Daily Bible Readings - April 24,2013

1^ST READING

 

Here, Barnabas is listed before Paul, indicating that Barnabas is in charge or the boss, so to speak. Later we will see this listing reversed as Paul begins to express himself and his leadership qualities. The Gospel is never — and shouldn’t be — about status and power. Let us be faithful in accomplishing whatever it is that God asks us to do and allow others to do likewise.

 

Acts 12:24–13:5

24 The word of God continued to spread and grow. 25 After Barnabas and Saul completed their relief mission, they returned to Jerusalem, taking with them John, who is called Mark. 13:1 Now there were in the Church at Antioch prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Symeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who was a close friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then, completing their fasting and prayer, they laid hands on them and sent them off. 4 So they, sent forth by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and from there sailed to Cyprus. 5 When they arrived in Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues.

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8

R: O God, let all the nations praise you!

1 [2] May God have pity on us and bless us; may he let his face shine upon us. 2 [3] So may your way be known upon earth; among all nations, your salvation. (R) 4 [5] May the nations be glad and exult because you rule the peoples in equity; the nations on the earth you guide. (R) 5 [6] May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you! 7 [8] May God bless us, and may all the ends of the earth fear him! (R)

 

GOSPEL

 

Jesus again defends Himself by claiming to be doing His Father’s will. The Pharisees and Jewish leaders are not used to having their authority, sincerity and integrity challenged. They are fast losing their patience with Jesus and the message He preaches. It is important that we know and are convinced of God’s will for our lives as it is only with conviction that we will remain faithful to His calling when difficulties arise.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life.

 

John 12:44-50

44 Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me believes not only in me but also in the one who sent me, 45 and whoever sees me sees the one who sent me. 46 I came into the world as Light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness. 47 And if anyone hears my words and does not observe them, I do not condemn him, for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world. 48 Whoever rejects me and does not accept my words has something to judge him: the word that I spoke, it will condemn him on the last day, 49 because I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is eternal life. So what I say, I say as the Father told me.”

 

think:  It is important that we know and are convinced of God’s will for our lives as it is only with conviction that we will remain faithful to His calling when difficulties arise.

 

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 Numbers 10-12