That The World May Know | Volume 1 | Episode 1 | Standing at the Crossroads

 

 

That The World May Know
Standing at the Crossroads
Volume 1 | Episode1

 

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.

In 2014, I started working on a biblical degree program through a small Bible college in Spring Lake, Michigan. After earning a Bachelor’s degree in Divinity, I earned a Master’s degree in Theology at a Christian seminary in Minneapolis, Minnesota. While working on my Master’s, I became a volunteer Teaching Assistant with the Bible college in their Biblical Interpretations I and II courses under Professor Ray Vander Laan.

Ray received his Master’s of Divinity from Westminster Theological Seminary in 1976 and has been actively involved in studying and teaching Jewish culture using the methods of Jewish education. He has continued graduate studies in Jewish Studies in the United States, Israel, Turkey, and Egypt. Ray is an ordained minister with the Christian Reformed Church. In his teachings, Ray put together a 16-volume video series where he takes his students to the World of the Bible, where it all happened. Filmed in Israel, Egypt, Turkey, and Greece, these powerful videos explore what it meant to follow Jesus in the first century—and what it means to follow him today. Each of the 16 volumes provides visually stunning video sessions illuminating Jesus’ teachings and helps participants understand the context in which he lived and preached.

In Volume 1 | Promised Land, travel to Israel and radically change your understanding of the Scriptures. Wet your feet in the Jordan River and impact the culture with life-giving water. Show your trust in the Lord’s provision by offering up first fruits at Jericho. And cleanse the land by confronting evil and using the tools of society to redeem your world for God. In this first volume of the That the World May Know series, historian and teacher Ray Vander Laan will show you how God guided his people to a specific place—the Promised Land—to impact the world both in ancient times and today. Experience the Bible in historical context!

In Episode 1, God called the ancient culture of Gezer to impact the rest of the world for His glory and purpose, so He calls upon us to do the same today.

Episode 1 | Volume 1 | Standing at the Crossroads

The Daily Bible Readings for Saturday, November 12, 2022

The Daily Bible Readings

Saturday, November 12, 2022

Isaiah 12; Isaiah 59:15b-21; Luke 17:20-37

(Revised Common Lectionary Year C)

(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)

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

Psalm 98

O sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things. His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory.

The Lord has made known his victory. He has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations.

He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. Break forth into joyous song and sing praises.

Sing praises to the Lord with trumpets and the sound of the horn. Make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord.

Sing together for joy at the presence of the Lord, for he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.

O Father, Your holiness, love, and majesty fill the earth. All creatures praise You as God and King. We gather with thankful hearts, and join them in singing joyous songs of love for You. We long to express our love for You, but too often mere human words fail us. Forgive us for those times when we have had the opportunity to express our faith in You, but have remained silent. Forgive us for disappointing You by acting on some of our poor decisions. Lead us in the way that we should go when we pray as Jesus taught: “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 59:15b-21

(The redeemer comes to Zion)

15b The Lord saw it, and it displeased him
     that there was no justice.
16 He saw that there was no one,
     and was appalled that there was no one to intervene;
   so his own arm brought him victory,
     and his righteousness upheld him.
17 He put on righteousness like a breastplate,
     and a helmet of salvation on his head;
   he put on garments of vengeance for clothing,
     and wrapped himself in fury as in a mantle.
18 According to their deeds, so will he repay;
     wrath to his adversaries, requital to his enemies;
     to the coastlands he will render requital.
19 So those in the west shall fear the name of the Lord,
     and those in the east, his glory;
   for he will come like a pent-up stream
     that the wind of the Lord drives on.

20 And he will come to Zion as Redeemer,
     to those in Jacob who turn from transgression,
         says the Lord.

21 And as for me, this is my covenant with them, says the Lord: my spirit that is upon you, and my words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouths of your children, or out of the mouths of your children’s children, says the Lord, from now on and forever.

Luke 17:20-37

(The judgment coming)

The Coming of the Kingdom
17:20 Once Jesus was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, and he answered, “The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed; 21 nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There it is!’ For, in fact, the kingdom of God is among you.”

