Behold, our Lord shall come with power; he will enlighten the eyes of his servants - Daily Bible Readings December 5,2014

1^ST READING

 

If there are enough Christians who act upon their beliefs then the world will know without doubt that Jesus is the Lord of all. As the scientists would say, “A critical mass has been reached.” One of the biggest scandals facing Christianity is the lukewarm nature of many of those who profess to be Christians. How can we change this? None of us can control what another chooses. All we can do is act upon our own faith and do what God asks us to do, and pray that others will do the same.

 

Isaiah 29: 17-24

17 Thus says the Lord God: But a very little while, and Lebanon shall be changed into an orchard, and the orchard be regarded as a forest! 18 On that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book; and out of gloom and darkness, the eyes of the blind shall see. 19 The lowly will ever find joy in the Lord, and the poor rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. 20 For the tyrant will be no more and the arrogant will have gone; all who are alert to do evil will be cut off, 21 those whose mere word condemns a man, who ensnare his defender at the gate, and leave the just man with an empty claim. 22 Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of the house of Jacob, who redeemed Abraham. Now Jacob shall have nothing to be ashamed of, nor shall his face grow pale. 23 When his children see the work of my hands in his midst, they shall keep my name holy; they shall reverence the Holy One of Jacob, and be in awe of the God of Israel. 24 Those who err in spirit shall acquire understanding, and those who find fault shall receive instruction.

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14

R: The Lord is my light and my salvation.

1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear? The Lord is my life’s refuge; of whom should I be afraid? (R) 4 One thing I ask of the Lord; this I seek, to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, that I may gaze on the loveliness of the Lord and contemplate his  temple. (R) 13 I believe that I shall see the bounty of the Lord in the land of the living. 14 Wait for the Lord with courage; be stouthearted, and wait for the Lord. (R)

 

GOSPEL

Having been healed by Jesus, the men were compelled to share their experience with others. This is the nature of the Gospel — something made very evident here by Matthew as he has them disobeying the command of Jesus to remain silent about their healings. Put yourself in the shoes of the healed men. Would you remain silent? I doubt it! I would be shouting about Jesus and what He has done for me from the rooftops!

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Behold, our Lord shall come with power; he will enlighten the eyes of his servants.

 

Matthew 9:27-31

27 As Jesus passed by, two blind men followed him, crying out, “Son of David, have pity on us!” 28 When he entered the house, the blind men approached him and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I can do this?” “Yes, Lord,” they said to him. 29 Then he touched their eyes and said, “Let it be done for you according to your faith.” 30 And their eyes were opened. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.” 31 But they went out and spread word of him through all that land.

 

think:  Let us act upon our own faith and do what God asks us to do, and pray that others will do the same.

 

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 Ezekiel 37-40