The "Good News" For Everyone

54.1 It Is As A Mustard Seed And Yeast: It Grows: The Whole World Will Be Filled With The Spirit of God

2011-09-03T07:25:00.000-07:00

(Matthew 13:31-33)

Jesus told them another parable: "The Kingdom of heaven is like this. A man takes a mustard seed and sows it in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it grows up, it is the biggest of all plants. It becomes a tree, so that birds come and make their nests in its branches."

Jesus told them still another parable: "The Kingdom of heaven is like this. A woman takes some yeast and mixes it with a bushel of flour until the whole batch of dough rises."

53.4 Lord, You Know Everything, Guide Me

2011-08-09T19:55:00.000-07:00

(Psalm 139)

Lord, you have examined me and you know me.
You know everything I do; from far away you understand all my thoughts.
You see me, whether I am working or resting; you know all my actions.
Even before I speak, you already know what I will say.
You are all around me on every side; you protect me with your power.
Your knowledge of me is too deep; it is beyond my understanding.

Where could I go to escape from you?
Where could I get away from your presence?
If I went up to heaven, you would be there; if I lay down in the world of the dead, you would be there.
If I flew away beyond the east or live in farthest place in the west, you would be there to lead me, you would be there to help me.

I could ask the darkness to hide me or the light around me to turn into night, but even darkness is not dark for you, and the night is as bright as the day.
Darkness and light are the same to you.

You created every part of me; you put me together you are to be feared; all you do is strange and wonderful.
I know it with all my heart.
When my bones were being formed, carefully put together in my mother’s womb, when I was growing there in secret, you knew that I was there—you saw me before I was born.
The days allotted to me had all been recorded in your book, before any of them ever began.
O God, how difficult I find your thoughts; how many of them there are!
If I counted them, they would be more than the grains of sand.
When I awake, I am still with you.

O God, how I wish you would kill the wicked!
How I wish violent men would leave me alone!
They say wicked things about you; they speak evil things against your name.
O Lord, how I hate those who rebel against you!
I hate them with a total hatred; I regard them as my enemies.

Examine me, O God, and know my mind; test me, and discover my thoughts.
Find out if there is any evil in me and guide me in the everlasting way.

53.3 Judgment Of The Wicked

2011-08-08T19:53:00.000-07:00

(Ezekiel 9:1-6)

Then I heard God shout, “Come here, you men who are going to punish the city. Bring your weapons with you.” A once six men came from the outer north gate of the Temple, each one carrying a weapon. With them was a man dressed in linen clothes, carrying something to write with. They all came and stood by the bronze altar.

Then the dazzling light of the presence of the God of Israel rose up from the winged creatures where it had been, and moved to the entrance of the Temple. The Lord called to the man dressed in linen, “Go through the whole city of Jerusalem and put a mark on the forehead of everyone who is distressed and troubled because of all the disgusting things being done in the city.”

And I heard God say to the other men, “Follow him through the city and kill. Spare no one; have mercy on no one. Kill the old men, young men, young women, mothers, and children. But don’t touch anyone who has the mark on his forehead. Start here at my Temple.” So they began with the leaders who were standing there at the Temple.

53.2 Judgment According to Conduct

2011-08-07T19:51:00.000-07:00

(Ezekiel 7:1-9)

The Lord spoke to me. “Mortal man,” he said, “this is what I, the Sovereign Lord, am saying to the land of Israel: This is the end for the whole land!

“Israel, the end has come. You will feel my anger, because I am judging you for what you have done. I will pay you back for all your disgusting conduct. I will not spare you or show you any mercy. I am going to punish you for the disgusting things you have done, so that you will know that I am the Lord”.

This is what the Sovereign Lord is saying: “One disaster after another is coming on you. It’s all over. This is the end. You are finished. The end is coming for you people who live in the land. The time is near when there will be no more celebrations at the mountain shrines, only confusion.

“Very soon now you will feel all the force of my anger. I am judging you for what you have done, and I will pay you back for all your disgusting conduct. I will not spare you or show you any mercy. I am going to punish you for the disgusting things you have done, so that you will know that I am the Lord and that I am the one who punishes you.”

53.1 Reward According To Our Ways

2011-08-06T19:50:00.000-07:00

(Jeremiah 17:10-11)

“I, the Lord, search the minds and rest the hearts of men.
I treat each one according to the way he lives, according to what he does.”

The person who gets money dishonestly is like a bird that hatches eggs it didn’t lay.
In the prime of life he will lose his riches, and in the end he is nothing but a fool.

52.5 The Lord, King And Judge

2011-04-13T00:37:00.000-07:00

Psalm 98

Sing a new song to the Lord;
he has done wonderful things!
By his own power and holy strength
he has won the victory.
The Lord announced his victory;
he made his saving power known to the nations.
He kept his promise to the people of Israel
with loyalty and constant love for them.
All people everywhere have seen the victory
of our God.

Sing for joy to the Lord, all the earth;
praise him with songs and shouts of joy!
Sing praises to the Lord! Play music on the harps!
Blow trumpets and horns,
and shout for joy to the Lord, our king.

Roar, sea, and every creature in you;
sing, earth, and all who live on you!
Clap your hands, you rivers;
you hills, sing together with joy before the Lord,
because he comes to rule the earth.
He will rule the peoples of the world with justice and fairness.

52.4 The Narrow Door

2011-04-13T00:17:00.000-07:00

Luke 13:22-30

Jesus went through towns and villages, teaching the people and making his way toward Jerusalem. Someone asked him, "Sir, will just a few people be saved?"

Jesus answered them, "Do your best to go in through the narrow door; because many people will surely try to go in but will not be able. The master of the house will get up and close the door; then when you stand outside and begin to knock on the door and say, 'Open the door for us, sir!' he will answer you, 'I don't know where you come from!' Then you will answer, 'We ate and drank with you; you taught in our town!' But he will say again, 'I don't know where you come from. Get away from me, all you wicked people! How you will cry and gnash your teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God, while you are thrown out! People will come from the east and west, from the north and the south, and sit down at the feast in the Kingdom of God. Then those who are now last will be first, and those who are now first will be last."

52.3 Accountability For Each Word

2011-04-12T00:12:00.000-07:00

Matthew 12:36-37

"You can be sure that on the Judgment Day everyone will have to give account of every useless word he has ever spoken. Your words will be used to judge you--to declare you either innocent or guilty."

52.2 Parable Of The Net

2011-04-11T00:01:00.000-07:00

Matthew 13:47-50

"Also, the Kingdom of heaven is like this. Some fishermen throw their net out in the lake and catch all kinds of fish. When the net is full, they pull it to shore and sit down to divide the fish: the good ones go into the buckets, the worthless ones are thrown away. It will be like this at the end of the age: the angels will go out and gather up evil people from among the good and will throw them into the fiery furnace, where they will cry and gnash their teeth.

52.1 Parable Of The Weeds Among The Wheat

2011-04-10T23:45:00.000-07:00

Matthew 13:24-30

Jesus told them another parable: "The Kingdom of heaven is like this. A man sowed good seed in his field. One night, when everyone was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. When the plants grew and the heads of grain began to form, then the weeds showed up. The man's servants came to him and said, "Sir, it was good seed you sowed in your field; where did the weeds come from? 'It was some enemy who did this,' he answered. 'Do you want us to go and pull up the weeds?' they asked him. 'No,' he answered, 'because as you gather the weeds you might pull up some of the wheat along with them. Let the wheat and the weeds both grow together until harvest. Then I will tell the harvest workers to pull up the weeds first, tie them in bundles and burn them, and then to gather in the wheat and put it in my barn.'

51.5 God, The Supreme Judge

2011-04-10T23:34:00.000-07:00

Psalm 82

God presides in the heavenly council;
in the assembly of the gods he gives his decision:
"You must stop judging unjustly;
you must no longer be partial to the wicked!
Defend the rights of the poor and the orphans;
be fair to the needy and the helpless.
Rescue them from the power of evil men.

"How ignorant you are! How stupid!
You are completely corrupt,
and justice has disappeared from the world.
'You are gods,' I said;
'all of you are sons of the Most High.'
But you will die like men;
your life will end like that of any prince."

Come, O God, and rule the world;
all the nations are yours.

51.4 False Witnesses Shall Be Punished

2011-04-09T23:22:00.000-07:00

Deuteronomy 19:16-21

If one man tries to harm another by falsely accusing him of a crime, both are to go to the one place of worship and be judged by the priests and judges who are then in office. The judges will investigate the case thoroughly; and if the man has made a false accusation against his fellow Israelite, he is to receive the punishment the accused man would have received. In this way you will get rid of this evil. Then everyone else will hear what happened; they will be afraid , and no one will ever again do such an evil thing. In such cases show no mercy; the punishment is to be a life for a life, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a hand for a hand, and a foot for a foot.

51.3 Judge On Behalf Of The Lord

2011-04-08T23:12:00.000-07:00

2 Chronicles 19:4-7

Even though King Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, he traveled regularly among the people, from Beersheba in the south to the edge of the hill country of Ephraim in the north, in order to call the people back to the Lord, the God of their ancestors. He appointed judges in each of the fortified cities of Judah and instructed them: "Be careful in pronouncing judgment; you are not acting on human authority, but on the authority of the Lord, and he is with you when you pass sentence. Have reverence for the Lord and act carefully, because the Lord our God does not tolerate fraud or partiality or the taking of bribes."