22 Then he said to the disciples, “The days are coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. 23 They will say to you, ‘Look there!’ or ‘Look here!’ Do not go, do not set off in pursuit. 24 For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day. 25 But first he must endure much suffering and be rejected by this generation. 26 Just as it was in the days of Noah, so too it will be in the days of the Son of Man. 27 They were eating and drinking, and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed all of them. 28 Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot: they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, 29 but on the day that Lot left Sodom, it rained fire and sulfur from heaven and destroyed all of them 30 —it will be like that on the day that the Son of Man is revealed. 31 On that day, anyone on the housetop who has belongings in the house must not come down to take them away; and likewise anyone in the field must not turn back. 32 Remember Lot’s wife. 33 Those who try to make their life secure will lose it, but those who lose their life will keep it. 34 I tell you, on that night there will be two in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. 35 There will be two women grinding meal together; one will be taken and the other left.” [36 “Two will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left.”] 37 Then they asked him, “Where, Lord?” He said to them, “Where the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.”

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 C. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2022, we will be in Year A. The year which ended at Advent 2021 was Year B. 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 Saturday, November 12, 2022
Isaiah 12; Isaiah 59:15b-21; Luke 17:20-37

The Morning Prayer for Saturday, November 12, 2022

 

The Morning Prayer
Saturday, November 12, 2022

For you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.… But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.

— 1 Thessalonians 5:2,4–5 (NIV)

Lord our God, we hold to you and to your promise. Though much is hidden from us, your voice comes clearly to us proclaiming, "Watch and pray. You are to await the day of Jesus Christ your Lord, and you can rejoice now in the midst of strife, distress, fear, and need." We thank you for your powerful Word. However long the time of waiting may be, your Word remains eternally and will be fulfilled. Your name shall be honored in the proclamation of your Word, your kingdom shall come, and your will shall be done on earth as in heaven. Amen.

Verse of the Day for Saturday, November 12, 2022

 

Verse of the Day
Saturday, November 12, 2022

Colossians 1:9

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,

It is God’s desire that we would walk in His will and obey Him. And knowing His plan for our lives is a treasure because it prevents us from wasting our time and talents on things that will not matter in eternity. So when we pray for others, it is appropriate that we ask for His purpose to be fulfilled in them and that they would see every situation from His viewpoint—because this is life at its very best, and there’s absolutely nothing that compares with it.

Read all of Colossians Chapter 1

Listen to Colossians Chapter 1

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

The Daily Bible Readings for Friday, November 11, 2022

The Daily Bible Readings

Friday, November 11, 2022

Psalm 98; Isaiah 59:1-15a; 2 Thessalonians 1:3-12

(Revised Common Lectionary Year C)

(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)

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

Psalm 98

O sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things. His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory.

The Lord has made known his victory. He has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations.

He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. Break forth into joyous song and sing praises.

Sing praises to the Lord with trumpets and the sound of the horn. Make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord.

Sing together for joy at the presence of the Lord, for he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.

O Father, Your holiness, love, and majesty fill the earth. All creatures praise You as God and King. We gather with thankful hearts, and join them in singing joyous songs of love for You. We long to express our love for You, but too often mere human words fail us. Forgive us for those times when we have had the opportunity to express our faith in You, but have remained silent. Forgive us for disappointing You by acting on some of our poor decisions. Lead us in the way that we should go when we pray as Jesus taught: “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 59:1-15a

(Sin creates barriers)

Injustice and Oppression to Be Punished
1  See, the Lord’s hand is not too short to save,
     nor his ear too dull to hear.
2  Rather, your iniquities have been barriers
     between you and your God,
   and your sins have hidden his face from you
     so that he does not hear.
3  For your hands are defiled with blood,
     and your fingers with iniquity;
   your lips have spoken lies,
     your tongue mutters wickedness.
4  No one brings suit justly,
     no one goes to law honestly;
   they rely on empty pleas, they speak lies,
     conceiving mischief and begetting iniquity.
5  They hatch adders’ eggs,
     and weave the spider’s web;
   whoever eats their eggs dies,
     and the crushed egg hatches out a viper.
6  Their webs cannot serve as clothing;
     they cannot cover themselves with what they make.
   Their works are works of iniquity,
     and deeds of violence are in their hands.
7  Their feet run to evil,
     and they rush to shed innocent blood;
   their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity,
     desolation and destruction are in their highways.
8  The way of peace they do not know,
     and there is no justice in their paths.
   Their roads they have made crooked;
     no one who walks in them knows peace.

