Wednesday, July 19, 2023

The Daily Lectionary for Thursday, July 20, 2023

 

The Daily Lectionary
Thursday, July 20, 2023
Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24; Isaiah 44:1-5; Hebrews 2:1-9
(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)
  (Semi-continuous Reading Plan)

A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24
You have searched me and known me
Domine, probasti

LORD, you have searched me out and known me; *
  you know my sitting down and my rising up;
    you discern my thoughts from afar.


You trace my journeys and my resting-places *
  and are acquainted with all my ways.


Indeed, there is not a word on my lips, *
  but you, O LORD, know it altogether.


You press upon me behind and before *
  and lay your hand upon me.


Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; *
  it is so high that I cannot attain to it.


Where can I go then from your Spirit? *
  where can I flee from your presence?


If I climb up to heaven, you are there; *
  if I make the grave my bed, you are there also.


If I take the wings of the morning *
  and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,


Even there your hand will lead me *
  and your right hand hold me fast.


If I say, “Surely the darkness will cover me, *
  and the light around me turn to night,”


Darkness is not dark to you;
    the night is as bright as the day; *
  darkness and light to you are both alike.


Search me out, O God, and know my heart; *
  try me and know my restless thoughts.


Look well whether there be any wickedness in me *
  and lead me in the way that is everlasting.


Heavenly Father, You created us and watch over us as a loving parent cares for a child. Help us to always walk in Your ways and praise Your name as we pray in the Name of Jesus Christ, who taught us to pray in the power of Your Spirit,
“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 44:1-5
God’s blessing on Israel: “Do not fear”

“But now listen, Jacob, my servant,
    Israel, whom I have chosen.
This is what the Lord says—
    he who made you, who formed you in the womb,
    and who will help you:
Do not be afraid, Jacob, my servant,
    Jeshurun, whom I have chosen.
For I will pour water on the thirsty land,
    and streams on the dry ground;
I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring,
    and my blessing on your descendants.
They will spring up like grass in a meadow,
    like poplar trees by flowing streams.
Some will say, ‘I belong to the Lord’;
    others will call themselves by the name of Jacob;
still others will write on their hand, ‘The Lord’s,’
    and will take the name Israel.


Hebrews 2:1-9
Warning to pay attention

We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.


It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. But there is a place where someone has testified:
“What is mankind that you are mindful of them,
    a son of man that you care for him?
You made them a little lower than the angels;
    you crowned them with glory and honor
    and put everything under their feet.”
In putting everything under them, God left nothing that is not subject to them. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to them. But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

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 Thursday, July 20, 2023
Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24; Isaiah 44:1-5; Hebrews 2:1-9

The Morning Prayer for Thursday, July 20, 2023

 

The Morning Prayer
Thursday, July 20, 2023


They will be my people, and I will be their God. I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me and that all will then go well for them and for their children after them.

Lord our God, you want to be our God and you want us to be your people. Give us the inner integrity and the power to discern and reject what does not come from the heart, so that everything may be genuine among us. Then no lies and deception will creep in, and honesty and goodness will flow from our hearts to the glory of truth, to the glory of the gospel and the great hope you give us through the gospel. Guard our hearts. Protect the good that is planted in them, that it may grow and thrive and bear fruit. Amen.

Verse of the Day for Thursday, July 20, 2023

 

Verse of the Day
Thursday, July 20, 2023


1 John 1:7
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
To enjoy fellowship with the Lord we must walk in His radiance and truth. As we do so, we willingly confess our sins—allowing the blood of Christ to continually cleanse us from all unrighteousness. We must avoid embracing the lawless ways of the world and the alluring lies of false teachers.

Read all of 1st John Chapter 1

Listen to 1st John Chapter 1


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