51.2 Selected Impartial, Wise Judges

2011-04-07T23:01:00.000-07:00

Deuteronomy 1:15-17a

So I took the wise and experienced leaders you chose from your tribes, and I placed them in charge of you. Some were responsible for a thousand people, some for a hundred, some for fifty, and some for ten. I also appointed other officials throughout the tribes.

"At that time I instructed them, 'Listen to the disputes that come up among your people. Judge every dispute fairly, whether it concerns only your own people or involves foreigners who live among you. Show no partiality in your decisions; judge everyone on the same basis, no matter who he is. Do not be afraid of anyone, for the decisions you make come from God."

51.1 Impartiality In Judgment

2011-04-06T22:48:00.000-07:00

Leviticus 19:13-18

""Do not take advantage of anyone or rob him. Do not hold back the wages of someone you have hired, not even for one night. Do not curse a deaf man or put something in front of a blind man so as to make him stumble over it. Have reverence for me; I am the Lord your God.

"Be honest and just when you make decisions in legal cases; do not show favoritism to the poor or fear the rich. Do not spread lies about anyone, and when someone is on trial for his life, speak out if your testimony can help him. I am the Lord.

"Do not bear a grudge against anyone, but settle your differences with him, so that you will not commit a sin because of him. Do not take revenge on anyone or continue to hate him, but love your neighbor as you love yourself. I am the Lord.

50.5 Longing For God, The Source Of Joy

2011-04-05T00:26:00.000-07:00

Psalm 63

O God, you are my God, and I long for you.
My whole being desires you;
like a dry, worn-out, and waterless land,
my soul is thirsty for you.
Let me see you in the sanctuary;
let me see how mighty and glorious you are.
Your constant love is better than life itself,
and so I will praise you.
I will give you thanks as long as I live;
I will raise my hands to you in a prayer.
My soul will feast and be satisfied,
and I will sing glad songs of praise to you.

As I lie in bed, I remember you;
all night long I think of you,
because you have always been my help.
In the shadow of your wings I sing for joy.
I cling to you,
and your hand keeps me safe.

Those who are trying to kill me
will go down into the world of the dead.
They will be killed in battle,
and their bodies eaten by wolves.
Because God gives him victory,
the king will rejoice.
Those who make promises in
God's name will praise him,
but the mouths of liars will be shut.

50.4 Rejoice In The Lord Always

2011-04-04T22:40:00.000-07:00

Philippians 4:4-9

May you always be joyful in your union with the Lord. I say it again: rejoice!

Show a gentle attitude toward everyone. The Lord is coming soon. Don't worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking him with a thankful heart. And God's peace, which is far beyond human understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with Christ Jesus.

In conclusion, my brothers, fill your minds with those things that are good and that deserve praise: things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and honorable. Put into practice what you learned and received from me, both from my words and from my actions. And the God who gives us peace will be with you.

50.3 Song Of Thanksgiving

2011-04-02T22:30:00.000-07:00

Isaiah 12:1-6

A day is coming when people will sing,
"I praise you Lord!
You were angry with me, but now you comfort me
and are angry no longer.
God is my savior;
I will trust him and not be afraid.
The Lord gives me power and strength;
he is my savior.
As fresh water brings joy to the thirsty,
so God's people rejoice when he saves them."
A day is coming when people will sing,
"Give thanks to the Lord!
Call for him to help you!
Tell all the nations what he has done!
Tell them how great he is!
Sing to the Lord because of the great things
he has done.
Let the whole world hear the news.
Let everyone who lives in Zion shout and sing!
Israel's holy God is great,
and he lives among his people."

50.2 Joy Because of Deliverance

2011-04-01T22:15:00.000-07:00

Isaiah 35:1-10

The desert will rejoice,
and flowers will bloom in the wastelands.
The desert will sing and shout for joy;
it will be as beautiful as the Lebanon Mountains
and as fertile as the fields of Carmel and Sharon.
Everyone will see the Lord's splendor,
see his greatness and power.

Give strength to hands that are tired
and to knees that tremble with weakness.
Tell everyone who is discouraged,
"Be strong and don't be afraid!
God is coming to your rescue,
coming to punish your enemies."

The blind will be able to see, and the deaf will hear.
The lame will leap and dance,
and those who cannot speak will shout for joy.
Streams of water will flow through the desert;
the burning sand will become a lake,
and dry land will be filled with springs.
Where jackals used to live,
marsh grass and reeds will grow.

There will be highway there,
called "The Road of Holiness."
No sinner will ever travel that road;
no fools will mislead those who follow it.
No lions will be there;
no fierce animals will pass that way.
Those whom the Lord has rescued
will travel home by that road.
They will reach Jerusalem with gladness,
singing and shouting for joy.
They will be happy forever,
forever free from sorrow and grief.

50.1 The Lord's Help Makes Us Joyful

2011-03-31T22:04:00.000-07:00

Ezra 6:19-22

The people who had returned from exile celebrated Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month of the following year. All the priests and the Levites had purified themselves and were ritually clean. The Levites killed the animals for the Passover sacrifices for all the people who had returned, for the priests, and for themselves. The sacrifices were eaten by all the Israelites who had returned from exile and by all those who had given up the pagan ways of the other people who were living in the land and who had come to worship the Lord God of Israel. For seven days they joyfully celebrated the Festival of Unleavened Bread. They were full of joy because the Lord had made the emperor of Asssyria favorable to them, so that he supported them in their work of rebuilding the Temple of the God of Israel.

49.5 The Lord Saves Israel

2011-03-30T21:31:00.000-07:00

Psalm 105:1-10

Give thanks to the Lord,
proclaim his greatness;
tell the nations what he has done.
Sing praise to the Lord;
tell the wonderful things he has done.
Be glad that we belong to him;
let all who worship him rejoice.
Go to the Lord for help;
and worship him continually.
You descendants of Abraham, his servant;
you descendants of Jacob, the man he chose:
remember the miracles that God performed
and the judgments that he gave.

The Lord is our God;
his commands are for all the world.
He will keep his covenant forever,
his promises for a thousand generations.
He will keep the agreement he made with Abraham
and his promise to Isaac.
The Lord made a covenant with Jacob,
one that will last forever.

49.4 John's Humility

2011-03-29T21:24:00.000-07:00

John 3:28-30

You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, "I am not the Messiah, but I have sent ahead of him." The bridegroom is the one to whom the bride belongs; but the bridegroom's friend, who stands by and listens, is glad when he hears the bridegroom's voice. This is how my own happiness is made complete. He must become more important while I become less important.

49.3 John Sends Disciples To Christ

2011-03-28T21:17:00.000-07:00

Matthew 11:2-6

When John the Baptist heard in prison about the things that Christ was doing, he sent some of his disciples to him. "Tell us," they asked Jesus, "are you the one John said was going to come, or should we expect someone else?"

Jesus answered, "Go back and tell John what you are hearing and seeing: the blind can see, the lame can walk, those who suffer from dreaded skin diseases are made clean, the deaf hear, the dead are brought back to life, and the Good News is preached to the poor. How happy are those who have no doubts about me!"

49.2 Jesus Is The Lamb To Be Followed

2011-03-27T21:07:00.000-07:00

John 1:29-31

The next day John saw Jesus coming to him, and said, "There is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I was talking about when I said , 'A man is coming after me, but he is greater than I am, because he existed before I was born.' I did not know who he would be, but I came baptizing with water in order to make him known to the people of Israel."

49.1 John's Message

2011-03-26T20:24:00.000-07:00

Matthew 3:7-12

When John saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to him to be baptized, he said to them, "You snakes-- who told you that you could escape from the punishment God is about to send? Do those things that will show that you have turned from your sins. And don't think you can escape punishment by saying that Abraham is your ancestor. I tell you that God can take these rocks and make descendants for Abraham! The ax is ready to cut down the trees at the roots; every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown in the fire. I baptize you with water to show that you have repented, but the one who will come after me will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. He is much greater than I am; and I am not good enough even to carry his sandals. He has his winnowing shovel with him to thresh out all the grain. He will gather his wheat into his barn, but he will burn the chaff in a fire that never goes out."

48.5 All The Nations Will Know Your Salvation

2011-03-24T20:17:00.000-07:00

Psalm 67

God, be merciful to us and bless us;
look on us with kindness,
so that the whole world may know your will;
so that all nations may know your salvation.

May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you!

May the nations be glad and sing for joy,
because you judge the peoples with justice
and guide every nation on earth.

May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you!

The land has produced its harvest;
God, our God, has blessed us.
God has blessed us;
may all people everywhere honor him.

48.4 Prepare The Road For The Savior

2011-03-22T20:04:00.000-07:00

Isaiah 62:10-12

People of Jerusalem, go out of the city
and build a road for your returning people!
Prepare a highway; clear it of stones!
Put up a signal so that the nations can know
that the Lord is announcing to all the earth:
"Tell the people of Jerusalem
that the Lord is coming to save you,
bringing with him the people he has rescued."
You will be called "God's Holy People,"
"The People the Lord Has Saved."
Jerusalem will be called "The City That God Loves,"
"The City That God Did Not Forsake."

