DAILY, WEEKEND, AND HOLIDAY INTERNET EVANGELIZE TO THE WORLD MINISTRY

MONDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2011 | AFTER PENTECOST MONDAY AFTER PROPER 26 YEAR A Psalm, First Reading & Second Reading, Option I Psalm Psalm 5 First Reading Jeremiah 5:18–31 (Complementary) Second Reading 1 Thessalonians 2:13–20 or Psalm, First Reading & Second Reading, Option II Psalm Psalm 128 First Reading Joshua 4:1–24 (Semicontinuous) Second Reading 1 Thessalonians 2:13–20 Consultation on Common Texts, Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2011).

October 31 A MIGHTY FORTRESS Words and Music by Martin Luther, 1483–1546 English Translation by Frederick H. Hedge, 1805–1890 God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea. ( Psalm 46:1, 2 ) October 31, 1517, is perhaps the most important day in Protestant history. This was the day when Martin Luther, an Augustinian monk and a professor of theology, posted on the doors of the Cathedral of Wittenberg, Germany, his 95 theses (complaints) against the teachings and practices of the medieval Roman Church. With this event, the 16th century Protestant Reformation was formally born. The Protestant Reformation movement was built on three main tenets: • The re-establishment of the Scriptures. • Clarifying the means of salvation. • The restoration of congregational singing. “A Mighty Fortress” was written and composed by Martin Luther. The date of...

Heroes Sometimes, when I study the heroes of the faith-when I see their faith and determination—I begin to feel like a spiritual midget. Take Noah, for example. He was willing to invest 120 years building an ark because God told him a flood was coming. He withstood the ridicule of others and navigated through his own self-doubt to complete his assignment. Amazing. Especially when I think about how a single word of criticism can paralyze me. How would you have responded to Noah if you asked him what he was doing? Imagine the dialogue—”So, Noah, what ya doin?” “I’m building an ark?” “An ark, what in the world is an ark?” You’d ask. “It’s a boat big enough to house at least a pair of all the earth’s species.” “OK, but why are you building it.” “Haven’t you heard? The flood is coming?” Noah replies. “The flood. What’s a flood.” “It’s when the waters rise because of an excessive amount of rain?” “Rain,” you’d say, “what’s rain?” After explaining the meteorological phenomena of ra...

DAILY, WEEKEND AND HOLIDAY INTERNET EVANGELIZE TO THE WORLD MINISTRY "Life is like a combination lock; your job is to find the right numbers, in the right order so you can have anything you want." Many secular people see life as a continuous combination lock where they are locked in to its combination. Born again Christians know that they are free from life's combination lock through Christ Jesus. Here there are pits and falls but knowing Jesus, God will pick them up. When life seems down, they call on the name of Jesus through faith knowing that God will answer. When they have no food, God feeds the righteous. When they have been told by doctor's of impending death, God revitalizes and gives life anew. Christians know that God cannot be locked out of any combination lock in life. - Rev. Lynwood F. Mundy

In the World This Week with the Word The Sunday School Lesson

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2011 | AFTER PENTECOST PROPER 26 ALL SAINTS SUNDAY YEAR A Old Testament & Psalm, Option I Old Testament Joshua 3:7–17 Psalm Psalm 107:1–7, 33–37 or Old Testament & Psalm, Option II Old Testament Micah 3:5–12 Psalm Psalm 43 New Testament 1 Thessalonians 2:9–13 Gospel Matthew 23:1–12 Revised Common Lectionary (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009).

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2011 | AFTER PENTECOST PROPER 26 YEAR A Old Testament Joshua 3:7–17 Psalm Psalm 107:1–7, 33–37 (UMH 830) New Testament 1 Thessalonians 2:9–13 Gospel Matthew 23:1–12 Vanderbilt Divinity Library, United Methodist Revised Common Lectionary (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009).

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2011 | AFTER PENTECOST PROPER 26 ALL SAINTS SUNDAY YEAR A Old Testament & Psalm, Option I Old Testament Joshua 3:7–17 Psalm Psalm 107:1–7, 33–37 or Old Testament & Psalm, Option II Old Testament Micah 3:5–12 Psalm Psalm 43 New Testament 1 Thessalonians 2:9–13 Gospel Matthew 23:1–12 Revised Common Lectionary (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009).

The Most Valuable Men in Town Acts 4:12–14 I. Introduction A. The Priests and Their Evaluation of Peter and John 1. Called them ignorant and unlearned 2. They would do more to change the world than all in Jerusalem 3. Thirteen men who changed the world a. One doctor, one intellectual, and the rest unlettered b. Look at a map of the world and see the impact of their lives B. Why they were the most Valuable Men in Town II. Body A. They were not unlearned and Ignorant about the Savior (v. 10) 1. They had been with Jesus 2. The world needs people who have been with Jesus a. Many know about science, but few know the Savior b. Many know about mathematics, but few know about the Master c. Many know about space, but few know about grace d. Many know...

