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Thanks for the years of readers on this url.  We have moved the Reader over to the official Asburyseminary.edu domain, but you can still access it through http://www.asburyreader.com.  This post is to catch your RSS readers and let you know that things changed.  See you at the new house!!!

Epiphany, Day 39

Psalm 96:1-9 NIV

 ¹ Sing to the LORD a new song;
       sing to the LORD, all the earth.

 ² Sing to the LORD, praise his name;
       proclaim his salvation day after day.

 ³ Declare his glory among the nations,
       his marvelous deeds among all peoples.

 ⁴ For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise;
       he is to be feared above all gods.

 ⁵ For all the gods of the nations are idols,
       but the LORD made the heavens.

 ⁶ Splendor and majesty are before him;
       strength and glory are in his sanctuary.

 ⁷ Ascribe to the LORD, O families of nations,
       ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.

 ⁸ Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;
       bring an offering and come into his courts.

 ⁹ Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness;
       tremble before him, all the earth.

Luke 7:1-10 TNIV

¹ When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people who were listening, he entered Capernaum. ² There a centurion's servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. ³ The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. ⁴ When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, "This man deserves to have you do this, ⁵ because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue." ⁶ So Jesus went with them.

    He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: "Lord, don't trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. ⁷ That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. ⁸ For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."

    ⁹ When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, "I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel." ¹⁰ Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.

Epiphany, Day 38

Psalm 2 TNIV

 1 Why do the nations conspire
       and the peoples plot in vain?

    2 The kings of the earth rise up
       and the rulers band together
       against the LORD and against his anointed, saying,

    3 "Let us break their chains
       and throw off their shackles."

    4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs;
       the Lord scoffs at them.

    5 He rebukes them in his anger
       and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,

    6 "I have installed my king
       on Zion, my holy mountain."

    7 I will proclaim the LORD's decree:
       He said to me, "You are my son;
       today I have become your father.

    8 Ask me,
       and I will make the nations your inheritance,
       the ends of the earth your possession.

    9 You will break them with a rod of iron ;
       you will dash them to pieces like pottery."

    10 Therefore, you kings, be wise;
       be warned, you rulers of the earth.

    11 Serve the LORD with fear
       and celebrate his rule with trembling.

    12 Kiss his son, or he will be angry
       and you and your ways will be destroyed,
       for his wrath can flare up in a moment.
       Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

Matthew 3:13-17 TNIV

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?"

    15 Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented.

    16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."

Epiphany, Day 37

Psalm 29 The Message

 1-2 Bravo, God, bravo! Gods and all angels shout, "Encore!"
   In awe before the glory,
      in awe before God's visible power.
   Stand at attention!
      Dress your best to honor him!

 3 God thunders across the waters,
   Brilliant, his voice and his face, streaming brightness—
   God, across the flood waters.

 4 God's thunder tympanic,
   God's thunder symphonic.

 5 God's thunder smashes cedars,
   God topples the northern cedars.

 6 The mountain ranges skip like spring colts,
   The high ridges jump like wild kid goats.

 7-8 God's thunder spits fire.
   God thunders, the wilderness quakes;
   He makes the desert of Kadesh shake.

 9 God's thunder sets the oak trees dancing
   A wild dance, whirling; the pelting rain strips their branches.
   We fall to our knees—we call out, "Glory!"

 10 Above the floodwaters is God's throne
      from which his power flows,
      from which he rules the world.

 11 God makes his people strong.
   God gives his people peace.

Mark 4:35-41 The Message

 35-38 Late that day he said to them, "Let's go across to the other side." They took him in the boat as he was. Other boats came along. A huge storm came up. Waves poured into the boat, threatening to sink it. And Jesus was in the stern, head on a pillow, sleeping! They roused him, saying, "Teacher, is it nothing to you that we're going down?"

 39-40 Awake now, he told the wind to pipe down and said to the sea, "Quiet! Settle down!" The wind ran out of breath; the sea became smooth as glass. Jesus reprimanded the disciples: "Why are you such cowards? Don't you have any faith at all?"

 41 They were in absolute awe, staggered. "Who is this, anyway?" they asked. "Wind and sea at his beck and call!"

Epiphany, Day 36

Psalm 138 NIV

 1 I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart;
       before the "gods" I will sing your praise.

 2 I will bow down toward your holy temple
       and will praise your name
       for your love and your faithfulness,
       for you have exalted above all things
       your name and your word.