48.3 A Renewed World

2011-03-20T19:57:00.000-07:00

Isaiah 61:4-7

They will rebuild cities that have long been in ruins.
My people, foreigners will serve you.
They will take care of your flocks
and farm your land and tend your vineyards.
And you will be known as the priests of the Lord,
the servants of our God.
You will enjoy the wealth of the nations
and be proud that it is yours.
Your shame and disgrace are ended.
You will live in your own land,
and your wealth will be doubled;
your joy will last forever.

48.2 The Mission Of The Savior

2011-03-18T19:45:00.000-07:00

Isaiah 61:1-3

The Sovereign Lord has filled me with his spirit.
He has chosen me and sent me
to bring good news to the poor,
to heal the broken-hearted,
to announce release to captives
and freedom to those in prison.
He has sent me to proclaim
that the time has come
when the Lord will save his people
and defeat their enemies.

He has sent me to comfort all who mourn,
to give to those who mourn in Zion
joy and gladness instead of sorrow.
They will be like trees
that the Lord himself has planted.
They will all do what is right,
and God will be praised for what he has done.

48.1 The Lord Restores Justice

2011-03-16T19:26:00.000-07:00

Isaiah 59:15b-21

The Lord has seen this, and he is displeased that there is no justice. He is astonished to see that there is no one to help the oppressed. So he will use his own power to rescue them and to win the victory. He will wear justice like a coat of armor and victory like a helmet. He will clothe himself with the strong desire to set things right and to punish and avenge the wrongs that people suffer. He will punish his enemies according to what they have done, even those who live in distant lands. From east to west everyone will fear him and his great power. He will come like a rushing river, like a strong wind.

The Lord says to his people, "I will come to Jerusalem to defend you and to save all of you that turn from your sins. And I make a covenant with you: I have given you my power and my teachings to be yours forever, and from now on you are to obey me and teach your children and your descendants to obey me for all time to come."

47.4 The Lord Will Defend My Cause

2011-03-14T23:23:00.000-07:00

Psalm 43

O God, declare me innocent,
and defend my cause against the ungodly;
deliver me from lying and evil men!
You are my protector;
why have you abandoned me?
Why must I go on suffering from the cruelty of my enemies?

Send your light and your truth;
may they lead me and bring me back to Zion,
your sacred hill,
and to your Temple, where you live.
Then I will go to your altar, O God;
you are the source of my happiness.
I will play my harp and sing praise to you,
O God, my God.

Why am I so sad? Why am I so troubled?
I will put my hope in God,
and once again I will praise him,
my savior and my God.

47.3 God Will Judge Through Jesus Christ

2011-03-12T23:12:00.000-08:00

Romans 2:12-16

The Gentiles do not have the Law of Moses; they sin and are lost apart from the Law. The Jews have the Law; they sin and are judged by the Law. For it is not by hearing the Law that people are put right with God, but by doing what the Law commands. The Gentiles do not have the Law; but whenever they do by instinct what the Law commands, they are their own law, even though they do not have the Law. Their conduct shows that what the Law commands is written in their hearts. Their consciences also show that this is true, since their thoughts sometimes accuse them and sometimes defend them. And so, according to the Good News I preach, this is how it will be on that Day when God through Jesus Christ will judge the secret thoughts of all.

47.2 He Is The Judge Of The Living And The Dead

2011-03-10T22:52:00.000-08:00

Acts 10:34-43

Peter began to speak: "I now realize that it is true that God treats everyone on the same basis. Whoever fears in him and does what is right is acceptable to him, no matter what race he belongs to. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, proclaiming the Good News of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. You know of the great event that took place throughout the land of Israel, beginning in Galilee after John preached his message of baptism. You know about Jesus of Nazareth and how God poured out on him the Holy Spirit and power. He went everywhere, doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses of everything that he did in the land of Israel and in Jerusalem. Then they put him to death by nailing him to a cross. But God raised him from death three days later and caused him to appear, not to everyone but only to the witnesses that God had already chosen, that is, to us who ate and drank with him after he rose from death. And he commanded us to preach the gospel to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God has appointed judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets spoke about him, saying that everyone who believes in him will have his sins forgiven through the power of his name."

47.1 He Will Come To Judge

2011-03-08T17:49:00.000-08:00

Malachi 3:1-5

The Lord Almighty answers, "I will send my messenger to prepare the way for me. Then the Lord you are looking for will suddenly come to his Temple. The messenger you long to see will come and proclaim my covenant."

But who will be able to endure the day when he comes? Who will be able to survive when he appears? He will be like strong soap, like a fire that refines metal. He will come to judge like one who refines and purifies silver. As a metal-worker refines silver and gold, so the Lord's messenger will purify the priests, so that they will bring to the Lord the right kind of offerings. Then the offerings which the people of Judah and Jerusalem bring to the Lord will be pleasing to him, as they used to be in the past.

The Lord Almighty says, "I will appear among you to judge, and I will testify at once against those who practice magic, against adulterers, against those who give false testimony, those who cheat employees out of their wages, and those take advantage of widows, orphans, and foreigners--against all who do not respect me.

46.5 Praise The Lord, He Is Holy

2011-03-05T17:49:00.000-08:00

Psalm 99

The Lord is King, and the people tremble.
He sits on his throne above the winged creatures, and the earth shakes.
The Lord is mighty in Zion; he is supreme over all the nations.
Everyone will praise his great and majestic name.
Holy is he!

Mighty king, you love what is right;
you have established justice in Israel;
you have brought righteousness and fairness.
Praise the Lord our God;
worship before his throne! Holy is he!

Moses and Aaron were his priests,
and Samuel was one who prayed to him:
they called to the Lord, and he answered them.
He spoke to them from the pillar of cloud:
they obeyed the laws and commands that he gave them.

O Lord, our God, you answered your people;
you showed them that you are a God who forgives,
even though you punished them for their sins.
Praise the Lord our God,
and worship at his sacred hill!
The Lord our God is holy.

Jesus and Beelzebul

2011-02-06T21:15:00.000-08:00

MARK 3:22-30

The scribes who had come from Jerusalem said [of Jesus], ''He is possessed by Beelzebul,'' and ''By the prince of demons He drives out demons.'' Summoning them, [Jesus] began to speak to them in parables, ''How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand; that is the end of him. But no one can enter a strong man's house to plunder his property unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can plunder his house. Amen, I say to you, all sins and all blasphemies that people utter will be forgiven them. But whoever blasphemes against the holy Spirit will never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an everlasting sin.'' For they had said, ''He has an unclean spirit.'' By the prince of demons He drives out demons.

This is the scribes' verdict on Jesus' power of exorcism. The truth, however, is just the opposite: Jesus drives out demons because he is against demons! His love for people makes him expel the demons that possess men and women. It is about loving the sinner but hating the sin. But can we really differentiate the two? Can we keep them apart? Well, Jesus does! He is able to see the victim and the victimizer. He identifies the wrong and the wronged. He holds the bedeviled and drives away the demon. There is a whole world of difference, and to be able to see the difference is to define our actions. It will put compassion in our crusades, love in our fists, and heart in our fights.

Pray for your in-laws today.

SOURCE: ''365 Days with the Lord 2011,'' ST. PAULS Philippines, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.,); Tel.: 895-9701; Fax 895-7328; E-mail: books@stpauls.ph; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.

Beginning of Jesus' Galilean ministry

2011-02-02T21:09:00.000-08:00

When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, He withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled: "Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen." From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." As He was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, "Come after Me, and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed Him. He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed Him. He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people. Great crowds followed Him Many people come to Jesus.

They follow Him and listen to Him. Why? He brings a message of hope - there is hope, we can change, we can alter our attitudes and our situations. Jesus also proclaims a message of healing. We are forgiven. We can forgive. We can find meaning in our sufferings. We can share bread and kindness and live. Jesus gives us His Father. We have a loving Father who cares for us and awaits us. He knows us and is near to us. He is Father of us all. Even in a society where apathy, cynicism, and indifference reign, the message of hope, healing, and faith can still be relevant. Sometimes it is the only message we need. Enjoy and relish your faith and be active in your parish Sunday Mass.

SOURCE: "365 Days with the Lord 2010," ST PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 895-9701; Fax 895-7328; E-mail: books@stpauls.ph; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph

The parable of the sower

2011-01-30T20:55:00.000-08:00

LUKE 10:1-9 [or MARK 4:1-20]

On another occasion [Jesus] began to teach by the sea. ... And He taught them at length in parables, and in the course of His instruction He said to them, "Hear this! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Other seed fell on rocky ground where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep. And when the sun rose, it was scorched and it withered for lack of roots. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it and it produced no grain. And some seed fell on rich soil and produced fruit. It came up and grew and yielded thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold." He added, "Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear." And when he was alone, those present along with the Twelve questioned him about the parables. He answered them, "The mystery of the kingdom of God has been granted to you. But to those outside everything comes in parables, so that 'they may look and see but not perceive, and hear and listen but not understand, in order that they may not be converted and be forgiven."' Jesus said to them, "... The sower sows the word. These are the ones on the path where the word is sown. As soon as they hear, Satan comes at once and takes away the word sown in them. And these are the ones sown on rocky ground who, when they hear the word, receive it at once with joy. But they have no root; they last only for a time. Then when tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. Those sown among thorns are another sort. They are the people who hear the word, but worldly anxiety, the lure of riches, and the craving for other things intrude and choke the word, and it bears no fruit. But those sown on rich soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit thirty and sixty and a hundredfold."

