Friday, March 24, 2023

The Daily Lectionary for Saturday, March 25, 2023

 

The Daily Lectionary
Saturday, March 25, 2023
Psalm 130; Ezekiel 36:8-15; Luke 24:44-53

(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)

A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 130
Mercy and redemption
De profundis

1 Out of the depths have I called to you, O LORD;
      LORD, hear my voice; *
    let your ears consider well the voice of my supplication.


2 If you, LORD, were to note what is done amiss, *
    O LORD, who could stand?


3 For there is forgiveness with you; *
    therefore you shall be feared.


4 I wait for the LORD; my soul waits for him; *
    in his word is my hope.


5 My soul waits for the LORD,
      more than watchmen for the morning, *
    more than watchmen for the morning.


6 O Israel, wait for the LORD, *
    for with the LORD there is mercy;


7 With him there is plenteous redemption, *
    and he shall redeem Israel from all their sins.


Heavenly Father, from the very depth of our being, we pray to You. Sometimes we pray with shame and sorrow for our sins, knowing that You have forgiven us, but still feeling deep remorse for having failed You. At other times we pray joyfully, with words and feelings of praise welling up from the bottom of our hearts. We want to express our love for You, knowing that our thoughts will always inadequately express the reverence Your holiness deserves. By Your Spirit help us to pray in ways that honor You through 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.”

Ezekiel 36:8-15
Blessings upon Israel


36:8 “‘But you, mountains of Israel, will produce branches and fruit for my people Israel, for they will soon come home. 9 I am concerned for you and will look on you with favor; you will be plowed and sown, 10 and I will cause many people to live on you—yes, all of Israel. The towns will be inhabited and the ruins rebuilt. 11 I will increase the number of people and animals living on you, and they will be fruitful and become numerous. I will settle people on you as in the past and will make you prosper more than before. Then you will know that I am the Lord. 12 I will cause people, my people Israel, to live on you. They will possess you, and you will be their inheritance; you will never again deprive them of their children.

13 “‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Because some say to you, “You devour people and deprive your nation of its children,” 14 therefore you will no longer devour people or make your nation childless, declares the Sovereign Lord. 15 No longer will I make you hear the taunts of the nations, and no longer will you suffer the scorn of the peoples or cause your nation to fall, declares the Sovereign Lord.’”

Luke 24:44-53
Jesus blesses the disciples


24:44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”

45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

50 When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. 52 Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.

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 Saturday, March 25, 2023
Psalm 130; Ezekiel 36:8-15; Luke 24:44-53

The Morning Prayer for Saturday, March 25, 2023

 

The Morning Prayer
Saturday, March 25, 2023


As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.
Psalm 103:13–14, NIV


Lord our God, merciful God and almighty Father in heaven, we beseech you, look upon us as your children. For in spite of everything, all of us are allowed to be your children and to praise you for all the good you are doing and for all you still want to do for us. Hear our prayer as we come to you with particular concerns, asking for your will to be done in us, for everything to be carried out according to your good purpose, that we may be joyful even in hard and serious times and may hold fast to what you have promised. Amen.

Verse of the Day for Saturday, March 25, 2023

 

Verse of the Day
Saturday, March 25, 2023


1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
When you pour out your heart in genuine confession and repentance, how does God respond to you? He says that you are completely forgiven and reminds you of how Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross paid the penalty for all of your transgressions. You have been declared justified—no longer guilty in His eyes. The Lord understands your struggles, and He wants you to find victory in them—not continue to feel shame because of them (Heb. 2:14–18). He is merciful and loving, which is why once you confess and repent, you are absolutely forgiven.

Read all of 1st John Chapter 1

Listen to 1st John Chapter 1

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

The Lenten Prayer for Saturday, March 25, 2023

 

40 Days of Lenten Prayers
Day 28 — Saturday of the Fourth Week of Lent


Lord, what you ask of my life seems so right. It is how I want to live, following your Son, Jesus, so closely. And yet I fail so often to stay on that path. I cannot do it alone, loving Lord. I need your help and guidance. I need to remember your love for me and I want to remember how very much I need you in my life. Amen.

That The World May Know, Volume 3 | Episode 8 | Living Water

 

That The World May Know
Living Water

Volume 3 | Episode 8

The ancient land of Israel is a testimony, an evidence if you will, of the greatness of what God did in that country, a testimony to the truth of the words that we find in the pages of the Bible.

Volume 3 focuses on the birth of Jesus, his life, and his short but powerful ministry—a ministry that has shaped empires and changed the course of history.

In Episode 8, being in the wilderness makes water very special. It helps one understand why God was seen as the one who brought water.



Volume 3 | Episode 8 | Living Water