The Daily Bible Readings for Thursday, December 1, 2022

The Daily Bible Readings

Thursday, December 1, 2022

Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19; Isaiah 4:2-6; Acts 1:12-17, 21-26

(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)

A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions

Psalm 72
(The righteous shall flourish)

Blessed be the Lord, who alone does wondrous things.

Blessed be his glorious name forever. May his glory fill the whole earth.

Truly God is good to the upright, to those who are pure in heart.

As for me, my feet almost stumbled and my steps nearly slipped. I was envious of the arrogant and saw the prosperity of the wicked.

When I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I perceived their end, and the justice and mercy of God.

I am continually with you, O Lord. You hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel. For me it is good to be near God. I have made the Lord God my refuge, and I will tell of all your works.

Heavenly Father, we praise You for the many blessings You bestow upon us. We honor You for the faithfulness You show to Your children from generation to generation. We pray that You will cleanse us from all unrighteousness so we can live and work with pure hearts. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit, so we can tell others of Your saving grace and mighty works, even as we pray in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ: “Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.”

Isaiah 4:2-6

(God’s promised glory for the survivors in Zion)

The Future Glory of the Survivors in Zion
4:2 On that day the branch of the Lord shall be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land shall be the pride and glory of the survivors of Israel. 3 Whoever is left in Zion and remains in Jerusalem will be called holy, everyone who has been recorded for life in Jerusalem, 4 once the Lord has washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion and cleansed the bloodstains of Jerusalem from its midst by a spirit of judgment and by a spirit of burning. 5 Then the Lord will create over the whole site of Mount Zion and over its places of assembly a cloud by day and smoke and the shining of a flaming fire by night. Indeed over all the glory there will be a canopy. 6 It will serve as a pavilion, a shade by day from the heat, and a refuge and a shelter from the storm and rain.

Acts 1:12-17, 21-26

(Beginnings of the apostolic ministry)

Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas
1:12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day’s journey away. 13 When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying, Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.

15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (together the crowd numbered about one hundred twenty persons) and said, 16 “Friends, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit through David foretold concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus— 17 for he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.”
[...]
21 So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these must become a witness with us to his resurrection.” 23 So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. 24 Then they prayed and said, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” 26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.

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 A. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2023, we will be in Year B. The year which ended at Advent 2022 was Year A. 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 Bible Readings for Thursday, December 1, 2022
Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19; Isaiah 4:2-6; Acts 1:12-17, 21-26

The Morning Prayer for Thursday, December 1, 2022

 

The Morning Prayer
Thursday, December 1, 2022

Say to Daughter of Zion, "See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey."… The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!"

— Matthew 21:5, 9 (NIV)

Lord our God, we thank you for letting hosannas rise from people's hearts and for letting us cry out to you all the more fervently in dark times. Help us, O Almighty God, and help your king, Jesus Christ, to his final victory. For he shall be victor, bringing grace, peace, life, and victory for all that is good, on earth as in heaven. He shall be victor at all times in our lives, enabling us to keep faith in trouble, fear, and need, yes, even in death. Hosanna to the victor, Jesus Christ, the victor you have chosen! O Almighty God, proclaim him on earth. Let all the people know he is on his way, to the glory of your name. Amen.

Verse of the Day for Thursday, December 1, 2022

 

Verse of the Day
Thursday, December 1, 2022

John 1:1-2, 14

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.… The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

There had been 400 years of silence since God had spoken through His prophet Malachi. As happens with any prolonged time of quiet, the people’s ears strained for a word. So God sent the Word. But first, He readied the world for the gospel. Under the influence of Alexander the Great, Greek—the language of science, medicine, and philosophy—made communication much easier than it had ever been. Also, because of the roads and general peace (Pax Romana) of the Roman Empire, missionaries could travel everywhere with less difficulty. Finally, with all the Jews scattered throughout the Roman Empire, evangelists had many synagogues from which to preach the Good News throughout the known world.

