Daily Bible Readings

August 28, 2011
1st READING
Jeremiah, the prophet, had to bring a message to God’s people that they did not want to hear — that they had to surrender to the King of Babylon and not to trust in an alliance with Egypt. Jeremiah suffered because of the message God asked him to bring and decides not to speak of it anymore, but he cannot remain silent as the message is a fire in his soul.

Jeremiah 20:7-9
7 You duped me, O LORD, and I let myself be duped; you were too strong for me, and you triumphed. All the day I am an object of laughter; everyone mocks me. 8 Whenever I speak, I must cry out, violence and outrage is my message; the word of the LORD has brought me derision and reproach all the day. 9 I say to myself, I will not mention him, I will speak in his name no more. But then it becomes like fire burning in my heart, imprisoned in my bones; I grow weary holding it in, I cannot endure it.

P S A L M

Psalms 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9
R: My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.
1 [2] O God, you are my God whom I seek; for you my flesh pines and my soul thirsts like the earth, parched, lifeless and without water. (R) 2 [3] Thus have I gazed toward you in the sanctuary to see your power and your glory, 3 [4] for your kindness is a greater good than life; my lips shall glorify you. (R) 4 [5] Thus will I bless you while I live; lifting up my hands, I will call upon your name. 5 [6] As with the riches of a banquet shall my soul be satisfied, and with exultant lips my mouth shall praise you. (R) 7 [8] You are my help, and in the shadow of your wings I shout for joy. 8 [9] My soul clings fast to you; your right hand upholds me. (R)

2nd READING

Paul tells us that the way to personal transformation is to allow the Word of God to renew our minds. Often our minds are filled with unbelief, complaining, critical and negative thoughts. These make us sad and sap our energy for life. By memorizing Scripture verses, we can replace these negative thoughts with faith-filled ones and so reap a harvest of good fruit in our lives.

Romans 12:1-2
1 I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship. 2 Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.

G O S P E L

From the beginning, Jesus had no doubt as to His mission and what would be the inevitable outcome of His ministry. He would be rejected by the elders and rulers of the Temple and be handed over to the Romans to be crucified. He knew that by submitting Himself to death for love of us, He would redeem and save mankind. Peter wants Jesus to be a conquering hero, not a crucified one, and so opposes the idea of the cross. However, Jesus sees past the pain and suffering of the cross to the resurrection and new life that would result.

ALLELUIA
R: Alleluia, alleluia
May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our hearts, that we may know what is the hope that belongs to our call. R: Alleluia, alleluia

Matthew 16:21-27
21 Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised. 22 Then Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him, “God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.” 23 He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” 24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life? 27 For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory, and then he will repay everyone according to his conduct.”

my reflections
t h i n k : The way to personal transformation is to allow the Word of God to renew our minds.

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 Isaiah 33-36

SABBATH PAUSE
My weekly time with God
THANK YOU LIST
Things to be grateful for from the past week
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SPECIAL NEEDS
Things to ask God for in the coming week
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HIDDEN TREASURE
Most important word God told me this week
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