Archive for the ‘Daily Bible Readings’ Category

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »

My Jesus, You are everything to me!

August 13, 2008

When: Wednesday, August 13, 2008 12:00 AM to Thursday, August 14, 2008 12:00 AM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada).
 
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
 
Words written in red; Words of Jesus
"If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.  But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses.  If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.  Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.  Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.  For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them."
Matthew 18: 15 – 20 
 
When we have the Lord in our lives we can weather any storm. Blessed is he who can say whole-heartedly; My Jesus, You are everything to me!
— St. Alphonsus Liguori
 
Abba, Father, Lord God, humbled, thankful, I cry out My Jesus, You are everything to me! Help me to walk with Your Word on my lips, Your teachings guiding my thoughts, and a heart likened to Yours.  In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
 
 
Audio books I am listening to and other books or readings I am reading:
When I Lay My Isaac Down: Unshakable Faith in Unthinkable Circumstances (Unabridged) By: Carol Kent Sometimes we make sacrifices to help us get ahead, to allow us more time with family, or because we believe in the cause. And then there are sacrifices in which we have no say, "Isaac experiences" as in Genesis 22, thrust upon us without warning or survival instructions. This audio book outlines eight transformational power principles that Gene and Carol Kent learned in the process of facing the news that forever changed their lives.
Becoming a Person of Influence By: John C. Maxwell and Jim Dornan "You can immediately [sense a] spark when you hear John Maxwell and Jim Dornan talk about leadership. Their understanding of influence is like mine for guitars; it’s woven into the fabric of their being." – (Bob Taylor, President, Taylor Guitars). With influence, you can achieve success at home, work, and in every other area of life.
 

Posted in Daily Bible Readings | Leave a Comment »

Listen! Think of the way you were loved when you were obstinate to grace and not lovable. Because you have been loved first, you have been worthy of being loved.

August 13, 2008

When: Tuesday, August 12, 2008 12:00 AM to Wednesday, August 13, 2008 12:00 AM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada).
 
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
 
Words written in red; Words of Jesus
At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"  And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them, and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.  Whoever humbles himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. "Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me; "See that you do not despise one of these little ones; for I tell you that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven.  What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray.  So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
Matthew 18: 1 – 5, 10, 12 – 14  
 
Listen! Think of the way you were loved when you were obstinate to grace and not lovable. Because you have been loved first, you have been worthy of being loved.
— St. Augustine
 
Abba, Father, Lord God, thankful, humbled I lay myself at the foot of the Cross asking for Your continued grace and mercy; and that You would bless me and mine indeed, enlarge our territory and lay Your hand upon each of us as only You know our unique individual  wants and needs, our heart, keep us from evil and from causing pain. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
 
Ezekiel 2 – 8  "But you, son of man, hear what I say to you; be not rebellious like that rebellious house; open your mouth, and eat what I give you."  9  And when I looked, behold, a hand was stretched out to me, and, lo, a written scroll was in it;  10  and he spread it before me; and it had writing on the front and on the back, and there were written on it words of lamentation and mourning and woe. 
Ezekiel 3 – 1  And he said to me, "Son of man, eat what is offered to you; eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel."  2  So I opened my mouth, and he gave me the scroll to eat.  3  And he said to me, "Son of man, eat this scroll that I give you and fill your stomach with it." Then I ate it; and it was in my mouth as sweet as honey.  4  And he said to me, "Son of man, go, get you to the house of Israel, and speak with my words to them. 
 
Audio books I am listening to and other books or readings I am reading:
When I Lay My Isaac Down: Unshakable Faith in Unthinkable Circumstances (Unabridged) By: Carol Kent Sometimes we make sacrifices to help us get ahead, to allow us more time with family, or because we believe in the cause. And then there are sacrifices in which we have no say, "Isaac experiences" as in Genesis 22, thrust upon us without warning or survival instructions. This audio book outlines eight transformational power principles that Gene and Carol Kent learned in the process of facing the news that forever changed their lives.
Becoming a Person of Influence By: John C. Maxwell and Jim Dornan "You can immediately [sense a] spark when you hear John Maxwell and Jim Dornan talk about leadership. Their understanding of influence is like mine for guitars; it’s woven into the fabric of their being." – (Bob Taylor, President, Taylor Guitars). With influence, you can achieve success at home, work, and in every other area of life.
 