October 29 WHERE CROSS THE CROWDED WAYS OF LIFE Franklin Mason North, 1850–1935 Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked. (Psalm 82:3, 4) Henry David Thoreau, noted American writer, philosopher, and naturalist of the past 19th century, once described the large city as “a place where people are lonely together.” This loneliness is not the result of an absence of people; rather, it is due to a lack of genuine caring relationships. If Thoreau’s observation was true in the past, it has become increasingly true in the present, and the prediction is that it will become alarmingly more so in the near future. In 1950 there were only seven cities in the world with more than five million people. Only two of these were in the Third World. Today there are 34 cities with more than five million people, 22 of which are in the Third World. And by the middle of the 21st century, th...

Why are we Here? I’ve had cancer and I’ve had insurance—cancer was easier. With disease, there are doctors, hospitals, nurses, friends and family to help you fight it. There are people in white coats searching for your cure. People send cards, make phone calls and pray for you. Their purpose is to minister to you. Insurance companies, I am convinced, are in the business to sell policies, not pay claims. It is not that the people there are not caring people, they are somebody’s mother, brother or friend. The people working there are just trying to earn a living like everyone else, I have no personal animosity toward them, but their purpose is to collect premiums, not pay claims. Using their calm voice, they do everything they can to keep their company’s money at headquarters. If it takes a rocket scientist to program a VCR, it, no doubt takes an attorney to understand the terminology in the insurance company’s explanation of benefits. Did you know that a family deductible of $400.00 ...

Black Support of Obama Holds - NYTimes.com

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2011 | AFTER PENTECOST FRIDAY BEFORE PROPER 26 YEAR A Psalm, First Reading & Second Reading, Option I Psalm Psalm 43 First Reading Ezekiel 13:1–16 (Complementary) Second Reading 2 Peter 2:1–3 or Psalm, First Reading & Second Reading, Option II Psalm Psalm 107:1–7, 33–37 First Reading Joshua 2:1–14 (Semicontinuous) Second Reading 2 Peter 2:1–3 Consultation on Common Texts, Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2011).

October 28 O MASTER, LET ME WALK WITH THEE Washington Gladden, 1836–1918 He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. ( Micah 6:8 ) Go labor on: Spend and be spent, my joy to do the Father’s will; It is the way the Master went, should not the servant tread it still? —H. Bonar As God’s representatives, we must make it our life’s mission to make the invisible Christ visible to lost and needy people through both word and deed. We can do this most effectively by dealing justly with others and by showing compassion and understanding to those who are less privileged than we are. This hymn, published in 1879, comes from a period of religious history in America when there was much emphasis given to the social implications of the gospel. The Civil War had ended and the country was in the midst of a great industrial revolution. As is often true in such times, the individual is exploited i...

He Did Most of my childhood memories are pleasant. I wasn’t abused, my parents provided for all my needs, in fact, I have to say, I was loved. I’m not saying my family wasn’t dysfunctional, in some respects all families have their moments, but we were as close to functional as I’ve seen. I went to school, had chores to do when I got home, worked or played all day on Saturday and attended church every Sunday. Yes, my Mom even baked cookies for us to eat when we got home. In short, I grew up in a Norman Rockwell painting. My father was the pastor and my mother was very active teaching and working in the Women’s ministries of the church. Like my brothers before me, the time came when the constant contact with the gospel rubbed off on me and I came to faith in Christ. I was very young when it happened and I have to admit that my understanding was, well, very childish. I thought of the forces of good and evil as opposite teams, you know, like a pick-up baseball game. I asked myself who...

Blogger: A Black Man Speaks - Publish Status

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2011 | AFTER PENTECOST THURSDAY BEFORE PROPER 26 YEAR A Psalm, First Reading & Second Reading, Option I Psalm Psalm 43 First Reading 1 Samuel 2:27–36 (Complementary) Second Reading Romans 2:17–29 or Psalm, First Reading & Second Reading, Option II Psalm Psalm 107:1–7, 33–37 First Reading Joshua 1:1–11 (Semicontinuous) Second Reading Romans 2:17–29 Consultation on Common Texts, Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2011).

