Psalm 147:1-11, 20c
Praise the Lord!
For it is good to sing praises to
our God; For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful.
The Lord builds up Jerusalem;
He gathers together the outcasts
of Israel. He
heals the brokenhearted and binds
up their wounds.
He counts the number of the stars;
He calls them all by name.
Great is our Lord, and
mighty in power; His
understanding is infinite.
The Lord lifts up the humble;
He casts the wicked down to the
ground.
Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving;
Sing praises on the harp to our God
Who covers the
heavens with clouds, who prepares
rain for the earth, who makes grass to grow on the mountains.
He gives to the beast
its food, and to the young ravens
that cry.
He does not delight in the
strength of the horse; He takes
no pleasure in the legs of a man.
The Lord takes pleasure in those
who fear Him, in those who hope
in His mercy.
He has not dealt
thus with any nation; And as
for His judgments, they have not known them.
(New King James
Version)
Isaiah 40:21-31
Have you not been paying attention? Have you not been listening?
Haven't you heard these stories all your life? Don't you understand
the foundation of all things? God sits high above the round ball of
earth. The people look like mere ants. He stretches out the skies
like a canvas—yes, like a tent canvas to live under. He ignores what
all the princes say and do. The rulers of the earth count for
nothing. Princes and rulers don't amount to much. Like seeds barely
rooted, just sprouted, They shrivel when God blows on them. Like
flecks of chaff, they're gone with the wind. So—who is like me?
Who holds a candle to me?" says The Holy. Look at the night skies:
Who do you think made all this? Who marches this army of stars out
each night, counts them off, calls each by name—so magnificent! so
powerful! and never overlooks a single one? Why would you ever
complain, O Jacob, or, whine, Israel, saying, "God has lost track of
me. He doesn't care what happens to me"? Don't you know anything?
Haven't you been listening? God doesn't come and go. God lasts.
He's Creator of all you can see or imagine. He doesn't get tired
out, doesn't pause to catch his breath. And he knows everything,
inside and out. He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh
strength to dropouts. For even young people tire and drop out,
young folk in their prime stumble and fall. But those who wait upon
God get fresh strength.
They spread their wings and soar like eagles, They run and don't get
tired, they walk and don't lag behind.
(The Message)
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1 Corinthians 9:16-23
Yet preaching the Good News is not something I can boast about. I am
compelled by God to do it. How terrible for me if I didn’t preach
the Good News!
If I were doing this on my own initiative, I would deserve
payment. But I have no choice, for God has given me this sacred
trust. What then is my pay? It is the opportunity to preach the Good
News without charging anyone. That’s why I never demand my rights
when I preach the Good News. Even though I am a free man with no
master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ.
When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to
Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived
under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this
so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. When I
am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law I too live
apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not
ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ. When I am with
those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the
weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone,
doing everything I can to save some.
23 I do everything to
spread the Good News and share in its blessings.
(New Living Translation)
Mark 1:29-39
Directly on leaving the meeting place, they came to Simon and
Andrew's house, accompanied by James and John. Simon's mother-in-law
was sick in bed, burning up with fever. They told Jesus. He went to
her, took her hand, and raised her up. No sooner had the fever left
than she was up fixing dinner for them. That evening, after the sun
was down, they brought sick and evil-afflicted people to him, the
whole city lined up at his door! He cured their sick bodies and
tormented spirits. Because the demons knew his true identity, he
didn't let them say a word.
While it was still night, way before dawn, he got up and went out to
a secluded spot and prayed. Simon and those with him went looking
for him. They found him and said, "Everybody's looking for you."
Jesus said, "Let's go to the rest of the villages so I can preach
there also. This is why I've come." He went to their meeting places
all through Galilee, preaching and throwing out the demons.
(The Message)
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