True Worship, Sunday, November 11, 2012

Today's reading is Matthew 21:20-23:36; Mark 11:20-12:44; and Luke 20:1-47.  Jesus confronts the religious leaders of the day.  Their attempts to trap and trick him with their constant questions show them to have little spiritual understanding and a total lack of truth seeking.

Hosanna, Saturday, November 10, 2012

Today's reading is John 12:12, 13; Matthew 21:1-16; Mark 11:1-19; and Luke 19:29-48.  The time is late March and the Feast of the Passover is fast approaching.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Jesus_entering_jerusalem_on_a_donkey.jpg

Final Days, Friday, November 9, 2012

Today's reading is Matthew 19:3-20:34; 26:6-13; Mark 10:2-42; 14:3-9; Luke 18:15-43; and John 11:55-12:11.  The apostles are still thinking of their own place in an earthly kingdomm.  Jesus addresses many issues and is annointed by Mary.

Raising Lazarus, Thursday, November 8, 2012

Today's reading is John 11:1-54.  The more amazing and undeniable Jesus' deity became, the more vehemently they sought his death.

Searching for the Lost, Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Today's reading is Luke 13:22-18:14; and Matthew 20:1-16.  Jesus moves into the area of Perea, which is ruled by Herod Antipas who beheaded John the Baptist. 

Your Names Are Written In Heaven, Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Today's reading is Matthew 19:1, 2; 11:20-24; Mark 10:1; Luke 9:51-56; 17:1-19; 10:1-11:13; and John 10:22-42.  When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray, he gave them an example of exalting God before any requests were made.

Who Do You Think You Are?, Monday, November 5, 2012

Today's reading is John 8:12-10:21. 

"I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

Feast of Tabernacles, Sunday, November 4, 2012

Today's reading is John 7:2-8:11.  It is fascinating the mixed reception Jesus gets from those who see and hear and him.  Even his own brothers did not believe in him. They actually taunt him!  He gives the answer for the variety of responses:  ". . .the world hates me because I testify that what it does is evil."  Not a popular stand.
Read more about the Feast of Tabernacles:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sukkot

There Were Ninety and Nine, Saturday, November 3, 2012

Today's reading is Matthew 16-18; Mark 8:27-9:41; Luke 9:18-48 and Luke 17.  The transfiguration takes place in the presence of Peter, James and John.  They ponder what took place but keep it to themselves.  God proclaimed:  "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.  Listen to him!"  The witnesses were terrified.  Who would not be?

The Sign of Jonah, Friday, November 2, 2012

Today's reading is Matthew 15:21-16:12 and Mark 7:24-8:26.  Jesus goes to Galilee in the area of Tyre and Sidon.  Here he continues to heal the sick, cast out evil spirits and feed masses of people.  Often he directs the newly healed to keep silent about their miraculous healing.  The crowds of people following Jesus indicates that new of him cannot be kept quiet!

The Multitudes, Thursday, November 1, 2012

Today's reading is parts of Matthew 14, Mark 6, Luke 9, and John 6.  The multitudes were like sheep without a shepherd and the Pharisees were like the blind leading the blind.  Both were in desperate need of the Bread of Life.

Sending the Apostles, Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Today's readins is Matthew 9:35-10:1 and 14:1-3; Mark 6:6-38; Luke 9:1-11a; and John 6:1.  Jesus sent the apostles out in pairs to teach the children of Israel.  He cautioned them to be both wise and gentle.  They were given the power to heal and drive out demons.

Kingdom Established With Power, Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Today's reading is from Matthew 8 and 9; Luke 8 and 9; and Mark 4 and 5.  Jesus exercises power over forces of nature, over the spirit world, and over death and disease.

Parables, Monday, October 29, 2012

Today's reading is Matthew 13:1-35; Mark 4:1-34; and Luke 8:4-10 and 13:18-21.

"I will open my mough in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world.:  Psalms 78:2

Perceptive and Authoritative, October 27 and 28, 2012

These day's readings are Matthew 8:5-13, 11:2-6 and 12:22-50; Luke 7:1-50, 8:1-3, and 11:14-13:17; and Mark 3:20 and 22-27.  Jesus is all knowing, all powerful and everywhere.  Some people see this clearly,  others deny the source of his power.  The more he confronts the Pharisees' hypocrisy the more fiercely they oppose him and seek to trap him.  Who do they think they are arguing with?  I would say I would never argue with Jesus, but then, don't I argue with him every time I sin.  Let me repent -- agree with Jesus -- with a humble heart.

Sermon on the Mount, Friday, October 26, 2012

Matthew 5:1-7:29 and Lune 6:20-45.  Jesus beautiful words need no further comment.

Scribes and Pharisees, Thursday, October 25, 2012

Today's reading is Matthew 9:9-17 and 12:1-21; Mark 2:13-28 and 3:7-19; Luke 5:27-39 and 6:1-19; and John 5:1-47.  It really struck me today that Jesus was "deeply distressed" at the stubborn hearts of the Pharisees.  They argued points of law with him.  And then, after observing his miraculous healing of a man's shriveled hand, all they could think about was how to kill him.  It seems impossible.

A Light Has Dawned, Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Today's reading is Matthew 4:12-17; Mark 1:14, 15; and Luke 4:14:, 15. Jesus ministry in Galilee, in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali is yet another fulfillment of prophesy from Isaiah. And yet, people who had known Jesus were offended by his truthfulness and wanted to throw him off a cliff. He simply walked through them and went on his way.

The huge catch of fish reminds me of all the times I say "I've got this -- I can do it on my own" -- not in so many words, but in my actions.  Then I am amazed when letting Jesus take control of the same situation produces far different results.  "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!"

We Have Found the Messiah, Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Today's reading is John 1:35-4 and Luke 3:19, 20.  The story is familiar and still sweet, like the old song:  "Tell me the story of Jesus, Write on my heart every word".  It is never old or boring.  Like the bedtime story our children know by heart but cannot hear enough -- tell me one more time.  Beautiful!  It is so apparent in reading the gospels that familiarity with the Old Testament is a prerequisite!