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Showing posts from March, 2013
SUNDAY , MARCH 31, 2013 | EASTER THE RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD YEAR C EASTER DAWN               Old Testament       Isaiah 12:1–6              Psalm       Psalm 30              New Testament       1 Corinthians 15:51–57              Gospel       John 20:1–18 EASTER DAY              Old Testament       Exodus 15:1–11              Psalm       Psalm 118              New Testament       1 Corinthians 15:1–11              Gospel       Luke 24:1–12 Christian Worship Three Year Lectionary (With Supplemental Lectionary) (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009).

United Methodist Revised Common Lectionary

SUNDAY , MARCH 31, 2013 | EASTER EASTER DAY YEAR C              Psalm       Psalm 118:1–2 , 14–24 (UMH 839)               New Testament       1 Corinthians 15:19–26              Gospel       John 20:1–18 or Luke 24:1–12 Vanderbilt Divinity Library, United Methodist Revised Common Lectionary (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009).

The Episcopal Church, Book of Common Prayer (1979) Sunday Lectionary

EARLY SERVICE               Psalm       Psalm 114              New Testament       Romans 6:3–11              Gospel       Matthew 28:1–10 PRINCIPAL SERVICE              Psalm       Psalm 118:14–29 or Psalm 118:14–17 , 22–24              First Reading       Acts 10:34–43 or Isaiah 51:9–11              Second Reading       Colossians 3:1–4 or Acts 10:34–43               Gospel       Luke 24:1–10 The Episcopal Church, Book of Common Prayer (1979) Sunday Lectionary (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2010).
SUNDAY , MARCH 31, 2013 | EASTER THE RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD EASTER SUNRISE              Old Testament       Isaiah 25:6–9 or Exodus 14:10–15:1              Psalm       Psalm 16              Epistle       1 Corinthians 15:1–11 or 1 Corinthians 15:12–25              Gospel       John 20:1–18 Lutheran Service Book Historic (One Year) Lectionary (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009).

Catholic Lectionary

SUNDAY, MARCH 31, 2013 | EASTER EASTER SUNDAY YEAR C               First Reading       Acts 10:34a , 37–43               Response       Psalm 118:24               Psalm       Psalm 118:1–2 , 16–17 , 22–23               Second Reading       Colossians 3:1–4 or 1 Corinthians 5:6b–8               Gospel Acclamation       1 Corinthians 5:7b–8a               Gospel       John 20:1–9 or Luke 24:1–12 or Luke 24:13–35 Catholic Lectionary (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009).

THE LORD LIVES

March 31 Lesson 5 THE LORD LIVES DEVOTIONAL READING: Luke 24:22–26 BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE : Luke 24:1–35 KEY VERSE And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.— Luke 24:31 The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary, 2012–2013, ed . Ronald L. Nickelson and Jonathan Underwood (Cincinnati, OH: Standard, 2012). 265.

Believers Are Indwelt By the Spirit of God

Believers Are Indwelt By the Spirit of God Key Verse: Romans 8:9           I.      What Was True of the Roman Believers Is True of Any Believer       A.      Paul spoke of his own liberation from the law of sin ( Rom. 8:2 ) and of the Roman believers whom he referred to as “called of Jesus Christ” ( Rom. 1:6 ) and “called saints” ( v. 7 ) . In 8:9 he stated unequivocally, “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit.”       B.      In the next phrase he moves on to apply this truth to any believer. The first word to follow is eíper, translated in the KJV “Now if.” This is a conditional conjunction made up of eí, if, and the enclitic participle per, used as an adverb with the meaning of indeed, very, wholly, ever. Thus eíper, the conditional conjunction, is made to mean not a mere “if,” but “since” and should be rendered “since indeed.” Thus eíper here becomes not a mere assumption, but an asserting of fact, especially since the verb “dwell” is not in the subjunctive,

Christian Worship Three Year Lectionary

SUNDAY, MARCH 31, 2013 | EASTER THE RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD YEAR C EASTER DAWN               Old Testament       Isaiah 12:1–6              Psalm       Psalm 30              New Testament       1 Corinthians 15:51–57              Gospel       John 20:1–18 Christian Worship Three Year Lectionary (With Supplemental Lectionary) (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009).

United Methodist Revised Common Lectionary

SUNDAY , MARCH 31, 2013 | EASTER EASTER DAY YEAR C               Psalm       Psalm 118:1–2 , 14–24 (UMH 839)              New Testament       1 Corinthians 15:19–26               Gospel       John 20:1–18 or Luke 24:1–12 Vanderbilt Divinity Library, United Methodist Revised Common Lectionary (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009).