Jesus is far more than just a great teacher or a mighty prophet; in fact, He is “God with us” (Matt. 1:23). Jesus is “the exact representation” of God’s nature because He is God Himself (Heb. 1:3). Whatever Jesus does, He does with grace. Whatever He says, He says in truth. If you want to understand what God is like, look to Jesus (John 1:18; 14:9).

Read all of John Chapter 1

Listen to John Chapter 1

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

The Daily Bible Readings for Wednesday, November 30, 2022

The Daily Bible Readings

Wednesday, November 30, 2022

Psalm 124; Isaiah 54:1-10; Matthew 24:23-35

(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)

A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions

Psalm 124
(We have escaped like a bird)

To you, O LORD, we lift up our eyes; O you who are enthroned in the heavens!

As the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, so our eyes look to the LORD our God, until he has mercy upon us.

Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us.

If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when our enemies attacked us, then they would have swallowed us up alive.

Blessed be the LORD, who has not given us as prey to their teeth.

Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

Heavenly Father, on this Memorial Day weekend, we give you special thanks for the men and women who have given their lives for the sake of freedom and the spread of the gospel by word and deed. We thank you for sending the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, that your people might have the strength and courage to be your witnesses around the world. Help us to follow the example of those who put service above self in the Name of Jesus Christ, who taught us to pray,  “Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.”

Isaiah 54:1-10

(God will save the people)

The Eternal Covenant of Peace
1  Sing, O barren one who did not bear;
     burst into song and shout,
     you who have not been in labor!
   For the children of the desolate woman will be more
     than the children of her that is married, says the Lord.
2  Enlarge the site of your tent,
     and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out;
   do not hold back; lengthen your cords
     and strengthen your stakes.
3  For you will spread out to the right and to the left,
     and your descendants will possess the nations
     and will settle the desolate towns.

4  Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed;
     do not be discouraged, for you will not suffer disgrace;
   for you will forget the shame of your youth,
     and the disgrace of your widowhood you will remember
         no more.
5  For your Maker is your husband,
     the Lord of hosts is his name;
   the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer,
     the God of the whole earth he is called.
6  For the Lord has called you
     like a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit,
   like the wife of a man’s youth when she is cast off,
     says your God.
7  For a brief moment I abandoned you,
     but with great compassion I will gather you.
8  In overflowing wrath for a moment
     I hid my face from you,
   but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you,
     says the Lord, your Redeemer.

9  This is like the days of Noah to me:
     Just as I swore that the waters of Noah
     would never again go over the earth,
   so I have sworn that I will not be angry with you
     and will not rebuke you.
10 For the mountains may depart
     and the hills be removed,
   but my steadfast love shall not depart from you,
     and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,
     says the Lord, who has compassion on you.

Matthew 24:23-35

(The end is coming)

24:23 Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look! Here is the Messiah!’ or ‘There he is!’—do not believe it. 24 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and produce great signs and omens, to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. 25 Take note, I have told you beforehand. 26 So, if they say to you, ‘Look! He is in the wilderness,’ do not go out. If they say, ‘Look! He is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. 27 For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 28 Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.

The Coming of the Son of Man
29 “Immediately after the suffering of those days

   the sun will be darkened,
     and the moon will not give its light;
   the stars will fall from heaven,
     and the powers of heaven will be shaken.

30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see ‘the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven’ with power and great glory. 31 And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

The Lesson of the Fig Tree
32 “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 34 Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

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 A. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2023, we will be in Year B. The year which ended at Advent 2022 was Year A. 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 Bible Readings for Wednesday, November 30, 2022
Psalm 124; Isaiah 54:1-10; Matthew 24:23-35

The Morning Prayer for Wednesday, November 30, 2022

 

The Morning Prayer
Wednesday, November 30, 2022

Shout for joy to God, all the earth! Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious.… Come and see what God has done, his awesome deeds for mankind!

