Devotions Based On The Lectionary Readings for Sundays and Weekdays
Sep. 8, 2010:
We Are All Sons and Daughters of the King
“The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.” (Matthew 1: 1-17)
At the outset of his Gospel, Matthew established Jesus’ claim to the Kingship of Israel by recording His royal lineage. In the very first sentence, he referred to Jesus as “Christ,” which means the "anointed one." Then he emphasized Jesus’ relationship to Abraham, the father of the Jewish people, and to King David who was to be the progenitor of the Messiah.
Because genealogy was important to the Jewish people Matthew took pains to list 42 of Jesus’ ancestors. In so doing, Matthew also revealed the mysterious workings of Divine Providence. For example, Isaac, Jacob, Judah and David were not the first-born sons, and had no claim to the throne, yet they were chosen to continue the royal line. Jesus’ ancestry teaches us that DNA is not destiny. Success in life is not a matter of chance but of choice.
No matter what the circumstances of our birth, no matter how lowly our station in life, we are all children of God and heirs to the kingdom. We can learn and change and grow in ways that enable us to overcome whatever obstacles life has put in our way . . . "Sons and Daughters of the King"
Read what else the Gospels say about "Success."
Sep. 7, 2010:
Bringing Our Decisions to Prayer
"And it came to pass in these days, that he went out into the mountain to pray; and he continued all night in prayer to God." (Luke 6: 12-19)
Saint Luke tells us that Jesus often withdrew to lonely places to pray. And, in today's Gospel, he expands on that theme by saying Jesus spent the entire night in prayer. Of the 14 instances in which Jesus is depicted in prayer, this is the only one in which we know that He prayed throughout the night. He couldn't sleep – He didn't want to sleep – because the next day He had an important decision to make. He had to choose His twelve apostles.
Jesus had to know what was in store for every man He called by name. He had to know the trials and tribulations that awaited those who followed in His footsteps. It must have weighed heavily on Him. And, no doubt, the Devil would have reminded Him of the painful trade-offs His choices would entail. And so Jesus brought this big decision to prayer . . . "Bringing Our Decisions to Prayer."
Read what else the Gospels say about "Prayer."
Sep. 6, 2010:
Jesus Heals the Withered Hand
“ . . . Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored.” (Luke 6: 6-11)
The Pharisees used the Torah as if it were a flint stone for sharpening their critical faculties. One cutting remark after another had been thrust at Jesus. Each time Jesus had deflected the blow.
This time, however, His enemies were determined to draw blood. They were looking for a way (any way) to catch Jesus transgressing the Sabbath law. No good deed would go unpunished.
Jesus read their thoughts and decided to confront them. Looking about the synagogue, He spied a man with a withered hand. In that era, when manual labor was the norm, a withered hand would have seriously limited the man’s ability to earn a living . . . "Jesus Heals Withered Hand"
Sep. 4, 2010:
The Pharisees Have to Eat Their Words
“ . . . his disciples plucked the ears, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands.”(Luke 6: 1-5)
At our local restaurant, the cash register receipts include an invitation to rate the service you've received. You simply go online to complete a survey and, in return, your name is entered in a drawing for a cash reward. In effect, you become a "mystery shopper," one of those professional critics who get paid to visit restaurants and rate the dining experience. In the survey, no detail is over looked; everything from the appetizer to the dessert gets rated on a scale of one to five. Your opinion counts. But that's all it is: an "opinion." Someone else might think differently. That's why it's always best to think carefully before expressing an opinion. You may have to eat your words. Just like the Pharisees did.
The Pharisees took mystery shopping to an extreme when they spied the hungry disciples plucking a handful of grains as they passed a farmers’ field. They immediately accused the disciples of breaking the Sabbath fast. According to the Pharisees . . . "The Pharisees Eat Their Words"
Read how Jesus dealt with "Criticism"
Sep. 3, 2010:
Jesus Knew When to Feast and When to Fast
“Jesus said unto them, Can ye make the sons of the bride-chamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them?” (Luke 5: 33-39)
Before Jesus began His ministry, He fasted for 40 days. And, as a devout Jew, He probably fasted every week and most certainly once a year on the Day of Atonement. In the Sermon on the Mount, He linked fasting with prayer and alms giving as one of the three cornerstones of spiritual life. But in today’s Gospel, when questioned about fasting, He said this was not the appropriate time and place.
From the way the question was put to Him, it seems that John’s disciples followed the practice of the Pharisees, which was to fast twice a week on market day. Then, the Pharisees would appear in public, their heads covered with ashes, their garments patched and threadbare, their feet bare. All could see they were fasting. It was this public display of fasting that rankled Jesus. He saw fasting as something to be done in private – as He had done, alone, in the desert . . . "Fasting and Feasting"
Read what else Jesus said about "Fasting."
