Wednesday, February 8, 2023

The Daily Lectionary for Wednesday, February 8, 2023

 

The Daily Lectionary
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
Psalm 119:105-112; Proverbs 6:6-23; John 8:12-30
(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)

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

Psalm 119:105-112
The law is light

Lucerna pedibus meis

Your word is a lantern to my feet
and a light upon my path.

I have sworn and am determined
to keep your righteous judgments.

I am deeply troubled;
preserve my life, O LORD, according to your word.

Accept, O LORD, the willing tribute of my lips,
and teach me your judgments.

My life is always in my hand,
yet I do not forget your law.

The wicked have set a trap for me,
but I have not strayed from your commandments.

Your decrees are my inheritance for ever;
truly, they are the joy of my heart.

I have applied my heart to fulfill your statutes
for ever and to the end.

O God, everyday we thank You for the Bible. Your word reveals Your compassion and understanding of our needs and problems, of our trials and temptation, of our afflictions and diseases. Your word offers us strength, healing, eternal life, and the assurance of your love and faithfulness forever. Help us draw closer to you as we pray each day in Jesus Name. Amen. Now hear our prayers as You 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.”

Proverbs 6:6-23
The law is a lamp


Go to the ant, you sluggard;
     consider its ways and be wise!
It has no commander,
     no overseer or ruler,
yet it stores its provisions in summer
     and gathers its food at harvest.

How long will you lie there, you sluggard?
     When will you get up from your sleep?
10 A little sleep, a little slumber,
      a little folding of the hands to rest—
11 and poverty will come on you like a thief
      and scarcity like an armed man.

12 A troublemaker and a villain,
      who goes about with a corrupt mouth,
13    who winks maliciously with his eye,
      signals with his feet
      and motions with his fingers,
14    who plots evil with deceit in his heart—
      he always stirs up conflict.
15 Therefore disaster will overtake him in an instant;
      he will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy.

16 There are six things the Lord hates,
      seven that are detestable to him:
17        haughty eyes,
        a lying tongue,
        hands that shed innocent blood,
18        a heart that devises wicked schemes,
        feet that are quick to rush into evil,
19        a false witness who pours out lies
        and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.

20 My son, keep your father’s command
      and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
21 Bind them always on your heart;
      fasten them around your neck.
22 When you walk, they will guide you;
      when you sleep, they will watch over you;
      when you awake, they will speak to you.
23 For this command is a lamp,
      this teaching is a light,
   and correction and instruction
      are the way to life,

John 8:12-30
Christ the light of the world


8:12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

13 The Pharisees challenged him, “Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid.”

14 Jesus answered, “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going. 15 You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one. 16 But if I do judge, my decisions are true, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me. 17 In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is true. 18 I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me.”

19 Then they asked him, “Where is your father?”

“You do not know me or my Father,” Jesus replied. “If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” 20 He spoke these words while teaching in the temple courts near the place where the offerings were put. Yet no one seized him, because his hour had not yet come.

21 Once more Jesus said to them, “I am going away, and you will look for me, and you will die in your sin. Where I go, you cannot come.”

22 This made the Jews ask, “Will he kill himself? Is that why he says, ‘Where I go, you cannot come’?”

23 But he continued, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. 24 I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am he, you will indeed die in your sins.”

25 “Who are you?” they asked.

“Just what I have been telling you from the beginning,” Jesus replied. 26 “I have much to say in judgment of you. But he who sent me is trustworthy, and what I have heard from him I tell the world.”

27 They did not understand that he was telling them about his Father. 28 So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. 29 The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.” 30 Even as he spoke, many believed in 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 Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Responsive Readings from the Common Book of Prayer (1789).

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 Lectionary for Wednesday, February 8, 2023
Psalm 119:105-112; Proverbs 6:6-23; John 8:12-30

The Morning Prayer for Wednesday, February 8, 2023

 

The Morning Prayer
Wednesday, February 8, 2023


For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
Romans 8:14-16, NIV


Dear Father in heaven, you are among us and we can call you Abba, dear Father. In the joy of being your children we want to lay our lives into your hands to be made good and happy. Care for us like a shepherd pasturing his flock so that we can have community with one another. Help us to realize that you have many children here and everywhere, and that again and again you take a child by the hand saying, “You are mine. I am caring for you.” We thank you that your eyes watch over all the world. We thank you that your rule is over all humankind and will bring good to all people, wherever they may live. May this happen soon through our Savior. We call to him, “Lord Jesus, come. Come soon! May your hand keep us all close to the Father in heaven.” Amen.

Verse of the Day for Wednesday, February 8, 2023

 

Verse of the Day
Wednesday, February 8, 2023


Matthew 5:43-45
You have heard that it was said, “Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
Sometimes when we look around us, it seems as though God makes no distinction between the righteous and the ungodly—“He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” However, we must take the long view—not judging what He will do through us by how our circumstances appear right now.

Read all of Matthew Chapter 5

Listen to Matthew Chapter 5


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

Travel the World from Home — Where David Defeated Goliath: Shephelah

 

The Holy Land:
Connecting the Land with Its Stories

Where David Defeated Goliath: Shephelah
Season 2 — Episode 8

The fertile Elah Valley is highly desired land in what is known as the Shephelah. The Mediterranean is west, and Bethlehem and Jerusalem are to the east. Here, one of the most well-loved Bible stories took place: David defeating the giant, Goliath, with a stone and slingshot. But Jack Beck shares the rest of the dramatic story including a national security crisis, King Saul who failed to lead his people, and a simple shepherd boy who God prepared for greatness. As we listen to the story, we can ask ourselves: Will we imitate David by putting our trust in God to equip us for the challenge? Or will we shrink back in fear like Saul?

In Episode 8, We start our journey in the Shephelah with Peter and Batsheva who own a vineyard. As we walk the land, we come to understand how this agriculturally rich area was something worth fighting for. Jack recaps the drama of the David and Goliath ordeal, yet brings to light the story behind the story … that a young shepherd boy chosen and equipped by God rose to the challenge, while King Saul failed in his mission.  And in the mix, we have a few laughs as Jack demonstrates why his expertise is Bible teaching, not operating a slingshot.

So join us for this behind-the-scenes look at the famous David vs. Goliath story and learn that our choices will either move us away from God or toward Him.


Season 2 — Episode 8 | Where David Defeated Goliath: Shephelah