October 27 RISE UP, O MEN OF GOD! William P. Merrill, 1867–1954 … that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. ( Philippians 1:27, 28 ) Our world is filled with much physical and social suffering. Often we prefer to close our eyes to these painful situations that are all around us. It is much more comfortable to associate only with those who live as we do. This kind of attitude within the church will turn any body of believers into nothing more than a religious club. If we want to represent our Lord with integrity, we must not compartmentalize the church’s mission. Soul winning and social responsibility are woven intrinsically together and constitute an inherent part of the ministry. A starving person needs both his stomach as well as his soul cared for. Christ’s earthly ministry is a prime model of an ideal balance of caring for body as well as the soul of needy individuals. The au...

Highways and Hedges Last Sunday evening I preached on the text: “… Go out into the highways and hedges and compel them to come in that my house may be full.” Luke 14:23. I’ve been thinking about that verse a lot lately. When I was a Youth evangelist, I saw God win those in the “highways and hedges.” Our revival team held services in the evening and taught a witnessing seminar in the mornings. After lunch we met back at the church to go into “the highways and the hedges” to share our faith. We saw people saved on a daily basis. One afternoon stands out in my memory. We were conducting a Revival in the California Bay Area. We held the witness training, then went out into the community. Ten minutes after we left the Church, just 20 feet from the front door of the Church a 25-year-old man was reborn. During the revival, he and his wife made a public commitment to Christ. He led his wife to the Lord within 24 hours of his own salvation. When I was a young pastor, I saw God win those in ...

"The secret of getting started is breaking your complex, overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one." - Mark Twain There is no secret what God can do if you trust Him, have total faith in Him; leave all of your cares to Him; Then go about your daily tasks and see how God manages them; All of the pieces will fall together in what was your puzzle. Have a blessed day in the Lord. - Rev. Lynwood F. Mundy

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2011 | AFTER PENTECOST WEDNESDAY AFTER PROPER 25 YEAR A Psalm, First Reading & Second Reading, Option I Psalm Psalm 119:41–48 First Reading Proverbs 16:1–20 (Complementary) Second Reading Matthew 19:16–22 or Psalm, First Reading & Second Reading, Option II Psalm Psalm 119:41–48 First Reading Deuteronomy 26:16–27:7 (Semicontinuous) Second Reading Matthew 19:16–22 Consultation on Common Texts, Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2011).

October 26 O FOR A FAITH THAT WILL NOT SHRINK William H. Bathurst, 1796–1877 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.” ( Luke 17:5, 6 ) When the world seems at its worst, Christians must be at their best. —Unknown Faith is to believe what we do not see, and the reward of faith is to see what we believe. —St. Augustine Discouragement can easily cause our faith to shrink, and we may even at times consider quitting our service for God. Perhaps we have all experienced these sentiments: I’ve taught a class for many years; borne many burdens, toiled through tears— But folks don’t notice me a bit, I’m so discouraged, I’ll just quit. —Unknown One of the chief characteristics of spiritual maturity is the ability to persevere—even in the face of adversity. God often permits difficulties to come into our lives simply to a...

Hector I can’t talk about it without getting misty-eyed; even though a decade has passed since it happened, I still get choked up every time I talk about it. It was the first day I ever gave something to missions that really cost me. “Hector” (not his real name) was my pastor. No, I didn’t attend his church, I was a pastor myself, but even pastors need pastors and I was lucky to have Hector. His church was about 90 miles from mine, but we talked on the phone a lot and we rode together to Executive Board meetings in Fresno. Hector has a great sense of humor, I still chuckle when I think of some of the things he’s said over the years. He was a coin collector and I was a baseball card collector, so almost every trip we made together we’d find some out of the way collector’s shop and browse through the merchandise. We always had a great time together and he was always there for me if I needed someone to talk to. Always, that is, until he answered a call to become a missionary to a part...

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2011 | AFTER PENTECOST TUESDAY AFTER PROPER 25 YEAR A Psalm, First Reading & Second Reading, Option I Psalm Psalm 119:41–48 First Reading Deuteronomy 10:10–22 (Complementary) Second Reading James 2:14–26 or Psalm, First Reading & Second Reading, Option II Psalm Psalm 119:41–48 First Reading Exodus 34:29–35 (Semicontinuous) Second Reading James 2:14–26 Consultation on Common Texts, Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2011).

October 25 FAITH IS THE VICTORY John H. Yates, 1837–1900 … this is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. ( 1 John 5:4 ) Saving faith must always be reflected in a working faith. Our response of faith to the redemptive work of Christ transforms us; but then we need a daily motivating faith if we want to live overcoming lives. To live by faith is to believe with conviction that God’s purposes for us will ultimately prevail. In fact, prevailing faith anticipates victory and celebrates in advance. For example, read the Old Testament account of how singers preceded the warriors into battle and the defeat of the enemy was accomplished ( 2 Chronicles 20:20–22 ). Our faith does not develop merely through intellectual assent to biblical dogma or through wishful thinking. Rather, it is a lifetime commitment to the person of Christ with a response of obedience to His Word ( Romans 10:17 ). This hymn of faith and victory was first published in 1891 in the Christian Endeavor ...

