Daily Bible Reading - January 12th, 2020 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - January 12th, 2020 | American Bible Society: Matthew 10:1-15: Jesus calls his twelve disciples together and commissions them to continue the mission he has initiated.

Daily Bible Reading - January 12th, 2020 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - January 12th, 2020 | American Bible Society: Matthew 10:1-15: Jesus calls his twelve disciples together and commissions them to continue the mission he has initiated.

Daily Bible Reading - January 5th, 2020 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - January 5th, 2020 | American Bible Society: Matthew 1:18-25: Matthew recounts how the birth of Jesus took place. An angel appears to Joseph in a dream and tells him that Mary, to whom he is engaged, has conceived a child by the Holy Spirit, and that the child is to be named Jesus.

Daily Bible Reading - December 29th, 2019 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - December 29th, 2019 | American Bible Society: Titus 3:1-15: Titus is told to remind the people in his care to obey the governing authorities and that Christ came to save God’s people. Believers are encouraged to do good deeds and avoid arguing with those who cause divisions within the community.

Daily Bible Reading - December 25th, 2019 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - December 25th, 2019 | American Bible Society: John 1:1-18: Today’s reading is in the form of a prologue or opening hymn that introduces the key themes to John’s Gospel. Jesus is described as the Word who already existed with God and whose life “brought light to people.” John, the son of Elizabeth and Zechariah, is described as one who bore witness to the light.

Daily Bible Reading - December 22nd, 2019 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - December 22nd, 2019 | American Bible Society: Luke 1:26-56: The angel Gabriel is sent by God to Mary of Nazareth to announce that she is favored by God and chosen to be the mother of God’s Son. The angel tells Mary about Elizabeth’s pregnancy, and Mary then visits Elizabeth in Judea. The reading concludes with Mary’s song of praise, known in various faith traditions as the Magnificat (from the Latin “magnify”).

Daily Bible Reading - December 22nd, 2019 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - December 22nd, 2019 | American Bible Society: Luke 1:26-56: The angel Gabriel is sent by God to Mary of Nazareth to announce that she is favored by God and chosen to be the mother of God’s Son. The angel tells Mary about Elizabeth’s pregnancy, and Mary then visits Elizabeth in Judea. The reading concludes with Mary’s song of praise, known in various faith traditions as the Magnificat (from the Latin “magnify”).

Daily Bible Reading - December 15th, 2019 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - December 15th, 2019 | American Bible Society: Isaiah 8:1-20: King Ahaz ruled Judah (southern kingdom) from 735-715 B.C., and King Pekah ruled the northern kingdom of Israel from 752-732 B.C. Between 735 and 732 B.C., Israel and Syria invaded Judah (2 Kings 15:27—16:20; 2 Chronicles 28:1-27). At first Pekah and King Rezin of Syria tried to force Ahaz to join them in their battles against Assyria. When Ahaz didn’t cooperate, Pekah and Rezin tried to replace him with a king who would be friendlier to their purpose (Isaiah 7:5, 6). The prophet Isaiah told Ahaz that the LORD would give him a sign to indicate that God will be with Judah and that there will be no need for Judah to seek an alliance with Assyria (Isaiah 7:14). In today’s reading Isaiah’s wife bears him a son, and the LORD tells Isaiah to give his newborn son a name that symbolizes that the kings of Israel and Syria will be destroyed quickly by their Assyrian foes (verse 3). Because King Ahaz prefers to seek an alliance with Assyria rather than rely on God, Isaiah receives a warning from the LORD about the upcoming Assyrian invasion.

Daily Bible Reading - December 8th, 2019 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - December 8th, 2019 | American Bible Society: Psalm 93: Today’s reading is considered an enthronement hymn. In this brief psalm, God is affirmed as king whose eternal laws testify to God’s universal rule.

Daily Bible Reading - December 1st, 2019 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - December 1st, 2019 | American Bible Society: Matthew 24:1-28: Today’s reading begins what is considered the fifth and final major teaching section in Matthew’s Gospel. It comprises an eschatological discourse about signs of Jesus’s return that concludes with 25:46. In today’s passage, Jesus describes the destruction of the Temple and says that the present time will be one of trouble and persecution for the disciples.