9  Therefore justice is far from us,
     and righteousness does not reach us;
   we wait for light, and lo! there is darkness;
     and for brightness, but we walk in gloom.
10 We grope like the blind along a wall,
     groping like those who have no eyes;
   we stumble at noon as in the twilight,
     among the vigorous as though we were dead.
11 We all growl like bears;
     like doves we moan mournfully.
   We wait for justice, but there is none;
     for salvation, but it is far from us.
12 For our transgressions before you are many,
     and our sins testify against us.
   Our transgressions indeed are with us,
     and we know our iniquities:
13 transgressing, and denying the Lord,
     and turning away from following our God,
   talking oppression and revolt,
     conceiving lying words and uttering them from the
         heart.
14 Justice is turned back,
     and righteousness stands at a distance;
   for truth stumbles in the public square,
     and uprightness cannot enter.
15a Truth is lacking,
     and whoever turns from evil is despoiled.

2 Thessalonians 1:3-12

(God’s judgment)

Thanksgiving
1:3 We must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. 4 Therefore we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith during all your persecutions and the afflictions that you are enduring.

The Judgment at Christ’s Coming
5 This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, and is intended to make you worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering. 6 For it is indeed just of God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7 and to give relief to the afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels 8 in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 These will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, separated from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, 10 when he comes to be glorified by his saints and to be marveled at on that day among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. 11 To this end we always pray for you, asking that our God will make you worthy of his call and will fulfill by his power every good resolve and work of faith, 12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

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 C. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2022, we will be in Year A. The year which ended at Advent 2021 was Year B. 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 Friday, November 11, 2022
Psalm 98; Isaiah 59:1-15a; 2 Thessalonians 1:3-12

The Morning Prayer for Friday, November 11, 2022

 

The Morning Prayer
Friday, November 11, 2022

I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.

— Exodus 20:2–4 (NIV)

Lord our God, we come to you, the source of all being. You have said to us, "I am your God. You shall have no other gods besides me. Honor none but me, your God." We thank you for this wonderful message. Help us to recognize you more and more, so that our hearts are full of the goodness and blessing we already have on earth, so that we hear you, the mighty One, say, "Stop, O people. Make peace. No one of you is more important than any other. Remember that I am God of all, in south and north, in west and east, on the oceans and everywhere. I am the one God, and through Jesus Christ I am now your Father." Amen.

Verse of the Day for Friday, November 11, 2022

 

Verse of the Day
Friday, November 11, 2022

1 John 2:15-16

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.

The moral admonition not to love the world is also practical advice, for it is already clear that the world is passing away (v. 17). As in John’s Gospel, the “world” is the system of rebellion and pride that seeks to displace God and His rule. It is this system rather than the created order itself which is “not from the Father” and which has already been marked for judgment and destruction (John 12:31). Those who are not of the world receive the word of the Father from Jesus (John 17:14) and show by their response to it that they are chosen for salvation and eternal life.

Read all of First John Chapter 2

Listen to First John Chapter 2

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

The Daily Bible Readings for Thursday, November 10, 2022

The Daily Bible Readings

Thursday, November 10, 2022

Psalm 98; Isaiah 57:14-21; Romans 1:18-25

(Revised Common Lectionary Year C)

(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)

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

Psalm 98

O sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things. His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory.

The Lord has made known his victory. He has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations.

He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. Break forth into joyous song and sing praises.

Sing praises to the Lord with trumpets and the sound of the horn. Make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord.

Sing together for joy at the presence of the Lord, for he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.

