The Kingdom of God is at hand: repent and believe in the Gospel - Daily Bible Readings July 8,2015

1^ST READING

 

I wonder what it was like for Joseph’s brothers to see that he was alive and held a very important position in the Egyptian government. It must have been a total shock to them. And now they are before him, begging him for food because of the famine. Joseph forgave them and this shows his character and goodness. I wonder what each of us would do if we were in his place?

 

Genesis 41:55-57; 42:5-7, 17-24

55 When hunger came to be felt throughout the land of Egypt and the people cried to Pharaoh for bread, Pharaoh directed all the Egyptians to go to Joseph and do whatever he told them. 56 When the famine had spread throughout the land, Joseph opened all the cities that had grain and rationed it to the Egyptians, since the famine had gripped the land of Egypt. 57 In fact, all the world came to Joseph to obtain rations of grain, for famine had gripped the whole world. 42:5 The sons of Israel were among those who came to procure rations. 6 It was Joseph, as governor of the country, who dispensed the rations to all the people. When Joseph’s brothers came and knelt down before him with their faces to the ground, 7 he recognized them as soon as he saw them. But Joseph concealed his own identity from them and spoke sternly to them. 17 With that, he locked them up in the guardhouse for three days. 18 On the third day Joseph said to his brothers: “Do this, and you shall live; for I am a God-fearing man. 19 If you have been honest, only one of your brothers need be confined in this prison, while the rest of you may go and take home provisions for your starving families. 20 But you must come back to me with your youngest brother. Your words will thus be verified, and you will not die.” To this they agreed. 21 To one another, however, they said: “Alas, we are being punished because of our brother. We saw the anguish of his heart when he pleaded with us, yet we paid no heed; that is why this anguish has now come upon us.” 22 Reuben broke in, “Did I not tell you not to do wrong to the boy? But you would not listen! Now comes the reckoning for his blood.” 23 The brothers did not know, of course, that Joseph understood what they said, since he spoke with them through an interpreter. 24 But turning away from them, he wept.

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 33:2-3, 10-11, 18-19

R: Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

2 Give thanks to the Lord on the harp; with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises. 3 Sing to him a new song; pluck the strings skillfully, with shouts of gladness. (R) 10 The Lord brings to nought the plans of nations; he foils the designs of peoples. 11 But the plan of the Lord stands forever; the design of his heart, through all generations. (R) 18 But see, the eyes of the Lord are upon those who fear him, upon those who hope for his kindness, 19 To deliver them from death and preserve them in spite of famine. (R)

 

GOSPEL

 

Jesus commissioned the Apostles to do exactly the same things that He did. He did not hold back God’s grace from us. The Gospel message had to be proclaimed. Jesus does not care who proclaims it, provided that it is done powerfully. Let us never worry about who is doing what, as long as we all give our best in the service of the Gospel.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

The Kingdom of God is at hand: repent and believe in the Gospel.

 

Matthew 10:1-7

1 Jesus summoned his Twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness. 2 The names of the Twelve Apostles are these: first, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus; 4 Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus. 5 Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus, “Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’”

 

think: Let us never worry about who is doing what, as long as we all give our best in the service of 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 2 Chronicles 23-24