Posted in Daily Bible Readings | Leave a Comment »

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples.

August 11, 2008

When: Monday, August 11, 2008 12:00 AM to Tuesday, August 12, 2008 12:00 AM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada).
 
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
 
Words written in red; Words of Jesus
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If a man does not abide in me, he is cast forth as a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.
John 15: 4 – 10
 
They say that we are too poor, but can a heart which possesses the infinite God be truly called poor?
— St. Clare of Assisi
 
Abba, Father, Lord God, humbled, thankful and aware that You hear my prayers, thoughts and every heart beat; as in today’s readings from Corinthians where St. Paul writes:
‘ For it is the God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;  always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed every day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,  because we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.‘
I seek to feel each word without understanding or knowing, but by faith feel, and in feeling find hope, and in hope I feel the love of Jesus and the connection to Him through the Spirit as He describes in today’s Gospel. Not that it is easy for me to walk connected, but yet I know that when and if I do, I can do and handle anything. O Lord God that You would bless me and mine indeed, laying Your hand upon us to protect, heal and keep us from evil and from causing any pain. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.  
 
 
Audio books I am listening to and other books or readings I am reading:
When I Lay My Isaac Down: Unshakable Faith in Unthinkable Circumstances (Unabridged) By: Carol Kent Sometimes we make sacrifices to help us get ahead, to allow us more time with family, or because we believe in the cause. And then there are sacrifices in which we have no say, "Isaac experiences" as in Genesis 22, thrust upon us without warning or survival instructions. This audio book outlines eight transformational power principles that Gene and Carol Kent learned in the process of facing the news that forever changed their lives.
Becoming a Person of Influence By: John C. Maxwell and Jim Dornan "You can immediately [sense a] spark when you hear John Maxwell and Jim Dornan talk about leadership. Their understanding of influence is like mine for guitars; it’s woven into the fabric of their being." – (Bob Taylor, President, Taylor Guitars). With influence, you can achieve success at home, work, and in every other area of life.
 

Posted in Daily Bible Readings | Leave a Comment »

To suffer and to be happy although suffering, to have one’s feet on the earth, to walk on the dirty and rough paths of this earth and yet to be enthroned with Christ at the Father’s right hand,…

August 10, 2008

When: Sunday, August 10, 2008 12:00 AM to Monday, August 11, 2008 12:00 AM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada).
 
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
 
Words written in red; Words of Jesus
And when they came to the crowd, a man came up to him and kneeling before him said, "Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and he suffers terribly; for often he falls into the fire, and often into the water. And I brought him to your disciples, and they could not heal him." And Jesus answered, "O faithless and perverse generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me."  And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon came out of him, and the boy was cured instantly. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why could we not cast it out?" He said to them, "Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, `Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you."
Matthew 17: 14 – 20
 
To suffer and to be happy although suffering, to have one’s feet on the earth, to walk on the dirty and rough paths of this earth and yet to be enthroned with Christ at the Father’s right hand, to laugh and cry with the children of this world and ceaselessly sing the praises of God with the choirs of angels — this is the life of the Christian until the morning of eternity breaks forth.
— St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross
 
Abba, Father, Lord God, thankful, humble, yet perplexed, seeking answers and guidance for often with everything I learn I seem to have more questions. I look fight not to look back and questions what I should have and not to look ahead to what I could, but stay present with You and only look at want You want me to do. However I look for how You want me to use what happened, and how You want me to prepare for what will happen, using each moment with You to repent, rejoice and share with others what I have and learn in my conscious moments with You. For while I feel and try to understand it is natural to share my joy, and protect mine from the errors of my ways; as with spreading the Gospel, I must walk it, to show it, live it, for others to see it, and trust You for the rest. O Lord my heavenly Father, in Jesus name through the Spirit, I ask You to bless me and mine indeed, enlarge our territory and lay Your hand upon us to protect, heal and keep us from evil, while helping us not to cause any pain. This I ask in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
 