Hector I can’t talk about it without getting misty-eyed; even though a decade has passed since it happened, I still get choked up every time I talk about it. It was the first day I ever gave something to missions that really cost me. “Hector” (not his real name) was my pastor. No, I didn’t attend his church, I was a pastor myself, but even pastors need pastors and I was lucky to have Hector. His church was about 90 miles from mine, but we talked on the phone a lot and we rode together to Executive Board meetings in Fresno. Hector has a great sense of humor, I still chuckle when I think of some of the things he’s said over the years. He was a coin collector and I was a baseball card collector, so almost every trip we made together we’d find some out of the way collector’s shop and browse through the merchandise. We always had a great time together and he was always there for me if I needed someone to talk to. Always, that is, until he answered a call to become a missionary to a part...

DAILY, WEEKEND AND HOLIDAY INTERNET EVANGELIZE TO THE WORLD MINISTRY "Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence...Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent." - Calvin Coolidge Nothing in the world can take the place of God's Word. Persistence of hearing His Word when you are secular, with determination alone, can lead you to salvation alone to the omnipotent love of YHWH for your eternal place after death. - Rev. Lynwood F. Mundy

MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2011 | AFTER PENTECOST MONDAY AFTER PROPER 25 YEAR A Psalm, First Reading & Second Reading, Option I Psalm Psalm 119:41–48 First Reading Deuteronomy 6:1–9, 20–25 (Complementary) Second Reading James 2:8–13 or Psalm, First Reading & Second Reading, Option II Psalm Psalm 119:41–48 First Reading Numbers 33:38–39 (Semicontinuous) Second Reading James 2:8–13 Consultation on Common Texts, Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2011).

October 24 FAITH OF OUR FATHERS Frederick W. Faber, 1814–1863 Contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints. ( Jude 3 ) If you don’t have a cause that is worth dying for, you very likely don’t have anything worth living for. —Unknown Often we fail to realize the great price many of our forefathers paid to establish and preserve the Christian faith. It is good for us to be reminded often that the history of the Christian faith is a rich heritage of countless people whose faith in God was considered more dear than life itself. Much could be said about the first century Christians and their persecution by the Roman Empire, or even the religious persecutions of our American forefathers in their quest for a new land where they could enjoy religious freedom. The “faith of our fathers” referred to in this hymn, however, is the faith of the martyred leaders of the Roman Catholic church during the 16th century. Although he was raised as a Calvinist and later was a mi...

Hearing Steve had a Catholic background and really didn’t want to go to the Baptist Church with his new bride, but it was the family’s church and he felt obligated to keep their Sunday tradition. He merely tolerated their religious talk, but sincerely enjoyed the Sunday dinners with his in-laws. Week after week, he sat on the pew, listening to the preacher talk. He didn’t know it, but when he did, his in-laws were praying for his Salvation. One week it happened, the gospel broke through his obligation and changed his heart. Today he isn’t just sitting on that pew, he is active in the church’s evangelism ministry, bringing other people to Christ. “Gail” didn’t think the gospel applied to her at all, and didn’t think she needed to listen to it. Because of her Scientology background she didn’t believe in hell, and since she didn’t believe in hell, she didn’t feel a personal need for salvation. But she did enjoy attending the prayer meeting for Spiritual Awakening held every Tuesday nig...

In the World This Week with the Word The Sunday School Lesson

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2011 | AFTER PENTECOST PROPER 25 YEAR A Old Testament Deuteronomy 34:1–12 Psalm Psalm 90:1–6, 13–17 (UMH 789) New Testament 1 Thessalonians 2:1–8 Gospel Matthew 22:34–46 Vanderbilt Divinity Library, United Methodist Revised Common Lectionary (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009).

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2011 | AFTER PENTECOST PROPER 25 Lectionary/Ordinary 30 - Sunday between October 23 and October 29 YEAR A Old Testament, Psalm, New Testament & Gospel, Option I Old Testament Leviticus 19:1–2, 15–18 (Complementary) Psalm Psalm 1 New Testament 1 Thessalonians 2:1–8 Gospel Matthew 22:34–46 or Old Testament, Psalm, New Testament & Gospel, Option II Old Testament Deuteronomy 34:1–12 (Semicontinuous) Psalm Psalm 90:1–6, 13–17 New Testament 1 Thessalonians 2:1–8 Gospel Matthew 22:34–46 Consultation on Common Texts, Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2011).

