Daily Scripture Reading for the
Liturgical Calendar Year
(beginning the 1st Sunday of Advent)

May 9, 2008

Text taken from the
Third Millennium Bible^® (TMB^®)
(New Authorized Version^TM NAV^TM)

The Lectionary According to the Christian Seasons

Acts 25

1 Now when Festus had come into the province, after three days he ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem. 2 Then the high priest and the chief men of the Jews informed him against Paul and besought him, 3 desiring a favor against him: that he would have Paul brought to Jerusalem, so that they might lie in wait on the way to kill him. 4 But Festus answered that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither. 5 "Let those therefore," he said, "who among you are able, go down with me and accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him."

6 And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Caesarea. And the next day, sitting in the judgment seat, he commanded Paul to be brought. 7 And when he had come, the Jews who came down from Jerusalem stood round about and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove, 8 while Paul answered for himself: "Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor yet against Caesar have I offended any thing at all." 9 But Festus, desiring to do the Jews a favor, answered Paul and said, "Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem and there be judged of these things before me?" 10 Then said Paul, "I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged. To the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest. 11 For if I am an offender, or have committed anything worthy of death, I should not refuse to die; but if there is nothing to these things whereof they accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar." 12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, "Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? Unto Caesar shalt thou go!"

13 Some days later, King Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute Festus. 14 And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul's cause unto the king, saying, "There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix, 15 about whom, when I was in Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him. 16 To them I answered, 'It is not in the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die before he that is accused has the accusers face to face, and has license to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him.' 17 Therefore when they had come hither, without any delay on the morrow, I sat on the judgment seat and commanded the man to be brought forth, 18 against whom, when the accusers stood up, they brought no accusation of such things as I supposed, 19 but had certain questions against him concerning their own superstition and of one Jesus, who was dead and whom Paul affirmed to be alive. 20 And because I was in doubt as to this manner of questions, I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged on these matters. 21 But when Paul appealed to be reserved for a hearing by Augustus, I commanded him to be kept until I might send him to Caesar." 22 Then Agrippa said unto Festus, "I would also hear the man myself." "Tomorrow," said he, "thou shalt hear him."

23 And on the morrow, when Agrippa and Bernice had come with great pomp, and had entered into the place of hearing with the chief captains and principal men of the city, at Festus' command Paul was brought forth. 24 And Festus said, "King Agrippa and all men who are here present with us, ye see this man about whom all the multitude of the Jews have applied to me, both at Jerusalem and also here, crying out that he ought not to live any longer. 25 But when I found that he hath committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him. 26 Of him I have nothing certain to write unto my lord. Therefore I have brought him forth before you, and especially before thee, O King Agrippa, that after we have examined him I might have something to write. 27 For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not also to specify the crimes laid against him."

Psalm 103

1 Bless the LORD, O my soul;
and all that is within me, bless His holy name!
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all His benefits- -
3 who forgiveth all thine iniquities,
who healeth all thy diseases,
4 who redeemeth thy life from destruction,
who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
5 who satisfieth thy mouth with good things,
so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.
6 The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
7 He made known His ways unto Moses, His acts unto the children of Israel.
8 The LORD is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and plenteous in mercy.
9 He will not always chide,
neither will He keep His anger for ever.
10 He hath not dealt with us according to our sins,
nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11 For as the heaven is high above the earth,
so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him.
12 As far as the east is from the west,
so far hath He removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father pitieth his children,
so the LORD pitieth them that fear Him.
14 For He knoweth our frame;
He remembereth that we are dust.

15 As for man, his days are as grass;
as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone;
and the place thereof shall know it no more.
17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear Him,
and His righteousness unto children's children,
18 to such as keep His covenant,
and to those that remember His commandments to do them.

19 The LORD hath prepared His throne in the heavens,
and His Kingdom ruleth over all.
20 Bless the LORD, ye His angels that excel in strength,
that do His commandments, hearkening unto the voice of His word.
21 Bless ye the LORD, all ye His hosts,
ye ministers of His, that do His pleasure.
22 Bless the LORD, all His works, in all places of His dominion.
Bless the LORD, O my soul!

Words of Worship - John 14:26

But the Comforter, who is the Holy Ghost whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

John 21:15-19

15 So when they had dined, Jesus said to Simon Peter,

 "Simon, son of Jonah, lovest thou Me more than these?"

He said unto Him, "Yea, Lord; Thou knowest that I love Thee." He said unto him,

 "Feed My lambs." 

16 He said to him again the second time,

 "Simon, son of Jonah, lovest thou Me?"

He said unto Him, "Yea, Lord; Thou knowest that I love Thee." He said unto him,

 "Feed My sheep." 

17 He said unto him the third time,

 "Simon, son of Jonah, lovest thou Me?"

Peter was grieved because He said unto him the third time, "Lovest thou Me?" And he said unto Him, "Lord, Thou knowest all things. Thou knowest that I love Thee." Jesus said unto him,

 "Feed My sheep. 18 Verily, verily I say unto thee, when thou wast young, thou girded thyself and walked whither thou wouldest; but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee and carry thee whither thou wouldest not." 

19 This spoke He, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said unto him,

 "Follow Me."

Words of Wisdom - Ecclesiasticus 20:2

It is much better to reprove than to be angry secretly, 
and he that confesseth his fault shall be preserved from hurt. 

Jesus Speaks Morals & Values - Luke 12:6-7
         (see UniversalJesusSpeaks.info for more information)

Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is
forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.