 3 When I called, you answered me;
       you made me bold and stouthearted.

 4 May all the kings of the earth praise you, O LORD,
       when they hear the words of your mouth.

 5 May they sing of the ways of the LORD,
       for the glory of the LORD is great.

 6 Though the LORD is on high, he looks upon the lowly,
       but the proud he knows from afar.

 7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
       you preserve my life;
       you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes,
       with your right hand you save me.

 8 The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me;
       your love, O LORD, endures forever—
       do not abandon the works of your hands.

Luke 5:17-26 NIV

 17 One day as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law, who had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem, were sitting there. And the power of the Lord was present for him to heal the sick. 18 Some men came carrying a paralytic on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. 19 When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus.

 20 When Jesus saw their faith, he said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven."

 21 The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, "Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?"

 22 Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, "Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? 23 Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? 24 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...." He said to the paralyzed man, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." 25 Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. 26 Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, "We have seen remarkable things today."

Epiphany, Day 35

Isaiah 40:21-31 NIV

 21 Do you not know?
       Have you not heard?
       Has it not been told you from the beginning?
       Have you not understood since the earth was founded?

 22 He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth,
       and its people are like grasshoppers.
       He stretches out the heavens like a canopy,
       and spreads them out like a tent to live in.

 23 He brings princes to naught
       and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.

 24 No sooner are they planted,
       no sooner are they sown,
       no sooner do they take root in the ground,
       than he blows on them and they wither,
       and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff.

 25 "To whom will you compare me?
       Or who is my equal?" says the Holy One.

 26 Lift your eyes and look to the heavens:
       Who created all these?
       He who brings out the starry host one by one,
       and calls them each by name.
       Because of his great power and mighty strength,
       not one of them is missing.

 27 Why do you say, O Jacob,
       and complain, O Israel,
       "My way is hidden from the LORD;
       my cause is disregarded by my God"?

 28 Do you not know?
       Have you not heard?
       The LORD is the everlasting God,
       the Creator of the ends of the earth.
       He will not grow tired or weary,
       and his understanding no one can fathom.

 29 He gives strength to the weary
       and increases the power of the weak.

 30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
       and young men stumble and fall;

 31 but those who hope in the LORD
       will renew their strength.
       They will soar on wings like eagles;
       they will run and not grow weary,
       they will walk and not be faint.

Epiphany, Day 34

Psalm 147:1-11 The Message

 1 Hallelujah! It's a good thing to sing praise to our God;
      praise is beautiful, praise is fitting.

 2-6 God's the one who rebuilds Jerusalem,
      who regathers Israel's scattered exiles.
   He heals the heartbroken
      and bandages their wounds.
   He counts the stars
      and assigns each a name.
   Our Lord is great, with limitless strength;
      we'll never comprehend what he knows and does.
   God puts the fallen on their feet again
      and pushes the wicked into the ditch.

 7-11 Sing to God a thanksgiving hymn,
      play music on your instruments to God,
   Who fills the sky with clouds,
      preparing rain for the earth,
   Then turning the mountains green with grass,
      feeding both cattle and crows.
   He's not impressed with horsepower;
      the size of our muscles means little to him.
   Those who fear God get God's attention;
      they can depend on his strength.


Mark 1:29-39 TNIV

 29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. 30 Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. 31 So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.

    32 That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. 33 The whole town gathered at the door, 34 and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.

Jesus Prays in a Solitary Place

 35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. 36 Simon and his companions went to look for him, 37 and when they found him, they exclaimed: "Everyone is looking for you!"

    38 Jesus replied, "Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come." 39 So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.

Epiphany, Day 34

Psalm 147:1-11 The Message

 1 Hallelujah! It's a good thing to sing praise to our God;
      praise is beautiful, praise is fitting.

 2-6 God's the one who rebuilds Jerusalem,
      who regathers Israel's scattered exiles.
   He heals the heartbroken
      and bandages their wounds.
   He counts the stars
      and assigns each a name.
   Our Lord is great, with limitless strength;
      we'll never comprehend what he knows and does.
   God puts the fallen on their feet again
      and pushes the wicked into the ditch.