O Father, Your holiness, love, and majesty fill the earth. All creatures praise You as God and King. We gather with thankful hearts, and join them in singing joyous songs of love for You. We long to express our love for You, but too often mere human words fail us. Forgive us for those times when we have had the opportunity to express our faith in You, but have remained silent. Forgive us for disappointing You by acting on some of our poor decisions. Lead us in the way that we should go when we pray as Jesus taught: “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 57:14-21

(A promise of help and healing)

A Promise of Help and Healing
14 It shall be said,
   “Build up, build up, prepare the way,
     remove every obstruction from my people’s way.”
15 For thus says the high and lofty one
     who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:
   I dwell in the high and holy place,
     and also with those who are contrite and humble in
         spirit,
   to revive the spirit of the humble,
     and to revive the heart of the contrite.
16 For I will not continually accuse,
     nor will I always be angry;
   for then the spirits would grow faint before me,
     even the souls that I have made.
17 Because of their wicked covetousness I was angry;
     I struck them, I hid and was angry;
     but they kept turning back to their own ways.
18 I have seen their ways, but I will heal them;
     I will lead them and repay them with comfort,
     creating for their mourners the fruit of the lips.
19 Peace, peace, to the far and the near, says the Lord;
     and I will heal them.
20 But the wicked are like the tossing sea
     that cannot keep still;
     its waters toss up mire and mud.
21 There is no peace, says my God, for the wicked.

Romans 1:18-25

(The revealing of God’s wrath)

The Guilt of Humankind
1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and wickedness of those who by their wickedness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 Ever since the creation of the world his eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things he has made. So they are without excuse; 21 for though they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their senseless minds were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools; 23 and they exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling a mortal human being or birds or four-footed animals or reptiles.

24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the degrading of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! 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 Daily Lectionary is a three year cyclical lectionary. We are currently in Year C. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2022, we will be in Year A. The year which ended at Advent 2021 was Year B. 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, November 10, 2022
Psalm 98; Isaiah 57:14-21; Romans 1:18-25

The Morning Prayer for Thursday, November 10, 2022

 

The Morning Prayer
Thursday, November 10, 2022

"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."

— Revelation 1:8 (NIV)

Lord our God, the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, who was and is and is to come, the Almighty, we thank you for this wonderful message, which is meant for us too, even though our lives often seem empty and sad. But behold, you make all things new for each one of us. Even though we have long tormented ourselves, the light of life will dawn at last and we will be able to rejoice. Continue to protect us and our community. Wake us to new life, for you have called us to believe and to endure to the end. Whatever sorrows and hardships may come, we will remain faithful, O Lord our God. This is our promise to you. We will persevere and say joyfully, "Jesus Christ is coming to make all things new." Amen.

Verse of the Day for Thursday, November 10, 2022

 

Verse of the Day
Thursday, November 10, 2022

Job 37:5-6

God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding. He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’ and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’

God uses the random winter storms and the rain and snow to show man his weakness in the face of God's overwhelming power. Indeed, Christ taught this lesson to His disciples when he calmed the storm (Mt 8:23–27). He has created man to be weak, and yet man thinks himself to be strong; and thereby he becomes even more feeble.

Read all of Job Chapter 37

Listen to Job Chapter 37

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

The Daily Bible Readings for Wednesday, November 9, 2022

The Daily Bible Readings

Wednesday, November 9, 2022

Psalm 98; Zechariah 8:1-17; John 5:19-29

(Revised Common Lectionary Year C)

(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)

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

Psalm 98
(Earth sees the victory of God)

O sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things. His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory.

The Lord has made known his victory. He has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations.

He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. Break forth into joyous song and sing praises.

Sing praises to the Lord with trumpets and the sound of the horn. Make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord.

Sing together for joy at the presence of the Lord, for he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.

O Father, Your holiness, love, and majesty fill the earth. All creatures praise You as God and King. We gather with thankful hearts, and join them in singing joyous songs of love for You. We long to express our love for You, but too often mere human words fail us. Forgive us for those times when we have had the opportunity to express our faith in You, but have remained silent. Forgive us for disappointing You by acting on some of our poor decisions. Lead us in the way that we should go when we pray as Jesus taught: “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.”