— Psalm 66:1–2, 5 (NIV)

Lord our God, let your miracles be done among us, and bless us through your deeds. Bless us in Jesus Christ, the Savior of so many people. May your kingdom come to us and at last bring the great miracles that carry out your will and that do what is pleasing to you. Lord God, Father in heaven, we praise you! In you we live, in you we believe, in you we hope, in you we want to live day by day and hour by hour. May your name be honored among us, for you are our God and the God of all the world. Let your light shine among all people so that many millions and whole nations may glorify your name, for in the last days the nations shall come and worship you. So protect and bless us today and in the coming time, and again and again let something happen to bring us new life and strength. Amen.

Verse of the Day for Wednesday, November 30, 2022

 

Verse of the Day
Wednesday, November 30, 2022

2 Peter 3:10-11

The day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives.

The “day of the Lord” refers to the day when God brings judgment on his enemies and salvation for his people. Through history there have been a series of “days of the Lord,” such as the destruction of nations (Isa 22:2–25; Jer 46:10), the crucifixion (Mt 27:45–54) and the day of Pentecost (Ac 2:1–41). Each of these mini “days of the Lord” anticipates the climactic day of the Lord, when at the end of human history God will bring final judgment on his enemies and final salvation for his people. In the New Testament the day of the Lord is often referred to as the day of Jesus Christ (1Co 1:8; Php 1:6,10; 2:16; 2Th 1:5–12).

Three things will happen on the day of the Lord. First, the heavens will disappear. Second, the elements (which in Peter’s day referred to the earth, air, wind, and fire) will burn and dissolve. This language envisions either the complete destruction of the world or, more likely, its purification. Third, the earth and the works done on it will be exposed for all to see (cf. Mt 10:26; Ro 2:15–16).

Read all of Second Peter Chapter 3

Listen to Second Peter Chapter 3

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

Travel the World from Home — Mount Tabor, Deborah, And The Jezreel Valley

 

The Holy Land:
Connecting the Land with Its Stories
Mount Tabor, Deborah, And The Jezreel Valley
Season 1 — Episode 6

In episode 6, fly with Jack Beck over the Jezreel Valley for a bird’s-eye view and see why this agriculturally rich land was something to fight for. With miles and miles of fertile valley, you’ll see why this is called the "breadbasket" of Israel. Ascend Mount Tabor and hear how the prophetess Deborah led the army of Israel in a battle where they were outnumbered and questioning their faith. See how God once again provided the solution for victory proving that He was enough for them and is enough for you.

Season 1 — Episode 6 | Mount Tabor, Deborah, And The Jezreel Valley

The Daily Bible Readings for Tuesday, November 29, 2022

The Daily Bible Readings

Tuesday, November 29, 2022

Psalm 124; Genesis 9:1-17; Hebrews 11:32-40

(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)

A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions

Psalm 124
(We have escaped like a bird)

To you, O LORD, we lift up our eyes; O you who are enthroned in the heavens!

As the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, so our eyes look to the LORD our God, until he has mercy upon us.

Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us.

If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when our enemies attacked us, then they would have swallowed us up alive.

Blessed be the LORD, who has not given us as prey to their teeth.

Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

Heavenly Father, on this Memorial Day weekend, we give you special thanks for the men and women who have given their lives for the sake of freedom and the spread of the gospel by word and deed. We thank you for sending the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, that your people might have the strength and courage to be your witnesses around the world. Help us to follow the example of those who put service above self in the Name of Jesus Christ, who taught us to pray,  “Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.”

Genesis 9:1-17

(Command to be fruitful; sign of the rainbow)

The Covenant with Noah
9:1 God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth. 2 The fear and dread of you shall rest on every animal of the earth, and on every bird of the air, on everything that creeps on the ground, and on all the fish of the sea; into your hand they are delivered. 3 Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you; and just as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything. 4 Only, you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood. 5 For your own lifeblood I will surely require a reckoning: from every animal I will require it and from human beings, each one for the blood of another, I will require a reckoning for human life.

