Christ had to suffer and to rise from the dead, and so enter into his glory - Daily Bible Readings May 20,2014

1^ST READING

 

Paul suffers greatly for the Gospel. He is stoned a number of times and whipped even more. He even gets shipwrecked twice. Are we willing to undergo the same tribulations for the sake of the Gospel? It is indeed a privilege to suffer for the sake of the Gospel. We do not need to seek out suffering, as it is almost certain to find us, so long as we remain faithful in living and proclaiming the Word of Life, Jesus Christ.

 

Acts 14:19-28

19 In those days, some Jews from Antioch and Iconium arrived and won over the crowds. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. 20 But when the disciples gathered around him, he got up and entered the city. On the following day he left with Barnabas for Derbe. 21 After they had proclaimed the good news to that city and made a considerable number of disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch. 22 They strengthened the spirits of the disciples and exhorted them to persevere in the faith, saying, “It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” 23 They appointed presbyters for them in each Church and, with prayer and fasting, commended them to the Lord in whom they had put their faith. 24 Then they traveled through Pisidia and reached Pamphylia. 25 After proclaiming the word at Perga they went down to Attalia. 26 From there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work they had now accomplished. 27 And when they arrived, they called the Church together and reported what God had done with them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 Then they spent no little time with the disciples.

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 145:10-11, 12-13, 21

R: Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your kingdom.

10 Let all your works give you thanks, O Lord, and let your faithful ones bless you. 11 Let them discourse of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might. (R)12 Making known to men your might and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. 13 Your kingdom is a kingdom for all ages, and your dominion endures through all generations. (R) 21 May my mouth speak the praise of the Lord, and may all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever. (R)

 

GOSPEL

 

I love hearing these words of Jesus: “I do just as the Father commands me to do!” Here is the essence of discipleship. Here is what it means to give one’s life in following the will of God. If it is good enough for Jesus, then it had better be good enough for us. Obedience is a “bad” word in today’s culture as it seems to signify submission to another. When it comes to God, I rejoice greatly that I am submitted to His will as there is nowhere else I would rather be.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Christ had to suffer and to rise from the dead, and so enter into his glory.

 

John 14:27-31

27 Jesus said to his disciples: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. 28 You heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you this before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe. 30 I will no longer speak much with you, for the ruler of the world is coming. He has no power over me, 31 but the world must know that I love the Father and that I do just as the Father has commanded me.”

 

 

think: It is indeed a privilege to suffer for the Gospel.

 

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 Judges 13-16