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2011 | PENTECOST NINETEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Old Testament Deuteronomy 10:12–21 Psalm Psalm 2 New Testament 1 Corinthians 1:4–9 Gospel Matthew 22:34–46 Christian Worship One Year Lectionary (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009).

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2011 | AFTER PENTECOST PROPER 25 YEAR A Old Testament & Psalm, Option I Old Testament Deuteronomy 34:1–12 Psalm Psalm 90:1–6, 13–17 or Old Testament & Psalm, Option II Old Testament Leviticus 19:1–2, 15–18 Psalm Psalm 1 New Testament 1 Thessalonians 2:1–8 Gospel Matthew 22:34–46 Revised Common Lectionary (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009).

“Buts” of the Resurrection 1 Corinthians 15 I. Introduction A. There is only one Question about Life, Death, and Eternity 1. Is Christ risen? 2. The question of the Pharisees a. “What sign showest thou?” (John 2:18) b. “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up” (John 12:19) B. The Greatest Chapter on the Resurrection 1. Paul’s letter to a troubled church a. Divisions, carnality, immorality, confusion, and victory b. Paul ends his letter with truth about resurrection 2. Three verses, (13, 20, 57), all beginning with the same word — BUT II. Body A. But … if There be no Resurrection (v. 13) 1. The frightening prospect of no resurrection 2. “What-ifs” of history a. Christopher Columbus had not made his voyage b. Martin Lu...

In Death - Rev Lynwood F. Mundy's Biblical Writings

Hobbies “The only difference between men and boys,” they say, “is the price of their toys.” I don’t know about you, but I resemble that remark! My first “adult” hobby was photography. I learned how to take pictures and develop them during a college course. I took the course with a borrowed camera and the school’s darkroom equipment, but later, I decided I needed my own stuff. Now I have several cameras, all kinds of lenses, and two tripods. Until our last garage sale, I also had a full darkroom set-up. I can’t remember the last time I took a picture. When we lived in Southern California, I took up golfing. Some men in the Church wanted me to play with them so they bought me some lessons at a local Country Club so I’d be good enough. I started with a cheap set of clubs, but graduated to a full set of Link’s Irons, woods, and a nice leather bag. I even owned an electric cart for a while. I don’t want to remember the last time I played golf. I don’t have the space to mention the “wood...

October 22 SOLDIERS OF CHRIST, ARISE Charles Wesley, 1707–1788 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. (Ephesians 6:10, 11) Followers of Christ are also His soldiers—called to do battle with the forces of Satan and evil. Victories are never won while resting in the barracks. God’s soldiers must always be alert and dressed in full armor. That armor includes six important pieces: (Ephesians 6:10–20) • The belt of truth (warriors with absolute integrity). • The breastplate of righteousness (people must see our good works). • Sandals of peace (though soldiers, we are called to be peacemakers). • Shield of faith (for extinguishing all of Satan’s doubts and fears). • Helmet of salvation (one of Satan’s chief attacks is the mind). • Sword of the Spirit—the Word of God (our only offensive weapon). In addition to wearing ...

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2011 | AFTER PENTECOST SATURDAY BEFORE PROPER 25 YEAR A Psalm, First Reading & Second Reading, Option I Psalm Psalm 1 First Reading Proverbs 24:23–34 (Complementary) Second Reading John 5:39–47 or Psalm, First Reading & Second Reading, Option II Psalm Psalm 90:1–6, 13–17 First Reading Deuteronomy 32:44–47 (Semicontinuous) Second Reading John 5:39–47 Consultation on Common Texts, Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2011).

Chinese toddler left bloody in hit-and-run dies - Yahoo! News Lets pray for this grieving mother.

Morning, October 21 Go To Evening Reading “The love of Christ constraineth us.” — 2 Corinthians 5:14 How much owest thou unto my Lord? Has he ever done anything for thee? Has he forgiven thy sins? Has he covered thee with a robe of righteousness? Has he set thy feet upon a rock? Has he established thy goings? Has he prepared heaven for thee? Has he prepared thee for heaven? Has he written thy name in his book of life? Has he given thee countless blessings? Has he laid up for thee a store of mercies, which eye hath not seen nor ear heard? Then do something for Jesus worthy of his love. Give not a mere wordy offering to a dying Redeemer. How will you feel when your Master comes, if you have to confess that you did nothing for him, but kept your love shut up, like a stagnant pool, neither flowing forth to his poor or to his work. Out on such love as that! What do men think of a love which never shows itself in action? Why, they say, “Open rebuke is better than se...