6  Whoever sheds the blood of a human,
     by a human shall that person’s blood be shed;
   for in his own image
     God made humankind.

7 And you, be fruitful and multiply, abound on the earth and multiply in it.”

8 Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, 9 “As for me, I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you, 10 and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the domestic animals, and every animal of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark. 11 I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.” 12 God said, “This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: 13 I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. 14 When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, 15 I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. 16 When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” 17 God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth.”

Hebrews 11:32-40

(The heroes of faith)

11:32 And what more should I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35 Women received their dead by resurrection. Others were tortured, refusing to accept release, in order to obtain a better resurrection. 36 Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned to death, they were sawn in two, they were killed by the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, persecuted, tormented— 38 of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.

39 Yet all these, though they were commended for their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something better so that they would not, apart from us, be made perfect.

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 A. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2020, we will be in Year B. The year which ended at Advent 2019 was Year C. 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 Bible Readings for Tuesday, November 29, 2022
Psalm 124; Genesis 9:1-17; Hebrews 11:32-40

The Morning Prayer for Tuesday, November 29, 2022

 

The Morning Prayer
Tuesday, November 29, 2022

I assure you that the man who believes in me will do the same things that I have done, yes, and he will do even greater things than these, for I am going away to the Father.

— John 14:12 (Phillips)

Lord our God, we call to you, "Abba, dear Father!" because your Spirit draws us to Jesus Christ the Savior and to his gospel. We call to you for we belong to your kingdom. Give us strength to remain steadfast through all the troubles of our lives. Let your hand remain over us and over the warring nations. Your hand directs, your hand carries out the thoughts of your heart. May the time soon come when you will bring everything to fulfillment and give peace on earth. In expectation we praise your name, for you will bring this time and you will bring it soon. For your kingdom must come, your will must be done on earth as in heaven, and everything must go according to your plan. Amen.

Verse of the Day for Tuesday, November 29, 2022

 

Verse of the Day
Tuesday, November 29, 2022

Psalm 136:1, 26

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
    His love endures forever.…
Give thanks to the God of heaven.
   His love endures forever.

This psalm ends as it begins, with celebration of God’s continuing faithfulness to His people Israel and a call to thank Him for His goodness. God’s mercy is His devotion to His people, to whom He is freely bound by the pledge of His own grace in His covenant. Giving thanks to God is not a perfunctory thing, but a deeply felt expression of wholehearted gratitude.

Read all of Psalm 136

Listen to Psalm 136

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

The Daily Bible Readings for Monday, November 28, 2022

The Daily Bible Readings

Monday, November 28, 2022

Psalm 124; Genesis 8:1-19; Romans 6:1-11

(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)

A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions

Psalm 124
(We have escaped like a bird)

To you, O LORD, we lift up our eyes; O you who are enthroned in the heavens!

As the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, so our eyes look to the LORD our God, until he has mercy upon us.

Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us.

If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when our enemies attacked us, then they would have swallowed us up alive.

Blessed be the LORD, who has not given us as prey to their teeth.

Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

Heavenly Father, on this Memorial Day weekend, we give you special thanks for the men and women who have given their lives for the sake of freedom and the spread of the gospel by word and deed. We thank you for sending the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, that your people might have the strength and courage to be your witnesses around the world. Help us to follow the example of those who put service above self in the Name of Jesus Christ, who taught us to pray,  “Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.”

Genesis 8:1-19

(The flood waters subside)

The Flood Subsides
8:1 But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and all the domestic animals that were with him in the ark. And God made a wind blow over the earth, and the waters subsided; 2 the fountains of the deep and the windows of the heavens were closed, the rain from the heavens was restrained, 3 and the waters gradually receded from the earth. At the end of one hundred fifty days the waters had abated; 4 and in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat. 5 The waters continued to abate until the tenth month; in the tenth month, on the first day of the month, the tops of the mountains appeared.

