Daily Bible Readings - December 28,2012

1^ST READING

 

We celebrate today the Feast of the Holy Innocents. Who are the innocents of today who suffer death and deprivation? It is those who are aborted and never given the opportunity of life. It is the thousands of innocents who are killed in wars. It is the thousands, nay millions, who lack food, shelter and reasonable medical care. The list could go on. What are we doing to alleviate the plight of such people? Not a single person, or even a thousand of us, can solve any of the above problems, but we can do whatever we are able in our own situations to help the poor and powerless. We can become a part of the solution and not contribute to the problem.

 

1 John 1:5-2:2

5 Beloved: This is the message that we have heard from him and proclaim to you: God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we say, “We have fellowship with him,” while we continue to walk in darkness, we lie and do not act in truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of his Son Jesus cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say, “We are without sin,” we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing. 10 If we say, “We have not sinned,” we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 2: 1 My children, I am writing this to you so that you may not commit sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous one. 2 He is expiation for our sins, and not for our sins only but for those of the whole world.

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 124:2-3, 4-5, 7-8

R: Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler’s snare.

2 Had not the Lord been with us — when men rose up against us, 3 then would they have swallowed us alive, when their fury was inflamed against us. (R) 4 Then would the waters have overwhelmed us; the torrent would have swept over us; 5 over us then would have swept the raging waters. (R) 7 Broken was the snare, and we were freed. 8 Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth. (R)

 

GOSPEL

 

Jesus knew what it meant to be a displaced person, or at least His parents did. (He may have been too young to remember.) There are literally millions of displaced people today as a result of war or natural disasters. The vast majority of these people are women and children. What is our responsibility towards them? Well, it may be a question that can be only answered definitively at an international level, but there is still a role for you and me in lobbying those who make these decisions through the ballot or other means.

 

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

We praise you, O God, we acclaim you as Lord; the white robed army of martyrs praise you.

 

Matthew 2:13-18

13 When the magi had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.” 14 Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. 15 He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, “Out of Egypt I called my son.” 16 When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi, he became furious. He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi. 17 Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet: 18 “A voice was heard in Ramah, sobbing and loud lamentation; Rachel weeping for her children, and she would not be consoled, since they were no more.”

1st READING 2nd READING

GOSPEL PSALM

think: We can become a part of the solution and not contribute to the problem.

Zechariah 5-8

T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST

Thank You Lord for: ___________________________

 

____________________________________________

 

God’s special verse/thought for me today_________

____________________________________________

 

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Zechariah 5-8 

Daily Bible Readings - December 27,2012

1^ST READING

 

The Gospel we proclaim is, in a sense, inherent in the fact that we are human persons. The dignity of human life makes demands on us that we cannot ignore and this has been so since the beginning. One may think that this is really a religious question but it is not. It is a question of how we understand humanity and to what degree we are willing to protect our understanding.

 

1 John 1:1-4

1 Beloved: What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we looked upon and touched with our hands concerns the Word of life — 2 for the life was made visible; we have seen it and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was made visible to us — 3 what we have seen and heard we proclaim now to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; for our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4 We are writing this so that our joy may be complete.

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12

R: Rejoice in the Lord, you just!

1 The Lord is king; let the earth rejoice; let the many isles be glad. 2 Clouds and darkness are round about him, justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne. (R) 5 The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth. 6 The heavens proclaim his justice, and all peoples see his glory. (R) 11 Light dawns for the just; and gladness, for the upright of heart. 12 Be glad in the Lord, you just, and give thanks to his holy name. (R)

 

GOSPEL

 

John believes in the resurrection from the evidence of the empty tomb. We have two millennia of Church life as additional evidence to the resurrection. It may be secondary evidence, but the oldest institution in the world and all that it has done for society over the years is something that we cannot ignore easily. The more one studies the history of the Church, the more one will be inclined to see the divine at work through and in it.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

We praise you, O God, we acclaim you as Lord; the glorious company of Apostles praise you.

 

John 20:1, 2-8

1 On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdalene 2 ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him.” 3 So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb. 4 They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the Itomb first; 5 he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in. 6 When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, 7 and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place. 8 Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed.

 

think: The more one studies the history of the Church, the more one will be inclined to see the divine at work through and in it.

Zechariah 1-4

T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST

Thank You Lord for: ___________________________

 

____________________________________________

 

God’s special verse/thought for me today_________

____________________________________________

 

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Zechariah 1-4

Daily Bible Readings - December 26, 2012

1^ST READING

 

The martyrdom of Stephen becomes the prototype of what some Apostolic writers call the second baptism, or better still, baptism of blood. Stephen will not back down from what he knows to be true, both in his mind and through experience. He will not renounce his faith. Let us reflect upon his level of commitment to the truth and pray for the grace to imitate it in our own lives.

