Tuesday, October 25, 2022

The Daily Bible Readings for Wednesday, October 26, 2022

https://www.biblegateway.com/reading-plans/revised-common-lectionary-semicontinuous/2019/10/30?version=NRSV

The Daily Bible Readings
Wednesday, October 26, 2022
Psalm 87; Joel 3:17-20; Matthew 21:28-32
(Revised Common Lectionary Year C)
(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)

(Glorious things are spoken of Zion)
The Joy of Living in Zion
Of the Korahites. A Psalm. A Song.
1  On the holy mount stands the city he founded;
2    the Lord loves the gates of Zion
     more than all the dwellings of Jacob.
3  Glorious things are spoken of you,
     O city of God.   Selah

4  Among those who know me I mention Rahab
         and Babylon;
     Philistia too, and Tyre, with Ethiopia—
     “This one was born there,” they say.

5  And of Zion it shall be said,
     “This one and that one were born in it”;
     for the Most High himself will establish it.
6  The Lord records, as he registers the peoples,
     “This one was born there.”   Selah

7  Singers and dancers alike say,
     “All my springs are in you.”

(The glorious future of Judah)
The Glorious Future of Judah
17 So you shall know that I, the Lord your God,
     dwell in Zion, my holy mountain.
   And Jerusalem shall be holy,
     and strangers shall never again pass through it.

18 In that day
   the mountains shall drip sweet wine,
     the hills shall flow with milk,
   and all the stream beds of Judah
     shall flow with water;
   a fountain shall come forth from the house of the Lord
     and water the Wadi Shittim.

19 Egypt shall become a desolation
     and Edom a desolate wilderness,
   because of the violence done to the people of Judah,
     in whose land they have shed innocent blood.
20 But Judah shall be inhabited forever,
     and Jerusalem to all generations.

(Faith of tax collectors and prostitutes)
The Parable of the Two Sons
21:28 “What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ 29 He answered, ‘I will not’; but later he changed his mind and went. 30 The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, ‘I go, sir’; but he did not go. 31 Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him.

Optional parts of the readings are set off in [square brackets.]

The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle and Gospel lessons are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Church of Christ in the USA, and used by permission.

The Daily Lectionary is a three year cyclical lectionary. We are currently in Year C. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2022, we will be in Year A. The year which ended at Advent 2021 was Year B. These readings complement the Sunday and festival readings: Thursday through Saturday readings help prepare the reader for the Sunday ahead; Monday through Wednesday readings help the reader reflect and digest on what they heard in worship. Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright © 2005 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org
The Daily Lectionary
Psalm 87; Joel 3:17-20; Matthew 21:28-32

The Morning Prayer for Wednesday, October 26, 2022

 


The Morning Prayer
Wednesday, October 26, 2022


I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name—the name you gave me—so that they may be one as we are one.
John 17:11 (NIV)

Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior, stand at our side and protect us in all our days on earth. Grant us an understanding of the honor that belongs to God. Help us see that you are sent so that heaven and earth shall one day bow down before God's almighty will. Stand by us so that we may hear, understand, and accept your Word. Stand by us all our lives. Be with us in suffering and in our last hour when death comes to us. May your grace be with us. Help us at all times to be firmly rooted in the will of our God and Father in heaven. Amen.

Verse of the Day for Wednesday, October 26, 2022

 


Verse of the Day
Wednesday, October 26, 2022

2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Throughout history, the Lord chose faithful individuals to communicate His message to the world. Through them, He gave us His Word as an instruction book to guide our lives and as an immoveable anchor to hold us steady in times of storm. The Bible is the final authority for our faith and what we believe, which God reveals to us through His Holy Spirit.

God gave us His Word for an important reason: our spiritual growth. The Holy Spirit works through Scripture to rebuke and correct us when we sin, to train us in righteousness, to equip us to do His will, and to grow us into His image so that we can become His effective ambassadors for the gospel.


Read all of Second Timothy Chapter 3

Listen to Second Timothy Chapter 3

Scripture from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

Reflections From the Chaplain — Why Jesus?

 

WHY JESUS?

“…always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”
— 1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)

Why have you chosen Jesus and the Christian “Way?” Perhaps it was the only option you were presented with as a child. “Jesus loves me this I know, for my mama told me so…” That’s the way most of us came to faith. But, once we are a bit further along in life and have seen other options, why do we still choose Jesus? Have you thought about that?

What is your “elevator speech?” An elevator speech is the time available in those sixty seconds or so that it takes to ride an elevator (or lift) from ground level to the 9th floor. That may be all the time you have to share your story. Or it may be a casual conversation between stops on the underground. You get the point. Have you prepared your own personal “elevator speech”? Are you ready to follow through with I Peter 3:15? Is your response believable?

Deep Relationship

It is said that actions are driven by emotions. Emotions are driven by perceptions. Perceptions are driven by belief. And the human mind can believe ANYTHING. So, there is a connection between belief and actions. Belief can cause a person to give their life in the service of others. It can also cause a religious “true believer” to blow themselves up in a suicide bombing. Your behavior more times than not gives away your belief. Do your actions, your behavior reflect a deep-seated relationship with Jesus? If not, it may suggest that belief is not really present.

So, I ask you this week to share with us your “elevator speech” as to why you have chosen Jesus.

Blessings and peace,

Chaplain Kenny