6 At the end of forty days Noah opened the window of the ark that he had made 7 and sent out the raven; and it went to and fro until the waters were dried up from the earth. 8 Then he sent out the dove from him, to see if the waters had subsided from the face of the ground; 9 but the dove found no place to set its foot, and it returned to him to the ark, for the waters were still on the face of the whole earth. So he put out his hand and took it and brought it into the ark with him. 10 He waited another seven days, and again he sent out the dove from the ark; 11 and the dove came back to him in the evening, and there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf; so Noah knew that the waters had subsided from the earth. 12 Then he waited another seven days, and sent out the dove; and it did not return to him any more.

13 In the six hundred first year, in the first month, on the first day of the month, the waters were dried up from the earth; and Noah removed the covering of the ark, and looked, and saw that the face of the ground was drying. 14 In the second month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, the earth was dry. 15 Then God said to Noah, 16 “Go out of the ark, you and your wife, and your sons and your sons’ wives with you. 17 Bring out with you every living thing that is with you of all flesh—birds and animals and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth—so that they may abound on the earth, and be fruitful and multiply on the earth.” 18 So Noah went out with his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives. 19 And every animal, every creeping thing, and every bird, everything that moves on the earth, went out of the ark by families.

Romans 6:1-11

(Dying and rising with Christ through baptism)

Dying and Rising with Christ
6:1 What then are we to say? Should we continue in sin in order that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin go on living in it? 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.

5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 For whoever has died is freed from sin. 8 But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. 10 The death he died, he died to sin, once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

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 A. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2020, we will be in Year B. The year which ended at Advent 2019 was Year C. 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 Bible Readings for Monday, November 28, 2022
Psalm 124; Genesis 8:1-19; Romans 6:1-11

The Morning Prayer for Monday, November 28, 2022

 

The Morning Prayer
Monday, November 28, 2022

Watch, then, because you do not know when the master of the house is coming—it might be in the evening or at midnight or before dawn or at sunrise. If he comes suddenly, he must not find you asleep. What I say to you, then, I say to all: Watch!”

— Mark 13:35–37 (GNT)

Lord Jesus, our Savior, we look upward to heaven, for you will come from heaven in the glory of the Father. May we remain true to our calling, watching and praying every day and every hour, waiting for you, who will bring into order everything on earth. Bless us and bless our land. Grant us the joy to see you working through your servants toward the salvation of the peoples. Be with us and bless us. May your living Word work in our hearts so that every Sunday, every festival, and every day from now on may be a day of joy. Protect us. Bless us. May your name be praised in our hearts! Amen.

Verse of the Day for Monday, November 28, 2022

 

Verse of the Day
Monday, November 28, 2022

1 Chronicles 16:8

Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done.

This is the first verse of David's psalm of thanks (verses 8-36). This song tells us that we are to give thanks for thanksgiving. Thanksgiving ought to be the attitude each person has, for we each have received much to be thankful. This is certainly the attitude that God’s people ought to have as God has lavished His steadfast love upon us through Jesus Christ. If God never gave us anything else, if there was no more blessing to receive, God would still deserve our genuine thanks. One reason we do not give thanks more often, or a reason we do not have a genuine attitude of thanksgiving, is because we think we are entitled to certain things. The truth is God does not owe us anything. Whatever we have is a gift He has given us. When you worship, are you thanking God for all that you have? You should!

Read all of First Chronicles Chapter 16

Listen to First Chronicles Chapter 16

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

The Sunday Lectionary and Prayers for Sunday, November 27, 2022 — First Sunday of Advent

The Sunday Lectionary and Prayers

Sunday, November 27, 2022 — First Sunday of Advent

Isaiah 2:1-5; Psalm 122; Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24:36-44

(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)

WATCH! WAIT!