Zechariah 8:1-17

(God’s promise to Zion)

God’s Promises to Zion
8:1 The word of the Lord of hosts came to me, saying: 2 Thus says the Lord of hosts: I am jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I am jealous for her with great wrath. 3 Thus says the Lord: I will return to Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem; Jerusalem shall be called the faithful city, and the mountain of the Lord of hosts shall be called the holy mountain. 4 Thus says the Lord of hosts: Old men and old women shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each with staff in hand because of their great age. 5 And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets. 6 Thus says the Lord of hosts: Even though it seems impossible to the remnant of this people in these days, should it also seem impossible to me, says the Lord of hosts? 7 Thus says the Lord of hosts: I will save my people from the east country and from the west country; 8 and I will bring them to live in Jerusalem. They shall be my people and I will be their God, in faithfulness and in righteousness.

9 Thus says the Lord of hosts: Let your hands be strong—you that have recently been hearing these words from the mouths of the prophets who were present when the foundation was laid for the rebuilding of the temple, the house of the Lord of hosts. 10 For before those days there were no wages for people or for animals, nor was there any safety from the foe for those who went out or came in, and I set them all against one another. 11 But now I will not deal with the remnant of this people as in the former days, says the Lord of hosts. 12 For there shall be a sowing of peace; the vine shall yield its fruit, the ground shall give its produce, and the skies shall give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things. 13 Just as you have been a cursing among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so I will save you and you shall be a blessing. Do not be afraid, but let your hands be strong.

14 For thus says the Lord of hosts: Just as I purposed to bring disaster upon you, when your ancestors provoked me to wrath, and I did not relent, says the Lord of hosts, 15 so again I have purposed in these days to do good to Jerusalem and to the house of Judah; do not be afraid. 16 These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another, render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace, 17 do not devise evil in your hearts against one another, and love no false oath; for all these are things that I hate, says the Lord.

John 5:19-29

(The authority of the Son)

The Authority of the Son
5:19 Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise. 20 The Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing; and he will show him greater works than these, so that you will be astonished. 21 Indeed, just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whomever he wishes. 22 The Father judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son, 23 so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. 24 Very truly, I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come under judgment, but has passed from death to life.

25 “Very truly, I tell you, the hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. 26 For just as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself; 27 and he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. 28 Do not be astonished at this; for the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice 29 and will come out—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.

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 C. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2022, we will be in Year A. The year which ended at Advent 2021 was Year B. 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 9, 2022
Psalm 98; Zechariah 8:1-17; John 5:19-29

The Morning Prayer for Wednesday, November 9, 2022

 

The Morning Prayer
Wednesday, November 9, 2022

But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

— 2 Peter 3:13 (NIV)

Lord our God, dear Father, may we be gathered in your light. Through your Spirit strengthen our hearts to hold fast to you, for you remain our help, our counsel, our comfort throughout our life and in all eternity. Send us Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, and grant that again and again we may find newness of life through him. Grant that we become attentive to him, who is risen from the dead and who will come again to complete the work he began in his life on earth. We remember your promise, O Lord God, and we remain with you. We have little strength, and through us as we are you can accomplish nothing. You alone can fulfill your promise through Jesus Christ, whom you will send to complete your works at his final coming. Amen.

Verse of the Day for Wednesday, November 9, 2022

Verse of the Day
Wednesday, November 9, 2022

Isaiah 1:18

“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”

This is an invitation to relationship that only God can offer because only He can remove the sin that separates us from Him. He does this—making us white as snow and completely cleansed of our guilt—through His Son, Jesus Christ (Eph. 2:13; Rev. 7:9–14). Also, He invites us to come “reason together” with Him, which means we are to make our case before Him. This dialogue builds our relationship with Him and helps us to learn that God is right in all He says and does.