Sep. 2, 2010:
The Difference Between "Try" and "Triumph" is That Extra "Umph" Called Faith
"Simon answering said to him: Master, we have labored all the night, and have taken nothing: but at thy word I will let down the net." (Luke 5: 1-11)
Like many fishermen of the time, Peter and his crew would have spent the night using a huge seine net to drag the waters of the Lake of Gennesaret, hoping to encircle and catch fish. It was hard work.
But, by morning, it was clear all the crew’s efforts had been in vain. They had tried and tried again to fill their empty nets, but to no avail. Peter must have been exhausted and discouraged as he and his men mended and washed their net and stowed away their gear. Imagine his astonishment when Jesus, pressed by the crowds, climbed into his boat and asked Peter to put out into the water again. All Peter wanted to do was call it quits for the day. But, instead, he mustered the strength to heed Jesus’ words.
We don’t know what Jesus said to the crowd, but we do know that, when He finished preaching, He turned to Peter and said, ”Push out into the deep water and let down your nets” for a catch.
Now Jesus was a fine carpenter and a great preacher but He was no seaman. What did he know about fishing? Peter was the one who fished for a living. Yet, once again, Peter set aside his misgivings. He summoned the faith to give it one more try... "Triumph of Faith"
Read what else Jesus said about "Faith."
Sep. 1, 2010:
Glory is Fleeting But Integrity is Forever
"And when it was day, going out he went into a desert place, and the multitudes sought him, and came unto him: and they stayed him that he should not depart from them." (Luke 4: 38-44)
After healing Peter’s mother-in-law, Jesus was sought out by many people seeking to be cured of various diseases and demons. As He laid His hands on some people, their demons cried out, “Thou art the Son of God.” But Christ rebuked them and would not let them speak.
The next morning, the admiring throng besieged Him and tried to prevent Him from leaving, but Jesus would not let their adulation turn His head and prevent Him from completing His mission. He left the “Paparazzi” behind.
Jesus knew that glory is fleeting and fame is toxic. . . "Glory is Fleeting"'
Read what else Jesus said about "Pride"
Archive of Daily Devotions by Topic
Sep. 8, 2010:
We Are All Sons and Daughters of the King
“The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.” (Matthew 1: 1-17)
At the outset of his Gospel, Matthew established Jesus’ claim to the Kingship of Israel by recording His royal lineage. In the very first sentence, he referred to Jesus as “Christ,” which means the "anointed one." Then he emphasized Jesus’ relationship to Abraham, the father of the Jewish people, and to King David who was to be the progenitor of the Messiah.
Because genealogy was important to the Jewish people Matthew took pains to list 42 of Jesus’ ancestors. In so doing, Matthew also revealed the mysterious workings of Divine Providence. For example, Isaac, Jacob, Judah and David were not the first-born sons, and had no claim to the throne, yet they were chosen to continue the royal line. Jesus’ ancestry teaches us that DNA is not destiny. Success in life is not a matter of chance but of choice.
No matter what the circumstances of our birth, no matter how lowly our station in life, we are all children of God and heirs to the kingdom. We can learn and change and grow in ways that enable us to overcome whatever obstacles life has put in our way . . . "Sons and Daughters of the King"
Read what else the Gospels say about "Success."
Sep. 7, 2010:
Bringing Our Decisions to Prayer
"And it came to pass in these days, that he went out into the mountain to pray; and he continued all night in prayer to God." (Luke 6: 12-19)
Saint Luke tells us that Jesus often withdrew to lonely places to pray. And, in today's Gospel, he expands on that theme by saying Jesus spent the entire night in prayer. Of the 14 instances in which Jesus is depicted in prayer, this is the only one in which we know that He prayed throughout the night. He couldn't sleep – He didn't want to sleep – because the next day He had an important decision to make. He had to choose His twelve apostles.
Jesus had to know what was in store for every man He called by name. He had to know the trials and tribulations that awaited those who followed in His footsteps. It must have weighed heavily on Him. And, no doubt, the Devil would have reminded Him of the painful trade-offs His choices would entail. And so Jesus brought this big decision to prayer . . . "Bringing Our Decisions to Prayer."
Read what else the Gospels say about "Prayer."
Sep. 6, 2010:
Jesus Heals the Withered Hand
“ . . . Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored.” (Luke 6: 6-11)
The Pharisees used the Torah as if it were a flint stone for sharpening their critical faculties. One cutting remark after another had been thrust at Jesus. Each time Jesus had deflected the blow.
This time, however, His enemies were determined to draw blood. They were looking for a way (any way) to catch Jesus transgressing the Sabbath law. No good deed would go unpunished.
Jesus read their thoughts and decided to confront them. Looking about the synagogue, He spied a man with a withered hand. In that era, when manual labor was the norm, a withered hand would have seriously limited the man’s ability to earn a living . . . "Jesus Heals Withered Hand"
Sep. 4, 2010:
The Pharisees Have to Eat Their Words
“ . . . his disciples plucked the ears, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands.”(Luke 6: 1-5)
At our local restaurant, the cash register receipts include an invitation to rate the service you've received. You simply go online to complete a survey and, in return, your name is entered in a drawing for a cash reward. In effect, you become a "mystery shopper," one of those professional critics who get paid to visit restaurants and rate the dining experience. In the survey, no detail is over looked; everything from the appetizer to the dessert gets rated on a scale of one to five. Your opinion counts. But that's all it is: an "opinion." Someone else might think differently. That's why it's always best to think carefully before expressing an opinion. You may have to eat your words. Just like the Pharisees did.
The Pharisees took mystery shopping to an extreme when they spied the hungry disciples plucking a handful of grains as they passed a farmers’ field. They immediately accused the disciples of breaking the Sabbath fast. According to the Pharisees . . . "The Pharisees Eat Their Words"
Read how Jesus dealt with "Criticism"
Sep. 3, 2010:
Jesus Knew When to Feast and When to Fast
“Jesus said unto them, Can ye make the sons of the bride-chamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them?” (Luke 5: 33-39)
Before Jesus began His ministry, He fasted for 40 days. And, as a devout Jew, He probably fasted every week and most certainly once a year on the Day of Atonement. In the Sermon on the Mount, He linked fasting with prayer and alms giving as one of the three cornerstones of spiritual life. But in today’s Gospel, when questioned about fasting, He said this was not the appropriate time and place.
From the way the question was put to Him, it seems that John’s disciples followed the practice of the Pharisees, which was to fast twice a week on market day. Then, the Pharisees would appear in public, their heads covered with ashes, their garments patched and threadbare, their feet bare. All could see they were fasting. It was this public display of fasting that rankled Jesus. He saw fasting as something to be done in private – as He had done, alone, in the desert . . . "Fasting and Feasting"
Read what else Jesus said about "Fasting."
Sep. 2, 2010:
The Difference Between "Try" and "Triumph" is That Extra "Umph" Called Faith
"Simon answering said to him: Master, we have labored all the night, and have taken nothing: but at thy word I will let down the net." (Luke 5: 1-11)
Like many fishermen of the time, Peter and his crew would have spent the night using a huge seine net to drag the waters of the Lake of Gennesaret, hoping to encircle and catch fish. It was hard work.
But, by morning, it was clear all the crew’s efforts had been in vain. They had tried and tried again to fill their empty nets, but to no avail. Peter must have been exhausted and discouraged as he and his men mended and washed their net and stowed away their gear. Imagine his astonishment when Jesus, pressed by the crowds, climbed into his boat and asked Peter to put out into the water again. All Peter wanted to do was call it quits for the day. But, instead, he mustered the strength to heed Jesus’ words.
We don’t know what Jesus said to the crowd, but we do know that, when He finished preaching, He turned to Peter and said, ”Push out into the deep water and let down your nets” for a catch.
Now Jesus was a fine carpenter and a great preacher but He was no seaman. What did he know about fishing? Peter was the one who fished for a living. Yet, once again, Peter set aside his misgivings. He summoned the faith to give it one more try... "Triumph of Faith"
Read what else Jesus said about "Faith."
Sep. 1, 2010:
Glory is Fleeting But Integrity is Forever
"And when it was day, going out he went into a desert place, and the multitudes sought him, and came unto him: and they stayed him that he should not depart from them." (Luke 4: 38-44)
After healing Peter’s mother-in-law, Jesus was sought out by many people seeking to be cured of various diseases and demons. As He laid His hands on some people, their demons cried out, “Thou art the Son of God.” But Christ rebuked them and would not let them speak.
The next morning, the admiring throng besieged Him and tried to prevent Him from leaving, but Jesus would not let their adulation turn His head and prevent Him from completing His mission. He left the “Paparazzi” behind.
Jesus knew that glory is fleeting and fame is toxic. . . "Glory is Fleeting"'
Read what else Jesus said about "Pride"
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Best Bible Verses on Success
"Commit thy way unto Jehovah; Trust also in him, and he will bring it to pass."
(Psalm 37:5)
"But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
(Matthew 6:33)
"But he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved.
(Matthew 24:13)
"If they hearken and serve him, They shall spend their days in prosperity, And their years in pleasures."
(Job 36:11)
Famous Quotes on Success
“No one ever attains success by simply doing what is required of him.”
(Charles K. Adams)
“I never expect to lose. Even when I'm the underdog, I still prepare a victory speech “
(H. Jackson Brown, Jr.)
“The secret of success is consistency of purpose.”
(Benjamin Disraeli)
“Success does not come to you. You go to it.”
(Wally “Famous” Amos)
"A successful person is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks that others throw at him or her."
(David Brinkley)
For more Bible verses and quotes on any topic, click on Inspiring Quotes.
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