1ST READING
If we desire to serve the Kingdom of God and let Him know that this is what we want for our lives, then He will definitely take up our offer of service. I very much doubt whether any of the Apostles knew exactly where their commitment to proclaim the Gospel would take them — Thomas to India and China, Andrew to Greece and so on. Yet, this did not cause them to hold back. They surrendered everything and opened their lives to the Holy Spirit. We must all do the same if we want to live the fullness of our faith.
Acts 4:23-31
23 After their release Peter and John went back to their own people and reported what the chief priests and elders had told them. 24 And when they heard it, they raised their voices to God with one accord and said, “Sovereign Lord, maker of heaven and earth and the sea and all that is in them, 25 you said by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of our father David, your servant: ‘Why did the Gentiles rage and the peoples entertain folly? 26 The kings of the earth took their stand and the princes gathered together against the Lord and against his anointed.’ 27 “Indeed they gathered in this city against your holy servant Jesus whom you anointed, Herod and Pontius Pilate, together with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do what your hand and your will had long ago planned to take place. 29 And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and enable your servants to speak your word with all boldness, 30 as you stretch forth your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 As they prayed, the place where they were gathered shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
P S A L M
Psalm 2:1-3, 4-7, 7-9
R: Blessed are all who take refuge in the Lord.
1 Why do the nations rage and the peoples utter folly? 2 The kings of the earth rise up, and the princes conspire together against the Lord and against his anointed: 3 “Let us break their fetters and cast their bonds from us!” (R) 4 He who is throned in heaven laughs; the Lord derides them. 5 Then in anger he speaks to them; he terrifies them in his wrath. 6 “I myself have set up my king on Zion, my holy mountain.” 7 I will proclaim the decree of the Lord. (R) The Lord said to me, “You are my son; this day I have begotten you. 8 Ask of me and I will give you the nations for an inheritance and the ends of the earth for your possession. 9 You shall rule them with an iron rod; you shall shatter them like an earthen dish.” (R)
GOSPEL
Jesus is talking about the power of faith to renew and re-create us in the image and likeness of God. Are we willing to undergo this re-creation? It is one thing to talk about the nature of faith and its consequences; it is entirely another to place our lives under the grace of the Holy Spirit and live it to the full. What do you want for your life – the theory (talk) or the practice (living it)?
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
John 3:1-8
1 There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do these signs that you are doing unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless one is born from above, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man once grown old be born again? Surely he cannot reenter his mother’s womb and be born again, can he?” 5 Jesus answered, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless one is born of water and Spirit he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. 6 What is born of flesh is flesh and what is born of spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be amazed that I told you, ‘You must be born from above.’ 8 The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
think: If we desire to serve the Kingdom of God and let Him know that this is what we want for our lives, then He will definitely take up our offer of service.
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 Leviticus 16-183
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