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

Bible in a Year :  Jeremiah 22–23 Titus 1

Today's Scripture John 20:24–29

Jesus and Thomas By: Rev. Lynwood F. Mundy John 20:24–29 24  Now ( See ch . 11:16 )  Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin-Greek for Didymus-was not with them when Jesus came. 25  So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord .” But he said to them,  ver. 20 ; [ Ps. 22:16 ]  “ Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails , and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe .”  26  Eight days later , his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. ( ver . 20 ; [ Ps . 22:16 ])  Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ( ver . 19 )  “Peace be with you.” 27  Then he said to Thomas, ( ver . 20 ; 1 John 1:1 ; [ Luke 24:39 ]),   “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28  Thomas answered him ,    [ ch . 1:...

Insight  The Synoptic Gospels ( Matthew , Mark , and Luke )—so-named because they contain many of the same events in the same order—tell us nothing about Thomas except to list him as one of the twelve apostles ( Matthew 10:3 ; Mark 3:18 ; Luke 6:15 ). It’s only in John’s gospel where we learn more about his interactions with Jesus ( John 11:14–16 ; 14:5–6 ; 20:24–29 ; 21:1–14 ). In John 11:16 , he’s called “Thomas (also known as Didymus).” Thomas is his Hebrew name ; Didymus is his Greek name , which means “Twin.”  So some translations render his name as “Thomas, the Twin” ( NLT , ESV ,  NKJV ). John presents him as a devout believer in Jesus . Because Lazarus had died, Jesus wanted to go back into Judea for his funeral ( 11:14 ). Earlier the Jews had tried to stone Jesus to death ( 10:31 , 39 ), so it was dangerous for  Him to go into Judea. Thomas showed raw devotion to Christ when he urged his fellow disciples, “Let’s go, too—and die with ...

The scars of Jesus prove Him to be the Savior and tell the story of our salvation . The pierced marks through His hands and feet and the hollow in His side reveal a story of pain inflicted , endured , and then healed —for us. He did it so that we might be restored to Him and made whole . Have you ever considered the story told by Christ’s scars ? By:    Elisa Morgan

Reflect & Pray How do the Savior’s scars promise [to] [heal] for the wounds you’ve endured? What wounds will you bring to Him today? Jesus , how I love the story Your scars tell to me—and to our world. May I learn to love You more and more through the story of Your scars .

Thursday, October 31, 2019, | Ordinary Time Thursday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time Year 1 | Roman Missal | Lectionary First Reading Romans 8:31b–39 Response Psalm 109:26b Psalm Psalm 109:21–22 , 26–27 , 30–31 Gospel Acclamation Luke 2:14 , 19:38 Gospel Luke 13:31–35   Catholic Daily Readings . Bellingham, WA: Faithlife, 2009. Print. Thursday, October 31, 2019, | After Pentecost Proper 25, Thursday Year 1 On the same date: Eve of All Saints, Evening Prayer Psalms ( Morning ) Psalm 50 Psalms ( Evening ) ( Psalm 59 , 60 ) or Psalm 33 Old Testament Nehemiah 1 New Testament Revelation 5:11–6:11 Gospel Matthew 13:18–23   The Episcopal Church. Book of Common Prayer Lectionary . Bellingham, WA: Faithlife, 2010. Print. Thursday, October 31, 2019, | After Pentecost Thursday before Proper 26 Year C Psalm , First Reading & Second Reading, Option I...

Bible in a Year :  Jeremiah 20–21 2 Timothy 4

Today's Scripture John 1:5; 16:1–11, 33

Be Overcome of this World with the Indwelling Spirit of God in Believers of Him By: Rev. Lynwood F. Mundy John 1:5 ; 16:1-11 , 33 Today's Scripture verses convey a message of Jesus to His disciples.  1.   Jesus describes Himself as a "body of light in a dark world" of sin, and that "dark world" ( v . 1 ) did not see Him as the Son of God to bring salvation to them ( Jn . 3:14-17 ). Jesus spoke of those things so His disciples would not be "offended" and fall away from the truth ( 16:1 ). 2.  They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh ( Jn . 9:2 ), that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service ( Acts 8:1 ). 3.  And ( John 8:19 ; 15:21 ; Acts 13:27 ; Rom. 10:2 )  these things will they do unto you because they have not known the Father, nor me. 4.   Jesus tells them, But these things I have told you, that when [ their] time comes, you may remember that I told you of them. “And t...

Insight  Jesus promised that His departure would be a good thing for the disciples because His leaving would initiate the coming of the Holy Spirit , our Comforter, and Advocate ( John 16:7 ). But after the Spirit came, persecution would follow. The religious leaders would kill believers in Jesus , thinking they were doing it as a service to God ( v . 2 ). Jesus knew His disciples would need the comfort and help of the Spirit during those difficult days—things we need today as well.

While many believers in Jesus  haven’t experienced persecution on the level of that endured by the family of Mr. Bae, we can expect to face trouble. But we don’t have to give in to discouragement or resentment. We have a Helper —the Holy Spirit Jesus promised to send . We can turn to Him for guidance and comfort ( v . 7 ). The power of God’s presence can hold us steady in dark times. By:    Linda Washington

Reflect & Pray What trouble have you experienced as a believer in Christ or witnessed others experiencing? What is your first reaction during hard times? Heavenly Father , please protect Your children who are experiencing persecution.

