Tag: Bible Reading

Morning Reading: Luke 10:1-20 NLT – migrant workers

Reading: Luke 10:1-20 NLT

The Lord now chose seventy-two other disciples and sent them ahead in pairs to all the towns and places he planned to visit. These were his instructions to them: “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields. Now go, and remember that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves. Don’t take any money with you, nor a traveler’s bag, nor an extra pair of sandals. And don’t stop to greet anyone on the road.

He Sent Them Out Two by Two, illustration from "The Life of Our Lord Jesus Christ" by Tissot (1886-1896)
He Sent Them Out Two by Two,
illustration from “The Life of Our Lord Jesus Christ” by Tissot (1886-1896)

“Whenever you enter someone’s home, first say, ‘May God’s peace be on this house.’ If those who live there are peaceful, the blessing will stand; if they are not, the blessing will return to you. Don’t move around from home to home. Stay in one place, eating and drinking what they provide. Don’t hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve their pay.

“If you enter a town and it welcomes you, eat whatever is set before you. Heal the sick, and tell them, ‘The Kingdom of God is near you now.’ But if a town refuses to welcome you, go out into its streets and say, ‘We wipe even the dust of your town from our feet to show that we have abandoned you to your fate. And know this—the Kingdom of God is near!’ I assure you, even wicked Sodom will be better off than such a town on judgment day.

“What sorrow awaits you, Korazin and Bethsaida! For if the miracles I did in you had been done in wicked Tyre and Sidon, their people would have repented of their sins long ago, clothing themselves in burlap and throwing ashes on their heads to show their remorse. Yes, Tyre and Sidon will be better off on judgment day than you. And you people of Capernaum, will you be honored in heaven? No, you will go down to the place of the dead.”

Then he said to the disciples, “Anyone who accepts your message is also accepting me. And anyone who rejects you is rejecting me. And anyone who rejects me is rejecting God, who sent me.”

When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!”

“Yes,” he told them, “I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning! Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you. But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.”

Prayer: Lord Jesus – All over the world today your followers are going out as “sheep among wolves” to bring the Good News of the Kingdom of God to people who are lost. Prepare the way for them – open hearts and minds and homes to welcome them. Protect them from the evil one, and empower them to heal the sick and cast out demons in your name. Fill them with joy… and put their detractors to shame. For it is in you that we live and move and have our being. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “We Speak to Nations” (YouTube)

Morning Reading: Luke 9.57-62 NLT – Kingdom duty

Reading: Luke 9.57-62 NLT

As they were walking along, someone said to Jesus, “I will follow you wherever you go.”

Jesus hand follow meBut Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.”

He said to another person, “Come, follow me.”

The man agreed, but he said, “Lord, first let me return home and bury my father.”

But Jesus told him, “Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead! Your duty is to go and preach about the Kingdom of God.”

Another said, “Yes, Lord, I will follow you, but first let me say good-bye to my family.”

But Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.”

Prayer: Lord Jesus – So many distractions… so many good things to do. Give me the courage to sacrifice the good for the best – following you wherever you lead me. May I honor you in all things. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus” – Selah (YouTube)

I have decided to follow Jesus, I have decided to follow Jesus, I have decided to follow Jesus — no turning back, no turning back.

The world behind me, the cross before me, the world behind me, the cross before me, the world behind me, the cross before me — no turning back, no turning back.

Though none go with me, I still will follow, though none go with me, I still will follow, though none go with me, I still will follow, no turning back, no turning back.

Morning Reading: Luke 9:51-56 NLT – road to Jerusalem

Reading: Luke 9:51-56 NLT

image

As the time drew near for him to ascend to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.

He sent messengers ahead to a Samaritan village to prepare for his arrival. But the people of the village did not welcome Jesus because he was on his way to Jerusalem.

When James and John saw this, they said to Jesus, “Lord, should we call down fire from heaven to burn them up?”

But Jesus turned and rebuked them. So they went on to another village.

Prayer: Lord Jesus – You weren’t distracted by “side shows” on your way to the cross. You understood your mission and purpose and kept to the Plan… painful and humiliating as it was. Give us the same clarity of vision to pursue the mission and purpose you have given each of us… no matter the cost.And may we be found faithful to the end. To you be all honor and glory. Amen.