 
Audio books I am listening to and other books or readings I am reading:
When I Lay My Isaac Down: Unshakable Faith in Unthinkable Circumstances (Unabridged) By: Carol Kent Sometimes we make sacrifices to help us get ahead, to allow us more time with family, or because we believe in the cause. And then there are sacrifices in which we have no say, "Isaac experiences" as in Genesis 22, thrust upon us without warning or survival instructions. This audio book outlines eight transformational power principles that Gene and Carol Kent learned in the process of facing the news that forever changed their lives.
Becoming a Person of Influence By: John C. Maxwell and Jim Dornan "You can immediately [sense a] spark when you hear John Maxwell and Jim Dornan talk about leadership. Their understanding of influence is like mine for guitars; it’s woven into the fabric of their being." – (Bob Taylor, President, Taylor Guitars). With influence, you can achieve success at home, work, and in every other area of life.
 

Posted in Daily Bible Readings | Leave a Comment »

Come , now! After saying so often," The cross, Lord, the cross," it is obvious you wanted a cross to your own taste.

August 9, 2008

When: Sunday, August 10, 2008 12:00 AM to Monday, August 11, 2008 12:00 AM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada).
 
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
 
Words written in red; Words of Jesus
Then he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was many furlongs distant from the land, beaten by the waves; for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. But immediately he spoke to them, saying, "Take heart, it is I; have no fear." And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water." He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus; but when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "O man of little faith, why did you doubt?" And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."
Matthew 14: 22 – 33  
 
Come , now! After saying so often," The cross, Lord, the cross," it is obvious you wanted a cross to your own taste.
— St. Josemaria Escriva
 
Abba, Father, Lord God, I read today’s Gospel and I feel Jesus telling me to ‘take heart, it is I; have no fear’. I try to hear each word Jesus spoke as if I was there when He spoke them, trying to feel what He meant at that moment and then as living words, words that He meant for the generations to come, that He knew we would be able to read, listen and feel. As the Son I know Jesus walked and felt what I feel, so I know that He knew He was also speaking to me, to us, whenever He spoke. He knew what I would face, feel, and even how I would react until I heard Him, humbling listening, humbling seeking, humbling asking; thus He says and ask ‘O man of little faith, why did you doubt?’ All the time knowing I would doubt and as St. Josemaria says ‘want a cross to my own taste’  to ease the doubt and make it easier to walk by faith. To choose as a man chooses, not obey as a son should obey. Jesus knew that I (we) would often create our own crosses never knowing that what we ask for may not be what we really want, need or can handle. He knew our doubt would create more doubt and that seeking our own path based on our human desires would lead to a cross we could not bear, alone.  Jesus knew, Jesus knows what I need to know; help me learn, help me listen, help me follow. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
 
 
Audio books I am listening to and other books or readings I am reading:
When I Lay My Isaac Down: Unshakable Faith in Unthinkable Circumstances (Unabridged) By: Carol Kent Sometimes we make sacrifices to help us get ahead, to allow us more time with family, or because we believe in the cause. And then there are sacrifices in which we have no say, "Isaac experiences" as in Genesis 22, thrust upon us without warning or survival instructions. This audio book outlines eight transformational power principles that Gene and Carol Kent learned in the process of facing the news that forever changed their lives.
Becoming a Person of Influence By: John C. Maxwell and Jim Dornan "You can immediately [sense a] spark when you hear John Maxwell and Jim Dornan talk about leadership. Their understanding of influence is like mine for guitars; it’s woven into the fabric of their being." – (Bob Taylor, President, Taylor Guitars). With influence, you can achieve success at home, work, and in every other area of life.
 

Posted in Daily Bible Readings | Leave a Comment »

A man who governs his passions is master of the world. We must either command them, or be enslaved by them. It is better to be a hammer than an anvil. – "You are the salt of the earth; You are the light of the world. Let your light so shine before men…

August 8, 2008

When: Friday, August 08, 2008 12:00 AM to Saturday, August 09, 2008 12:00 AM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada).
 