 

Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59

8 Stephen, filled with grace and power, was working great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Certain members of the so-called Synagogue of Freedmen, Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and people from Cilicia and Asia, came forward and debated with Stephen, 10 but they could not withstand the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke. 7: 54 When they heard this, they were infuriated, and they ground their teeth at him. 55 But he, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked up intently to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, 56 and he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 57 But they cried out in a loud voice, covered their ears, and rushed upon him together. 58 They threw him out of the city, and began to stone him. The witnesses laid down their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 As they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 31:3-4, 6, 8, 16, 17

R: Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

2 [3] Be my rock of refuge, a stronghold to give me safety. 3 [4] You are my rock and my fortress; for your name’s sake you will lead and guide me. (R) 5 [6] Into your hands I commend my spirit; you will redeem me, O Lord, O faithful God. 7 [8] I will rejoice and be glad because of your mercy. (R) 15 [16] Rescue me from the clutches of my enemies and my persecutors. 16 [17] Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your kindness. (R)

 

GOSPEL

 

We live in a society and world where there is a lot of talk about the separation of Church and state. At one level this does not make a lot of sense as both have the people’s welfare at their essence. If we are talking about human dignity, then people ought to be the basis of our reflection. That which is derived from the nature of the human person and his or her dignity ought to be enshrined in law. This is the only way to protect the truth and dignity of life, as we understand it.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord: the Lord is God and has given us light.

 

Matthew 10:17-22

17 Jesus said to his disciples: “Beware of men, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues, 18 and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans. 19 When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say. 20 For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21 Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. 22 You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved.”

 

TODAY’S LIST

think: That which is derived from the nature of the human person and his dignity ought to be enshrined in law.

 

T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST

Thank You Lord for: ___________________________

 

____________________________________________

 

God’s special verse/thought for me today_________

____________________________________________

 

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Haggai 1-2 

Daily Bible Readings - December 25,2012

1^ST READING

 

In sending His Son, Jesus, God reveals His hand to all. He holds nothing back and hides nothing from anyone. As the mission of Jesus will unfold, we discover the fullness of His love for us and there is nothing He will not contemplate  when it comes to bringing us the gift of salvation. This is a time to rejoice and be glad because salvation has been born unto us.

 

Isaiah 52:7-10

7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings glad tidings, announcing peace, bearing good news, announcing salvation, and saying to Zion, “Your God is King!” 8 Hark! Your sentinels raise a cry, together they shout for joy, for they see directly, before their eyes, the Lord restoring Zion. 9 Break out together in song, O ruins of Jerusalem! For the Lord comforts his people, he redeems Jerusalem. 10 The Lord has bared his holy arm in the sight of all the nations; all the ends of the earth will behold the salvation of our God.

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6

R: All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

1 Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds; his right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm. (R) 2 The Lord has made his salvation known: in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice. 3 He has remembered his kindness and

his faithfulness toward the house of Israel. (R) All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God. 4 Sing joyfully to the Lord, all you lands; break into song; sing praise. (R) 5 Sing praise to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and melodious song. 6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn sing joyfully before the King, the Lord. (R)

 

2^ND READING

 

God does not delegate the role of Redeemer to a prophet or anyone else. He is taking no chances with this one. He sends His Son, Jesus. This is how we know the level of commitment in His love for us. There is nothing He will not consider when it comes to our salvation. God sends Jesus so that there will be no mistakes made. Who knows? Maybe there were other ways we could be saved, but I cannot think of any that would express the depth of God’s love as deeply as the sending of His Son.

 

Hebrews 1:1-6

1 Brothers and sisters: In times past, God spoke in partial and various ways to our ancestors through the prophets; 2 in these last days, he spoke to us through the Son, whom he made heir of all things and through whom he created the universe, 3 who is the refulgence of his glory, the very imprint of his being, and who sustains all things by his mighty word. When he had accomplished purification from sins, he took his seat at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 as far superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. 5 For to which of the angels did God ever say: “You are my son; this day I have begotten you?” Or again: “I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me?” 6 And again, when he leads the first-born into the world, he says: “Let all the angels of God worship him.”

 

GOSPEL

 

The light of the love of God reveals to us His true nature in a way that had yet to be revealed. The revelation in the person of Jesus blows our minds open when we try to understand the depth of God’s love in taking on the nature of humanity. Jesus is the fullness of grace sent to dwell in our midst. Let us never forget this and reflect on it often so that we will always remember the depth of God’s love for us.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

A holy day has dawned upon us. Come, you nations, and adore the Lord. For today a great light has come upon the earth.

