Pentecost • 14

reading for: Tuesday Night, 20 Aug

John 6:56-69

  • ReAD

    Scripture Reference: John 6:56-69

    (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%206%3A56-69&version=NIV)

    When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, “Do you take offense at this? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. – John 6:60-64

  • Commentary

    Today, we conclude our reading of John 6 by looking at the outcome of Jesus's sermon to the crowds. Let us recall that earlier in the chapter, Jesus fed the 5000 and walked on water. After that, he preached to the crowds, which we have been looking at for the past few weeks. Jesus ends his sermon by calling the crowd to eat his flesh and drink his blood in order to have eternal life and be raised up on the last day.

    After the sermon ended, many disciples grumbled that this was a hard saying and that they were unable to listen to it. Jesus knew what was in their hearts and told them that if they took offence at this, what if they saw Him ascending to where He was before, and that it is the Spirit who gives life, and the flesh is of no help. Jesus’s point is that there are harder things that Jesus will say and do that they were to receive from the Spirit. If not, then the words that Jesus is saying have no use.

    This resulted in many of the disciples leaving Jesus. Jesus then turned to ask the twelve if they wanted to go away also. Peter answered that Jesus had the words of eternal life, and they believed that He was the Holy One of God.

    The contrast is evident. Peter saw that these were the words of eternal life, but some others saw it as a hard saying and took offence at it.

  • Reflect

    Are you believing the words of eternal life, or is it a hard saying?

  • Prayer

    Our Father in Heaven, You have given Your Son the words of eternal life that He is constantly speaking to us. Help us listen to those words, believe them, and not take offence at them.

reading for: Wednesday Night, 21 aug

1 Kings 8:1-43

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    Scripture Reference: 1 Kings 8:1-43

    (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Kings%208%3A1-43&version=NIV)

    27 “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built! 28 Yet have regard to the prayer of your servant and to his plea, O Lord my God, listening to the cry and to the prayer that your servant prays before you this day, 29 that your eyes may be open night and day toward this house, the place of which you have said, ‘My name shall be there,’ that you may listen to the prayer that your servant offers toward this place. 1 Kings 8:27-29

  • Commentary

    In 1 Kings 8:1-43, King Solomon dedicates the newly completed temple with a prayer that echoes through time. It’s a prayer rooted in one central truth: God’s presence is the heartbeat of His people. As Solomon prays, he acknowledges the greatness of a God who is both majestic and merciful—who chooses to dwell among His people and hears their cries. The temple was a symbol of God’s abiding presence, but it was more than that. It was a place where both Israelites and foreigners could seek Him, find strength, and experience His provision.

    Even today, God invites us to seek His presence in our daily lives. We often carry burdens we cannot bear alone—worries about our families, decisions, work, or health. Like Solomon, we’re invited to bring these concerns before God, trusting that He not only hears but is also eager to respond. The same God who listened to the prayers in the temple listens to us today. He is near, ready to strengthen us when we feel weak, and provide what we need when we lack.

    As we navigate our day, may we remember that God’s presence isn’t confined to a building or a ritual. He is with us wherever we are, inviting us to lean on His strength and trust in His unfailing provision. The same God who heard Solomon’s prayer hears ours.

  • Reflect

    In what area of your life do you need to be reminded that God is near, ready to hear and provide for you today?

  • Prayer

    “You awaken us to delight in Your praise, for You made us for Yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You. Grant me, Lord, to know and understand which comes first: to call on You or to praise You?...

    …Do heaven and earth contain You, since You fill them? Or do You fill them and still overflow, since they cannot fully contain You? And where, when heaven and earth are filled, do You pour out the rest of Yourself? Or do You have no need to be contained by anything, since You contain all things, and what You fill, You fill by containing it?”

    Confessions, Book 1, Chapter 1, St Augustine

reading for: THURSDAY Night, 22 AUG

ephesians 6:10-20

  • ReAD

    Scripture Reading: Ephesians 6:10-20

    (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=%20Ephesians%206%3A10-20&version=NIV)

    “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm.” - Ephesians 6:12

  • commentary

    Today’s scripture is one that was meant to be a wake-up call to its readers. However, like in the time of Noah where grievous warnings fell on deaf ears and where people mocked and continued with their life’s worldly trajectory, such was the situation in Paul’s time of writing and sadly even now for the vast majority of us.

    But brothers and sisters, thanks be to God that this is not so for those of us who have the Holy Spirit and who are born again as children of God. This scripture should challenge and shake our way of life and our focuses down to its core. It ought to bring about change to how we make decisions, how we prepare for the start of each day, how we go to bed, and what we do in the midst of our days. It ought to change the way we think of strategies, success, and our investments of time and money. It ought to change how we deal with conflict and assess the root of our problems when we are faced with roadblocks with our love ones or colleagues.

    This is what Paul spends the length of today’s scripture doing – informing us how we ought to live our lives in light of the truth about this world and our enemies.

    Let us then repent of any waywardness and let us return to the Father for renewed vigor and alignment to the truth this day.

  • Reflect

    Take time to consider if our life reflects the truth of landscape (evil world) and situation (war) that we are living in. Further consider Paul’s counsel to live anchored and girded in the truth of who God is and who we are in Him. Let us double down and recommit to the areas of our lives that the Holy Spirit will show you that requires restoration. Take steps to keep your spiritual discipline and rhythms. Commit to the community and people God has called you to afresh today.

  • Prayer

    Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for your unfailing love and that I am your child. Thank You that You are amazing God and mighty to save. Thank you for opening my eyes that I may know the reality of the world and times that I live in. Help me dear God to live it out in your ever sufficient grace and power. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

reading for: FRIDAY Night, 23 AUG

Psalm 84

  • ReAD

    Scripture reference: Psalm 84

    (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm%2084&version=NIV)

    Even the sparrow finds a home and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God. - Psalm 84:3

  • commentary

    Where is your home? Where is your place of refuge where you find rest and can grow?

    Augustine the great 4th century church father once said, “You have made us for yourself O LORD, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.”

    He was echoing the words of the Psalmist in Psalm 84. Who discovered that deep truth in life.

    The longing, the fainting in the depths of our soul can only be met in the very presence and courts of the LORD, our Heavenly Father. As children only He can give us the safety and refuge and growth we need.

    This lovely home is such that even sparrows and swallows, 2 seemingly insignificant and restless birds would want to be. To find rest, to feel safe and to raise a family. A place of growth. A place of life.

    It would ultimately be a place where even her young could be safe alone without worry of danger.

    The altar, the place where we lay ourselves bare before the LORD, is the place where we will find our home who is the LORD. Our place of refuge. Our place of growth.

  • Reflect

    Where do you go to find refuge? Where is your home?

  • Prayer

    Father in Heaven, in You alone will I find rest. In You alone will I find my home. Even though I may feel like a sparrow darting anxiously to find rest, enable me by the power of your Spirit to find my home in You. For there is no other place of blessing.

Season of LentCNL