Opening Statement

It is with great irony that on the very week that we begin our Advent countdown to Jesus’ birth, Isaiah proclaims that we have no idea when the Prince of Peace will come. The deep longing for peace echoes as surely in our twenty-first–century world as it did in Isaiah’s time. Through our liturgy, we must communicate that traditional Christmas preparations are not enough. If we truly want to receive with joy the long-awaited Prince of Peace, the one who comes at an unexpected hour, we must accept the invitation to walk expectantly in the light of the Lord, each and every day of our lives.

First Sunday of Advent

Opening Prayer (Isaiah 2, Romans 13)

When, O God, will the day of peace come? When will the nations stream to your holy mountain and beat their swords into plowshares? When will the long night of war and hatred, give way to the dawn of love, righteousness, and joy? We are ready for the dawn, O God. Shine your light into our world, mighty One of peace. Illuminate the path, and give us the wisdom and courage to follow your light. We pray in the name of the Prince of Peace. Amen.

The Collect (Book of Common Prayers)

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Prayer of Confession

God of Amazing Surprises, we are rushing headlong into this season of buying, giving, greed, and struggle. We want to think of the holiday as delightful, but we have a tendency to make it a time of the highest stress. We over-schedule our time, overdraw our resources, ignore those moments in which we could just relax and have quiet time with our families and with you. We blame it on everything else but our own decision making. We speak of obligations, of the need to be constantly busy, of the pressure to purchase things to make people happy. The reality is that your love should be our foundation, the base from which we celebrate. Our watchfulness is not necessarily about what is to happen, but rather should be on the ways in which we order our lives, ways that block out your love and your healing power. Forgive us for our stubborn insistence on maintaining schedule rather than focusing on your love. Heal us. Strengthen us and make us watchful over our faith in you. For we ask this in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Words of Assurance

Watch! Wait! God is bringing to you new hope and peace. It is a gift, given especially for you--one that you cannot earn—it’s a gift. Praise be to the Giver of All Great Gifts, our Lord. Amen.

Prayer of the Day

Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. By your merciful protection save us from the threatening dangers of our sins, and enlighten our walk in the way of your salvation, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

First Reading

Isaiah 2:1-5

(War transformed into peace)

The Future House of God
2:1 The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.

2  In days to come
     the mountain of the Lord’s house
   shall be established as the highest of the mountains,
     and shall be raised above the hills;
   all the nations shall stream to it.
3    Many peoples shall come and say,
   “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
     to the house of the God of Jacob;
   that he may teach us his ways
     and that we may walk in his paths.”
   For out of Zion shall go forth instruction,
     and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
4  He shall judge between the nations,
     and shall arbitrate for many peoples;
   they shall beat their swords into plowshares,
     and their spears into pruning hooks;
   nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
     neither shall they learn war any more.

Judgment Pronounced on Arrogance
5  O house of Jacob,
     come, let us walk
     in the light of the Lord!

A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions

Psalm 122
(Gladness in God’s house)

I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD!”

To give thanks to the name of the LORD.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they prosper who love you.”

“Peace be within your walls, and security within your towers.”

For the sake of my relatives and friends I will say, “Peace be within you.”

For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your good.

Heavenly Father, we do rejoice that we can come into Your house today and worship You with those who love You too. Thank You for inspiring and leading Your people to establish Your house here in this place. We pray that all who worship here might experience Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness. We pray for Your people all the world over, and we pray that they might prosper along with us as we serve You and others. May everyone who trusts in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior find and experience peace with God, others, and themselves. Through Your only begotten Son, we pray,  “Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.”

Second Reading

Romans 13:11-14

(Salvation is near; wake from sleep)

An Urgent Appeal
13:11 Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; 12 the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; 13 let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14 Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia. Show us your steadfast love, O LORD,and grant us your salvation. Alleluia. (Psalm 85:7)

The Gospel

Matthew 24:36-44

(The sudden coming of salvation)

The Necessity for Watchfulness
24:36 “But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37 For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, 39 and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. 41 Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. 42 Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43 But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.