Go To Morning Reading Evening, October 21 “Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?” — Luke 24:38 “Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest O Israel, my way is hid from the Lord, and my judgment is passed over from my God?” The Lord cares for all things, and the meanest creatures share in his universal providence, but his particular providence is over his saints. “The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him.” “Precious shall their blood be in his sight.” “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” “We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them that are the called according to his purpose.” Let the fact that, while he is the Saviour of all men, he is specially the Saviour of them that believe, cheer and comfort you. You are his peculiar care; his regal treasure which he guards as the apple of his eye; his vineyard over which he watches day and night. “The very hairs of y...

October 21 FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT WITH ALL THY MIGHT John S. B. Monsell, 1811–1875 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. (1 Timothy 6:12) As Christians, one of our chief characteristics should be courage, especially when it involves our spiritual defense of the gospel. How easily, however, our noble intentions for this kind of fortitude are changed into attitudes of despair and defeat because of annoying circumstances, the secular media, or disappointment in others. To avoid these courage-defeating forces, we must have our “inner man” renewed daily with spiritual nourishment. We cannot be truly strong if we do not gain the inner strength that comes from God. When John Monsell wrote this hymn text, he provided ten strong imperatives for a triumphant Christian life: 1) Fight the good fight; 2) Lay hold of life; 3) Run the straight race; 4) Lift up thine eyes; 5) See...

Hardships For hardship does not spring from the soil, nor does trouble sprout from the ground. [7] Yet man is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward. (Job 5:6–7 NIV) I’d like to think that calamity will visit everyone but me, but I know it isn’t true. Calamity will visit your home, and it will visit mine too. Everyone suffers. Why? Well for one thing, random selection will mean that I’ll have my turn. If one out of a thousand people will get a certain disease, then I have one chance out of a thousand that it will be me. Other times, I suffer because of something stupid I’ve done. If I eat too much, I can’t blame anyone but myself that my stomach hurts, or that I gain weight. Sometimes I suffer because Satan is attacking me. Satan is alive and well, and he will do anything he can to keep God’s people from touching lives and changing the world. But sometimes, I suffer at God’s hand. God uses trials to discipline, instruct and build character in me. My first reaction to t...

October 20 THE SON OF GOD GOES FORTH TO WAR Reginald Heber, 1783–1826 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. (1 Corinthians 16:13) This text was written in 1812 by Reginald Heber, an important 19th century Anglican church hymn writer. Heber wrote it especially for use on St. Stephen’s Day, which occurs the first day after Christmas. On this day the liturgical churches honor the memory of Stephen, the first Christian martyr. The hymn’s first stanza portrays Christ as the leader of a great army going forth to win His kingly crown. The challenge is given: “Who follows in His train?” The response: Those who demonstrate that they can bear the cross patiently here below. The second stanza reminds us of Stephen’s martyrdom. The scriptural account tells us that Stephen saw Jesus “standing at God’s right hand,” with Stephen praying for his murderers, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” (Acts 7:54–60). The third stanza refers to the day of Pentecost ...

Morning, October 20 Go To Evening Reading “Grow up into him in all things.” — Ephesians 4:15 Many Christians remain stunted and dwarfed in spiritual things, so as to present the same appearance year after year. No up-springing of advanced and refined feeling is manifest in them. They exist but do not “grow up into him in all things.” But should we rest content with being in the “green blade,” when we might advance to “the ear,” and eventually ripen into the “full corn in the ear?” Should we be satisfied to believe in Christ, and to say, “I am safe,” without wishing to know in our own experience more of the fulness which is to be found in him? It should not be so; we should, as good traders in heaven’s market, covet to be enriched in the knowledge of Jesus. It is all very well to keep other men’s vineyards, but we must not neglect our own spiritual growth and ripening. Why should it always be winter time in our hearts? We must have our seed time, it is true,...

TRUE PRAYER—HEART PRAYER “For thou, O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, hast revealed to thy servant, saying, I will build thee an house: therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee.”—2 Sam. 7:27. OH Lord, our song reminds us of what we were, and we would begin our praise by the acknowledgment of our natural condition; we would remember the miry clay, and the rock whence we were hewn, for we were “by nature children of wrath even as others.” Well do we remember when we felt this, and when the bitterness and gall were in our mouths, of which we had to drink both day and night. How heavy was the load of sin! all our thoughts were engrossed with that sense of pressure and of dread. We looked on the right hand and there was none, and on the left and we found no helper; but then Thou didst Thyself deliver us by leading us to cast a faith-look to the Divine, Only begotten, and crucified Son. At this moment vividly is it upon our recollection, how Thou didst b...