 

John 1:1-18

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be 4 through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; 5 the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 6 A man named John was sent from God. 7 He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to testify to the light. 9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him. 11 He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him. 12 But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, 13 who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth. 15 John testified to him and cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’ ” 16 From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace, 17 because while the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God. The only Son, God, who is at the Father’s side, has revealed him.

1st READING 2nd READING

GOSPEL PSALM

TODAY’S

think: Jesus is the fullness of grace sent to dwell in our midst.

 

 

T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST

Thank You Lord for: ___________________________

 

____________________________________________

 

God’s special verse/thought for me today_________

____________________________________________

 

Daily Bible Readings - December 21,2012

1^ST READING

 

If you think God is a God of doom and gloom, then I challenge you to read the Song of Songs. It is a beautiful book describing God’s love for us in terms of two lovers meeting and conversing about their love. The imagery is very graphic and beautiful, reminding us that God holds nothing back in His love for us, something that we should be well aware of by now, given that Jesus, His Son, died for us.

 

Song of Songs 2:8-14 (or Zephaniah 3:14-18)

8 Hark! My lover — here he comes springing across the mountains, leaping across the hills. 9 My lover is like a gazelle or a young stag. Here he stands behind our wall, gazing through the windows, peering through the lattices. 10 My lover speaks; he says to me, “Arise, my beloved, my dove, my beautiful one, and come! 11 “For see, the winter is past, the rains are over and gone. 12 The flowers appear on the earth, the time of pruning the vines has come, and the song of the dove is heard in our land. 13 The fig tree puts forth its figs, and the vines, in bloom, give forth fragrance. Arise, my beloved, my beautiful one, and come! 14 “O my dove in the clefts of the rock, in the secret recesses of the cliff, let me see you, let me hear your voice, for your voice is sweet, and you are lovely.”

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 33:2-3, 11-12, 20-21

R: Exult, you just, in the Lord! Sing to him a new song.

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) 11 But the plan of the Lord stands forever; the design of his heart, through all generations. 12 Blessed the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he has chosen for his own inheritance. (R) 20 Our soul waits for the Lord, who is our help and our shield, 21 for in him our hearts rejoice; in his holy name we trust. (R)

 

GOSPEL

 

“Blessed is the fruit of your womb,” cries Elizabeth when Mary arrives at her house. This should be the cry that goes up from the earth every time a woman conceives. There is a new life to rejoice about. What a wonderful gift it is to share in the creative power of God. Yet so many children are aborted today, even for the sake of mere convenience. It is a holocaust that belies description because the child in the womb is utterly defenseless. Let us all, with one voice, decry this injustice and evil and seek to rectify it at once.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

O Emmanuel, our King and Giver of Law: come to save us, Lord our God!

 

Luke 1:39-45

39 Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, 40 where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, 42 cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 43 And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”

 

think: What a wonderful gift it is to share in the creative power of God.

 

T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST

Thank You Lord for: ___________________________

 

____________________________________________

 

God’s special verse/thought for me today_________

____________________________________________

 

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Micah 1-3

Daily Bible Readings - December 20,2012

1^ST READING

 

There is much we can say about this text but we must begin with its original meaning that within nine months (from conception to birth of a child) the siege on Jerusalem will be lifted. It is a moment of redemption in the reign of King Azariah, just as the birth of Jesus to Mary will be the beginning of the ultimate redemption of mankind. Prophecies always have time-conditioned meanings that may or may not be immediately relevant to another time.

 

Isaiah 7:10-14

10 The Lord spoke to Ahaz: 11 “Ask for a sign from the Lord, your God; let it be deep as the nether world, or high as the sky!” 12 But Ahaz answered, “I will not ask! I will not tempt the Lord!” 13 Then Isaiah said: “Listen, O house of David! Is it not enough for you to weary men, must you also weary my God? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel.

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 24:1-2, 3-4, 5-6

R: Let the Lord enter; he is the king of glory.

1 The Lord’s are the earth and its fullness; the world and those who dwell in it. 2 For he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers. (R) 3 Who can ascend the mountain of the Lord? Or who may stand in his holy place? 4 He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean, who desires not what is vain. (R) 5 He shall receive a blessing from the Lord, a reward from God his savior. 6 Such is the race that seeks for him, that seeks the face of the God of Jacob. (R)       

 

GOSPEL

 

Once more we are invited to reflect upon Mary’s yes to God’s will for her life. We should come back to this event often as it is good to remind us that, just like Mary, the basis for our own faith rests in our surrender to God’s will. Let us pray for the grace to surrender our lives to God each day. This will help us to grow in humility and obedience to His will.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

O Key of David, opening the gates of God’s eternal Kingdom: come and free the prisoners of darkness!