Here ends the Lessons

Click HERE to read today’s Holy Gospel Lesson message

The Nicene Creed

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven; by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Closing Prayer

Lord, thank you that we are a family in Christ. Help us to share his love and legacy with everyone that we encounter this week. May we lavish Christ’s abounding goodness upon our families, friends and colleagues. Holy Spirit, come and equip us in our workplace, guide us in our school life, and inspire us in our neighbourhood. May we be your hands and feet to the needy, your words of affirmation to the oppressed and your arms of comfort to the lonely.

Thank you for choosing to use us to bring your kingdom here on earth.

Amen.

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 Sunday Lectionary and Prayers for Sunday, November 27, 2022— First Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 2:1-5; Psalm 122; Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24:36-44

“First Sunday of Advent” The Gospel Message for Sunday, November 27, 2022 — First Sunday of Advent

Our Gospel message comes to us today from the 24th chapter of Matthew, beginning with the 36th verse.

But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.

—Matthew 24:36-44 (NRSV)

All mighty God, we thank you for your Word and the way that you in it revealed to us who you are and what you’ve done for us in Christ. Now, as we open that Word, we pray that your Spirit may be present, that all thoughts of worry or distraction may be removed and that the Spirit will allow us to hear your voice. And so, oh God, fill us with your Spirit through the reading and proclamation of your Word this day. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

“First Sunday of Advent”

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, the Holy Three In One who brings us into Paradise.

Today is the first Sunday in Advent, the start of the church year. The day when we begin the preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ. We begin to light the candles, sing the Advent hymns, and wait and prepare. Advent seeks to take us back to simpler times without the frantic pace that is the signature of so many lives today.

We celebrate how Jesus comes to us in three ways. We celebrate the first coming at his birth some 2000 years ago and re-enact the birth in the pageant and carols.

We celebrate his coming amongst us now—most notably in Word and Sacrament. We celebrate how Jesus comes among us in one another, in the least of our brothers and sisters, as we will read in the chapter that follows today’s text.

We celebrate Jesus’ Second coming when he will come again to judge creation bringing in a time of peace and joy that is spoken of so eloquently in the reading from Isaiah today.

The end is coming. Of that, we can be certain. But when?

Many people want to know the time and spend much energy trying to discern the time. The recent wildfires and shootings in California and political turmoils in our nations around the world have brought about another rash of people only too ready to tell us that the time is here. This has been going on for centuries and will continue, no doubt. Most of these predictions are about Bad News. Earthquakes, fire, and torment. The stuff of good movie effects but not-so-good theology. Indeed not good biblical study. The Book of Revelation takes great precedence in their work, but the focus is on the Bad News, the signs, and not on the Good News, which John trumpets at the beginning of the Book, “The revelation of Jesus Christ.”

Millions have been made on the “Rapture” series of books sold in many Christian bookstores. They make much of the last times and trade on fear and anxiety. They may be an exciting read but not a good biblical one. The authors would do well to read today’s text from Matthew. We will not know the time, and to assume that we can is to presume to know more than the Son of God. To want to know is to stand alongside Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and long for the fruit of the tree that would allow them to know more than God meant them to know.

The desire to know the end is very much a part of our society. If we know when the end will come, we can do pretty much as we like now. If we know the end, we can make a final rush and do as we like now. Retirement and pensions funds give the certainty that the end for many of us will hold off at least until we are 80. The problem is we do not know which of us will live to see today’s sunset.

Today’s text from Matthew speaks of the ordinariness of his coming. People will be eating and drinking, getting married, baptizing their children, and working in the field.