Read all of Isaiah Chapter 1

Listen to Isaiah Chapter 1

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

Travel the World from Home — Jerusalem: Before And After Babylonian Conquest

 

The Holy Land:

Connecting the Land with Its Stories
Jerusalem: Before And After Babylonian Conquest
Season 1 — Episode 3

In episode 3, Dr. Jack Beck illustrates the history of what happened to Jerusalem before and after the Babylonian conquest. Travel from the ruins of sixth-century Jerusalem homes to an authentic biblical harp shop to discover how the stories of the land continue to echo their songs of hope to the world today.

 

 

Season 1 — Episode 3 | Jerusalem: Before And After Babylonian Conquest

The Daily Bible Readings for Tuesday, November 8, 2022

The Daily Bible Readings

Tuesday, November 8, 2022

Psalm 98; Haggai 2:20-23; 2 John 1-13

(Revised Common Lectionary Year C)

(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)

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

Psalm 98
(Earth sees the victory of God)

O sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things. His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory.

The Lord has made known his victory. He has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations.

He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. Break forth into joyous song and sing praises.

Sing praises to the Lord with trumpets and the sound of the horn. Make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord.

Sing together for joy at the presence of the Lord, for he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.

O Father, Your holiness, love, and majesty fill the earth. All creatures praise You as God and King. We gather with thankful hearts, and join them in singing joyous songs of love for You. We long to express our love for You, but too often mere human words fail us. Forgive us for those times when we have had the opportunity to express our faith in You, but have remained silent. Forgive us for disappointing You by acting on some of our poor decisions. Lead us in the way that we should go when we pray as Jesus taught: “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.”

Haggai 2:20-23

(God’s promise to Zerubbabel)

God’s Promise to Zerubbabel
2:20 The word of the Lord came a second time to Haggai on the twenty-fourth day of the month: 21 Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I am about to shake the heavens and the earth, 22 and to overthrow the throne of kingdoms; I am about to destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the nations, and overthrow the chariots and their riders; and the horses and their riders shall fall, every one by the sword of a comrade. 23 On that day, says the Lord of hosts, I will take you, O Zerubbabel my servant, son of Shealtiel, says the Lord, and make you like a signet ring; for I have chosen you, says the Lord of hosts.

2 John 1-13

(Prophecy comes not by human will)

Salutation
1:1 The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth, and not only I but also all who know the truth, 2 because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever:

3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, in truth and love.

Truth and Love
4 I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we have been commanded by the Father. 5 But now, dear lady, I ask you, not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but one we have had from the beginning, let us love one another. 6 And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment just as you have heard it from the beginning—you must walk in it.

7 Many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh; any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist! 8 Be on your guard, so that you do not lose what we have worked for, but may receive a full reward. 9 Everyone who does not abide in the teaching of Christ, but goes beyond it, does not have God; whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 Do not receive into the house or welcome anyone who comes to you and does not bring this teaching; 11 for to welcome is to participate in the evil deeds of such a person.

Final Greetings
12 Although I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink; instead I hope to come to you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.

13 The children of your elect sister send you their greetings.

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 C. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2022, we will be in Year A. The year which ended at Advent 2021 was Year B. 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 8, 2022
Psalm 98; Haggai 2:20-23; 2 John 1-13

The Morning Prayer for Tuesday, November 8, 2022

 

The Morning Prayer
Tuesday, November 8, 2022

Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me, has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.

— John 5:24 (NIV)

Lord our God, we thank you for giving us Jesus Christ, whose words remain living to this very day. You will make his words continually alive so that in the name of Jesus Christ joyful praises are sung to you, Almighty God and Father in heaven. Remember us all. Remember the particular needs of each one of us. Come to the world through the words of Jesus Christ. May his words come as your strong angels to the hearts of many to comfort and restore, to help and do miracles for those in need. May your name be praised through the great and mighty Word, Jesus Christ! Amen.

Verse of the Day for Tuesday, November 8, 2022

 

Verse of the Day
Tuesday, November 8, 2022

Joshua 24:15

But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.

Serving God faithfully doesn’t happen by chance—it is a deliberate choice we make with every decision and action of our life. We decide to honor and obey the Lord, submitting to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and fleeing from our own sinful inclinations (Rom. 8:6–13; 2 Tim. 2:22; James 4:7–10). Teaching our family to follow God doesn’t occur by happenstance either—we must consciously model the life of faith to those we love, taking every opportunity to instruct them in the ways of the Lord.

