Proverbial Summer, Week 8

A DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT: We remember Bishop Apollinaris (sometimes spelled Apolineris) of Ravenna, who was martyred on this date around AD 75. He was a faithful pastor of Ravenna for over two dozen years during a time of imperial persecutions, having been expelled from his city several times, and suffered great hardships. According to some traditions, he was sent by St Peter and may have been one of the 72 sent out by Jesus (Luke 10), where Jesus said, "the harvest is great, but the workers are few...say, 'Peace to this house....The kingdom of God is near you." As we reflect on his faithful witness, we cana thank God for all those pastors and leaders who speak the Word of Christ in all situations.

Psalm 125

Based on Matthew 13:24–30, 36–43.

Proverbial Summer, Week 7

A DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT: "Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God" (Ruth 1:16). A beautiful text often used at weddings, yet it is more about family relationships. As we remember the Old Testament matriarch, Ruth, on this date, we see her faithfulness, loyalty, and kindness. She is a model of faith and the great grandmother of King David and, ultimately, Jesus, the Messiah, was her descendent (Matthew 1:16-17).

Fertile Ground for a Fruitful Word,” by Pastor Anderson,based on Matthew 13 & Isaiah 55.

Psalm 119

Proverbial Summer, Week 6

A DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT: Stephen Langton died on this date in 1228. Who is he? He was a preacher, scholar and theologian at the University of Paris and later the Archbishop of Canterbury. While serving in Paris he developed the system of chapter divisions, something that others had done in the past in local settings, yet Langton's system caught on and is what we still use today. Evidence of this is in Martin Luther's Catechisms, where he refers to chapters, but not verses. We can thank God for Langton and his legacy as we read our Bibles and share the Good News.