Quotes and Readings of the Day

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Acts 28:17-31

Paul and Jewish Leaders in Rome
Three days later he called together the local leaders of the Jews. When they had assembled, he said to them, "Brothers, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors, yet I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. When they had examined me, the Romans wanted to release me, because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case. But when the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to the emperor—even though I had no charge to bring against my nation. For this reason therefore I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is for the sake of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain."

They replied, "We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of the brothers coming here has reported or spoken anything evil about you. But we would like to hear from you what you think, for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against."

Paul Preaches in Rome
After they had set a day to meet with him, they came to him at his lodgings in great numbers. From morning until evening he explained the matter to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the law of Moses and from the prophets. Some were convinced by what he had said, while others refused to believe. So they disagreed with each other; and as they were leaving, Paul made one further statement: "The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your ancestors through the prophet Isaiah,

'Go to this people and say,
You will indeed listen, but never understand,
and you will indeed look, but never perceive.
For this people's heart has grown dull,
and their ears are hard of hearing,
and they have shut their eyes;
so that they might not look with their eyes,
and listen with their ears,
and understand with their heart and turn—
and I would heal them.'

Let it be known to you then that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen."

He lived there two whole years at his own expense and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.

Note: Today's Gospel reading is Mark 14:43-52. Find a Bible translation.

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From the New Revised Standard Version. Reprinted with permission from HarperBibles.

TAGS: Bible, Bible Reading, Christian, Acts

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Genesis 14:21-15:6

Then the king of Sodom said to Abram, "Give me the persons, and take the possessions for yourself." But Abram said to the king of Sodom, "I swear to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth: I will not take so much as a thread or a sandal strap of what is yours; you shall not say, ‘It is I who made Abram rich.’ For me, nothing but what my servants have used up; as for the share of the men who went with me—Aner, Eshkol, and Mamre—let them take their share."

Some time later, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision. He said,
"Fear not, Abram,
I am a shield to you;
Your reward shall be very great."

But Abram said, "O Lord God, what can You give me, seeing that I shall die childless, and the one in charge of my household is Dammesek Eliezer!" Abram said further, "Since You have granted me no offspring, my steward will be my heir." The word of the Lord came to him in reply, "That one shall not be your heir; none but your very own issue shall be your heir." He took him outside and said, "Look toward heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them." And He added, "So shall your offspring be." And because he put his trust in the Lord, He reckoned it to his merit.

From Parshat Lekh Lekhah. From THE TANAKH: The New JPS Translation According to the Traditional Hebrew Text. Copyright 1985 by the Jewish Publication Society. Used by permission.

TAGS: Torah, Torah Reading, Judaism, Genesis

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The desire of power in excess caused the angels to fall; the desire of knowledge in excess caused man to fall.

-Francis Brown

TAGS: Angel Quote, Angels, Excess, Desire, Francis Brown

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And better than a hundred years lived without seeing the Deathless state, is one day lived seeing the Deathless state.

-Dhammapada, 114, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu

TAGS: Dhammapada, Dhammapada Quotes, Buddhist Quote, Buddhism, State, Deathless

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God gives you a talent and you have to follow through on it. Heart will get you so far - and it got me pretty far.

-James Caviezel

TAGS: Talent, Entertainment Quote, Celebrities, Christian, Spiritual, God, God, Heart, Celebrity Spirituality, Entertainment, Faith

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Snuggle in God's arms. When you are hurting, when you feel lonely, left out...let him cradle you, comfort you, reassure you of His all-sufficient power and love.

-Kay Arthur

TAGS: Bible, Christian Quote, Christianity

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Install storm windows to ensure that your home's heat is sealed in.

TAGS: Eco Tips

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The only service a friend can really render is to keep up your courage by holding up to you a mirror in which you can see a noble image of yourself.

-George Bernard Shaw (submitted by SpdyCyn)

TAGS: Inspiration Quote, Service, Noble Image, Friend, Courage, Perspective, George Bernard Shaw

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The future is as bright as the promises of God.

-Adoniran Judson

TAGS: Evangelical, Evangelical Quote, Christianity

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Faith is not a cushion for me to fall back upon; it is my working energy.

-Helen Keller

TAGS: Health Quote

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Know him to be the supreme magician Who has become boy and girl, bird and beast. He is the bestower of all blessings, And his grace fills the heart with profound peace. Know him to be the supreme source of all The gods, sole support of the universe, The sower of the golden seed of life. May he grant us the grace of wisdom.

Shvetashvatara Upanishad

Excerpted from The Upanishads, translated by Eknath Easwaran, copyright 1987. Reprinted with permission from Nilgiri Press, www.nilgiri.org.

TAGS: Upanishads, Hindu Quote, Hinduism

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You always become the thing you fight the most.

-Carl Jung

TAGS: Glow, Holistic Living Quote, Spirituality, Holistic Living

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Experience is what allows us to repeat our mistakes, only with more finesse!

-Derwood Fincher

TAGS: Inspiration Quote, Experience, Mistake, Decision, Derwood Fincher

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One pang of conscience is worth more than many lashes.

-Jose b. Halafta, Talmud: Berakhot, 7a

Reprinted from 'A Treasury of Jewish Quotations,' edited by Joseph L. Baron, Jason Aronson Inc.

TAGS: Judaism, Jewish Quote

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Patience comes in three stages: first, one learns not to follow the baser self; second, one learns to content oneself with one's fate; finally, one surrenders oneself to the Master's will and discovers within love and compassion, the greatest of all achievements.

-Al-Ghazzali, "Ibya Ulum Id-Din"

From "The Bounty of Allah." Translated by Aneela Khalid Arshed. Copyright 1999. All rights reserved. Used with permission of The Crossroad Publishing Company, New York.

TAGS: Islam, Muslim Quote, Muslim

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Charity begins at home.

-Andria Terence

TAGS: Relationships, Relationships Quotes, Family, Love And Family