Daily Bible Reading - November 24th, 2019 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - November 24th, 2019 | American Bible Society: Psalm 144: Today’s reading is another royal psalm that celebrates God’s powers and virtues, and it contains a number of similarities to Psalm 18 (see the readings from November 17 and 18). What Psalm 18 describes as God’s actions on David’s behalf, in Psalm 144 they become requests for God to act. This change suggests the new situation after the end of the kingdom of David (586 B.C.) The “enemies” and “foreigners” mentioned in verses 6, 7, and 11 are the nations that oppressed God’s people during the exile and after their return. The psalm concludes with a prayer for the nation.

Daily Bible Reading - November 17th, 2019 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - November 17th, 2019 | American Bible Society: Psalm 18:1-24: Today we begin reading the first half of Psalm 18. It is the third longest psalm (after 119 and 78), and employs a warrior-deity image for God. The psalm is attributed to David who sang this song to the LORD after the LORD had rescued him from his enemies. This victory song also appears in 2 Samuel 22. Centuries after the time of David, this psalm was used to express the hope that God would rescue the people of Israel from their enemies.

Daily Bible Reading - November 15th, 2019 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - November 15th, 2019 | American Bible Society: Psalm 136: Today’s reading is a hymn of thanksgiving for God’s eternal goodness and love. Written as a litany that was probably sung by the priests during worship, the words “his love is eternal” are a congregational response at the end of each verse.

Daily Bible Reading - November 10th, 2019 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - November 10th, 2019 | American Bible Society: Psalm 115: The psalm writer begins by giving glory to God, followed by an attack on idolatry, and then calling upon the people to trust in the LORD.

Daily Bible Reading - November 5th, 2019 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - November 5th, 2019 | American Bible Society: Psalm 107: Today’s psalm speaks of God’s unfailing love by describing God’s saving acts in four instances – coming to the aid of those wandering the desert, rescuing those suffering in prison, healing the sick and those close to death, and rescuing those in trouble at sea – saving all from their distress. The psalm concludes with an affirmation of the LORD’s constant love.

Daily Bible Reading - November 5th, 2019 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - November 5th, 2019 | American Bible Society: Psalm 107: Today’s psalm speaks of God’s unfailing love by describing God’s saving acts in four instances – coming to the aid of those wandering the desert, rescuing those suffering in prison, healing the sick and those close to death, and rescuing those in trouble at sea – saving all from their distress. The psalm concludes with an affirmation of the LORD’s constant love.

Daily Bible Reading - November 5th, 2019 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - November 5th, 2019 | American Bible Society: Psalm 107: Today’s psalm speaks of God’s unfailing love by describing God’s saving acts in four instances – coming to the aid of those wandering the desert, rescuing those suffering in prison, healing the sick and those close to death, and rescuing those in trouble at sea – saving all from their distress. The psalm concludes with an affirmation of the LORD’s constant love.

Daily Bible Reading - November 5th, 2019 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - November 5th, 2019 | American Bible Society: Psalm 107: Today’s psalm speaks of God’s unfailing love by describing God’s saving acts in four instances – coming to the aid of those wandering the desert, rescuing those suffering in prison, healing the sick and those close to death, and rescuing those in trouble at sea – saving all from their distress. The psalm concludes with an affirmation of the LORD’s constant love.

Daily Bible Reading - November 3rd, 2019 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - November 3rd, 2019 | American Bible Society: Psalm 105: This psalm outlines Israel’s history from the call of Abraham to the journey of the people to the Promised Land.

Daily Bible Reading - October 27th, 2019 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - October 27th, 2019 | American Bible Society: Micah 3:1-12: Micah denounces those leaders who ignore God’s concern for justice, and he speaks out against those prophets who deceive the people.