Hymn: “We’re Marching to Zion” – Isaac Watts (1674-1748)

audio: Amy Grant (We’re Marching to Zion) – click below-

Come, we that love the Lord, And let our joys be known; Join in a song with sweet accord, Join in a song with sweet accord, And thus surround the throne, And thus surround the throne. We’re marching to Zion, Beautiful, beautiful Zion; We’re marching upward to Zion, The beautiful city of God.

Then let our songs abound, And ev’ry tear be dry; We’re marching through Immanuel’s ground, We’re marching through Immanuel’s ground / To fairer worlds on high, To fairer worlds on high. We’re marching to Zion, Beautiful, beautiful Zion; We’re marching upward to Zion, The beautiful city of God.

We’re marching to Zion, Beautiful, beautiful Zion; We’re marching upward to Zion, The beautiful city of God.

2nd Sunday in Lent: Philippians 3.17-4.1 NLT – citizens of heaven

Reading: Philippians 3.17-4.1 NLT

Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example.

For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth.

HeavenBut we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stay true to the Lord. I love you and long to see you, dear friends, for you are my joy and the crown I receive for my work.

Prayer: Lord Jesus – there’s a longing in our hearts to be with you in eternity… we are homesick for our true country. We wait for your return with power to rescue us from this present evil age. Strengthen us… encourage us… embolden us… empower us to live each day as joyful citizens of your Kingdom – that all may know you are indeed our Savior and Lord. To you be the honor and glory. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “Hallelujah” – Newsboys

I’m looking up / Holding out / Pressing forward / Without a doubt / Longing for the things unseen / Longing for the things I believe / My true country

Click on audio for “Hallelujah” by Newsboys

We hope and wait / For the glorious day / All tears will vanish / Wiped away / On the saints this day already shines / On the saints this day already shines / It already shines

We’ll be singing hallelujah / We’ll be singing hallelujah / At the top of our lungs, halle-le-lujah / (With all our breath, halle-le-lujah) / To Your glory, hallelujah / Hallelujah, hallelujah

And I know that it’s coming / But I can’t see it now / And I’ve touched it in moments / But I can’t hold it yet / And it glows in the darkness / And it calls us away / To our true destination / ‘Til that glorious day

We’ll be singing hallelujah / We’ll be singing hallelujah / At the top of our lungs, halle-le-lujah / (With all our breath, halle-le-lujah) / To Your glory, hallelujah / Hallelujah, hallelujah

Morning Reading: Luke 9.46-48 NLT – the least among you

Reading: Luke 9.46-48 NLT

portrait_child_little_girlThen his disciples began arguing about which of them was the greatest. But Jesus knew their thoughts, so he brought a little child to his side.

Then he said to them, “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me also welcomes my Father who sent me. Whoever is the least among you is the greatest.”

Prayer: Lord Jesus – Open my eyes to see the “least among us” – those who are small, those who are infirmed, those who serve, those who work in the background, those who go about their daily lives mostly unseen. Give me the same open heart… generous spirit… and welcoming attitude towards them… as I as I would offer you. To you be all honor and glory. Amen.

Hymn: “Make Me a Channel of Your Peace” – St Francis of Assisi

Make me a channel of your peace. Where there is hatred let me bring your love. Where there is injury, your pardon, Lord. And where there’s doubt, true faith in you.

Oh, Master grant that I may never seek / So much to be consoled as to console / To be understood as to understand / To be loved as to love with all my soul.

Make me a channel of your peace. Where there’s despair in life, let me bring hope. Where there is darkness, only light. And where there’s sadness, ever joy.

Oh, Master grant that I may never seek / So much to be consoled as to console / To be understood as to understand / To be loved as to love with all my soul.

Make me a channel of your peace. It is in pardoning that we are pardoned. In giving to all men that we receive. And in dying that we’re born to eternal life.

Oh, Master grant that I may never seek / So much to be consoled as to console / To be understood as to understand / To be loved as to love with all my soul.