Martin Luther is supposed to have said that if he knew the end of the world was coming tomorrow, he would plant an apple tree this afternoon. Luther was not given to speculation of the end times. Instead, he focused on the purpose of the world that God intends for the present time. What may happen in the future does not excuse you from what God requires of you here and now.

If we know the end is near, the temptation is to hole up in a bomb shelter or armed fortress in the mountains and wait. We would create a fortress mentality of us against them. Instead, we are to live with uncertainty. An uncertainty of what will happen but within a certainty that Jesus Christ is in the midst of it with us.

When we stop trying to figure out when we have the energy to listen to what God is calling us to do today. Advent preparation is about removing the noise from our lives so that we can hear and see the coming of Jesus Christ among us today. Matthew spells it out very clearly in the 25th Chapter, which follows. In the Judgment Scene, those condemned say to Jesus, “If we had only known that it was you in the poor and the hungry, of course, we would have fed you!” Jesus comes to us today in the least of our sisters and brothers. Advent is a time to watch lest we miss his coming. If we ignore and trample our neighbors today in our eagerness to be religiously prepared to welcome Jesus tomorrow when he returns from heaven, we will not be prepared at all.

We are to live in constant readiness, attentive to Jesus, who gives us hope for today and for tomorrow. If this were your last day on earth, how would you spend it? If you aren’t, why not?

Worship in our local communities and congregations has been very much on my mind this past week. Paul tells us not to neglect being together. We prepare each time we come together the promises and the hopes that carry us through the difficult time of death.

“You are the treasured people of God.”

“This is a foretaste of the feast to come.”

“The Lord bless you and keep you.”

“The peace of the Lord be with you.” And so many more.

We need to make time for getting together in our local churches for worship. We need to take our time together seriously but with hope and joy. Our hope is in the one who came, who is among us, and who will come again. We are to heighten our awareness of his coming. We are to “Live in the light of that day even before it appears,” as Paul said today in Romans. Yes, we are to live with uncertainty, but an uncertainty about those things that really do not matter if our certainty is in the one who is with us and will continue to be with us, Jesus Christ.

Advent is a time to refocus and regroup. Christ came as a baby, and we celebrate. Christ will come again, of that we are assured. Christ comes into our midst today, and that is where the living is today. And so we begin Advent—preparing for the revelation—that is, the full disclosure—of Jesus in the joy and sorrow, the laughter and the tears, the comedy and the tragedies of our daily lives here and now.

This Advent, Lord, come to the manger of my heart. Fill me with Your presence from the very start. As I prepare for the holidays and gifts to be given, remind me of the gift You provided when You sent Your Son from Heaven. The first Christmas gift was the greatest gift ever. You came as a baby born in a manger. You were wrapped like the gifts I find under my tree, waiting to be opened to reveal Your love to me. Restore to me the wonder that came with Jesus’ birth, when He left the riches of Heaven and wrapped Himself in rags of earth. Immanuel, God with us, Your presence came that night. And angels announced, “Into your darkness, God brings His Light.” “Do not be afraid,” they said to shepherds in the field. Speak to my heart today, Lord, and help me to yield.

Make me like those shepherd boys, obedient to Your call. Setting distractions and worries aside, to You, I surrender them all. Surround me with Your presence, Lord. I long to hear Your voice. Clear my mind of countless concerns and all the holiday noise. Slow me down this Christmas; let me not be in a rush. In the midst of parties and planning, I want to feel Your hush. This Christmas, Jesus, come to the manger of my heart. Invade my soul like Bethlehem, bringing peace to every part. Dwell within and around me as I unwrap Your presence each day. Keep me close to You, Lord. It’s in Your wonderful Name, I pray. Amen.

Seeking God?

Click HERE to find out more about how to have a personal

relationship with Jesus Christ

Scripture taken from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)® Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Sermon contributed by Rev. Roger Haugen.
Jesus comes to us in three ways—three times.  At his birth, at the present, at his second coming.  It is now that is of present concern to us.