Weekday Boost May 30

Weekday Boost

New Testament: Acts 8: 21-40

20“A curse on you and on your money,” Peter exclaimed, “for thinking that God’s free gift can be bought with gold! 21You have no share or part in our message, for your heart is not right with God. 22Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord, that, if possible, you may be forgiven for such a thought; 23for I see that you have fallen into the bitterness of envy and the fetters of sin.”

24“Pray to the Lord for me, all of you,” Simon answered, “so that none of the things you have spoken of may happen to me.”

25Peter and John, having borne their testimony and delivered the Lord’s message, returned to Jerusalem, telling the good news, as they went, in many Samaritan villages.

26Meanwhile an angel of the Lord had said to Philip, “Set out on a journey southwards, along the road that runs down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (It is now deserted). 27So Philip set out on a journey; and on his way he came on an official of high rank, in the service of Candace, Queen of the Abyssinians. He was her treasurer, and had been to Jerusalem to worship, 28and was now on his way home, sitting in his carriage and reading the prophet Isaiah.

29The Spirit said to Philip, “Go up to the carriage over there and keep close to it.” 30So Philip ran up, and he heard the Abyssinian reading the prophet Isaiah.

“Do you understand what you are reading?” he asked. 31“How can I,” the other answered, “unless someone will explain it to me?” and he invited Philip to get up and sit by his side. 32The passage of scripture which he was reading was this –

‘Like a sheep, he was led away to slaughter,

and as a lamb is dumb in the hands of its shearer,

so he refrains from opening his lips.

33He was humiliated and justice was denied him.

Who will tell the story of his generation?

For his life is cut off from earth.’

34“Now,” said the Treasurer, addressing Philip, “tell me, of whom is the prophet speaking? Of himself, or of someone else?” 35Then Philip began, and, taking this passage as his text, told him the good news about Jesus.

36Presently, as they were going along the road, they came to some water, and the Treasurer exclaimed, “Look! Here is water; what is to prevent my being baptized?” [1] 38So he ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water – both Philip and the Treasurer – and Philip baptized him. 39But, when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, and the Treasurer saw no more of him; for he continued his journey with a joyful heart. 40But Philip was found at Ashdod, and, as he went on his way, he told the good news in all the towns through which he passed, until he came to Caesarea.

Kindness Tuesday Story: Tending to veterans’ graves still important

Hymn for the Day:The Lord will come: the earth shall quake

Author: Reginald Heber

1 The Lord will come: the earth shall quake,
The hills their fixèd seat forsake;
And, withering from the vault of night,
The stars withdraw their feeble light.

2 The Lord will come: but not the same
As once in lowly form He came,
A silent Lamb to slaughter led,
The bruised, the suffering, and the dead.

3 The Lord will come: a dreadful form,
With wreath of flame, and robe of storm,
On cherub wings, and wings of wind,
Anointed Judge of human-kind.

4 Can this be He who wont to stray
A pilgrim on the world's highway;
By power oppress'd, and mock'd by pride?
O God! is this the Crucified?

5 Go, tyrants, to the rocks complain;
Go, seek the mountain's cleft in vain;
But faith, victorious o'er the tomb,
Shall sing for joy, The Lord is come.