The Episcopal Church, Book of Common Prayer

SUNDAY , MARCH 31, 2013 | EASTER EASTER DAY Use one of the Old Testament Lessons from the Vigil with the following lessons. YEARS ABC EARLY SERVICE               Psalm       Psalm 114              New Testament       Romans 6:3–11              Gospel       Matthew 28:1–10 PRINCIPAL SERVICE              Psalm       Psalm 118:14–29 or Psalm 118:14–17, 22–24              First Reading       Acts 10:34–43 or Isaiah 51:9–11              Second Reading       Colossians 3:1–4 or Acts 10:34–43               Gospel       Luke 24:1–10 The Episcopal Church, Book of Common Prayer (1979) Sunday Lectionary (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2010).

Lutheran Service Book Three Year Lectionary

SUNDAY , MARCH 31, 2013 | EASTER THE RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD YEAR C EASTER SUNRISE              Old Testament       Job 19:23–27              Psalm       Psalm 118:15–29              Epistle       1 Corinthians 15:51–57               Gospel       John 20:1–18 Lutheran Service Book Three Year Lectionary (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009).

Catholic Lectionary

SUNDAY , MARCH 31, 2013 | EASTER EASTER SUNDAY YEAR C               First Reading       Acts 10:34a , 3 7–43               Response       Psalm 118:24               Psalm       Psalm 118:1–2 , 16–17 , 22–23               Second Reading       Colossians 3:1–4 or 1 Corinthians 5:6b–8               Gospel Acclamation       1 Corinthians 5:7b–8a               Gospel       John 20:1–9 or Luke 24:1–12 or Luke 24:13–35 Catholic Lectionary (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009).

Morning and Evening : Daily Readings

Morning, March 31      Go To Evening Reading           “With his stripes we are healed.”           — Isaiah 53:5 Pilate delivered our Lord to the lictors to be scourged. The Roman scourge was a most dreadful instrument of torture. It was made of the sinews of oxen, and sharp bones were inter-twisted every here and there among the sinews; so that every time the lash came down these pieces of bone inflicted fearful laceration, and tore off the flesh from the bone. The Saviour was, no doubt, bound to the column, and thus beaten. He had been beaten before; but this of the Roman lictors was probably the most severe of his flagellation  My soul, stand here and weep over his poor stricken body. Believer in Jesus, can you gaze upon him without tears, as he stands before you the mirror of agonizing love? He is at once fair as the lily for innocence, and red as the rose with the crimson of his own blood. As we feel the sure and blessed healing which his stripes have wrought in us, does

Gifts and Grace

March 31: Gifts and Grace Numbers 35:1–36:13 ; 1 Corinthians 16:5–24 “Yahweh spoke to Moses on the desert plains of Moab beyond the Jordan across Jericho, saying, ‘Command the children of Israel that they give to the Levites from the inheritance of their property cities to live in; and you will give to the Levites pastureland all around the cities’ ” ( Num. 35:1–2 ). The idea of giving is ancient. Before God’s people even enter the promised land, they’re commanded to help the Levites—who will be serving them as spiritual leaders—by giving them cities. Now that God has given to the people, He asks that they give back to His work. There is an opportunity for obedience, and this obedience will come with the blessing of continued spiritual guidance from the people to whom they are giving the land. But giving is not the only concept at play here. Shortly after this, God asks the people to provide refuge cities for murderers ( Num. 35:6–8 ). He institutes a system of grace—a type of h

My Prayer for Today

  My Prayer for Today As the Attach file is entitled:  Book of Romans: Paid in Full;  one can and could take the caption of a Roman soldier's tax statement and the tax collector holding the stamp embossed  Pain in Full  as a statement of our earthly soul salvation is paid with money and works. That is truly a misnomer of our soul being saved when it comes to spiritual salvation; Jesus paid the ultimate price with his blood and dying on a tree at Calvary when He said,  "It is finish".  Then on the third day He arose from the dead to prove that he lives. I pray that this most holy week will cause the sinners to think of Jesus' death and resurrection as his or her personal Lord and Savior to remove them after their genuine repentance of sins by faith in Jesus; accepting Him as their Lord and Savior, and immediately have the indwelling Spirit of God reside in them for eternity. I say to those that are unsaved,  COME while you have the chance before death where you wi