Wednesday, October 30, 2019, | Ordinary Time Wednesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time Year 1 | Roman Missal | Lectionary First Reading Romans 8:26–30 Response Psalm 13:6a Psalm Psalm 13:4–5 , 6 Gospel Acclamation 2 Thessalonians 2:1 4 Gospel Luke 13:22–30   Catholic Daily Readings . Bellingham, WA: Faithlife, 2009. Print. Wednesday, October 30, 2019, | After Pentecost Proper 25, Wednesday Year 1 Psalms ( Morning ) Psalm 119:49–72 Psalms ( Evening ) Psalm 49 ( 53 ) Old Testament Ezra 6:1–22 New Testament Revelation 5:1–10 Gospel Matthew 13:10–17   The Episcopal Church. Book of Common Prayer Lectionary . Bellingham, WA: Faithlife, 2010. Print. Wednesday, October 30, 2019, | After Pentecost Wednesday after Proper 25 Year C Psalm , First Reading & Second Reading, Option I Psalm Psalm 84:8–12 First Reading Daniel 5:13–31 ( Complementary ) ...

Bible in a Year :  Jeremiah 18–19 2 Timothy 3

Today's Scripture Isaiah 42:10–17

Trust in God , Only By: Rev. Lynwood F.Mundy Isaiah 42:10-17 42:10–17 . People everywhere (in the ends of [the] earth; cf. 41:5 ) should sing this song of praise to the Lord . These should include (a) people who make their living by sea commerce, (b) those who live in the islands (cf. 41:1 , 5 ), and (c) those in the desert regions and towns. Kedar (cf. 21:16–17 ) is an area in Northern Arabia, and Sela was a city in Edom. People everywhere should sing and shout to the Lord because of His victory over His enemies at the Messiah’s second coming . God , seemingly silent for a long time , will act in judgment though, humanly speaking, it will be painful for Him ( 42:14 ). He will dry up the places where people do not revere Him ( v . 15 ). But He will guide those who trust in Him , giving them light (cf. v . 7 ) and smoothing their paths ( v . 16 ). However, pagans who trust in idols will be ashamed ( v . 17 ; cf. 44:9 , 11 ; 45:16 ). ...

Insight  In Isaiah 42:1–9 , God speaks of “my servant,” the first of four prophecies in Isaiah ( 42:1–9 ; 49:1–13 ; 50:4–11 ; 52:13–53:12 ) known as the “Servant Songs.” The servant first refers to the nation Israel ( Isaiah 41:8 ; 49:3 ) and also prophetically to Jesus ( Matthew 12:17–20 ). After telling us of the servant’s mission and compassion ( Isaiah 42:1–9 ), the prophet gives us “a new song” ( v . 10 ), inviting us to “rejoice . . . [and] give glory to the  Lord ” ( vv . 11–12 ) for His salvation .

Paul said that God is “able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine” ( Ephesians 3:20 ). We can scheme and envision, but our Lord’s imagination far transcends our plans. We must hold them loosely and see what God has in mind. By:    David H. Roper

Reflect & Pray In what ways has God turned your darkness into light? What have you found to be your greatest joy as you walk with Him ? Jesus , I thank You that You have plans for me far beyond my imagination. Help me follow Your lead .

Tuesday, October 29, 2019, | Ordinary Time Tuesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time Year 1 | Roman Missal | Lectionary First Reading Romans 8:18–25 Response Psalm 126:3a Psalm Psalm 126:1b–6 Gospel Acclamation Matthew 11:25 Gospel Luke 13:18–21   Catholic Daily Readings . Bellingham, WA: Faithlife, 2009. Print. Tuesday, October 29, 2019, | After Pentecost Proper 25, Tuesday Year 1 Psalms ( Morning ) Psalm 45 Psalms ( Evening ) Psalm 47 , 48 Old Testament Ezra 5:1–17 New Testament Revelation 4:1–11 Gospel Matthew 13:1–9  The Episcopal Church. Book of Common Prayer Lectionary . Bellingham, WA: Faithlife, 2010. Print. Tuesday, October 29, 2019, | After Pentecost Tuesday after Proper 25 Year C Psalm , First Reading & Second Reading, Option I Psalm Psalm 84:8–12 First Reading Daniel 5:1–12 ( Complementary ) Second Reading 1 Peter 5:1–11 o...

Bible in a Year :   Jeremiah 15–17 2 Timothy 2

Today's Scripture Judges 6:1, 11–16

The Deliverance by Gideon from the Oppression of the Midianites By: Rev Lynwood F. Mundy Judges 6:1 , 11-16   (1) The defection of Israel ( 6:1a ) is the downward cycles of apostasy ( again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord ; (cf. 3:7 , 12 ; 4:1 ). Deliverance continued with Gideon, whose judgeship receives the most extensive narration in the Book of the Judges (100 verses comprising three chapters). (2) The call of Gideon by the Angel of the Lord ( 6:11-24 ).       6:11-12a . The story of Gideon is introduced not by an affirmation that " God raised a deliverer named Gideon,''  but rather by a narration of how God raised him. Gideon's call or commission resulted from a confrontation with the Angel of the Lord (who is "the Lord ," v.14 .       6:12b-13 . The Angel's introductory remark affirmed the Lord's presence with Gideon ( you is sing .) describes Gideon as a mighty warrior ( "mighty man of valor" ; KJV...