Daily Bible Readings
Monday, August 26. Read Genesis 23:1-13. 1) This text is about a negotiation between Abraham and the Hittites regarding a burial place for wife Sarah. 2) What is alien or person in exile a good way to describe Abraham’s relationship to this land and people? 3) How would you describe Abraham’s behavior in light of that?
Tuesday, August 27. Read Hebrews 10:19-22. 1) What, according to Hebrews, is the result of Jesus’ blood being shed? 2) What has happened to our guilty consciences because of the blood of Christ? 3) What are the personal implications for the sacrifice of Christ?
Wednesday, August 28. Read 1 Peter 2:11-12. 1) How did Peter address his readers? 2) What did he instruct them to avoid? 3) What is a possible result of living a life of holiness?
Thursday, August 29. Read 1 Thessalonians 4:1-4. 1) What did Paul instruct his readers to do? 2) What is God’s will for us?
Friday, August 30. Read Romans 12:1-2. 1) What was Paul’s instruction in this text? 2) What does a living sacrifice look like in daily life? 3) How does God change you?
Saturday, August 31. Read 1 Peter 1:1-2. This is Sunday’s sermon text.
Prayer for the Week:
Dear Father, we need the reminder that Peter gave his audience. A reminder of our spiritual exile here on this earth. May we resist the call of the world to come join it in its revelry and forgetfulness. May we resist the distractions that the world sends our way and which causes us to take our eyes off Jesus. In his name we pray this. Amen.
Hymn for the Week:
I’m a Pilgrim
by Mary Dana Shinder, 1840
I’m a pilgrim, and I’m a stranger,
I can tarry, I can tarry but a night;
Do not detain me, for I am going
To where the fountains are ever flowing:
I’m a pilgrim, and I’m a stranger,
I can tarry, I can tarry but a night.
There the glory is ever shining;
O my longing heart, my longing heart is there:
Here in this country so dark and dreary
I long have wandered, forlorn and weary:
I’m a pilgrim, and I’m a stranger,
I can tarry, I can tarry but a night.
Of the city to which I’m going
My Redeemer, my Redeemer is the light;
There is no sorrow, nor any sighing,
Nor any sinning, nor any dying:
Of the city to which I’m going
My Redeemer, my Redeemer is the light.
Devotional Article of the Week
Bloodhounds on the Trail
Bloodhounds on the Trail
by Brent Nidiffer and Jamie Shell
In the 14th century, Robert Bruce of Scotland was leading his men in a battle to gain independence from England. Near the end of the conflict, the English wanted to capture Bruce to keep him from the Scottish crown. So they put his own bloodhounds on his trail.
When the bloodhounds got close, Bruce could hear their baying. His attendant said, “We are done for. They are on your trail, and they will reveal your hiding place.” Bruce replied, “It’s all right.” Then he headed for a stream that flowed through the forest. He plunged in and waded upstream a short distance. When he came out on the other bank, he was in the depths of the forest.
Within minutes, the hounds, tracing their master’s steps, came to the bank. They went no farther. The English soldiers urged them on, but the trail was broken. The stream had carried the scent away. A short time later, the crown of Scotland rested on the head of Robert Bruce.
The memory of our sins, prodded on by Satan, can be like those baying dogs—but a stream flows, red with the blood of God’s own Son. By grace through faith we are safe. No sin-hound can touch us. The trail is broken by the precious blood of Christ. “The purpose of the cross,” someone observed, “is to repair the irreparable.” Today thank God that He has repaired each of our lives.
“If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7):