Morning and Evening : Daily Readings,

Morning, March 30       Go To Evening Reading          “He was numbered with the transgressors.”           —  Isaiah 53:12 Why did Jesus suffer himself to be enrolled among-st sinners? This wonderful condescension was justified by many powerful reasons. In such a character he could the better become their advocate. In some trials there is an identification of the counselor with the client, nor can they be looked upon in the eye of the law as apart from one another. Now, when the sinner is brought to the bar, Jesus appears there himself. He stands to answer the accusation. He points to his side, his hands, his feet, and challenges Justice to bring anything against the sinners whom he represents; he pleads his blood, and pleads so triumphantly, being numbered with them and having a part with them, that the Judge proclaims, “Let them go their way; deliver them from going down into the pit, for he hath found a ransom.” Our Lord Jesus was numbered with the transgressors in order that

Taunting Death

March 30: Taunting Death 1 Corinthians 15:50–16:4 My best friend’s mother, a dear family friend, died of Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS). Over the span of three years, the disease attacked her nerve cells, starting with her hands and feet and moving inward to her vital organs. Every time I visited her, she would be changed—her cane became a wheelchair, and her warbled words were muffled into silence. Although she was fully alert, she slowly lost the ability to communicate her feelings and needs. In the end, only her eyes displayed the tumultuous feelings underneath. Those who confront the reality of death or the death of a loved one don’t doubt their own fallibility. They are closely acquainted with the reality that so many strangely disregard. And they cling to the hope of the resurrection that Paul eloquently relays, and which the Corinthians were slow to understand and believe: “We will all be changed, in a moment, in the blink of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will s

My Prayer for Today

 My Prayer for Today Yahweh, thank You for giving mankind Your Son Jesus at Calvary on the tree [cross] of crucifixion with two (2) malefactors. Jesus took on Himself sin that He could die for sinful mans sins. I pray that all peoples saved could come to Yahweh in prayer and have His Spirit immediately after accepting Jesus The Christ as their Lord and Savior after coming in faith and repentance of their sins. Hallelujah! On this Good Friday I pray for secular people not to waste their time in sin but  COME to Jesus for their soul salvation!  The Son of Man paid it all for mans sins; salvation is FREE ... so  COME WHILE THE BLOOD IS STILL WARM AND RUNNING THROUGH YOUR VEINS.  As I close this prayer I want to say,  "Thank you God for Jesus showing Your divine love for man/woman!  In Jesus name I pray. Amen. - Min. Lynwood F. Mundy

Go To Morning Reading Evening, March 28 “I will accept you with your sweet savour.” — Ezekiel 20:41 The merits of our great Redeemer are as sweet savour to the Most High. Whether we speak of the active or passive righteousness of Christ, there is an equal fragrance. There was a sweet savour in his active life by which he honoured the law of God, and made every precept to glitter like a precious jewel in the pure setting of his own person. Such, too, was his passive obedience, when he endured with unmurmuring submission, hunger and thirst, cold and nakedness, and at length sweat great drops of blood in Gethsemane, gave his back to the smiters, and his cheeks to them that plucked out the hair, and was fastened to the cruel wood, that he might suffer the wrath of God in our behalf. These two things are sweet before the Most High; and for the sake of his doing and his dying, his substitutionary sufferings and his vicarious obedience, the Lord our God accepts us. What a preciousness must there be in him to overcome our want of preciousness! What a sweet savour to put away our ill savour! What a cleansing power in his blood to take away sin such as ours! and what glory in his righteousness to make such unacceptable creatures to be accepted in the Beloved! Mark, believer, how sure and unchanging must be our acceptance, since it is in him! Take care that you never doubt your acceptance in Jesus. You cannot be accepted without Christ; but, when you have received his merit, you cannot be unaccepted. Notwithstanding all your doubts, and fears, and sins, Jehovah’s gracious eye never looks upon you in anger; though he sees sin in you, in yourself, yet when he looks at you through Christ, he sees no sin. You are always accepted in Christ, are always blessed and dear to the Father’s heart. Therefore lift up a song, and as you see the smoking incense of the merit of the Saviour coming up, this evening, before the sapphire throne, let the incense of your praise go up also. Charles H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening: Daily Readings, Complete and unabridged; New modern edition. (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 2006).