Go To Morning Reading Evening, October 18 “Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice.” — 1 Samuel 15:22 Saul had been commanded to slay utterly all the Amalekites and their cattle. Instead of doing so, he preserved the king, and suffered his people to take the best of the oxen and of the sheep. When called to account for this, he declared that he did it with a view of offering sacrifice to God; but Samuel met him at once with the assurance that sacrifices were no excuse for an act of direct rebellion. The sentence before us is worthy to be printed in letters of gold, and to be hung up before the eyes of the present idolatrous generation, who are very fond of the fineries of will-worship, but utterly neglect the laws of God. Be it ever in your remembrance, that to keep strictly in the path of your Saviour’s command is better than any outward form of religion; and to hearken to his precept with an attentive ear is better than to bring the fat of rams, or any oth...

Go To Morning Reading Evening, October 18 “Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice.” — 1 Samuel 15:22 Saul had been commanded to slay utterly all the Amalekites and their cattle. Instead of doing so, he preserved the king, and suffered his people to take the best of the oxen and of the sheep. When called to account for this, he declared that he did it with a view of offering sacrifice to God; but Samuel met him at once with the assurance that sacrifices were no excuse for an act of direct rebellion. The sentence before us is worthy to be printed in letters of gold, and to be hung up before the eyes of the present idolatrous generation, who are very fond of the fineries of will-worship, but utterly neglect the laws of God. Be it ever in your remembrance, that to keep strictly in the path of your Saviour’s command is better than any outward form of religion; and to hearken to his precept with an attentive ear is better than to bring the fat of rams, or any ot...

October 18 WHO IS ON THE LORD’S SIDE? Frances R. Havergal, 1836–1879 … offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness. (Romans 6:13) As Christians, we are to take our places in God’s army and not be ashamed to be counted as one of His. Believers are too often content to sit on the sidelines and merely observe the spectacle. The work of the gospel, inviting individuals to be personally reconciled with God, is an urgent task, not a spectator sport. It demands our whole-hearted, zealous involvement. This militant hymn text by Frances Havergal was originally titled “Home Missions,” and was written in October, 1877. It was based on the Scripture setting in 1 Chronicles 12:1–18, where a very select group of soldiers was preparing to join King David in warfare against the enemy. The poem later appeared in Loyal Responses, published by the author in 1878. “Who Is on the Lord’s Side?” has be...

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2011 | HOLY DAY ST. LUKE YEARS 1 & 2 MORNING PRAYER Psalms Psalm 103 Old Testament Ezekiel 47:1–12 New Testament Luke 1:1–4 The Episcopal Church, Book of Common Prayer Lectionary (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2010).

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2011 | FEAST ST. LUKE, EVANGELIST YEARS ABC Old Testament Isaiah 35:5–8 Psalm Psalm 147:1–11 Epistle 2 Timothy 4:5–18 Gospel Luke 10:1–9 Lutheran Service Book Three Year Lectionary (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009).

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2011 | FEAST SAINT LUKE, EVANGELIST YEARS 1 & 2 First Reading 2 Timothy 4:10–17b Response Psalm 145:12 Psalm Psalm 145:10–13, 17–18 Gospel Acclamation John 15:16 Gospel Luke 10:1–9 Catholic Lectionary (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009).

Happiness Pop quiz. What kind of happiness do you want? The kind with a quick flash, a loud explosion and a lifetime of regret? The kind that Revelation 18:14 talks about when it says, “Everything you’ve lived for, gone! All delicate and delectable luxury, lost! Not a scrap, not a thread to be found!” (MSG) Sometimes I feel like I spend most of my time talking to people on both sides of that question. I wish I could get both sides in the same room at the same time because I know it would change the outcome of some of their lives. If those ready to ignite their passions could hear the sobs from the broken people whose lives were frittered away in a moment of indiscretion that lapped over into a lifetime of regret, maybe they’d choose a better way. Maybe they’d choose something with some permanence. That’s the great thing about the happiness that Jesus gives, it is forever. John 4:14 says, But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that...

Morning, October 17 Go To Evening Reading “And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul.” — 1 Samuel 27:1 The thought of David’s heart at this time was a false thought, because he certainly had no ground for thinking that God’s anointing him by Samuel was intended to be left as an empty unmeaning act. On no one occasion had the Lord deserted his servant; he had been placed in perilous positions very often, but not one instance had occurred in which divine interposition had not delivered him. The trials to which he had been exposed had been varied; they had not assumed one form only, but many—yet in every case he who sent the trial had also graciously ordained a way of escape. David could not put his finger upon any entry in his diary, and say of it, “Here is evidence that the Lord will forsake me,” for the entire tenor of his past life proved the very reverse. He should have argued from what God had done for him, that God would b...

MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2011 | AFTER PENTECOST PROPER 24, MONDAY YEAR 1 Psalms (Morning) Psalm 25 Psalms (Evening) Psalm 9, 15 Old Testament Jeremiah 44:1–14 New Testament 1 Corinthians 15:30–41 Gospel Matthew 11:16–24 The Episcopal Church, Book of Common Prayer Lectionary (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2010).

MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2011 | MEMORIAL SAINT IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH, BISHOP AND MARTYR YEARS 1 & 2 From Monday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time First Reading Romans 4:20–25 Response Luke 1:68 Psalm Luke 1:69–75 Gospel Acclamation Matthew 5:3 Gospel Luke 12:13–21 Or from the Proper of Saints First Reading Philippians 3:17–4:1 Response Psalm 34:5 Psalm Psalm 34:2–9 Gospel Acclamation James 1:12 Gospel John 12:24–26 Catholic Lectionary (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009).

In the World This Week with the Word The Sunday School Lesson

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2011 | PENTECOST EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST YEAR A Old Testament Isaiah 55:6–9 Old Testament Jonah 4:5–11 (Supplemental) Psalm Psalm 27 New Testament Philippians 1:18b–27 New Testament Romans 9:6b–16 (Supplemental) Gospel Matthew 20:1–16 Christian Worship Three Year Lectionary (With Supplemental Lectionary) (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009).

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2011 | AFTER PENTECOST PROPER 24, SUNDAY YEAR 1 Psalms (Morning) Psalm 148, 149, 150 Psalms (Evening) Psalm 114, 115 Old Testament Jeremiah 29:1, 4–14 New Testament Acts 16:6–15 Gospel Luke 10:1–12, 17–20 The Episcopal Church, Book of Common Prayer Lectionary (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2010).

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2011 | AFTER PENTECOST PROPER 24 YEAR A Psalm Psalm 96 or Psalm 96:1–9 First Reading Isaiah 45:1–7 Second Reading 1 Thessalonians 1:1–10 Gospel Matthew 22:15–22 The Episcopal Church, Book of Common Prayer (1979) Sunday Lectionary (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2010).

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2011 | AFTER PENTECOST PROPER 24 YEAR A Old Testament Exodus 33:12–23 Psalm Psalm 99 (UMH 819) New Testament 1 Thessalonians 1:1–10 Gospel Matthew 22:15–22 Vanderbilt Divinity Library, United Methodist Revised Common Lectionary (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009).

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2011 | PENTECOST EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Old Testament Micah 6:6–8 Psalm Psalm 143 New Testament Ephesians 4:1–6 Christian Worship One Year Lectionary (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009).

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2011 | AFTER PENTECOST PROPER 24 YEAR A Old Testament & Psalm, Option I Old Testament Exodus 33:12–23 Psalm Psalm 99 or Old Testament & Psalm, Option II Old Testament Isaiah 45:1–7 Psalm Psalm 96:1–9 (10–13) New Testament 1 Thessalonians 1:1–10 Gospel Matthew 22:15–22 Revised Common Lectionary (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009).

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2011 | ORDINARY TIME TWENTY-NINTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A First Reading Isaiah 45:1, 4–6 Response Psalm 96:7b Psalm Psalm 96:1, 3–5, 7–10 Second Reading 1 Thessalonians 1:1–5b Gospel Acclamation Philippians 2:15d, 16a Gospel Matthew 22:15–21 Catholic Lectionary (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009).

Confirmed Hope Key Verse: 1 Corinthians 15:20 I. Life without hope is worthless. A. Hope must be grounded upon something, for baseless hope is the product of an irrational mind. B. It should involve not only this life, but also the life that follows death (1 Cor. 15:19). C. If we hope only for what death will eventually terminate anyway, we are more miserable than all men. This means that we as believers must have hope beyond the grave. II. Christ is not only for this life. A. Certainly, Paul’s concern was that Christ be magnified in his body (Phil. 1:20). B. However, to be absent from the body meant that he would be with Christ (Phil. 1:23) in an even greater state of existence. III. Christ’s resurrection is the foundation of our hope. A. Paul gave historical proof of Christ’s physical resurrection (1 Cor. 15:4–11). B. He also countered the possible object...

October 16 MUST JESUS BEAR THE CROSS ALONE? Thomas Shepherd, 1665–1739 Then He called the crowd to Him along with His disciples and said: “If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.” (Mark 8:34) The scriptural qualifications for discipleship are very clear: Self-denial and a resolve to bear a cross of consecration for the sake of the gospel. Each true follower of Christ will have a cross to bear at various times throughout life. The cross is the badge that identifies us as a worthy representative and servant of our Master. For some, the cross might be a physical weakness; for others it could be an unachieved goal, a discouraging situation, or a concern for a loved one. Whatever it may be, the way we bear our individual cross can in itself be a testimony to the power of the gospel as well as a source of encouragement to weaker Christians. The text for this hymn was the work of several different authors through the centuries. Thomas Sheph...