Let us build our lives according to the principles of love and truth - Daily Bible Readings December 5,2013

1^ST READING

 

Justice will ultimately be brought upon us. We may be able to escape justice while we live on earth but no one will be able to escape the final judgment. Therefore, it is much wiser to live just and holy lives now, so that we will have nothing to fear when we come to the end of our earthly pilgrimage. I, for one, want to hear God say to me, “Well done, good and faithful servant; come and share in My joy!” rather than, “Please give an account of why you lived such a selfish and sinful life; your judgment is ….”

 

Isaiah 26:1-6

1 On that day they will sing this song in the land of Judah: “A strong city have we; he sets up walls and ramparts to protect us. 2 Open up the gates to let in a nation that is just, one that keeps faith. 3 A nation of firm purpose you keep in peace; in peace, for its trust is in you.” 4 Trust in the Lord forever! For the Lord is an eternal Rock. 5 He humbles those in high places, and the lofty city he brings down; he tumbles it to the ground, levels it with the dust. 6 It is trampled underfoot by the needy, by the footsteps of the poor.

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 118:1, 8-9, 19-21, 25-27

R: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever. 8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. 9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes. (R) 19 Open to me the gates of justice; I will enter them and give thanks to the Lord. 20 This gate is the Lord’s; the just shall enter it. 21 I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me and have been my savior. (R) 25 O Lord, grant salvation! O Lord, grant prosperity! 26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; we bless you from the house of the Lord. 27 The Lord is God, and he has given us light. (R)

 

GOSPEL

 

It makes sense to build on a firm foundation anything we want to last. It is wise to build well once rather than having to keep repairing a badly built structure. This is true of our faith as well. Let us build our lives according to the principles of love and truth. Our lives will be far more fruitful, in comparison to a life built on principles of selfishness and sin.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Seek the Lord while he may be found; call him while he is near.

 

Matthew 7:21, 24-27

21 Jesus said to his disciples: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. 24 Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. 25 The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock. 26 And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand. 27 The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined.”

 

think:  Let us build our lives according to the principles of love and truth.

 

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 Proverbs 5-8