20th
Week After Pentecost Á-? Thursday
T
ODAY
Á-?
S
READINGS
,
FOLLOWED
BY
A
FEW
SMALL
PASTORAL
AND
PERSONAL
THOUGHTS
.
Philippians 3:1-8 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to
you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.
2
Beware of dogs, beware of evil
workers, beware of the concision.
3
For we are the circumcision, which worship God in
the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
4
Though I
might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof
he might trust in the flesh, I more:
5
Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of
the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
6
Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law,
blameless.
7
But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
8
Yea
doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ
Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but
dung, that I may win Christ,
Luke 7:17-30 And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout
all the region round about.
18
And the disciples of John shewed him of all these things.
19
And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he
that should come? or look we for another?
20
When the men were come unto him, they
said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look
we for another?
21
And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues,
and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight.
22
Then Jesus answering
said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how
that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are
raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.
23
And
blessed is he, whosoever shall not be
offended in me.
24
And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak
unto the people concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A
reed shaken with the wind?
25
But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft
raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings'
courts.
26
But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much
more than a prophet.
27
This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger
before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
28
For
I say unto you, Among
those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he
that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.
29
And all the people that heard
him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.
30
But
the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not
baptized of him.