Daily Bible Reading - October 20th, 2019 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - October 20th, 2019 | American Bible Society: Deuteronomy 7:1-11: Moses reminds the people that they belong to the LORD. He tells them that the LORD will drive out the seven nations that are in the land the Israelites are to occupy. He reminds them of the LORD’s love and exhorts them to obey God’s laws.

Daily Bible Reading - October 13th, 2019 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - October 13th, 2019 | American Bible Society: Deuteronomy 1:1-18: The book of Deuteronomy is presented as Moses’s last words to the generation of Israelites who are ready to enter and occupy the Promised Land. Over the next eleven days, we will be reading excerpts from Deuteronomy. Today’s reading is Moses’s first speech in which he reviews Israel’s wilderness journey from Mount Sinai to where they are now encamped in the plains of Moab.

Daily Bible Reading - October 6th, 2019 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - October 6th, 2019 | American Bible Society: Leviticus 26:14-46: Today’s reading is a continuation of the reading from yesterday and describes the punishment that is the consequence of disobedience.

Daily Bible Reading - September 29th, 2019 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - September 29th, 2019 | American Bible Society: Psalm 119:145-160: The psalmist seeks God’s help day and night. He relies on the Law for courage and safety. Yet he is still oppressed by people in power. The psalmist puts his hope and his trust in God, and continues to praise God even in the midst of trouble. He relies on God’s forgiveness and trusts in God’s love.

Daily Bible Reading - September 22nd, 2019 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - September 22nd, 2019 | American Bible Society: Psalm 119:25-48: Today’s reading begins with the psalmist expressing a determination to obey the Law of the LORD, followed by a prayer for understanding. The psalmist acknowledges that a desire to obey God’s commands is worth more than material wealth, and concludes by expressing trust in God’s laws and judgments.

Daily Bible Reading - September 8th, 2019 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - September 8th, 2019 | American Bible Society: Luke 12:41-59: Today’s reading begins with Peter questioning Jesus’s parable about the watchful servant (see Luke 12:35-40 from yesterday’s reading). By means of another parable, Jesus continues to teach about being faithful. When he speaks of division within households, he confronts his hearers with the challenge of what it means to follow him and embrace his teachings.

Daily Bible Reading - September 1st, 2019 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - September 1st, 2019 | American Bible Society: Luke 8:4-21: Jesus often used parables to teach about the Kingdom of God. In today’s reading, the parable of the sower demonstrates the importance of having an obedient heart in order to receive and retain the message. The reading concludes with Jesus expanding upon the meaning of family in the Kingdom of God.

Daily Bible Reading - July 28th, 2019 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - July 28th, 2019 | American Bible Society: Genesis 6:1-22: Today we begin reading excerpts from Genesis, the first book in the Bible. The word “genesis” comes from a Greek word that means “beginning.” And the book of Genesis is about beginnings—the beginning of the world, the beginning of the human race, and the beginning of the people of Israel. The book is also a book of faith, which means that it is concerned with who God is and how God has been involved in the lives of people from the time of creation. Today’s reading is about how God saved Noah and his family from a great flood that destroyed the earth and all its sinful people. The chapter begins with an account of heavenly beings and the children born to the women they took. These offspring, described as “the great heroes and famous men of long ago,” were called Nephilim and most likely are the giants mentioned in Numbers 13:31-33.

Daily Bible Reading - July 21st, 2019 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - July 21st, 2019 | American Bible Society: 2 Samuel 5:1-25: Chapters 3 and 4 recount the deaths of Abner and Ishbosheth. In today’s reading, the leaders of the northern tribes (Israel) accept David as king. David leads a united Israel in capturing Jerusalem from the Jebusites and fighting the Philistines.

Daily Bible Reading - July 21st, 2019 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - July 21st, 2019 | American Bible Society: 2 Samuel 5:1-25: Chapters 3 and 4 recount the deaths of Abner and Ishbosheth. In today’s reading, the leaders of the northern tribes (Israel) accept David as king. David leads a united Israel in capturing Jerusalem from the Jebusites and fighting the Philistines.

