Bible Sunday 1/21: Kingdom at Hand

Studying this morning's four readings from the St. James Daily Devotional Guide (click to subscribe), I examined myself with these questions. Where is your self-examination leading today?

Psalms 55:1-23. Verse 23, what situation in my life right now, looking dark and difficult, can I confront with calm faith insisting, “But God”?

Deuteronomy 21:1-23. Verses 18-21, a rebellious son to be punished by stoning. Doesn’t this dramatically heighten the mercy of God shown in Jesus’ story of the prodigal? When have I needed that mercy?

Hebrews 9:11-22. Is the blood of Christ important to me only sometimes—in the ceremony of communion—or every day all the time?

Matthew 10:1-15. Verses 9 and 10, what excess baggage, spiritually considered, do I need to get rid of in order to travel light in serving Jesus?

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To go deeper, see interpretive notes by Bible scholar Patrick Reardon for many of this week's readings.