Hear this. The parable and the explanation are clear. God is the tireless sower. He never gets frustrated nor does he stop simply because some seeds never get to yield much. God just keeps on sowing, in season and out of season.

He never stops forgiving, loving, and creating. It is God's nature to go on loving and sowing.

That, too, is our calling - to go on loving, even when we are not loved back; to persist in forgiving even when our forgiveness is taken for granted; to continue living, even when everything seems hopeless. We never give up for we have a God who never gives up on us.

Sower

The sower is probably a hired laborer or a tenant farmer struggling with hostile conditions in farming. Much of the land is hilly and has to be terraced in order to be cultivated. Fields are surrounded by intruding rocks and thorns. Normal yields hardly exceed fivefold. The yields in the parable are rather impossible and serve as typical example of parabolic hyperbole. The plentiful yields are gifts of God rather than fruits of human labor.

Parable of the lamp

2011-01-26T20:51:00.000-08:00

MARK 4:21-25

Jesus said to the crowd, "Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket or under a bed, and not to be placed on a lampstand? For there is nothing hidden except to be made visible; nothing is secret except to come to light. Anyone who has ears to hear ought to hear." He also told them, "Take care what you hear. The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you, and still more will be given to you. To the one who has, more will be given; from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away."

A lamp placed under a bushel basket

What a waste! No, put it on a stand! If you love me, come on and let it show! If you have faith, why frown and fear? We need burning lamps to dispel the depression and helplessness in our culture.

A man puts schoolbooks in a small cart and goes around the squatter areas, gathering and teaching poor children who cannot go to school. A young executive gives up her lucrative job and volunteers in a remote mission area to establish a high school for kids to give them an alternative to getting married after Grade 6, the farthest they can go in their village. A young doctor bypasses an opportunity to work overseas and takes an assignment in a mountainous area for villagers who have never seen a hospital or a doctor. These people are all lamps burning bright for others who sit in the dark.

If you have ears, hear. If you have a heart, love. If you have a mind, understand.

And if you are happy, show it. Dance! If you are light, let others glow in it. If you have God, let Him shine through!

Express your joy today.

46.4 The Holy One Was Executed But God Raised Him From The Dead

2010-12-26T21:33:00.000-08:00

(Acts 13:23-31)

It was Jesus, a descendant of David, whom God made the Savior of the people of Israel, as he had promised. Before Jesus began his work, John preached to all the people of Israel that they should turn from their sins and be baptized. And as John was about to finish his mission, he said to the people, “Who do you think I am? I am not the one you are waiting for. But listen! He is coming after me, and I am not good enough to take his sandals off his feet,’

“My fellow Israelites, descendants of Abraham, and all Gentiles here who worship God: it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent! For the people who live in Jerusalem and their leaders did not know that he is Savior, nor did they understand the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. Yet they made the prophet’s words come true by condemning Jesus. And even though they could find no reason to pass the death sentence on him, they asked Pilate to have him put to death. And after they had done everything that the Scriptures say about him, they took him down from the cross and placed him in a tomb. But God raised him from death, and for many days he appeared to those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now witness for him to the people of Israel.

46.3 The Criminal At The Cross Declares His Innocence

2010-12-24T21:31:00.000-08:00

((Luke 23:39-43)

One of the criminals hanging there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”

The other one, however, rebuked him, saying, “Don’t you fear God? You received the same sentence he did. Ours, however, is only right, because we are getting what we deserve for what we did; but he has done no wrong.” And he said to Jesus, “Remember me, Jesus, when you come as King!”

Jesus said to him, “I promise you that today you will be in Paradise with me.”

46.2 Jesus Is The Holly One Of God

2010-12-22T21:28:00.000-08:00

(Mark 1:23-28)

Just then a man with an evil spirit came into the synagogue and screamed, “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Are you here to destroy us? I know who you are – you are God’s holy messenger!”

Jesus ordered the spirit, “Be quiet, and come out of the man!”

The evil spirit shook the man hard, gave a loud scream, and came out of him. The people were all so amazed that they started saying to one another, “What is this? Is it some kind of new teaching? This man has authority to give orders to the evil spirits, and they obey him!”

And so the news about Jesus spread quickly everywhere in the province of Galilee.

46.1 He Is Just

2010-12-21T21:28:00.000-08:00

(Isaiah 11:1-4)

The royal line of David is like a tree that has been cut down; but just as new branches sprout from a stump, so a new king will arise from among David’s descendants.

The spirit of the Lord will give him wisdom
and the knowledge and skill to rule his people.
He will know the Lord’s will and will have reverence for him,
and find pleasure in obeying him.
He will not judge by appearance or hearsay;
he will judge the poor fairly and defend the rights
of the helpless.
At his command the people will be punished,
and evil persons will die.

45.4 Praise The Ruler Of All The World

2010-12-20T21:24:00.000-08:00

(Psalm 47)

Clap your hands for joy, all peoples!
Praise God with loud songs!
The Lord, the Most High, is to be feared;
he is a great king, ruling over all the world.
He gave us victory over the peoples;
he made us rule over the nations.
He chose for us the land where we live,
the proud possession of his people, whom he loves.

God goes up to his throne.
There are shouts of joy and the blast of trumpets,
as the Lord goes up.
Sing praise to God; sing praise to our king!
God is king over all the world;
praise him with songs!

God sits on his sacred throne;
he rules over the nations.
The rulers of the nations assemble with the people
of the God of Abraham.
More powerful than all armies is he;
he rules supreme.

45.3 Jesus, The Same Yesterday, Today And Forever

2010-12-19T21:21:00.000-08:00

(Hebrews 13:6-15)

Let us be bold, then, and say,

“The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?”

Remember your former leaders, who spoke God’s message to you. Think back on how they lived and died, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Do not let all kinds of strange teachings lead you from God’s grace, and not by obeying rules about foods; those who obey these rules have not been helped by them.

The priests who serve in the Jewish place of worship have no right to eat any of the sacrifice on our altar. The Jewish High Priest brings the blood of the animals into the Most Holy Place to offer it as a sacrifice for sins; but the bodies of the animals are burned outside the camp. For this reason Jesus also died outside the city, in order to purify the people from sin with his own blood. Let us, then, go to him outside the camp and share his shame. For there is no permanent city for us here on earth; we are looking for the city which is to come. Let us, then, always offer praise to God as our sacrifice through Jesus, which is the offering presented by lips that confess him as Lord.

45.2 He Is Higher Than The Angels

2010-12-12T21:14:00.000-08:00

(Hebrews 1:1-13)

In the past God spoke to our ancestors many times and in many ways through the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us through his Son. He is the one through whom God created the universe, the one whom God has chosen to posses all things at the end. He reflects the brightness of God’s glory and is the exact likeness of God’s own being, sustaining the universe with his powerful word. After achieving forgiveness for the sins of mankind, he sat down in heaven at the right side of God, the Supreme Power.

The Son was made greater than the angels, just as the name that God gave him is greater than theirs. For God never said to any of his angels,

“You are my Son; today I have become your Father.” Nor did God say about any angel,

“I will be his Father, and he will be my Son.”

But when God was about to send his first-born Son into the world, he said,

“All of God’s angels must worship him.”

But about the angels God said,

“God makes his angels winds, and his servants flames of fire.”

About the Son, however, God said:

“Your kingdom, O God, will last forever and ever!

You rule over your people with justice.

You love what is right and hate what is wrong.

That is why God, your God, has chosen you and has given you the joy of an honor far greater than he gave to your companions.”

He also said,

“You, Lord, in the beginning created the earth, and with your own hands you made the heavens.

They will disappear, but you will remain; they will all wear out like clothes.

You will fold them up like a coat, and they will be changed like clothes.

But you are always the same, and your life never ends.”

God never said to any of his angels:

“Sit here at my right side until I put your enemies as a footstool under your feet.”

45.1 He Is Before Anything Else

2010-12-05T21:05:00.000-08:00

(Colossians 1:15-20)

Christ is the visible likeness of the invisible God. He is the first-born Son, superior to all created things. For through him God created everything in heaven and on earth, the seen and the unseen things, including spiritual powers, lord, rulers, and authorities. God created the whole universe through him and for him. Christ existed before all things, and in union with him all things have their proper place. He is the head of his body, the church; he is the source of the body’s life. He is the first-born Son, who was raised from death, in order that he alone might have the first place in all things. For it was by God’s own decision that the Son has in himself the full nature of God. Through the Son, then God decided to bring the whole universe back to himself. God made peace through his Son’s death on the cross and so brought back to himself all things, both on earth and in heaven.

