A great prophet has arisen in our midst and God has visited his people - Daily Bible Readings September 1,2015

1^ST READING

 

The lures of the world --– materialism, secularism and pleasure — dull our spiritual senses. We need to be vigilant as we live in the midst of these temptations. We need the grace of God in order to prevail in this challenge. If we rely on our own strength, we will fail. The attraction of the world’s temptations  is too great for us. We see the damage being done to society when it strays from the guidance of the Gospel. Ethics and morality go out the window in favor of emotive principles. We need to stand in the breach and faithfully live the Gospel.

 

1 Thessalonians 5:1-6, 9-11

1 Concerning times and seasons, brothers and sisters, you have no need for anything to be written to you. 2 For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief at night. 3 When people are saying, “Peace and security,” then sudden disaster comes upon them, like labor pains upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness, for that day to overtake you like a thief. 5 For all of you are children of the light and children of the day. We are not of the night or of darkness. 6 Therefore, let us not sleep as the rest do, but let us stay alert and sober. 9 For God did not destine us for wrath, but to gain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live together with him. 11 Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, as indeed you do.

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14

R: I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.

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

 

 

One of the first miracles of Jesus’ ministry is to drive out demons from one who is possessed. Jesus demonstrates His power right from the start so that no mistakes can be made, and so that we are left in no doubt as to who has the power. Demonic possession is not as common as it used to be but it still is a reality. We must be careful that we avoid all practices that open the doors for demons to enter our lives – tarot cards, Ouija boards, palm reading, astrology and other New Age practices. We do not need any of these when we have Jesus in our hearts.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

A great prophet has arisen in our midst and God has visited his people.

 

Luke 4:31-37

31 Jesus went down to Capernaum, a town of Galilee. He taught them on the sabbath, 32 and they were astonished at his teaching because he spoke with authority. 33 In the synagogue there was a man with the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out in a loud voice, 34 “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are — the Holy One of God!” 35 Jesus rebuked him and said, “Be quiet! Come out of him!” Then the demon threw the man down in front of them and came out of him without doing him any harm. 36 They were all amazed and said to one another, “What is there about his word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out.” 37 And news of him spread everywhere in the surrounding region.

 

think: The lures of the world — materialism, secularism and pleasure — dull our spiritual senses.

 

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 Psalm 36-40