Morning, March 29      Go To Evening Reading          “Though he were a Son , yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered.”           — Hebrews 5:8 We are told that the Captain of our salvation was made perfect through suffering, therefore we who are sinful, and who are far from being perfect, must not wonder if we are called to pass through suffering too. Shall the head be crowned with thorns, and shall the other members of the body be rocked upon the dainty lap of ease? Must Christ pass through seas of his own blood to win the crown, and are we to walk to heaven dry shod in silver slippers? No, our Master’s experience teaches us that suffering is necessary, and the true-born child of God must not, would not, escape it if he might. But there is one very comforting thought in the fact of Christ’s “being made perfect through suffering”—it is, that he can have complete sympathy with us. “He is not an high priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmit

Prayer and Hope for the Anxious

March 29: Prayer and Hope for the Anxious Psalm 28:1–9 Anxiety, depression, and fear aren't part of the Christian life—or the ideal Christian life, anyway. But for those who struggle with these emotions, this tidy approach isn’t helpful or true. What is helpful is hope and belief in the midst of tumultuous emotion. The writer of Psa. 28 expresses deep anxiety, but even as he does this, he expresses trust in Yahweh: “To you, O Yahweh, I call. O my rock, do not be deaf to me. Or else, if you are silent to me, then I will become like those descending to the pit” ( Psa. 28:1 ). Though he feels like God is not listening, the psalmist doesn’t stop pursuing God. He worships and cries for help anyway. In contrast to the “workers of evil” who “do not regard the works of Yahweh, nor the work of his hands,” the psalmist puts all of his dependence and trust in Yahweh ( Psa. 28:3 , 5 ). Halfway through the psalm, the petition turns to praise when Yahweh answers his prayer. The psalm

The Trials of This Earth Shall Pass

The Trials of This Earth Shall Pass Tayler Beede | Wed, March 27, 2013 “This too shall pass” a phrase commonly heard by those going through periods of mourning or struggle. When viewed in an earthly sense, it can be difficult to believe, since we know struggles often pass only to bring forth different struggles. This life is never free of suffering. Instead, we move through life and its trials, at tempting to make it through by leaning on God, and doing our best to glorify him in the process. Throughout Isaiah 33, a beautiful reminder is painted. A glorious image of the future, paired with the mournful present—a reminder that though we will struggle tremendously throughout this life, we will someday rejoice in the presence of God’s glory. Rejoicing through forgiveness Not only will we live in the most perfect place, in the presence of God; we’ll be completely forgiven of our past (Isaiah 33:24). We will be completely free to rejoice and enjoy life in God’s presence, free of guilt and

Morning and Evening : Daily Readings

Morning, March 28      Go To Evening Reading          “The love of Christ which passeth knowledge.”            — Ephesians 3:19 The love of Christ in its sweetness, its fulness, its greatness, its faithfulness, passeth all human comprehension. Where shall language be found which shall describe his matchless, his unparalleled love towards the children of men? It is so vast and boundless that, as the swallow but skimmed the water, and diveth not into its depths, so all descriptive words but touch the surface, while depths immeasurable lie beneath. Well might the poet say,          “O love, thou fathomless abyss!”         for this love of Christ is indeed measureless and fathomless; none can attain unto it. Before we can have any right idea of the love of Jesus, we must understand his previous glory in its height of majesty, and his incarnation upon the earth in all its depths of shame. But who can tell us the majesty of Christ? When he was enthroned in the highest heavens he

Risk: Oversold and Underplayed

March 28: Risk: Oversold and Underplayed Psalm 27:1–14 ; 1 Corinthians 15:12–34 The fears of the psalmist are not our fears today, and the fact that they aren't should bother us. The psalmist remarks, “Do not give me over to the desire of my enemies, because false witnesses have arisen against me, and each breathing out violence. Surely I believe that I will see the goodness of Yahweh in the land of the living” ( Psa. 27:12–13 ). How many of us have legitimate enemies because of our faith? And how many of us experience violence because of the way we believe? There are many problems with Christianity today, but one of the most pervasive is the lack of willingness to take major risks for Jesus. Likewise, there is unbelief in God’s incredible ability to overcome all that we face. We may say that we affirm God’s power to beat all odds, but we don’t face the odds as if that were true. If we did, there would be far more world-changing Christians than there are. Instead, most C

The NIV Standard Lesson Sunday School Lesson Commentary, 2012–2013, ed

 March 31 Lesson 5 THE LORD LIVES DEVOTIONAL READING: Luke 24:22–26 BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE : Luke 24:1–35 KEY VERSE "Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight." — Luke 24:31 The NIV Standard Lesson Commentary, 2012–2013, ed. Ronald L. Nickelson and Jonathan Underwood (Cincinnati, OH: Standard, 2012). 265.