44.5 Prayer Of Penitent In Distress

2010-11-28T21:02:00.000-08:00

(Psalm 143)

LORD, hear my prayer!
In your righteousness listen to my plea;
answer me in your faithfulness!
Don’t put me, your servant, on trial;
no one is innocent in your sight.

My enemy has hunted me down
and completely defeated me.
He has put me in a dark prison,
and I am like those who died long ago.
So I am ready to give up; I am in deep despair.

I remember the days gone by;
I think about all that you have done,
I bring to mind all your deeds.
I lift up my hands to you in prayer;
like dry ground my soul is thirsty for you.

Answer me now, Lord!
I have lost all hope.
Don’t hide yourself from me,
or I will be among those who go down
to the world of the dead.
Remind me each morning of your constant love,
for I put my trust in you.
My prayers go up to you;
show me the way I should go.

I go to you for protection, Lord;
rescue me from my enemies.
You are my God; teach me to do your will.
Be good to me, and guide me on a safe path.

Rescue me, Lord, as you have promised;
in your goodness save me from my troubles!
Because of your love for me,
kill my enemies and destroy all my oppressors,
for I am your servant.

44.4 Our High Priest Can Sympathize With Our Weakness

2010-11-21T20:59:00.000-08:00

(Hebrews 4: 14-16)

Let us, then, hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we have a great High Priest who has gone into the very presence of God--Jesus, the Son of God. Our High Priest is not one who cannot feel sympathy for our weaknesses. On the contrary, we have a High Priest who was tempted in every way that we are, but did not sin. Let us be brave, then, and approach God’s throne, where there is grace. There we will receive mercy and find grace to help us just when we need it.

44.3 Moved With Pity, Jesus Brings Son Back To life

2010-11-14T20:55:00.000-08:00

(Luke 7:11-17)

Soon afterward Jesus went to a town named Nain accompanied by his disciples and a large crowd. Just as he arrived at the gate of the town, a funeral procession was coming out. The dead man was the only son of a woman who was a widow, and a large crowd from the town was with her. When the Lord saw her, his heart was filled with pity for her, and he said to her, “Don’t cry.” Then he walked over and touched the coffin, and the men crying it stopped. Jesus said, “Young man! Get up. I tell you!” The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.

They all were filled with fear and praise God. “A great prophet has appeared among us!” they said; “God has come to save his people!”

This news about Jesus went out through all the country and the surrounding territory.

44.2 Out Of Pity, Jesus Gives Bread

2010-11-07T20:52:00.000-08:00

(Mark 8: 1-10)

Not long afterward another large crowd came together. When the people had nothing left to eat, Jesus called the disciples to him and said “I feel sorry for these people, because they have been with me for three days and now have nothing to eat. If I send them home without feeding them, they will faint as they go, because some of them have come a long way.”

His disciples asked him, “Where in this desert can anyone find enough food to feed all these people?”

“How much bread do they have?” Jesus asked. “Seven loaves,” they answered.

He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves, gave thanks to God, broke them, and gave them to his disciples to distribute to the crowd; and the disciples did so. They also had a few small fish. Jesus gave thanks for these and told the disciples to distribute them too. Everybody ate and had enough–there were about four thousand people. Then the disciples took up seven baskets full of pieces left over. Jesus sent the people away and at once got into a boat with his disciples and went to the district of Dalmanutha.

44.1 He Shall Not Break The Bruised Seed

2010-10-31T20:49:00.000-07:00

(Isaiah 42:1-4a)

The Lord says,
“Here is my servant, whom I strengthen—
the one I have chosen, with whom I am pleased.
I have filled him with my spirit,
and he will bring justice to every nation.
He will not shout or raise his voice
or make loud speeches in the streets.
He will not break off a bent reed
nor put out a flickering lamp.
He will bring lasting justice to all.
He will not lose hope or courage;
he will establish justice on the earth.

43.4 Jesus Sits At The Right Hand Of The Father

2010-10-30T20:41:00.000-07:00

(Psalm 110)

The Lord said to my lord, the king,
“Sit here at my right side
until I put your enemies under your feet.”
From Zion the Lord will extend your royal power.
“Rule over your enemies,” he says.
On the day you fight your enemies,
your people will volunteer.
Like the dew of early morning
your young men will come to you
on the sacred hills.

The Lord made a solemn promise and will not
take it back:
“You will be a priest forever
in the priestly order of Melchizedek.”
The Lord is at your right side;
when he becomes angry, he will defeat kings.
He will pass judgment on the nations
and fill the battlefield with corpses;
he will defeat kings all over the earth.
The king will drink from the stream by the road,
and strengthened, he will stand victorious.

43.3 Jesus Speaks What The Father Told Him

2010-10-23T18:37:00.000-07:00

(John 12:44-50)

Jesus said in a loud voice, “Whoever believes in me believes not only in me but also in him who sent me. Whoever sees me sees also him who sent me. I have come into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in the darkness. If anyone hears my message and does not obey it, I will not judge him. I came, not to judge the world, but to save it. Whoever rejects me and does not accept my message has one who will judge him. The words I have spoken will be his judge on the last day! This is true, because I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has commanded me what I must say and speak. And I know that his command brings eternal life. What I say, then, is what the Father has told me to say.”

43.2 The Father And Jesus Are One

2010-10-23T18:34:00.000-07:00

(John 10:25-30)

Jesus answered, “I have already told you, but you would not believe me. The deeds I do by my Father’s authority speak on my behalf; but you will not believe, for you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never die. No one can snatch them away from me. What my Father has given me is greater than everything, and no one can snatch them away from the Father’s care. The Father and I are one.”

43.1 I Cannot Do Anything Of Myself, I Do The Will Of My Father

2010-10-23T18:31:00.000-07:00

(John 5:19-30)

So Jesus answered them, “I tell you the truth: the Son can do nothing on his own: he does only what he sees his Father doing. What the Father does, the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. He will show him even greater things to do than this, and you will all be amazed. Just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, in the same way the Son gives life to those he wants to. Nor does the Father himself judge anyone. He has given his Son the full right to judge, so that all will honor the Son in the same way as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.”

“I am telling you the truth: whoever hears my words and believes in him who sent me has eternal life. He will not be judged, but has already passed from death to life. I am telling you the truth: the time is coming- the time has already come- when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear it will come to life. Just as the Father is himself the source of life. And he has given the Son the right to judge, because he is the Son of Man. Do not be surprised at this; the time is coming when all the dead will hear his voice and come out of their graves: those who have done good will rise and live, and those who have done evil will rise and be condemned.”

“I can do nothing on my own authority; I judge only as God tells me, so my judgment is right, because I am not trying to do what I want, but only what he who sent me wants.

42.5 The Lord Is My Shepherd

2010-10-12T18:12:00.000-07:00

(Psalm 23)

The Lord is my shepherd;
I have everything I need.
He lets me rest in fields of green grass
and leads me to quiet pools of fresh water.
He gives me new strength.
He guides me in the right path, as he has promised.
Even if I go through the deepest darkness,
I will not be afraid, Lord, for you are with me.
Your shepherd’s rod and staff protect me.

You prepare a banquet for me,
where all my enemies can see me;
you welcome me as an honored guest
and fill my cup to the brim.
I know that your goodness and love will be with me
all my life;
and your house will be my home as long as I live.

42.4 Jesus Is The True Vine, We Are The Branches

2010-08-28T18:11:00.001-07:00

(John 15:1-8)

“I am the real vine, and my Father is the gardener. He breaks off every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and he prunes every branch that does not bear fruit, so that it will be clean and bear more fruit. You have been made clean already by the teaching I have given you. Remain united to me, and I will remain united to you. A branch cannot bear fruit by itself; it can do so only if it remains in the vine. In the same way you cannot bear fruit unless you remain in me.

“I am the vine, and you are the branches. Whoever remains in me, and I in him, will bear much fruit; for you can do nothing without me. Whoever does not remain in me is thrown out like a branch and dries up; such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, where they are burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, then you will ask for anything you wish, and you shall have it. My Father’s glory is shown by your bearing much fruit; and in this way you become my disciples.

42.3 Jesus Is The Door, The Shepherd

2010-08-28T18:09:00.000-07:00

(John 10:1-16)

Jesus said, “I am telling you the truth: the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in some other way, is a thief and a robber. The man who goes in through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him; the sheep hear his voice as he calls his own sheep by name, and he leads them out. When he has brought them out, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they know his voice. They will not follow someone else; instead, they will run away from such a person, because they do not know his voice.”

Jesus told them this parable, but they did not understand what he meant.

So Jesus said again, “I am telling you the truth: I am the gate for the sheep. All others who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever comes in by me will be saved; he will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only in order to steal, kill, and destroy. I have come in order that you might have life- life in all its fullness.

“I am the good shepherd, who is willing to die for the sheep. When the hired man, who is not a shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees a wolf coming, he leaves the sheep and runs away; so the wolf snatches the sheep and scatters them. The hired man runs away because he is only a hired man and does not care about the sheep. I am the good shepherd. As the Father knows me and I know the Father, in the same way I know my sheep and they know me. And I am willing to die for them. There are other sheep which belong to me that are not in this sheep pen. I must bring them, too; they will listen to my voice, and they will become one flock with one shepherd.

