We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because by your Cross, you have redeemed the world - Daily Bible Readings September 14, 2106

1^ST READING

 

 

The Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible, is filled with stories about how God saves His people. As we read these stories, we realize that God is faithful to His promises. We need to stand firm by this knowledge as we face difficulties and challenges. With God’s help, victory is at hand. But if we separate ourselves from God, then defeat will be ours.

 

Numbers 21:4-9

4 With their patience worn out by the journey, 5 the people complained against God and Moses, “Why have you brought us up from Egypt to die in this desert, where there is no food or water? We are disgusted with this wretched food!” 6 In punishment the Lord sent among the people seraph serpents, which bit the people so that many of them died. 7 Then the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned in complaining against the Lord and you. Pray the Lord to take the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people, 8 and the Lord said to Moses, “Make a saraph and mount it on a pole, and if any who has been bitten looks at it, they will live.” 9 Moses accordingly made a bronze serpent and mounted it on a pole, and whenever anyone who had been bitten by a serpent looked at the bronze serpent, he lived.

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 78:1-2, 34-35, 36-37, 38

R: Do not forget the works of the Lord!

1 Hearken, my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth. 2 I will open my mouth in a parable, I will utter mysteries from of old. (R) 34 While he slew them they sought him and inquired after God again, 35 remembering that God was their rock and the Most High God, their redeemer. 36 But they flattered him with their mouths and lied to him with their tongues, 37 though their hearts were not steadfast toward him, nor were they faithful to his covenant. (R) 38 But he, being merciful, forgave their sin and destroyed them not; often he turned back his anger and let none of his wrath be roused. (R)

 

2^ND READING

 

The obedience of Jesus is beyond compare. The Son of God chooses suffering and death to free us from the powers of sin. This is how much Jesus loves us. This is the degree of His commitment to us. How committed are we to Him? Are we willing to give even just an hour of our time every week to the Lord?

 

Philippians 2:6-11

6 Brothers and sisters: Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. 7 Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, 8 he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. 9 Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 

GOSPEL

 

Jesus could have come to chastise and condemn us. After all, we are sinners. Instead, He came to save and give us life. God’s response is to forgive our sins —to love and not condemn. The world would be much better if we followed His example. Imagine how different our societies would be if our first inclination was to love one another. This is possible if we proclaim and live out the Gospel each day.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because by your Cross, you have redeemed the world.

 

John 3:13-17

13 Jesus said to Nicodemus: “No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.

 

think: Imagine how different our societies would be if our first inclination was to love one another.

 

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  Jeremiah 50-52