Readings for the Week of January 29, 2017

The reading this week is from Peter’s first letter.  Unlike Paul, he wrote only two letters contained in the New Testament which, instead of going to a specific church, appear to have been circulated in a region where Peter was active.  The readings are going to begin with a chapter in Acts, where Peter is preaching in the early church, and then through the chapters of 1 Peter.  As you read, see if Peter’s preaching voice, as recorded by Luke, is similar to his writing voice.

Sun. Jan. 29: 1 Peter 1: 13-21

Mon. Jan. 30: Acts 3

Tue. Jan. 31: 1 Peter 1

Wed. Feb. 1: 1 Peter 2

Thu. Feb.2: 1 Peter 3

Fri. Feb. 3: 1 Peter 4

Sat. Feb. 4: 1 Peter 5

Readings for the week of January 22

After explaining that God has a plan for each of us, when speaking to someone about the Christian faith, the next point is to speak of the sinfulness that is in all of our lives, that no one is worthy of God’s love on our own.  The point is not to dwell on condemnation from God, but rather on the saving grace God has for each of us in God’s plan for each of us.  Still, sin is a difficult and often abused concept in the church.

Sun. Jan. 22-Romans 7:7-25  Paul is here trying to encapsulate the reality of sin in the context of God’s Word given as the law.

Mon. Jan. 23-Genesis 3  This is the story of Adam and Eve and the Serpent, what happened and the aftermath with God, the story of “Original Sin”.

Tue. Jan. 24-Psalm 1  This Psalm speaks of the contrast between the wicked and those who follow God’s path, a duality that many Christians divide all people into.

Wed. Jan. 25-Isaiah 59  The language here, of a disobedient people, of the sins they commit against God, and God’s punishment in return for their deeds, is the language that is preached on about our own disobedience to God as sinners and the punishment we can expect, except for Jesus.

Thu. Jan. 26-Luke 12: 13-34  These are Jesus’ words, first a parable of the rich man whose riches could not save him, then words of comfort as to the true power of God coming to us.

Fri. Jan. 27-Romans 8: 1-17  The follow on to the verses from Sunday, here Paul speaks of how are relationship to God changes in Jesus.

Sat. Jan. 28-Romans 8: 18-30  It is not only we who are caught up in sin, but all of creation, thus the plan of God is not just for us, but also for all of creation.

For all the complexities of sin, the reality is far simpler.  God saves us from it by Jesus.  That is God’s plan, that is our salvation, not something to be confused by, but something to embrace.