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
 
Words written in red; Words of Jesus
"You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trodden under foot by men. "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5: 13 – 16
 
A man who governs his passions is master of the world. We must either command them, or be enslaved by them. It is better to be a hammer than an anvil.
— St. Dominic
 
Abba, Father, Lord God, thankful, humble and aware; thankful for Your blessing; humbled at the foot of the Cross; aware that in all despite yesterday and regardless of tomorrow, today I ask that You to give me that portion of grace and mercy to let my light shine from within and maintain my saltness, and taste for the truths in Your Words and teachings of Jesus in every moment through conscious connection in the Spirit through Jesus the Son with You the Father. For I see the truths in today’s reading of 2 Timothy where I feel each generation is being charged and warned preach the word, be urgent in season and out of season, convince, rebuke, and exhort, be unfailing in patience and in teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own likings, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander into myths. As for you, always be steady, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil your ministry.‘ O that You would bless me today, use it to enlarge my territory, let Your hand be with me and mine to protect, heal and keep us from evil and causing pain. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
 
 
Audio books I am listening to and other books or readings I am reading:
When I Lay My Isaac Down: Unshakable Faith in Unthinkable Circumstances (Unabridged) By: Carol Kent Sometimes we make sacrifices to help us get ahead, to allow us more time with family, or because we believe in the cause. And then there are sacrifices in which we have no say, "Isaac experiences" as in Genesis 22, thrust upon us without warning or survival instructions. This audio book outlines eight transformational power principles that Gene and Carol Kent learned in the process of facing the news that forever changed their lives.
Becoming a Person of Influence By: John C. Maxwell and Jim Dornan "You can immediately [sense a] spark when you hear John Maxwell and Jim Dornan talk about leadership. Their understanding of influence is like mine for guitars; it’s woven into the fabric of their being." – (Bob Taylor, President, Taylor Guitars). With influence, you can achieve success at home, work, and in every other area of life.
 

Posted in Daily Bible Readings | Leave a Comment »

You are a hindrance to me; for you are not on the side of God, but of men."

August 7, 2008

When: Thursday, August 07, 2008 12:00 AM to Friday, August 08, 2008 12:00 AM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada).
 
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
 
Words written in red; Words of Jesus
Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesare’a Philip’pi, he asked his disciples, "Who do men say that the Son of man is?" And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, others say Eli’jah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ. From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him and began to rebuke him, saying, "God forbid, Lord! This shall never happen to you." But he turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me; for you are not on the side of God, but of men."
Matthew 16: 13 – 23
 
You – if you are an apostle – will not have to die. You will move to a new house, that’s all.
—  St. Josemaria Escriva
 
Abba, Father, Lord God, thankful and humbly I ask You to bless me indeed today and tomorrow, enlarge my territory and lay Your hand upon me and mine to keep us from evil and from causing pain. For I do seek Your will and I do want to fulfill Your purpose for me; firmly believing the words You spoke to Jeremiah ‘I will put my law within them, and I will write it upon their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people’ I call upon You to light my way and eliminate any uncertainty in my heart and mind as to what to do and how. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
 
 
Audio books I am listening to and other books or readings I am reading:
When I Lay My Isaac Down: Unshakable Faith in Unthinkable Circumstances (Unabridged) By: Carol Kent Sometimes we make sacrifices to help us get ahead, to allow us more time with family, or because we believe in the cause. And then there are sacrifices in which we have no say, "Isaac experiences" as in Genesis 22, thrust upon us without warning or survival instructions. This audio book outlines eight transformational power principles that Gene and Carol Kent learned in the process of facing the news that forever changed their lives.
Becoming a Person of Influence By: John C. Maxwell and Jim Dornan "You can immediately [sense a] spark when you hear John Maxwell and Jim Dornan talk about leadership. Their understanding of influence is like mine for guitars; it’s woven into the fabric of their being." – (Bob Taylor, President, Taylor Guitars). With influence, you can achieve success at home, work, and in every other area of life.
 

Posted in Daily Bible Readings | Leave a Comment »

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »