Day 327 - Monday after Christ the King Sunday

Read | Day 327 | Monday | November 23 

1   Corinthians 16: 1-4, 5-18, 19-24
Acts 19: 21-41
Acts 20: 1-6
Romans 1: 1-7, 8-17, 18-32

Background | The Center for Biblical Studies | Romans

Romans is the first of Paul’s letters in the New Testament, but not the first written. Still, it stands at the head of the New Testament letters as a testimony to it sweeping teachings about the nature of the gospel. The letter was written to a church (or churches) in Rome. Since a prominent theme in Romans is the unity of Jewish and Gentile Christians, one can only suppose that this was an issue that Paul felt he needed to address. At times Paul’s language can be very hard to follow in Romans, but keeping in mind this major theme may help keep the focus on the big picture. One can trace Paul’s thinking in the first few chapters. He announces that what he has to say about Jesus is something for Jews and Greeks to hear, for both deserve God’s wrath and condemnation: Greeks have the law written on their heart so they are without excuse, and Jews have the law but don’t keep it. Both populations have fallen short of God’s ideal and so both are in need of the same gospel, which focuses on the resurrected Jesus.   more .. click here

Reading | Fundraising drive for Jerusalem; how to give; Paul wanting to visit but can't right now; final greetings; restraint of trade of shines of Artemis; Paul goes to Macedonia and Greece; Paul writes Romans in Corinth around 54 AD; I thank God for your faith; I am not ashamed of the Gospel; be holy.

Next | Day 328 | Tuesday | November 24 
Romans 2: 1-16, 17-29 
Romans 3: 1-8, 9-20, 21-31 
Romans 4: 1-25 

Source | Tyndale (2012-03-19) | The One Year Chronological Bible NIV | Tyndale House Publishers

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A Prayer Attributed to St. Francis

Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.

General Thanksgiving

Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.

Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Source | Book of Common Prayer | Mission St Clare | Click here