to His will? Let us act according to God’s will in the choices we make.

 

Isaiah 48:17-19

17 Thus says the Lord, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I, the Lord, your God, teach you what is for your good, and lead you on the way you should go. 18 If you would hearken to my commandments, your  prosperity would be like a river, and your vindication like the waves of the sea; 19 your descendants would be like the sand, and those born of your stock like its grains, their name never cut off or blotted out from my presence.

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 1:1-2, 3, 4, 6

R: Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.

1 Blessed the man who follows not the counsel of the wicked nor walks in the way of sinners, nor sits in the company of the insolent, 2 but delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on his law day and night. (R) 3 He is like a tree planted near running water that yields its fruit in due season, and whose leaves never fade. Whatever he does, prospers. (R) 4 Not so the wicked, not so; they are like chaff which the wind drives away. 6 For the Lord watches over the way of the just, but the way of the wicked vanishes. (R)

 

GOSPEL

 

Institutional authority no longer commands the way it used to do. The individual reigns supreme especially in Western thinking. While we understand that each person has a right to make individual choices, still we must remember that we belong to a human institution or community and this places moral demands, even restrictions, on the way we act.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

The Lord will come; go out to meet him! He is the prince of peace.

 

Matthew 11:16-19

16 Jesus said to the crowds: “To what shall I compare this generation? It is like children who sit in marketplaces and call to one another, 17 ‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance, we sang a dirge but you did not mourn.’ 18 For John came neither eatingnor drinking, and they said, ‘He is possessed by a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking and they said, ‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is vindicated by her works.”

 

think: Let us act according to God’s will in the choices we make.

 

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  Daniel 10-12

 

Behold, the Lord comes to save his people; blessed are those prepared to meet him - Daily Bible Readings December 9,2015

1^ST READING

 

Through Isaiah, God promised to those who place their lives in His hands that they will receive everything they need to follow Him. It calls on the disciples of the Lord to trust Him completely. Faith is a relationship between God and the individual. However, the disciple is never alone in His response to God. There is always the rest of the faithful also responding to their calls.

 

Isaiah 40:25-31

27 [25] To whom can you liken me as an equal? says the Holy One. 28 [26] Lift up your eyes on high and see who has created these things: He leads out their army and numbers them, calling them all by name. By his great might and the strength of his power not one of them is missing! 29 [27] Why, O Jacob, do you say, and declare, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my God”? 30 [28] Do you not know or have you not heard? The Lord is the eternal God, creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint nor grow weary, and his knowledge is beyond scrutiny. 31 [29] He gives strength to the fainting; for the weak he makes vigor abound. 32 [30] Though young men faint and grow weary, and youths stagger and fall, 33 [31] they that hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar as with eagles’ wings; they will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint.

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 8, 10

R: O bless the Lord, my soul!

1 Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all my being, bless his holy name. 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. (R) 3 He pardons all your iniquities, he heals all your ills. 4 He redeems your life from destruction, he crowns you with kindness and compassion. (R) 8 Merciful and gracious is the Lord, slow to anger and abounding in kindness. 10 Not according to our sins does he deal with us, nor does he requite us according to our crimes. (R)

GOSPEL

Jesus promises to help us carry our burdens in life. He will not only help us carry the load but He will remove it entirely by forgiving us. Let us not work out our problems on our own but accept the promised assistance from Jesus.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Behold, the Lord comes to save his people; blessed are those prepared to meet him.

 

Matthew 11:28-30

28 Jesus said to the crowds: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your selves. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”

 

think: The disciple is never alone in His response to God. There is always the rest of the faithful also responding to their calls.

 

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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Behold, our Lord shall come with power; he will enlighten the eyes of his servants - Daily Bible Readings December 4,2015

1^ST READING

 

This prophecy promises that the truth about God will be made known to all. This gives hope for believers, especially those who are being persecuted. We are challenged to commit to and understand our faith. We cannot hide behind institutional belief. We live in a day and age of personal freedom and responsibility.

 

Isaiah 29:17-24

17 Thus says the Lord God: But a very little while, and Lebanon shall be changed into an orchard, and the orchard be regarded as a forest! 18 On that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book; and out of gloom and darkness, the eyes of the blind shall see. 19 The lowly will ever find joy in the Lord, and the poor rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. 20 For the tyrant will be no more and the arrogant will have gone; all who are alert to do evil will be cut off, 21 those whose mere word condemns a man, who ensnare his defender at the gate, and leave the just man with an empty claim. 22 Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of the house of Jacob, who redeemed Abraham: Now Jacob shall have nothing to be ashamed of, nor shall his face grow pale. 23 When his children see the work of my hands in his midst, they shall keep my name holy; they shall reverence the Holy One of Jacob, and be in awe of the God of Israel. 24 Those who err in spirit shall acquire understanding, and those who find fault shall receive instruction.

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14

R: The Lord is my light and my salvation.

1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear? The Lord is my life’s refuge; of whom should I be afraid? (R) 4 One thing I ask of the Lord; this I seek, to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, that I may gaze on the loveliness of the Lord and contemplate his temple. (R) 13 I believe that I shall see the bounty of the Lord in the land of the living. 14 Wait for the Lord with courage; be stouthearted, and wait for the Lord. (R)

 

GOSPEL

 

 

Does God’s goodness depend on our faith? In the first instance it is not — otherwise there would be no salvation to offer. In the second  instance it is, as the greater our faith, the more we will be able to draw from the storehouse of grace that God offers us. Faith in God puts believers at an advantage over unbelievers. However, it does not mean that unbelievers are without access to God. It is always possible that they will realize their mistake and seek our God of mercy and love.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Behold, our Lord shall come with power; he will enlighten the eyes of his servants.

