You, child, will be called prophet of the Most High for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way - Daily Bible Readings June 24,2016

1^ST READING

 

 

 John the Baptist is sent to prepare the way for the coming of Christ. We are supposed to follow in his footsteps and introduce Christ to those whom we meet, particularly those who have never met or heard of Jesus. This is great responsibility and also a great privilege. We should not underestimate the joy we will gain from doing our part in bringing the Good News to others.

 

Isaiah 49:1-6

1 Hear me, O coastlands, listen, O distant peoples. The Lord called me from birth, from my mother’s womb he gave me my name. 2 He made of me a sharp-edged sword and concealed me in the shadow of his arm. He made me a polished arrow, in his quiver he hid me. 3 You are my servant, he said to me, Israel, through whom I show my glory. 4 Though I thought I had toiled in vain, and for nothing, uselessly, spent my strength, yet my reward is with the Lord, my recompense is with my God. 5 For now the Lord has spoken who formed me as his servant from the womb, that Jacob may be brought back to him and Israel gathered to him; and I am made glorious in the sight of the Lord, and my God is now my strength! 6 It is too little, he says, for you to be my servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and restore the survivors of Israel; I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 139:1-3, 13-14, 14-15

R: I praise you for I am wonderfully made.

1 O Lord, you have probed me and you know me; 2 you know when I sit and when I stand; you understand my thoughts from afar. 3 My journeys and my rest you scrutinize, with all my ways you are familiar. (R) 13 Truly you have formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb. 14 I give you thanks that I am fearfully, wonderfully made; wonderful are your works. (R) My soul also you knew full well; 15 nor was my frame unknown to you when I was made in secret, when I was fashioned in the depths of the earth. (R)

 

 

2^ND READING

 

The Scriptures present Jesus as belonging to the bloodline of King David. This weaves Him into human history in a tangible and indisputable way. Jesus is truly one of us — a human being, born of flesh and blood by Mary into the world but without any taint of sin. As one of us, Jesus redeems us from within our own life experiences and not just as an outsider who declares us free of our sins.

 

Acts 13:22-26

22 In those days, Paul said: “God raised up David as their king; of him he testified, ‘I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will carry out my every wish.’ 23 From this man’s descendants God, according to his promise, has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus. 24 John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel; 25 and as John was completing his course, he would say, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. Behold, one is coming after me; I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.’ 26 “My brothers, children of the family of Abraham, and those others among you who are God-fearing, to us this word of salvation has been sent.”

 

GOSPEL

 

John the Baptist, a miracle conception to a barren Elizabeth, a man who takes a name from outside his forebears’ usual names, is one like us — a human being but also one set apart for a particular and important ministry. We can see that his extraordinary beginnings mark him out as someone special within the plan of God for humanity. Let us not be afraid to acknowledge John. At the same time, let us never doubt that God can also use us in extraordinary ways for His Kingdom.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

You, child, will be called prophet of the Most High for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way.

 

Luke 1:57-66, 80

57 When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. 58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. 59 When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, 60 but his mother said in reply, “No. He will be called John.” 61 But they answered her, “There is no one among your relatives who has this name.” 62 So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. 63 He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,” and all were amazed. 64 Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God. 65 Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. 66 All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, “What, then, will this child be?” For surely the hand of the Lord was with him. 80 The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the desert until the day of his manifestation to Israel.

 

think: We should never underestimate the joy we will gain from doing our part in bringing the Good News to others.

 

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 1 Chronicles 16-18