V 2 asks us to read the Bible every day,   'to have a burning love'   for the Word of God              Resolution

This plan follows the Sunday liturgy:    reading + psalm + reading + gospel            From www.simplebible.info 

O Holy Spirit, please guide me as I read these passages for today. 
May these passages give me hope, strength, wisdom, courage and peace for my daily life 

January 31, 2012   


Genesis 38       

Jacob's son Judah had three sons - Er, Onan and Shelah.

Er married Tamar,
but not long after the wedding, Er died.

So, according to custom, 
Judah asked Onan to marry Tamar
and have a child for his brother.

But Onan spilt his seed each time he slept with Tamar,
so Tamar did not conceive.

Judah then said to Tamar 
"Wait till Shelah grows up,
and you can marry him."

But when Shelah was older, he still hadn't been given to Tamar.

So Tamar tricked her father-in-law Judah.

She dressed as a prostitute and conceived a baby by Judah.

Judah did not know that the woman was Tamar;
her face was covered.

Three months later  Judah was told that his daughter-in-law
was pregnant after acting as a prostitute.

Judah followed the harsh local  custom and said
"Take her outside and burn her."

But Tamar  produced Judah's seal, stick and cord
which he had given to her as a pledge when he had sex with her.

So Judah admitted his guilt and freed Tamar
who gave birth to twin boys. 

Dear God, please help married people to be happy

Psalms 38, 39

O Lord, please forgive my sins and heal me.
Heal my body which is sick because of my sins.

Protect me, Lord, from those who gloat over me
now that I am brought low and unable to help myself.

Lord, you have shown me how short a time I have on earth.
Lord, give me wisdom of heart to live my life better.

Lord, help us understand the meaning of life

Acts 9

After a few days, Saul began preaching in the prayer halls that Jesus is the Son of God. People were amazed at Saul's conversion

As time past, the Jews planned to kill Saul. Saul heard of this and decided to leave the city. The Jews kept watch at the city gates to stop him leaving

Then one night he was able to escape: 
some disciples lowered him in a basket from the city wall

He went to Jerusalem and began preaching boldly in the name of the Lord

Soon another plot was made to kill him. Therefore the disciples sent him to Tarsus

After this the churches throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria were left in peace. 
They steadily grew, strengthened by the Holy Spirit

Holy Spirit, please strengthen me, as you strengthened Saul and the first believers

Matthew 11

John the Baptist sent some of his friends to ask Jesus
"Are you the promised Anointed One?"

Jesus replied
"Tell John what you hear and see:
blind people see, lame people walk, lepers are healed".

Jesus also said to the people around him
how neither John nor himself could please them and their leaders.

"For John the Baptist always fasted and never drank wine,
and people said he was possessed.

I eat well and I drink wine
and people call me a glutton and a drunkard."

Jesus, please help me be someone who is easy to live with,
someone who is not hard to please