Read all of Joshua Chapter 24

Listen to Joshua Chapter 24

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

The Daily Bible Readings for Monday, November 7, 2022

The Daily Bible Readings

Monday, November 7, 2022

Psalm 98; Haggai 2:10-19; 2 Peter 1:16-21

(Revised Common Lectionary Year C)

(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)

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

Psalm 98
(Earth sees the victory of God)

O sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things. His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory.

The Lord has made known his victory. He has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations.

He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. Break forth into joyous song and sing praises.

Sing praises to the Lord with trumpets and the sound of the horn. Make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord.

Sing together for joy at the presence of the Lord, for he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.

O Father, Your holiness, love, and majesty fill the earth. All creatures praise You as God and King. We gather with thankful hearts, and join them in singing joyous songs of love for You. We long to express our love for You, but too often mere human words fail us. Forgive us for those times when we have had the opportunity to express our faith in You, but have remained silent. Forgive us for disappointing You by acting on some of our poor decisions. Lead us in the way that we should go when we pray as Jesus taught: “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.”

Haggai 2:10-19

(A rebuke and a promise)

A Rebuke and a Promise
2:10 On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came by the prophet Haggai, saying: 11 Thus says the Lord of hosts: Ask the priests for a ruling: 12 If one carries consecrated meat in the fold of one’s garment, and with the fold touches bread, or stew, or wine, or oil, or any kind of food, does it become holy? The priests answered, “No.” 13 Then Haggai said, “If one who is unclean by contact with a dead body touches any of these, does it become unclean?” The priests answered, “Yes, it becomes unclean.” 14 Haggai then said, So is it with this people, and with this nation before me, says the Lord; and so with every work of their hands; and what they offer there is unclean. 15 But now, consider what will come to pass from this day on. Before a stone was placed upon a stone in the Lord’s temple, 16 how did you fare? When one came to a heap of twenty measures, there were but ten; when one came to the wine vat to draw fifty measures, there were but twenty. 17 I struck you and all the products of your toil with blight and mildew and hail; yet you did not return to me, says the Lord. 18 Consider from this day on, from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month. Since the day that the foundation of the Lord’s temple was laid, consider: 19 Is there any seed left in the barn? Do the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree still yield nothing? From this day on I will bless you.

2 Peter 1:16-21

(Prophecy comes not by human will)

Eyewitnesses of Christ’s Glory
1:16 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” 18 We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain.

19 So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20 First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, 21 because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from 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 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 C. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2022, we will be in Year A. The year which ended at Advent 2021 was Year B. 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 7, 2022
Psalm 98; Haggai 2:10-19; 2 Peter 1:16-21

The Morning Prayer for Monday, November 7, 2022

 

The Morning Prayer
Monday, November 7, 2022

Think back to the ancient generations and consider this: has the Lord ever disappointed anyone who put his hope in him? Has the Lord ever abandoned anyone who held him in constant reverence? Has the Lord ever ignored anyone who prayed to him? The Lord is kind and merciful; he forgives our sins and keeps us safe in time of trouble.

— Ecclesiasticus 2:10–11 (GNT)

Dear Father in heaven, Mighty God in heaven and on earth, quicken us by the Word you have sent and by all you have done for us in your mercy and steadfast love. Keep us eager and joyful even in difficult and troubled days. Grant us unfailing trust in you, to give us firm ground under our feet so that we can always thank and glorify you. For you, O Lord, are our God. You are our Father, and you will never forsake your children in all eternity. Amen.

Verse of the Day for Monday, November 7, 2022

 

Verse of the Day
Monday, November 7, 2022

1 Timothy 2:1-2

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

It is our duty as Christians to pray for our leaders in the hope that they will live godly lives and make wise decisions according to the Word and will of God. Only He can transform them into men and women who will truly honor Him (Prov. 21:1).

Read all of First Timothy Chapter 2

Listen to First Timothy Chapter 2

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