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

Bible in a Year:  Numbers 20–22; Mark 7:1–13

Today's Scripture: Psalm 51:1–7 (NIV)

Insight  Psalm 51 is one of the seven penitential psalms ( Psalms 6 , 32 , 38 , 51 , 102 , 130 , 143 ), so called because the writer in repentant sorrow confesses his sins and turns to the Lord for forgiveness . The subheading to this psalm reads: “A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.” David’s sin and confrontation is recorded in 2 Samuel 11–12 . Many scholars believe David penned both Psalms 32 and 51 after repenting from his sins of adultery with Bathsheba and murder of Uriah. Psalm 32 describes David’s spiritual dryness during the year when he refused to confess his sins ( vv . 3–4 ), and the delight and sense of release after he acknowledged them ( vv . 1–2 , 5–11 ). In Psalm 51 , after Nathan confronts him, David confesses his sins and pours his heart out to God and asks for forgiveness. Psalm 51 has become the model prayer for forgiveness of sin . By:  K. T. Sim

In times when we’re overwhelmed by guilt for something we’ve done, however, it’s news we can cling to desperately. That’s when the fact of God’s unending mercy becomes personal news: because of Jesus’s dying on our behalf, we can come to the Father washed clean, “ whiter than snow ” ( Psalm 51:7 ). In such times, when we know we don’t deserve His mercy , we can hold on to the only thing we can depend on: God’s unfailing love and compassion ( v . 1 ). By   Leslie Koh

Father , I’m sorry if I’ve taken Your mercy and love for granted. Thank You for this wonderful gift and privilege that I don’t deserve yet You’ve promised unconditionally .

February 28: Neon Gods Leviticus 26–27 ; John 10:22–42; Song of Solomon 8:10–14 Idolatry seems archaic. Who worships idols anymore? We all know that in other countries, traditional idol worship of gold and wooden statues still goes on, but we often forget about our own idols. What does all our furniture point toward? Why do we care who is on the cover of a magazine? How do you feel if you miss your favorite talk show? If we’re really honest, what do we spend the majority of our time thinking about? Idols are everywhere, and most of us are idol worshipers of some kind. When we put this in perspective, suddenly the words of Lev 26 become relevant again. The problem that is addressed in Leviticus is the same problem we’re dealing with today. Leviticus 26 and its harsh words against idolatry should prompt each of us to ask, “What are my idols?” and then to answer with, “I will end my idolatry.” And if the temptation is too great with these things present in our lives (like ...

Thursday, February 28, 2019 | Triodion and Great Lent Cheesefare Thursday Epistle Jude 11–25 Gospel Luke 23:2–34 , 44–56   Byzantine Lectionary (Gregorian) . Bellingham, WA: Faithlife, 2015. Print. Thursday, February 28, 2019 | Triodion and Great Lent Meatfare Thursday Epistle 1 John 4:20–5:21 Gospel Mark 15:1–15   Byzantine Lectionary (Revised Julian) . Bellingham, WA: Faithlife, 2015. Print. Wed, Feb 28, 2018 (Feb 15, 2018) | Triodion and Great Lent Second Wednesday of Great Lent Dark Vestments Old Testament Isaiah 5:16–26 Old Testament Genesis 4:16–26 Old Testament Proverbs 5:15–6:3   Byzantine Lectionary (Julian) . Bellingham, WA: Faithlife, 2016. Print.

Thursday, February 28, 2019 | Ordinary Time Thursday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time Year 1 | Roman Missal | Lectionary First Reading Sirach 5:1–8 Response Psalm 40:5a Psalm Psalm 1:1–4 , 6 Gospel Acclamation 1 Thessalonians 2:13 Gospel Mark 9:41–50   Catholic Daily Readings . Bellingham, WA: Faithlife, 2009. Print. Thursday, February 28, 2019 | Epiphany Thursday of the Seventh Week after Epiphany Year 1 Psalms ( Morning ) Psalm 131 , 132 ( 133 ) Psalms ( Evening ) Psalm 134 , 135 Old Testament Ruth 2:14–23 New Testament 2 Corinthians 3:1–18 Gospel Matthew 5:27–37  The Episcopal Church. Book of Common Prayer Lectionary . Bellingham, WA: Faithlife, 2010. Print. Thursday, February 28, 2019 | Epiphany Thursday before the Transfiguration of the Lord Year C Psalm Psalm 99 First Reading Deuteronomy 9:1–5 Second Reading Acts 3:11–16  Consul...