 7-11 Sing to God a thanksgiving hymn,
      play music on your instruments to God,
   Who fills the sky with clouds,
      preparing rain for the earth,
   Then turning the mountains green with grass,
      feeding both cattle and crows.
   He's not impressed with horsepower;
      the size of our muscles means little to him.
   Those who fear God get God's attention;
      they can depend on his strength.


Mark 1:29-39 TNIV

 29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. 30 Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. 31 So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.

    32 That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. 33 The whole town gathered at the door, 34 and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.

Jesus Prays in a Solitary Place

 35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. 36 Simon and his companions went to look for him, 37 and when they found him, they exclaimed: "Everyone is looking for you!"

    38 Jesus replied, "Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come." 39 So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.

Epiphany, Day 33

Revelation 7:9-17 TNIV

9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice:
       "Salvation belongs to our God,
       who sits on the throne,
       and to the Lamb."

    11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying:
       "Amen!
       Praise and glory
       and wisdom and thanks and honor
       and power and strength
       be to our God for ever and ever.
       Amen!"

    13 Then one of the elders asked me, "These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?"

    14 I answered, "Sir, you know."

    And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore,
       "they are before the throne of God
       and serve him day and night in his temple;
       and he who sits on the throne
       will spread his tent over them.

    16 'Never again will they hunger;
       never again will they thirst.
       The sun will not beat down on them,'
       nor any scorching heat.

    17 For the Lamb at the center before the throne
       will be their shepherd;
       'he will lead them to springs of living water.'
       'And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.' "

Revelation 7:9-17 TNIV

9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice:
       "Salvation belongs to our God,
       who sits on the throne,
       and to the Lamb."

    11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying:
       "Amen!
       Praise and glory
       and wisdom and thanks and honor
       and power and strength
       be to our God for ever and ever.
       Amen!"

    13 Then one of the elders asked me, "These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?"

    14 I answered, "Sir, you know."

    And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore,
       "they are before the throne of God
       and serve him day and night in his temple;
       and he who sits on the throne
       will spread his tent over them.

    16 'Never again will they hunger;
       never again will they thirst.
       The sun will not beat down on them,'
       nor any scorching heat.

    17 For the Lamb at the center before the throne
       will be their shepherd;
       'he will lead them to springs of living water.'
       'And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.' "

Epiphany, Day 32

Psalms 91 TNIV

1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
       will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

    2 They say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
       my God, in whom I trust."

    3 Surely he will save you
       from the fowler's snare
       and from the deadly pestilence.

    4 He will cover you with his feathers,
       and under his wings you will find refuge;
       his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

    5 You will not fear the terror of night,
       nor the arrow that flies by day,

    6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
       nor the plague that destroys at midday.

    7 A thousand may fall at your side,
       ten thousand at your right hand,
       but it will not come near you.

    8 You will only observe with your eyes
       and see the punishment of the wicked.

    9 If you say, "The LORD is my refuge,"
       and you make the Most High your dwelling,

    10 no harm will overtake you,
       no disaster will come near your tent.

    11 For he will command his angels concerning you
       to guard you in all your ways;

    12 they will lift you up in their hands,
       so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

    13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
       you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

    14 "Because they love me," says the LORD, "I will rescue them;
       I will protect them, for they acknowledge my name.

    15 They will call on me, and I will answer them;
       I will be with them in trouble,
       I will deliver them and honor them.

    16 With long life I will satisfy them
       and show them my salvation."

Colossians 1:13-20 The Message

13-14 God rescued us from dead-end alleys and dark dungeons. He's set us up in the kingdom of the Son he loves so much, the Son who got us out of the pit we were in, got rid of the sins we were doomed to keep repeating.  15-18 We look at this Son and see the God who cannot be seen. We look at this Son and see God's original purpose in everything created. For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels—everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him. He was there before any of it came into existence and holds it all together right up to this moment. And when it comes to the church, he organizes and holds it together, like a head does a body.

 18-20 He was supreme in the beginning and—leading the resurrection parade—he is supreme in the end. From beginning to end he's there, towering far above everything, everyone. So spacious is he, so roomy, that everything of God finds its proper place in him without crowding. Not only that, but all the broken and dislocated pieces of the universe—people and things, animals and atoms—get properly fixed and fit together in vibrant harmonies, all because of his death, his blood that poured down from the cross.