 

Luke 1:26-38

26 In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” 29 But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, 33 and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end.” 34 But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” 35 And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. 36 And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; 37 for nothing will be impossible for God.” 38 Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

TODAY’S

BLESSING

think: Just like Mary, the basis for our own faith rests in our surrender to God’s will.

 

T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST

Thank You Lord for: ___________________________

 

____________________________________________

 

God’s special verse/thought for me today_________

____________________________________________

 

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Obadiah and Jonah

Daily Bible Readings - December 19,2012

1^ST READING

 

Samson is another one of those births in the Old Testament that defy medical explanation. It is God simply doing what He does best, being God, and mystifying us by His power. We reflect upon the birth of Samson to a barren woman because it is a miraculous birth and Samson also becomes a redemptive figure, giving his life for the sake of his people. The Church invites us to reflect upon these two points as we approach Christmas — as we remember the birth of Christ and His future role in our salvation.

 

Judges 13:2-7, 24-25

2 There was a certain man from Zorah, of the clan of the Danites, whose name was Manoah. His wife was barren and had borne no children. 3 An angel of the Lord appeared to the woman and said to her, “Though you are barren and have had no children, yet you will conceive and bear a son. 4 Now, then, be careful to take no wine or strong drink and to eat nothing unclean. 5 As for the son you will conceive and bear, no razor shall touch his head, for this boy is to be consecrated to God from the womb. It is he who will begin the deliverance of Israel from the power of the Philistines.” 6 The woman went and told her husband, “A man of God came to me; he had the appearance of an angel of God, terrible indeed. I did not ask him where he came from, nor did he tell me his name. 7 But he said to me, ‘You will be with child and will bear a son. So take neither wine nor strong drink, and eat nothing unclean. For the boy shall be consecrated to God from the womb, until the day of his death.’ ” 24 The woman bore a son and named him Samson. The boy grew up and the Lord blessed him; 25 the Spirit of the Lord first stirred him.

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 71:3-4, 5-6, 16-17

R: My mouth shall be filled with your praise, and I will sing your glory!

3 Be my rock of refuge, a stronghold to give me safety, for you are my rock and my fortress. 4 O my God, rescue me from the  hand of the wicked. (R) 5 For you are my hope, O Lord; my trust, O God, from my youth. 6 On you I depend from birth; from my mother’s womb you are my strength. (R) 16 I will treat of the mighty works of the Lord; O God, I will tell of your singular justice. 17 O God, you have taught me from my youth, and till the present I proclaim your wondrous deeds. (R)

 

GOSPEL

 

Zechariah’s story reminds us to expect the unexpected when we deal with God. God holds Zechariah’s doubt against him, and he is struck dumb for the next nine months — a lengthy time indeed to have to reflect upon the error of his ways. Let us pray that we will not suffer such an indignity for our own failings. We are blessed that God does not seem to do this that often.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

O Root of Jesse’s stem, sign of God’s love for all his people: come to save us without delay!

 

Luke 1:5-25

5 In the days of Herod, King of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah of the priestly division of Abijah; his wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 Both were righteous in the eyes of God, observing all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren and both were advanced in years. 8 Once when he was serving as priest in his division’s turn before God, 9 according to the practice of the priestly service, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord to burn incense. 10 Then, when the whole assembly of the people was praying outside at the hour of the incense offering, 11 the angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right of the altar of incense. 12 Zechariah was troubled by what he saw, and fear came upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall name him John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He will drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb, 16 and he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of fathers toward children and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to prepare a people fit for the Lord.” 18 Then Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” 19 And the angel said to him in reply, “I am Gabriel, who stand before God. I was sent to speak to you and to announce to you this good news. 20 But now you will be speechless and unable to talk until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time.” 21 Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah and were amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary. 22 But when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He was gesturing to them but remained mute. 23 Then, when his days of ministry were completed, he went home. 24 After this   time his wife Elizabeth conceived, and she went into seclusion for five months, saying, 25 “So has the Lord done for me at a time when he has seen fit to take away my disgrace before others.”

 

think: Zechariah’s story reminds us to expect the unexpected when we deal with God.

 

T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST

Thank You Lord for: ___________________________

 

____________________________________________

 

God’s special verse/thought for me today_________

____________________________________________

 

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Amos 7-9