42.2 Jesus Is the Light of the World

2010-08-28T18:07:00.001-07:00

(John 8:12)

Jesus spoke to the Pharisees again. “I am the light of the world,” he said. “Whoever follows me will have the light of life and will never walk in darkness.”

42.1 Jesus Is The Bread of Life

2010-08-28T18:06:00.000-07:00

(John 6:48-58)

“I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate manna in the desert, but they died. But the bread that comes down from heaven is of such a kind that whoever eats it will not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats this bread, he will live forever. The bread that I will give him is my flesh, which I give so that the world may live.”

This started an angry argument among them. “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” they asked.

Jesus said to them, “I am telling you the truth: if you do not eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you will not have life in yourselves. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him to life on the last day. For my flesh is the real food; my blood is the real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood lives in me, and I live in him. The living Father sent me, and because of him I live also. In the same way whoever eats me will live because of me. This, then, is the bread that came down from heaven; it is not like the bread that your ancestors ate, but then later died. The one who eats this bread will live forever.”

41.4 Thanksgiving For God’s Justice

2010-08-28T18:02:00.000-07:00

(Psalm 9:1-4, 7-14)

I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart;
I will tell of all the wonderful things
you have done.
I will sing with joy because of you.
I will sing praise to you, Almighty God.

My enemies turn back when you appear,
they fall down and die.
You are fair and honest in your judgments,
and you have judged in my favor.

But the Lord is king forever;
he has set up his throne for judgment.
He rules the world with righteousness;
he judges the nations with justice.

The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed,
a place of safety in times of trouble.
Those who know you, Lord, will trust you;
you do not abandon anyone who comes to you.

Sing praise to the Lord, who rules in Zion!
Tell every nation what he has done!
God remembers those who suffer;
he does not forget their cry,
and he punishes those who wrong them.

Be merciful to me, O Lord!
See the sufferings my enemies cause me!
Rescue me from death, O Lord,
that I may stand before the people of Jerusalem
and tell them all the things for which I praise you.
I will rejoice because you saved me.

41.3 To Please Not Men But God

2010-07-31T18:25:00.001-07:00

(1 Thessalonians 2:1-7a, 10-12)

Our brothers, you yourselves know that our visit to you was not a failure. You know how we had already been mistreated and insulted in Philippi before we came to you in Thessalonica. And even though there was much opposition, our God gave us courage to tell you the Good News that comes from him. Our appeal to you is not based on error or impure motives, nor do we try to trick anyone. Instead, we always speak as God wants us to, because he has judged us worthy to be entrusted with the Good News. We do not try to please men, but to please God, who tests our motives. You know very well that we did not come to you with flattering talk, nor did we use words to cover up greed – God is our witness! We did not try to get praise from anyone, either from you or from others, even though as apostles of Christ we could have made demands on you.

You are our witness, and so is God, that our conduct toward you who believe was pure, right, and without fault. You know that we treated each one of you just as a father treats his own children. We encouraged you, we comforted you, and we kept urging you to live the kind of life that pleases God, who calls you to share in his own Kingdom and glory.

41.2 No Treachery, No Falsification of God’s Word

2010-07-31T18:24:00.000-07:00

(2 Corinthians 4:1-5)

God in his mercy has given us this work to do, and so we do not become discouraged. We put aside all secret and shameful deeds; we do not act with deceit, nor do we falsify the word of God. In the full light of truth we live in God’s sight and try to commend ourselves to everyone’s good conscience. For if the gospel we preach is hidden, it is hidden only from those who are being lost. They do not believe, because their minds have been kept in the dark by the evil god of this world. He keeps them from seeing the light shining on them, the light that comes from the Good News about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God. For it is not ourselves that we preach; we preach Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.

41.1 Integrity in Civil Matters

2010-07-31T18:22:00.001-07:00

(Romans 13:17)

Everyone must obey state authorities, because no authority exists without God’s permission, and the existing authorities have been put there by God. Whoever opposes the existing authority opposes what God has ordered; and anyone who does so will bring judgment of himself. For rulers are not to be feared by those who do good, but by those who do evil. Would you like to be unafraid of the man in authority? Then do what is good, and he will praise you, because he is God’s servant working for your own good. But if you do evil, then be afraid of him, because his power to punish is real. He is God’s servant and carries out God’s punishment on those who do evil. For this reason you must obey the authorities – not just because of God’s punishment, but also as a matter of conscience.

That is also why you pay taxes, because the authorities are working for God when they fulfill their duties. Pay, then, what you owe them; pay them your personal and property taxes, and show respect and honor for them all.

40.5 It Is Right To Keep Our Promises

2010-07-31T18:21:00.000-07:00

(Psalm 65)

O God, it is right for us to praise you in Zion
and keep our promises to you,
because you answer prayers.
People everywhere will come to you
on account of their sins.
Our faults defeat us, but you forgive them.
Happy are those whom you choose,
whom you bring to live in your sanctuary.
We shall be satisfied with the good things
of your house,
the blessings of your sacred Temple.

You answer us by giving us victory,
and you do wonderful things to save us.
People all over the world
and across the distant seas trust in you.
You set the mountains in place by your strength,
showing your mighty power.
You calm the roar of the seas and the noise of the waves;
you calm the uproar of the peoples.
The whole world stands in awe
of the great things that you have done.
Your deeds bring shouts of joy
from one end of the earth to the other.

You show your care for the land by sending rain;
you make it rich and fertile.
You fill the streams with water;
you provide the earth with crops.
This is how you do it:
you send abundant rain on the plowed fields
and soak them with water;
you soften the soil with showers
and cause the young plants to grow.
What a rich harvest your goodness provides!
Wherever you go there is plenty.
The pastures are filled with flocks;
the hillsides are full of joy.
The fields are covered with sheep;
the valleys are full of wheat.
Everything shouts and sings for joy.

40.4 God Rewards The Faithful, He Is The Way

2010-07-24T18:44:00.000-07:00

(Isaiah 30:12-21)

But this is what the holy God of Israel says: “You ignore what I tell you and rely on violence and deceit. You are guilty. You are like a high wall with a crack running down it; suddenly you will collapse. You will be shattered like a clay pot, so badly broken that there is no piece big enough to pick up hot coals with or to dip water from a cistern.”

The Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says to the people, “Come back and quietly trust in me. Then you will be strong and secure.“ But you refuse to do it. Instead, you plan to escape from your enemies by riding fast horses. And you are right- escape is what you will have to do! You think your horses are fast enough, but those who pursue you will be faster! A thousand of you will run away when you see one enemy soldier, and five soldiers will be enough to make you all run away. Nothing will be left of your army except a lonely flagpole on the top of a hill. And yet the Lord is waiting to be merciful to you. He is ready to take pity on you because he always does what is right. Happy are those who put their trust in the Lord.

You people who live in Jerusalem will not weep any more. The Lord is compassionate, and when you cry to him for help, he will answer you. The Lord will make you go through hard times, but he himself will be there to teach you, and you will not have to search for him any more. If you wander off the road to the right or the left, you will hear his voice behind you saying, “Here is the road. Follow it.”

40.3 Lip Service

2010-07-24T18:43:00.000-07:00

(Isaiah 29:13-14)

The Lord said, “These people claim to worship me, but their words are meaningless, and their hearts are somewhere else. Their religion is nothing but human rules and traditions, which they have simply memorized. So I will startle them with one unexpected blow after another. Those who are wise will turn out to be fools, and all their cleverness will be useless.

40.2 Punishment For Infidelity

2010-07-24T18:42:00.000-07:00

(Deuteronomy 29:21-28)

The Lord will make an example of him before all the tribes of Israel and will bring disaster on him in accordance with all the curses listed in the covenant that is written in this book of the Lord’s teachings.

“In future generations your descendant and foreigners from distant lands will see the disasters and sufferings that the Lord has brought on your land. The fields will be a barren waste, covered with sulfur and salt; nothing will be planted, and not even weeds will grow there. Your land will be like the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, of Admah and Zeboiim, which the Lord destroyed when he was furiously angry. Then the whole world will ask, ‘Why did the Lord do this to their land? What was the reason for his fierce anger?’ And the answer will be, ‘It is because the Lord’s people broke the covenant they had made with him, the God of their ancestors, when he brought them out of Egypt. They served other gods that they had never worshiped before, gods that the Lord had forbidden them to worship. And so the Lord became angry with his people and brought on their land all the disasters written in this book. The Lord became furiously angry, and in his great anger he uprooted them from their land and threw them into a foreign land, and there they are today.”

40.1 Idolatry Is an Infidelity To God

2010-07-24T18:40:00.000-07:00

(Deuteronomy 29:15-18a)

He is making it with all of us who stand here in his presence today and also with our descendants who are not yet born.

“You remember what life was like in Egypt and what it was like to travel through the territory of our nations. You saw their disgusting idols made of wood, stone, silver, and gold. Make sure that no man, woman, family, or tribe standing here today turns from the Lord our God to worship the gods of other nations.