The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary Sunday School Lesson, 2012–2013

March 31 Lesson 5 THE LORD LIVES DEVOTIONAL READING: Luke 24:22–26 BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE : Luke 24:1–35 LUKE 24:13–21 , 28–35 KEY VERSE "And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight." — Luke 24:31 The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary, 2012–2013, ed . Ronald L. Nickelson and Jonathan Underwood (Cincinnati, OH: Standard, 2012). 265.

Morning and Evening: Daily Readings, Complete and unabridged; New modern edition

Morning , April 28       Go To Evening Reading          “Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.”           — Psalm 119:49 Whatever your especial need may be, you may readily find some promise in the Bible suited to it. Are you faint and feeble because your way is rough and you are weary? Here is the promise—“He giveth power to the faint.” When you read such a promise, take it back to the great Promiser, and ask him to fulfil his own word. Are you seeking after Christ, and thirsting for closer communion with him? This promise shines like a star upon you—“Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.” Take that promise to the throne continually; do not plead anything else, but go to God over and over again with this—“Lord, thou hast said it, do as thou hast said.” Are you distressed because of sin, and burdened with the heavy load of your iniquities? Listen to these words—“I, even I, am he that blotteth

Morning and Evening: Daily Readings, Complete and unabridged; New modern edition

Morning , April 27       Go To Evening Reading          “God, even our own God.”           — Psalm 67:6 It is strange how little use we make of the spiritual blessings which God gives us, but it is stranger still how little use we make of God himself. Though he is “our own God,” we apply ourselves but little to him, and ask but little of him. How seldom do we ask counsel at the hands of the Lord! How often do we go about our business, without seeking his guidance! In our troubles how constantly do we strive to bear our burdens ourselves, instead of casting them upon the Lord, that he may sustain us! This is not because we may not, for the Lord seems to say, “I am thine, soul, come and make use of me as thou wilt; thou mayst freely come to my store, and the oftener the more welcome.” It is our own fault if we make not free with the riches of our God. Then, since thou hast such a friend, and he invites thee, draw from him daily. Never want whilst thou hast a God to go to; never

Morning and Evening : Daily Readings

Morning, March 27       Go To Evening Reading          “Then all the disciples forsook him and fled.”           — Matthew 26:56 He never deserted them, but they in cowardly fear of their lives, fled from him in the very beginning of his sufferings. This is but one instructive instance of the frailty of all believers if left to themselves; they are but sheep at the best, and they flee when the wolf cometh. They had all been warned of the danger, and had promised to die rather than leave their Master; and yet they were seized with sudden panic, and took to their heels. It may be, that I, at the opening of this day, have braced up my mind to bear a trial for the Lord’s sake, and I imagine myself to be certain to exhibit perfect fidelity; but let me be very jealous of myself, lest having the same evil heart of unbelief, I should depart from my Lord as the apostles did. It is one thing to promise, and quite another to perform. It would have been to their eternal honour to have stood

Oh Good Gracious

March 27: Oh Good Gracious 1 Corinthians 15:1–11 “By the grace of God I am what I am” ( 1 Cor. 15:10 ). These humble words from the Apostle Paul are startling. For many, humility is a difficult virtue. It’s one that countless among us must work on every day. Paul had it figured out. His answer is quite simple: I am what I am because God is gracious. Just prior to speaking this humble phrase, Paul said, “For I am the least of the apostles, not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God” ( 1 Cor. 15:9 ). Paul understood that he had done wrong by Christ and believers. And he recognized that he was able to rely on it—not as a burden of guilt to carry—as a reminder that all he has is a gift from God. This is what kept him humble. I have found the best way to remind myself of the need for humility—and to try to live it—is to regularly speak about my past. I certainly have not mastered this, but I have found it works when I practice it. So, here it goes:

Morning and Evening : Daily Readings,

Morning, March 26       Go To Evening Reading          “Jesus said unto them, If ye seek me, let these go their way.”           — John 18:8 Mark, my soul, the care which Jesus manifested even in his hour of trial, towards the sheep of his hand! The ruling passion is strong in death. He resigns himself to the enemy, but he interposes a word of power to set his disciples free. As to himself, like a sheep before her shearers he is dumb and opened not his mouth, but for his disciples’ sake he speaks with almighty energy. Herein is love, constant, self-forgetting, faithful love. But is there not far more here than is to be found upon the surface? Have we not the very soul and spirit of the atonement in these words? The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep, and pleads that they must therefore go free. The Surety is bound, and justice demands that those for whom he stands a substitute should go their way. In the midst of Egypt’s bondage, that voice rings as a word of power,

Grace and Favor

March 26: Grace and Favor Psalm 25:1–22 Usually when we seek someone’s goodwill, we emphasize our own winning traits or accomplishments. Our supervisor, significant other, or family members are barraged with a list of our actions in an attempt to get the other to respond in kind. Often this results in a tug-of-war mentality, basing all we deserve on what we give. But our relationship with God doesn’t follow these rules. God’s mercy isn’t based on what we've done—it’s based entirely on His own goodness. The psalmist, realizing this, turns all of his attention to God’s mercy in Psa. 25 : “Remember your compassion, O Yahweh, and your acts of loyal love, because they are from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions. According to your loyal love, remember me if you will, for the sake of your goodness, O Yahweh” ( Psa .25:6–7 ). In this individual lament, the psalmist reaches out to Yahweh with a cry for forgiveness and guidance. Instead of justifying his

Morning and Evening : Daily Readings

Morning, March 25       Go To Evening Reading           “Betrayest thou the Son of Man with a kiss?”           —  Luke 22:48 “The kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” Let me be on my guard when the world puts on a loving face, for it will, if possible, betray me as it did my Master, with a kiss. Whenever a man is about to stab religion, he usually professes very great reverence for it. Let me beware of the sleek-faced hypocrisy which is armour-bearer to heresy and infidelity. Knowing the deceivableness of unrighteousness, let me be wise as a serpent to detect and avoid the designs of the enemy. The young man, void of understanding, was led astray by the kiss of the strange woman: may my soul be so graciously instructed all this day, that “the much fair speech” of the world may have no effect upon me. Holy Spirit, let me not, a poor frail son of man, be betrayed with a kiss! But what if I should be guilty of the same accursed sin as Judas, that son of perdition? I have been bapti

Tongues, Prophecy, and the Thing We Call Love

March 25: Tongues, Prophecy, and the Thing We Call Love 1 Corinthians 14:1–25 Nearly anything good can become unproductive if it’s abused or misused. Paul is all about embracing the side of spirituality that can seem a bit wacky to us today—gifts of tongues and prophecy, to name a few. But he is fully aware of the problems that can come from these gifts being used in a way that doesn’t fit within God’s will. And Paul’s primary concern is that spiritual gifts are used only within the bounds of love. Love is what it’s all about. “Pursue love, and strive for spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. For the one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God, because no one understands, but by the Spirit he speaks mysteries” ( 1 Cor. 14:1–2 ). By tongues, Paul is likely referencing the “tongues of angels”—some angelic language ( 1 Cor. 13:1 )—although elsewhere the term is used in reference to people speaking in a language they don’t actually know for the sak

THE LORD’S SUPPER

March 24 Lesson 4 THE LORD’S SUPPER DEVOTIONAL READING: 1 Corinthians 10:14–22 BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE : Luke 22:1–38 KEY VERSE He that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.— Luke 22:26b The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary, 2012–2013, ed . Ronald L. Nickelson and Jonathan Underwood (Cincinnati, OH: Standard, 2012). 257.

Your Thoughts Betray What You Are

Your Thoughts Betray What You Are Key Verse: Romans 8:3–7           I.      According to Romans 8:4 There Are Two Kinds of People in the World.       A.      Those who walk according to the flesh.          1.      Flesh (sárx) here denotes sinful, human nature apart from God ( Rom. 3:12 , 23 ; 5:12 ) .          2.      Such do not have God’s rightful expectation (dikaíōsis, the act of making us what we should justly be and what God originally created us to be) as Romans 8:3 explains.          3.      What it means “to walk according to the flesh” is elaborated upon by Paul in Romans 7:4–25 ; Galatians 5:16–21 ; 1 Corinthians 3:1–4 (sarkikós, carnal, fleshly, behaving in obedience to one’s bodily appetites without the control of one’s spirit).          4.       “For those who are in the flesh.” In Greek the verb “are” is the present participle óntes, being, from eimí, to be. This indicates a continuous state of being. It is as if Paul is saying, “You walk in the fle