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

Hades Revelation 1:18 Excerpt In the  nt  ... Hades appears both as a place ( Acts 2:31 ) and as a being ( Rev. 6:8 ). As a place it is the abode of the dead ( Acts 2:27 , 31 ). The notion that the realm of the dead had one or more gates controlling movement into and out of it is a very ancient one. It appears in the  ot  ( Isa. 38:10 ) and in the  nt   ( Matt. 16:18 ). In Rev. 1:18 the risen Christ says that he has ‘the keys of Death and Hades.’ The saying implies that Christ is able to unlock and lock the gates of Hades, that he has power over life and death. The saying in Matt. 16:18 means that the powers of death and other God-opposing forces will not triumph over the church (the community of believers in Jesus as the Christ).  More Achtemeier, Paul J., Harper & Row and Society of Biblical Literature.  Harper’s Bible  Dictionary  1985: 365. Print.

The Power of the Word Unto Wisdom Excerpt The testimonies of the Lord are “wonderful,” i.e., superhuman in their excellence. Their sublimity and mystery are what attracts the psalmist to them. The unfolding of that word equips the simple who need instruction to discern between right and wrong. He craved this wisdom food and opened his mouth to receive it. He boldly suggests that those who love God’s name are entitled to his mercy. He asks for guidance so that he might avoid both temptation from within and trial from without. He urges God to redeem him from oppressors so that he may freely practice his faith. He asks that God might illuminate the darkness that surrounds him with the light of his presence. The righteous indignation which he feels at one moment for the lawlessness of men ( v .  53 ) is tempered here by profound sorrow and pity.  More Smith, James E.  The Wisdom Literature and Psalms . Joplin, MO: College Press Pub. Co., 1996. Print. Old Te...

Disease and Healing in the First Century Acts 4:9 Excerpt In the early Christian period illness may be caused by numerous demonic entities who are not always acting at Yahweh’s command ( Matt. 15:22 ;  Luke 11:14 ), and not necessarily by the violation of covenant stipulations ( John 9:2 ). Illnesses mentioned include fevers ( Mark 1:30 ), hemorrhages ( Matt. 9:20 ), and what has been identified by some scholars as epilepsy ( Mark 9:14–29 ). The cure for illness may be found in this world, and not simply in some utopian future. Christianity also may have attracted patients who were too poor to afford fees charged in many Greco-Roman traditions (cf.  Matt. 10:8 ). Some Greco-Roman traditions insisted that travel to a shrine was necessary for healing, but Christianity, with its emphasis on the value of faith alone, in effect announced that travel to a shrine was not required ( Matt. 8:8 ). Likewise, Christianity resisted temporal restrictions on when healing could be ...

“I Was Afraid” Excerpt This ill affection toward God arose from his false notions of him, and nothing is more unworthy of God, nor more hinders our duty to him, than slavish fear. This has bondage and torment and is directly opposite to that entire love which the great commandment requires. Note, Hard thoughts of God drive us from, and cramp us in his service. Those who think it impossible to please him, and in vain to serve him, will do nothing to purpose in religion.  More Henry, Matthew.  Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible : Complete and Unabridged in One Volume . Peabody: Hendrickson, 1994. Print.

FRIDAY OF THE SIXTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME Catholic Daily Readings First Reading  Ex 20:1–17 Response   Jn 6:68c Psalm  Ps 19:8–11 Gospel Acclamation   Lk 8:15 Gospel   Mt 13:18–23

JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH, KANTOR Lutheran Service Book Three Year Lectionary

FRIDAY BEFORE PROPER 12 Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings Psalm  Ps 119:129–136  or  Ps 105:1–11 ,  45b First Reading  1 Ki 1:38–48  or  Ge 29:9–14 Second Reading  Ac 7:44–53