39.4 Desire For God

2010-07-24T18:39:00.000-07:00

(Psalm 42:1-7a, 8-11)

A s a deer longs for a stream of cool water,
so I long for you, O God.
I thirst for you, the living God.
When can I go and worship in your presence?
Day and night I cry,
and tears are my only food;
all the time my enemies ask me,
“Where is your God?”

My heart breaks when I remember the past,
when I went with the crowds to the house of God
and led them as they walked along;
a happy crowd, singing and shouting praise to God.
Why am I so sad? Why am I so troubled?
I will put my hope in God,
and once again I will praise him,
my savior and my God.

Here in exile my heart is breaking,
and so I turn my thoughts to him.
He has sent waves of sorrow over my soul.
May the Lord show his constant love during the day,
so that I may have song at night,
a prayer to the God of my life.

To God, my defender, I say,
“Why have you forgotten me?
Why must I go on suffering
from the cruelty of my enemies?”
I am crushed by their insults,
as they keep on asking me, “Where is your God?”

Why am I so sad? Why am I so troubled?
I will put my hope in God,
and once again I will praise him,
my savior and my God.

39.3 What is Needed Is Faith In Jesus Christ

2010-07-16T17:26:00.000-07:00

(1 John 5:10-13)

So whoever believes in the Son of God has this testimony in his own heart; but whoever does not believe God, has made a liar of him, because he has not believed what God has said about his Son. The testimony is this: God has given us eternal life, and this life has its source in his Son. Whoever has the Son has this life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

I am writing this to you so that you may know that you have eternal life—you that believe in the Son of God.

39.2 The Lord’s Coming

2010-07-10T15:59:00.000-07:00

(1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

Our brothers, we want you to know the truth about those who have died, so that you will not be sad, as are those who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will take back with Jesus those who have died believing in him.

What we are teaching you now is the Lord’s teaching: we who are alive on the day the Lord comes will not go ahead of those who have died. There will be the shout of command, the archangel’s voice, the sound of God’s trumpet, and the Lord himself will come down from heaven. Those who have died believing in Christ will rise to life first; then we who are living at that time will be gathered up along with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord. So then, encourage one another with these words.

39.1 Everybody Can Have Everlasting Life

2010-07-03T17:29:00.000-07:00

(Acts 13:44-49)

The next Sabbath nearly everyone in the town came to hear the word of the Lord. Then the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy; they disputed what Paul was saying and insulted him. But Paul and Barnabas spoke out even more boldly: “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken first to you. But since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we will leave you and go to the Gentiles. For this is the commandment that the Lord has given us:

“I have made you a light for the Gentiles, so that all the world may be saved.’”

When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and praised the Lord’s message; and those who had been chosen for eternal life became believers.

The word of the Lord spread everywhere in that region.

38.4 God Will Not Abandon Us

2010-07-03T17:26:00.000-07:00

(Psalm 16)

Protect me, O God; I trust in you for safety.
I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
all the good things I have come from you.”

How excellent are the Lord’s faithful people!
My greatest pleasure is to be with them.

Those who rush to other gods
bring many troubles on themselves.
I will not take part in their sacrifices;
I will not worship their gods.

You, Lord, are all I have,
and you give me all I need;
my future is in your hands.
How wonderful are your gifts to me;
how good they are!

I praise the Lord, because he guides me;
and in the night my conscience warns me.
I am always aware of the Lord’s presence;
he is near, and nothing can shake me.

And so I am thankful and glad,
and I feel completely secure,
because you protect me from the power of death,
and the one you love,
you will not abandon to the world of the dead.

You will show me the path that leads to life;
your presence fills me with joy
and brings me pleasure forever.

38.3 Praise Be God for Our Resurrection

2010-07-03T17:22:00.000-07:00

(1Peter 1:3-5)

Let us give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! Because of his great mercy he gave us new life by raising Jesus Christ from death. This fills us with a living hope, and so we look forward to possessing the rich blessings that God keeps for his people. He keeps them for you in heaven, where they cannot decay or spoil or fade away. They are for you, who through faith are kept safe by God’s power for the salvation which is ready to be revealed at the end of time.

38.2 All Who Believe Have Eternal Life

2010-07-01T15:57:00.000-07:00

(John 3:11-15)

I am telling you the truth: we speak of what we know and report what we have seen, yet none of you is willing to accept our message. You do not believe me when I tell you about the things of this world; how will you ever believe me, then, when I tell you about the things of heaven? And no one has ever gone up to heaven except the Son of Man, who came down from heaven.”

As Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the desert, in the same way the Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him have eternal life.

38.1 Those Who Believe Will Rise To Eternal Life

2010-07-01T15:53:00.000-07:00

(John 11:17-26a)

When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had been buried four days before. Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, and many Judeans had come to see Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother’s death.

When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but May stayed in the house. Martha said to Jesus, “If you had been here, Lord, my brother would not have died! But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask him for.”

“Your brother will rise to life,” Jesus told her.

“I know,’ she replied, “that he will rise to life on the last day.”

“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.“

37.5 Prayer of Humble Trust

2010-07-01T15:49:00.001-07:00

(Psalm 131)

Lord, I have given up my pride
and turned away from my arrogance.
I am not concerned with great matters
or with subjects too difficult for me.
Instead, I am content and at peace.
As a child lies quietly in its mother’s arms,
so my heart is quiet within me.
Israel, trust in the Lord now and forever!

37.4 Mary’s Canticle

2010-07-01T15:48:00.000-07:00

(Luke 1:46-55)

Mary said, “My heart praises the Lord;
my soul is glad because of God my Savior,
for he has remembered me, his lowly servant!
From now on all people will call me happy,
because of the great things the Mighty God
has done for me.
His name is holy; from one generation to another
he shows mercy to those who honor him.
He has stretched out his mighty arm
and scattered the proud with all their plans.
He has brought down mighty kings from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away with empty hands.
He has kept the promise he made to our ancestors,
and has come to the help of his servant Israel.
He has remembered to show mercy to Abraham
and to all his descendants forever!”

37.3 If We Just Do Our Work We Are Useless Servants

2010-06-26T16:51:00.000-07:00

(Luke 17:7-10)

“Suppose one of you has a servant who is plowing or looking after the sheep. When he comes in from the field, do you tell him to hurry along and eat his meal? Of course not! Instead, you say to him, ‘Get my supper ready, then put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may have your meal.’ The servant does not deserve thanks for obeying orders, does he? It is the same with you; when you have done all you have been told to do, say, ‘We are ordinary servants; we have only done our duty.’”

37.2 Service Instead of Exerting Power

2010-06-18T00:15:00.000-07:00

(Luke 22:24-27)

An argument broke out among the disciples as to which one of them should be thought of as the greatest. Jesus said to them, “The kings of the pagans have power over their people, and the rulers are called ‘Friends of the People.’ But this is not the way it is with you; rather, the greatest one among you must be like the youngest, and the leader must be like the servant. Who is greater, the one who sits down to eat or the one who serves him? The one who sits down, of course. But I am among you as one who serves.

37.1 Hypocrisy Of Scribes

2010-06-12T18:20:00.000-07:00

(Matthew 23:1-12)

Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples. “The teachers of the Law and the Pharisees are the authorized interpreters of Moses’ Law. So you must obey and follow everything they tell you to do; do not, however, imitate their actions, because they don’t practice what they preach. They tie onto people’s backs loads that are heavy and hard to carry, yet they aren’t willing even to lift a finger to help them carry those loads. They do everything so that people will see them. Look at the straps with scripture verses on them which they wear on their foreheads and arms, and notice how large they are. Notice also how long are the tassels on their cloaks! They love the best places at feasts and the reserved seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted with respect in the market places and to have people call them ‘Teacher.’ You must not be called ‘Teacher,’ because you are all brothers of one another and have only one Teacher. And you must not call anyone here on earth ‘Father,’ because you have only the one Father in heaven. Nor should you be called ‘Leader,’ because your one and only leader is the Messiah. The greatest one among you most be your servant. Whoever makes himself great will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be made great.

36.4 God Cares For the Lonely

2010-06-12T18:08:00.001-07:00

(Psalm 113)

Praise the Lord!

You servants of the Lord, praise his name!
His name will be praised, now and forever.
From the east to the west
praise the name of the Lord
The Lord rules over all nations;
his glory is above the heavens.

There is no like the Lord our God.
He lives in the heights above,
but he bends down to see the heavens and the earth.
He raises the poor from the dust;
he lifts the needy from their misery
and makes them companions of princes,
the princes of his people.
He honors the childless wife in her home;
he makes her happy by giving he children.

Praise the Lord!

36.3 Help Others, Including the Foreigners

2010-06-12T18:05:00.000-07:00

(3 John 2-8)

My dear friend, I pray that everything may go well with you and that you may be in good health—as I know you are well in spirit. I was happy when some Christian brothers arrived and told me how faithful you are to the truth—just as you always live in the truth. Nothing makes me happier than to hear that my children live in the truth.

My dear friend, you are so faithful in the work you do for your fellow Christians, even when they are strangers. They have spoken to the church here about your love. Please help them to continue their trip in a way that will please God. For they set out on their trip in the service of Christ without accepting any help from unbelievers. We Christians, then, must help these people, so that we may share in their work for the truth.

