Lectionary Readings for Sunday, July 24, 2016 Old Testament: Genesis 18:20–32; Psalm: Psalm 138; New Testament: Colossians 2:6–15 (16–19); Gospel: Luke 11:1–13 Notes: Revolutionize Your Prayer Life Today we will be consider Luke 11:1-13 where Jesus responds to his disciples request to learn how to pray. Prayer: “Prayer is an uprising of the mind to…

By David

Readings: Deuteronomy 18:15-20; Psalm 111; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13; Mark 1:21-28 In today’s Epistle reading St. Paul says, “Knowledge puffs up, but love (agape) builds up.” Why is he saying this? What does it mean? How does this apply to the moral might and ethic situations we are facing today? What will we do with our “knowledge”? What will we do wit…

Lectionary Readings for Proper 24 year B Isaiah 53:4-12; Psalm 91:9-16; Hebrews 5:1–10; Mark 10:35–45 In Isaiah the prophet proclaims that one will come to bare our sins and provide for our healing and peace. Peter writes of this prophecy in his first letter. Why is this not as evident in our day as it has been in generations past? There are no eas…

Readings: Jeremiah 20:7-13; Psalm 69:1-16; Romans 5:15b-19; Matthew 10:16-33 There is hope, healing, forgiveness and new life in our Messiah. We should not keep it to ourselves. Some may laugh, some may scorn, some may mistreat us…but we cannot be silent. Are we willing to stand up and proclaim the “Good News”? This message of hope and new life als…

1 Peter 3:15b Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you (NRSV) or [And if anyone asks you about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. (NLT)] We do not have to have the answer to every question, every objection, and every problem. Rather, we are called on to give an an…

Readings: Isaiah 42:1-9; Psalm 89:20-29; Acts 10:34-38; Mark 1:7-11 Notes: Jesus heard words of love before entering into the time of trial. The wilderness is a time of preparation for what is to come. It can make it difficult to endure temptation with the idea of God in our minds that He is mean, angry, and capricious. Jesus heard a message from t…

Readings: Isaiah 7:10-17; Psalm 24:1-7; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-25 Listening skills are essential for any relationship. Listening is more than hearing. It is more than being able to repeat what the other person says. Are we willing to listen? I mean, really listen. Consider the implications if Joseph was not willing to listen to the messenger of…

Readings: Genesis 12:1-8; Psalm 33:12-22; Romans 4:1-17; John 3:1-17 Jesus and Nicodemus by Henry Ossawa Tanner, 1898 John 3 is at the Heart of John’s Gospel God’s plan of salvation is for the wold. God loved the world… regardless of: race, wealth, abilities… Even those who did not love Him. This love is Agape – Doing what is right on the behalf of…

Readings: Exodus 24:12-18; Psalm 99; Philippians 3:7-14; Matthew 17:1-9 by Stuart Miles – freedigitalphoto.net What do I value? From what do I derive my value? St. Paul’s perspective concerning all his efforts, success, and prestige is worthless when compared to having a relationship, knowing, the King of Kings. It is more than know about Christ. H…