Daily Bible Reading - July 21st, 2019 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - July 21st, 2019 | American Bible Society: 2 Samuel 5:1-25: Chapters 3 and 4 recount the deaths of Abner and Ishbosheth. In today’s reading, the leaders of the northern tribes (Israel) accept David as king. David leads a united Israel in capturing Jerusalem from the Jebusites and fighting the Philistines.

Daily Bible Reading - July 14th, 2019 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - July 14th, 2019 | American Bible Society: 1 Samuel 15:1-35: Saul is instructed to attack the Amalekites and to destroy everything they have. However, Saul allows his men to keep the best sheep and cattle to offer as a sacrifice to God. Samuel confronts Saul with his sin of disobedience, and the LORD rejects Saul as king.

Daily Bible Reading - July 7th, 2019 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - July 7th, 2019 | American Bible Society: 1 Samuel 6:1-19: Chapters 4 and 5 describe a time when the Philistines waged war against Israel, defeated them, and captured the Covenant Box for which they were punished by God with a severe outbreak of tumors. The Philistines are advised by their priests and magicians to return the Covenant Box along with a gift to pay for their sin. When the Covenant Box arrives in Beth Shemesh, the people are overjoyed and offer sacrifices to the lord. But seventy men are killed because they looked inside the Covenant Box. To look inside to see God was disrespectful, and those who did it were struck dead.

Daily Bible Reading - June 30th, 2019 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - June 30th, 2019 | American Bible Society: John 15:18—16:15: Jesus warns his disciples that they will be hated and suffer persecution because they have chosen to believe in and follow him. Jesus says that he is returning to God the Father but that he will send the Holy Spirit who will lead them and reveal the truth about God.

God Will Take Care of You.wmv

C L Franklin sermon What is Your Life - Part 1

Daily Bible Reading - June 23rd, 2019 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - June 23rd, 2019 | American Bible Society: Acts 16:16-40: Paul and Silas are beaten and put in jail after freeing a girl from enslavement to an evil spirit. While in jail, they sing and pray, and a strong earthquake shakes the jail doors open. Paul and Silas do not leave, and the jailer becomes a believer.

Daily Bible Reading - June 22nd, 2019 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - June 22nd, 2019 | American Bible Society: Acts 16:1-15: Chapter 16 begins the final section in the book of Acts, which focuses on Paul’s mission to spread the faith. As he begins his second journey, Paul meets Timothy, who will become one of his co-workers. Paul has a vision, calling him to preach in Macedonia. When he and his companions arrive in Philippi (a Roman colony in the district of Macedonia), they meet Lydia, who invites them to her home.

Daily Bible Reading - June 16th, 2019 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - June 16th, 2019 | American Bible Society: Acts 13:1-12: This chapter begins with the first of Saul’s (later known as Paul) three missionary journeys to spread the Good News to the Gentiles throughout the Mediterranean world. Saul and Barnabas are chosen and sent to Seleucia (on the Mediterranean coast of Syria) and Cyprus. They encounter opposition from the governor’s magician, and the magician is struck blind.

Daily Bible Reading - June 9th, 2019 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - June 9th, 2019 | American Bible Society: Acts 2:1-28: God sends the Holy Spirit to give power and courage to the apostles. They begin to tell the good news about Jesus, which people hear in many different languages. Some people are happy and excited, while others make fun of the Lord’s followers. Peter repeats the words of the prophet Joel regarding the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and speaks of Jesus’s death and resurrection.

Daily Bible Reading - May 26th, 2019 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - May 26th, 2019 | American Bible Society: Ruth 1:1-22: Today we begin reading the story of Ruth, a Moabite who married an Israelite. Following the death of her father-in-law and then later her own husband, Ruth chooses to leave Moab and return to Bethlehem with her mother-in-law, Naomi.

Daily Bible Reading - May 19th, 2019 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - May 19th, 2019 | American Bible Society: Judges 11:1-28: Yesterday’s reading concluded with the Israelites discussing who would lead them in fighting against their enemy, the Ammonites (Judges 10:18). Today we read that they seek out Jephthah and ask him to lead them. Jephthah attempts to negotiate with the king of Ammon, but his efforts fail.