Bible in a Year:  Numbers 17–19; Mark 6:30–56

Today's Scripture : Matthew 21:14–16  (NIV)

Insight  After arriving in Jerusalem on what is known as Palm Sunday, Jesus made His way to the temple where He symbolically and prophetically reclaimed God’s house for its rightful purposes ( Matthew 21:12 ). In doing so, He quoted the prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah ( v . 13 ): “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer’ [ Isaiah 56:7 ], but you are making it ‘a den of robbers’” [ Jeremiah 7:11 ]. Jesus’s zeal for God’s house was such that—though risky— He did not let the mismanagement of the religious leaders go unchallenged. What may have been mercenary practices were—at least momentarily—replaced with marvelous acts of mercy ( v . 14 ), deeds which were more consistent with the purposes of the Father’s house . Though the physically blind were healed, the blindness of the leaders remained, as noted by their indignation and words to Jesus ( vv . 15–16 ). By:  Arthur Jackson

"...  God can use even a child to bring Him glory . Out of their willing hearts came a fountain of praise ." By   Linda Washington

How can I offer praise to God today? Why is He worthy of my praise?

February 27: Reality Can Bite Leviticus 23–25 ; John 10:1–21 ; Song of Solomon 8:6–9 Reality shows are all about people who are known or want to be known—they have celebrity syndrome. The root cause of this obsession is probably, like most things, a disconnect from our Maker . As people disconnect from the God who made us, we seek affirmation from other sources. And as wrong as this desire may be, our culture makes it feel like second nature. The Jewish people Jesus spoke to also felt displaced. They were a people who had lost touch with their guide—their shepherd . Jesus is the answer to their call. Echoing Ezekiel 34:11–24 , He says, “I am the good shepherd, and I know my own, and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father.” But Jesus goes one step further by adding, “and I lay down my life for the sheep” ( John 10:14–15 ). Jesus promises that He will know us, and by echoing the very words of God, He is claiming that He is the God of Isra...

Wednesday, February 27, 2019 | Triodion and Great Lent Cheesefare Wednesday Old Testament Joel 2:12–16 Old Testament Joel 3:12–21   Byzantine Lectionary (Gregorian) . Bellingham, WA: Faithlife, 2015. Print. Wednesday, February 27, 2019 | Triodion and Great Lent Meatfare Wednesday Epistle 1 John 3:21–4:6 Gospel Mark 14   Byzantine Lectionary (Revised Julian) . Bellingham, WA: Faithlife, 2015. Print. Wed, Feb 27, 2019 (Feb 14, 2019) | Triodion and Great Lent Meatfare Wednesday Epistle 1 John 3:21–4:6 Gospel Mark 14:43–15:1   Byzantine Lectionary (Julian) . Bellingham, WA: Faithlife, 2016. Print.

Bible in a Year :  Numbers 15–16; Mark 6:1–29

Today's Scripture: Proverbs 23:9–12  (NIV)

Insight  Proverbs 23:9–12 point to the interrelated principles of seeking wisdom from those who can be trusted ( v . 12 ) while discerning who cannot be trusted ( v . 9 ). This principle of discerning others’ character and limiting contact with the foolish—due to the profound influence of close relationships—is echoed in 26:4–5 . However, these verses show a subtle difference of the principle by placing side by side opposite guidelines! First , we are told  not  to answer according to a foolish person’s folly ( v . 4 ); then , we are told  to  answer, lest by silence we become complicit in their harmful ideas and character ( v . 5 ). These seemingly contradictory guidelines illustrate a principle central to the Proverbs : true wisdom is not a set of rules to be applied blindly but requires continual reliance on the . By:  Monica Brands

"... we can bend our “ears to words of knowledge” ( v . 12 ). We can open our heart and receive God’s liberating instruction , words of clarity and hope . When we listen to those who know the deep ways of God , they help us receive and follow divine wisdom . And God’s wisdom will never lead us astray but always encourages and leads us toward life and wholeness." By   Winn Collier

God , bend my ears and heart toward wisdom. Help me be open to Your truth and push away every kind of foolishness.

February 26: Patiently Waiting Leviticus 20:1–22:33 ; John 9:35–41 ; Song of Solomon 8:1–5 Delayed gratification is a foreign concept to our natural instincts. Our culture doesn’t encourage patience or contentment; we would prefer to have our desires met the moment they arise. The woman in Song of Solomon tells us that she is delighted in her beloved. She praises his attributes and tells of the wonders of their love. But throughout the poem, at seemingly random moments, she also warns the daughters of Jerusalem about love: “I adjure you … do not arouse or awaken love until it pleases!” ( Song 8:4 ). This is not the first time she has “adjured” them to wait and have patience: the same refrain is found elsewhere in the poem, and it acts like an oath ( Song 2:7 ; 3:5 ). Although the elevated poetry glories in love, delight, and fulfillment, it also warns about immediate gratification. The woman urges us not to force love. It is something that must be anticipated and protect...