36.2 Be Hospitable, Use Your Talents

2010-06-12T18:02:00.000-07:00

(1 Peter 4:8-10)

Above everything, love one another earnestly, because love covers over many sins. Open your homes to each other without complaining. Each one, as a good manager of God’s different gifts, must use for the good of others the special gift he has received from God.

36.1 After Being Mistreated By Them, Joseph Was Hospitable To His Brothers

2010-06-12T17:59:00.000-07:00

(Genesis 43:31-34)

After he had washed his face, he came out, and controlling himself, he ordered the meal to be served. Joseph was served at one table and his brothers at another. The Egyptians who were eating there were served separately, because they considered it beneath there dignity to eat with Hebrews. The brothers had been seated at the table, facing Joseph, in the order of their age from the oldest to the youngest. When they saw how they had been seated, they looked at one another in amazement. Food was served five times as much as the rest of them. So they ate and drank with Joseph until they were drunk.

35.4 It Is Good To Live As Brothers

2010-06-12T17:57:00.001-07:00

(Psalm 133)

How wonderful it is, how pleasant,
for God’s people to live together in harmony!
It is like the precious anointing oil
running down from Aaron’s head and beard,
down to the collar of his robes.
It is like the dew on Mount Hermon,
falling on the hills of Zion.
That is where the Lord has promised his blessing—
life that never ends.

35.3 Have The Same Attitude To All

2010-06-08T17:51:00.000-07:00

(Romans 12:9-21)

Love must be completely sincere. Hate what is evil, hold on to what is good. Love one another warmly as Christian brothers, and be eager to show respect for one another. Work hard and do not be lazy. Serve the Lord with a heart full of devotion. Let your hope keep you joyful, be patient in your troubles, and pray at all times. Share your belongings with your needy fellow Christians, and open your homes to strangers.

Ask God to bless those who persecute you—yes, ask him to bless, not to curse. Be happy with those who are happy, weep with those who weep. Have the same concern for everyone. Do not be proud, but accept humble duties. Do not think of yourselves as wise.

If someone has done wrong, do not repay him with a wrong. Try to do what everyone considers to be good. Do everything possible on your part to live in peace with everybody. Never take revenge, my friends, but instead let God’s anger do it. For the scripture says, “I will take revenge, I will pay back, says the Lord.“ Instead, as the scripture says: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for by doing this you will make him burn with shame.” Do not let evil defeat you; instead, conquer evil with good.

35.2 Invite The Poor And The Cripple

2010-06-05T16:41:00.000-07:00

(Luke 14:12-14)

Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or your rich neighbors--for they will invite you back, and in this way you will be paid for what you did. When you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind and you will be blessed, because they are not able to pay you back. God will repay you on the day the good people rise from death.”

35.1 Befriend Aliens

2010-06-04T18:42:00.000-07:00

(Deuteronomy 10:14-21)

To the Lord belong even the highest heavens; the earth is his also, and everything on it. But the Lord’s love for your ancestors was so strong that he chose you instead of any other people, and you are still his chosen people. So then, from now on be obedient to the Lord and stop being stubborn. The Lord your God is supreme over all gods and over all powers. He is great and mighty, and he is to be obeyed. He does not show partiality, and he does not accept bribes. He makes sure that orphans and widows are treated fairly; he loves the foreigners who live with our people, and gives them food and clothes. So then, show love for those foreigners, because you were once foreigners in Egypt. Have reverence for the Lord your God and worship only him. Be faithful to him and make your promises in his name alone. Praise him--he is your God, and you have seen with your own eyes the great and astounding things that he has done for you.

34.4 The Lord Is My Hope

2010-06-04T18:39:00.000-07:00

(Psalm 71:1-8, 18b, 22-23)

Lord, I have come to you for protection;
never let me be defeated!
Because you are righteous, help me and rescue me.
Listen to me and save me!
Be my secure shelter and a strong fortress to protect me;
you are my refuge and defense.

My God, rescue me from wicked men,
from the power of cruel and evil men.
Sovereign Lord, I put my hope in you;
I have trusted in you since I was young.
I have relied on you all my life;
you have protected me since the day I was born.
I will always praise you.

My life has been an example to many,
because you have been my stronger defender.
All day long I praise you and proclaim your glory.

Be with me while I proclaim your power and might
to all generations to come.

I will indeed praise you with the harp;
I will praise your faithfulness, my God.
On my harp I will play hymns to you,
the Holy One of Israel.
I will shout for joy as I play for you;
with my whole being I will sing
because you have saved me.

34.3 Christ Is The Basis Of Hope

2010-05-29T18:12:00.000-07:00

(Romans 5:1-5a)

Now that we have been put right with God through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. He has brought us by faith into this experience of God’s grace, in which we now live. And so we boast of the hope we have of sharing God’s glory! We also boast of our troubles, because we know that trouble produces endurance, endurance brings God’s approval, and his approval creates hope. This hope does not disappoint us.

34.2 Hope In The Resurrection

2010-05-27T17:41:00.000-07:00

(Acts 24:14-16)

I do admit this to you: I worship the God of our ancestors by following that Way which they say is false. But I also believe in everything written in the Law of Moses and the books of the prophets. I have the same hope in God that these themselves have, namely, that all people, both the good and the bad, will rise from death. And so I do my best always to have a clear conscience before God and man.

34.1 Restoration Under The Messiah

2010-05-25T19:50:00.000-07:00

(Zechariah 9:9-12)

Rejoice, rejoice, people of Zion!
Shout for joy, you people of Jerusalem!
Look, your king is coming to you!
He comes triumphant and victorious,
but humble and riding on a donkey-
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
The Lord says, “I will remove the war
chariots from Israel
and take the horses from Jerusalem;
the bows used in battle will be destroyed.
Your king will make peace among the nations;
he will rule from sea to sea,
from the Euphrates River to the ends of the earth.”
The Lord says, “Because of my covenant with you
that was sealed by the blood of sacrifices,
I will set your people free-
free from the waterless pit of exile.
Return, you exiles who now have hope;
return to your place of safety.
Now I tell you that I will repay you twice over
with blessing for all you have suffered.

33.5 The Lord Will Enter; The Pure Can Join

2010-05-21T02:31:00.000-07:00

(Psalm 24)

The world and all that is in it belong to the Lord;
the earth and all who live on it are his.
He built it on the deep waters beneath the earth
and laid its foundations in the ocean depths.

Who has the right to go up the Lord’s hill?
Who may enter his holy Temple?
Those who are pure in act and in thought,
who do not worship idols
or make false promises.
The Lord will bless them and save them;
God will declare them innocent.
Such are the people who come to God,
who come into the presence of the God of Jacob.

Fling wide the gates, open the ancient doors,
and the great king will come in.
Who is the great king?
He is the Lord, strong and mighty,
the Lord, victorious in battle.

Fling wide the gates, open the ancient doors,
and the great king will come in.
Who is this great king?
The triumphant Lord – he is the great king!

33.4 God Will Be Our Light

2010-05-16T16:54:00.000-07:00

(Revelation 22:1-5)

The angel also showed me the river of the water of life, sparkling like crystal, and coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb flowing down the middle of the city’s street. On each side of the river was the tree of life, which bears fruit twelve times a year, once each month; and its leaves are for the healing of the nations. Nothing that is under God’s curse will be found in the city.

The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads. There shall be no more night, and they will not need lamps or sunlight, because the Lord God will be their light, and they will rule as kings forever and ever.

33.3 God Will Give The Living Water

2010-05-15T19:55:00.000-07:00

(Revelation 21:5-8)

Then the one who sits on the throne said, “And now I make all things new!” He also said to me, “Write this, because these words are true and can be trusted.” And he said, “It is done! I am the first and the last, the beginning and the end. To anyone who is thirsty I will give the right to drink from the spring of the water of life without paying for it. Whoever wins the victory will receive this from me: I will be his God, and he will be my son. But cowards, traitors, perverts, murderers, the immoral, those who practice magic, those who worship idols, and all liars – the place for them is the lake burning with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

33.2 The End Of Suffering

2010-05-10T17:57:00.000-07:00

(Revelation 21:1-4)

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The first heaven and the first earth disappeared and the sea vanished. And I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared and ready, like a bride dressed to meet her husband. I heard a loud voice speaking from the throne: “Now God’s home is with mankind! He will live with them, and they shall be his people. God himself will be with them, and he will be their God. He will wipe away all tears from their eyes. There will be no more death, no more grief or crying or pain. The old things have disappeared.”

33.1 For the People Without Deceit

2010-05-08T23:26:00.000-07:00

(Revelation 14:1-5)

Then I looked, and there was the Lamb standing on Mount Zion; with him were 144,000 people who have his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven that sounded like a roaring waterfall, like a loud peal of thunder. It sounded like the music made by musicians playing their harps. The 144,000 people stood before the throne, the four living creatures, and the elders; they were singing a new song, which only they could learn. Of all mankind they are the only ones who have been redeemed. They are the men who have kept themselves pure by not having sexual relations with women; they are virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They have been redeemed from the rest of mankind and are the first ones to be offered to God and the Lamb. They have never been known to tell lies; they are faultless.