Tag: Bible Reading

Morning Reading: Acts 28:17-22 NLT ~ the hope of Israel

Reading: Acts 28:17-22 NLT

paul in Rome

Three days after Paul’s arrival, he called together the local Jewish leaders. He said to them, “Brothers, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Roman government, even though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors. The Romans tried me and wanted to release me, because they found no cause for the death sentence. But when the Jewish leaders protested the decision, I felt it necessary to appeal to Caesar, even though I had no desire to press charges against my own people. I asked you to come here today so we could get acquainted and so I could explain to you that I am bound with this chain because I believe that the hope of Israel—the Messiah—has already come.”

They replied, “We have had no letters from Judea or reports against you from anyone who has come here. But we want to hear what you believe, for the only thing we know about this movement is that it is denounced everywhere.”

Prayer: Lord Jesus, Messiah: You are the hope of Israel… you are the only hope for this world!

All around us the hosts of evil asssail your people and scorn your name… deliver us from evil and free us from our fears… that we might sing your praise. Cure our warring madness… bend our pride to your will… and shame our wanton selfishness and poverty of soul. Save us from weak resignation to deplorable evils… set our feet on the path to eternal life… and arm us with your grace and power. (paraphrase ~ Harry E. Fosdick (1930)

May your Kingdom come… your will be done… on earth as it is in heaven… and especially in me. Amen.

Instrumental Music: “Hope of Israel” – Michael W Smith

Morning Reading: Acts 28:11-16 NLT ~ Rome at last

Reading: Acts 28:11-16 NLT

Roman Forum, Rome (2008)
Roman Forum, Rome (2008)

It was three months after the shipwreck that we set sail on another ship that had wintered at the island — an Alexandrian ship with the twin gods as its figurehead. Our first stop was Syracuse, where we stayed three days. From there we sailed across to Rhegium. A day later a south wind began blowing, so the following day we sailed up the coast to Puteoli. There we found some believers, who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome.

The brothers and sisters in Rome had heard we were coming, and they came to meet us at the Forum on the Appian Way. Others joined us at The Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he was encouraged and thanked God.

When we arrived in Rome, Paul was permitted to have his own private lodging, though he was guarded by a soldier.

Prayer: Heavenly Father – Thank you for the Apostle Paul… for the companions who travelled with him… for the believers who encouraged him along the way… and for the soldiers who protected him. May we find our stories in their stories… each with a particular part to play… as you unfold your purpose and reveal your saving presence and power to the world. Lord Jesus – May we keep our eyes fixed on you… the Author and Finisher of our faith… and may we never waver from the narrow path you set before us. Holy Spirit – Empower us to serve you, the living God,,, produce your good fruit in us – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control… and may we be faithful instruments of your mercy and grace, utilizing the particular gifts that you have given to each of us. And may you be honored in all things. Amen.

Welsh Hymn: “Here Is Love, Vast as the Ocean” – William Williams (1717-1791)

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time: Luke 14:1.7-14 NLT ~ guest list

Gospel Reading: Luke 14:1.7-14 NLT

One Sabbath day Jesus went to eat dinner in the home of a leader of the Pharisees, and the people were watching him closely….

When Jesus noticed that all who had come to the dinner were trying to sit in the seats of honor near the head of the table, he gave them this advice: “When you are invited to a wedding feast, don’t sit in the seat of honor. What if someone who is more distinguished than you has also been invited? The host will come and say, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then you will be embarrassed, and you will have to take whatever seat is left at the foot of the table!

Cuba Party with the Poor - click on photo for more -
Cuba Party with the Poor
– click on photo for more –

“Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, ‘Friend, we have a better place for you!’ Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Then he turned to his host. “When you put on a luncheon or a banquet,” he said, “don’t invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors. For they will invite you back, and that will be your only reward. Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. Then at the resurrection of the righteous, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you.”

Prayer: Lord Jesus – When I make my daily choices – particularly of friends and associates – may I do so without thinking “What’s in it for me?”… but rather, “What’s in it for you?” Amen.

Hymn: “As We Gather at Your Table” – Carl P. Daw

As we gather at your table, as we listen to your Word, help us know, O God, your presence; let our hearts and minds be stirred. Nourish us with sacred story till we claim it as our own; teach us through this holy banquet how to make Love’s victory known.

Turn our worship into witness in the sacrament of life; send us forth to love and serve you, bringing peace where there is strife. Give us, Christ, your great compassion to forgive as you forgave; may we still behold your image in the world you died to save.

Gracious Spirit, help us summon other guests to share that feast where triumphant Love will welcome those who had been last and least. There no more will envy blind us nor will pride our peace destroy, as we join with saints and angels to repeat the sounding joy.