 

Matthew 9:27-31

27 As Jesus passed by, two blind men followed him, crying out, “Son of David, have pity on us!” 28 When he entered the house, the blind men approached him and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I can do this?” “Yes, Lord,” they said to him. 29 Then he touched their eyes and said, “Let it be done for you according to your faith.” 30 And their eyes were opened. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.” 31 But they went out and spread word of him through all that land.

think: Faith in God puts believers at an advantage over unbelievers.

 

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  Ezekiel 33-36

 

Behold, the Lord comes to save his people; blessed are those prepared to meet him - Daily Bible Readings December 2,2015

1ST READING     Isaiah prophesies a time when death will be stripped of its power over us. This is God’s incredible promise. He delivered this promise when He raised Jesus from the dead. This promise sees its fulfillment in the birth of Jesus Christ. The consummation comes with the resurrection. Do you know the significance of the Incarnation? Do you live in this reality or is your life still captive to the ways of sin and death?   Isaiah 25:6-10 6 On this mountain the Lord of hosts will provide for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines. 7 On this mountain he will destroy the veil that veils all peoples, the web that is woven over all nations; 8 he will destroy death forever. The Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces; the reproach of his people he will remove from the whole earth; for the Lord has spoken. 9 On that day it will be said: “Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us! This is the Lord for whom we looked; let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!” 10 For the hand of the Lord will rest on this mountain.   P S A L M   Psalm 23:1-3, 3-4, 5-6 R: I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life. 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 In verdant pastures he gives me repose; beside restful waters he leads me; 3 he refreshes my soul. (R) He guides me in right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side with your rod and your staff that give me courage. (R) 5 You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. (R) 6 Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come. (R)   GOSPEL     Jesus revealed a power for His ministry that the world has never experienced before. That power is still at work today. Jesus is no less at work in the world today than He ever has been in history. The grace and power for conversion and holiness are there for us, but only if we are willing to use them. We have to use the gifts God has given us instead of lamenting any perceived lack of power of God in our lives.   GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Behold, the Lord comes to save his people; blessed are those prepared to meet him.   Matthew 15:29-37 29 At that time: Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee, went up on the mountain, and sat down there. 30 Great crowds came to him, having with them the lame, the blind, the deformed, the mute, and many others. They placed them at his feet, and he cured them. 31 The crowds were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the deformed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind able to see, and they glorified the God of Israel. 32 Jesus summoned his disciples and said, “My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, for they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, for fear they may collapse on the way.” 33 The disciples said to him, “Where could we ever get enough bread in this deserted place to satisfy such a crowd?” 34 Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” “Seven,” they replied, “and a few fish.” 35 He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground. 36 Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, gave thanks, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. 37 They all ate and were satisfied. They picked up the fragments left over — seven baskets full.   think: Jesus revealed a power for His ministry that the world has never experienced before. That power is still at work today.   T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST Thank You Lord for: __________________   ____________________________________   God’s special verse/thought for me today_ _____________________________________   READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Ezekiel 25-28

Behold, our Lord shall come with power; he will enlighten the eyes of his servants - Daily Bible Readings December 1,2015

1^ST READING

 

 

This line jumps out of the page: “the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him.” We discover the amazing promise that the Spirit of God will be with us in our journey. God promises that He will be with us through everything. He will guide us through our experiences if we let Him.

 

Isaiah 11:1-10

1 On that day, a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom. 2 The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the Lord, 3 and his delight shall be the fear of the Lord. Not by appearance shall he judge, nor by hearsay shall he decide, 4 but he shall judge the poor with justice, and decide aright for the land’s afflicted. He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked. 5 Justice shall be the band around his waist, and faithfulness a belt upon his hips. 6 Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; the calf and the young lion shall browse together, with a little child to guide them. 7 The cow and the bear shall be neighbors, together their young shall rest; the lion shall eat hay like the ox. 8 The baby shall play by the cobra’s den, and the child lay his hand on the adder’s lair. 9 There shall be no harm or ruin on all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the Lord, as water covers the sea. 10 On that day, the root of Jesse, set up as a signal for the nations, the Gentiles shall seek out, for his dwelling shall be glorious.

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17

R: Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

1 O God, with your judgment endow the king, and with your justice, the king’s son; 2 He shall govern your people with justice and your afflicted ones with judgment. (R) 7 Justice shall flower in his days, and profound peace, till the moon be no more. 8 May he rule from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth. (R) 12 He shall rescue the poor when he cries out, and the afflicted when he has no one to help him. 13 He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor; the lives of the poor he shall save. (R) 17 May his name be blessed forever; as long as the sun his name shall remain. In him shall all the tribes of the earth be blessed; all the nations shall proclaim his happiness. (R)

 

GOSPEL

 

 

We do not know everything about our faith. It does not matter what we have experienced — there is always more to God. His love, grace, mercy and blessings are infinite. As pilgrims on earth, let us never limit what God wants to do in our lives. Let us fix our eyes on the Lord’s path and follow wherever He may lead us.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Behold, our Lord shall come with power; he will enlighten the eyes of his servants.

 

Luke 10:21-24

21 Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. 22 All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.” 23 Turning to the disciples in private he said, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. 24 For I say to you, many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.”

 

think: There is always more to God than what we know or have expressed.

 

T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST

Thank You Lord for: __________________

 

____________________________________

 

God’s special verse/thought for me today_

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READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Ezekiel 21-24