Morning Reading: Acts 28:1-10 NLT ~ power healing

Reading: Acts 28:1-10 NLT

Once we were safe on shore, we learned that we were on the island of Malta. The people of the island were very kind to us. It was cold and rainy, so they built a fire on the shore to welcome us.

image

As Paul gathered an armful of sticks and was laying them on the fire, a poisonous snake, driven out by the heat, bit him on the hand. The people of the island saw it hanging from his hand and said to each other, “A murderer, no doubt! Though he escaped the sea, justice will not permit him to live.”

But Paul shook off the snake into the fire and was unharmed. The people waited for him to swell up or suddenly drop dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw that he wasn’t harmed, they changed their minds and decided he was a god.

Near the shore where we landed was an estate belonging to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us and treated us kindly for three days.

As it happened, Publius’s father was ill with fever and dysentery. Paul went in and prayed for him, and laying his hands on him, he healed him. Then all the other sick people on the island came and were healed. As a result we were showered with honors, and when the time came to sail, people supplied us with everything we would need for the trip.

Prayer: Lord Jesus- by your stripes we are healed. Give me the courage and boldness to pray for the healing of those who are sick. Teach me how to pray with conviction and confidence in the power of your name. Teach me how to listen to the movement of your Spirit in the cries of those who are sick and lost. And may you always be in the center of  it all… leading, guiding,  speaking, healing… all to your glory. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “The Power of the Cross” – Stuart Townend

Oh, to see the dawn / Of the darkest day: Christ on the road to Calvary. Tried by sinful men, Torn and beaten, then Nailed to a cross of wood.

This, the pow’r of the cross: Christ became sin for us; Took the blame, bore the wrath- We stand forgiven at the cross.

Oh, to see the pain / Written on Your face, Bearing the awesome weight of sin. Ev’ry bitter thought, Ev’ry evil deed / Crowning Your bloodstained brow.

This, the pow’r of the cross: Christ became sin for us; Took the blame, bore the wrath- We stand forgiven at the cross.

Now the daylight flees; Now the ground beneath / Quakes as its Maker bows His head. Curtain torn in two, Dead are raised to life; “Finished!” the vict’ry cry.

This, the pow’r of the cross: Christ became sin for us; Took the blame, bore the wrath- We stand forgiven at the cross.

Oh, to see my name / Written in the wounds, For through Your suffering I am free. Death is crushed to death; Life is mine to live, Won through Your selfless love.

This, the pow’r of the cross: Son of God-slain for us. What a love! What a cost! We stand forgiven at the cross.

Morning Reading: Acts 27:39-44 NLT ~ shipwreck

Reading: Acts 27:39-44 NLT

Shipwreck Marius Cazeneuve, ca 1904.
Shipwreck
Marius Cazeneuve, ca 1904.

When morning dawned, they didn’t recognize the coastline, but they saw a bay with a beach and wondered if they could get to shore by running the ship aground. So they cut off the anchors and left them in the sea. Then they lowered the rudders, raised the foresail, and headed toward shore.

But they hit a shoal and ran the ship aground too soon. The bow of the ship stuck fast, while the stern was repeatedly smashed by the force of the waves and began to break apart.

The soldiers wanted to kill the prisoners to make sure they didn’t swim ashore and escape. But the commanding officer wanted to spare Paul, so he didn’t let them carry out their plan.

Then he ordered all who could swim to jump overboard first and make for land. The others held on to planks or debris from the broken ship. So everyone escaped safely to shore.

Prayer: Lord God – the story of Paul’s journey to Italy is filled with perils and rescues… with the ultimate end of taking him to Rome to witness to your love and mercy as expressed in your Son, Jesus Christ. Nothing is able to deter your greater purpose in his life… your mission to bring Good News to the gentiles.

Help me to discern your purpose and mission for the stage of life in which I find myself today. Give me a sense of clarity… how I can be a bearer of the Good News of Jesus Christ to others. And give me the courage and determination to fulfill this mission… regardless of the cost. I ask it in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “For the Sake of the World” – Bethel Church Music

I’m laying down my life / I’m giving up control / I’m never looking back / I surrender all / I’m living for Your glory on the earth

This passion in my heart / This stirring in my soul / To see the nations bow / For all the world to know / I’m living for Your glory on the earth

For the sake of the world burn like a fire in me / Light a flame in my soul for every eye to see / For the sake of the world burn like a fire in me

For every knee to bow down / For every heart to believe / For every voice to cry out / Burn like a fire in me / For every tongue to confess / You alone are the King /  You are the hope of the earth / Burn like a fire in me